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Roman L, Hardesty BD, Leonard GH, Pragnell-Raasch H, Mallos N, Campbell I, Wilcox C. A global assessment of the relationship between anthropogenic debris on land and the seafloor. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 264:114663. [PMID: 32388297 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114663] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2020] [Revised: 04/23/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Pollution of coastal and marine environments by mismanaged anthropogenic debris is a global threat requiring complex, multilateral solutions and mitigation strategies. International efforts to catalogue and quantify the density, extent and nature of mismanaged waste have not yet assessed the heterogeneity of debris between nearby areas. Better understanding of how debris types and density can be used as a proxy between regions and between land and seafloor habitats at a global scale can aid in developing cost effective and representative debris monitoring systems. Using volunteer collected clean-up and survey data, we compared the proportion and density of both total debris and specific items across 19,428 coastal land and seafloor sites from International Coastal Cleanups and Dive Against Debris surveys, from 86 countries between 2011 and 2018. We show that although some items common on land are also common on the seafloor, there is an overall global mismatch between debris types and densities on land and the seafloor from nearby areas. Correlations in land/seafloor debris type/density occurred primarily for items which entangle and/or sink, including fishing line, plastic bags, glass and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) bottles. Minimal similarity between land and seafloor surveys occurs for items which float or degrade. We suggest that to accurately evaluate local debris density, land and seafloor surveys are required to gain a holistic understanding. When detailed information on debris type, relative concentration, and likely source and transport are assessed, more cost effective and efficient policy interventions can be designed and implemented from local through to global scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Roman
- CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Chris Wilcox
- CSIRO Oceans and Atmosphere, Hobart, Tasmania, Australia
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102
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Trash Dance: Anthropogenic Litter and Organic Matter Co-Accumulate on Urban Beaches. GEOSCIENCES 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/geosciences10090335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Anthropogenic litter (i.e., trash, AL) on beaches has negative ecological and economic impacts. Beach AL is likely moved together with coarse particulate organic matter (CPOM, algae, leaves), but no previous studies have assessed AL and CPOM co-distribution. We measured AL and CPOM on four urban beaches in Chicago, Illinois, USA, along two transect types (pier-adjacent, non-pier adjacent) in which each has three habitats (upland, beach, strand line). As expected, AL and CPOM density were positively related across all transects. AL and CPOM were significantly higher adjacent to piers, and variable among habitats. Wood, leaves, and smoking-related AL were most abundant in beach and upland zones while glass and algal detritus were abundant at the strandline. Overall, AL and CPOM show ‘patchy’ distribution attributed to wind and wave movement toward accumulation sites. Beach CPOM is a hot spot of biological activity (e.g., microbes, invertebrates, birds). Therefore, mixing of AL and CPOM suggests organisms may be more likely to encounter AL in mixed accumulations. Efforts to reduce the abundance and biological impacts of beach AL will benefit from emphasizing organic matter accumulation sites.
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103
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Portz L, Manzolli RP, Herrera GV, Garcia LL, Villate DA, Ivar do Sul JA. Marine litter arrived: Distribution and potential sources on an unpopulated atoll in the Seaflower Biosphere Reserve, Caribbean Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 157:111323. [PMID: 32658688 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2020] [Revised: 05/26/2020] [Accepted: 05/27/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The Albuquerque atoll was studied as a representative natural laboratory to explore the role of sea-based sources of marine litter. This work aimed to identify the small-scale spatial distribution of marine litter (i.e., plastic, glass, paper, and others) as well as to explore the connectivity among the atoll habitats (sand beach, water surface, and reef) to give insights of potential sources of marine litter (>5 cm), mainly plastics. Marine litter was dominated by plastic items, as expected, with an average value of 0.5 items/m2. Large microplastics (1-5 mm) were also sampled on beaches with an average value of 90 particles/m2. In the atoll inner lagoon, marine litter was also composed by plastic, mainly fragments (average 0.059 items/m3). The predominance of plastic fragments on both the sea surface and beaches of the atoll makes inferences on sources limited. However, o fishing activities and sea-based sources might be relevant since local sources are very limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luana Portz
- Civil and Environmental Department, Universidad de la Costa, Colombia, Calle 58 # 55 - 66, Barranquilla, Colombia.
