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Devi SS, Saifudeen N, Kumar KS, Kumar AB. Does the microplastics ingestion patterns and polymer composition vary across the oceanic zones? A case study from the Indian coast. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 204:116532. [PMID: 38824708 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
This study explores microplastic (MP) presence in the gastrointestinal tracts of deep-sea fish from the Central Indian Ocean, off the Indian coast. Among the 27 species examined, 19 showed MP contamination, averaging 2.68 ± 0.30 (±SE) MPs per individual. Polymer analysis via FTIR and micro-Raman identified several types, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polypropelene (PP), polyvinyl acetate (PVC), polyurethane (PU), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyaniline (PANI), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and polyethersulfone (PES), with PET being the most prevalent (33.33 %). MP ingestion was higher in benthopelagic fish and those at higher trophic levels, as indicated by comparisons across oceanic zones. Niche partitioning analysis suggests feeding behaviour as a primary influencer of MP ingestion in deep-sea fish rather than habitat or trophic level. The study proposes the potential use of deep-sea fish as indicators for assessing microplastic pollution across oceanic zones and deep-sea regions through bycatch monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suvarna S Devi
- Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram 69551, Kerala, India
| | - Nasila Saifudeen
- Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram 69551, Kerala, India
| | | | - Appukuttannair Biju Kumar
- Department of Aquatic Biology and Fisheries, University of Kerala, Thiruvananthapuram 69551, Kerala, India.
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Guo Z, Li J, Zhang Z. Meta-analysis for systematic review of global micro/nano-plastics contamination versus various freshwater microalgae: Toxicological effect patterns, taxon-specific response, and potential eco-risks. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 258:121706. [PMID: 38761590 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/30/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Micro/nano-plastics (MNPs), as emerging persistent pollutants, are threatening freshwater ecosystems worldwide. Microalgae are important primary producers at the base of trophic level and susceptible to MNPs contamination, possibly resulting in further contamination in higher trophic levels and water quality. This study conducted a systematic review of 1071 observations from 63 publications, utilizing meta-analysis and subgroup analysis to investigate the toxicological effect patterns of MNPs parameters (size, concentration, and type) on microalgae. We also explored the potential eco-risks of certain specific MNPs parameters and subtle variations in the response of various microalgae taxa to MNPs. Results suggested that microplastics significantly inhibited microalgal photosynthesis, while nano-plastics induced more severe cell membrane damage and promoted toxin-release. Within a certain range of concentrations (0∼50 mg/L), rising MNPs concentration progressively inhibited microalgal growth and chlorophyll-a content, and progressively enhanced toxin-release. Among MNPs types, polyamide caused higher growth inhibition and more severe lipid peroxidation, and polystyrene induced more toxin-release, whereas polyethylene terephthalate and polymethyl methacrylate posed minimal effects on microalgae. Moreover, Bacillariophyta growth was inhibited most significantly, while Chlorophyta displayed strong tolerance and Cyanophyta possessed strong adaptive and exceptional resilience. Particularly, Komvophoron, Microcystis, Nostoc, Scenedesmus, and Gomphonema were more tolerant and might dominate freshwater microalgal communities under MNPs contamination. These results are crucial for acquiring the fate of freshwater microalgae under various MNPs contamination, identifying dominant microalgae, and reasonably assessing and managing involved eco-risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhonghui Guo
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Farming, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
| | - Jieming Li
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Farming, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China.
| | - Ziqing Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Biodiversity and Organic Farming, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, China
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3
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Amal R, Devipriya SP. Severe microplastic pollution risks in urban freshwater system post-landfill fire: A case study from Brahmapuram, India. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 352:124132. [PMID: 38735464 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/06/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
To investigate the escalating issue of microplastic (MP), pollution in urban water bodies, this study focuses on the aftermath of the Brahmapuram landfill fire in Kochi, India, analyzing its impact on MP concentrations in nearby freshwater system. The study conducted sampling sessions at the landfill site immediately before and after the fire. Post-fire, findings demonstrated a substantial increase in MP concentrations in surface waters, with levels rising from an average 25793.33 to 44863.33 particles/m³, featuring a notable presence of larger, predominantly black MPs. Sediment samples showed no significant change in MP count, but there was a significant increase in mass concentration. SEM/EDS analysis revealed changes in surface morphology and elemental composition, suggesting thermal degradation. Risk assessment using the Microplastic Pollution Index (MPI) and Risk Quotient (RQ) methods indicated heightened MP pollution risk in surface water post-fire. Hierarchical cluster analysis revealed the landfill's proximity as a significant factor influencing MP characteristics in the aquatic system. The study highlights the escalated challenge of MP pollution in urban water bodies following environmental disasters like landfill fires, underscoring the urgent need for policy and environmental management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Radhakrishnan Amal
- School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology, 682022, India
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Wang Q, Yamada Y, Enyoh CE, Wang W, Sankoda K. Characterization of Microplastics and Adsorbed/Dissolved Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Biggest River System in Saitama and Tokyo, Japan. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 14:1030. [PMID: 38921906 PMCID: PMC11206372 DOI: 10.3390/nano14121030] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2024] [Revised: 06/12/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
This study presents a comprehensive characterization of microplastics (MPs) and adsorbed/dissolved polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the Arakawa River, the largest river system in Saitama and Tokyo, Japan. The MPs were sampled at various points along the river, revealing an average number density of 2.21 ± 1.48 pieces/m3, with a predominant size range of 0.5-1 mm. Polymer analysis indicated that polyethylene (PE) comprised the highest proportion of MPs (55.9%), followed by polypropylene (PP) (22.4%) and polystyrene (PS) (21.7%). Seasonal fluctuations in MPs concentration were observed, with the highest values in winter and the lowest in summer. An analysis of adsorbed PAHs revealed a median partition coefficient (Kd) value of 3.58 × 104 L/kg for MPs, indicating their affinity for PAHs. Further PAHs analysis revealed that the PAHs with the highest mean values were bicyclic naphthalene, pyrene, and fluoranthene. A comparison with coastal MPs showed differences in PAH composition, with higher proportions of high-ring PAHs observed in coastal samples. The study also investigated the distribution of PAHs in the dissolved and suspended states in the river, finding that similar PAHs were distributed in both states, with the PAHs present in MPs being about 1/10,000 of those in the dissolved and suspended states. The study underscores the importance of the continued monitoring and management of MPs and associated pollutants in river ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qingyue Wang
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-Okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan; (Y.Y.); (W.W.)
| | - Yojiro Yamada
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-Okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan; (Y.Y.); (W.W.)
| | - Christian Ebere Enyoh
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-Okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan; (Y.Y.); (W.W.)
| | - Weiqian Wang
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Saitama University, 255 Shimo-Okubo, Sakura-ku, Saitama 338-8570, Japan; (Y.Y.); (W.W.)
| | - Kenshi Sankoda
- Department of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Toyama Prefectural University, 5180 Kurokawa, Imizu-shi 939-0398, Toyama, Japan;
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Sampsonidis I, Michailidou K, Spritinoudi K, Dimitriadi A, Ainali NM, Bobori DC, Lambropoulou DA, Kyzas GZ, Bikiaris DN, Kalogiannis S. Genotoxicity and metabolic changes induced via ingestion of virgin and UV-aged polyethylene microplastics by the freshwater fish Perca fluviatilis. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 362:142619. [PMID: 38880257 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 05/27/2024] [Accepted: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/18/2024]
Abstract
The present study aims to compare and assess the toxicity induced by aged (irradiated with ultraviolet radiation for 120 days) polyethylene microplastics (PE-MPs) in comparison to virgin (non-irradiated) ones, after feeding the freshwater fish Perca fluviatilis. To this end, MPs mediated genotoxicity was assessed by the investigation of micronucleus nuclear abnormalities frequency in fish blood, and the degree of DNA damage in the liver and muscle tissues, while metabolic alterations were also recorded in both tissues. Results showed that both virgin and aged PE-MPs induced signaling pathways leading to DNA damage and nuclear abnormalities, as well as metabolites changes in all tissues studied. Metabolic changes revealed that the metabolism of nucleic acids, energy, amino acids, and neurotransmitters was more disrupted in the liver and by aged PE-MPs compared to muscles. Fish fed with aged PE-MPs exhibited greater DNA damage, while blood cells of fish fed with virgin PE-MPs seemed to be more vulnerable to nuclear abnormalities in relation to those fed with aged PE-MPs. Moreover, aged PE-MPs induced more acute overall effects on the metabolic profiles of fish tissues, and initiated stronger stress responses, inflammation, and cellular damages in fish tissues in relation to virgin ones. Characterization of both virgin and aged MPs revealed that the latter exhibited lower crystallinity and melting point, more irregular shapes and higher moiety of oxygen and carbonyl groups, which could be attributed for their observed higher toxicity. The research outcomes provide significant insights for advancing toxicological investigations in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Sampsonidis
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, International Hellenic University, GR-57400, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kostantina Michailidou
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece; Laboratory of Ichthyology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Kalliopi Spritinoudi
- Laboratory of Animal Physiology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece; Laboratory of Ichthyology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | | | - Nina Maria Ainali
- Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece; Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitra C Bobori
- Laboratory of Ichthyology, Department of Zoology, School of Biology, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - Dimitra A Lambropoulou
- Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece; Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Innovation (CIRI-AUTH), Balkan Center, GR-570 01, Thessaloniki, Greece
| | - George Z Kyzas
- Hephaestus Laboratory, School of Chemistry, Faculty of Sciences, Democritus University of Thrace, Kavala, GR-654 04, Greece
| | - Dimitrios N Bikiaris
- Laboratory of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, Department of Chemistry, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki, GR-541 24, Thessaloniki, Greece.
| | - Stavros Kalogiannis
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, International Hellenic University, GR-57400, Thessaloniki, Greece.
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Li N, Wang X, Li X, Yi S, Guo Y, Wu N, Lin H, Zhong B, Wu WM, He Y. Anthropogenic and biological activities elevate microplastics pollution in headwater ecosystem of Yangtze tributaries in Hindu Kush-Himalayan region. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 471:134395. [PMID: 38663293 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution is widely spread in oceans, freshwater, and terrestrial environments but MPs in mountainous headwater ecosystem are rarely reported. This study focuses on the headwater of Yangtze tributaries of the Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region. Five streams at elevations of 900 to 3300 m were selected to investigate the distribution of MPs in water and sediments across altitudes. MPs were found in all water and sediment samples from top stream zone nearly in absence of anthropogenic activity, low anthropogenic zone, and high anthropogenic zone, increased from 12-54, 81-185 to 334-847 items/L, and 2-35, 26-84 to 124-428 items/kg, respectively. This elevation-dependent MP distribution indicated that as elevation decreased, anthropogenic activities intensified and increased MPs input and their abundance, size, and diversity. Notably, hydraulic projects, such as damming, were identified as potential barriers to the migration of MPs downstream. Microbiome analyses revealed the presence of bacterial genes associated with plastic biodegradation in all sediment samples. The study indicates that Shangri-la mountainous streams have been polluted with MPs for years with potential risk of generation of nano-sized particles via natural fragmentation and biodegradation, and thus raises concern on MPs pollution in headwaters streams in mountainous regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naying Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bio-resources Utilization, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China; School of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Xiaofeng Wang
- School of Geography and Tourism, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 400047, China
| | - Xianxiang Li
- School of Geography and Tourism, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 400047, China
| | - Shaoliang Yi
- International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, GPO Box, Kathmandu 3226, Nepal
| | - Yun Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bio-resources Utilization, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ning Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bio-resources Utilization, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China; International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, GPO Box, Kathmandu 3226, Nepal
| | - Honghui Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Bo Zhong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bio-resources Utilization, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Wei-Min Wu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, William & Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Research Center, Center for Sustainable Development & Global Competitiveness, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-4020, United States.
| | - Yixin He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bio-resources Utilization, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China.
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Xiong Z, Zhang Y, Chen X, Sha A, Xiao W, Luo Y, Han J, Li Q. Soil Microplastic Pollution and Microbial Breeding Techniques for Green Degradation: A Review. Microorganisms 2024; 12:1147. [PMID: 38930528 PMCID: PMC11205638 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms12061147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs), found in many places around the world, are thought to be more detrimental than other forms of plastics. At present, physical, chemical, and biological methods are being used to break down MPs. Compared with physical and chemical methods, biodegradation methods have been extensively studied by scholars because of their advantages of greenness and sustainability. There have been numerous reports in recent years summarizing the microorganisms capable of degrading MPs. However, there is a noticeable absence of a systematic summary on the technology for breeding strains that can degrade MPs. This paper summarizes the strain-breeding technology of MP-degrading strains for the first time in a systematic way, which provides a new idea for the breeding of efficient MP-degrading strains. Meanwhile, potential techniques for breeding bacteria that can degrade MPs are proposed, providing a new direction for selecting and breeding MP-degrading bacteria in the future. In addition, this paper reviews the sources and pollution status of soil MPs, discusses the current challenges related to the biodegradation of MPs, and emphasizes the safety of MP biodegradation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Jialiang Han
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, No. 2025, Chengluo Avenue, Longquanyi District, Chengdu 610106, China; (Z.X.); (Y.Z.); (X.C.); (A.S.); (W.X.); (Y.L.)
| | - Qiang Li
- Key Laboratory of Coarse Cereal Processing, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Sichuan Engineering & Technology Research Center of Coarse Cereal Industrialization, School of Food and Biological Engineering, Chengdu University, No. 2025, Chengluo Avenue, Longquanyi District, Chengdu 610106, China; (Z.X.); (Y.Z.); (X.C.); (A.S.); (W.X.); (Y.L.)
