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Microplastic Contamination in Urban, Farmland and Desert Environments along a Highway in Southern Xinjiang, China. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19158890. [PMID: 35897266 PMCID: PMC9330657 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19158890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
The different types of microplastics (MPs), including debris, fibers, particles, foams, films and others, have become a global environmental problem. However, there is still a lack of research and understanding of the pollution characteristics and main causes of MPs in the arid region of Xinjiang, China. In this survey, we focused on the occurrence and distribution of MPs in urban, farmland and desert areas along a highway in the survey area. Our results showed that the main types of MPs were polypropylene (PP) flakes, polyethylene (PE) films and both PE and PP fragments and fibers. The abundance levels of MPs in street dust of Korla, Alar and Hotan districts equaled 804, 307 and 1526 particles kg−1, respectively, and were positively correlated with the urban population. In farmland areas, there were only two types of MPs (films and fibers), of which the film particles dominated and accounted for 91% of the total on the average. The highest abundance rate of MPs reached 7292 particles kg−1 in the desert area along the highway. The minimum microplastic particle sizes were 51.8 ± 2.2 μm in urban street dust samples, 54.2 ± 5.3 μm in farmland soil samples and 67.8 ± 8.4 μm in samples from along the desert highway. Particle sizes < 500 μm were most common and accounted for 48−91% of the total in our survey. The abundance and shape distribution of the MPs were closely related to the different types of human activities.
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102
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He L, Ou Z, Fan J, Zeng B, Guan W. Research on the non-point source pollution of microplastics. Front Chem 2022; 10:956547. [PMID: 35936103 PMCID: PMC9353645 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2022.956547] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 07/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Microplastics are characterized with universality, persistence and toxicity to aquatic organisms, the pollution of microplastics has attracted worldwide attention. At present, studies on microplastic pollution were mainly focused on the composition, abundance and species of microplastics in water bodies and sediments, and few studies were focused on the source and influence characteristics of microplastics in surface water bodies. Starting from the sources of microplastic pollution in surface water of this paper, the pollution status of agricultural microplastics was analyzed, and the importance and urgency of studying microplastic pollution in agricultural non-point sources were put forward. Therefore, it was intended to provide effective scientific basis and technical support for the control of microplastics non-point source pollution in river basins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li He
- Zunyi Normal University College, Zunyi, China
| | - Zhongwen Ou
- Army Logistics University of PLA, Chongqing, China
| | - Jiangyang Fan
- CNOOC Petrochemical Engineering Co., Ltd., Jinan, China
| | - Boping Zeng
- Zunyi Normal University College, Zunyi, China
- *Correspondence: Boping Zeng, ; Wei Guan,
| | - Wei Guan
- Chongqing Key Laboratory of Environmental Materials and Remediation Technologies, Chongqing University of Arts and Sciences, Chongqing, China
- *Correspondence: Boping Zeng, ; Wei Guan,
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103
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Su L, Xiong X, Zhang Y, Wu C, Xu X, Sun C, Shi H. Global transportation of plastics and microplastics: A critical review of pathways and influences. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 831:154884. [PMID: 35358528 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2021] [Revised: 03/10/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The rapid development of modern society has largely increased the usage of plastic. Concerns arise when vast amount of plastic waste has been generated and disposed. The accumulated evidences suggest that plastic waste in all the natural matrixes has become a global contaminant, principles such as geological and biogeochemical cycles for plastic pollution have been proposed. Before a full estimation of plastic mass flow, however, the pathways, directions and influences involved in plastic transportation are warranted to be addressed. We made this critical review based on the quantitative and narrative approaches in plastic and microplastic sources, sinks and transportation at global and historical scales. We also addressed the roles of anthropogenic influences in the global transportation of microplastic. The hydrological, meteorological, oceanic and even biological progresses naturally influence the plastic cycle and flow directions within the Earth's Four Spheres. Anthropogenic activities participated in all sections of plastic transportation, from sources to sinks. The contribution from anthropogenic activities remains unknown but several point sources including primary emissions and landfills have been confirmed. The primary outcomes point out that plastic pollution is highly complex issues in terms of natural and human-driven dynamics. We suggested that more efforts were needed in seeking the key sections in plastic transportation between environmental compartments at a global scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Su
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Xiong Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Yulan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Cryospheric Science, Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou 730000, China
| | - Chenxi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xiangrong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China
| | - Chengjun Sun
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-environmental Science and Technology, Marine Bioresource and Environment Research Center, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Huahong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.
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104
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Wang X, Dan Y, Diao Y, Liu F, Wang H, Sang W. Transport and retention of microplastics in saturated porous media with peanut shell biochar (PSB) and MgO-PSB amendment: Co-effects of cations and humic acid. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 305:119307. [PMID: 35452753 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119307] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Revised: 04/10/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Biochar particles are extensively used in soil remediation and interact with microplastics (MPs), especially metal oxide-modified biochar may have stronger interactions with MPs. The mechanism of interactions between humic acid (HA) and different valence cations is different and the co-effect on the transport of MPs is not clear. In this study, the co-effects of HA and cations (Na+, Ca2+) on the transport and retention of MPs in saturated porous media with peanut shell biochar (PSB) and MgO-modified PSB (MgO-PSB) were systematically investigated. Breakthrough curves (BTCs) of MPs were fitted by the two-site kinetic retention model for analysis. In the absence of HA, the addition of PSB and MgO-PSB significantly hindered the transport of MPs in saturated porous media, and the retention of MPs increased from 34.2% to 59.1% and 75.5%, respectively. In Na+ solutions, the HA concentration played a dominant role in controlling MPs transport, compared to the minor role of Na+. The transport capacity of MPs always increased gradually with the increase of HA concentration. Whereas, in Ca2+ solutions, Ca2+ concentrations had a stronger effect than HA. The transport ability of MPs was instead greater than that in Na+ solutions as the HA concentration increased at low ionic strength (1 mM). However, the transport capacity of MPs was significantly reduced with increasing HA concentrations at higher ionic strength (10, 100 mM). The two-site kinetic retention model indicated that chemical attachment and physical straining are the main mechanisms of MPs retention in the saturated porous media.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoxia Wang
- Textile Pollution Controlling Engineering Center of Ministry of Environmental Protection, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Yitong Dan
- Textile Pollution Controlling Engineering Center of Ministry of Environmental Protection, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Yinzhu Diao
- Textile Pollution Controlling Engineering Center of Ministry of Environmental Protection, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Feihong Liu
- Textile Pollution Controlling Engineering Center of Ministry of Environmental Protection, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Huan Wang
- Textile Pollution Controlling Engineering Center of Ministry of Environmental Protection, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China
| | - Wenjing Sang
- Textile Pollution Controlling Engineering Center of Ministry of Environmental Protection, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai, 201620, China.
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105
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Esfandiari A, Abbasi S, Peely AB, Mowla D, Ghanbarian MA, Oleszczuk P, Turner A. Distribution and transport of microplastics in groundwater (Shiraz aquifer, southwest Iran). WATER RESEARCH 2022; 220:118622. [PMID: 35613485 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite the significance of groundwater to the hydrological cycle and as a source of potable water, very little information exists on microplastics (MPs) in this environment. In the present study, MPs have been determined in ten well samples obtained from an alluvial aquifer in a semi-arid region (Shiraz, Iran) following filtration, digestion and inspection under a binocular microscope. A total of 96 MPs were identified, and concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 1.3 MP L-1 (mean and median = 0.48 and 0.43 MP L-1, respectively) and exhibited a complex distribution across the area that reflected differences in land use and local hydrology and geology. The majority of MPs (about 70%) were fibres of ≤ 500 μm in length, but fragments and films were present at some sites, and the dominant polymers were polystyrene, polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate. Coupling meteorological and water table monitoring data from the regional water organization and published information on aquifer hydrology, we estimate a lag time from precipitation to water table intrusion of between one and five months and groundwater velocity flows of between 0.01 and 0.07 m d-1. Although the extent of retardation of MPs within the pores of groundwater is unknown, by considering empirical data and theoretical predictions on particle flow through porous media in the literature we surmise that MP residence times in the aquifer are likely to range from years to decades, thereby impeding any clear means of source identification. Nevertheless, and more generally, the consumption of potable groundwater may make to a contribution to MP exposure through ingestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Esfandiari
- Environmental Research Centre in Petroleum and Petrochemical Industries, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sajjad Abbasi
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71454, Iran; Department of Radiochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin 20-031, Poland.
| | - Ahmad Behrouj Peely
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71454, Iran
| | - Dariush Mowla
- Environmental Research Centre in Petroleum and Petrochemical Industries, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Patryk Oleszczuk
- Department of Radiochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin 20-031, Poland
| | - Andrew Turner
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, United Kingdom
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106
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Kallenbach EMF, Friberg N, Lusher A, Jacobsen D, Hurley RR. Anthropogenically impacted lake catchments in Denmark reveal low microplastic pollution. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:47726-47739. [PMID: 35181858 PMCID: PMC9232414 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19001-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics have been detected in lake environments globally, including in remote regions. Agricultural and populated areas are known to congregate several inputs and release pathways for microplastic. This study investigated microplastic (50-5000 µm) contamination in five Danish freshwater lakes with catchments dominated by arable land use. The concentrations in sediments (n = 3/site) and the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha (n = 30/site), were calculated and compared with catchment characteristics and environmental parameters. Microplastic concentrations in sediment were relatively low (average 0.028 ± 0.017 items/g dry weight sediment) whilst only a single microplastic was found in the mussels (average 0.067 ± 0.249 items/10 individual). Hence, no relationship between the number of observed microplastics in sediment and mussels could be identified, nor could a relationship between concentration in sediment and environmental parameters. As all lakes studied received their water from moderate to heavily anthropogenically impacted catchments, it was expected that they would be sinks for microplastic with high bioavailability. Based on the results of the present study, D. polymorpha were found to not be contaminated by microplastics in the five study lakes. Thus, our results suggest that these mussels do not interact with microplastics at low concentrations. We speculate that the results on sediment and biota could be explained by several factors related to regional differences in plastic use, species characteristics, sampling size, and the fact that finding no microplastic is not always reported in the scientific literature. Thus, the paper provides insight into the dynamics between the catchment, lake, and biota in systems with low microplastic concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie M. F. Kallenbach
- NIVA Denmark Water Research, Njalsgade 76, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark
- University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 4, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Nikolai Friberg
- NIVA Denmark Water Research, Njalsgade 76, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark
- University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 4, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
- NIVA, Økernveien 94, 0579 Oslo, Norway
- School of Geography, water@leeds, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT UK
| | - Amy Lusher
- NIVA, Økernveien 94, 0579 Oslo, Norway
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Dean Jacobsen
- University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 4, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
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107
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Ling X, Yan Z, Lu G. Vertical transport and retention behavior of polystyrene nanoplastics in simulated hyporheic zone. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 219:118609. [PMID: 35598467 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 04/19/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The ecological risk of microplastics (MPs) usually depends on their environmental behavior, however, few studies focused on the impact of hydrodynamic perturbations on the fate of MPs in hyporheic zone. This study chose quartz sand (250-425 μm) as simulated porous medium to investigate the transport of 100 nm polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) under hydrodynamic factors, including flow rates (0.5, 1.0, and 2.0 mL/min), flow orientations (up-flow, down-flow, and horizontal-flow), and water saturations (50%, 80%, and 100%), as well as different salinities and temperatures. The breakthrough curves (BTCs) and retained profiles (RPs) of PSNPs were compared and analyzed by Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) theory. Due to the small size and moderate density of PSNPs, as well as high flow rates, the flow orientation exhibited little effect on the PSNP transport. However, high flow rate, low salinity, high water saturation, and low temperature would facilitate the mobility of PSNPs. The increase in salinity from zero to 35 PSU (practical salinity units) caused the compression of electrical double layer and weakened the electrostatic repulsion between PSNPs and sands, which dramatically decreased the penetration rate from 100% to zero. Especially, the lower energy barrier of PSNPs-PSNPs at 3.5 and 35 PSU (16.45 kBT and zero, respectively) facilitated the adsorption of PSNPs on sand via ripening mechanism. Due to the strong adsorption of PSNPs by sand at high salinity, the effect of flow rate on PSNP transport was more pronounced at low salinity. The mobility of PSNPs at 0.035 PSU was enhanced by 41.4%-75.3% as the flow rate increased from 0.5 to 2.0 mL/min, which was contributed from the reversible deposition in lower secondary energy minimum depth at low salinity and the stronger hydrodynamic drag force generated by the high flow rate. However, the sufficient molecular diffusion at low flow rate promoted the occupation of PSNPs on adsorption sites. In addition, the penetration rate of PSNPs decreased by 25.0% as the water saturation decreased from 100% to 50%, indicating that the film straining at the air-water interface would hinder the transport of PSNPs. Finally, temperature increase impeded the penetration of PSNPs by 6.26%-23.1% via blocking mechanism. Our results suggest that low-salinity, high-flow river systems may be at greater risk of MPs contamination due to enhanced vertical transport capability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Ling
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resources Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Zhenhua Yan
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resources Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China.
