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Han X, Pan B, Li D, Liu X, Liu X, Hou Y, Li G. Heterogenization of microplastic communities in lakes of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau driven by tourism and transport activities. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 477:135255. [PMID: 39042989 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135255] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/25/2024]
Abstract
The Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau has a booming tourism industry and an increasingly sophisticated road system. There is a paucity of studies quantifying the contributions of anthropogenic and natural factors to microplastic pollution in remote plateau areas. In this study, water and sediment samples were collected from eight lake tourist attractions and four remote lakes in northern and southern regions of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. Microplastics were detected in all samples, with a mean abundance of 0.78 items/L in water and 44.98 items/kg in sediment. The abundance of microplastics in the study area was lower than previously observed in more populated areas of China. Small-sized (<1 mm and 1-2 mm), fiber, and transparent microplastics were predominant, with polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics as the primary polymer types. The compositions of microplastic communities indicated that tourism and road networks were the major sources of microplastics in the lakes. Distance-decay models revealed greater influence of environmental distances on microplastic community similarity than geographic distance. Compared to climate factors, urban spatial impact intensity and traffic flow impact played a leading role in the structuring of microplastic communities in lake water and sediment. Our findings provide novel quantitative insights into the role of various factors in shaping the distribution patterns of microplastic communities in plateau lakes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xu Han
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710048, China
| | - Baozhu Pan
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710048, China.
| | - Dianbao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710048, China
| | - Xing Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710048, China
| | - Xinyuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710048, China
| | - Yiming Hou
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710048, China
| | - Gang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region of China, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710048, China
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2
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Zhao B, Richardson RE, You F. Microplastics monitoring in freshwater systems: A review of global efforts, knowledge gaps, and research priorities. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 477:135329. [PMID: 39088945 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Abstract
The escalating production of synthetic plastics and inadequate waste management have led to pervasive microplastic (MP) contamination in aquatic ecosystems. MPs, typically defined as particles smaller than 5 mm, have become an emerging pollutant in freshwater environments. While significant concern about MPs has risen since 2014, research has predominantly concentrated on marine settings, there is an urgent need for a more in-depth critical review to systematically summarize the current global efforts, knowledge gaps, and research priorities for MP monitoring in freshwater systems. This review evaluates the current understanding of MP monitoring in freshwater environments by examining the distribution, characteristics, and sources of MPs, alongside the progression of analytical methods with quantitative evidence. Our findings suggest that MPs are widely distributed in global freshwater systems, with higher abundances found in areas with intense human economic activities, such as the United States, Europe, and China. MP abundance distributions vary across different water bodies (e.g., rivers, lakes, estuaries, and wetlands), with sampling methods and size range selections significantly influencing reported MP abundances. Despite great global efforts, there is still a lack of harmonized analyzing framework and understanding of MP pollution in specific regions and facilities. Future research should prioritize the development of standardized analysis protocols and open-source MP datasets to facilitate data comparison. Additionally, exploring the potential of state-of-the-art artificial intelligence for rapid, accurate, and large-scale modeling and characterization of MPs is crucial to inform effective strategies for managing MP pollution in freshwater ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bu Zhao
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Ruth E Richardson
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Fengqi You
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Systems Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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3
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Soininen T, Uurasjärvi E, Hämäläinen L, Huusari N, Feodoroff J, Moshnikoff J, Niiranen E, Feodoroff P, Mustonen T, Koistinen A. Microplastics in Arctic waters of the Finnish Sámi area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 940:173666. [PMID: 38823697 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173666] [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: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
We explored the presence of microplastics in the Finnish Arctic Sámi home area. A dialogue between Indigenous knowledge and scientific field work produced data about microplastics in remote wilderness aquatic ecosystems. Methods included geographical Indigenous knowledge analysis, water sampling with fraction filtration, and imaging Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The MPs found were small; the mean particle size was 126 ± 121 μm. Particle concentrations of MPs in freshwater and marine samples varied between 45 and 423 MPs m-3 and the most common polymer types were polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. In conclusion, because microplastics are present even in the wilderness areas, their abundance should be monitored to assess plastic pollution in the relatively pristine Arctic environments. Sámi Indigenous knowledge proved to be a beneficial and important initiator, because locals recognize the possible sources and transport pathways of plastic litter, and practical sampling sites in the complex freshwater systems of the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuomo Soininen
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Finland.
| | - Emilia Uurasjärvi
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Arto Koistinen
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
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4
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Collins SF, Norton A. Prevailing wind patterns influence the distribution of plastics in small urban lakes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17741. [PMID: 39085467 PMCID: PMC11291907 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68516-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Cities generate large amounts of plastic waste and thus are often major sources of plastic pollution. Microplastics (particles < 5 mm) are a growing ecological concern as they are readily transported through the environment by wind, flowing water, and other transport processes. Here, we report the findings of an intensive field study that tested associations between prevailing winds and the distribution of plastic pollution around urban lakes (n = 20 lakes) in offshore sediments, shoreline sediments, and surface waters. We tested and found support for the hypothesis that prevailing winds influence the distribution of plastics around lakes. Overall, lakes had greater proportions of macroplastics (i.e., large plastic trash) and microplastics in sediments collected along northern lake shorelines. Notably, we found that macroplastic trash and total microplastics were, respectively, 1.7 and 3 times more abundant in sediments sampled along northern shorelines. Contrary to our expectation, we also found that microplastics in offshore sediments were in greater proportions along western lake shorelines, indicating that wind-driven processes might not explain the distribution of plastics in all lake zones. Furthermore, we observed no discernable patterns within lake surface waters and only captured a handful of suspended microplastic fragments and films from the water column. Overall, our findings revealed that the heterogeneous accumulation of plastic pollution at a lake is influenced, in part, by wind-driven processes. Moreover, these patterns extend across a network of lakes that were distributed across an urbanized landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott F Collins
- Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA.