| | - Rogério Portantiolo Manzolli
- Civil and Environmental Department, Universidad de la Costa, Colombia, Calle 58 # 55 - 66, Barranquilla, Colombia.
| | - Guido Vasquez Herrera
- Centro de Investigaciones Oceanográficas e Hidrográficas - C I O H, Sector Manzanillo Escuela Naval de Cadetes "Almirante Padilla", Cartagena, Colombia.
| | | | - Diego A Villate
- Coastal Environmental Marine Research Group, Escuela Naval de Suboficiales ARC Barranquilla, Barranquilla, Colombia
| | - Juliana A Ivar do Sul
- Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research, Seestrasse 15, Warnemünde, 18119 Rostock, Germany.
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104
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Bonanomi G, Maisto G, De Marco A, Cesarano G, Zotti M, Mazzei P, Libralato G, Staropoli A, Siciliano A, De Filippis F, La Storia A, Piccolo A, Vinale F, Crasto A, Guida M, Ercolini D, Incerti G. The fate of cigarette butts in different environments: Decay rate, chemical changes and ecotoxicity revealed by a 5-years decomposition experiment. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 261:114108. [PMID: 32044614 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2019] [Revised: 01/27/2020] [Accepted: 01/29/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Cigarette butts (CBs) are the most common litter item on Earth but no long-term studies evaluate their fate and ecological effects. Here, the role of nitrogen (N) availability and microbiome composition on CBs decomposition were investigated by a 5-years experiment carried out without soil, in park grassland and sand dune. During decomposition, CBs chemical changes was assessed by both 13C CPMAS NMR and LC-MS, physical structure by scanning electron microscope and ecotoxicity by Aliivibrio fischeri and Raphidocelis subcapitata. Microbiota was investigated by high-throughput sequencing of bacterial and eukaryotic rRNA gene markers. CBs followed a three-step decomposition process: at the early stage (∼30 days) CBs lost ∼15.2% of their mass. During the subsequent two years CBs decomposed very slowly, taking thereafter different trajectories depending on N availability and microbiome composition. Without soil CBs showed minor chemical and morphological changes. Over grassland soil a consistent N transfer occurs that, after de-acetylation, promote CBs transformation into an amorphous material rich in aliphatic compounds. In sand dune we found a rich fungal microbiota able to decompose CBs, even before the occurrence of de-acetylation. CBs ecotoxicity was highest immediately after smoking. However, for R. subcapitata toxicity remained high after two and five years of decomposition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuliano Bonanomi
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici, Italy; Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy.
| | - Giulia Maisto
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo, via Cinthia ed. 7, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Anna De Marco
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Naples Federico II, Via Montesano 49, 80131, Naples, Italy
| | - Gaspare Cesarano
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - Maurizio Zotti
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - Pierluigi Mazzei
- Department of Pharmacy (DIFARMA), University of Salerno, via Giovanni Paolo II, 132, 84084, Fisciano, Italy
| | - Giovanni Libralato
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo, via Cinthia ed. 7, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Alessia Staropoli
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici, Italy; Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council, Portici, Italy
| | - Antonietta Siciliano
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo, via Cinthia ed. 7, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca De Filippis
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici, Italy; Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Antonietta La Storia
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - Alessandro Piccolo
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici, Italy; Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy; Centro Interdipartimentale di Ricerca sulla Risonanza Magnetica Nucleare per l'Ambiente, l'Agroalimentare ed i Nuovi Materiali (CERMANU), University of Naples Federico II, Italy
| | - Francesco Vinale
- Institute for Sustainable Plant Protection, National Research Council, Portici, Italy; University of Naples Federico II, Department of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Production, Via F. Delpino, 80137 Naples, Italy
| | - Antonio Crasto
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici, Italy
| | - Marco Guida
- Department of Biology, University of Naples Federico II, Complesso Universitario di Monte S. Angelo, via Cinthia ed. 7, 80126, Naples, Italy
| | - Danilo Ercolini
- Department of Agricultural Sciences, University of Naples Federico II, via Università 100, 80055, Portici, Italy; Task Force on Microbiome Studies, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy
| | - Guido Incerti
- DI4A, Department of Agri-Food, Environmental and Animal Sciences, University of Udine, via delle Scienze 206, 33100, Udine, Italy
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105