| | - Guanghua Lu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resources Development on Shallow Lakes of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
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108
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Yang X, He Q, Liu T, Zheng F, Mei H, Chen M, Liu G, Vymazal J, Chen Y. Impact of microplastics on the treatment performance of constructed wetlands: Based on substrate characteristics and microbial activities. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 217:118430. [PMID: 35429885 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 04/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Presence of microplastics (MPs) in wastewater has posed a huge ecosystem risk. Constructed wetlands (CWs) can effectively intercept MPs, while with MPs accumulation the response of CWs' performance is still unclear. In order to evaluate those effects, we conducted a 370-day experiment using CW microcosms fed with different levels (0, 10, 100, and 1000 μg/L) of polystyrene (PS) MPs (diameter: 50-100 μm). Results showed that nitrogen removal efficiency was increased (by 3.9%-24.7%) during the first 60 days and then decreased (by 7.1%-41.3%) with MPs accumulating, but no obvious change in COD and TP removal was observed. From further analysis, MPs accumulation changed the biofilm composition (TOC content increased from 41.4% to 52.7%), substrate porosity (electrical resistivity increased by 1.2-2.4 folds), and oxygen mass transfer (|KLa,O2| increased from 3.5% to 18.6%). Moreover, the microbial dynamics presented a higher abundance of nitrifiers (Nitrospira and Nitrosomonas) during the 60-day experiment and a lower abundance in the last days, while denitrifiers (Thauera, Thiobacillus, and Anaerolinea) had a high relative abundance throughout the experiment, being consistent with the variation of nitrification and denitrification rates. Finally, structural equation model analysis proved that due to the changes of substrate characteristics and microbial compositions and activities, the obvious decrease in nitrification efficiency was a direct reason for the decline of nitrogen removal during 370-day MPs accumulation. Overall, our study first prove that MPs accumulation can cause a series of changes in physicochemical and microbial characteristics of substrate, and ultimately affect the nitrogen-transforming process in CWs. Although our conclusions were based on the lab-scale CWs being different from the real wetlands, we hope that the conclusions can provide the effective regulatory strategies to guide the control of MPs in the actual wetlands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyu Yang
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Campus B 83 Shabeijie, Shapingba, Chongqing 400044, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China; State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qiang He
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Campus B 83 Shabeijie, Shapingba, Chongqing 400044, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Tao Liu
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Campus B 83 Shabeijie, Shapingba, Chongqing 400044, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Feifei Zheng
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Campus B 83 Shabeijie, Shapingba, Chongqing 400044, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Han Mei
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Campus B 83 Shabeijie, Shapingba, Chongqing 400044, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Mengli Chen
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Campus B 83 Shabeijie, Shapingba, Chongqing 400044, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China
| | - Gang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Aquatic Chemistry, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jan Vymazal
- Department of Applied Ecology, Faculty of Environmental Sciences, Czech University of Life Sciences Prague,16521, Prague 6, Czech Republic
| | - Yi Chen
- Key Laboratory of the Three Gorges Region's Eco-Environment, Ministry of Education, College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, Campus B 83 Shabeijie, Shapingba, Chongqing 400044, China; National Centre for International Research of Low-carbon and Green Buildings, Chongqing University, Chongqing, 400044, China.
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109
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Viaroli S, Lancia M, Re V. Microplastics contamination of groundwater: Current evidence and future perspectives. A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 824:153851. [PMID: 35176372 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater is a primary water source which supplies more than 2 billion people. The increasing population and urbanization of rural areas stresses and depletes the groundwater systems, reducing the groundwater quality. Among the emerging contaminants, microplastics (MPs) are becoming an important issue due to their persistency in the environment. Seepage through the pores and fractures as well as the interaction with colloidal aggregates can partially affect the MPs dynamics in the subsoil, making the detection of the MPs in the groundwater systems challenging. Based on literature, a critical analysis of MPs in groundwater is presented from a hydrogeological point of view. In addition, a review of the MPs data potentially affecting the groundwater systems are included. MPs in groundwater may have several sources, including the atmosphere, the interaction with surface water bodies, urban infrastructures, or agricultural soils. The characterization of both the groundwater dynamics and the heterogeneity of MPs is suggested, proposing a new framework named "Hydrogeoplastic Model". MPs detection methods aimed at characterizing the smaller fragments are necessary to clarify the fate of these contaminants in the aquifers. This review also aims to support future research on MP contamination in groundwater, pointing out the current knowledge and the future risks which could affect groundwater resources worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Viaroli
- Sciences Department, Roma Tre University, Largo S. L. Murialdo 1, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Michele Lancia
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Xueyuan Road, 1088, Shenzhen, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Xueyuan Road, 1088, Shenzhen, China
| | - Viviana Re
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, Via S. Maria 53, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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110
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Wang Y, Wang F, Xiang L, Bian Y, Wang Z, Srivastava P, Jiang X, Xing B. Attachment of positively and negatively charged submicron polystyrene plastics on nine typical soils. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 431:128566. [PMID: 35359109 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2021] [Revised: 02/03/2022] [Accepted: 02/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have attracted increasing concern as emerging contaminants of global importance in recent years. Soil is considered an important sink for MPs. Due to environmental weathering, MP surfaces are often charged, but there are limited studies on the interaction of differentially charged MP with soils. This study constructed Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (DLVO) potential energy profiles, investigated the interaction mechanism of polystyrene MPs (0.2 µm) with positive (MP+) and negative (MP-) charges on nine typical soils through quantitative analysis of fluorescence intensity. The attachment of MPs to different soils fitted the pseudo-second-order kinetic model well. The attachment isotherm data of MP+ fitted the linear model better, while the MP- data fitted the Langmuir model. The attachment capacity of MPs was significantly correlated with the zeta potential of soils. These results, as well as the fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra and scanning electronic microscopy (SEM) images of soils, indicated that electrostatic interactions and physical trapping were the dominant mechanisms for MP attachment to soils. These results showed a strong affinity for MPs attachment on soil and gave insights to predict the transport, fate and ecological effect of different charged MPs in soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Fang Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Leilei Xiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yongrong Bian
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ziquan Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Prashant Srivastava
- Land and Water Business Unit, Industry Environments Program, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Urrbrae, SA 5064, Australia
| | - Xin Jiang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Baoshan Xing
- Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA 01003, USA
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111
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Wang C, Wang L, Ok YS, Tsang DCW, Hou D. Soil plastisphere: Exploration methods, influencing factors, and ecological insights. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 430:128503. [PMID: 35739682 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2022] [Accepted: 02/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP), an emerging contaminant, is globally prevalent and poses potential environmental threats and ecological risks to both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. When MPs enter into natural environments, they may serve as artificial substrates for microbial colonization and plastisphere formation, providing new ecological niches for microorganisms. Recent studies of the plastisphere have focused on aquatic ecosystems. However, our understanding of the soil plastisphere e.g. its formation process, microbial ecology, co-transport of organic pollutants and heavy metals, and effects on biogeochemical processes is still very limited. This review summarizes latest methods used to explore the soil plastisphere, assesses the factors influencing the microbial ecology of the soil plastisphere, and sheds light on potential ecological risks caused by the soil plastisphere. The formation and succession of soil plastisphere communities can be driven by MP characteristics and soil environmental factors. The soil plastisphere may affect a series of ecological processes, especially the co-transport of environmental contaminants, biodegradation of MPs, and soil carbon cycling. We aim to narrow the knowledge gap between the soil and aquatic plastisphere, and provide valuable guidance for future research on the soil plastisphere in MP-contaminated soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengqian Wang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Liuwei Wang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Yong Sik Ok
- Korea Biochar Research Center, APRU Sustainable Waste Management Program & Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Daniel C W Tsang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Deyi Hou
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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112
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Laju RL, Jayanthi M, Jeyasanta KI, Patterson J, Asir NGG, Sathish MN, Edward JKP. Spatial and vertical distribution of microplastics and their ecological risk in an Indian freshwater lake ecosystem. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 820:153337. [PMID: 35077792 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153337] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the spatial and vertical distribution of microplastics (MPs) in the water and sediment samples collected from different locations in Kodaikanal Lake, a very popular tourist location. The lake provides water to placesdownstream. MPs are found in the surface water, surface sediment and core sediment, with their respective values of abundance being 24.42 ± 3.22 items/ l, 28.31 ± 5.29 items/ kg, and 25.91 ± 7.11 items/ kg. Spatially, abundance, colour, type and size of MPs vary in the samples of surface water and sediment. The highest levels of MPs are found in the lakes' outlet region. MPs detected are primarily fibres and fragments 3-5 mm in size with PE and PP being the predominant polymers. Seven sampling points were selected to investigate the vertical distribution of MPs. In the core sediment, the abundance and size of MPs decrease with depth. This probably indicates the presence of more MPs in the recent sediment. The core sediment is dominated by sand silt clay fractions, which facilitates potential downward infiltration of fine MPs. SEM images of MPs reveal that the degree of weathering increases with depth, and EDAX shows that smooth MP surface displays a lesser adhesion ability than the rough surface. Plastic wastes generated by tourism are the important source of MPs in the lake. The lake has high PHI values (>1000) due to MPs with high hazard score polymers (PS and PEU), whereas the PLI values (1.33) indicate low level of MP pollution representing a minor ecological risk. The MP level in Kodaikanal Lake is influenced by the lake's hydrology and the sources of pollution. Although the impacts of MP pollution on the health and functioning of the environment is uncertain, observing, understanding and halting of further MP contamination in the Kodaikanal Lakes is important.