| | - Andrea Norton
- Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
- Woodwell Climate Research Center, Falmouth, MA, 02540, USA
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5
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Megha KB, Anvitha D, Parvathi S, Neeraj A, Sonia J, Mohanan PV. Environmental impact of microplastics and potential health hazards. Crit Rev Biotechnol 2024:1-31. [PMID: 38915217 DOI: 10.1080/07388551.2024.2344572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/23/2024] [Indexed: 06/26/2024]
Abstract
Microscopic plastic (microplastic) pollutants threaten the earth's biodiversity and ecosystems. As a result of the progressive fragmentation of oversized plastic containers and products or manufacturing in small sizes, microplastics (particles of a diameter of 5 mm with no lower limit) are used in medicines, personal care products, and industry. The incidence of microplastics is found everywhere in the air, marine waters, land, and even food that humans and animals consume. One of the greatest concerns is the permanent damage that is created by plastic waste to our fragile ecosystem. The impossibility of the complete removal of all microplastic contamination from the oceans is one of the principal tasks of our governing body, research scientists, and individuals. Implementing the necessary measures to reduce the levels of plastic consumption is the only way to protect our environment. Cutting off the plastic flow is the key remedy to reducing waste and pollution, and such an approach could show immense significance. This review offers a comprehensive exploration of the various aspects of microplastics, encompassing their composition, types, properties, origins, health risks, and environmental impacts. Furthermore, it delves into strategies for comprehending the dynamics of microplastics within oceanic ecosystems, with a focus on averting their integration into every tier of the food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- K B Megha
- Toxicology Division, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (Govt. of India), Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - D Anvitha
- Toxicology Division, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (Govt. of India), Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - S Parvathi
- Toxicology Division, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (Govt. of India), Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - A Neeraj
- Toxicology Division, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (Govt. of India), Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - J Sonia
- Toxicology Division, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (Govt. of India), Thiruvananthapuram, India
| | - P V Mohanan
- Toxicology Division, Biomedical Technology Wing, Sree Chitra Tirunal Institute for Medical Sciences and Technology (Govt. of India), Thiruvananthapuram, India
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Wilkens JL, Calomeni-Eck AJ, Boyda J, Kennedy A, McQueen AD. Microplastic in Dredged Sediments: From Databases to Strategic Responses. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2024; 112:72. [PMID: 38689078 PMCID: PMC11061003 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-024-03878-x] [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: 12/04/2023] [Accepted: 02/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) accumulate in sediments, yet guidelines for evaluating MP risks in dredged sediments are lacking. The objective of this study was to review existing literature on MPs in sediments to improve fundamental knowledge of MP exposures and develop a publicly available database of MPs in sediments. Twelve percent of the reviewed papers (nine studies) included sediment core samples with MP concentrations generally decreasing with depth, peaking in the top 15 cm. The remaining papers evaluated surficial grab samples (0 to 15 cm depth) from various water bodies with MPs detected in almost every sample. Median MP concentrations (items/kg dry sediment) increased in this order: lakes and reservoirs (184), estuarine (263), Great Lakes nearshore areas and tributaries (290), riverine (410), nearshore marine areas (487), dredge activities (817), and harbors (948). Dredging of recurrent shoaling sediments could be expected to contain MPs at various depths with concentrations influenced by the time elapsed since the last dredging event. These results offer key insights into the presence and variability of MPs in dredged sediments, informing environmental monitoring and risk assessment strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- J L Wilkens
- Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corps of Engineers, 3909 Halls Ferry Rd, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, USA.
