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Wang X, Li Y, Kroll A, Mitrano DM. Differentiating Microplastics from Natural Particles in Aqueous Suspensions Using Flow Cytometry with Machine Learning. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:10240-10251. [PMID: 38803057 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c00304] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) in natural waters are heterogeneously mixed with other natural particles including algal cells and suspended sediments. An easy-to-use and rapid method for directly measuring and distinguishing MPs from other naturally present colloids in the environment would expedite analytical workflows. Here, we established a database of MP scattering and fluorescence properties, either alone or in mixtures with natural particles, by stain-free flow cytometry. The resulting high-dimensional data were analyzed using machine learning approaches, either unsupervised (e.g., viSNE) or supervised (e.g., random forest algorithms). We assessed our approach in identifying and quantifying model MPs of diverse sizes, morphologies, and polymer compositions in various suspensions including phototrophic microorganisms, suspended biofilms, mineral particles, and sediment. We could precisely quantify MPs in microbial phototrophs and natural sediments with high organic carbon by both machine learning models (identification accuracies over 93%), although it was not possible to distinguish between different MP sizes or polymer compositions. By testing the resulting method in environmental samples through spiking MPs into freshwater samples, we further highlight the applicability of the method to be used as a rapid screening tool for MPs. Collectively, this workflow can be easily applied to a diverse set of samples to assess the presence of MPs in a time-efficient manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinjie Wang
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 People's Republic of China
- Eawag-Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Yang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875 People's Republic of China
| | - Alexandra Kroll
- Swiss Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology, 8600 Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Denise M Mitrano
- Department of Environmental Systems Science, ETH Zurich, 8092 Zurich, Switzerland
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Ranauda MA, Zuzolo D, Maisto M, Tartaglia M, Scarano P, Prigioniero A, Sciarrillo R, Guarino C. Microplastics affect soil-plant system: Implications for rhizosphere biology and fitness of sage (Salvia officinalis L.). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 346:123656. [PMID: 38408506 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123656] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/23/2024] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/28/2024]
Abstract
A mesocosm experiment was set-up to investigate the effects of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) fragments deriving from plastic film on soil ecology, rhizosphere and plant (Salvia officinalis L.) fitness. The internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and 16S metagenomic analysis was adopted to evaluate taxonomic and functional shifts of both soil and rhizosphere under the influence of microplastics (MPs). Photosynthetic parameters and enzymes involved in oxidative stress were assessed to unveil the plant physiological state. MP fragments were analysed by scanning electron microscope (SEM) and metagenomics to investigate the plastisphere. Microbial biomarkers of MPs pollution were identified in soil and rhizosphere, reinforcing the concept of molecular biomonitoring. Overall, Bacillus, Nocardioides and Streptomyces genera are bacterial biomarkers of MPs pollution in soil whereas Aspergillus, Fusarium and Trichoderma genera, and Nectriaceae family are fungal biomarkers of MPs polluted soil. The data show that the presence of MPs promotes the abundance of taxa involved in the soil N cycle, but simultaneously reduces the endophytic interaction capability and enhances pathogen related functions at the rhizosphere level. A significant decrease in chlorophyll levels and increase of oxidative stress enzymes was observed in plants grown in MPs-polluted soil. The SEM observations of MPs fragments revealed a complex colonisation, where bacteria (Bacillus in MPSo and Microvirga in MPRz) and fungi (Aspergillus in MPSo and Trichoderma in MPRz) represent the main colonisers. The results demonstrate that the presence of MPs causes changes in the soil and rhizosphere microbial community and functions leading to negative effects on plant fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- 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 Maisto
- 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
| | - Pierpaolo Scarano
- 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