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Koutela N, Fernández E, Saru ML, Psillakis E. A comprehensive study on the leaching of metals from heated tobacco sticks and cigarettes in water and natural waters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 714:136700. [PMID: 32028551 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/13/2020] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
The leaching behavior of Al, Cr, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Se, Cd, Ba, Hg and Pb in water from two types of heat-not-burn tobacco sticks is presented here, and compared to that from conventional cigarettes. The total concentration of each metal in solid tobacco products was initially determined. Concentrations in used and unused tobacco sticks were similar and generally, lower than those in unused conventional cigarettes. Studies on the contribution of paper, filter and tobacco revealed that tobacco was the major source of metal contamination. Smoking conventional cigarettes reduced the total metal concentrations since a substantial amount of metals was retained in the ash; a post-consumption waste that is difficult to collect. Batch leaching tests were performed to determine dissolved concentrations as a function of time. With the exceptions of As and (in most cases) Hg that were not detected, metals were released at varying rates. At 24 h of soaking the percentage of metals leached ranged from 0.2-43%. The contribution of paper, filter and tobacco to the dissolved concentrations at 24 h of leaching was investigated and in almost all cases tobacco was the major source of metal contamination. The dissolved concentrations from ash were low as metals were strongly bound. Varying the pH, ionic strength and humic acids content at environmentally relevant values did not affect leaching of metals at 24 h of soaking. The use of river water, rain water and seawater as leachants was also not found to alter dissolved concentrations at 24 h compared to ultrapure water. The results presented here suggest that the consequences of improper disposal of tobacco products in the environment are two-sided and that next to the generation of plastic litter, discarded tobacco products can also act as point sources of metal contamination. Public education campaigns focusing on the environmental impact and best disposal practices are urgently needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Niki Koutela
- Laboratory of Aquatic Chemistry, School of Environmental Engineering, Polytechnioupolis, Technical University of Crete, GR-73100 Chania, Crete, Greece.
| | - Elena Fernández
- Laboratory of Aquatic Chemistry, School of Environmental Engineering, Polytechnioupolis, Technical University of Crete, GR-73100 Chania, Crete, Greece.
| | - Maria-Liliana Saru
- Laboratory of Aquatic Chemistry, School of Environmental Engineering, Polytechnioupolis, Technical University of Crete, GR-73100 Chania, Crete, Greece.
| | - Elefteria Psillakis
- Laboratory of Aquatic Chemistry, School of Environmental Engineering, Polytechnioupolis, Technical University of Crete, GR-73100 Chania, Crete, Greece.
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106
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Valiente R, Escobar F, Pearce J, Bilal U, Franco M, Sureda X. Estimating and mapping cigarette butt littering in urban environments: A GIS approach. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2020; 183:109142. [PMID: 32004828 PMCID: PMC7167348 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 01/13/2020] [Accepted: 01/14/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Cigarette butts are some of the most common form of litter in the World, causing severe environmental damage. Analysing spatial distribution of cigarette butts in the urban environment may lead to useful insights for further interventions to reduce this form of litter. In this study, we present a GIS-based methodology to estimate the density of cigarette butts across a large urban area. METHODS We collected information about discarded cigarette butts in outdoor public spaces by systematic social observation in a diverse sample of areas in Madrid, Spain. We used these data to estimate the density of cigarette butts in public spaces around the entire city by performing GIS analyses based on Kernel Density Estimations. Last, we validated these measures using on-field observations in a set of locations across the city. RESULTS Hospitality venues and public transportation stops were the places with the highest concentrations of cigarette butts, followed by the entrances to educational venues and playgrounds. Central districts showed the highest amount of cigarette butts in contrast to peripheral ones. We found that our measure had good validity, with a correlation coefficient of 0.784. DISCUSSION This is the first study estimating and mapping cigarette butt litter in a large urban area. We identified a set of outdoor public places with high concentrations of cigarette butts and found geographical unevenness in the distribution of this pervasive form of litter across the study area. Our findings demonstrate the ubiquitous nature of cigarette butts in the urban environment and the need for interventions to reduce its impact on both people's health and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roberto Valiente
- Public Health and Epidemiology Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; Department of Geology, Geography and Environmental Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Francisco Escobar
- Department of Geology, Geography and Environmental Sciences, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain.