| | - A J Calomeni-Eck
- Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corps of Engineers, 3909 Halls Ferry Rd, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, USA
| | - J Boyda
- Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corps of Engineers, 3909 Halls Ferry Rd, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, USA
| | - A Kennedy
- Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corps of Engineers, 3909 Halls Ferry Rd, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, USA
| | - A D McQueen
- Engineer Research and Development Center, US Army Corps of Engineers, 3909 Halls Ferry Rd, Vicksburg, MS, 39180, USA
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7
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Mubin AN, Islam ARMT, Hasan M, Islam MS, Ali MM, Siddique MAB, Alam MS, Rakib MRJ, Islam MS, Momtaz N, Senapathi V, Idris AM, Malafaia G. The path of microplastics through the rare biodiversity estuary region of the northern Bay of Bengal. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2024; 260:104271. [PMID: 38056088 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2023.104271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/25/2023] [Indexed: 12/08/2023]
Abstract
Due to its harmful effects on ecosystems and human health, microplastic (MP) pollution has become a significant environmental problem on a global scale. Although MPs' pollution path and toxic effects on marine habitats have been examined worldwide, the studies are limited to the rare biodiversity estuary region of Hatiya Island from the northern Bay of Bengal. This study aimed to investigate the MP pollution path and its influencing factors in estuarine sediments and water in rare biodiversity Hatiya Island in the northern Bay of Bengal. Sixty water and sediment samples were collected from 10 sampling sites on the Island and analyzed for MPs. The abundance of MPs in sediment ranged from 67 to 143 pieces/kg, while the abundance in water ranged from 24.34 to 59 pieces/m3. The average concentrations of MPs in sediment and water were 110.90 ± 20.62 pieces/kg and 38.77 ± 10.09 pieces/m3, respectively. Most identified MPs from sediment samples were transparent (51%), while about 54.1% of the identified MPs from water samples were colored. The fragment was the most common form of MP in both compartments, with a value of 64.6% in sediment samples and 60.6% in water samples. In sediment and water samples, almost 74% and 80% of MP were <0.5 mm, respectively. Polypropylene (PP) was the most abundant polymer type, accounting for 51% of all identified polymers. The contamination factor, pollution load index, polymer risk score, and pollution risk score values indicated that the study area was moderately polluted with MPs. The spatial distribution patterns and hotspots of MPs echoed profound human pathways. Based on the results, sustainable management strategies and intervention measures were proposed to reduce the pollution level in the ecologically diverse area. This study provides important insights into evaluating estuary ecosystem susceptibility and mitigation policies against persistent MP issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Al-Nure Mubin
- Department of Disaster Management, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur 5400, Bangladesh
| | - Abu Reza Md Towfiqul Islam
- Department of Disaster Management, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur 5400, Bangladesh; Department of Development Studies, Daffodil International University, Dhaka 1216, Bangladesh.
| | - Mehedi Hasan
- Department of Disaster Management, Begum Rokeya University, Rangpur 5400, Bangladesh
| | - Md Saiful Islam
- Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Dumki, Patuakhali 8602, Bangladesh
| | - Mir Mohammad Ali
- Department of Aquaculture, Sher - e - Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka 1207, Bangladesh
| | - Md Abu Bakar Siddique
- Institute of National Analytical Research and Service (INARS), Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhanmondi, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh
| | - Md Sha Alam
- Institute of Mining, Mineralogy & Metallurgy (IMMM), Bangladesh Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (BCSIR), Joypurhat 5900, Bangladesh
| | - Md Refat Jahan Rakib
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Muhammad Saiful Islam
- Fiber and Polymer Research Division, BCSIR Laboratories Dhaka, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhanmondi, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh
| | - Nasima Momtaz
- Biological Research Division, BCSIR Laboratories Dhaka, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhanmondi, Dhaka 1205, Bangladesh
| | | | - Abubakr M Idris
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha 62529, Saudi Arabia; Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia
| | - Guilherme Malafaia
- Post-Graduation Program in Conservation of Cerrado Natural Resources, Goiano Federal Institute, Goiânia, GO, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Ecology, Conservation, and Biodiversity, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Biotechnology and Biodiversity, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
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8
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Wang K, Liu Y, Shi X, Zhao S, Sun B, Lu J, Li W. Characterization and traceability analysis of dry deposition of atmospheric microplastics (MPs) in Wuliangsuhai Lake. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:168201. [PMID: 37918738 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 10/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) represent a contaminant of emerging concern that may negatively impact lacustrine ecosystems. It is important, then, to manage and reduce the influx of MPs to lakes, a process that requires the identification of MP sources. In this study, atmospheric MP samples were collected and analyzed from 6 sampling sites in the Wuliangsuhai Lake area from March to June 2021, and used to determine atmospheric depositional fluxes of MPs to the lake surface. The sources of MPs were also explored on the basis of MP characteristics and by determining atmospheric flow patterns to the sampling sites using a backward trajectory model (HYSPLIT). The average atmospheric depositional flux of MPs to the Wuliangsuhai Lake area (3371 ± 1423 n/d·m2) is several times higher than rates measured in other areas. MPs were predominately composed of small (0.05-0.5 mm), transparent fibers; a small percentage of particles consisted of fragments, thin films, or lumpy MPs. Compositionally, most MPs were composed of polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polystyrene (PS). The former polymer types are indicative of fibers from textiles, including those from textile plants in adjacent cites. The latter (PS) type is presumably derived from degraded food containers and other items associated with tourism. PE was also identified in association with thin films, which were likely derived from bags and/or agricultural plastics. MP characteristics, combined with spatial variations in depositional rates and the results of the backward trajectory model, suggest most atmospherically deposited MPs in the Wuliangsuhai Lake area were transported to the sampling sites from large cities external to the basin, and, to a much lesser degree, areas of tourism within the lake environment. The results of the study provide a theoretical basis for assessing atmospheric MP deposition within inland lake areas as well as for the prevention and control of MP pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kai Wang
- Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China
| | - Yu Liu
- Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China; Inner Mongolia Water Resource Protection and Utilization Key Laboratory, Hohhot 010018, China; State Gauge and Research Station of Wetland Ecosystem, Wuliangsuhai Lake, Inner Mongolia, Bayan Nur 014404, China; Autonomous Region Collaborative Innovation Center for Integrated Management of Water Resources and Water Environment in the Inner Mongolia Reaches of the Yellow River, Hohhot 010018, China.