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Affiliation(s)
- R L Laju
- Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - M Jayanthi
- Environment, Climate Change & Forests Department, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, India
| | | | - Jamila Patterson
- Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | | - M Narmatha Sathish
- Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India
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113
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Xu L, Xu X, Li C, Li J, Sun M, Zhang L. Is mulch film itself the primary source of meso- and microplastics in the mulching cultivated soil? A preliminary field study with econometric methods. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 299:118915. [PMID: 35101559 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Revised: 01/05/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
There has been an increasing interest in the pollution caused by meso- and microplastics (MMPs) in terrestrial ecosystems. Mulch film was once considered to be the most important source of MMPs in the mulching cultivated soil. However, the academic community has not given sufficient scientific evidence. In this study, stratified random sampling method was used to selectively interview households in Hebei province, China (400 households, 20 villages, 5 counties). Finally, household characteristics and mulch film use behavior of 41 households were collected, and corresponding soil samples were sampled. The results showed that 1) the abundance of MMPs was 29.3 ± 33.1 items·kg-1 (DW) and the particle size of MMPs was 2.95 × 103±1.75 × 103 μm, and the proportion of MMPs derived from Polyethylene (PE) was only 18.8%; 2) the mass of MMPs was 2.90 ± 3.72 mg kg-1 (DW) and the proportion of PE MMPs was 43.75%, which has the highest mass percentage; 3) After controlling the endogenous and dummy variables, the use history of mulch film (HistMF) was found to be positively correlated to the abundance of MMPs and inversely correlated to the particle size, but nor with the mass of MMPs; 4) Regarding the heterogeneous characteristics of MMPs, including particle size, color, shape, and type, the findings found the absence of a significant correlation between HistMF and the abundance and mass of PE. In summary, mulch-derived MMPs are not the primary source of MMPs in the mulching cultivated soil in terms of abundance but probably be in terms of mass.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Xu
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, 100097, China; Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Agriculture Environment Monitoring, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Xiangbo Xu
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
| | - Chang Li
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jing Li
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Mingxing Sun
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Linxiu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and Modeling, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
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114
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Jin T, Tang J, Lyu H, Wang L, Gillmore AB, Schaeffer SM. Activities of Microplastics (MPs) in Agricultural Soil: A Review of MPs Pollution from the Perspective of Agricultural Ecosystems. JOURNAL OF AGRICULTURAL AND FOOD CHEMISTRY 2022; 70:4182-4201. [PMID: 35380817 DOI: 10.1021/acs.jafc.1c07849] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are emerging persistent pollutants which have attracted increasing attention worldwide. Although microplastics have been widely detected in aquatic environments, their presence in soil ecosystems remains largely unexplored. Plastic debris accumulates in farmland, causing serious environmental problems, which may directly affect food substances or indirectly affect the members in each trophic level of the food chain. This review summarizes the origins, migration, and fate of microplastics in agricultural soils and discusses the interaction between microplastics and the components in farmland from the perspectives of toxicology and accumulation and deduces impacts on ecosystems by linking the organismal response to an ecological role. The effects on farmland ecosystem function are also discussed, emphasizing the supply of agricultural products, food chain pathways, carbon deposition, and nitrogen cycling and soil and water conservation, as microplastic pollution will affect agricultural ecosystems for a long period, posing an ecological risk. Finally, several directions for future research are proposed, which is important for reducing the effect of microplastics in agricultural systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianyue Jin
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Jingchun Tang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Honghong Lyu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Clean Energy and Pollution Control, School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, Hebei University of Technology, Tianjin, 300401, China
| | - Lan Wang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Engineering Research Center of Environmental Diagnosis and Contamination Remediation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Alexis B Gillmore
- Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, University of Tennessee - Knoxville, 2506 East J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
| | - Sean M Schaeffer
- Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, University of Tennessee - Knoxville, 2506 East J. Chapman Drive, Knoxville, Tennessee 37996, United States
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115
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Ahmed R, Hamid AK, Krebsbach SA, He J, Wang D. Critical review of microplastics removal from the environment. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 293:133557. [PMID: 35016952 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133557] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Globally, microplastics pollution has become a serious environmental threat due to their multitude sources, widespread occurrence, persistence, and adverse effects to ecosystem and the human health. Addressing this multifaceted threat requires innovative technologies that can efficiently remove microplastics from the environment. In this review, we first overviewed the source, occurrence, and potential adverse impacts of microplastics to human health. We then identified promising technologies for microplastics removal, including physical, chemical, and biological approaches. A detailed analysis of the advantages and limitations of different techniques was provided. We concluded this review with the current challenges and future research priorities, which will guide us through the path addressing microplastics contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riaz Ahmed
- Institute of Environmental Engineering and Management, Mehran University of Engineering and Technology, Jamshoro, Sindh, 76020, Pakistan
| | - Ansley K Hamid
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
| | - Samuel A Krebsbach
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States
| | - Jianzhou He
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, 85721, United States.
| | - Dengjun Wang
- School of Fisheries, Aquaculture and Aquatic Sciences, Auburn University, Auburn, AL, 36849, United States.
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116
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Zhang X, Chen Y, Li X, Zhang Y, Gao W, Jiang J, Mo A, He D. Size/shape-dependent migration of microplastics in agricultural soil under simulative and natural rainfall. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 815:152507. [PMID: 34968597 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Agricultural soil is a sink of microplastics (MPs) in the environment. MPs in topsoil can be transferred deeply or into surrounding water by rainfall. However, little is known about rainfall-induced migration pattern of different MPs in agricultural soil. In this study, soil leaching experiments of 21 d were performed on Nile red-stained size-different polyethylene terephthalate (PET) particles, and shape-different polyethylene (PE) MPs under simulated or natural rainfall. Results showed that simulated rainfall of 5-25 mm/d caused intensity-dependent migration of MPs in horizontal and vertical directions. Maximum migration depth of MP particles arrived up to 4-7 cm. Rise of soil slopes could significantly increase horizontal mobility of MPs. Comparatively, natural rainfall of similar intensity caused relatively high mobility of MPs. Moreover, under both simulative and natural rainfall, mobility of MPs presented size/shape-different characteristics. Comparatively, small-size MPs (especially <1 mm) showed relatively high mobility in horizontal or vertical direction, and had high-frequency presence in runoff water. Of four MPs' shapes, fiber and film had relatively high mobility in comparison to particles. These results indicate that rainfall can cause size/shape-dependent migration of MPs in agricultural soil. It suggests size/shape-different environment fate of MPs, and provides a reference for MP control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Zhang
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yingxin Chen
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yalin Zhang
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Wei Gao
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jie Jiang
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Aoyun Mo
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Defu He
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Technology Innovation Center for Land Spatial Eco-restoration in Metropolitan Area, Ministry of Natural Resources, Shanghai 200062, China.
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117
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Reuse of Water Contaminated by Microplastics, the Effectiveness of Filtration Processes: A Review. ENERGIES 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/en15072432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Water treatment generally does not specifically address the removal of microplastics (MPs). Nevertheless, treatment plants process water effectively, and the number of synthetic microparticles in effluents is usually very low. Still, discharge volumes from water-treatment plants are often elevated (reaching around 108 L/day), leading to the daily discharge of a substantial number of MPs and microfibers. Furthermore, MPs accumulate in the primary and secondary sludge, which in the end results in another environmental problem as they are currently used to amend soils, both for cultivation and forestry, leading to their dispersion. Something similar occurs with the treatment of water intended for human consumption, which has a much lower but still significant number of MPs. The amount of these pollutants being released into the environment depends on the processes that the water undergoes. One of the most-used treatment processes is rapid sand filtration, which is reviewed in this article. During the filtration process, MPs can break into smaller pieces, resulting in a greater number of plastic particles which mainly accumulate in sewage sludge. Thermal processes, such as incineration, carried out in facilities with the best available techniques in practice, could guarantee the safe disposal of highly MP-contaminated sewage sludges.
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118
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Lange K, Österlund H, Viklander M, Blecken GT. Occurrence and concentration of 20-100 μm sized microplastic in highway runoff and its removal in a gross pollutant trap - Bioretention and sand filter stormwater treatment train. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 809:151151. [PMID: 34688750 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic pollution of stormwater can be a serious threat to the environment. Gross pollutant trap (GPT) - bioretention treatment trains have been shown previously to treat (inter alia) particulate stormwater pollutants including microplastic particles larger than 100 μm. This study was carried out to investigate whether such stormwater treatment trains also remove smaller 20 to 100 μm sized microplastic particles from highway runoff. Further, it investigates occurrence and concentration of 20 to 100 μm sized microplastic particles in highway runoff and which polymer types they can be assigned to. Volume proportional samples from nine rain events were taken from the incoming highway stormwater, from the gross pollutant trap effluent and the outflow from a bioretention system as well as a non-vegetated sand filter. The microplastic analyses were carried out using μFTIR and FTIR-ATR, which made it possible to detect particles where carbon black was present. It was found that 20 to 100 μm sized microplastic particles are abundant in highway runoff and that their concentrations are highly variable, with a median of 230 particles/L, a minimum of 42 particles/L and a maximum of 8577 particles/L. The dominant polymer types in highway stormwater were Polypropylene (PP), Ethylene Propylene Diene (EPDM) rubber and Ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA). The treatment train with the bioretention system treated 20 to 200 μm sized microplastic particles significantly better than the treatment train with a non-vegetated sand filter, with median effluent concentrations of 26.5 particles/L and 121 particles/L, respectively. The GPT had no significant impact on the treatment of 20 to 100 μm sized microplastic particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Lange
- Urban Water Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden.
| | - Heléne Österlund
- Urban Water Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden.
| | - Maria Viklander
- Urban Water Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden.
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119
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Koutnik VS, Leonard J, Glasman JB, Brar J, Koydemir HC, Novoselov A, Bertel R, Tseng D, Ozcan A, Ravi S, Mohanty SK. Microplastics retained in stormwater control measures: Where do they come from and where do they go? WATER RESEARCH 2022; 210:118008. [PMID: 34979466 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.118008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2021] [Revised: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Stormwater control measures (SCM) can remove and accumulate microplastics and may serve as a long-term source of microplastics for groundwater pollution because of their potential for downward mobility in subsurface. Furthermore, the number of microplastics accumulated in SCM may have been underestimated as the calculation typically only accounts for microplastics accumulated via episodic stormwater loading and ignores microplastic accumuation via continuous atmospheric deposition. To evaluate the source pathways of accumulated microplastics and their potential for downward mobility to groundwater, we analyzed spatial distributions of microplastics above ground on the canopy around SCM and below ground in the subsurface in and outside the boundaries of fourteen SCM in Los Angeles. Using an exponential model, we link subsurface retardation of microplastics to the median particle size of soil (D50) and land use. Despite receiving significantly more stormwater, microplastic concentrations in SCM at surface depth or subsurface depth were not significantly different from the concentration at the same depth outside the SCM. Similar concentration in and outside of SCM indicates that stormwater is not the sole source of microplastics accumulated in SCM. The high concentration of microplastics on leaves of vegetation in SCM confirms that the contribution of atmospheric deposition is significant. Within and outside the SCM boundary, microplastics are removed within the top 5 cm of the subsurface, and their concentration decreases exponentially with depth, indicating limited potential for groundwater pollution from the microplastics accumulated in SCM. Outside the SCM boundary, the subsurface retardation coefficient decreases with increases in D50, indicating straining of microplastics as the dominant removal mechanism. Inside the boundary of SCM, however, the retardation coefficient was independent of D50, implying that microplastics could have either moved deeper into the filter layer in SCM or that compost, mulch, or organic amendments used in the filter media were pre-contaminated with microplastics. Overall, these results provide insights on microplastics source, accumulation, and downward mobility in SCM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera S Koutnik
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jamie Leonard
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Joel B Glasman
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Jaslyn Brar
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Hatice Ceylan Koydemir
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Anna Novoselov
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Rebecca Bertel
- Department of Earth & Environmental Science, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Derek Tseng
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Aydogan Ozcan
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA; California NanoSystems Institute, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sujith Ravi
- Department of Earth & Environmental Science, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Sanjay K Mohanty
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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120
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Gui X, Ren Z, Xu X, Chen X, Chen M, Wei Y, Zhao L, Qiu H, Gao B, Cao X. Dispersion and transport of microplastics in three water-saturated coastal soils. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127614. [PMID: 34740510 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/09/2021] [Revised: 10/18/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The coastal area is one of the key zones for transport and fate of microplastics (MPs). This study investigated the transport behaviors of different sized MPs in three water-saturated coastal soils, with the aim to explore effects of properties of three different coastal soils on the dispersion and migration of three-sized MPs (0.3, 0.5, and 1 µm). All three-sized MPs had the strongest dispersion in Soil 3 solution, followed by that in Soil 1 solution and then that in Soil 2 solution. The strongest dispersion of MPs in Soil 3 solution was attributed to the lowest ionic strength. Such a high dispersion favored MPs movement in soil solution but readily be sorbed and fixed by rich Fe and Al oxides in Soil 3 solid through strong electrostatic attraction, leading to the lowest transport rate (20.5-41.2%). The high ionic strength in the Soil 1 solution decreased the dispersion of MPs, but the presence of high content of humic acid enhanced the electrostatic repulsion and steric hindrance between MPs and soil particles, resulting in the highest transport ability of MPs in Soil 1 (39.4-72.5%). The large amount of dissolved Ca2+ and Mg2+ in Soil 2 solution favored MPs bridged with fulvic acid, resulting in the highest aggregation of MPs and relatively lower transport ability (34.1-49.6%). Large-sized MPs had higher electrostatic repulsion between the particles, thus increasing the dispersion and transport capacity of MPs in soil. Modeling showed the experiment-consistent results that Soil 3 had the lowest MPs transport after 600 mm of heavy rainfall, with the maximum migration distance of 7.50-10.5 cm, which was smaller than that in Soil 2 (8.10-12.0 cm) and that in Soil 1 (9.00-18.3 cm). These results indicated that MPs transport in coastal soil is significant and soil solution and solid composition plays an important role in the dispersion and transport of MPs, respectively. These findings afforded a great basis for the assessment of the fate and risk of MPs in coastal areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangyang Gui
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zhefan Ren
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiaoyun Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiang Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Ming Chen
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Yaqiang Wei
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Ling Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Hao Qiu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Bin Gao
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Xinde Cao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China.