| | - Jamie Pearce
- Centre for Research on Environment, Society and Health, School of GeoSciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom.
| | - Usama Bilal
- Public Health and Epidemiology Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; Urban Health Collaborative, Drexel Dornsife School of Public Health, Philadelphia, PA, United States.
| | - Manuel Franco
- Public Health and Epidemiology Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD, United States; Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10027, USA.
| | - Xisca Sureda
- Public Health and Epidemiology Research Group, School of Medicine, University of Alcalá, Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain; Department of Epidemiology & Biostatistics, Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy, City University of New York, New York, NY, 10027, USA; Tobacco Control Research Group, Institut d'Investigació Biomèdica de Bellvitge-IDIBELL, l'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain; Consortium for Biomedical Research in Respiratory Diseases, CIBER en Enfermedades Respiratorias, CIBERES, Madrid, Spain.
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107
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Kurmus H, Mohajerani A. The toxicity and valorization options of cigarette butts. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2020; 104:104-118. [PMID: 31978829 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2020.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2019] [Revised: 01/09/2020] [Accepted: 01/10/2020] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Cigarette butts, one of the most abundant forms of waste in the world, contain more than 4000 toxic chemicals and pose serious risks to the health of wildlife, humans, and marine and freshwater organisms. Although trivial in size, trillions of cigarettes are produced every year worldwide, resulting in the accumulation of tonnes of toxic waste litter. In 2016, a world production of over 5.7 trillion cigarettes was reported with the majority comprising cellulose acetate filters - a polymer with poor biodegradability. Depending on the environmental conditions, cellulose acetate filters can take up to 10 years to decompose during which time they leach heavy metals and toxic chemicals into the environment. Although possible disposal methods for collected cigarette butt waste include incineration and landfilling, both techniques may result in the release of hazardous fumes and can be costly. However, recycling CBs in different materials could be a possible solution for this concurrent environmental pollution. A number of novel studies have been publicized on recycling cigarette butts with encouraging results, and several methods have been studied, including recycling of cigarette butts in asphalt concrete and fired clay bricks, as a carbon source, sound absorbing material, corrosion inhibitor, biofilm carrier, and many more. Hence, this paper provides a comprehensive review and discussion of various studies that have been carried out on the toxicity and valorization of cigarette butt waste and investigates the feasibility and sustainability of recycling methods adopted. Further research and developments are essential for the widespread application of recycling cigarette butts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Halenur Kurmus
- School of Engineering, RMIT University, Melbourne, Australia
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108
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Winton DJ, Anderson LG, Rocliffe S, Loiselle S. Macroplastic pollution in freshwater environments: Focusing public and policy action. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 704:135242. [PMID: 31812404 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.135242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 10/24/2019] [Accepted: 10/26/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Understanding and managing plastic pollution is an increasingly important environmental priority for policy makers, businesses and scientists. Awareness of the potential damage to the world's oceans has grown but there is less attention given to freshwater ecosystems. Yet, rivers are the dominant source of plastic pollution to the marine environment, as well as a potential sink, accumulating plastic from multiple sources. Actions to reduce the presence of macroplastics in rivers is fundamental to conserving both freshwater and marine environments, but there is limited understanding of potential pollution sources, vectors and storage. Importantly, there are only a handful of studies examining the typologies of freshwater macroplastic pollution, often using different categories and collection methods. This impedes setting priorities for scientific investigation and mitigation measures. The present study identifies the most prevalent macroplastic items in freshwater environments in Europe, with a focus on consumer plastic items, i.e. those that could potentially be reduced by targeted actions by the public, as well as industrial and government intervention. Our analysis addresses the differences between reported macroplastics in freshwater and marine environments as well as those estimated from litter rates. Our results identify a macroplastic "top ten", i.e. those dominant plastic typologies that require a more focused effort to reformulate their use and management, as well as setting a common baseline for a more consistent data gathering and reporting approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debbie J Winton
- Earthwatch Institute (Europe), Mayfield House, 256 Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford, UK
| | | | - Stephen Rocliffe
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Penryn, Cornwall, UK
| | - Steven Loiselle
- Earthwatch Institute (Europe), Mayfield House, 256 Banbury Road, Summertown, Oxford, UK; Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, University of Siena, CSGI, Via Aldo Moro 2, 53100 Siena, Italy.