| | - Xiaohong Shi
- Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China; Inner Mongolia Water Resource Protection and Utilization Key Laboratory, Hohhot 010018, China; State Gauge and Research Station of Wetland Ecosystem, Wuliangsuhai Lake, Inner Mongolia, Bayan Nur 014404, China
| | - Shengnan Zhao
- Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China; Inner Mongolia Water Resource Protection and Utilization Key Laboratory, Hohhot 010018, China; State Gauge and Research Station of Wetland Ecosystem, Wuliangsuhai Lake, Inner Mongolia, Bayan Nur 014404, China
| | - Biao Sun
- Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China; Inner Mongolia Water Resource Protection and Utilization Key Laboratory, Hohhot 010018, China; State Gauge and Research Station of Wetland Ecosystem, Wuliangsuhai Lake, Inner Mongolia, Bayan Nur 014404, China
| | - Junping Lu
- Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China; Inner Mongolia Water Resource Protection and Utilization Key Laboratory, Hohhot 010018, China; State Gauge and Research Station of Wetland Ecosystem, Wuliangsuhai Lake, Inner Mongolia, Bayan Nur 014404, China
| | - Wenbao Li
- Water Conservancy and Civil Engineering, College of Inner Mongolia Agricultural University, Hohhot 010018, China; Inner Mongolia Water Resource Protection and Utilization Key Laboratory, Hohhot 010018, China; State Gauge and Research Station of Wetland Ecosystem, Wuliangsuhai Lake, Inner Mongolia, Bayan Nur 014404, China
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9
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Krishna ABS, Madhu M, Jayadev A. Investigation of microplastics and microplastic communities in selected river and lake basin soils of Thiruvananthapuram District, Kerala, India. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 196:66. [PMID: 38117399 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-12219-0] [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: 09/02/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Riparian areas are highly dynamic bio-geophysical settings with a surge of waste deposition predominantly including land-based plastic discards. These polymer discards are destined to be the prime constitution of marine "plastisphere." The polymer fate is determined by waterbodies, where the chances of plastic retention are higher, eventually mediating the formation of microplastics (MPs) in years or decades. Such formed MPs are a potential threat to the aqua bio-regime. A systematic investigation of three waterbody basin soils (Karamana River, Killiyar, and Akkulam-Veli Lake) showed the presence of MPs in all the samples analyzed with varying sizes, shapes, colors, and compositions. MPs of the shapes flakes, fragments, filaments, sheets, foams, and fibers were observed with dimensions 0.3-4.7 mm. Most of the particles were white in hue (WT), followed by colorless (CL), light yellow (L.Y), light brown (L.B), orange (OR), red (RD), and blue (BL), respectively. The polymer communities were identified as high-density polyethylene (HDPE), low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS), and nylon. The highest average MP density was identified in the basin of Killiyar (799 ± 0.09 pieces/kg) followed by Karamana River (671 ± 3.45 pieces/kg), indicating the closeness of the sampling station to the city center compared to Akkulam-Veli Lake (486 ± 58.55 pieces/kg). The majority of the sampling sites belonged to the slopy areas and came under the highly urbanized land category. A close association was observed between particle abundance and urban activity. The study foresees possible threats inflicted by MP abundance upon the area-wide hydro-biological system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anjana B S Krishna
- Research Center and Post Graduate Department of Environmental Sciences, All Saints' College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Maha Madhu
- Research Center and Post Graduate Department of Environmental Sciences, All Saints' College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India
| | - Ayona Jayadev
- Research Center and Post Graduate Department of Environmental Sciences, All Saints' College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
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10
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Yang X, Zhang Z, Zhang J. Study of soil microplastic pollution and influencing factors based on environmental fragility theory. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 899:165435. [PMID: 37442481 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Soil microplastics (MPs) pollution is a global concern, but the distribution of MPs and the factors affecting the distribution of MPs in different ecologically fragile karst areas remain poorly understood. Here, we investigated the spatial distribution, characteristics, and composition of MPs in different ecologically fragile karst areas of Guizhou Province and explored the relationship between ecosystem fragility and MPs. Structural equation models combined with robust random forest (RF) models were used to clarify the effects of karst soil properties on MPs and quantify their relative contributions. The abundance of soil MPs in ecologically fragile karst areas was 2949 item kg-1, and the risk of MPs contamination was highest in medium-fragile areas. The robust RF models precisely predicted the abundance of soil MPs in different fragile areas, and the mean root mean square error and R2 were 0.21 and 0.93, respectively. The contribution of karst soil properties to the abundance of MPs was estimated. Some soil chemical properties had a significant effect (p < 0.05) on MPs pollution in ecologically fragile karst areas. The results of our study suggest that the fragile ecological environment may exacerbate MPs pollution. Our study also contributes to establish a scientific theoretical foundation for the utilization of plastics and the prevention and control of microplastics pollution in karst ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiuyuan Yang
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, China
| | - Zhenming Zhang
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, Guizhou, China; Key Laboratory of Kast Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 550025, China; Guizhou Karst Environmental Ecosystems Observation and Research Station, Ministry of Education, Guiyang 550025, China.
| | - Jiachun Zhang
- Guizhou Botanical Garden, Guizhou Academy of Sciences, Guiyang 550004, Guizhou, China.