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Mishra S, Ren Y, Sun X, Lian Y, Singh AK, Sharma N. Microplastics pollution in the Asian water tower: Source, environmental distribution and proposed mitigation strategy. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 356:124247. [PMID: 38838812 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics generated from fragmentation of leftover plastics and industrial waste has reached in the remotely located Asian water tower (AWT) region, the 3rd pole of earth and origin site of several freshwater rivers. The accumulation of microplastics in AWT ecosystem has potential to alter the climatic condition contributing in global warming and disturbing the biodiversity structural dynamics. The present paper provides a comprehensive critical discussion over quantitative assessment of microplastics in different ecosystems (i.e. river, lakes, sediment and snow or glacier) of AWT. The hydrodynamic fate and transport of microplastics and their ecological impact on hydromorphology and biodiversity of AWT has been exemplified. Furthermore, key challenges, perspectives and research directions are identified to mitigate microplastics associated problems. During survey, the coloured polyethylene and polyurethane fibers are the predominant microplastics found in most areas of AWT. These bio-accumulated MPs alter the rhizospheric community structure and deteriorate nitrogen fixation process in plants. Significance in climate change, MPs pollution is enhancing the emissions of greenhouse gases (NH3 by ∼34% and CH4 by ∼9%), contributing in global warming. Considering the seriousness of MPs pollution, this review study can enlighten the pathways to investigate the effect of MPs and to develop monitoring tools and sustainable remediation technologies with feasible regulatory strategies maintaining the natural significance of AWT region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh Mishra
- Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, Jiangsu, China; Institute of Water Science and Technology, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210098, China; State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuling Ren
- Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaonan Sun
- Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanqing Lian
- Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, Jiangsu, China; Institute of Water Science and Technology, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210098, China; State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Anurag Kumar Singh
- University School of Chemical Technology, Guru Govind Singh Indraprastha University, Sector 16c Dwarka, New Delhi, 110078, India
| | - Niraj Sharma
- Transport Planning and Environment Division, CSIR-Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi, 110025, India
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Guimarães GDA, Pereira SA, de Moraes BR, Ando RA, Martinelli Filho JE, Perotti GF, Sant'Anna BS, Hattori GY. The retention of plastic particles by macrophytes in the Amazon River, Brazil. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:42750-42765. [PMID: 38877194 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33961-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/06/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
This study evaluated the presence of plastics and microplastics in macrophytes in an urbanized sector of the Amazon River. A total of 77 quadrats in 23 macrophyte banks were sampled during the dry (September 2020) and rainy (June 2021) season. Five species were identified: Paspalum repens, Pontederia rotundifolia, Pistia stratiotes, Salvinia auriculata and Limnobium laevigatum, with P. repens being dominant during the dry season (47.54%) and P. rotundifolia during the rainy season (78.96%). Most of the plastic particles accumulated in Paspalum repens (49.3%) and P. rotundifolia (32.4%), likely due to their morphological structure and volume. The dry season showed a higher accumulation of plastic particles than the rainy season. Microplastics were found in most samples, during both the dry (75.98%) and rainy seasons (74.03%). The upstream macrophyte banks retained more plastic particles compared to the downstream banks. A moderate positive correlation was observed between the presence of plastic particles and macrophyte biomass, and a weak positive correlation between the occurrence of microplastics and mesoplastics. White and blue fragments, ranging from 1 to 5 mm were the most common microplastics found in the macrophyte banks. Green fragments and green and blue fibers were identified as polypropylene, blue and red fragments as polyethylene, and white fragments as polystyrene. Therefore, the results of this study highlight the first evidence of the retention of plastic particles in macrophytes of the Amazon and highlight a significant risk due to the harmful effects that this type of plastic can cause to the fauna and flora of aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Dos Anjos Guimarães
- Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Rua Nossa Senhora do Rosário, 3863, Tiradentes, Itacoatiara, AM, 69103-128, Brazil.
- Laboratório de Oceanografia Biológica e Centro de Estudos Avançados da Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal do Pará, Av. Augusto Corrêa S/N, Guamá, Belém, PA, 66075-110, Brazil.
| | - Samantha Aquino Pereira
- Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Rua Nossa Senhora do Rosário, 3863, Tiradentes, Itacoatiara, AM, 69103-128, Brazil
| | - Beatriz Rocha de Moraes
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Fundamental, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, 748 - B4T, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05508000, Brazil
| | - Rômulo Augusto Ando
- Instituto de Química, Departamento de Química Fundamental, Universidade de São Paulo, Av. Professor Lineu Prestes, 748 - B4T, Butantã, São Paulo, SP, 05508000, Brazil
| | - José Eduardo Martinelli Filho
- Laboratório de Oceanografia Biológica e Centro de Estudos Avançados da Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal do Pará, Av. Augusto Corrêa S/N, Guamá, Belém, PA, 66075-110, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Frigi Perotti
- Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Rua Nossa Senhora do Rosário, 3863, Tiradentes, Itacoatiara, AM, 69103-128, Brazil
| | - Bruno Sampaio Sant'Anna
- Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Rua Nossa Senhora do Rosário, 3863, Tiradentes, Itacoatiara, AM, 69103-128, Brazil
| | - Gustavo Yomar Hattori
- Instituto de Ciências Exatas e Tecnologia, Universidade Federal do Amazonas, Rua Nossa Senhora do Rosário, 3863, Tiradentes, Itacoatiara, AM, 69103-128, Brazil
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Jahan I, Chowdhury G, Baquero AO, Couetard N, Hossain MA, Mian S, Iqbal MM. Microplastics pollution in the Surma River, Bangladesh: A rising hazard to upstream water quality and aquatic life. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 360:121117. [PMID: 38733848 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
The ecological health of freshwater rivers is deteriorating globally due to careless human activities, for instance, the emission of plastic garbage into the river. The current research was the first assessment of microplastics (MPs) pollution in water, sediment, and representative organisms (fish, crustacean, and bivalve) from the Surma River. Water, sediment, and organisms were sampled from six river sites (Site 1: Charkhai; Site 2: Golapganj; Site 3: Alampur; Site 4: Kazir Bazar; Site 5: Kanishail and Site 6: Lamakazi), and major water quality parameters were recorded during sampling. Thereafter, MPs in water, sediment, and organism samples were extracted, and then microscopically examined to categorize selected MPs types. The abundance of MPs, as well as size, and color distribution, were estimated. Polymer types were analyzed by ATR-FTIR, the color loss of MPs was recorded, the Pollution Load Index (PLI) was calculated, and the relationship between MPs and water quality parameters was analyzed. Sites 4 and 5 had comparatively poorer water quality than other sites. Microplastic fibers, fragments, and microbeads were consistently observed in water, sediment, and organisms. A substantial range of MPs in water, sediment, and organisms (37.33-686.67 items/L, 0.89-15.12 items/g, and 0.66-48.93 items/g, respectively) was recorded. There was a diverse color range, and MPs of <200 μm were prevalent in sampling areas. Six polymer types were identified by ATR-FTIR, namely Polyethylene (PE), Polyamide (PA), Polypropylene (PP), Cellulose acetate (CA), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and Polystyrene (PS), where PE (41%) was recognized as highly abundant. The highest PLI was documented in Site 4 followed by Site 5 both in water and sediment. Likewise, Sites 4 and 5 were substantially different from other study areas according to PCA. Overall, the pervasiveness of MPs was evident in the Surma River, which requires further attention and prompt actions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israt Jahan
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecophysiology, Department of Fish Biology and Genetics, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh
| | - Gourab Chowdhury
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecophysiology, Department of Fish Biology and Genetics, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh; School of Science, Technology and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, QLD 4556, Australia; Centre for Bioinnovation, University of the Sunshine Coast, Sunshine Coast, QLD 4556, Australia
| | - Andrea Osorio Baquero
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences: Biosciences, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Nicolas Couetard
- Plastic@Sea, Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls, 66650 Banyuls-sur-mer, France
| | - Mohammad Amzad Hossain
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecophysiology, Department of Fish Biology and Genetics, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh; Coastal Marine Ecosystems Research Centre (CMERC), Central Queensland University, QLD 4680, Australia; School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, North Rockhampton QLD 4701, Australia.
| | - Sohel Mian
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecophysiology, Department of Fish Biology and Genetics, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammed Mahbub Iqbal
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecophysiology, Department of Fish Biology and Genetics, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet-3100, Bangladesh
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11
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Wan S, Xu G, Xiong P, Qiao H, Chen X, Gu L, Xiong H, Wang B, Gu F. Microplastic pollution characteristics and ecological risk assessment in the Wuding River Basin, China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 356:124228. [PMID: 38801879 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs), as a new type of environmental pollutant, have attracted extensive attention in recent years. However, there has been relatively little research specifically focusing on MPs in the Yellow River Basin, China, particularly regarding MP migration patterns. Based on surface water and sediment samples from 19 sampling sites in the Wuding River (WDR), the abundances and characteristic distributions of MPs were analyzed, and the environmental factors affecting their distribution and potential ecological risks were evaluated. The results showed that the MP abundances in surface water and sediments of the WDR were significantly different (P < 0.05), with mean values of 2.98 ± 0.69 items/L and 419.47 ± 75.61 items/kg, respectively. In terms of MP characteristics, the most common size class was 0.1-0.5 mm in surface water. Polyethylene (PE, 32.50%) and polypropylene (PP, 27.50%) were the main polymer types of MPs in surface water. Although similar MP characteristics were observed in sediments, there were significantly more particles in the <0.1 mm particle size (P < 0.05), which was 15.0% higher than in surface water. Also, more high-density MP fragments were observed in sediment samples. The retention of MPs in sediments was influenced by the MP characteristics (density, shape, particle size) and sediment particle size. In contrast, the MP abundance in surface water was more closely related to the presence of other environmental pollutants, such as total phosphorus (WTP) and ammonia nitrogen (WAN). Temperature (T), agricultural land (AGR), and residential land (RES) only had significant effects on the distribution of MPs in surface water (P < 0.05). Potential ecological risk assessments revealed that MP pollution in sediments was more serious than in surface water, especially in the middle and lower reaches. The results of this study are important for understanding MP transport in a sandy river and for eliminating potential sources of MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi' an, 710048, Shaanxi, China
| | - Guoce Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi' an, 710048, Shaanxi, China.
| | - Ping Xiong
- Shaanxi Forestry Survey and Planning Institute, Xi'an, 710082, Shaanxi, China
| | - Hailiang Qiao
- Shaanxi Forestry Survey and Planning Institute, Xi'an, 710082, Shaanxi, China
| | - Xin Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi' an, 710048, Shaanxi, China
| | - Liuyang Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi' an, 710048, Shaanxi, China
| | - Haijing Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi' an, 710048, Shaanxi, China
| | - Bin Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi' an, 710048, Shaanxi, China
| | - Fengyou Gu
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi' an, 710048, Shaanxi, China
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12
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Lin HT, Schneider F, Aziz MA, Wong KY, Arunachalam KD, Praveena SM, Sethupathi S, Chong WC, Nafisyah AL, Parthasarathy P, Chelliapan S, Kunz A. Microplastics in Asian rivers: Geographical distribution, most detected types, and inconsistency in methodologies. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 349:123985. [PMID: 38621450 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics pose a significant environmental threat, with potential implications for toxic chemical release, aquatic life endangerment, and human food chain contamination. In Asia, rapid economic growth coupled with inadequate waste management has escalated plastic pollution in rivers, positioning them as focal points for environmental concern. Despite Asia's rivers being considered the most polluted with plastics globally, scholarly attention to microplastics in the region's freshwater environments is a recent development. This study undertakes a systematic review of 228 scholarly articles to map microplastic hotspots in Asian freshwater systems and synthesize current research trends within the continent. Findings reveal a concentration of research in China and Japan, primarily investigating riverine and surface waters through net-based sampling methods. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) emerge as the predominant microplastic types, frequently observed as fibers or fragments. However, the diversity of sampling methodologies and reporting metrics complicates data synthesis, underscoring the need for standardized analytical frameworks to facilitate comparative analysis. This paper delineates the distribution of microplastic hotspots and outlines the prevailing challenges and prospects in microplastic research within Asian freshwater contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Tien Lin
- National Cheng Kung University, Department of Environmental Engineering, No.1 University Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan.
