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Shao H, Wang Q, Wang L, Lei X, Dai S, Li T, Zhu X, Mao XZ. Source identification of microplastics in highly urbanized river environments and its implications for watershed management. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 950:175308. [PMID: 39117198 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175308] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 08/04/2024] [Indexed: 08/10/2024]
Abstract
The extensive use of plastic products has resulted in a significant influx of microplastics into aquatic ecosystems, particularly in highly urbanized areas and their associated river environments. However, the specific pathways and quantities through which these microplastics enter the river environment are still unclear, which poses a challenge in developing effective measures to mitigate their sources. In this paper, the spatiotemporal variations of microplastics from different sources in highly urbanized rivers within the Shenzhen Bay watershed were investigated through field sampling, experimental and statistical analysis, and the measures of microplastic reduction were discussed. The observation results exhibited a negative logarithmic correlation between the abundance of microplastics in river water and monthly rainfall (R = 0.994, MSE = 0.051, p < 0.05). When the monthly rainfall was <6 mm, the abundance of microplastics was absolutely dependent on point sources. While the rainfall exceeded 470 mm, the abundance was absolutely predominantly influenced by nonpoint source microplastics. The annual load of microplastics from the watershed was 5.39 × 1012 items, of which 61.6 % originated from point sources. Among the microplastics from point sources, 92.1 % were derived from fibers generated by textile washing. Fragmented microplastics (41.9 %) were the most common type of microplastics from nonpoint sources, primarily originating from the disintegration and weathering of disposable plastics. In the future, there is an expectation to reduce the microplastic load in the watershed to 15.9 % of the total by improving sewage treatment processes and infrastructure. This study can provide scientific guidance for environmental planning and serve as a warning regarding the impact of microplastics on ecosystems in urbanized areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huaihao Shao
- Institute for Ocean Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Qiankun Wang
- Institute for Ocean Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Linlin Wang
- Institute for Ocean Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Xiaoyu Lei
- Institute for Ocean Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Shuangliang Dai
- Institute for Ocean Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, PR China
| | - Tian Li
- Institute for Ocean Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, PR China
| | | | - Xian-Zhong Mao
- Institute for Ocean Engineering, Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen, PR China.
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2
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Themba NN, Dondofema F, Cuthbert RN, Munyai LF, Dalu T. Abundance and distribution of microplastics in benthic sediments and Cladocera taxa in a subtropical Austral reservoir. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2024. [PMID: 39016676 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4977] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Pollution of the natural environment by microplastics has become a global issue in ecosystems as it poses a potential long-term threat to biota. Microplastics can accrue in high abundances in sediments of aquatic ecosystems while also contaminating pelagic filter feeders, which could transfer pollutants up trophic webs. We assess the abundance and distribution of microplastics in benthic sediments and Cladocera taxa in a subtropical Austral reservoir using a combination of geospatial techniques, physicochemical analyses, diversity indices, and multivariate statistics between two seasons (i.e., hot-wet and cool-dry). We found particularly high densities of microplastics during the cool-dry season for both sediments (mean 224.1 vs. 189 particles kg-1 dry weight) and Cladocera taxa (0.3 particles per individual). Cladocera microplastic shapes were dominated by fibers with high densities of the transparent color scheme. Pearson correlation results indicated that sediment microplastic abundances were negatively correlated with chlorophyll-a concentration, temperature, and resistivity, whereas they were positively correlated with pH and salinity during the hot-wet season, with no variables significant in the cool-dry season. Cladocera microplastic abundances were positively correlated with conductivity and salinity during the cool-dry season, but no variables in the hot-wet season. These findings provide insights into the role of reservoirs as microplastic retention sites and the potential for uptake and transfer from lower trophic groups. These insights can be used to strengthen future monitoring and intervention strategies. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;1-15. © 2024 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nombuso N Themba
- Aquatic Systems Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit, South Africa
| | - Farai Dondofema
- Aquatic Systems Research Group, Department of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, South Africa
| | - Ross N Cuthbert
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, United Kingdom
| | - Linton F Munyai
- Aquatic Systems Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit, South Africa
| | - Tatenda Dalu
- Aquatic Systems Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit, South Africa
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3
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Chand R, Putna-Nīmane I, Vecmane E, Lykkemark J, Dencker J, Haaning Nielsen A, Vollertsen J, Liu F. Snow dumping station - A considerable source of tyre wear, microplastics, and heavy metal pollution. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 188:108782. [PMID: 38821018 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Snow dumping stations can be a hotspots for pollutants to water resources. However, little is known about the amount of microplastics including tyre wear particles transported this way. This study investigated microplastics and metals in snow from four snow dumping stations in Riga, Latvia, a remote site (Gauja National Park), and a roof top in Riga. Microplastics other than tyre wear particles were identified with Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) (>500 µm) and focal plane array based micro-Fourier Transform Infrared (FPA-µFTIR) imaging (10-500 µm), tyre wear particles by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (Py-GC-MS), and total metals by Inductively Coupled Plasma with Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Microplastics detected by FTIR were quantified by particle counts and their mass estimated, while tyre wear particles were quantified by mass. The concentrations varied substantially, with the highest levels in the urban areas. Microplastic concentrations measured by FTIR ranged between 26 and 2549 counts L-1 of melted snow with a corresponding estimated mass of 19-573 µg/L. Tyre wear particles were not detected at the two reference sites, while other sites held 44-3026 µg/L. Metal concentrations varied several orders of magnitude with for example sodium in the range 0.45-819.54 mg/L and cadmium in the range 0.05-0.94 µg/L. Correlating microplastic measured by FTIR to metal content showed a weak to moderate correlation. Tyre wear particles, however, correlated strongly to many of the metals. The study showed that snow can hold considerable amounts of these pollutants, which upon melting and release of the meltwater to the aquatic environment could impact receiving waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupa Chand
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9200 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Ieva Putna-Nīmane
- Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Voleru str. 4, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
| | - Elina Vecmane
- Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Voleru str. 4, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
| | - Jeanette Lykkemark
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9200 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jytte Dencker
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9200 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Asbjørn Haaning Nielsen
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9200 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jes Vollertsen
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9200 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Fan Liu
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9200 Aalborg, Denmark.