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11
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Sau D, Hazra T, Shiuly A. Microplastics in lentic environments: implications for Indian ecosystems. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:114756-114778. [PMID: 37910348 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30604-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The paper focused on occurrence, characterization, and analytical methods of microplastic (MP) pollution in the lentic environment mainly for the Indian scenario. To understand the flow of MP from plastic waste, a material flow diagram was developed using STAN, assigning the transfer coefficients based on existing scientific literature and primary survey from local recycling facilities and industries. The quantity, morphology, and polymers of MP in the water and sediments of the lentic environment were compared for various states from 2011 to 2022. The reasons for the geographical heterogeneity in microplastics may be the migratory routes of MPs in the ecosystems like commercial uses and wastewater characteristics which possibly discharged in lentic system. Factors like particle density, water surface area, water surface depth, wind speed and direction, and water flow size mainly affect MP concentrations in the lentic water body, and mainly PHI and PLI are keys to MP risk analysis. The surface characteristics of MPs reveal that it absorbs many toxic contaminants including heavy metals. The impacts of MP on ecosystem and human health were also discussed. The impacts of socioeconomic conditions on MP concentrations for different states in India were also added. Proposed methods for plastic waste generation control also included which will help for developing policy in future to prevent MP pollution in lentic environments and also motivate future researchers to establish new standardized methods of MP analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Debasis Sau
- Department of Civil Engineering, Jadavpur University, 188, Raja S C Mullick Street, Kolkata, 700032, India
| | - Tumpa Hazra
- Department of Civil Engineering, Jadavpur University, 188, Raja S C Mullick Street, Kolkata, 700032, India.
| | - Amit Shiuly
- Department of Civil Engineering, Jadavpur University, 188, Raja S C Mullick Street, Kolkata, 700032, India
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12
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Thandavamoorthy Rajeswari I, Iyyanar A, Govindarajulu B. Microplastic pollution in Kolavai Lake, Tamil Nadu, India: quantification of plankton-sized microplastics in the surface water of lake. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:94033-94048. [PMID: 37526833 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29078-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of microplastics (MP) (< 5 mm) in aquatic habitats has recently raised concerns owing to their influence on humans and aquatic organisms, as they absorb organic pollutants and pathogens from the surrounding media because of their higher surface-to-volume ratio. Freshwater systems are severely affected by the increased intake of discarded waste from diverse sources. This study focused on the microplastic-to-zooplankton ratio and its potential impact on the environment's food chain. The sampling sites of Kolavai Lake were divided into three zones (18 stations) to investigate the spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton biota. The average microplastic abundance was 6.1 ± 2.5 particles/L. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and SEM analysis were performed to understand the chemical composition and surface morphology of microplastics. Water samples collected along the Central and Southern Zones revealed a high abundance of microplastics, which might be due to anthropogenic activities. A negative correlation was observed between the abundance of microplastics and zooplankton. The microplastic-to-zooplankton ratio was found to range from 0.05 to 0.74. Furthermore, the impact of microplastics in the lake ecosystem was analysed using the size and shape descriptors for both zooplankton and microplastics. These findings suggest that microplastics built up in aquatic environments, particularly those with rich biota, could be a severe concern because of their capacity to infiltrate the food web.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anandavelu Iyyanar
- National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Chennai, 600 025, India
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13
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Gao S, Wu Q, Peng M, Zeng J, Jiang T, Ruan Y, Xu L, Guo K. Rapid urbanization affects microplastic communities in lake sediments: A case study of Lake Aha in southwest China. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 338:117824. [PMID: 37004481 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2023] [Revised: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Effective management of pollutants in urban environments is crucial for achieving sustainable cities. Microplastics, as an emerging pollutant widely present in contemporary environments, have received widespread attention in recent years. However, limited studies have reported the impact of rapid urbanization on regional microplastics. In this study, the abundance and composition of microplastic communities in the sediments of Lake Aha were analyzed using a "microplastic community" and slicing the sediments at 5 cm intervals. Results showed that microplastic abundance of sediments in Lake Aha was relatively high (up to 1700 items/kg) and decreased with increasing depth, with the highest abundance found in the surface layer (0-5 cm, 1090 ± 474 items/kg). Hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA), principal component analysis (PCA), and analysis of similarities (ANOSIM) revealed that the different sediment layers could be classified into high and low urbanization level groups based on the composition of microplastic communities. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) indicated that agricultural input was the main source of microplastic pollution during low urbanization levels, characterized by low abundance, large particle size, and high fiber proportion, while urban activities dominated during high urbanization levels, with high abundance, small particle size, high proportion of Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), fragments, and granules, and colorful microplastics. This study clarifies the impact of urbanization on the abundance and composition of microplastics in lake sediments, which has implications for more effective management and control of microplastic pollution in regions undergoing rapid urbanization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shilin Gao
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Karst Geological Resources and Environment, Guizhou University, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China
| | - Qixin Wu
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Karst Geological Resources and Environment, Guizhou University, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China.