| | - Falk Schneider
- National Cheng Kung University, Department of Environmental Engineering, No.1 University Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan
| | - Muhamad Afiq Aziz
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Keng Yinn Wong
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | | | - Sarva Mangala Praveena
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Sumathi Sethupathi
- Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Barat, 31900 Kampar Perak, Malaysia
| | - Woon Chan Chong
- Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Bandar Sungai Long, Cheras, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ayu Lana Nafisyah
- Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine, Universitas Airlangga, Campus C UNAIR Mulyorejo, Surabaya, East Java, 60115, Indonesia
| | - Purushothaman Parthasarathy
- Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamilnadu, 603 203, India
| | - Shreeshivadasan Chelliapan
- Department of Engineering & Technology, Razak Faculty of Technology & Informatics, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, 54100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Alexander Kunz
- Research Center for Environmental Changes, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, 115201 Taipei City, Taiwan
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13
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Liu P, Shao L, Zhang Y, Silvonen V, Oswin H, Cao Y, Guo Z, Ma X, Morawska L. Atmospheric microplastic deposition associated with GDP and population growth: Insights from megacities in northern China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 469:134024. [PMID: 38493631 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution is evolving into one of the most pressing environmental concerns worldwide. This study assessed the impact of economic activities on atmospheric MP pollution across 17 megacities in northern China, analyzing the correlation between the deposition flux of atmospheric MPs and variables such as city population, gross domestic product (GDP), and industrial structure. The results have shown that the MP pollution is obviously impacted by human activities related to increased GDP, population, as well as tertiary service sector, in which the MP pollution shows most close relationship with the GDP growth. Polypropylene, polyamide, polyurethane, and polyethylene were identified as the primary components of atmospheric MPs. The average particle size of MPs in atmospheric dustfall is 78.3 µm, and the frequency of MP particles increases as the particle size decreases. The findings highlight the complex relationship between socio-economic development and atmospheric MP accumulation, providing essential insights for the formulation of targeted emission reduction strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengju Liu
- State Key Laboratory for Fine Exploration and Intelligent Development of Coal Resources & College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China; International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health (ILAQH), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia
| | - Longyi Shao
- State Key Laboratory for Fine Exploration and Intelligent Development of Coal Resources & College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Yaxing Zhang
- State Key Laboratory for Fine Exploration and Intelligent Development of Coal Resources & College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Ville Silvonen
- Aerosol Physics Laboratory, Physics Unit, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Tampere University, Tampere 33014, Finland
| | - Henry Oswin
- International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health (ILAQH), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia
| | - Yaxin Cao
- State Key Laboratory for Fine Exploration and Intelligent Development of Coal Resources & College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Ziyu Guo
- State Key Laboratory for Fine Exploration and Intelligent Development of Coal Resources & College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Xuying Ma
- College of Geomatics, Xi'an University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710054, China
| | - Lidia Morawska
- International Laboratory for Air Quality and Health (ILAQH), Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Queensland 4000, Australia
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14
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Parolini M, Perin E, De Felice B, Gazzotti S, Palazzi A, Conti L, Conterosito E, Rosio E, Bruno F, Gianotti V, Cavallo R. Altitudinal variation of microplastic abundance in lakeshore sediments from Italian lakes. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:35864-35877. [PMID: 38743335 PMCID: PMC11136813 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-33648-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) contamination represents an issue of global concern for both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, but only in recent years, the study of MPs has been focused on freshwaters. Several monitoring surveys have detected the presence of a wide array of MPs differing in size, shape, and polymer composition in rivers and lakes worldwide. Because of their role of sink for plastic particles, the abundance of MPs was investigated in waters, and deep and shoreline sediments from diverse lakes, confirming the ubiquity of this contamination. Although diverse factors, including those concerning anthropogenic activities and physical characteristics of lakes, have been supposed to affect MP abundances, very few studies have directly addressed these links. Thus, the aim of the present study was to explore the levels of MP contamination in mountain and subalpine lakes from Northern Italy. Fourteen lakes dislocated at different altitudes and characterized by dissimilar anthropic pressures were visited. Lakeshore sediments were collected close to the drift line to assess MPs contamination. Our results showed the presence of MPs in lakeshore sediments from all the lakes, with a mean (± standard deviation) expressed as MPs/Kg dry sediment accounting to 14.42 ± 13.31 (range 1.57-61.53), while expressed as MPs/m2, it was 176.07 ± 172.83 (range 25.00-666.67). The MP abundance measured for Garda Lake was significantly higher compared to all the other ones (F1,13 = 7.344; P < 0.001). The pattern of contamination was dominated by fibers in all the lakes, but they were the main contributors in mountain lakes. These findings showed that the MP abundance varied according to the altitude of the lakes, with higher levels measured in subalpine lakes located at low altitudes and surrounded by populated areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Parolini
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy.
| | - Elena Perin
- Department of Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition, University of Piemonte Orientale, Via T. Michel 11, 13100, Vercelli, Italy
| | - Beatrice De Felice
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Gazzotti
- Department of Chemistry, University of Milan, Via Golgi 19, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Adriano Palazzi
- Department of Environmental Science and Policy, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, 20133, Milan, Italy
| | - Luca Conti
- ERICA Soc. Coop, Via Santa Margherita, 26, 12051, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Eleonora Conterosito
- Department of Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition, University of Piemonte Orientale, Via T. Michel 11, 13100, Vercelli, Italy
| | - Emanuela Rosio
- ERICA Soc. Coop, Via Santa Margherita, 26, 12051, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Francesco Bruno
- ERICA Soc. Coop, Via Santa Margherita, 26, 12051, Cuneo, Italy
| | - Valentina Gianotti
- Department of Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition, University of Piemonte Orientale, Via T. Michel 11, 13100, Vercelli, Italy
| | - Roberto Cavallo
- ERICA Soc. Coop, Via Santa Margherita, 26, 12051, Cuneo, Italy
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15
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Pavithra K, Vairaperumal T, Ks V, Mukhopadhyay M, Malar P, Chakraborty P. Microplastics in packaged water, community stored water, groundwater, and surface water in rivers of Tamil Nadu after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 356:120361. [PMID: 38493646 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/19/2024]
Abstract
The increased load of plastic in waste streams after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has increased the possibility of microplastics (MPs) contamination channelling through the rivers and infiltrating the aquatic ecosystems. MPs in packaged water, community-stored water, groundwater, and surface water of Kaveri River (KR), Thamirabarani River (TR), Adyar River (AR), and Cooum River (CR) in Tamil Nadu were therefore investigated about 2 years after the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. Using μFTIR and μRaman spectroscopy, polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer resin, and polyvinyl chloride were identified as the primary polymer types. The average number of MPs was 2.15 ± 1.9 MP/L, 1.1 ± 0.99 MP/L, 5.25 ± 1.15 MP/L, and 4 ± 2.65 MP/L in KR, TR, AR, and CR, respectively, and 1.75 ± 1.26 MP/L in groundwater, and 2.33 ± 1.52 MP/L in community stored water. Only LDPE was detected in recycled plastic-made drinking water bottles. More than 50% of MPs were found to be of size less than 1 mm, with fibrous MPs being the prevalent type, and a notable prevalence of blue-coloured microplastics in all the sample types. The Pollution Load Index (PLI) was >1 in all the rivers. Toxicity rating based on the polymer risk index (PORI) categorized AR and TR at medium risk (category II), compared to KR and CR at considerable risk (category III). Overall pollution risk index (PRI) followed a decreasing trend with CR > AR > KR > TR of considerable to low-risk category. Ecological risk assessment indicates a negligible risk to freshwater biota, except for four sites in the middle and lower stretches of Adyar River (AR - 2, AR - 4) and upper and lower stretches of Cooum River (CR - 1, CR - 3), located adjacent to direct sewer outlets, and one location in the lower stretch of Kaveri River (KR - 9), known for fishing and tourist activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Pavithra
- Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Tharmaraj Vairaperumal
- Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, 704, Taiwan, ROC; Environmental Science and Technology Laboratory, Centre for Research in Environment, Sustainability Advocacy and Climate Change (REACH), Directorate of Research, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Vignesh Ks
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Moitraiyee Mukhopadhyay
- Environmental Science and Technology Laboratory, Centre for Research in Environment, Sustainability Advocacy and Climate Change (REACH), Directorate of Research, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - P Malar
- Department of Physics and Nanotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Paromita Chakraborty
- Environmental Science and Technology Laboratory, Centre for Research in Environment, Sustainability Advocacy and Climate Change (REACH), Directorate of Research, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Chengalpattu District, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India; UNESCO Chair on Ecohydrology and Applied Ecology, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz, Poland.
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16
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Behmanesh M, Chamani A, Chavoshi E. Potentially Toxic Elements' Accumulation in Relation to Sediment Physicochemical Attributes and Microplastic Content in Zayandeh-Rood River, Iran. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2024; 86:274-287. [PMID: 38551678 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-024-01059-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging pollutant whose ability to adsorb potentially toxic elements (PTEs) poses a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems, including rivers. In highly developed basins, the abundance of MPs in river sediment is expected to be high, elevating the sedimentary accumulation of PTEs. This hypothesis was tested in the Zayandeh-Rood River, Central Iran, with 21 sediment sampling stations distributed along the entire river stretch. Results of sediment analysis showed significant variations in the abundance and size of MPs, with concentrations ranked as Ba (270.71 mg/kg) > Li (21.29 mg/kg) > Cs (2.50 mg/kg) > Be (1.44 mg/kg) > Sn (1.17 mg/kg) > Mo (1.06 mg/kg) > Ag (0.76 mg/kg), along with sediment physicochemical attributes such as EC, TOC, pH and grain size. MPs were identified in all sediment samples with a mean of 588 items/kg dry weight. Except for Ag, all other PTEs were classified as uncontaminated but exhibited increased enrichment downstream. According to the results of the generalized additive model (maximum R-sq of 0.766), the sedimentary concentration of the majority of PTEs is nonlinearly and positively associated with smaller and more abundant MPs. This study acknowledges that MPs might influence sediment porosity, permeability and structure, thereby directly affecting the settling dynamics of other particles, especially PTEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mokarrameh Behmanesh
- Environmental Science and Engineering Department, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Atefeh Chamani
- Environmental Science and Engineering Department, Waste and Wastewater Research Center, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Elham Chavoshi
- Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
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17
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He Y, Lu J, Li C, Wang X, Jiang C, Zhu L, Bu X, Jabeen K, Vo TT, Li D. From pollution to solutions: Insights into the sources, transport and management of plastic debris in pristine and urban rivers. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 245:118024. [PMID: 38151151 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.118024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
River systems are important recipients of environmental plastic pollution and have become key pathways for the transfer of mismanaged waste from the land to the ocean. Understanding the sources and fate of plastic debris, including plastic litter (>5 mm) and microplastics (MPs) (<5 mm), entering different riverine systems is essential to mitigate the ongoing environmental plastic pollution crisis. We comprehensively investigated the plastic pollution in the catchments of two rivers in the Yangtze River basin: an urban river, the Suzhou section of the Beijing-Hangzhou Grand Canal (SZ); and a pristine rural river, the Jingmen section of the Hanjiang River (JM). The abundance of plastic pollutants in SZ was significantly higher than in JM: 0.430 ± 0.450 items/m3 and 0.003 ± 0.003 items/m3 of plastic litter in the water; 23.47 ± 25.53 n/m3 and 2.78 ± 1.55 n/m3 MPs in the water; and 218.82 ± 77.40 items/kg and 5.30 ± 1.99 items/kg of MPs in the sediment, respectively. Plastic litter and MPs were closely correlated in abundance and polymer composition. Overall, the polymer type, shape and color of MPs were dominant by polypropylene (42.5%), fragment (60.4%) and transparent (40.0%), respectively. Source tracing analysis revealed that packaging, shipping, and wastewater were the primary sources of plastic pollutants. The mantel analysis indicated that socio-economic and geospatial factors play crucial roles in driving the hotspot formation of plastic pollution in river networks. The composition of the MP communities differed significantly between the sediments and the overlying water. The urban riverbed sediments had a more pronounced pollutant 'sink' effect compared with the pristine rivers. These findings suggested that the modification of natural streams during urbanization may influence the transport and fate of plastic pollutants in them. Our results offer pivotal insights into effective preventive measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yinan He
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Plastic Marine Debris Research Center, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China
| | - Jungang Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Plastic Marine Debris Research Center, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China
| | - Changjun Li
- Ocean School, Yantai University, Yantai 264005, China
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Plastic Marine Debris Research Center, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China
| | - Chunhua Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Plastic Marine Debris Research Center, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China
| | - Lixin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Plastic Marine Debris Research Center, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China
| | - Xinyu Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Plastic Marine Debris Research Center, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China
| | - Khalida Jabeen
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Plastic Marine Debris Research Center, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China
| | - TuanLinh Tran Vo
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Plastic Marine Debris Research Center, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China; Institute of Oceanography, Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 1 Cau Da Street, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa 650000, Viet Nam
| | - Daoji Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Plastic Marine Debris Research Center, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China.
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18
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Jahan I, Chowdhury G, Rafi S, Ashab MA, Sarker M, Chakraborty A, Couetard N, Kabir MA, Hossain MA, Iqbal MM. Assessment of dietary polyvinylchloride, polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate exposure in Nile tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus: Bioaccumulation, and effects on behaviour, growth, hematology and histology. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 345:123548. [PMID: 38355089 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 01/17/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have been recognized as emerging aquatic pollutants receiving major concern due to their detrimental effects on aquatic life. Nile Tilapia, Oreochromis niloticus is a model species considered in toxicological studies to address the effects of pollutants in freshwater animals. However, comprehensive knowledge comparing the impacts on fish across various MPs polymers is scarce. Therefore, the overarching aim of the current study was to examine the bioconcentration of MPs polymers: polyvinylchloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and their toxic effects on growth, and behavioral responses, hematology, and histology of gills, liver, and intestine in O. niloticus. Fishes were subjected to a 21-day dietary exposure to MPs by assigning them into six treatment groups: T1 (4% of PVC), T2 (4% of PP), T3 (4% of PET), T4 (8% of PVC), T5 (8% of PP), T6 (8% of PET), and control (0% of MPs), to assess the effects on fish across the polymers and dosage. Results showed several abnormalities in anatomical and behavioral parameters, lower growth, and high mortality in MPs-exposed fish, indicating a dose-dependent relationship. The elevated dosage of polymers raised the bioavailability of PVC, PP, and PET in gills and gut tissues. Noteworthy erythrocyte degeneration referred to cytotoxicity and stress imposed by MPs, whereas the alterations in hematological parameters were possibly due to blood cell damage, also indicating mechanisms of defense against MPs toxicity. Histopathological changes in the gills, liver, and intestine confirmed the degree of toxicity and associated dysfunctions in fish. A higher sensitivity of O. niloticus to PET-MPs compared to other polymers is likely due to its chemical properties and species-specific morphological and physiological characteristics. Overall, the present study reveals valuable insights into the emerging threat of MPs toxicity in freshwater species, which could be supportive of future toxicological research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Israt Jahan
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecophysiology, Department of Fish Biology and Genetics, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh.
| | - Gourab Chowdhury
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecophysiology, Department of Fish Biology and Genetics, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh.
| | - Saba Rafi
- Research Centre for Experimental Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Plentzia Marine Station, University of the Basque Country (PiE-UPV/EHU), 48620, Plentzia, Bizkaia, Spain.
| | - Md Atique Ashab
- Department of Aquaculture, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh.
| | - Mukta Sarker
- Department of Coastal and Marine Fisheries, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh.
| | - Ananya Chakraborty
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecophysiology, Department of Fish Biology and Genetics, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh.
| | - Nicolas Couetard
- Plastic@Sea, Observatoire Océanologique de Banyuls, 66650, Banyuls-sur-mer, France.
| | - Muhammad Anamul Kabir
- Department of Aquaculture, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh.
| | - Mohammad Amzad Hossain
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecophysiology, Department of Fish Biology and Genetics, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh; Coastal Marine Ecosystem Research Centre, Central Queensland University, Gladstone, QLD 4680, Australia; School of Health, Medical and Applied Sciences, Central Queensland University, North Rockhampton, QLD 4701, Australia.
| | - Mohammed Mahbub Iqbal
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biodiversity and Ecophysiology, Department of Fish Biology and Genetics, Sylhet Agricultural University, Sylhet, 3100, Bangladesh.