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Behmanesh M, Chamani A, Chavoshi E. Potentially Toxic Elements' Accumulation in Relation to Sediment Physicochemical Attributes and Microplastic Content in Zayandeh-Rood River, Iran. ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2024; 86:274-287. [PMID: 38551678 DOI: 10.1007/s00244-024-01059-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging pollutant whose ability to adsorb potentially toxic elements (PTEs) poses a serious threat to aquatic ecosystems, including rivers. In highly developed basins, the abundance of MPs in river sediment is expected to be high, elevating the sedimentary accumulation of PTEs. This hypothesis was tested in the Zayandeh-Rood River, Central Iran, with 21 sediment sampling stations distributed along the entire river stretch. Results of sediment analysis showed significant variations in the abundance and size of MPs, with concentrations ranked as Ba (270.71 mg/kg) > Li (21.29 mg/kg) > Cs (2.50 mg/kg) > Be (1.44 mg/kg) > Sn (1.17 mg/kg) > Mo (1.06 mg/kg) > Ag (0.76 mg/kg), along with sediment physicochemical attributes such as EC, TOC, pH and grain size. MPs were identified in all sediment samples with a mean of 588 items/kg dry weight. Except for Ag, all other PTEs were classified as uncontaminated but exhibited increased enrichment downstream. According to the results of the generalized additive model (maximum R-sq of 0.766), the sedimentary concentration of the majority of PTEs is nonlinearly and positively associated with smaller and more abundant MPs. This study acknowledges that MPs might influence sediment porosity, permeability and structure, thereby directly affecting the settling dynamics of other particles, especially PTEs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mokarrameh Behmanesh
- Environmental Science and Engineering Department, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
| | - Atefeh Chamani
- Environmental Science and Engineering Department, Waste and Wastewater Research Center, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
| | - Elham Chavoshi
- Department of Soil Science, College of Agriculture, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
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Mashamba R, Cuthbert RN, Dondofema F, Munyai LF, Wu N, Dalu T. Spatiotemporal variation in macroplastic abundances along a subtropical Austral river system. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:273. [PMID: 38363433 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12409-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is a ubiquitous problem that poses a threat to society and the environment. The issue is especially pervasive in the aquatic environment, where large amounts of plastic debris accumulate from numerous anthropogenic pathways. Relatively little is known about the extent of macroplastics in African subtropical Austral rivers, where management strategies are lacking. This study quantifies and compares the variation in macroplastic abundances along the Mvudi River, South Africa, over four sites and four seasons. We observed a non-significant difference in macroplastic abundance and variation across sites and seasons, with pollution therefore widespread across these contexts. However, the diversity of plastic debris (i.e. γ-diversity value) decreased generally along sites, with most macroplastic items being collected during winter, and fewer macroplastic during autumn. We observed high abundances of macroplastic debris on the shoreline compared to the mainstream, with high proportional abundances of plastic bags and film (> 57.8%) macroplastic physical type across all sites and seasons. We also observed a high proportional abundance of the polymer polypropylene (> 25.3%) across seasons. The information derived from this study serves as the baseline for understanding seasonal variations in plastic debris and their driving factors on this and other subtropical Austral rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ronald Mashamba
- Aquatic Systems Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit, 1200, South Africa
| | - Ross N Cuthbert
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast, BT9 5DL, UK
| | - Farai Dondofema
- Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou, 0950, South Africa
| | - Linton F Munyai
- Aquatic Systems Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit, 1200, South Africa
| | - Naicheng Wu
- Department of Geography and Spatial Information Techniques, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Tatenda Dalu
- Aquatic Systems Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit, 1200, South Africa.