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121
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Rozman U, Kalčíková G. Seeking for a perfect (non-spherical) microplastic particle - The most comprehensive review on microplastic laboratory research. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127529. [PMID: 34736190 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, much attention has been paid to microplastic pollution, and research on microplastics has begun to grow exponentially. However, microplastics research still suffers from the lack of standardized protocols and methods for investigation of microplastics under laboratory conditions. Therefore, in this review, we summarize and critically discuss the results of 715 laboratory studies published on microplastics in the last five years to provide recommendations for future laboratory research. Analysis of the data revealed that the majority of microplastic particles used in laboratory studies are manufactured spheres of polystyrene ranging in size from 1 to 50 µm, that half of the studies did not characterize the particles used, and that a minority of studies used aged particles, investigated leaching of chemicals from microplastics, or used natural particles as a control. There is a large discrepancy between microplastics used in laboratory research and those found in the environment, and many laboratory studies suffer from a lack of environmental relevance and provide incomplete information on the microplastics used. We have summarized and discussed these issues and provided recommendations for future laboratory research on microplastics focusing on (i) microplastic selection, (ii) microplastic characterization, and (iii) test design of laboratory research on microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ula Rozman
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, 113 Večna pot, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gabriela Kalčíková
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, 113 Večna pot, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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Liu X, Tang N, Yang W, Chang J. Microplastics pollution in the soils of various land-use types along Sheshui River basin of Central China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150620. [PMID: 34610399 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/10/2021] [Revised: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 09/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Very little information is now available about the occurrence of microplastics in the soils of various land-use types. In this study, 18 sampling sites with two soil layers were investigated for four different land-use types (grassland, dry land, paddy field, and plastic greenhouses) in Sheshui River basin of central China. The results demonstrated that the total abundance of microplastics in all sites lied within the range of 875 ± 229-6075 ± 865 n kg-1, and had an average value of 2522 ± 1276 n kg-1 ('n' being the number of microplastics). The abundance of microplastics in dry land had the highest value, whereas the greenhouse had the lowest value. There were no significant differences in the number of microplastics among the four land-use types. Except for four sites, no significant difference was observed in the abundance of microplastics between 0-10 cm and 10-20 cm layers. Fiber and fragment were the leading shapes of the microplastics along with brown color and the size of less than 1 mm. Combined with the site survey, the potential sources of microplastics in the studied region were mainly the wastewater irrigation, application of organic fertilizer, and plastic mulching film. Multivariate analysis and principal component analysis demonstrated that the carbon and nitrogen in soil samples were positively correlated with the abundance of microplastics, whereas a significantly negative correlation was observed between the soil δ13C and the abundance of microplastics. It was inferred that the transformation and degradation of aging microplastics were primarily associated with the turnover of soil's carbon and nitrogen. The results of the current study contribute towards an in-depth understanding of the level of microplastics pollution for various land-use types and corresponding policy-making regarding the management of microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoning Liu
- Institute of HydroEcology, State Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Water System Science for Sponge City Construction, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Na Tang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Wanggan Yang
- Department of Public Policy, Nelson Mandela College of Government & Social Sciences, Southern University and A&M College, Baton Rouge, LA 70813, USA
| | - Jianbo Chang
- Institute of HydroEcology, State Key Laboratory of Water Resources and Hydropower Engineering Science, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Water System Science for Sponge City Construction, Wuhan University, Wuhan 430072, China
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Schell T, Hurley R, Buenaventura NT, Mauri PV, Nizzetto L, Rico A, Vighi M. Fate of microplastics in agricultural soils amended with sewage sludge: Is surface water runoff a relevant environmental pathway? ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 293:118520. [PMID: 34800590 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118520] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 11/06/2021] [Accepted: 11/13/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Sewage sludge used as agricultural fertilizer has been identified as an important source of microplastics (MPs) to the environment. However, the fate of MPs added to agricultural soils is largely unknown. This study investigated the fate of MPs in agricultural soils amended with sewage sludge and the role of surface water runoff as a mechanism driving their transfer to aquatic ecosystems. This was assessed using three experimental plots located in a semi-arid area of Central Spain, which were planted with barley. The experimental plots received the following treatments: (1) control or no sludge application; (2) historical sludge application, five years prior to the experiment; and (3) sludge application at the beginning of the experiment. MPs were analyzed in surface water runoff and in different soil layers to investigate transport and infiltration for one year. The sewage sludge used in our experiment contained 5972-7771 MPs/kg dw. Based on this, we estimated that about 16,000 MPs were added to the agricultural plot amended with sludge. As expected, the sludge application significantly increased the MP concentration in soils. The control plot contained low MP concentrations (31-120 MPs kg-1 dw), potentially originating from atmospheric deposition. The plot treated five years prior to the experiment contained 226-412 and 177-235 MPs kg-1 dw at the start and end of the experiment, respectively; while the recently treated plot contained 182-231 and 138-288 MPs kg-1 dw. Our study shows that MP concentrations remain relatively constant in agricultural soils and that the MP infiltration capacity is very low. Surface water runoff had a negligible influence on the export of MPs from agricultural soils, mobilizing only 0.2-0.4% of the MPs added with sludge. We conclude that, in semi-arid regions, agricultural soils can be considered as long-term accumulators of MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa Schell
- IMDEA Water Institute, Science and Technology Campus of the University of Alcalá, Avenida Punto Com 2, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; University of Alcalá, Department of Analytical Chemistry, Physical Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona KM 33.600, 28871, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Rachel Hurley
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadelléen 21, 0349, Oslo, Norway
| | - Nina T Buenaventura
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadelléen 21, 0349, Oslo, Norway
| | - Pedro V Mauri
- Madrid Institute for Rural, Agricultural and Food Research and Development (IMIDRA), Department of Agricultural and Environmental Research, Ctra. Madrid-Barcelona (N-II) KM. 38.200, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Luca Nizzetto
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Gaustadelléen 21, 0349, Oslo, Norway; Research Centre for Toxic Compounds in the Environment (RECETOX), Faculty of Science, Masaryk University, Kamenice 753/5, Brno, 62500, Czech Republic
| | - Andreu Rico
- IMDEA Water Institute, Science and Technology Campus of the University of Alcalá, Avenida Punto Com 2, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; Cavanilles Institute of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Biology, University of Valencia, c/ Catedrático José Beltrán 2, 46980, Paterna, Valencia, Spain
| | - Marco Vighi
- IMDEA Water Institute, Science and Technology Campus of the University of Alcalá, Avenida Punto Com 2, 28805, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
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Wan Y, Chen X, Liu Q, Hu H, Wu C, Xue Q. Informal landfill contributes to the pollution of microplastics in the surrounding environment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 293:118586. [PMID: 34843854 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118586] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 10/25/2021] [Accepted: 11/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
A large amount of plastic waste is generated yearly worldwide, and landfills are commonly used for the disposal of plastic waste. However, burying in landfill does not get rid of the plastic waste but leave the problem to the future. Previous works have showed that microplastics are presented in the landfill refuse and leachate, which might be potential sources of microplastics. In this work, characteristics of microplastic pollution in an informal landfill in South China were studied. Landfill refuse, underlying soil, leachate, and groundwater samples were collected from different sites within and around the landfill. Results show that microplastics in the landfill refuse and underlying soil varied from 590 to 103,080 items/kg and from 570 to 14,200 items/kg, respectively. Most of the microplastics are fibrous, small sized, and transparent. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are major polymer types. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images and Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectra of the microplastic samples indicate varying degree of weathering. Microplastic abundances in the landfill leachate and groundwater ranged from 3 to 25 items/L and from 11 to 17 items/L, respectively. Microplastics detected in the landfill leachate and groundwater are even smaller compared with those in the refuse and underlying soil and their polymer types are more diverse. This work demonstrated that microplastics presented in an informal landfill without sufficient protection can leak out to the surrounding environment. The microplastic pollution originated from informal landfills should receive more attentions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yong Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
| | - Xin Chen
- 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, 100039, China
| | - Qian Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China; Tibet University, Lhasa, 850000, China
| | - Hongjuan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China
| | - Chenxi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, China; Tibet University, Lhasa, 850000, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100039, China.
| | - Qiang Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Geomechanics and Geotechnical Engineering, Institute of Rock and Soil Mechanics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430071, China
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125
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Nikolić M, Milošković A, Jakovljević M, Radenković M, Veličković T, Đuretanović S, Kojadinović N, Nikolić M, Simić V. The first observation of the presence of microplastics in wild common bleak (Alburnus alburnus L.) and standardization of extraction protocols. KRAGUJEVAC JOURNAL OF SCIENCE 2022. [DOI: 10.5937/kgjsci2244267n] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The presence of microplastics (MPs) in the gastrointestinal tract, muscle, and whole-body samples of common bleak Alburnus alburnus L. from Gruža Reservoir (Central Serbia) was studied for the first time. Different protocols for MPs extraction were applied to determine the most efficient one. The study aimed to modify existing protocols to be cost-effective, efficient in digestion, and with no detrimental effect on potentially present MPs polymers. In this study, the digestion with 10% KOH during 48 h at 40°C was efficient for the gastrointestinal tract and muscle. Digestion with 10% KOH during 72 h at 40°C was the most efficient for whole-body samples. The usage of NaClO proved successful in digestion of the gastrointestinal tract overnight at room temperature. Fibers detected in the samples are assumed to be of plastic origin. The general goal was to establish a protocol for extracting MPs from fish tissue in wild populations to obtain results and determine the degree of pollution.