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Luo D, Wang Z, Liao Z, Chen G, Ji X, Sang Y, Qu L, Chen Z, Wang Z, Dahlgren RA, Zhang M, Shang X. Airborne microplastics in urban, rural and wildland environments on the Tibetan Plateau. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133177. [PMID: 38064947 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2023] [Revised: 12/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/08/2024]
Abstract
The concentration of airborne microplastics is largely unknown in the remote high mountain area of the Tibetan Plateau. Here we report airborne microplastic concentrations of 2.5-58.8 n/m3 in urban, rural and wildland areas across the Tibetan Plateau, with smaller (∼89% <100 µm) fragments (>80%) dominating. Polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polyamide and polystyrene were the dominant polymers of airborne microplastics on the Tibetan Plateau. Distribution of airborne microplastics was positively correlated with anthropogenic activity indices, such as population density and nighttime light intensity. Although the contribution of long-range atmospheric transport is valid, dispersed villages also appear to be a source of airborne microplastics for wildland areas across the Tibetan Plateau.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dehua Luo
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zhenfeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zhonglu Liao
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Gang Chen
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xiaoliang Ji
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Yanfang Sang
- Key Laboratory of Water Cycle and Related Land Surface Processes, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Liyin Qu
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Ecological Treatment Technology for Urban Water Pollution, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab for Subtropical Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zheng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| | - Zhonggen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Water Cycle and Related Land Surface Processes, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Randy A Dahlgren
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Minghua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Xu Shang
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
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20
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McIlwraith HK, Dias M, Orihel DM, Rennie MD, Harrison AL, Hoffman MJ, Provencher JF, Rochman CM. A Multicompartment Assessment of Microplastic Contamination in Semi-remote Boreal Lakes. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024. [PMID: 38415806 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5832] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/22/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic contamination is ubiquitous across the globe, even in remote locations. Still, the sources and pathways of microplastics to such locations are largely unknown. To investigate microplastic contamination in a semi-remote location, we measured microplastic concentrations in nine oligotrophic lakes within and around the International Institute for Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area in northwestern Ontario, Canada. Our first objective was to establish ambient concentrations of microplastics in bottom sediments, surface water, and atmospheric deposition in semi-remote boreal lakes. Across all lakes, mean shallow and deep sediment microplastic concentrations, near-surface water microplastic concentrations from in situ filtering, and dry atmospheric microplastic deposition rates were 551 ± 354 particles kg-1 , 177 ± 103 particles kg-1 , 0.2 ± 0.3 particles L-1 , and 0.4 ± 0.2 particles m-2 day-1 , respectively. Our second objective was to investigate whether microplastic contamination of these lakes is driven by point sources including local runoff and direct anthropogenic inputs or nonpoint sources such as atmospheric deposition. Lakes were selected based on three levels of anthropogenic activity-low, medium, and high-though activity levels were minimal across all study lakes compared with highly populated areas. Whereas a positive correlation would indicate that point sources were a likely pathway, we observed no relationship between the level of anthropogenic activity and microplastic contamination of surface water. Moreover, the composition of microplastics in surface water and atmospheric deposition were similar, comprising mostly polyester and acrylic fibers. Together, these results suggest that atmospheric deposition may be the main pathway of microplastics to these remote boreal lakes. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;00:1-13. © 2024 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hayley K McIlwraith
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, Plymouth, United Kingdom
| | - Minoli Dias
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Diane M Orihel
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Department of Biology, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Michael D Rennie
- Department of Biology, Lakehead University, Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada
- International Institute for Sustainable Development-Experimental Lakes Area, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
| | - Anna L Harrison
- School of Environmental Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
- Institute of Geological Sciences, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Matthew J Hoffman
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, New York, USA
| | - Jennifer F Provencher
- Ecotoxicology and Wildlife Health Division, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Chelsea M Rochman
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, St. George Campus, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
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21
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Rafa N, Ahmed B, Zohora F, Bakya J, Ahmed S, Ahmed SF, Mofijur M, Chowdhury AA, Almomani F. Microplastics as carriers of toxic pollutants: Source, transport, and toxicological effects. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 343:123190. [PMID: 38142809 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2023] [Revised: 11/25/2023] [Accepted: 12/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic pollution has emerged as a new environmental concern due to our reliance on plastic. Recent years have seen an upward trend in scholarly interest in the topic of microplastics carrying contaminants; however, the available review studies have largely focused on specific aspects of this issue, such as sorption, transport, and toxicological effects. Consequently, this review synthesizes the state-of-the-art knowledge on these topics by presenting key findings to guide better policy action toward microplastic management. Microplastics have been reported to absorb pollutants such as persistent organic pollutants, heavy metals, and antibiotics, leading to their bioaccumulation in marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Hydrophobic interactions are found to be the predominant sorption mechanism, especially for organic pollutants, although electrostatic forces, van der Waals forces, hydrogen bonding, and pi-pi interactions are also noteworthy. This review reveals that physicochemical properties of microplastics, such as size, structure, and functional groups, and environmental compartment properties, such as pH, temperature, and salinity, influence the sorption of pollutants by microplastic. It has been found that microplastics influence the growth and metabolism of organisms. Inadequate methods for collection and analysis of environmental samples, lack of replication of real-world settings in laboratories, and a lack of understanding of the sorption mechanism and toxicity of microplastics impede current microplastic research. Therefore, future research should focus on filling in these knowledge gaps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nazifa Rafa
- Department of Geography, University of Cambridge, Downing Place, Cambridge, CB2 3EN, United Kingdom
| | - Bushra Ahmed
- Science and Math Program, Asian University for Women, Chattogram 4000, Bangladesh
| | - Fatema Zohora
- Science and Math Program, Asian University for Women, Chattogram 4000, Bangladesh
| | - Jannatul Bakya
- Science and Math Program, Asian University for Women, Chattogram 4000, Bangladesh
| | - Samiya Ahmed
- Biological and Biomedical Sciences Department, College of Health and Life sciences, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha, Qatar
| | - Shams Forruque Ahmed
- Science and Math Program, Asian University for Women, Chattogram 4000, Bangladesh
| | - M Mofijur
- Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology Sydney, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia
| | - Ashfaque Ahmed Chowdhury
- School of Engineering and Technology, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD 4702, Australia; Centre for Intelligent Systems, Clean Energy Academy, Central Queensland University, Rockhampton, QLD 4702, Australia
| | - Fares Almomani
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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22
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Zhu Y, Che R, Zong X, Wang J, Li J, Zhang C, Wang F. A comprehensive review on the source, ingestion route, attachment and toxicity of microplastics/nanoplastics in human systems. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 352:120039. [PMID: 38218169 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.120039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2023] [Revised: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 12/25/2023] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs)/nanoplastics (NPs) are widely found in the natural environment, including soil, water and the atmosphere, which are essential for human survival. In the recent years, there has been a growing concern about the potential impact of MPs/NPs on human health. Due to the increasing interest in this research and the limited number of studies related to the health effects of MPs/NPs on humans, it is necessary to conduct a systematic assessment and review of their potentially toxic effects on human organs and tissues. Humans can be exposed to microplastics through ingestion, inhalation and dermal contact, however, ingestion and inhalation are considered as the primary routes. The ingested MPs/NPs mainly consist of plastic particles with a particle size ranging from 0.1 to 1 μm, that distribute across various tissues and organs within the body, which in turn have a certain impact on the nine major systems of the human body, especially the digestive system and respiratory system, which are closely related to the intake pathway of MPs/NPs. The harmful effects caused by MPs/NPs primarily occur through potential toxic mechanisms such as induction of oxidative stress, generation of inflammatory responses, alteration of lipid metabolism or energy metabolism or expression of related functional factors. This review can help people to systematically understand the hazards of MPs/NPs and related toxicity mechanisms from the level of nine biological systems. It allows MPs/NPs pollution to be emphasized, and it is also hoped that research on their toxic effects will be strengthened in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yining Zhu
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China; Key Laboratory for Soft Chemistry and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210094, China
| | - Ruijie Che
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China; Key Laboratory for Soft Chemistry and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210094, China
| | - Xinyan Zong
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China; Key Laboratory for Soft Chemistry and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210094, China
| | - Jinhan Wang
- School of Public Health, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China
| | - Jining Li
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China; Key Laboratory for Soft Chemistry and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210094, China
| | - Chaofeng Zhang
- Sino-Jan Joint Lab of Natural Health Products Research, School of Traditional Chinese Medicines, China Pharmaceutical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210009, China
| | - Fenghe Wang
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210023, China; Key Laboratory for Soft Chemistry and Functional Materials of Ministry of Education, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210094, China.
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23
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Ding R, Li Q, Wang K, Tian J, Lu L, Li W, Xu L. Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in the adjacent environment of Yellow River Delta, China. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 199:116019. [PMID: 38184859 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.116019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 12/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
In the precent study, the microplastics (MPs) pollution level was evaluated in diverse environmental samples from the Yellow River Delta. The results indicated that the abundance of MPs in water, sediment and soil samples ranged from 0.50 to 7.83 items·L-1, 200 to 4200 items·kg-1, and 100 to 1400 items·kg-1, respectively. Film form of MPs was dominant in water, while fiber MPs were dominant in both sediment and soil samples. In all samples, most MPs were < 1 mm in size. White was the main color in water, black was the main color in sediment and soil samples. The most common MPs type was polyethylene (33 %) in water, while rayon accounted for the majority of MPs in sediment (42 %) and soil (70 %) samples. The redundancy analysis results showed that MPs in water and sediment were more affected by water quality, while soil MPs were easily affected by landscape pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruibo Ding
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China; Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China; Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Agriculture Environment Monitoring, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Qiaoling Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, North University of China, Taiyuan 030051, China
| | - Kang Wang
- Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China; Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Agriculture Environment Monitoring, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Jiayu Tian
- Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China; Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Agriculture Environment Monitoring, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Luli Lu
- Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China; Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Agriculture Environment Monitoring, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Wenxing Li
- Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China; Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Agriculture Environment Monitoring, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Li Xu
- Institute of Quality Standards and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China; Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Agriculture Environment Monitoring, Beijing 100097, China.