| | - Meixue Peng
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Karst Geological Resources and Environment, Guizhou University, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China
| | - Jie Zeng
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Karst Geological Resources and Environment, Guizhou University, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China
| | - Tingting Jiang
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China; Key Laboratory of Karst Geological Resources and Environment, Guizhou University, Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China
| | - Yunjun Ruan
- College of Bigdata and Information Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China
| | - Li Xu
- Beijing Research Center for Agricultural Standards and Testing, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Ke Guo
- Guiyang Research Academy of Eco-Environmental Science, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550025, China
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Malla-Pradhan R, Phoungthong K, Suwunwong T, Joshi TP, Pradhan BL. Microplastic pollution in lakeshore sediments: the first report on abundance and composition of Phewa Lake, Nepal. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-27315-4. [PMID: 37145358 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27315-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic pollution in a freshwater environment has captured the attention of the scientific world in recent years. Microplastic is a new area of research in the freshwater of Nepal. Hence, the present study aims to examine the concentration, distribution, and characteristics of microplastic pollution in the sediments of Phewa Lake. Twenty sediment samples were collected from 10 sites to cover the vast area (5.762 km2) of the lake. The mean abundance of microplastic was 100.5 ± 58.6 items/kg dry weight. The average abundance of microplastics in five sections of the lake showed a significant difference (test statistics = 10.379, p < 0.05). Fibers (78.11%) dominated the sediments of Phewa Lake in all sampling sites. Transparent was the prominent color observed followed by red and altogether 70.65% of the microplastics detected were found at 0.2-1 mm size class. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis of visible microplastic particles (1-5 mm) confirmed polypropylene (PP) (42.86%) as the dominant polymer type followed by polyethylene (PE). This study can help to bridge the knowledge gap regarding the microplastic pollution in freshwater shoreline sediments of Nepal. Furthermore, these findings would create a new research area to explore the impact of plastic pollution which has been ignored in Phewa Lake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajeshwori Malla-Pradhan
- Environmental Assessment and Technology for Hazardous Waste Management Research Center, Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90112, Thailand
- Environment and Climate Study Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, Lalitpur, Nepal
- Department of Environmental Science, Tri-Chandra Multiple Campus, Tribhuvan University, Ghantaghar, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Khamphe Phoungthong
- Environmental Assessment and Technology for Hazardous Waste Management Research Center, Faculty of Environmental Management, Prince of Songkla University, Songkhla, 90112, Thailand.
| | - Thitipone Suwunwong
- Center of Chemical Innovation for Sustainability (CIS), School of Science, Mae Fah Luang University, Chiang Rai, 57100, Thailand
| | - Tista Prasai Joshi
- Environment and Climate Study Laboratory, Faculty of Science, Nepal Academy of Science and Technology, Lalitpur, Nepal
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15
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Li Q, Han Z, Su G, Hou M, Liu X, Zhao X, Hua Y, Shi B, Meng J, Wang M. New insights into the distribution, potential source and risk of microplastics in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 175:107956. [PMID: 37178609 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107956] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) as emerging contaminants have become a major global concern, however, the distribution and origin of MPs in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau (QTP) and their impacts on ecosystem are poorly known. Hence, we systematically evaluated the profile of MPs on the representative metropolitan locations of Lhasa and Huangshui Rivers and the scenic sites of Namco and Qinghai Lake. The average abundance of MPs in the water samples was 7020 items/m3, which was 34 and 52 times higher than those for the sediment (206.7 items/m3) and soil samples (134.7 items/m3), respectively. Huangshui River had the highest levels, followed by Qinghai Lake, Lhasa River and Namco. Human activities rather than altitude and salinity impacted the distribution of MPs in those areas. Besides the consumption of plastic products by locals and tourists, laundry wastewater and exogenous tributary inputs, the unique prayer flag culture also contributed to the MPs emission in QTP. Notably, the stability and fragment of MPs were crucial for their fate. Multiple assessment models were employed to evaluate the risk of MPs. PERI model took MP concentration, background value and toxicity into account, comprehensively describing the risk differences of each site. The large PVC proportion in Qinghai Lake posed the highest risk. Furthermore, concerns should be raised about PVC, PE and PET in Lhasa and Huangshui Rivers, and PC in Namco Lake. Risk quotient suggested that aged MPs in sediments slowly released biotoxic DEHP and should be cleaned up promptly. The findings offer baseline data of MPs in QTP and ecological risks, providing important support for the prioritization of future control measures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qianqian Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effects, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Ziwei Han
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effects, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Guijin Su
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effects, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Meifang Hou
- School of Ecological Technology and Engineering, Shanghai Institute of Technology, Shanghai 201418, China
| | - Xihui Liu
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effects, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effects, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yukang Hua
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effects, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bin Shi
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effects, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jing Meng
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Nanotechnology and Health Effects, State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, P.O. Box 2871, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Mengjing Wang
- School of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
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16
