Plastic pollution in aquatic environments is one of the greatest consequences of the Anthropocene on the planet. Microplastics can be produced by the degradation of these plastics and are present in practically all environments (atmospheric, terrestrial and aquatic). A brief narrative bibliographic review was developed on the topic of microplastics, focusing on the impacts on the environment, considering studies on the sources of waste they generate, procedures for collection and analysis in the laboratory. In coastal marine environments, particularly sandy beaches, microplastics can be collected and analyzed. In coastal marine environments, particularly sandy beaches, microplastics can be collected and analyzed. In the Lagos Region of the State of Rio de Janeiro, in cities with strong tourism activity: Armação dos Búzios Cabo Frio and Rio das Ostras samples were collected for analysis of microplastic particles between the years 2020 and 2022 that comprised the period of the pandemic of COVID-19. The results showed that of the three beaches studied, only Boca da Barra (Rio das Ostras) showed a significant increase in particles comparing the two collections (2021 and 2022). The confirmation of the presence of these pollutants on the beaches studied reinforces the need for continuity of monitoring to better assist managers in governance actions for the preservation of these coastal environments.

Keywords: Microplastics. Coastal zone. Marine environments. Sediments