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24
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Fox S, Stefánsson H, Peternell M, Zlotskiy E, Ásbjörnsson EJ, Sturkell E, Wanner P, Konrad-Schmolke M. Physical characteristics of microplastic particles and potential for global atmospheric transport: A meta-analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 342:122938. [PMID: 37981185 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/12/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Recent interest in microplastic pollution of natural environments has brought forth samples which confirm the pollutant's omnipresence in a variety of ecosystems. This includes locations furthest removed from human activity. Atmospheric transport and deposition are suspected as the primary transport pathway to these remote locations. The factors most influential on participation in atmospheric transport are yet to be determined. This meta-analysis aims to identify patterns that exist between physical characteristics of microplastic particles and their potential for atmospheric transport. Our review addresses the following questions: Which characteristics of microplastic particles promote atmospheric transport and deposition into remote regions, and how significant are these factors in determining distance transported from their sources? This article analyzes commonly reported physical attributes-- shape, polymer composition and color-- from studies in urban and remote areas. The analysis of 68 studies, composed of data from 2078 samples, shows higher occurrence of microplastic particles in remote samples with fiber shapes, polyester compositions, and red, blue, and transparent colors. This meta-analysis is the first to identify patterns between physical properties of microplastic particles and extent of their participation in atmospheric transport to global remote locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sydney Fox
- Department of Engineering, Reykjavik University, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | | | - Mark Peternell
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
| | - Edward Zlotskiy
- Albert Nenken School of Engineering, The Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art, Brooklyn, NY, USA
| | | | - Erik Sturkell
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
| | - Philipp Wanner
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden
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25
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Banik P, Anisuzzaman M, Bhattacharjee S, Marshall DJ, Yu J, Nur AAU, Jolly YN, Mamun MA, Paray BA, Bappy MMM, Bhuiyan T, Hossain MB. Quantification, characterization and risk assessment of microplastics from five major estuaries along the northern Bay of Bengal coast. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 342:123036. [PMID: 38030111 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2023] [Revised: 11/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) as hazardous contaminants has drawn the rapid attention of the general public due to their omnipresence and adverse impacts on ecosystems and human health. Despite this, understanding of MPs contamination levels in the estuarine ecosystems along the Bay of Bengal coast remains very limited. This research focused on the presence, spatial distribution, morpho-chemical characteristics and ecological implications of MPs in water and sediment from five key estuaries (Meghna, Karnaphuli, Matamuhuri, Bakkhali, and Naf rivers) within the Bengal delta. Out of the five estuaries, the Meghna exhibited the least amount of MPs in both surface water (150.00 ± 65.62 items/m3) and sediment (30.56 ± 9.34 items/kg). In contrast, the highest occurrence of MPs was recorded in Karnaphuli river water (350.00 ± 69.22 items/m3) and Matamuhuri river sediment (118.33 ± 26.81 items/kg). ANOVA indicated a statistically significant distinction (p < 0.01) among the examined estuaries. Most identified MPs were fibers and < 0.5 mm in size in both water and sediment samples. Transparent MPs were dominant in both water (42.28%) and sediment (45.22%). Besides violet, red, blue, pink and green colored MPs were also observed. Various polymer types, including PE, PP, PET, PS, Nylon, EVA, and ABS, were detected, with PE being the dominant one. Based on the polymer risk index (PHI), the estuaries were classified as hazard level V, signifying a severe level of MP contamination. However, the potential ecological hazardous index (PHI), potential ecological risk index (RI), and pollution load index (PLI) indicated moderate pollution levels. This study offers initial insights into the pollution caused by MPs in major estuaries of Bengal delta, which policymakers can utilize to implement suitable management strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Partho Banik
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur, 3814, Bangladesh
| | - Md Anisuzzaman
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur, 3814, Bangladesh
| | - Shovon Bhattacharjee
- Biosecurity Program, Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, 2052, Australia; Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, 3814, Bangladesh
| | - David J Marshall
- Environmental and Life Sciences Programme, Faculty of Science, University Brunei Darussalam, Jala Tungku Link, Gadong, BE, 1410, Brunei Darussalam
| | - Jimmy Yu
- School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia
| | - As-Ad Ujjaman Nur
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur, 3814, Bangladesh
| | - Yeasmin N Jolly
- Atmospheric and Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Chemistry Division, Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Md Al- Mamun
- Materials Science Division, Atomic Energy Centre Dhaka, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Bilal Ahamad Paray
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Md Maheen Mahmud Bappy
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur, 3814, Bangladesh
| | - Tabarok Bhuiyan
- Department of Oceanography, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, 3814, Bangladesh
| | - M Belal Hossain
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur, 3814, Bangladesh; School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Nathan, QLD, 4111, Australia.
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26
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Long Y, Zhang Y, Zhou Z, Liu R, Qiu Z, Qiu Y, Li J, Wang W, Li X, Yin L, Wen X. Are microplastics in livestock and poultry manure an emerging threat to agricultural soil safety? ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:11543-11558. [PMID: 38212564 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-31857-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/13/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have attracted much attention in recent years, due to the difficulty of degradation and threats to ecological systems and humans. Based on the analysis of 1429 articles on MPs in soil, we found that we know little about the behavior and fate of manure-born MPs from the livestock and poultry production systems to agriculture soils. This review summarizes the analytical methods for sampling, separation, and identification and the occurrence of MPs in livestock and poultry manure, mainly based on 7 surveys related to manure-born MPs. Then, the sources, fate, and environmental risks of MPs in livestock and poultry manure are discussed. MPs, heavy metals, pathogens, antibiotic resistance genes, and persistent organic pollutants are common pollutants in livestock and poultry manure. Worse, manure-born MPs will become smaller, rougher, and more numerous and could easily form more toxic compound pollution after complicated processes of manure treatment, which seriously threatens agricultural soil safety. Finally, an outlook is offered for future research. We hope this article to attract attention to the risks of MPs in livestock and poultry manure and provide a reference for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuannan Long
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science &Technology, Changsha, 410114, China
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410114, China
- Key Laboratory of Water-Sediment Sciences and Water Disaster Prevention of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410114, China
| | - You Zhang
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science &Technology, Changsha, 410114, China
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410114, China
- Key Laboratory of Water-Sediment Sciences and Water Disaster Prevention of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410114, China
| | - Zhenyu Zhou
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science &Technology, Changsha, 410114, China
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410114, China
- Key Laboratory of Water-Sediment Sciences and Water Disaster Prevention of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410114, China
| | - Ruyi Liu
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science &Technology, Changsha, 410114, China
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410114, China
- Key Laboratory of Water-Sediment Sciences and Water Disaster Prevention of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410114, China
| | - Ziyi Qiu
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science &Technology, Changsha, 410114, China
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410114, China
- Key Laboratory of Water-Sediment Sciences and Water Disaster Prevention of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410114, China
| | - Yiming Qiu
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science &Technology, Changsha, 410114, China
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410114, China
- Key Laboratory of Water-Sediment Sciences and Water Disaster Prevention of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410114, China
| | - Juan Li
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science &Technology, Changsha, 410114, China
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410114, China
- Key Laboratory of Water-Sediment Sciences and Water Disaster Prevention of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410114, China
| | - Wenming Wang
- Hunan Pilot Yanghu Reclaimed Water Co. Ltd, Changsha, 410006, China
| | - Xiwei Li
- Hunan Pilot Yanghu Reclaimed Water Co. Ltd, Changsha, 410006, China
| | - Lingshi Yin
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410114, China
- Key Laboratory of Water-Sediment Sciences and Water Disaster Prevention of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410114, China
- College of Water Resources & Civil Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha, 410128, Hunan, China
| | - Xiaofeng Wen
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science &Technology, Changsha, 410114, China.
- Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410114, China.
- Key Laboratory of Water-Sediment Sciences and Water Disaster Prevention of Hunan Province, Changsha, 410114, China.
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Li Y, Deng Y, Hu C, Li D, Zhang J, Zhou N. Microplastic pollution in urban rivers within China's Danxia landforms: Spatial distribution characteristics, migration, and risk assessment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 910:168610. [PMID: 37984653 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168610] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
The potential deleterious effects of microplastics on environmental integrity and human health have elicited global attention. Particularly vulnerable to microplastics are Danxia landforms, characterized by their unique topographical features and ecologically fragile milieu. Notwithstanding, empirical studies assessing the prevalence of microplastics in these unique landforms remain strikingly limited. The present investigation comprehensively examined the abundance of microplastics in surface water, sediment, and groundwater across six cities and six counties within the Danxia landforms. Comparative analysis revealed a moderate level of microplastic contamination in the urban rivers of the Danxia region relative to other freshwater rivers. Anthropogenic activities, notably urban wastewater treatment and tourism, emerged as principal contributors to microplastic pollution. Sedimentary microplastics exhibited an accumulative trend from upstream to downstream locations. The risk assessment revealed a high potential ecological risk in counties and a moderate risk in cities. Cluster analysis suggested that groundwater microplastics were a confluence of hydraulic interactions between surface and subsurface waters within the Danxia region. This investigation elucidates the microplastic contamination profile, origins, migratory patterns, and associated risks in Danxia's urban rivers, thereby furnishing scientific underpinning for health and ecological preservation strategies within urbanized Danxia landscapes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- Institute of College of Art and Design, Rural Vitalization Research Center in the Wuling Mountain Area, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418000, China.
| | - Yinjun Deng
- Institute of College of Art and Design, Rural Vitalization Research Center in the Wuling Mountain Area, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Chengrong Hu
- Institute of College of Art and Design, Rural Vitalization Research Center in the Wuling Mountain Area, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Dan Li
- Institute of College of Art and Design, Rural Vitalization Research Center in the Wuling Mountain Area, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Jiale Zhang
- Institute of College of Art and Design, Rural Vitalization Research Center in the Wuling Mountain Area, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418000, China
| | - Nonglin Zhou
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Huaihua University, Huaihua 418000, China.
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28
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Ololade IA, Apata A, Oladoja NA, Alabi BA, Ololade OO. Microplastic particles in river sediments and water of southwestern Nigeria: insights on the occurrence, seasonal distribution, composition, and source apportionment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:1314-1330. [PMID: 38038917 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31118-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 11/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are globally recognized as an emerging environmental threat, particularly in the aquatic environment. This study presents baseline data on the occurrence and distribution of MPs in sediments and surface water of major rivers in southwestern Nigeria. Microplastics were extracted by density separation and polymer identification using Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy in attenuated total reflectance mode (FTIR-ATR). The abundance of MPs in surface sediment and water samples across all locations ranged from 12.82 to 22.90 particle/kg dw and 6.71 to 17.12 particle/L during the dry season and 5.69 to 14.38 particle/kg dw and 12.41 to 22.73 particle/L during the wet season, respectively. On average, fiber constituted the highest percentage of MP in sediments (71%) and water (67%) while foam accounted for the lowest values of 0.6% and 1.7%, respectively. Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) were the main MPs across all locations based on Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). MPs of size < 1 mm were the most abundant (≥ 55%) on average in both water and sediments. The study identified run-off from human activities and industrial wastewater as potential sources of MP exposure based on positive matrix factorization. The study suggests assessing the impact of different land-use activities on MPs occurrence and distribution in addition to quantifying MPs in seafood as a way forward in food safety management systems for further studies. This study confirmed the occurrence and widespread distribution of MPs in surface water and sediments and provides a database on MP pollution in Nigeria.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isaac Ayodele Ololade
- Environmental Monitoring Unit, Department of Chemical Sciences, Adekunle Ajasin University, PMB 001, AkungbaAkoko, Ondo State, Nigeria.
| | - Abiodun Apata
- Environmental Monitoring Unit, Department of Chemical Sciences, Adekunle Ajasin University, PMB 001, AkungbaAkoko, Ondo State, Nigeria
- Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, 1400 Farragut Street, Bremerton, Washington, 98314, USA
| | - Nurudeen Abiola Oladoja
- Hydrochemistry Research Laboratory, Department of Chemical Sciences, Adekunle Ajasin University, AkungbaAkoko, Nigeria
| | - Bosede Adenike Alabi
- Environmental Monitoring Unit, Department of Chemical Sciences, Adekunle Ajasin University, PMB 001, AkungbaAkoko, Ondo State, Nigeria
| | - Oluwaranti Olubunmi Ololade
- Environmental Monitoring Unit, Department of Chemical Sciences, Adekunle Ajasin University, PMB 001, AkungbaAkoko, Ondo State, Nigeria
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29
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Wang K, Liu Y, Shi X, Zhao S, Sun B, Lu J, Li W. Characterization and traceability analysis of dry deposition of atmospheric microplastics (MPs) in Wuliangsuhai Lake. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:168201. [PMID: 37918738 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) represent a contaminant of emerging concern that may negatively impact lacustrine ecosystems. It is important, then, to manage and reduce the influx of MPs to lakes, a process that requires the identification of MP sources. In this study, atmospheric MP samples were collected and analyzed from 6 sampling sites in the Wuliangsuhai Lake area from March to June 2021, and used to determine atmospheric depositional fluxes of MPs to the lake surface. The sources of MPs were also explored on the basis of MP characteristics and by determining atmospheric flow patterns to the sampling sites using a backward trajectory model (HYSPLIT). The average atmospheric depositional flux of MPs to the Wuliangsuhai Lake area (3371 ± 1423 n/d·m2) is several times higher than rates measured in other areas. MPs were predominately composed of small (0.05-0.5 mm), transparent fibers; a small percentage of particles consisted of fragments, thin films, or lumpy MPs. Compositionally, most MPs were composed of polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polystyrene (PS). The former polymer types are indicative of fibers from textiles, including those from textile plants in adjacent cites. The latter (PS) type is presumably derived from degraded food containers and other items associated with tourism. PE was also identified in association with thin films, which were likely derived from bags and/or agricultural plastics. MP characteristics, combined with spatial variations in depositional rates and the results of the backward trajectory model, suggest most atmospherically deposited MPs in the Wuliangsuhai Lake area were transported to the sampling sites from large cities external to the basin, and, to a much lesser degree, areas of tourism within the lake environment. The results of the study provide a theoretical basis for assessing atmospheric MP deposition within inland lake areas as well as for the prevention and control of MP pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China; Inner Mongolia Water Resource Protection and Utilization Key Laboratory, Hohhot 010018, China; State Gauge and Research Station of Wetland Ecosystem, Wuliangsuhai Lake, Inner Mongolia, Bayan Nur 014404, China; Autonomous Region Collaborative Innovation Center for Integrated Management of Water Resources and Water Environment in the Inner Mongolia Reaches of the Yellow River, Hohhot 010018, China.