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Li B, Li B, Jia Q, Hong B, Xie Y, Yuan X, Peng J, Cai Y, Yang Z. Source or sink role of an urban lake for microplastics from Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao greater bay area, China. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 224:115492. [PMID: 36796614 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115492] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Plastic production and consumption in China are larger than others in the world, and the challenge of microplastic pollution is widespread. With the development of urbanization in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, China, the environmental pollution of microplastics is becoming an increasingly prominent issue. Here, the spatial and temporal distribution characteristics, sources, and ecological risks of microplastics were analyzed in water from an urban lake, Xinghu Lake, as well as the contribution of rivers. Importantly, the roles of urban lakes for microplastics were demonstrated through the investigations of contributions and fluxes for microplastic in rivers. The results showed that the average abundances of microplastics in water of Xinghu Lake were 4.8 ± 2.2 and 10.1 ± 7.6 particles/m3 in wet and dry seasons, and the average contribution degree of the inflow rivers was 75%. The size of microplastics in water from Xinghu Lake and its tributaries was concentrated in the range of 200-1000 μm. In general, the average comprehensive potential ecological risk indexes of microplastics in water were 247 ± 120.6 and 273.1 ± 353.7 in wet and dry seasons, which the high ecological risks of them were found through the adjusted evaluation method. There were also mutual effects among microplastic abundance, the concentrations of total nitrogen and organic carbon. Finally, Xinghu Lake has been a sink for microplastics both in wet and dry seasons, and it would be a source of microplastics under the influence of extreme weather and anthropogenic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Bowen Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Qunpo Jia
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Bin Hong
- South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Environmental Protection, Guangzhou, 510655, China
| | - Yulei Xie
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Xiao Yuan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Jinping Peng
- School of Chemical Engineering and Light Industry, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Yanpeng Cai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Zhifeng Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watersheds, Institute of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China; Key Laboratory for City Cluster Environmental Safety and Green Development of the Ministry of Education, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
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17
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Nawab J, Khan H, Ghani J, Zafar MI, Khan S, Toller S, Fatima L, Hamza A. New insights into the migration, distribution and accumulation of micro-plastic in marine environment: A critical mechanism review. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 330:138572. [PMID: 37088212 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are widely distributed in the marine environment, posing a significant threat to marine biota. The contribution of anthropogenic and terrestrial sources to the aquatic ecosystem has led to an increase in MPs findings, and their abundance in aquatic biota has been reported to be of concern. MPs are formed mainly via photo degradation of macroplastics (large plastic debris), and their release into the environment is a result of the degradation of additives. Eco-toxicological risks are increasing for marine organisms, due to the ingestion of MPs, which cause damage to gastrointestinal (GI) tracts and stomach. Plastics with a size <5 mm are considered MPs, and they are commonly identified by Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Laser direct infrared (LDIR). The size, density and additives are the main factors influencing the abundance and bioavailability of MPs. The most abundant type of MPs found in fishes are fiber, polystyrenes, and fragments. These microscale pellets cause physiological stress and growth deformities by targeting the GI tracts of fishes and other biota. Approximately 80% MPs come from terrestrial sources, either primary, generated during different products such as skin care products, tires production and the use of MPs as carrier for pharmaceutical products, or secondary plastics, disposed of near coastal areas and water bodies. The issue of MPs and their potential effects on the marine ecosystem require proper attention. Therefore, this study conducted an extensive literature review on assessing MPs levels in fishes, sediments, seawater, their sources, and effects on marine biota (especially on fishes), chemo-physical behavior and the techniques used for their identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javed Nawab
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Kohat University of Science & Technology, Kohat, Pakistan.
| | - Haris Khan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Junaid Ghani
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mazhar Iqbal Zafar
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Sardar Khan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Kohat University of Science & Technology, Kohat, Pakistan; Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Simone Toller
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laraib Fatima
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, 2300, Pakistan
| | - Amir Hamza
- Department of Soil & Environmental Sciences, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
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18
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Moura DS, Pestana CJ, Moffat CF, Hui J, Irvine JTS, Lawton LA. Characterisation of microplastics is key for reliable data interpretation. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 331:138691. [PMID: 37076081 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138691] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic research has gained attention due to the increased detection of microplastics (<5 mm size) in the aquatic environment. Most laboratory-based research of microplastics is performed using microparticles from specific suppliers with either superficial or no characterisation performed to confirm the physico-chemical information detailed by the supplier. The current study has selected 21 published adsorption studies to evaluate how the microplastics were characterised by the authors prior experimentation. Additionally, six microplastic types described as 'small' (10-25 μm) and 'large' (100 μm) were commercially acquired from a single supplier. A detailed characterisation was performed using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), x-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning electron microscopy, particle size analysis, and N2-Brunauer, Emmett and Teller adsorption-desorption surface area analysis. The size and the polymer composition of some of the material provided by the supplier was inconsistent with the analytical data obtained. FT-IR spectra of small polypropylene particles indicated either oxidation of the particles or the presence of a grafting agent which was absent in the large particles. A wide range of sizes for the small particles was observed: polyethylene (0.2-549 μm), polyethylene terephthalate (7-91 μm) and polystyrene (1-79 μm). Small polyamide (D50 75 μm) showed a greater median particle size and similar size distribution when compared to large polyamide (D50 65 μm). Moreover, small polyamide was found to be semi-crystalline, while the large polyamide displayed an amorphous form. The type of microplastic and the size of the particles are a key factor in determining the adsorption of pollutants and subsequent ingestion by aquatic organisms. Acquiring uniform particle sizes is challenging, however based on this study, characterisation of any materials used in microplastic-related experiments is critical to ensure reliable interpretation of results, thereby providing a better understanding of the potential environmental consequences of the presence of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana S Moura
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ, UK.