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Maisto M, Ranauda MA, Zuzolo D, Tartaglia M, Postiglione A, Prigioniero A, Falzarano A, Scarano P, Castelvetro V, Corti A, Modugno F, La Nasa J, Biale G, Sciarrillo R, Guarino C. Effects of microplastics on microbial community dynamics in sediments from the Volturno River ecosystem, Italy. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 349:140872. [PMID: 38056715 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140872] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2023] [Revised: 11/27/2023] [Accepted: 11/30/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
In this study, the sources, abundance, and ecological implications of microplastic (MP) pollution in Volturno, one of the main rivers in southern Italy, were explored by investigating the MP concentration levels in sediments collected along the watercourse. The samples were sieved through 5- and 2-mm sieves and treated with selective organic solvents. The polymer classes polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), nylon 6 (PA6), and nylon 6,6 (PA66) were quantified using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Furthermore, a 16S rRNA metagenomic analysis was performed using next-generation sequencing in Ion Torrent™ to explore the bacterial taxonomy and ecological dynamics of sediment samples. The MPs were detected in all samples collected from the study area. PP and PET were the most abundant and frequently detected polymer types in the analysed samples. The total MP concentration ranged from 1.05 to 14.55 ppm (parts per million), identifying two distinct data populations: high- and low-MP-contaminated sediments. According to the Polymer Hazard Index (PHI), MP pollution was categorised as hazard levels III and IV (corresponding to the danger category). Metagenomic data revealed that the presence of MPs significantly affected the abundance of bacterial taxa; Flavobacteraceae and Nocardiaceae, which are known to degrade polymeric substances, were present in high-MP-contaminated sediments. This study provides new insights into the ecological relevance of MP pollution and suggests that microorganisms may serve as biomarkers of MP pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maisto
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Ranauda
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Daniela Zuzolo
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy.
| | - Maria Tartaglia
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Alessia Postiglione
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Antonello Prigioniero
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Alessandra Falzarano
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Scarano
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Valter Castelvetro
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi, 13, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Andrea Corti
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi, 13, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Francesca Modugno
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi, 13, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Jacopo La Nasa
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi, 13, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Greta Biale
- Department of Chemistry and Industrial Chemistry, University of Pisa, Via Giuseppe Moruzzi, 13, 56124, Pisa, Italy
| | - Rosaria Sciarrillo
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Carmine Guarino
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
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7
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Dube T, Dube T, Dalu T, Gxokwe S, Marambanyika T. Assessment of land use and land cover, water nutrient and metal concentration related to illegal mining activities in an Austral semi-arid river system: A remote sensing and multivariate analysis approach. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:167919. [PMID: 37879464 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023]
Abstract
The mining sector in various countries, particularly in the sub-Saharan African region, faces significant impact from the emergence of small-scale unlicensed artisanal mines. This trend is influenced by the rising demand and prices for minerals, along with prevalent poverty levels. Thus, the detrimental impacts of these artisanal mines on the natural environment (i.e., rivers) have remained poorly understood particularly in the Zimbabwean context. To understand the consequences of this situation, a study was conducted in the Umzingwane Catchment, located in southern Zimbabwe, focusing on the variations in water nutrient and metal concentrations in rivers affected by illegal mining activities along their riparian zones. Using multi-year Sentinel-2 composite data and the random forest machine learning algorithm on the Google Earth Engine cloud-computing platform, we mapped the spatial distribution of illegal mines in the affected regions and seven distinct land use classes, including artisanal mines, bare surfaces, settlements, official mines, croplands, and natural vegetation, with an acceptable overall and class accuracies of ±70 % were identified. Artisanal mines were found to be located along rivers and this was attributed to their large water requirements needed during the mining process. The water quality analysis revealed elevated nutrient concentrations, such as ammonium and nitrate (range 0.10-20.0 mg L-1), which could be attributed to mine drainage from the use of ammonium nitrate explosives during mining activities. Additionally, the prevalence of croplands in the area may have potentially contributed to increased nutrient concentrations. The principal component analysis and hierarchical cluster analysis revealed three clusters, with one of these clusters showing parameters like Ca, Mg, K, Hg and Na, which are usually associated with mineral gypsum found in the drainage of artisanal mines in the selected rivers. Cluster 2 consisted of B, Cu, Fe, Pb, and Mn, which are likely from the natural environment and finally, cluster 3 contained As, Cd, Cr, and Zn, which were likely associated with both legal and illegal mining operations. These findings provide essential insights into the health of the studied river system and the impacts of human activities in the region. They further serve as a foundation for developing and implementing regulatory measures aimed at protecting riverine systems, in line with sustainable development goal 15.1 which focuses on preserving and conserving terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems, including rivers. By acting on this information, authorities can work towards safeguarding these vital natural resources and promoting sustainable development in the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thandekile Dube
- Institute for Water Studies, Department of Earth Science, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa.
| | - Timothy Dube
- Institute for Water Studies, Department of Earth Science, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
| | - Tatenda Dalu
- Aquatic Systems Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa.