| | - Xiaohong Shi
- Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China; Inner Mongolia Water Resource Protection and Utilization Key Laboratory, Hohhot 010018, China; State Gauge and Research Station of Wetland Ecosystem, Wuliangsuhai Lake, Inner Mongolia, Bayan Nur 014404, China
| | - Shengnan Zhao
- Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China; Inner Mongolia Water Resource Protection and Utilization Key Laboratory, Hohhot 010018, China; State Gauge and Research Station of Wetland Ecosystem, Wuliangsuhai Lake, Inner Mongolia, Bayan Nur 014404, China
| | - Biao Sun
- Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China; Inner Mongolia Water Resource Protection and Utilization Key Laboratory, Hohhot 010018, China; State Gauge and Research Station of Wetland Ecosystem, Wuliangsuhai Lake, Inner Mongolia, Bayan Nur 014404, China
| | - Junping Lu
- Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China; Inner Mongolia Water Resource Protection and Utilization Key Laboratory, Hohhot 010018, China; State Gauge and Research Station of Wetland Ecosystem, Wuliangsuhai Lake, Inner Mongolia, Bayan Nur 014404, China
| | - Wenbao Li
- Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China; Inner Mongolia Water Resource Protection and Utilization Key Laboratory, Hohhot 010018, China; State Gauge and Research Station of Wetland Ecosystem, Wuliangsuhai Lake, Inner Mongolia, Bayan Nur 014404, China
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30
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Tarring EC, Durance I, Harbottle MJ, Lucas R, Read DS, Ward BD. Water-soluble polymers: Emerging contaminants detected, separated and quantified by a novel GPC/MALDI-TOF method. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 340:122888. [PMID: 37940017 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Water-soluble polymers (WSPs) are additives used as thickeners, stabilisers and flocculants in industry and in household products, including personal care products. Given their widespread use, it is likely WSPs enter the environment, particularly through wastewaters. This is of concern as there is little ecotoxicological research on their fate and behaviour once in the environment, which means their risk to aquatic life is not understood. The lack of suitable analytical techniques to detect, characterise and quantify WSPs hinders research on the potential impact of these polymers. A novel method has been developed that identifies polymers within a sample and separates them using gel-permeation chromatography (GPC). This is coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), to quantify the polymer fractions using molecular weight information. This process has been carried out on a range of aqueous media. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) ingredients were successfully separated from non-polymeric material in a commercial shaving gel personal care product (PCP), before being quantified at 1.62 wt%. This method was applied to a spiked wastewater influent sample to demonstrate the extraction and separation of PEG from organic constituents such as dissolved organic matter (DOM). This highlighted the additional challenges of analysing WSPs in the environment, as factors such as sorption and biodegradation affected the total recovery of PEG, with an extraction efficiency of 53%. Overall, this method was applied for the extraction of PEG from a PCP with accurate quantification, before a proof-of-concept extraction from wastewater demonstrated the difficulties associated with WSP analysis in environmental samples. This method provides opportunities to use tandem GPC/MALDI-TOF MS to quantify WSPs in a broad array of environmental samples. Additional studies could include its application to wastewater or freshwater monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eve C Tarring
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Isabelle Durance
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Daniel S Read
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin D Ward
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
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31
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Parashar N, Hait S. Abundance, characterization, and removal of microplastics in different technology-based sewage treatment plants discharging into the middle stretch of the Ganga River, India. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167099. [PMID: 37730063 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167099] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/10/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Sewage treatment plants (STPs) are considered as a prominent source for releasing microplastics (MPs) into the riverine systems. Though MPs abundance and removal efficacy in different secondary treatment technique-based STPs have been extensively studied worldwide, such studies are scarce in Indian conditions. Herein, this study comprehensively assesses MPs abundance, characterization, and their removal in the selected secondary treatment technique-based STPs discharging into the middle stretch of the Ganga River in India. MPs concentration (n/L) in influent and effluent of the STPs varied between 42 ± 10 to 150 ± 19 and 3 ± 1 to 22 ± 5, respectively. Overall, the primary treatment stage was observed to remove MPs by 23-42 %, while the secondary treatment stage removed MPs by 67-90 %. Selected technique-based STPs exhibited varying MPs removal efficacies as follows: SBR (94 %), TF (90 %), AL (88 %), UASB (87 %), ASP (85 %), FAB (84 %), and Bio-tower (77 %). MPs ranging from 50 to 250 μm were the dominant sizes, with PP, PE, and PS being the prevalent polymers. The Ganga River receives about 3 × 108 MPs/day from STP effluents, and an estimated 4.5 × 107 MPs/day are released via the sludge. This comprehensive assessment of MPs abundance and removal from different technology-based Indian STPs will allow the comparison of the generated dataset with similar studies worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neha Parashar
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Bihar 801 106, India
| | - Subrata Hait
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Patna, Bihar 801 106, India.
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32
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Jabeen K, Xu J, Liu K, Zhu L, Li D. Monthly variation and transport of microplastics from the Soan River into the Indus River. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:166877. [PMID: 37689211 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
The presence of plastic and microplastic pollution in freshwater systems receives extensive concerns for its accumulative trend and potential ecological impacts. This is the first annual study that investigated the monthly profile of plastic pollution in the mouth of the Soan River. Plastic pollutants comprising microplastic content up to 91.7 % were abundantly found during different seasons around the year, ranging from 132.7 items/m3 to 641.3 items/m3. The average abundance of plastics was significantly higher in August (641.3 ± 23.7 items/m3) than in other months. Overall, fibers, large microplastics (L-MPs), and transparent items were dominant by shape (57.7 %), size (61.9 %), and color (24.6 %), respectively. The highest average number of fibers (374.3/m3) and L-MPs (396 items/m3) were recorded during May and remained higher in the surface water from December to May. Fragments (432.3/m3) and S-MPs were observed higher (362.3 items/m3) during the peak rainy month of the summer monsoon season (August). Variations in the abundance and morphotypes were seemingly not only influenced by the seasonal change but also might be due to hydromorphological characteristics of the river, especially riverbed morphology, and the flow of the water. Only 5.2 % of the total items found were identified using μ-FTIR (micro-Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscope) which consisted of 70.7 % plastic items. Spectroscopy revealed that polyethylene terephthalate was an abundantly found polymer that largely prevailed in the form of fibers, followed by polypropylene and polyethylene. Most of the fragments, foams, and films were composed of polypropylene, polystyrene, and rayon respectively. Being an urban river, the polymeric profile demonstrated that anthropogenic activities had a significant impact on polluting the river. These findings are a very important source to understand the profile of plastic pollution in the Soan River and also a significant reference for policy-making in controlling plastic pollution among the riverine networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalida Jabeen
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Institute of Plastic Cycle and Innovation, East China Normal University, 200062 Shanghai, China; Regional Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jiayi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Institute of Plastic Cycle and Innovation, East China Normal University, 200062 Shanghai, China; Regional Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Kai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Institute of Plastic Cycle and Innovation, East China Normal University, 200062 Shanghai, China; Regional Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Lixin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Institute of Plastic Cycle and Innovation, East China Normal University, 200062 Shanghai, China; Regional Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Daoji Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Institute of Plastic Cycle and Innovation, East China Normal University, 200062 Shanghai, China; Regional Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, Shanghai 200241, China.
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33
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Bošković N, Jaćimović Ž, Bajt O. Microplastic pollution in rivers of the Adriatic Sea basin in Montenegro: Impact on pollution of the Montenegrin coastline. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167206. [PMID: 37730057 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167206] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Concern regarding microplastic (MP) pollution in aquatic ecosystems has increased in recent years with growing awareness of the environmental harm that it causes. While most studies have focused on seas and oceans, knowledge of MP occurrence in freshwater sediments is limited. This study investigated MP concentrations at shore sediments of the Zeta, Morača, and Bojana rivers in Montenegro. The MP concentration in the studied samples varied depending on the river, location, and sampling season. MP abundance in river shore sediments varied between mean values of 145 ± 110 MPs/kg for the Zeta, 169 ± 113 MPs/kg for the Morača, and 180 ± 53.5 MPs/kg dry sediment for the Bojana. In comparison, the mean MP abundance in the three rivers combined was 163.6 ± 96.1 MPs/kg of dry sediment. The identified MPs were mainly fibres and fragments of blue, red and clear color, 0.5-1 mm in size, and mainly composed of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide and polyethylene terephthalate. The main contribution of this study is that it provides new insight into MP abundance in freshwater sediments of rivers, where the studied rivers were identified as a potential important sink and source of MP on the Montenegrin coast.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neda Bošković
- Centre for Interdisciplinary and Multidisciplinary Studies, University of Montenegro, Cetinjski put b.b. 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro.
| | - Željko Jaćimović
- Faculty of Metallurgy and Technology, University of Montenegro, Cetinjski put b.b. 81000 Podgorica, Montenegro
| | - Oliver Bajt
- National Institute of Biology, Marine Biology Station, Fornače 41, 6330 Piran, Slovenia; Faculty of maritime studies and Transport, University of Ljubljana, Pot pomorscakov 4, 6320 Portoroz, Slovenia
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34
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Pan J, Zhang Q, Zhang K, Zhang Z, Guo X. Occurrence of microplastics in agricultural soils in ecologically fragile areas of China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166350. [PMID: 37591376 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166350] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
The pollution caused by microplastics (MPs), an emerging pollutant, has been receiving continuous concern. However, the distribution characteristics of MPs in ecologically fragile areas (EFAs), which are sensitive to environmental change and pollution, are still unclear. Here, the abundance and pollution characteristics of MPs in agricultural soils in four typical EFAs in China, namely semiarid farming-pastoral area (SFPA), desert-oasis interlaced area (DOIA), plateau composite erosion area (PCEA) and southwest karst area (SWKA) were investigated. MPs were detected in all agricultural soil samples with a mean abundance of 2685 ± 938 n/kg. DOIA (3193 ± 630 n/kg) had the largest abundance of MPs in agricultural soils, followed by SWKA (2948 ± 819 n/kg), SFPA (2920 ± 935 n/kg), and PCEA (1680 ± 320 n/kg). MPs in four EFAs were mostly small size (0-0.49 mm), accounted for 81.71 %. Fragmented and pelleted MPs were the main shapes, occupying for 51.26 % and 28.53 %, respectively. In addition, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) was applied to determine the polymer types of MPs and to assess the pollution risk of MPs, which ranged from 157 to 938, indicating a moderate to high risk. The results revealed that EFAs located in remote inland areas were considerably polluted by MPs, close to the developed coastal areas. This study provided systematic data on MPs pollution of EFAs, which is crucial in preventing further environmental degradation and promoting ecological restoration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianrui Pan
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Kaiyue Zhang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Zhenming Zhang
- College of Resource and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou 550003, China.
| | - Xuetao Guo
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agro-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
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35
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Bhat MA. Indoor microplastics: a comprehensive review and bibliometric analysis. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:121269-121291. [PMID: 37980322 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30902-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/20/2023]
Abstract
Indoor microplastic (MP) pollution is becoming a worldwide issue because people spend more time inside. Through dust and air, indoor MP pollution may harm human health. This review summarizes recent advancements in indoor MP research, covering pretreatments, quality control, filter membranes, and identification methods. Additionally, it conducts bibliometric analysis to examine the usage of keywords, publication records, and authors' contributions to the field. Comparatively, dust and deposition samples exhibit higher MP concentrations than indoor air samples. Fiber-shaped MPs are commonly detected indoors. The color and types of MPs display variability, with polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene identified as the dominant MPs. Indoor environments generally demonstrate higher concentrations of MPs than outdoor environments, and MPs in the lower size range (1-100 µm) are typically more abundant. Among the reviewed articles, 45.24% conducted pretreatment on their samples, while 16.67% did not undergo any pretreatment. The predominant filter utilized in most studies was the Whatman Glass microfiber filter (41.67%), and MPs were predominantly characterized using µ-FTIR (19.23%). In the literature, 17 papers used blank samples, and eight did not. Blank findings were not included in most research (23 articles). A significant increase in published articles has been observed since 2020, with an annual growth rate exceeding 10%. The keyword microplastics had the highest frequency, followed by fibers. This indoor MP study emphasizes the need for collaborative research, policymaking, and stakeholder involvement to reduce indoor MP pollution. As indoor MP research grows, so are opportunities to identify and minimize environmental and health impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansoor Ahmad Bhat
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering 26555, Eskişehir Technical University, Eskişehir, Türkiye.
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36
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Liu S, You H, Mu H, Cheng J, Kuang S, Wang F, Chen H, Zheng M, Xu Y, Liu T. Abundance, characteristics and risk assessment of microplastics in aquatic sediments: A comparative study in the Yellow River and Yellow Sea. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 172:326-334. [PMID: 37948828 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.10.029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic ecosystems has become an increasingly serious threat to public health. Marine sediments are considered the final recipients of all microplastic pollution from inland rivers, however, whether and how the MPs differ in these two ecosystems remains poorly known due to the divergent MPs detection methods employed in previous studies. Here, we investigated the abundance, size, and types of MPs in sediment samples from the Yellow River and Yellow Sea using laser direct infrared (LDIR), and assessed their ecological risks. The abundance of MPs in the Yellow Sea is 2.9 times higher than that in the Yellow River, with an average abundance of 54813.2 ± 19355.9 and 18780.2 ± 9951.8 particles·kg-1 (dry sediment), respectively. Notably, the predominant polymer types in both sediment environments were silicone, fluororubber, and polypropylene (PP). MPs with sizes < 100 μm accounted for > 90 % of the total MPs number. Risk assessment demonstrated all the sediment environments exhibited high ecological risks. The dominance of small MPs highlighted the importance of using a method with high resolution to delineate the truthful status of MP pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuai Liu
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Hairong You
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Hongyu Mu
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Jiaxin Cheng
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Shaoping Kuang
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Fayuan Wang
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Hui Chen
- College of Environment and Safety Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China.