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126
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Kiran BR, Kopperi H, Venkata Mohan S. Micro/nano-plastics occurrence, identification, risk analysis and mitigation: challenges and perspectives. RE/VIEWS IN ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND BIO/TECHNOLOGY 2022; 21:169-203. [PMID: 35103051 PMCID: PMC8792138 DOI: 10.1007/s11157-021-09609-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 30.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/29/2021] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
Micro/nanoplastics (MP/NPs) are emerging global pollutants that garnered enormous attention due to their potential threat to the ecosystem in virtue of their persistence and accumulation. Notably, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) yearbook in 2014 proposed MPs as one among ten emergent issues that the Earth is facing today. MP/NPs can be found in most regularly used products (primary microplastics) or formed by the fragmentation of bigger plastics (secondary microplastics) and are inextricably discharged into the environment by terrestrial and land-based sources, particularly runoff. They are non-degradable, biologically incompatible, and their presence in the air, soil, water, and food can induce ecotoxicological issues and also a menace to the environment. Due to micro size and diverse chemical nature, MP/NPs easily infiltrate wastewater treatment processes. This communication reviews the current understanding of MP/NPs occurrence, mobility, aggregation behavior, and degradation/assimilation in terrestrial, aquatic (fresh & marine), atmospheric depositions, wetlands and trophic food chain. This communication provide current perspectives and understanding on MP/NPs concerning (1) Source, occurrence, distribution, and properties (2) Impact on the ecosystem and its services, (3) Techniques in detection and identification and (4) Strategies to manage and mitigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Boda Ravi Kiran
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad, 500007 India
| | - Harishankar Kopperi
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad, 500007 India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002 India
| | - S. Venkata Mohan
- Bioengineering and Environmental Sciences Lab, Department of Energy and Environmental Engineering (DEEE), CSIR-Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (CSIR-IICT), Hyderabad, 500007 India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002 India
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127
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Ya H, Jiang B, Xing Y, Zhang T, Lv M, Wang X. Recent advances on ecological effects of microplastics on soil environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 798:149338. [PMID: 34375233 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 104] [Impact Index Per Article: 34.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2021] [Revised: 07/22/2021] [Accepted: 07/25/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
The mass production and wide application of plastics and their derivatives have led to the release of a large number of discarded plastic products into the natural environment, where they continue to accumulate due to their low recycling rate and long durability. These large pieces of plastic will gradually break into microplastics (<5 mm), which are highly persistent organic pollutants and attract worldwide attention due to their small particle size and potential threats to the ecosystem. Compared with the aquatic system, terrestrial systems such as soils, as sinks for microplastics, are more susceptible to plastic pollution. In this article, we comprehensively summarized the occurrence and sources of microplastics in terrestrial soil, and reviewed the eco-toxicological effects of microplastics in soil ecosystems, in terms of physical and chemical properties of soil, soil nutrient cycling, soil flora and fauna. The influence of microplastics on soil microbial community, and particularly the microbial community on the surface of microplastics, were examined in detail. The compound effects of microplastics and other pollutants, e.g., heavy metals and antibiotics, were addressed. Future challenges of research on microplastics include development of new techniques and standardization for the extraction and qualitative and quantitative analysis of microplastics in soils, toxic effects of microplastics at microbial or even molecular levels, the contribution of microplastics to antibiotic resistance genes migration, and unraveling microorganisms for the degradation of microplastics. This work provides as a better understanding of the occurrence, distribution and potential ecological risks of microplastics in terrestrial soil ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haobo Ya
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Bo Jiang
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for Site Remediation Technologies, Beijing 100015, PR China.
| | - Yi Xing
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Tian Zhang
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Mingjie Lv
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Xin Wang
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China
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128
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Monkul MM, Özhan HO. Microplastic Contamination in Soils: A Review from Geotechnical Engineering View. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13234129. [PMID: 34883632 PMCID: PMC8659065 DOI: 10.3390/polym13234129] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Microplastic contamination is a growing threat to marine and freshwater ecosystems, agricultural production, groundwater, plant growth and even human and animal health. Disintegration of plastic products due to mainly biochemical or physical activities leads to the formation and existence of microplastics in significant amounts, not only in marine and freshwater environments but also in soils. There are several valuable studies on microplastics in soils, which have typically focused on environmental, chemical, agricultural and health aspects. However, there is also a need for the geotechnical engineering perspective on microplastic contamination in soils. In this review paper, first, degradation, existence and persistence of microplastics in soils are assessed by considering various studies. Then, the potential role of solid waste disposal facilities as a source for microplastics is discussed by considering their geotechnical design and addressing the risk for the migration of microplastics from landfills to soils and other environments. Even though landfills are considered as one of the main geotechnical structures that contribute to the formation of considerably high amounts of microplastics and their contamination in soils, some other geotechnical engineering applications (i.e., soil improvement with tirechips, forming engineering fills with dredged sediments, soil improvement with synthetic polymer-based fibers, polystyrene based lightweight fill applications), as potential local source for microplastics, are also mentioned. Finally, the importance of geotechnical engineering as a mitigation tool for microplastics is emphasized and several important research topics involving geotechnical engineering are suggested.
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129
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Yang J, Li L, Li R, Xu L, Shen Y, Li S, Tu C, Wu L, Christie P, Luo Y. Microplastics in an agricultural soil following repeated application of three types of sewage sludge: A field study. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 289:117943. [PMID: 34426179 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117943] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics were investigated in an agricultural soil to which three types of sludge were repeatedly applied: fresh municipal sludge (FSS1), fresh mixed sludge (mainly industrial sludge) (FSS2), and dry heat-treated municipal sludge (DSS). The percentages of microplastics <1.0 mm were 24.3 and 28.7-59.1 % in unamended and amended soils, respectively. Particles of this size accounted for 47.1-60.0 % of microplastics in different sludges and polymers of particle size <100 μm occurred in all soil samples and sludges examined. Fibers were the commonest microplastic type, ranging from 66.7 to 82.5 % in soil and 89.4-97.2 % in sludges. Polyester (PES) and polypropylene (PP) accounted for ~80 % of the total microplastics found in soil and poly-(styrene:acrylate) (PS-AC) microspheres were found in all sludge-amended soil samples examined. There was also a pronounced weathering effect on the surfaces of the microplastics in soil. Nine years of repeated sludge application led to the accumulation of microplastics in the soil. The abundance of microplastics was significantly higher in the municipal sludge (149.2 ± 52.5 particles kg-1) than in the mixed (68.6 ± 21.5 particles kg-1) or dried (73.1 ± 15.4 particles kg-1) sludge and this was related to the microplastic abundance in the sludges. This field study confirms that sludges are drivers of soil microplastic pollution and measures are required to minimize the inputs of microplastics to agricultural land.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Lianzhen Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Ruijie Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; CAS Northwest Institute of Eco-Environment and Resources, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lanzhou, 730000, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Li Xu
- Beijing Research Center for Agricultural Standards and Testing, Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, 100097, China
| | - Yichen Shen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Simin Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China; University of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Chen Tu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Coastal Environmental Processes and Ecological Remediation, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai, 264003, China
| | - Longhua Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Peter Christie
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China
| | - Yongming Luo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing, 210008, China.
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130
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Azeem I, Adeel M, Ahmad MA, Shakoor N, Jiangcuo GD, Azeem K, Ishfaq M, Shakoor A, Ayaz M, Xu M, Rui Y. Uptake and Accumulation of Nano/Microplastics in Plants: A Critical Review. NANOMATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2021; 11:2935. [PMID: 34835700 PMCID: PMC8618759 DOI: 10.3390/nano11112935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 29.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/04/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022]
Abstract
The ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) in the environment is an undeniable and serious concern due to their higher persistence and extensive use in agricultural production. This review highlights the sources and fate of MPs and NPs in soil and their uptake, translocation, and physiological effects in the plant system. We provide the current snapshot of the latest reported studies with the majority of literature spanning the last five years. We draw attention to the potential risk of MPs and NPs in modern agriculture and their effects on plant growth and development. We also highlight their uptake and transport pathways in roots and leaves via different exposure methods in plants. Conclusively, agricultural practices, climate changes (wet weather and heavy rainfall), and soil organisms play a major role in transporting MPs and NPs in soil. NPs are more prone to enter plant cell walls as compared to MPs. Furthermore, transpiration pull is the dominant factor in the plant uptake and translocation of plastic particles. MPs have negligible negative effects on plant physiological and biochemical indicators. Overall, there is a dire need to establish long-term studies for a better understanding of their fate and associated risks mechanisms in realistic environment scenarios for safe agricultural functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Azeem
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (I.A.); (N.S.)
| | - Muhammad Adeel
- BNU-HKUST Laboratory of Green Innovation, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University Zhuhai Subcampus, Zhuhai 519087, China;
| | - Muhammad Arslan Ahmad
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource and Eco-Environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, China;
| | - Noman Shakoor
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (I.A.); (N.S.)
| | - Gama Dingba Jiangcuo
- BNU-HKUST Laboratory of Green Innovation, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University Zhuhai Subcampus, Zhuhai 519087, China;
| | - Kamran Azeem
- Department of Agronomy, the University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan;
| | - Muhammad Ishfaq
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, National Academy of Agriculture Green Development, Key Laboratory of Plant-Soil Interactions, Ministry of Education, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China;
| | - Awais Shakoor
- Department of Environment and Soil Sciences, University of Lleida, Avinguda Alcalde Rovira Roure 191, 25198 Lleida, Spain;
| | - Muhammad Ayaz
- Lithuanian Research Center for Agriculture and Forestry Instituto al. 1, 58344 Akademija, Lithuania;
| | - Ming Xu
- BNU-HKUST Laboratory of Green Innovation, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University Zhuhai Subcampus, Zhuhai 519087, China;
| | - Yukui Rui
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation, College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China; (I.A.); (N.S.)
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131
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Yu H, Zhang Z, Zhang Y, Song Q, Fan P, Xi B, Tan W. Effects of microplastics on soil organic carbon and greenhouse gas emissions in the context of straw incorporation: A comparison with different types of soil. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 288:117733. [PMID: 34256289 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2021] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Plastic mulching and straw incorporation are common agricultural practices in China. Plastic mulching is suspected to be a significant source of microplastics in terrestrial environments. Straw incorporation has many effects on the storage of soil organic carbon (SOC) and greenhouse gas emissions, but these effects have not been studied in the presence of microplastic pollution. In this study, 365-day soil incubation experiments were conducted to assess the effects of maize straw and polyethylene microplastics on SOC fractions and carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions in two different soils (fluvo-aquic and latosol). Against the background of straw incorporation, microplastics reduced the mineralization and decomposition of SOC, resulting in a microbially available SOC content decrease by 18.9%. In addition, microplastics were carbon-rich, but relatively stable and difficult to be used by microorganisms, thus increasing the mineral-associated SOC content by 52.5%. This indicated that microplastics had adverse effects on microbially available SOC and positive effects on mineral-associated SOC. Microplastics also decreased coarse particulate SOC (>250 μm), and increased non-aggregated silt and clay aggregated SOC (<53 μm). Furthermore, microplastics changed microbial community compositions, thereby reducing the CO2 and N2O emissions of straw incorporation by 26.5%-33.9% and 35.4%-39.7%, respectively. These results showed that microplastics partially offset the increase of CO2 and N2O emissions induced by straw incorporation. Additionally, the inhibitory effect of microplastics on CO2 emissions in fluvo-aquic soil was lower than that in latosol soil, whereas the inhibitory effect on N2O emissions had the opposite trend.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, And State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Zheng Zhang
- Center for Soil Environmental Protection, Chinese Academy of Environmental Planning, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Ying Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, And State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Qidao Song
- Institute of Scientific and Technical Information, Chinese Academy of Tropical Agricultural Sciences, Haikou, 571101, China
| | - Ping Fan
- College of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Nanchang University, Nanchang, 330031, China
| | - Beidou Xi
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, And State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China.
| | - Wenbing Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, And State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Simulation and Control of Groundwater Pollution, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
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132
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Yang H, He Y, Yan Y, Junaid M, Wang J. Characteristics, Toxic Effects, and Analytical Methods of Microplastics in the Atmosphere. NANOMATERIALS 2021; 11:nano11102747. [PMID: 34685192 PMCID: PMC8538790 DOI: 10.3390/nano11102747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 10/13/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) (including nanoplastics (NPs)) are pieces of plastic smaller than 5 mm in size. They are produced by the crushing and decomposition of large waste plastics and widely distributed in all kinds of ecological environments and even in organisms, so they have been paid much attention by the public and scientific community. Previously, several studies have reviewed the sources, occurrence, distribution, and toxicity of MPs in water and soil. By comparison, the review of atmospheric MPs is inadequate. In particular, there are still significant gaps in the quantitative analysis of MPs and the mechanisms associated with the toxic effects of inhaled MPs. Thus, this review summarizes and analyzes the distribution, source, and fate of atmospheric MPs and related influencing factors. The potential toxic effects of atmospheric MPs on animals and humans are also reviewed in depth. In addition, the common sampling and analysis methods used in existing studies are introduced. The aim of this paper is to put forward some feasible suggestions on the research direction of atmospheric MPs in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huirong Yang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (H.Y.); (Y.H.); (Y.Y.); (M.J.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Zhongshan Innovation Center, South China Agricultural University, Zhongshan 528400, China
| | - Yinglin He
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (H.Y.); (Y.H.); (Y.Y.); (M.J.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Yumeng Yan
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (H.Y.); (Y.H.); (Y.Y.); (M.J.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Muhammad Junaid
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (H.Y.); (Y.H.); (Y.Y.); (M.J.)
| | - Jun Wang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; (H.Y.); (Y.H.); (Y.Y.); (M.J.)