| | - Siyamthanda Gxokwe
- Institute for Water Studies, Department of Earth Science, University of the Western Cape, Bellville 7535, South Africa
| | - Thomas Marambanyika
- Department of Geography, Environmental Sustainability and Resilience Building, Midlands State University, Gweru, Zimbabwe
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Lahon J, Handique S. Impact of flooding on microplastic abundance and distribution in freshwater environment: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:118175-118191. [PMID: 37936046 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30819-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Due to smaller particle size (0.1 µm-5 mm), non-biodegradable or slowly degradable nature, and high accumulation capacity in the environment, microplastics are becoming a cause of concern throughout the globe. The abundance and distribution of microplastics in aquatic compartments are strongly influenced by various natural and anthropogenic variables. Hydrodynamic conditions like flood events, caused due to extreme precipitation, accelerate the transport and settlement of microplastics in freshwater bodies. This review highlights the current literature which focuses on the effect of flooding on microplastic abundance, characterization, and distribution in freshwater environments worldwide. However, only limited research papers are identified through focused literature search, as this area of research is relatively new. Most of the studies reported increased and decreased abundance of microplastics in water and sediment samples, respectively, during post-flooding period with the exception of few studies. We also evaluate the post-flooding abundances of different morphological shape and polymer type of microplastics. Fragments, fibers, beads, and film were the most frequently reported microplastic shape and polystyrene, and polyethylene was the dominant polymer type found in freshwater environments. Future research should focus on more advanced techniques to understand microplastic fluxes under flood condition and the dominance of various natural and human-induced factors over one another in determining microplastic abundance. This will further enhance to mitigate microplastic pollution in freshwater environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jigyashree Lahon
- Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Tezpur, 784028, Assam, India
| | - Sumi Handique
- Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Tezpur, 784028, Assam, India.
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Ahmed M, Phukan B, Talukdar A, Ahmed I, Sarma J, Ali A, Gogoi R, Borah K, Xavier M. Assessment of microplastic contamination in the gastrointestinal tracts of indigenous fishes from north eastern hill regions of Bhogdoi, a tributary of River Brahmaputra, India. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:121124-121137. [PMID: 37950117 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30821-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution in freshwater environments has drawn considerable attention over the decades due to the risk posed by MPs to the aquatic fauna and human health. In this study, the occurrence of MPs was assessed from the gastrointestinal tracts (GIT) of indigenous fishes from Bhogdoi River, a tributary of River Brahmaputra, northeast hill region, Assam, India. All the fish species (n = 180) analysed showed 100% occurrence of MPs sampled from three stations of River Bhogdoi. A total of 488 microplastic particles were recorded from GIT of fishes collected. The mean abundance of MPs was highest in Station-II (7.64 ± 2.77 numbers individual-1) with lowest in S-I (3.17 ± 0.99 numbers individual-1). The MP size of 100-500 μm, MP shape of fibre (43.33%) and fragments (35.33%), blue colour MPs (26-37%) and polymer type PA (23-30%) were most prevalent in fishes analysed from River Bhogdoi. The mean abundance of MPs was higher in herbivore fishes (8.52 ± 1.22 numbers individual-1) as compared to carnivorous and omnivorous fish species with highest abundance in Labeo rohita (12.11 ± 2.13 numbers individual-1). Fibre and fragments with size range of 100-500 μm were dominant among all the feeding habits. Blue and black colour MPs were abundant among herbivore and carnivore fishes. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy results confirmed that polyamide and polypropylene were the most abundant MP polymer in the fishes analysed. The present study provides baseline information of MPs in River Bhogdoi, Assam, for its future monitoring and assessment of contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Ahmed
- Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries, AAU, Raha, Assam, 782103, India
| | - Bipul Phukan
- Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries, AAU, Raha, Assam, 782103, India.
| | - Avinash Talukdar
- Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries, AAU, Raha, Assam, 782103, India
| | - Imtiaz Ahmed
- Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries, AAU, Raha, Assam, 782103, India
| | - Jiten Sarma
- Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries, AAU, Raha, Assam, 782103, India
| | - Ayub Ali
- Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries, AAU, Raha, Assam, 782103, India
| | - Rinku Gogoi
- Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries, AAU, Raha, Assam, 782103, India
| | - Kankana Borah
- Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries, AAU, Raha, Assam, 782103, India
| | - Martin Xavier
- Department of Quality Assurance and Management, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Technology, Coachin-682029, Kerala, India
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10
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Nkosi MS, Cuthbert RN, Wu N, Shikwambana P, Dalu T. Microplastic abundance, distribution, and diversity in water and sediments along a subtropical river system. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:91440-91452. [PMID: 37479936 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28842-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic pollution in aquatic environments has been a ubiquitous concern in recent years, owing to their rapid production combined with poor waste management practices. However, information on freshwater microplastics in the Global South is still scarce, despite growing research on freshwater microplastics in recent years, particularly within the Global North. To help address this knowledge gap, we studied water and sediment microplastic dynamics along a subtropical river system, i.e. Crocodile River around the Nelspruit City area (South Africa), across three different seasons (i.e. cool-dry, hot-dry, hot-wet) using a combination of diversity indices and multivariate analyses. Microplastics were more abundant during the cool-dry season in the surface water samples (mean 1058 particles m-3) and high during the hot-dry season (mean 568 particles kg-1 dwt) in the sediment samples. The hot-wet season had a low particle density in both surface water (mean 625 particles m-3) and sediments (mean 86 particles kg-1 dwt) samples. Microplastic shapes were dominated by fibres and fragments, with the colour scheme dominated by transparent, blue, and black. The abundance of microplastics was positively correlated with pH and resistivity, and negatively with river flow. Wastewater was attributed as a primary source of microplastics, particularly because of the observed dominant fibre microplastics, usually released during laundry. Our results suggest that Crocodile River and its tributaries are temporary sinks of microplastics during periods of low rainfall. Implications of this pollution are far-reaching, including effects on residents who are dependent on the Crocodile River as a source of drinking water and aquatic biota which may be exposed to these pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Masimini S Nkosi
- Aquatic Systems Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit, 1200, South Africa
| | - Ross N Cuthbert
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, BT9 5DL, Belfast, UK
| | - Naicheng Wu
- Department of Geography and Spatial Information Techniques, Ningbo University, Ningbo, 315211, China
| | - Purvance Shikwambana
- Aquatic Systems Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit, 1200, South Africa
| | - Tatenda Dalu
- Aquatic Systems Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit, 1200, South Africa.
- Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study, Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa.
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11
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Dalu T, Themba NN, Dondofema F, Cuthbert RN. Nowhere to go! Microplastic Abundances in Freshwater Fishes Living Near Wastewater Plants. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023:104210. [PMID: 37399852 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104210] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 05/18/2023] [Accepted: 06/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic presence in aquatic environments is a major problem globally. This study quantified microplastic abundances in fish species across two systems in South Africa around wastewater treatment works. Fish (n=163) were examined for microplastic on gills and in gastrointestinal tracts. Microplastic levels were generally low during the cool-dry season (mean 11.0 - 34.0 particles per fish taxon), and high during the hot-wet season (mean 10.0 - 119.0 particles per fish taxon). The microplastic concentrations per fish were similar between these systems, with downstream of wastewater treatment plants having high microplastic abundances. Although benthopelagic feeders were dominant, pelagic feeders had high microplastic abundances (range 20-119 particles), followed by benthopelagic (range 10-110 particles) and demersal (22 particles) feeders. Multiple regression analysis revealed a significant positive relationship between fish standard length and total microplastic levels, which suggests fish consume more microplastics due to increased food demand as a result of growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tatenda Dalu
- Aquatic Systems Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa; Stellenbosch Institute for Advanced Study (STIAS), Wallenberg Research Centre at Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch 7600, South Africa.
| | - Nombuso N Themba
- Aquatic Systems Research Group, School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit 1200, South Africa
| | - Farai Dondofema
- Department of Geography and Environmental Sciences, University of Venda, Thohoyandou 0950, South Africa
| | - Ross N Cuthbert
- Institute for Global Food Security, School of Biological Sciences, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT9 5DL, United Kingdom
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12
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Zhou Y, Li Y, Yan Z, Wang H, Chen H, Zhao S, Zhong N, Cheng Y, Acharya K. Microplastics discharged from urban drainage system: Prominent contribution of sewer overflow pollution. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 236:119976. [PMID: 37087916 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Urban drainage system is an important channel for terrigenous microplastics (<5 mm in size) to migrate to urban water bodies, especially the input load caused by overflow pollution in wet weather. Investigating how they transport and discharge is essential to better understand the occurrence and variability of microplastics in different water ecosystems. This study evaluated the abundance and distribution characteristics of microplastics in the drainage systems of typical coastal cities in China. The impacts of meteorological conditions and land use were explored. In particular, the prominent contribution of drainage sewer overflow pollution during storm events were investigated. The results showed that the microplastics abundance in daily sewage discharge from different drainage plots ranged between 13.6 and 30.8 items/L, with fibers as the dominant type of microplastics. Sewer overflow discharge can greatly aggravate microplastic abundance to 83.1 ± 40.2 items/L. Road runoff and sewer sediment scouring were the main pollution sources. Systematic estimates based on detailed data showed that the average microplastics emitted per capita per day in household wastewater was 3461.5 items. A quantitative estimation method was proposed to show that the annual emissions load of microplastics via urban drainage system in this research area was 5.83×1010 items/km2, of which the proportion of emissions in wet weather accounted for about 60%. This research provides the first full-process of assessment and source apportionment of the microplastic distribution characteristics in old drainage system. The occurrence of storm events is an important marker of increased microplastic abundance in urban rivers, with a view to urgent need for interception of surface runoff and purification of sewer overflow pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxuan Zhou
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Yiping Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China.
| | - Zhenhua Yan
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Haiying Wang
- Nanning Exploration & Survey Geoinformation Institute, Nanning 530022, China
| | - Huangjun Chen
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Sisuo Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Niqian Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
| | - Yu Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, China
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13
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Nantege D, Odong R, Auta HS, Keke UN, Ndatimana G, Assie AF, Arimoro FO. Microplastic pollution in riverine ecosystems: threats posed on macroinvertebrates. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-27839-9. [PMID: 37248351 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27839-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are pollutants of emerging concern that have been reported in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems as well as in food items. The increasing production and use of plastic materials have led to a rise in MP pollution in aquatic ecosystems. This review aimed at providing an overview of the abundance and distribution of MPs in riverine ecosystems and the potential effects posed on macroinvertebrates. Microplastics in riverine ecosystems are reported in all regions, with less research in Africa, South America, and Oceania. The abundance and distribution of MPs in riverine ecosystems are mainly affected by population density, economic activities, seasons, and hydraulic regimes. Ingestion of MPs has also been reported in riverine macroinvertebrates and has been incorporated in caddisflies cases. Further, bivalves and chironomids have been reported as potential indicators of MPs in aquatic ecosystems due to their ability to ingest MPs relative to environmental concentration. Fiber and fragments are the most common types reported. Meanwhile, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate (polyester), polyamide, and polyvinyl chloride are the most common polymers. These MPs are from materials/polymers commonly used for packaging, shopping/carrier bags, fabrics/textiles, and construction. Ingestion of MPs by macroinvertebrates can physically harm and inhibit growth, reproduction, feeding, and moulting, thus threatening their survival. In addition, MP ingestion can trigger enzymatic changes and cause oxidative stress in the organisms. There is a need to regulate the production and use of plastic materials, as well as disposal of the wastes to reduce MP pollution in riverine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Nantege
- Applied Hydrobiology Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology, PMB 65, Minna, Nigeria.
- Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Robinson Odong
- Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Helen Shnada Auta
- Applied Hydrobiology Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology, PMB 65, Minna, Nigeria
| | - Unique Ndubuisi Keke
- Applied Hydrobiology Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology, PMB 65, Minna, Nigeria
| | - Gilbert Ndatimana
- Applied Hydrobiology Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology, PMB 65, Minna, Nigeria
| | - Attobla Fulbert Assie
- Applied Hydrobiology Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology, PMB 65, Minna, Nigeria
| | - Francis Ofurum Arimoro
- Applied Hydrobiology Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology, PMB 65, Minna, Nigeria
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14
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Liu HM, Grist EPM, Xu XY, Lo HS, Wong ACY, Cheung SG. Microplastics pollution in the rivers of a metropolitan city and its estimated dependency on surrounding developed land. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 880:163268. [PMID: 37031935 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 04/14/2023]
Abstract
The spatial distribution and abundance of suspected microplastics (SMPs) in the surface water of a metropolitan city, as represented by four Hong Kong rivers, was studied during the dry season. Shing Mun River (SM), Lam Tsuen River (LT), and Tuen Mun River (TM) are located in urbanized areas, and SM and TM are tidal rivers. The fourth river, Silver River (SR) is situated in a rural area. TM had a significantly higher SMP abundance (53.80 ± 20.67 n/L) than the other rivers. The SMP abundance increased from upstream to downstream in non-tidal rivers (LT and SR), but not in tidal rivers (TM and SM), probably due to the tidal influence and a more homogeneous urban development along the tidal rivers. Inter-site differences in the SMP abundance were strongly correlated with the built area ratio (defined as the percentage of surrounding developed land area), human activities, and the nature of the river. About half (48.72 %) of the SMPs were <250 μm. Fibers and fragments were most abundant (>98 %), with most of them being transparent (58.54 %), black (14.68 %), or blue (12.12 %). Polyethylene terephthalate (26.96 %) and polyethylene (20.70 %) were the most common polymers. However, the MP abundance could be overestimated due to the presence of natural fibers. By contrast, an underestimation of the MP abundance could result from a smaller volume of water samples collected, due to a low filtration efficiency caused by high organic content and particle concentrations in the water. A more effective solid waste management strategy and upgrading of the sewage treatment facilities for removing microplastics are recommended to ameliorate the microplastic pollution in local rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- H M Liu
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Eric P M Grist
- College of Engineering, Mathematics & Physical Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - X Y Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - H S Lo
- Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - A C Y Wong
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - S G Cheung
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China.
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15
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Li Y, Lu Q, Xing Y, Liu K, Ling W, Yang J, Yang Q, Wu T, Zhang J, Pei Z, Gao Z, Li X, Yang F, Ma H, Liu K, Zhao D. Review of research on migration, distribution, biological effects, and analytical methods of microfibers in the environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 855:158922. [PMID: 36155038 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 09/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics have been proven to be one of the critical environmental pollution issues. Moreover, microfibers, the most prominent form of microplastics in the environment, have likewise attracted the attention of various countries. With the increase in global population and industrialization, the production and use of fibers continue to increase yearly. As a result, a large number of microfibers are formed. If fiber products are not used or handled correctly, it will cause direct/indirect severe microfiber environmental pollution. Microfibers will be further broken into smaller fiber fragments when they enter the natural environment. Presently, researchers have conducted extensive research in the identification of microfibers, laying the foundation for further resourcefulness research. This work used bibliometric analysis to review the microfiber contamination researches systematically. First, the primary sources of microfibers and the influencing factors are analyzed. We aim to summarize the influence of the clothing fiber preparation and care processes on microfiber formation. Then, this work elaborated on the migration in/between water, atmosphere, and terrestrial environments. We also discussed the effects of microfiber on ecosystems. Finally, microfibers' current and foreseeable effective treatment, disposal, and resource utilization methods were explained. This paper will provide a structured reference for future microfiber research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifei Li
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China; School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China
| | - Qingbin Lu
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Yi Xing
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Kai Liu
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Wei Ling
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Jian Yang
- College of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen 518060, Guangdong, China.