| | - Minggang Zheng
- Research Center for Marine Ecology, First Institute of Oceanography, MNR, Qingdao, China
| | - Yan Xu
- College of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Qingdao University, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Australian Centre for Water and Environmental Biotechnology (ACWEB, formerly AWMC), The University of Queensland, St. Lucia, Queensland 4072, Australia
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Liu Y, Prikler B, Bordós G, Lorenz C, Vollertsen J. Does microplastic analysis method affect our understanding of microplastics in the environment? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 902:166513. [PMID: 37619728 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Two analytical methods - both in active use at different laboratories - were tested and compared against each other to investigate how the procedure influences microplastic (MP) detection with micro Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (μFTIR) imaging. A representative composite water sample collected from the Danube River was divided into 12 subsamples, and processed following two different methods, which differed in MP isolation procedures, the optical substrate utilized for the chemical imaging, and the detection limit of the spectroscopic instruments. The first instrument had a nominal pixel resolution of 5.5 μm, while the second had a nominal resolution of 25 μm. These two methods led to different MP abundance, MP mass estimates, but not MP characteristics. Only looking at MPs > 50 μm, the first method showed a higher MP abundance, namely 418-2571 MP m-3 with MP mass estimates of 703-1900 μg m-3, while the second method yielded 16.7-72.1 MP m-3 with mass estimates of 222-439 μg m-3. Looking deeper into the steps of the methods showed that the MP isolation procedure contributed slightly to the difference in the result. However, the variability between individual samples was larger than the difference caused by the methods. Somewhat sample-dependent, the use of two different substrates (zinc selenide windows versus Anodisc filters) caused a substantial difference between results. This was due to a higher tendency for particles to agglomerate on the Anodisc filters, and an 'IR-halo' around particles on ZnSe windows when scanning with μFTIR. Finally, the μFTIR settings and nominal resolution caused significant differences in identifying MP size and mass estimate, which showed that the smaller the pixel size, the more accurately the particle boundary can be defined. These findings contributed to explaining disagreements between studies and addressed the importance of harmonization of methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanli Liu
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Bence Prikler
- Eurofins Analytical Services Hungary Ltd., 6. Anonymus st., Budapest 1045, Hungary; Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Gábor Bordós
- Eurofins Analytical Services Hungary Ltd., 6. Anonymus st., Budapest 1045, Hungary
| | - Claudia Lorenz
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Jes Vollertsen
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
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Polechońska L, Rozman U, Sokołowska K, Kalčíková G. The bioadhesion and effects of microplastics and natural particles on growth, cell viability, physiology, and elemental content of an aquatic macrophyte Elodea canadensis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 902:166023. [PMID: 37541516 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/06/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics in the aquatic environment can interact with aquatic plants, but the consequences of these interactions are poorly understood. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of microplastics commonly found in the environment, namely polyethylene (PE) fragments, polyacrylonitrile (PAN) fibres, tire wear (TW) particles under a relevant environmental concentration (5000 particles/L) on the growth, cell viability, physiology, and elemental content of the aquatic macrophyte Elodea canadensis. The effects of microplastics were compared to those of natural wood particles. The results showed that all types of microplastics adhered to plant tissues, but the effect on leaves (leaf damage area) was greatest at PE > PAN > TW, while the effect of natural particles was comparable to that of the control. None of the microplastics studied affected plant growth, lipid, carbohydrate, or protein content. Electron transport system activity was significantly higher in plants exposed to PAN fibres and PE fragments, but also when exposed to natural particles, while chlorophyll a content was negatively affected only by PE fragments and TW particles. Elemental analysis of plant tissue showed that in some cases PAN fibres and TW particles caused increased metal content. The results of this study indicated that aquatic macrophytes may respond differently to exposure to microplastics than to natural particles, likely through the combined effects of mechanical damage and chemical stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludmiła Polechońska
- Department of Ecology, Biogeochemistry and Environmental Protection, University of Wrocław, ul. Kanonia 6/8, 50-328 Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Ula Rozman
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 113 Večna pot, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Katarzyna Sokołowska
- Department of Plant Developmental Biology, University of Wrocław, ul. Kanonia 6/8, Wrocław 50-328, Poland
| | - Gabriela Kalčíková
- Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, University of Ljubljana, 113 Večna pot, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Zhang L, Wang J, Gong X, Song Y, Li D, Huang H, Yu C, Liang X, Fang H. Removal characteristics of microplastics in sewage flowing through a long-term operation surface flow wetland. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 899:165714. [PMID: 37487891 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) in sewage pose significant threats to aquatic system. Surface flow wetland (SFW) is a common natural wetland type, and is also used as a cheap and easy-to-build sewage treatment system for small and scattered settlements. However, seasonal variation patterns of MPs in sewage removed by SFW are still limited. Therefore, a field investigation was conducted in an SFW that has been operated for 17 years. The concentration of microplastics in the influent of the SFW (CMPs, in) ranged from 56 ± 6 to 250 ± 14 items L-1. The dominant plastic types were fibers and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). CMPs, in were high in summer and winter, significantly related to the seasonal dressing habits. The removal efficiencies of MPs in SFW were 48.03-92.32 % in different seasons, and the mechanisms of MP removal were different with traditional pollutants. Before flowing out occasionally or by heavy precipitation, MPs were primarily trapped in the SFW and underwent certain oxidation. Simulation experiments demonstrated that 47.5-92.9 % of MPs would be trapped in the SFW, and plants would significantly enhance the trapping capacities. This study sheds light on the seasonal variation characteristics and patterns of MPs in actual sewage, and clarifies the fate of MPs in a long-term operation SFW.
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Affiliation(s)
- Le Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Basin Agricultural Resource and Ecology of Jiangxi Province, College of Land Resource and Environment, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Jingxin Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Engineering Technology Research Center of Public Health Detection and Assessment, School of Public Health, Guangdong Pharmaceutical University, Guangzhou 510310, China
| | - Xia Gong
- College of Chemistry and Material, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Yaohua Song
- School of Electrical Engineering, Jiujiang Vocational and Technical College, Jiujiang 332007, China
| | - Danping Li
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Basin Agricultural Resource and Ecology of Jiangxi Province, College of Land Resource and Environment, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Huajun Huang
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Basin Agricultural Resource and Ecology of Jiangxi Province, College of Land Resource and Environment, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Chenglong Yu
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Basin Agricultural Resource and Ecology of Jiangxi Province, College of Land Resource and Environment, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China
| | - Ximei Liang
- College of Animal Science and Technology, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China.
| | - Hansun Fang
- Key Laboratory of Poyang Lake Basin Agricultural Resource and Ecology of Jiangxi Province, College of Land Resource and Environment, Jiangxi Agricultural University, Nanchang 330045, China.
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40
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Bertoldi C, Lara LZ, Fernandes AN. Revealing microplastic dynamics: the impact of precipitation and depth in urban river ecosystems. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:111231-111243. [PMID: 37807031 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30241-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Accepted: 09/29/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Research on microplastics in Latin America is limited compared to a global perspective. Brazil plays a significant role in this context, as it possesses 12% of the world's freshwater reserves, constituting 53% of South America's water resources. There has been growing concern regarding the plastic pollution of the country's freshwater systems in recent years. Therefore, this study investigated the impact of plastic pollution on the Guaíba River, a significant watercourse in the southern region of Brazil that is subjected to high anthropogenic pressure. Additionally, we examined correlations between the presence of microplastics and key factors influencing their distribution in the river. Thus, freshwater was collected in seven sampling campaigns from 2019 to 2020, totaling 66 samples. The microplastics were quantified and characterized according to their color, shape, and polymeric composition. The concentration of microplastics varied between 2.9 and 53.8 items m-3, and the distribution and transport were positively influenced by the population density, precipitations, and depth of each sampling point. White-transparent color category (51%) and fragment shape (89%) were predominant among the found particles. Polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) represented 37% and 57% of the analyzed particles. The non-metric multidimensional scaling (nMDS) analysis indicated that similar contamination sources, such as domestic sewage, could influence three out of ten sampled points. Several microplastics presented the formation of cracks, with sizes smaller than 10 μm on their surface, which might indicate an erosion process, resulting in the formation of nanoplastics. The color fading observed in microplastics suggests that the particles were subjected to environmental stressors, leading to the leaching or degradation of the dye on the plastic. The results confirmed the ubiquity of microplastics in Guaíba River, highlighting the importance of improving the regulations on plastic waste disposal in the country to prevent the contamination of freshwater bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Crislaine Bertoldi
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves, Porto Alegre, RS, 950091501-970, Brazil.
| | - Larissa Z Lara
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves, Porto Alegre, RS, 950091501-970, Brazil
| | - Andreia N Fernandes
- Instituto de Química, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande Do Sul (UFRGS), Av. Bento Gonçalves, Porto Alegre, RS, 950091501-970, Brazil
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41
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Martin L, Marbach S, Zimba P, Liu Q, Xu W. Uptake of Nanoplastic particles by zebrafish embryos triggers the macrophage response at early developmental stage. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 341:140069. [PMID: 37673181 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution continues to erupt as a global ecological concern. As plastic debris is degraded into nanoscale and microscale particles via biodegradation, UV-irradiation, and mechanical processes, nanoplastic pollution arises as a threat to virtually every biological and ecological system on the planet. In this study, zebrafish (Danio rerio) embryos were exposed to fluorescently labeled plastic particles at nanoscales (30 nm and 100 nm). The uptake of both the nanoplastic particles (NPs) was found to exponentially increase with incubation time. Penetration of NPs through the natural barrier of the zebrafish embryos, the chorion, was observed prior to the hatching of the embryo. As a result, the NPs were found to accumulate on the body surface as well as inside the body of the zebrafish. The invasion of NPs into zebrafish embryos induced the upregulation of several stress and immune response genes including interleukins (il6 and il1b), cytochrome P450 (cyp1a and cyp51), and reactive oxygen species (ROS) removal protein-encoding genes (sod and cat). This suggested the initiation of ROS generation and removal as well as the activation of the immune response of zebrafish embryos. Colocalization of macrophages and NPs in zebrafish embryos indicated the involvement of macrophage response to the NP invasion at the early developmental stage of zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leisha Martin
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Science, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, USA
| | - Sandra Marbach
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Science, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, USA
| | - Paul Zimba
- Center for Coastal Studies, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, USA; Rice Rivers Center, VA Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Qianqian Liu
- Department of Health Sciences, College of Nursing and Health Science, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, USA
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Life Sciences, College of Science, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, USA; Center for Coastal Studies, Texas A&M University - Corpus Christi, Corpus Christi, TX, USA.
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42
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Hossain MB, Yu J, Nur AAU, Banik P, Jolly YN, Mamun MA, Paray BA, Arai T. Distribution, characterization and contamination risk assessment of microplastics in the sediment from the world's top sediment-laden estuary. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 344:118472. [PMID: 37384995 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118472] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have gained a serious attention as an emerging contaminant throughout the world because of their persistence and possible risks to aquatic ecosystems and human well-being. However, knowledge on MPs contamination from sub-tropical coastal systems is limited, and no study has been conducted on the MPs contamination in sediment from one of the highest sediment-laden estuaries, Meghna River, in the world. This is the first study to examine the quantity, morpho-chemical characteristics and contamination risk level of MPs from this large scale river. MPs were extracted from the sediment samples of 10 stations along the banks of the estuary by density separation, and then characterized using a stereomicroscope and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The incidence of MPs varied from 12.5 to 55 item/kg dry sediment with an average of 28.67 ± 10.80 item/kg. The majority (78.5%) of the MPs were under 0.5 mm in size, with fibers being the most (74.1%) prevalent MPs type. Polypropylene (PP) was found to be the predominant polymer (53.4%), followed by polyethylene (PE, 20%), polystyrene (PS, 13.3%), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC, 13.3%). The highest occurrence of PP indicted the MPs in the estuary might be originated from clothing and dying industries, fishing nets, food packages, and pulp industries. The sampling stations were contaminated with MPs as shown by the contamination factor (CF) values and pollutant load index (PLI), both of which were >1. This study exposed new insights on the status of MPs in the sediments of the Meghna River, laying the groundwork for future research. The findings will contribute to estimate the global share of MPs to the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Belal Hossain
- School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia; Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali-3814, Bangladesh.
| | - Jimmy Yu
- School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
| | - As-Ad Ujjaman Nur
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali-3814, Bangladesh
| | - Partho Banik
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali-3814, Bangladesh
| | - Yeasmin N Jolly
- Atmospheric and Environmental Chemistry Laboratory, Chemistry Division, Atomic Energy Centre Dhaka, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Al- Mamun
- Materials Science Division, Atomic Energy Centre Dhaka, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Bilal Ahamad Paray
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, PO Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Takaomi Arai
- Environmental and Life Sciences Programme, Faculty of Science, Universiti Brunei Darussalam, Jalan Tungku Link, Gadong BE1410, Brunei Darussalam
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Xu X, Wang S, Li C, Li J, Gao F, Zheng L. Quorum sensing bacteria in microplastics epiphytic biofilms and their biological characteristics which potentially impact marine ecosystem. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2023; 264:115444. [PMID: 37690175 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 08/24/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have been shown to be a new type of pollutant in the oceans, with complex biofilms attached to their surfaces. Bacteria with quorum sensing (QS) systems are important participants in biofilms. Such bacteria can secrete and detect signal molecules. When a signal molecule reaches its threshold level, bacteria with QS systems can perform several biological functions, such as biofilm formation and antibiotic metabolite production. However, the ecological effects of QS bacteria in biofilm as MPs distribute globally with ocean currents are not to be elucidate yet. In this study, polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride were selected for on-site enrichment to acquire microplastics with biofilms. Eight culturable QS bacteria in the resulting biofilm were isolated by using biosensor assays, and their biodiversity was analyzed. The profiles of the N-acyl-homoserine lactones (AHLs) produced by these bacteria were analyzed by using thin-layer chromatography (TLC)-bioautography and gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Biofilm-forming properties and several biological characteristics, such as bacteriostasis, algal inhibition, and dimethylsulfoniopropionate (DMSP) degradation, were explored along with QS quenching. Results showed that QS bacteria were mainly affiliated with class Alphaproteobacteria, particularly Rhodobacteraceae, followed by class Gammaproteobacteria. TLC-bioautography and GC-MS analyses revealed that seven AHLs, namely, C6-HSL, C8-HSL, 3-oxo-C6-HSL, 3-oxo-C8-HSL, 3-oxo-C10-HSL, and two unidentified AHLs were produced. The QS system equipped bacteria with strong biofilm-forming capacity and may contribute to the keystone roles of Rhodobacteraceae. In addition, QS bacteria may exacerbate the adverse environmental effects of MPs, such as inducing the misfeeding of planktons on MPs. This study elucidated the diversity of QS bacteria in MP-associated biofilms and provided a new perspective of the effect of key membrane-forming bacteria on the marine ecological environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiyuan Xu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Shuai Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Chengxuan Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Jingxi Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Fenglei Gao
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Li Zheng
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-Environmental Science and Technology, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, China; Laboratory of Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao 266237, China.