| | - 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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Yuan P, Wang Y, Chen X, Gao P. An overview of microplastic pollution in the environment over the megacity of Shanghai during 2013-2022. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168986. [PMID: 38040359 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168986] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 11/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants that have been globally found in the environment, and have become a focus of intensive management for the Shanghai government in China. Although there are several studies reporting the abundance of microplastics (MPs) in different matrices in Shanghai city, the general data are still limited. This work comprehensively reviews microplastic (MP) pollution in the water, sediment, atmosphere, and soil of Shanghai during 2013-2022. A summary of characteristics such as the abundance, shape, and polymer composition of MPs is presented. Additionally, the pollution trends, traceability, and ecological risks of MPs are analyzed and evaluated. Based on the analytical results, we find that the inland water in Shanghai city is the most contaminated with the highest abundance of MPs at 14.76 × 103 particles/m3 on average, while the abundances of MPs in the external water, inland sediment, external sediment, indoor atmosphere, outdoor atmosphere, inland soil, and external soil are 2.78 × 103 particles/m3, 0.80 × 103 particles/kg, 1.37 × 103 particles/kg, 0.03 × 103 particles/m3, 0.08 × 103 particles/m3, 0.27 × 103 particles/kg, and 0.18 × 103 particles/kg, respectively. Polyethylene and polypropylene are the top two detected polymer compositions of MPs. Results of ecological risk assessment using risk index and pollution load index models indicate that the risks of MPs in the water and sediment of the Yangtze Estuary are high. It is noteworthy that the abundances of MPs at the junction site of Suzhou Creek and the Huangpu River as well as in the Yangtze Estuary exhibited an increasing trend between 2017 and 2019. This work contributes to a comprehensive overview of MPs in the environment of Shanghai city during 2013-2022 and provides important data for local governments to develop urgent strategies for the management of MP pollution. However, more investigations are increasingly needed for better understand the production, migration, ecological risk, and management of MPs in the environment of Shanghai city.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peikun Yuan
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Yang Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China
| | - Xiaoqian Chen
- Bioassay and Safety Assessment Laboratory, Shanghai Academy of Public Measurement, 201203 Shanghai, China
| | - Pin Gao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Donghua University, Shanghai 201620, China; National & Local Joint Engineering Laboratory for Municipal Sewage Resource Utilization Technology, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China; National-Regional Joint Engineering Research Center for Soil Pollution Control and Remediation in South China, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Integrated Agroenvironmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China.
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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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Khanashyam AC, Anjaly Shanker M, Nirmal NP. Nano/micro-plastics: Sources, trophic transfer, toxicity to the animals and humans, regulation, and assessment. ADVANCES IN FOOD AND NUTRITION RESEARCH 2023; 103:141-174. [PMID: 36863834 DOI: 10.1016/bs.afnr.2022.07.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/15/2022]
Abstract
Being in an era of revolutionized production, consumption, and poor management of plastic waste, the existence of these polymers has resulted in an accumulation of plastic litter in nature. With macro plastics themselves being a major issue, the presence of their derivatives like microplastics which are confined to the size limitations of less than 5mm has ascended as a recent type of emergent contaminant. Even though there is size confinement, their occurrence is not narrowed and is extensively seen in both aquatic and terrestrial extents. The vast incidence of these polymers causing harmful effects on various living organisms through diverse mechanisms such as entanglement and ingestion have been reported. The risk of entanglement is mainly limited to smaller animals, whereas the risk associated with ingestion concerns even humans. Laboratory findings indicate the alignment of these polymers toward detrimental physical and toxicological effects on all creatures including humans. Supplementary to the risk involved with their presence, plastics also proceed as carters of certain toxic contaminants complemented during their industrial production process, which is injurious. Nevertheless, the assessment regarding the severity of these components to all creatures is comparatively restricted. This chapter focuses on the sources, complications, and toxicity associated with the presence of micro and nano plastics in the environment along with evidence of trophic transfer, and quantification methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anandu Chandra Khanashyam
- Department of Food Science and Technology, Kasetsart University, Ladyao, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - M Anjaly Shanker
- Department of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, National Institute of Food Technology Entrepreneurship and Management (NIFTEM), Sonepat, Haryana, India
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Li W, Wang S, Wufuer R, Duo J, Pan X. Distinct soil microplastic distributions under various farmland-use types around Urumqi, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159573. [PMID: 36272480 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159573] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Very little is known about the occurrence of microplastics in the soils of various land uses, especially their distributional characteristics in the soils of arid areas. In this study, 24 sampling sites across three soil layers were investigated for three different farmland-use types (greenhouses, crop fields and vegetable fields) in the main agricultural and pastoral areas around Urumqi, China. The results demonstrated that the dominant sizes of soil microplastics were 0.2-0.5 and 0.5-1.0 mm, the main shape was