| | - Qizhen Yang
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Tianqi Wu
- Human Resources Department, Yangquan Power Supply Company of State Grid Shanxi Electric Power Company, Yangquan 045000, Shanxi, China
| | - Jiafu Zhang
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Zengxin Pei
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Ziyuan Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Iron and Steel Industry Environmental Protection, No. 33, Xitucheng Road, Haidian District, Beijing 100088, China
| | - Xiaoyan Li
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Fan Yang
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Hongjie Ma
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Kehan Liu
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China
| | - Ding Zhao
- Sinochem Environment Holdings Co., Ltd, Beijing 100071, China
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16
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Dong X, Liu X, Hou Q, Wang Z. From natural environment to animal tissues: A review of microplastics(nanoplastics) translocation and hazards studies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 855:158686. [PMID: 36099943 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158686] [Citation(s) in RCA: 59] [Impact Index Per Article: 59.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastic (NPs) pollution is a global concern due to the massive use of plastic products. Although there have been many studies on the treatments of animals with MPs/NPs, there are few systematic summaries of MPs/NPs translocation and hazards in animals. This review comprehensively summarizes the pathways by which animals are exposed to MPs/NPs in the environment, in particular, to summarize in detail their translocation and hazards in vivo. Studies have shown that MPs/NPs enter the animals' body through water, food, breath and even skin, enter the blood circulation through the lungs and digestive tract, and eventually accumulate in various tissues. After a summary of the studies, we found a high correlation between the tissue accumulation of MPs/NPs and their particle size, with 4-20 μm MPs appearing to be more prone to accumulate in tissues. These MPs/NPs accumulated in animal tissues may be transferred to humans through the food chain. Thus, we summarized the studies on the accumulation of MPs/NPs in livestock and poultry products, showing that MPs/NPs in livestock and poultry products gradually increased with the complexity of processing and packaging processes. There are few reports related to direct contamination of livestock products by MPs/NPs, we hope that this review will bring together the growing body of evidence that MPs/NPs can directly harm human health through the food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xusheng Dong
- Ruminant Nutrition and Physiology Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, PR China
| | - Xinbei Liu
- National Engineering Research Center for Efficient Utilization of Soil and Fertilizer Resources, College of Resources and Environment, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, PR China
| | - Qiuling Hou
- Ruminant Nutrition and Physiology Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, PR China
| | - Zhonghua Wang
- Ruminant Nutrition and Physiology Laboratory, College of Animal Science and Technology, Shandong Agricultural University, Tai'an, PR China.
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17
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An L, Cui T, Zhang Y, Liu H. A case study on small-size microplastics in water and snails in an urban river. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 847:157461. [PMID: 35868384 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157461] [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: 06/11/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic pollution has become pervasive in aquatic ecosystems. They readily interact with aquatic biota, potentially subjecting them to ecological and health risks. Urban rivers are also affected by microplastics due to intense anthropogenic activity. Nevertheless, relatively little is known about the physiocochemistry or ecotoxicology of microplastics in urban rivers. The present study used laser direct infrared chemical imaging to investigate microplastic pollution in a highly urbanized river in Beijing, China. Surface water was sampled at five sites along the river in March and July, and the benthic snail Bellamya aeruginosa was also collected at each location in July. Thirteen and fifteen different polymers were detected and identified in the surface water sampled in March and July, respectively. Thirteen different polymers were found and isolated in the snails. Of these, polypropylene, polyamide and polyethylene predominated in the microplastic particles. Moreover, the average abundance of the microplastic was significantly higher in the surface water sampled in July (39.55 ± 4.78 particles L-1) than in March (22.00 ± 4.87 particles L-1) (p < 0.05). The average microplastic abundance of snails across all sites was 28.13 ± 4.18 particles, among which the Q2 site has significantly higher microplastic abundance than station Q3-Q5 (p < 0.05). Microplastic particles 10-100 μm in size predominated in both the surface water and the snails. By contrast, the proportions of microplastic particles 200-500 μm in size were substantially smaller. The measured microplastic pollution load and microplastic pollution risk indices in the surface water indicated that the current microplastic pollution level in the Qing River was moderate from upstream to downstream. Moreover, the potential adverse effects of microplastic particles on snails remain unclear. Further research is required to elucidate small-size microplastics' environmental fate and potential ecological risks in urban rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lihui An
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Tiefeng Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- The key Laboratory of Water and Air Pollution Control of Guangdong Province, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, MEE, Guangzhou 510000, China.
| | - Hongzhi Liu
- Chinese Society For Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100082, China.