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109
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Marinello S, Lolli F, Gamberini R, Rimini B. A second life for cigarette butts? A review of recycling solutions. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 384:121245. [PMID: 31585286 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121245] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2019] [Revised: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 09/16/2019] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Trillions of cigarettes are smoked annually making cigarette butts one of the most common types of litter in the world. Due to the materials and toxic substances that they contain, this waste carries a very harmful risk for the environment and for living organisms (including humans). Only a few - barely sustainable - solutions have tried to tackle this waste and alternative solutions to landfilling and incineration are needed. Identifying the best methodological solutions and technologies for recycling this kind of waste in terms of results and applicability to real contexts would reduce the presence of dangerous materials in the environment and ecosystems and would promote the recovery of materials in line with the circular economy and sustainable development. The objective of this review was to collect and analyze the alternative solutions available in the literature for the recovery and recycling of the materials in cigarette butts, considering them as possible sources of secondary raw materials applicable to contexts of common interest. Several papers were selected and the results obtained by the authors are presented in terms of type of treatment process (physical, chemical or both), product derived (in solid, liquid or gaseous form) and its possible use in different sectors (e.g. construction, electronics, energy, chemistry and environmental protection). The main results, together with the advantages and disadvantages are highlighted and proposals for further research are outlined.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuele Marinello
- Department of Sciences and Methods for Engineering, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola 2, Padiglione Morselli, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy.
| | - Francesco Lolli
- Department of Sciences and Methods for Engineering, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola 2, Padiglione Morselli, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Rita Gamberini
- Department of Sciences and Methods for Engineering, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola 2, Padiglione Morselli, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
| | - Bianca Rimini
- Department of Sciences and Methods for Engineering, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Via Amendola 2, Padiglione Morselli, 42122 Reggio Emilia, Italy
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110
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Torkashvand J, Farzadkia M, Sobhi HR, Esrafili A. Littered cigarette butt as a well-known hazardous waste: A comprehensive systematic review. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2020; 383:121242. [PMID: 31563043 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2019.121242] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 09/09/2019] [Accepted: 09/14/2019] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Most of cigarettes used in the world have filters. Following smoking, the cigarette butts (CBs) are often littered as wastes in the environment. CBs generally contain several toxic substances that are trapped in the cigarette filter. Filters are made of non-biodegradable materials and remain in the environment for a long time. Within this study, it is attempted to systematically review the articles on CBs and find out the answers to the problems associated with the factors including quantity, distribution, origin and toxicity of CBs in the environment. It is estimated that approximately 5.5 trillion cigarettes are being produced annually in the world and the CB wastes would reach 1.2 million tons and increase by 50% until 2025. CBs contain thousands of dangerous chemicals such as arsenic, benzene, hydrogen cyanide, PAHs, pyridine, heavy metals and so forth. It is also believed that eachCB can pollute 1000 liters of water. Given the inadequacy of mechanical equipment as well as the cost of collecting these wastes, there should be a special focus on these items as follows: producing cigarettes with degradable filters, reducing the rate of smoking in the world, reducing the toxic and chemical substances in the process of plant growth, processing and production of cigarettes, training people to discard CBs properly, putting legal and financial pressures on cigarettes production, and the last but not least, providing effective solutions for collecting CBs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javad Torkashvand
- Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Student Research Committee, Faculty of Public Health Branch, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahdi Farzadkia
- Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Ali Esrafili
- Research Center for Environmental Health Technology, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
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111