- Guangdong Laboratory for Lingnan Modern Agriculture, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Natural Products and Combinatorial Biosynthesis Chemistry, Biophysical and Environmental Science Research Center, Institute of Eco-Environmental Research, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning 530007, China
- Correspondence: ; Tel./Fax: +86-20-87571321
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133
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Ali MU, Lin S, Yousaf B, Abbas Q, Munir MAM, Ali MU, Rasihd A, Zheng C, Kuang X, Wong MH. Environmental emission, fate and transformation of microplastics in biotic and abiotic compartments: Global status, recent advances and future perspectives. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 791:148422. [PMID: 34412398 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 06/07/2021] [Accepted: 06/08/2021] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
The intensive use and wide-ranging application of plastic- and plastic-derived products have resulted in alarming levels of plastic pollution in different environmental compartments worldwide. As a result of various biogeochemical mechanisms, this plastic litter is converted into small, ubiquitous and persistent fragments called microplastics (<5 mm), which are of significant and increasing concern to the scientific community. Microplastics have spread across the globe and now exist in virtually all environmental compartments (the soil, atmosphere, and water). Although these compartments are often considered to be independent environments, in reality, they are very closely linked. Ample research has been done on microplastics, but there are still questions and knowledge gaps regarding the emission, occurrence, distribution, detection, environmental fate and transport of MPs in different environmental compartments. The current article is intended to provide a systematic overview of MP emissions, pollution conditions, sampling and analytical approaches, transport, fates and transformation mechanisms in different environmental compartments. It also identifies research gaps and future research directions and perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Ubaid Ali
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Siyi Lin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Balal Yousaf
- Department of Environment Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara 06800, Turkey; CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China.
| | - Qumber Abbas
- Department of Environment Engineering, Middle East Technical University, Ankara 06800, Turkey.
| | - Mehr Ahmed Mujtaba Munir
- CAS-Key Laboratory of Crust-Mantle Materials and the Environment, School of Earth and Space Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei 230026, PR China.
| | - Muhammad Uzair Ali
- Business School of Xiangtan University, Xiangtan University, Hunan, China.
| | - Audil Rasihd
- Department of Botany, Faculty of Science, University of Gujrat, Gujrat 50700, Pakistan.
| | - Chunmiao Zheng
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Xingxing Kuang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
| | - Ming Hung Wong
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China; Consortium on Health, Environment, Education and Research (CHEER), Department of Science and Environmental Studies, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China.
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134
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Shen Z, Zhang Z, Zhang M, Rinklebe J, Ma Y, Hou D. Effect of production temperature and particle size of rice husk biochar on mercury immobilization and erosion prevention of a mercury contaminated soil. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 420:126646. [PMID: 34329115 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126646] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Mercury (Hg) contaminated soil is a potential hazardous material especially under soil erosion and surface runoff. This work aims to use rice husk biochar to immobilize Hg and prevent erosion, and find the optimal production temperature and particle size of the biochar. The biochars were produced at 300, 500, and 700 °C and sieved to three particle sizes ~20, < 2, and < 0.15 mm. They were applied to a Hg contaminated loamy sand (20.2 mg/kg) and undergone simulated rainfall erosion representing 7 years of heavy rain events in Beijing. All biochar amendments reduced the runoff volume by 5.1-15.4%. Hg amount in runoff were significantly reduced by 36.7-48.8% after the amendments of biochar. The Hg concentration of infiltration was reduced by biochar treatments except that produced at 300 °C, while its amount was increased due to larger infiltration volume. All biochar amendments significantly reduced soil loss in runoff by 43.5-77.2%. Hg was enriched in the sediments (39.7-46.8 mg/kg) compared with the parent soil (20.2 mg/kg) regardless of biochar treatment, but its bioavailability was low. Higher pyrolysis temperature of the rice husk biochars resulted in less runoff, more infiltration, and better erosion prevention, while the effect of biochar particle size is less significant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhengtao Shen
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Zhuorong Zhang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Mengdi Zhang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water and Waste Management, Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285 Wuppertal, Germany; Department of Environment, Energy and Geoinformatics, Sejong University, 98 Gunja-Dong, Guangjin-Gu, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Yan Ma
- School of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Deyi Hou
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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135
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Ren Z, Gui X, Xu X, Zhao L, Qiu H, Cao X. Microplastics in the soil-groundwater environment: Aging, migration, and co-transport of contaminants - A critical review. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 419:126455. [PMID: 34186423 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126455] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 56.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic contamination in soil has received increasing attention since excessive plastic debris has been emitted directly into the terrestrial environment. Once released into the terrestrial environment, microplastics can be aged via photo- and thermally-initiated oxidative degradation, hetero-aggregation, and bioturbation. Aging affects the physiochemical properties of microplastics with the increase of surface roughness and oxygen-containing groups, which could enhance the sorption and mobility of microplastics in the soil and groundwater environment. However, the interactions among aging, sorption, and transport of microplastics in the terrestrial system have not been unveiled. This review clarifies the key processes of microplastics transport pathways in soil and groundwater ecosystems influenced by aging and sorption under various scenarios. Co-transport of microplastics and sorbed contaminants are also addressed to help understand the risks associated with heavy metals, organic contaminants, and engineered nanoparticles in the soil environment. Overall, this review elaborates the most pressing research limitations on the present literature and highlights the future perspectives to investigate the possible broad transport pathways of microplastics in soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhefan Ren
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiangyang Gui
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xiaoyun Xu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Ling Zhao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Hao Qiu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xinde Cao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Solid Waste Treatment and Resource Recovery, Shanghai 200092, China.
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136
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Gao J, Pan S, Li P, Wang L, Hou R, Wu WM, Luo J, Hou D. Vertical migration of microplastics in porous media: Multiple controlling factors under wet-dry cycling. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 419:126413. [PMID: 34153617 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126413] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2021] [Revised: 05/28/2021] [Accepted: 06/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Terrestrial soils are not only a large reservoir for Microplastics (MPs), but also a possible entrance to the subsurface environment, posing potential risks to the subterranean habitats and groundwater. In this study, we examined the vertical transport of MPs of four polymers, i.e., polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP) and polyamide (PA), in porous sand media driven by wet-dry cycling. The effects of polymer properties, MP size, sand particle size, wet-dry cycles, and dissolved organic matter (DOM) on their migration behavior were investigated. Surface hydrophobicity showed a strong positive correlation with MP mobility, with PA exhibiting the greatest movement potential, followed by PE, PET, and PP. The penetration depth of MP particles increased with decreasing MP particle size (dMP) and increasing sand diameter (dsand). MP particles migrated deeper in sand media when dMP/dsand < 0.11. Furthermore, frequent wet-dry cycles and the presence of DOM promoted the vertical migration of MPs in the sand. The results revealed multiple factors influencing the vertical migration of MPs in sand, which is instructive for understanding the ecological risk of MPs in potentially contaminated soil (e.g., farmland with long-term mulching) to the subsurface environment and potential negative impact to public health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Gao
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Shizhen Pan
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China; Department of Environment in Yangtze Delta Region Institute of Tsinghua University, Zhejiang, Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Science and Technology, Jiaxing 314006, China
| | - Pengfei Li
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Liuwei Wang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Renjie Hou
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Wei-Min Wu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, William & Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Center, Center for Sustainable Development & Global Competitiveness, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-4020, USA
| | - Jian Luo
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0355, USA
| | - Deyi Hou
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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137
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Mortula MM, Atabay S, Fattah KP, Madbuly A. Leachability of microplastic from different plastic materials. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 294:112995. [PMID: 34126529 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112995] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The use of plastic has become common. Large amounts of plastic waste are disposed in landfill without the ability to biodegrade. These plastic materials often disintegrate into microplastic that end up in the leachate, a wastewater stream containing harmful contaminants extracted from the plastic. These particles can eventually contaminate the groundwater. The main objective of this research is to evaluate the leaching of microplastics originated from different types of plastic materials and to evaluate the role of pH in the disintegration process. In this study, seven different types of plastic wastes were investigated. These include Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), and Polycarbonate (PC). Batch leaching tests were carried out to generate leachate from these plastic materials. The leachate generated from the test was eventually tested for different water quality parameters. Characterization of microplastic particles was conducted using SEM-EDX, FT-IR and particle size analyser. Results revealed that leachates from PET, LDPE, PS and PP contained fibres in addition to other particles. Results showed that PC (19868 items/L) has the largest, while PET (4099 items/L) has the smallest number of microplastic particles per litre. The results indicated PC (184.1 mg/L) has the highest concentration in mass/L and PS (43.1 mg/L) has the smallest concentrations. The study also revealed pH has a significant impact on the leachability of plastic materials and the turbidity of the leachate. Acidic and basic pH levels are more aggressive to plastic materials than neutral pH levels. SEM analysis found that PET and LDPE leachates contained fibres. EDX analysis conducted on the microplastics indicated the presence of elements indicative of the plastic types. FT-IR analysis was not conclusive for all the materials. Microplastic sizes were mostly small and less than 500 nm for most of the samples. The study concludes that the microplastic particles can disintegrate from the original plastic materials under suitable conditions. The outcome of this study can be used for efficient use of different plastic materials and management of its eventual waste materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Maruf Mortula
- Department of Civil Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, PO BOX 26666, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Serter Atabay
- Department of Civil Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, PO BOX 26666, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Kazi Parvez Fattah
- Department of Civil Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, PO BOX 26666, United Arab Emirates.
| | - Ahmad Madbuly
- Department of Civil Engineering, American University of Sharjah, Sharjah, PO BOX 26666, United Arab Emirates.
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138
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Lange K, Magnusson K, Viklander M, Blecken GT. Removal of rubber, bitumen and other microplastic particles from stormwater by a gross pollutant trap - bioretention treatment train. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 202:117457. [PMID: 34358909 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic particles in stormwater pose significant threats to the environment. This study investigated how effective a stormwater treatment train was at removing rubber, bitumen and other microplastics (incl. fibers, fragments, and paint particles) in the 100-300 µm and >300 µm size fractions from highway runoff. The two treatment trains comprise a gross pollutant trap (GPT) followed by either a vegetated bioretention cell or non-vegetated sand filter. Flow-proportional composite samples were taken from the highway runoff, GPT outflow and the outflow from the two parallel filters during nine rain events to determine overall treatment performance, as well as the performance of individual system components. The identified rubber, bitumen and other microplastic particles mainly represented the 100-300 µm fraction and included high ratios of rubber (30%) and bitumen (60%). Overall, the treatment train efficiently removed rubber, bitumen and other microplastic particles in the 100-300 µm size fraction from the stormwater. The filter cells accounted for a major share of this removal, as the GPT did not reduce microplastic particle concentrations. This observation is likely explained by the fact that the rubber, bitumen and other microplastic particles have a density close to the density of water and thus removal by sedimentation is decreased. This identified an inherent weakness of the system; more specifically, the high microplastic concentrations in the surface water of the GPT means there can be a risk of microplastic release through overflow pits when inflows surpass the system capacity. Despite some differences, both the vegetated bioretention cell and the non-vegetated sand filter removed rubber, bitumen and other microplastic particles to similar extent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Lange
- Urban Water Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden.
| | - Kerstin Magnusson
- Kristineberg Marine Research Station, IVL Swedish Environmental Research Institute, Fiskebäckskil, Sweden.
| | - Maria Viklander
- Urban Water Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå, Sweden.