film (85.93 %), the main color was white, and the main polymer was polyethylene (93.1 %), indicating that most microplastics derive from the damage to residual mulches. The microplastics abundance was highest in the greenhouse plots (7763 ± 2773 items/kg), followed by the vegetable plots (4128 ± 2235 items/kg) and then the crop fields (3178 ± 3172 items/kg). No significant differences were observed among the abundances of microplastics in the 0-10 cm (1822 ± 1345 items/kg), 10-20 cm (1566 ± 1139 items/kg) and 20-30 cm (1309 ± 1028 items/kg) layers, suggesting that microplastics can migrate to the deeper soil layer and are strongly influenced by tillage disturbance. The abundance of microplastics in the north of Urumqi was found to be higher than in the south, which is closely related to the division of agricultural functional zones and the intensity of agricultural management practices. It was found that different cropping characteristics and modes of agricultural use affect the abundance and migration of microplastics in various farmland-use types, and thus their distribution. This study provides important data for follow-up research on microplastics in arid terrestrial ecosystems, and corresponding policy-making on the management of these materials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenfeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China; Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Bioremediation, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Science, Urumqi 830011, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Shuzhi Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China; Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Bioremediation, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Science, Urumqi 830011, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Rehemanjiang Wufuer
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China; Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Bioremediation, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Science, Urumqi 830011, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jia Duo
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China; Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Bioremediation, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Science, Urumqi 830011, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiangliang Pan
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Bioremediation, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Science, Urumqi 830011, China; Key Laboratory of Microbial Technology for Industrial Pollution Control of Zhejiang Province, College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310014, China.
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Cao J, Yang Q, Jiang J, Dalu T, Kadushkin A, Singh J, Fakhrullin R, Wang F, Cai X, Li R. Coronas of micro/nano plastics: a key determinant in their risk assessments. Part Fibre Toxicol 2022; 19:55. [PMID: 35933442 PMCID: PMC9356472 DOI: 10.1186/s12989-022-00492-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
As an emerging pollutant in the life cycle of plastic products, micro/nanoplastics (M/NPs) are increasingly being released into the natural environment. Substantial concerns have been raised regarding the environmental and health impacts of M/NPs. Although diverse M/NPs have been detected in natural environment, most of them display two similar features, i.e.,high surface area and strong binding affinity, which enable extensive interactions between M/NPs and surrounding substances. This results in the formation of coronas, including eco-coronas and bio-coronas, on the plastic surface in different media. In real exposure scenarios, corona formation on M/NPs is inevitable and often displays variable and complex structures. The surface coronas have been found to impact the transportation, uptake, distribution, biotransformation and toxicity of particulates. Different from conventional toxins, packages on M/NPs rather than bare particles are more dangerous. We, therefore, recommend seriously consideration of the role of surface coronas in safety assessments. This review summarizes recent progress on the eco-coronas and bio-coronas of M/NPs, and further discusses the analytical methods to interpret corona structures, highlights the impacts of the corona on toxicity and provides future perspectives.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayu Cao
- School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Qing Yang
- School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Jie Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiological Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China
| | - Tatenda Dalu
- School of Biology and Environmental Sciences, University of Mpumalanga, Nelspruit, 1200, South Africa
| | - Aliaksei Kadushkin
- Department of Biological Chemistry, Belarusian State Medical University, 220116, Minsk, Belarus
| | - Joginder Singh
- Department of Microbiology, Lovely Professional University, Phagwara, Punjab, 144411, India
| | - Rawil Fakhrullin
- Kazan Federal University, Institute of Fundamental Medicine & Biology, Kreml Uramı 18, Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russian Federation, 420008
| | - Fangjun Wang
- Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS), Dalian, 116023, Liaoning, China
| | - Xiaoming Cai
- School of Public Health, Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Ruibin Li
- State Key Laboratory of Radiation Medicine and Protection, Collaborative Innovation Center of Radiological Medicine of Jiangsu Higher Education Institutions, School for Radiological and Interdisciplinary Sciences (RAD-X), Soochow University, Suzhou, 215123, Jiangsu, China.
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