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Ryan PG, Maclean K, Weideman EA. The Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Urban Street Litter in South Africa. ENVIRONMENTAL PROCESSES 2020. [PMCID: PMC7538177 DOI: 10.1007/s40710-020-00472-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Abstract The lockdowns instigated to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic offered a unique opportunity to assess how restrictions on human activity affect street litter. We recorded daily litter arrival rates for 50 days in two South African cities from the time of strictest lockdown through two successive easings in regulations. The strict lockdown had no marked impact on litter composition, which was dominated by convenience foods and beverages (29% by number, 34% by mass) and tobacco products (33% by number, 3% by mass). The ban on the sale of tobacco products during the lockdown did not greatly reduce the number of cigarette butts and associated packaging. Vehicle parts accounted for <1% of litter items (2% by mass) whereas household waste spilled from bins prior to or during collection accounted for 3% of litter items (14% by mass). Street litter loads decreased roughly by a factor of three during the strict lockdown. The increase in litter was gradual, suggesting a reduction in compliance with regulations as the lockdown continued. Our results show a clear link between human activity levels and littering. Highlights • Street litter loads increased three-fold in two cities as Covid lockdowns eased. • Cigarette butts made up 33% of litter by number despite a ban on tobacco sales. • There is a clear link between human activity levels and littering. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (10.1007/s40710-020-00472-1) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter G. Ryan
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701 South Africa
| | - Kyle Maclean
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701 South Africa
| | - Eleanor A. Weideman
- FitzPatrick Institute of African Ornithology, DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence, University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701 South Africa
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112
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Montalvão MF, Chagas TQ, da Silva Alvarez TG, Mesak C, da Costa Araújo AP, Gomes AR, de Andrade Vieira JE, Malafaia G. How leachates from wasted cigarette butts influence aquatic life? A case study on freshwater mussel Anodontites trapesiali. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2019; 689:381-389. [PMID: 31277005 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.06.385] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2019] [Revised: 06/17/2019] [Accepted: 06/23/2019] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
There are several reports on the damage smoking causes to human health available in the literature, but little is known about the environmental and biological consequences from inappropriate cigarette butt (CB) disposal in urban and natural environments. The immunotoxic, morphotoxic and mutagenic potential of leachates from cigarette butts (LCB) diluted at environmentally relevant rates (LCB1x: 1.375%; LCB10x: 13.75%) was evaluated in adult representatives of the bivalve species Anodontites trapesialis, which was adopted as model organism. Type II hyalinocytes and granulocytes (phagocytic cells) frequency increased in the hemolymph of subjects exposed to the pollutant for 14 days. Based on this outcome, LCB chemical constituents did not induce immunotoxic effects. The treatments also did not seem to have any impact on the subjects' hemocitary morphometry parameters: diameter, area, perimeter, circularity and nucleus - cytoplasm ratio. However, subjects in groups LCB1x and LCB10x recorded a larger number of hyalinocytes with some nuclear abnormality such as micronucleus, blebbed nucleus, asymmetric constriction nucleus, and nuclear multilobulation and binucleation. The association between these abnormalities and the treatments was confirmed by the Cr, Ni, Pb, Zn, Mn and Na bioaccumulation in tissue samples of the bivalve models exposed to LCB. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first report on LCB mutagenicity in representatives of a freshwater bivalve group. Given the chemical complexity of the addressed pollutants, it is imperative to develop further investigations about the topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mateus Flores Montalvão
- Post-graduation Program in Cerrado Natural Resource Conservation and Biological Research Laboratory, Goiano Federal Institution - Urutaí Campus, GO, Brazil
| | - Thales Quintão Chagas
- Post-graduation Program in Cerrado Natural Resource Conservation and Biological Research Laboratory, Goiano Federal Institution - Urutaí Campus, GO, Brazil
| | - Tenilce Gabriela da Silva Alvarez
- Post-graduation Program in Cerrado Natural Resource Conservation and Biological Research Laboratory, Goiano Federal Institution - Urutaí Campus, GO, Brazil
| | - Carlos Mesak
- Post-graduation Program in Cerrado Natural Resource Conservation and Biological Research Laboratory, Goiano Federal Institution - Urutaí Campus, GO, Brazil
| | - Amanda Pereira da Costa Araújo
- Post-graduation Program in Cerrado Natural Resource Conservation and Biological Research Laboratory, Goiano Federal Institution - Urutaí Campus, GO, Brazil
| | - Alex Rodrigues Gomes
- Post-graduation Program in Cerrado Natural Resource Conservation and Biological Research Laboratory, Goiano Federal Institution - Urutaí Campus, GO, Brazil
| | | | - Guilherme Malafaia
- Post-graduation Program in Cerrado Natural Resource Conservation and Biological Research Laboratory, Goiano Federal Institution - Urutaí Campus, GO, Brazil; Biological Research Laboratory, Goiano Federal Institution - Urutaí Campus, GO, Brazil.