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139
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Abdoul Magid ASI, Islam MS, Chen Y, Weng L, Li J, Ma J, Li Y. Enhanced adsorption of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) onto oxidized corncob biochar with high pyrolysis temperature. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 784:147115. [PMID: 34088021 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2021] [Accepted: 04/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/20/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution has become a global threat in the natural environment, and an urgent remedial measure is needed to reduce the negative effects caused by plastic pollutants. In the current study, the effects of pyrolysis temperature (500 °C, 700 °C, and 900 °C) and aging on the adsorption of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) onto corncob biochar were systematically assessed with kinetic, isotherm, pH-dependent adsorption experiments, FTIR and XPS spectroscopy, and DLVO calculations. The oxidation was done with 5% of HNO3/H2SO4 to simulate long-term oxidative aging of biochar in the environment. The results showed that the specific surface area, hydrophobicity, and aromaticity of biochar increased with pyrolysis temperature, whereas the specific surface area and amounts of oxygen-containing groups increased after oxidation. The adsorption mechanism of PSNPs onto the biochar was explored based on the correlation between biochar properties and adsorption parameters derived from adsorption isotherms. Overall, the adsorption capacity of biochar for PSNPs increased with increased pyrolysis temperature and after aging. While the increase of specific surface area was considered the major factor leading to the increase of the adsorption, the variation in surface properties also played an important role. Pore filling, hydrophobic interaction, and hydrogen bonding may all be involved in PSNPs adsorption to biochar. However, the hydrophobic interaction might be more important for the fresh biochar, whereas hydrogen bonding involving oxygen-containing groups might make a bigger contribution to PSNPs adsorption to oxidized biochar. The pH experiments revealed that PSNPs adsorption decreased in general with the increase of pH, indicating that electrostatic repulsion played a vital role in the PSNPs adsorption process. The results of this study indicate that biochar can be potentially applied to immobilize plastic particles in terrestrial ecosystems such as in soil or groundwater, and the immobilization could be enhanced via artificial oxidation or aging of biochar in the natural environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdoul Salam Issiaka Abdoul Magid
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs / Key Laboratory of Original Agro-Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control, MARA / Tianjin Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agro-Product Safety, Tianjin 300191, PR China
| | - Md Shafiqul Islam
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs / Key Laboratory of Original Agro-Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control, MARA / Tianjin Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agro-Product Safety, Tianjin 300191, PR China
| | - Yali Chen
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs / Key Laboratory of Original Agro-Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control, MARA / Tianjin Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agro-Product Safety, Tianjin 300191, PR China.
| | - Liping Weng
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs / Key Laboratory of Original Agro-Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control, MARA / Tianjin Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agro-Product Safety, Tianjin 300191, PR China; Department of Soil Quality, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Jinbo Li
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs / Key Laboratory of Original Agro-Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control, MARA / Tianjin Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agro-Product Safety, Tianjin 300191, PR China
| | - Jie Ma
- Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs / Key Laboratory of Original Agro-Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control, MARA / Tianjin Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agro-Product Safety, Tianjin 300191, PR China
| | - Yongtao Li
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, PR China; College of Resource and Environmental Engineering, Jiangxi University of Science and Technology, Ganzhou, Jiangxi 341000, PR China
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140
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Mbachu O, Jenkins G, Kaparaju P, Pratt C. The rise of artificial soil carbon inputs: Reviewing microplastic pollution effects in the soil environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 780:146569. [PMID: 33770603 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146569] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2021] [Accepted: 03/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The surge in the use of plastic materials, its poor handling and disposal have led to an increase in microplastic pollution in terrestrial environments. Microplastic pollution in soils is of concern due to potential influences on soil properties which play a critical role in plant growth and soil fertility. Moreover, the soil environment is a key nexus linking the atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere and lithosphere, and thus represents a crucial conduit for pollutant migration from the anthroposphere. In this review we evaluate the effects of microplastics in the soil environment with a specific focus on physical properties and biological function in the rhizosphere. Our review reveals that agricultural sources, particularly plastic mulches and waste applications, represent the main source of soil microplastic inputs. Once in the soil environment, microplastic effects on soil properties are highly variable depending mainly on soil type and microplastic characteristics. Soil properties relating to erosion-risk (i.e., bulk density), structural integrity (i.e., aggregate stability, particularly micro-aggregate stability), and water-storage capacity (i.e., evaporation rate, desiccation) are generally adversely impacted by soil microplastic inputs. Soil microplastic effects on rhizosphere function (i.e., plant health and microbial activity) are remarkably varied with some studies revealing positive impacts, such as enhanced plant-symbiotic fungi associations, from soil plastic additions. However, all identified publications reported at least one detrimental MP-induced impact on plant responses. Finally, our review revealed associations between microplastic properties and soil functional parameters - in particular, polymer size and morphology control soil water-holding properties whereas polymer type influences plant response. These associations will be helpful in targeting future research directions on this important topic that intersects all of the Earth's spheres.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluchi Mbachu
- School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Graham Jenkins
- School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Prasad Kaparaju
- School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, QLD 4111, Australia
| | - Chris Pratt
- School of Environment and Science/Australian Rivers Institute, Griffith University, Nathan Campus, QLD 4111, Australia.
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141
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Dong S, Xia J, Sheng L, Wang W, Liu H, Gao B. Transport characteristics of fragmental polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PET) microplastics in porous media under various chemical conditions. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 276:130214. [PMID: 34088096 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130214] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 03/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Transport characteristics of fragmental polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PET) microplastics in porous media were elucidated via column experiments under a series combination of electrolytes, pH, and humic acid (HA) conditions. Fragmental PET microplastics showed low mobility in porous media with a small mass recovery rate (<50.1%) even under unfavorable retention conditions. The electrolyte, pH, and HA showed combined impact on PET microplastic transport. PET microplastics mobility was enhanced with decreasing electrolyte concentration, increasing pH, and increasing HA concentration. Basic properties (e.g. destiny and shape) of PET microplastics showed stronger effect on their transport behaviors in porous media rather than the experimental chemical conditions. In general, both environmental factors and basic properties played important roles in controlling the retention and transport of PET microplastics in porous media. A numerical model considering the second order kinetic deposition sites was applied to depict the retention and transport of PET microplastics in porous media. Model simulations well matched the experimental breakthrough curves. Given the fragmental PET microplastics have more realistic and irregular shapes, results from this study can improve present knowledge of the environmental fate and risk of microplastics in underground soil and water systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shunan Dong
- College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China.
| | - Jihong Xia
- College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Liting Sheng
- College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Weimu Wang
- College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Hui Liu
- College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, China
| | - Bin Gao
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, 32611, United States
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142
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Wang Q, Hernández-Crespo C, Du B, Van Hulle SWH, Rousseau DPL. Fate and removal of microplastics in unplanted lab-scale vertical flow constructed wetlands. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 778:146152. [PMID: 33714826 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146152] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/10/2020] [Revised: 02/05/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Many studies have reported conventional wastewater treatment plants as one of the main sources of microplastics (MPs). However, constructed wetlands (CWs) as a nature-based wastewater treatment system have received little attention. This study investigated the influence of biofilm, media type and earthworms on the fate and removal of MPs in a short-term (45d) experiment with unplanted lab-scale vertical flow CWs (VFCWs). In sand-filled VFCWs, MPs were retained in the first 10 cm, and the removal efficiency was 100%, regardless of the presence of a biofilm. When gravel was used as filling material, the removal efficiency of MPs was stable at 96%, but the MPs were distributed throughout the 80 cm high VFCWs. In the presence of earthworms, the maximum depth that MPs reached within sand-filled VFCWs increased from 10 to 15 cm. Furthermore, the MPs concentration at a depth of 3-6 cm and 6-10 cm increased 2 and 10 fold respectively compared to the same VFCWs without earthworms. Although no MPs were detected in the sand from deep layers (15-80 cm), transport of MPs from top to the bottom by earthworms was found, and a few MPs were detected in the effluent, leading to a removal efficiency of 99.8%. This study indicated that both a higher media grain size and the presence of earthworms have a small effect on the removal efficiency of MPs in VFCWs, but the effect on the distribution of MPs was considerably. Longer-term studies in full-scale CWs are advised to perform under the influence of more practical factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qintong Wang
- Laboratory for Industrial Water and Ecotechnology (LIWET), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University Campus Kortrijk, Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 5, B-8500 Kortrijk, Belgium.
| | - Carmen Hernández-Crespo
- Laboratory for Industrial Water and Ecotechnology (LIWET), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University Campus Kortrijk, Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 5, B-8500 Kortrijk, Belgium; Research Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (IIAMA), Instituto de Ingeniería del Agua y del Medio Ambiente, Universitat Politècnica de València, Camino de Vera s/n, 46022 Valencia, Spain.
| | - Benben Du
- Laboratory for Industrial Water and Ecotechnology (LIWET), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University Campus Kortrijk, Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 5, B-8500 Kortrijk, Belgium; Laboratory of Environmental Science and Engineering, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, PR China.
| | - Stijn W H Van Hulle
- Laboratory for Industrial Water and Ecotechnology (LIWET), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University Campus Kortrijk, Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 5, B-8500 Kortrijk, Belgium.
| | - Diederik P L Rousseau
- Laboratory for Industrial Water and Ecotechnology (LIWET), Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University Campus Kortrijk, Graaf Karel de Goedelaan 5, B-8500 Kortrijk, Belgium.
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143
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Xu M, Du W, Ai F, Xu F, Zhu J, Yin Y, Ji R, Guo H. Polystyrene microplastics alleviate the effects of sulfamethazine on soil microbial communities at different CO 2 concentrations. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 413:125286. [PMID: 33592488 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics were reported to adsorb antibiotics and may modify their effects on soil systems. But there has been little research investigating how microplastics may affect the toxicities of antibiotics to microbes under future climate conditions. Here, we used a free-air CO2 enrichment system to investigate the responses of soil microbes to sulfamethazine (SMZ, 1 mg kg-1) in the presence of polystyrene microplastics (PS, 5 mg kg-1) at different CO2 concentrations (ambient at 380 ppm and elevated at 580 ppm). SMZ alone decreased bacterial diversity, negatively affected the bacterial structure and inter-relationships, and enriched the sulfonamide-resistance genes (sul1 and sul2) and class 1 integron (intl1). PS, at both CO2 conditions, showed little effect on soil bacteria but markedly alleviated SMZ's adverse effects on bacterial diversity, composition and structure, and inhibited sul1 transmission by decreasing the intl1 abundance. Elevated CO2 had limited modification in SMZ's disadvantages to microbial communities but markedly decreased the sul1 and sul2 abundance. Results indicated that increasing CO2 concentration or the presence of PS affected the responses of soil microbes to SMZ, providing new insights into the risk prediction of antibiotics under future climate conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meiling Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wenchao Du
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Fuxun Ai
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Fen Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jianguo Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Soil and Sustainable Agriculture, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Science, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Ying Yin
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Rong Ji
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Hongyan Guo
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
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144
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Sridharan S, Kumar M, Bolan NS, Singh L, Kumar S, Kumar R, You S. Are microplastics destabilizing the global network of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem services? ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 198:111243. [PMID: 33933493 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Plastic has created a new man-made ecosystem called plastisphere. The plastic pieces including microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have emerged as a global concern due to their omnipresence in ecosystems and their ability to interact with the biological systems. Nevertheless, the long-term impacts of MPs on biotic and abiotic resources are not completely understood, and existing evidence suggests that MPs are hazardous to various keystones species of the global biomes. MP-contaminated ecosystems show reduced floral and faunal biomass, productivity, nitrogen cycling, oxygen-generation and carbon sequestration, suggesting that MPs have already started affecting ecological biomes. However, not much is known about the influence of MPs towards the ecosystem services (ESs) cascade and its correlation with the biodiversity loss. MPs are perceived as a menace to the global ecosystems, but their possible impacts on the provisional, regulatory, and socio-economic ESs have not been extensively studied. This review investigates not only the potentiality of MPs to perturb the functioning of terrestrial and aquatic biomes, but also the associated social, ecological and economic repercussions. The possible long-term fluxes in the ES network of terrestrial and aquatic niches are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinidhi Sridharan
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India; CSIR National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, 440020, Maharashtra, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- CSIR National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, 440020, Maharashtra, India
| | - Nanthi S Bolan
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for High Performance Soils, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Lal Singh
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India; CSIR National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, 440020, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sunil Kumar
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India; CSIR National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, 440020, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- CSIR National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, 440020, Maharashtra, India
| | - Siming You
- James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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145
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Li H, Lu X, Wang S, Zheng B, Xu Y. Vertical migration of microplastics along soil profile under different crop root systems. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 278:116833. [PMID: 33689945 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116833] [Citation(s) in RCA: 56] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 02/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are highly accumulated in soils and supposed to migrate vertically due to water infiltration, fauna activities, and root growth. In this study, the vertical migration of microplastics along soil profile under three crop roots (corn, soybean, and ryegrass) was analyzed by a laboratory-scale incubation experiment. When microplastics were initially distributed in the surface layer, crop roots showed little effects on the vertical migration of microplastics. But in terms of homogenous microplastic distribution along soil profile, corn roots could contribute to the upward movement of microplastics in the middle layers (7-12 cm). It could be related to more pores and fissures created by primary and secondary corn roots and buoyancy effects once the pores and fissures were filled with water. Additionally, a significant positive correlation between microplastic numbers and tertiary roots of ryegrass has been observed and indicated the microplastic retention ability of fine crop roots. According to the results, in contrast to the downward microplastic migration caused by water infiltration and soil fauna activities, crop roots tended to move microplastics upwards or maintain them in soil layers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixiao Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Technology for Complex Trans-Media Pollution, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Xueqiang Lu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Technology for Complex Trans-Media Pollution, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China.