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Mazumder D, Quader MFB, Saha S, Islam MA, Sarker RH, Chowdhury AM. An investigation on the prevalence of microplastic in commercial and open pan salts obtained from Cox's Bazar and Maheshkhali region of Bay of Bengal (Bangladesh). Food Sci Nutr 2023; 11:5283-5295. [PMID: 37701207 PMCID: PMC10494635 DOI: 10.1002/fsn3.3486] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Unrestrained utilization of plastic has reached an intemperate state, menacing environment and human lives. The preliminary focus of this research was to investigate and divulge the contemporary status of microplastics (MPs) in commercialized and open pan salts from Cox's Bazar and Maheshkhali channels. A total of 27 samples were obtained. The samples were analyzed for the prevalence of MPs by FTIR and Raman spectroscopy (RS); the prevailing amount, color, size, and shapes were analyzed by stereomicroscope and SEM. The abundance of high-density polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) were detected by FTIR, meanwhile exuberance of cellulose acetate, polypropylene, PET, LDPE, and Nylon 6 were identified by RS. The average quantifications of MPs in Cox's Bazar, Maheshkhali, and packaged salts were found to be 6851.11 ± 538.18, 5638.89 ± 1001.18, and 3405.56 ± 638.57 per kg, respectively. ANOVA resulted in highly significant association between MPs and sampling sites (p = .001*). Post hoc Tukey's test revealed prominent link between commercialized and open pan salts based on the amount of MPs (p = .001*). The most prevalent colors were purple (28%) and blue (27%). The most frequent shapes were fibrous (79%) and fragmented (19.9%) MPs. The smallest MP was detected in commercial salt (1.55 μm), nearly identical and closer to the size of nanoplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debapriya Mazumder
- Department of Applied Chemistry & Chemical TechnologyChattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences UniversityChattogramBangladesh
| | - Md. Fahad Bin Quader
- Department of Applied Chemistry & Chemical TechnologyChattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences UniversityChattogramBangladesh
| | - Suvanker Saha
- Department of Applied Chemistry & Chemical TechnologyChattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences UniversityChattogramBangladesh
| | - Md. Ashraful Islam
- Department of Applied Chemistry & Chemical TechnologyChattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences UniversityChattogramBangladesh
| | | | - Arpan Mitra Chowdhury
- One Health InstituteChattogram veterinary and Animal Sciences UniversityChattogramBangladesh
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45
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Shukur SA, Hassan FM, Fakhry SS, Ameen F, Stephenson SL. Evaluation of microplastic pollution in a lotic ecosystem and its ecological risk. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 194:115401. [PMID: 37657191 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2023] [Revised: 07/20/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 09/03/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the microplastics (MPs) pollution in Tigris River, assessing spatial and temporal variations in water and sediment. MPs presence was high during both seasons 3429.2 MPs/m3 (dry season) and 3363.2 MPs/m3 (wet season) in water, and 121.2 MPs/kg (wet season) and 123.2 MPs/kg (dry season) in sediment. MPs morphology mostly consisted of fibers and fragments, with sizes below 0.5 mm. Transparent and white were the most common colors, and they were primarily composed of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP). Ecological risk assessment, using the plastic hazard index (PHI), pollution load index (PLI), and potential ecological risk index (PERI), categorized the risk from danger to extreme danger based on PHI, while PLI and PERI indicated a minor risk. These findings provide initial evidence of microplastics pollution in the Tigris River's water and sediment, emphasizing the need for action by decision-makers to mitigate these risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaymaa Arif Shukur
- Department of Biology, College of Science for Women, University of Baghdad, Iraq.
| | - Fikrat M Hassan
- Department of Biology, College of Science for Women, University of Baghdad, Iraq.
| | - Saad Sabah Fakhry
- Ministry of Science and Technology/Food Contamination Research Center, Iraq
| | - Fuad Ameen
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Steven L Stephenson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR 72701, USA
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Fatema K, Auditi TI, Biswas S, Ayesha SB, Helal Uddin M, Sumon KA, Goswami C, Bhandari RK, Rashid H. Investigations of hemato-biochemical and histopathological parameters, and growth performance of walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) exposed to PET and LDPE microplastics. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 102:104250. [PMID: 37595935 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/15/2023] [Indexed: 08/20/2023]
Abstract
Fish inhabiting various trophic levels are affected differently as the presence of microplastic (MP) in the water column and their ingestion by fish varies. Walking catfish (Clarias batrachus) inhabits the bottom of the water bodies. To understand the effects of MP, we exposed C. batrachus to two types of MP - polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) for 60 days. After exposure, hematological indices, mainly red blood cells and hemoglobin levels decreased, and white blood cells increased significantly compared to the control group (p < 0.05). A significant increase in the levels of blood urea and glucose was observed, and serum glutamic pyruvate transaminase and serum glutamyl oxaloacetic transaminase activity remained elevated (p < 0.05). Histopathological examination of the liver, kidney, intestine, and gills showed morphological alterations. Moreover, MP exposure caused growth retardation (p < 0.05) in C. batrachus. Widespread pollution of water bodies by MP may impose serious ecological risks to bottom-feeding fish in Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaniz Fatema
- Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh; Department of Fisheries Management, Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University, Dinajpur 5200, Bangladesh
| | - Tasnia Islam Auditi
- Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Shema Biswas
- Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Sumaiya Binte Ayesha
- Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Md Helal Uddin
- Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Kizar Ahmed Sumon
- Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Chayon Goswami
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Ramji Kumar Bhandari
- Department of Biology, University of North Carolina at Greensboro, Greensboro, NC 27412, USA
| | - Harunur Rashid
- Department of Fisheries Management, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh 2202, Bangladesh.
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Can T, Üstün GE, Kaya Y. Characteristics and seasonal variation of microplastics in the wastewater treatment plant: The case of Bursa deep sea discharge. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 194:115281. [PMID: 37454472 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging pollutant that can be detected in all ecosystems, especially aquatic ecosystems. Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) are important point sources of MP release into the sea. In this study, the characteristics of MPs in wastewater and sludge samples taken from different units of WWTP in Bursa-Gemlik district for 12 months were investigated. Wastewater and sludge samples collected from 7 different points were classified as size, shape, color, and counted. The amount of MP in the influent and effluent of the WWTP, respectively; 107.1 ± 40.2 MP/L and 4.1 ± 1.1 MP/L. Although the MP removal efficiency of the WWTP is 96.17 %, approximately 74,825,000 MP is discharged into the Marmara Sea every day. The amount of MP in the sludge is 14.3 ± 7.1 MP/g. The amount of MP accumulated in 22tons of waste sludge formed daily in WWTP was calculated as 314,600,000 MP, and the annual accumulated amount was calculated as approximately 1.15 × 1011 MP. The MPs in the WWTP were mainly 1-0.5 mm in size. Fibers were the dominant MP shape in both the wastewater and sludge samples. Black and transparent were the dominant MP colors. Seven different polymer types of MPs were detected, which were mainly types of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. Despite the high removal efficiency in the investigated WWTP, it has been shown that it acts as an important source of MPs to the sea ecosystem due to the high discharge rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuğba Can
- Bursa Uludağ University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Bursa 16059, Turkey
| | - Gökhan Ekrem Üstün
- Bursa Uludağ University, Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Bursa 16059, Turkey.
| | - Yunus Kaya
- Bursa Technical University, Faculty of Engineering and Natural Sciences, Department of Chemistry, 16190 Bursa, Turkey
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Sheikhi H, Mirzaei R. Occurrence and abundance of macro, meso and microplastics along the coasts of the Persian Gulf (case study: Bushehr Province coast). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 194:115261. [PMID: 37437519 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 07/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
One of the most critical emerging pollutants in aquatic environments is plastic waste. During this study, the presence and abundance of macro, meso, and microplastics at 17 stations on the coast of Bushehr province were investigated. The average abundances of macro-plastics and meso-plastics in coastal sediment were 41.0 and 121.8 items/m2, respectively. The mean abundance of microplastics at depths of 0-5 cm, 5-15 cm, 0-15 cm and the mean of two depth abundance were 226.2 ± 76.7 and 47.1 ± 16.1, 273.4 ± 78.8, and 136.7 ± 39.4 particles/kgd.w., respectively. Fibers with 55 %, black microplastics with 40 %, and microplastic size of <500 μm with 48 % had the highest abundance, respectively. According to the FTIR spectra, polyethylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, and nylon were the most common types of polymers in plastics. Although plastics were observed at all stations, a comparison of our results, with other studies around the world shows that the region is moderately contaminated with plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hossein Sheikhi
- Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences, University of Kashan, Kashan, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Rouhollah Mirzaei
- Department of Environment, Faculty of Natural Resources and Earth Sciences, University of Kashan, Kashan, Isfahan, Iran.
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Liu Q, Xiong X, Wang K, Wang H, Ling Y, Li Q, Xu F, Wu C. Homogenization of microplastics in alpine rivers: Analysis of microplastic abundance and characteristics in rivers of Qilian Mountain, China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 340:118011. [PMID: 37116418 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 04/16/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics in remote areas has received increasing concern in recent years. However, studies on microplastics in alpine rivers and their affecting factors are still limited. In this study, we investigate the abundance and characteristics of microplastic in the surface water of five alpine rivers in Qilian Mountain, China. Utilizing sieve collection, digestion and density separation, along with microscopy and Raman spectroscopy analyses, microplastics were observed in all the water samples and the average abundance of microplastics was 0.48 ± 0.28 items/L, which was lower than in other freshwaters. Transparent (37.3%) and fibrous (72.1%) microplastics were predominant. Polypropylene (53.8%) was the most frequently identified polymer type. Analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) and linear discriminant analysis (LDA) based on microplastic shape, color, and polymer type showed that there was no significant difference in the microplastic characteristics among rivers of Qilian Mountain. The distance decay models revealed that the similarity in microplastics characteristics was not affected by changes in watershed characteristics, such as geographical distance, elevation, water quality, and land use. This finding suggests that the primary source of microplastics in Qilian Mountain rivers could be from dispersed origins. The results of this study indicated that despite remote alpine rivers suffering limited anthropogenic impacts, they were not immune to microplastics. However, in watersheds with lower intensity of human activity, the abundance and characteristics of microplastics in water bodies may be more uniformly distributed and controlled by diffusion conditions such as atmospheric transport or riverine transport. Our investigation unveils novel understanding of microplastic dispersion in secluded alpine territories, emphasizing the crucial need for managing atmospheric transport of microplastics within conservation areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Xiong Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China.
| | - Kehuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Hui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yiqin Ling
- China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430078, China
| | - Quanliang Li
- Qinghai Service Guarantee Center of Qilian Mountain National Park, Xining, 810000, China
| | - Fengyi Xu
- Qinghai Service Guarantee Center of Qilian Mountain National Park, Xining, 810000, China
| | - Chenxi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
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50
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Dad FP, Khan WUD, Kirkham MB, Bolan N, Tanveer M. Microplastics: a review of their impacts on different life forms and their removal methods. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:86632-86655. [PMID: 37438501 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28513-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The pollution of microplastics (MPs) is a worldwide major concern, as they have become a major part of our food chain. MPs enter our ecosystem via different pathways, including anthropogenic activities and improper disposal of plastics. The aim of this article is to review the current scientific literature related to MPs and how they affect different life forms on earth. Briefly, MPs induced negative effects on humans are primarily linked with the oxidative stress and disruption in immunity. MPs not only affect the soil chemical and physical properties such as reduction in soil health and productivity but also impose harmful effects on soil microorganisms. Moreover, MP-induced plant growth reduction results from three complementary mechanisms: (i) reduction in root and shoot growth, (ii) reduction in photosynthesis accompanied by higher reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and (iii) reduction in nutrient uptake via altered root growth. Given the negative effects of MPs on different life forms, it is important to remove or remediate them. We have discussed different MP removal methods including coagulation, membrane filtration technology, biochar, and biological degradation of MPs in soil and wastewater effluents. The use of ozone as ultrafiltration technique has also been shown as the most promising technique for MP removal. Finally, some future research recommendations are also put forward at the end to further enhance our understanding of the MPs induced negative effects on different life forms. The flowchart shows the interaction of MPs from water contaminated with MPs with different parts of the ecosystem and final interaction with human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fiza Pir Dad
- Sustainable Development Study Centre, Government College University, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - Waqas-Ud-Din Khan
- Sustainable Development Study Centre, Government College University, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
- Department of Agriculture, Government College University, Lahore, 54000, Pakistan
| | - M B Kirkham
- Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, 66506, USA
| | - Nanthi Bolan
- School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
- The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Mohsin Tanveer
- Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture, University of Tasmania, Tasmania, Australia.
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