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18
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Zailan NA, Azizan MM, Hasikin K, Mohd Khairuddin AS, Khairuddin U. An automated solid waste detection using the optimized YOLO model for riverine management. Front Public Health 2022; 10:907280. [PMID: 36033781 PMCID: PMC9412171 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2022.907280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Due to urbanization, solid waste pollution is an increasing concern for rivers, possibly threatening human health, ecological integrity, and ecosystem services. Riverine management in urban landscapes requires best management practices since the river is a vital component in urban ecological civilization, and it is very imperative to synchronize the connection between urban development and river protection. Thus, the implementation of proper and innovative measures is vital to control garbage pollution in the rivers. A robot that cleans the waste autonomously can be a good solution to manage river pollution efficiently. Identifying and obtaining precise positions of garbage are the most crucial parts of the visual system for a cleaning robot. Computer vision has paved a way for computers to understand and interpret the surrounding objects. The development of an accurate computer vision system is a vital step toward a robotic platform since this is the front-end observation system before consequent manipulation and grasping systems. The scope of this work is to acquire visual information about floating garbage on the river, which is vital in building a robotic platform for river cleaning robots. In this paper, an automated detection system based on the improved You Only Look Once (YOLO) model is developed to detect floating garbage under various conditions, such as fluctuating illumination, complex background, and occlusion. The proposed object detection model has been shown to promote rapid convergence which improves the training time duration. In addition, the proposed object detection model has been shown to improve detection accuracy by strengthening the non-linear feature extraction process. The results showed that the proposed model achieved a mean average precision (mAP) value of 89%. Hence, the proposed model is considered feasible for identifying five classes of garbage, such as plastic bottles, aluminum cans, plastic bags, styrofoam, and plastic containers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nur Athirah Zailan
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Mokhzaini Azizan
- Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Built Environment, Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia (USIM), Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia,*Correspondence: Muhammad Mokhzaini Azizan
| | - Khairunnisa Hasikin
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,Centre of Intelligent Systems for Emerging Technology (CISET), Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,Khairunnisa Hasikin
| | - Anis Salwa Mohd Khairuddin
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,Centre of Intelligent Systems for Emerging Technology (CISET), Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia,Anis Salwa Mohd Khairuddin
| | - Uswah Khairuddin
- Malaysia Japan International Institute of Technology, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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19
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Ditlhakanyane BC, Ultra VU, Mokgosi MS. Microplastic load in the surface water and Tilapia sparrmanii (Smith, 1840) of the river systems of Okavango Delta, Botswana. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:572. [PMID: 35799016 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10263-w] [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: 12/05/2021] [Accepted: 06/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are 'emerging' contaminants that threatens freshwaters and may have negative impact on the aquatic organisms. However, Botswana has no information on the status of microplastics, including freshwater like the Okavango Delta- the largest, inland wetland hosting wildlife, tourism, and supporting the socio-economic lifestyle of inhabitants. This study assessed the spatial distribution and characterization of microplastics in surface water and in the digestive organs of fish (Tilapia sparrmanii) from the Okavango delta. Surface water samples (156) and whole intact fish (15) were collected and analysed for microplastic contents by wet peroxide oxidation, potassium hydroxide (fish only), density separation, extraction, and stereomicroscope identification. The weight of microplastics for surface water samples varied from 138.18 to 381.67 µg m-3 and abundance ranged from 10.18 to 22.67 items L-1 with significant difference observed between sites in both variables. In tilapia, the highest microplastic abundance were found in the intestines then the stomach and the gills from the fish samples. Most prevailing size ranges of microplastics in fish and water samples were 1-2 mm and 2-3 mm while the most abundant shapes were fragments and fibres, respectively. Translucent microplastics were dominant in all samples. The results indicate the presence of microplastics in the Okavango delta even though they are very low (µg m-3). This baseline information will provide insights on the loads of microplastics in surface water and the quantities ingested by fish in the Okavango delta hence the need for monitoring. It would also guide on the need for effective policies addressing plastic and microplastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Venecio U Ultra
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye, Botswana.
| | - Mercy Serwalo Mokgosi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Palapye, Botswana
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20
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Fiore L, Serranti S, Mazziotti C, Riccardi E, Benzi M, Bonifazi G. Classification and distribution of freshwater microplastics along the Italian Po river by hyperspectral imaging. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:48588-48606. [PMID: 35195863 PMCID: PMC9252960 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-18501-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In this work, freshwater microplastic samples collected from four different stations along the Italian Po river were characterized in terms of abundance, distribution, category, morphological and morphometrical features, and polymer type. The correlation between microplastic category and polymer type was also evaluated. Polymer identification was carried out developing and implementing a new and effective hierarchical classification logic applied to hyperspectral images acquired in the short-wave infrared range (SWIR: 1000-2500 nm). Results showed that concentration of microplastics ranged from 1.89 to 8.22 particles/m3, the most abundant category was fragment, followed by foam, granule, pellet, and filament and the most diffused polymers were expanded polystyrene followed by polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate and polyvinyl chloride, with some differences in polymer distribution among stations. The application of hyperspectral imaging (HSI) as a rapid and non-destructive method to classify freshwater microplastics for environmental monitoring represents a completely innovative approach in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ludovica Fiore
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials & Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184, Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Serranti
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials & Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184, Rome, Italy.
| | - Cristina Mazziotti
- ARPAE, Regional Agency for Environmental Prevention and Energy of Emilia-Romagna, Oceanographic Unit Daphne - V. le Vespucci 2, 47042, Cesenatico, FC, Italy
| | - Elena Riccardi
- ARPAE, Regional Agency for Environmental Prevention and Energy of Emilia-Romagna, Oceanographic Unit Daphne - V. le Vespucci 2, 47042, Cesenatico, FC, Italy
| | - Margherita Benzi
- ARPAE, Regional Agency for Environmental Prevention and Energy of Emilia-Romagna, Oceanographic Unit Daphne - V. le Vespucci 2, 47042, Cesenatico, FC, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Bonifazi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Materials & Environment, Sapienza University of Rome, Via Eudossiana 18, 00184, Rome, Italy
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