| | - Shiyu Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Technology for Complex Trans-Media Pollution, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Boyang Zheng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Technology for Complex Trans-Media Pollution, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Yan Xu
- Department of Soils and Agri-Food Engineering, Paul Comtois Bldg., Laval University, Quebec City, QC, G1K 7P4, Canada
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146
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Ng EL, Lin SY, Dungan AM, Colwell JM, Ede S, Huerta Lwanga E, Meng K, Geissen V, Blackall LL, Chen D. Microplastic pollution alters forest soil microbiome. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 409:124606. [PMID: 33246819 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 68] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2020] [Revised: 11/12/2020] [Accepted: 11/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The impact of microplastic pollution on terrestrial biota is an emerging research area, and this is particularly so for soil biota. In this study, we addressed this knowledge gap by examining the impact of aged low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyester fibres (i.e. polyethylene terephthalate, PET) on a forest microbiome composition and activity. We also measured the corresponding physicochemical changes in the soil. We observed that bacteria community composition diverged in PET and LDPE treated soils from that of the control by day 42. These changes occurred at 0.2% and 0.4% (w/w) of PET and at 3% LDPE. Additionally, soil respiration was 8-fold higher in soil that received 3% LDPE compared to other treatments and control. There were no clear patterns linking these biological changes to physicochemical changes measured. Taken together, we concluded that microplastics aging in the environment may have evolutionary consequences for forest soil microbiome and there is immediate implication for climate change if the observed increase in soil respiration is reproducible in multiple ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ee Ling Ng
- School of Food and Agriculture, The University of Melbourne, 3010 Victoria, Australia.
| | - Silk Yu Lin
- School of Food and Agriculture, The University of Melbourne, 3010 Victoria, Australia
| | - Ashley M Dungan
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, 3010 Victoria, Australia
| | - John M Colwell
- School of Chemical Engineering, University of Queensland, 4072 St Lucia, Australia
| | - Sarah Ede
- Centre for Materials Science, Queensland University of Technology, 4000 Brisbane, Australia; School of Chemistry and Physics, Queensland University of Technology, 4000 Brisbane, Australia
| | - Esperanza Huerta Lwanga
- Soil Physics and Land Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, 6708PB Wageningen, The Netherlands; Agroecologia, El Colegio de la Frontera Sur, Unidad Campeche Av Polígono s/n, Cd. Industrial, Lerma, Campeche, Mexico
| | - Ke Meng
- Soil Physics and Land Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, 6708PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Violette Geissen
- Soil Physics and Land Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, 6708PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | | | - Deli Chen
- School of Food and Agriculture, The University of Melbourne, 3010 Victoria, Australia
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147
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Constant M, Alary C, De Waele I, Dumoulin D, Breton N, Billon G. To What Extent Can Micro- and Macroplastics Be Trapped in Sedimentary Particles? A Case Study Investigating Dredged Sediments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:5898-5905. [PMID: 33861074 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.0c08386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Plastic wastes and their fragments (microplastics, MPs < 5 mm) represent a global, persistent, and ubiquitous threat to ecosystems. Their sources, transfers, and fates are still poorly understood, especially in rivers. To fill this gap, sediments were collected from two dredging disposal sites along the Aa River (France). Four pits were dug, and triplicate samples were obtained at four depths (down to 140 cm). The sediments were sieved to 5 mm to collect macroplastics (MaPs). MPs were separated from the sediment based on density using a NaI solution (1.6 g/mL). Suspected plastics were analyzed with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The studied sediments were found to be widely contaminated with concentrations ranging from 0.97 to 77 MaPs/kg and from 0.78 to 2800 MPs/kg, which were 1-4 orders of magnitude lower than those in most polluted European riverbeds. The MaPs were principally polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride films, whereas the MPs were mainly polyamide and polyester fibers. The plastic concentrations and features of the two sites, which were filled at two different times, differed. Several factors occurring before and after dredging operations may explain these discrepancies. Nevertheless, no relationships with the sediment features were noted, and thus, one major driving force could not be identified. At the site scale, more than 1 ton of plastic could be stored. In conclusion, this study highlights the importance of dredged sediments for past plastic pollution studies and global plastic budget estimations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mel Constant
- Université Lille, Institut Mines-Télécom, Université Artois, Junia, ULR 4515-LGCgE, Laboratoire de Génie Civil et géo-Environnement, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Claire Alary
- Université Lille, Institut Mines-Télécom, Université Artois, Junia, ULR 4515-LGCgE, Laboratoire de Génie Civil et géo-Environnement, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Isabelle De Waele
- Université Lille, CNRS, UMR 8516-LASIRE, Laboratoire Avancé de Spectroscopie pour les Interactions, la Réactivité et l'Environnement, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - David Dumoulin
- Université Lille, CNRS, UMR 8516-LASIRE, Laboratoire Avancé de Spectroscopie pour les Interactions, la Réactivité et l'Environnement, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Noémie Breton
- Université Lille, CNRS, UMR 8516-LASIRE, Laboratoire Avancé de Spectroscopie pour les Interactions, la Réactivité et l'Environnement, F-59000 Lille, France
| | - Gabriel Billon
- Université Lille, CNRS, UMR 8516-LASIRE, Laboratoire Avancé de Spectroscopie pour les Interactions, la Réactivité et l'Environnement, F-59000 Lille, France
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148
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Wang L, Li P, Zhang Q, Wu WM, Luo J, Hou D. Modeling the Conditional Fragmentation-Induced Microplastic Distribution. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2021; 55:6012-6021. [PMID: 33840192 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.1c01042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are drawing increasing attention from the international community due to their potential threats to the ecosystem and human health. Although their occurrence and spatial distribution have been extensively studied in recent years, the relationship between their abundance and sizes remains unclear. Moreover, the underlying mechanisms dominating their size distribution have rarely been explored. In the present study, we developed a novel conditional fragmentation model to describe MP size distribution in the soil environment. It is proposed that the distribution of MPs is not a coincidence but controlled by conditional aging. The applicability of this model was tested using data collected from different land use settings in Beijing, China. A distinct downsizing phenomenon from fibers, films, and fragments to granules is observed. Undisturbed land use types accumulated larger sized MPs with higher stability, while human interference accelerated the fragmentation of MPs. Both morphological analysis and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectroscopy (TOF-SIMS) observations provided direct evidence for the conditional fragmentation process. Furthermore, the model has proven to be suitable for describing the size distribution of MPs from various sources (including atmospheric deposition, transportation, and agriculture) and aging processes (such as mechanical abrasion, chemical oxidation, and photochemical transformation). It is proposed that this model can be used for various purposes in MP-related studies, especially source identification, transport modeling, and risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liuwei Wang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Pengfei Li
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Wei-Min Wu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, William & Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Center, Center for Sustainable Development & Global Competitiveness, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-4020, United States
| | - Jian Luo
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia 30332-0355, United States
| | - Deyi Hou
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
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149
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Huang D, Tao J, Cheng M, Deng R, Chen S, Yin L, Li R. Microplastics and nanoplastics in the environment: Macroscopic transport and effects on creatures. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 407:124399. [PMID: 33191019 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.124399] [Citation(s) in RCA: 162] [Impact Index Per Article: 54.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Industrial progress has brought us an important polymer material, i.e. plastic. Because of mass production and use, and improper management and disposal, plastic pollution has become one of the most pivotal environmental issues in the world today. However, the current researches on microplastics/nanoplastics are mainly focused on individual aquatic, terrestrial and atmospheric environments, ignoring the fact that the natural environment is a whole. In this regard, the transport of microplastics/nanoplastics among the three environment compartments, including reciprocal contributions and inherent connections, and the impact of microplastics/nanoplastics on organisms living in multiple environments are research problems that we pay special attention to. Furthermore, this paper comprehensively reviews the transport and distribution of microplastics/nanoplastics in individual compartments and the toxicity of organisms, either alone or in combination with other pollutants. The properties of microplastics/nanoplastics, environment condition and the growth habit of organisms are critical to the transport, distribution and toxicity of microplastics/nanoplastics. These knowledge gaps need to be addressed urgently to improve cognition of the degree of plastic pollution and enhance our ability to deal with pollution. Meanwhile, it is hoped that the paper can provide a relatively complete theoretical knowledge system and multiple "leads" for future innovative ideas in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danlian Huang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China.
| | - Jiaxi Tao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Min Cheng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Rui Deng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Sha Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Lingshi Yin
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Ruijin Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
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150
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Koutnik VS, Leonard J, Alkidim S, DePrima FJ, Ravi S, Hoek EMV, Mohanty SK. Distribution of microplastics in soil and freshwater environments: Global analysis and framework for transport modeling. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 274:116552. [PMID: 33545526 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 122] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/22/2020] [Revised: 01/15/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are continuously released into the terrestrial environment from sources where they are used and produced. These microplastics accumulate in soils, sediments, and freshwater bodies, and some are conveyed via wind and water to the oceans. The concentration gradient between terrestrial inland and coastal regions, the factors that influence the concentration, and the fundamental transport processes that could dynamically affect the distribution of microplastics are unclear. We analyzed microplastic concentration reported in 196 studies from 49 countries or territories from all continents and found that microplastic concentrations in soils or sediments and surface water could vary by up to eight orders of magnitude. Mean microplastic concentrations in inland locations such as glacier (191 n L-1) and urban stormwater (55 n L-1) were up to two orders of magnitude greater than the concentrations in rivers (0.63 n L-1) that convey microplastics from inland locations to water bodies in terrestrial boundary such as estuaries (0.15 n L-1). However, only 20% of studies reported microplastics below 20 μm, indicating the concentration in these systems can change with the improvement of microplastic detection technology. Analysis of data from laboratory studies reveals that biodegradation can also reduce the concentration and size of deposited microplastics in the terrestrial environment. Fiber percentage was higher in the sediments in the coastal areas than the sediments in inland water bodies, indicating fibers are preferentially transported to the terrestrial boundary. Finally, we provide theoretical frameworks to predict microplastics transport and identify potential hotspots where microplastics may accumulate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera S Koutnik
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
| | - Jamie Leonard
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Alkidim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Francesca J DePrima
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sujith Ravi
- Department of Earth & Environmental Science, Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Eric M V Hoek
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Institute of the Environment & Sustainability, Los Angeles, California, USA; UCLA California NanoSystems Institute, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Sanjay K Mohanty
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA; UCLA Institute of the Environment & Sustainability, Los Angeles, California, USA.
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