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113
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Green DS, Boots B, Da Silva Carvalho J, Starkey T. Cigarette butts have adverse effects on initial growth of perennial ryegrass (gramineae: Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (leguminosae: Trifolium repens L.). ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2019; 182:109418. [PMID: 31327493 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2019] [Revised: 07/01/2019] [Accepted: 07/03/2019] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Cigarette filters (butts) are currently the most abundant form of anthropogenic litter on the planet, yet we know very little about their environmental impacts on terrestrial ecosystems, including plant germination and primary production. When discarded, filters contain a myriad of chemicals resulting from smoking tobacco and some still contain unsmoked remnants. A greenhouse experiment was used to assess the impacts of discarded filters of regular or menthol cigarette, either from unsmoked, smoked, or smoked cigarettes with remnant tobacco, on the growth and development of Lolium perenne (perennial ryegrass) and Trifolium repens (white clover). After 21 days, shoot length and germination success were significantly reduced by exposure to any type of cigarette filter for the grass and clover. Although total grass biomass was not measurably affected, the root biomass and root:shoot ratio were less in the clover when exposed to filters from smoked regular cigarettes and those with remnant tobacco. Cigarette filters caused an increase in chlorophyll-a in clover shoots and an increase in chlorophyll-b in grass shoots. Accordingly, whilst the chlorophyll a:b ratio was increased in the clover exposed to cigarette filters, it was decreased in grass. This study indicates the potential for littered cigarette filters to reduce growth and alter short-term primary productivity of terrestrial plants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dannielle S Green
- Department of Biology, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge Campus, East Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB1 1PT, United Kingdom.
| | - Bas Boots
- Department of Biology, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge Campus, East Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB1 1PT, United Kingdom
| | - Jaime Da Silva Carvalho
- Department of Biology, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge Campus, East Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB1 1PT, United Kingdom
| | - Thomas Starkey
- Department of Biology, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge Campus, East Road, Cambridge, Cambridgeshire, CB1 1PT, United Kingdom
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114
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Affiliation(s)
- May C I van Schalkwyk
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Thomas E Novotny
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
- San Diego State University School of Public Health, CA, USA
| | - Martin McKee
- Faculty of Public Health and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
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115
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Araújo MCB, Costa MF. From Plant to Waste: The Long and Diverse Impact Chain Caused by Tobacco Smoking. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2019; 16:E2690. [PMID: 31357681 PMCID: PMC6695991 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph16152690] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/09/2019] [Revised: 07/23/2019] [Accepted: 07/25/2019] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
Smoking is a social phenomenon of global scope. The impacts start from the cultivation of the plant to the disposal of cigarette butts in the most diverse places. These aspects go beyond economic and public health issues, also affecting natural environments and their biota in a serious and indistinct way. Of the six trillion cigarettes consumed globally each year, four and a half trillion are disposed somewhere in the environment. Cigarette butts are predominantly plastic, non-biodegradable waste, prevalent in coastal environments in various parts of the world, and with high potential for generating impacts on a wide range of socioeconomic and environmental aspects. Among the 5000 compounds found in a cigarette, those with higher toxic potential are mainly concentrated in the filter and in tobacco remnants, which are items found in discarded cigarette butts. After surveying published studies on this topic, the present study addressed the interaction between the impacts related to tobacco smoking, highlighting the problem as an important and emerging issue that demands joint efforts, and actions especially focused on the reduction of environmental impacts, an aspect that has not yet been assessed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Christina B Araújo
- Departamento de Oceanografia e Limnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte, Via Costeira S/N, Praia de Mãe Luíza, Natal 59014-100, Brazil.
| | - Monica F Costa
- Departamento de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Arquitetura, s/n, Recife 50740-550, Brazil
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