| | - Carlos J Pestana
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ, UK
| | - Colin F Moffat
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ, UK
| | - Jianing Hui
- School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Scotland, KY16 9ST, UK
| | - John T S Irvine
- School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Scotland, KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Linda A Lawton
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ, UK
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Dada OA, Bello JO. Microplastics in carnivorous fish species, water and sediments of a coastal urban lagoon in Nigeria. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:55948-55957. [PMID: 36914928 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26410-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: 05/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Plastic marine debris is a common source of pollution. Recent research has shown that plastic debris has a negative impact on marine organisms and the environment. For the first time, we investigated the presence of microplastics (MPs) in the Nigerian Lagos Lagoon ecosystem water, sediment, and the most important fish species (Hepsetus odoe, Chrysichthys nigrodigitatus, Oreochromis niloticus, and Lachnolaimus maximus). MPs were found in water, sediment, and three carnivorous fish species (H. odoe, C. nigrodigitatus, and L. maximus), except for herbivorous O. niloticus, raising concerns about the health of the Nigerian Lagos Lagoon ecosystem and the human food chain. Across the lagoon, fibres were more concentrated in the water, while fragments predominated in the sediment. Plastic debris from recreational, industrial, and domestic wastes contributed significantly to this contamination. Given the potential dangers of MPs to human health, it is critical to protect the ecosystem and its inhabitants in the Lagoon from plastic pollution. Our findings highlight the need for urgent measures to protect Nigeria's fragile coastal and marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Olusegun A Dada
- Coastal and Marine Environment Research Group, Department of Marine Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, 340252, Nigeria.
| | - Jummai O Bello
- Coastal and Marine Environment Research Group, Department of Marine Science and Technology, Federal University of Technology, Akure, 340252, Nigeria
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Mercy FT, Alam AR, Akbor MA. Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in major urban lakes of Dhaka, Bangladesh. Heliyon 2023; 9:e14587. [PMID: 37035360 PMCID: PMC10073641 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e14587] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/26/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are prevalent in nature due to the proliferation of plastic in the environment. However, the presence of microplastics in lakes is largely unknown in comparison to other aquatic bodies. This study was performed to evaluate the abundance and characteristics of MPs in water, sediment, and fish from three major urban lakes in Dhaka, Bangladesh, namely Dhanmondi, Gulshan, and Hatir Jheel lake. The highest concentrations of microplastics in surface water (36 items/L), sediment (67 items/kg), fish (17 items/individual), and the gastrointestinal tract (4.88 items/gm) were observed. Highest abundance of microplastic in an individual fish was observed in Oreochromis mossambicus from Dhanmondi Lake. The samples were visually examined using stereomicroscope and SEM, which revealed that films were the most prevalent kind of microplastics in both the water and the sediment samples, whereas pellets and foams predominated in the fish samples. Visual observation also revealed MPs dominated by <100 μm in size and transparent in color. According to the Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis, the dominant polymers in the analyzed samples were high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, cellulose acetate, and polypropylene. MPs were relatively higher in the water and sediment samples of Gulshan Lake, and fish samples of Dhanmondi Lake. The results of this study indicate that microplastic contamination has occurred not only in the water and sediment but also in the inhabitant fishes of the lakes. However, it is discovered that the microplastic intake of fish was significantly related to body weight and length. The implication of the finding suggests that the presence of MPs in urban lakes has raised concerns about the potential human health impact.
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Wang L, Guo C, Qian Q, Lang D, Wu R, Abliz S, Wang W, Wang J. Adsorption behavior of UV aged microplastics on the heavy metals Pb(II) and Cu(II) in aqueous solutions. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 313:137439. [PMID: 36460154 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2022] [Revised: 11/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
As the "vector" of heavy metals in the aquatic environment, microplastics (MPs) have a great influence on the migration and transformation of heavy metals. In this study, the adsorption of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS) on two models of heavy metals after UV aging and environmental variables (ionic coexistence, pH, salinity, and fulvic acid) were comprehensively explored on adsorption. The results show that new oxidation functional groups are formed and their hydrophilicity is enhanced after MPs aging. As a result, the adsorption experiments showed that the adsorption of contaminants by UV aged MPs exceeds that of pristine MPs. The adsorption amounts of Pb(II) and Cu(II) by PP, PE and PS increased by 1.45, 1.46, 1.25 and 1.63, 1.39, 1.22 times, respectively. Adsorption kinetic data were more consistent with the pseudo-second-order kinetic model, proving chemisorption to be the mechanism governing the interaction between metal ions and MPs. The Freundlich model could accurately predict the heavy metal adsorption isotherms on MPs, showing that non-homogeneous multilayer adsorption dominates the process. In Pb(II)-Cu(II) binary composite system, metal ion adsorption capacity on MPs is less than that of the single system adsorption capacity, which proves that there is a specific inhibitory effect between coexisting ions. Additionally, external factors like pH, salinity, and fulvic acid content have a big impact on adsorption behavior. According to mechanism analysis, the adsorption process mainly relies on electrostatic interaction, surface complexation, and van der Waals force.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingling Wang
- Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Fine Chemicals, College of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830017, China
| | - Chengxin Guo
- Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Fine Chemicals, College of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830017, China
| | - Qianqian Qian
- Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Fine Chemicals, College of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830017, China
| | - Daning Lang
- Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Fine Chemicals, College of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830017, China
| | - Ronglan Wu
- Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Fine Chemicals, College of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830017, China.
| | - Shawket Abliz
- Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Fine Chemicals, College of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830017, China.
| | - Wei Wang
- Institute of Chemistry and Center for Pharmacy,University of Bergen, 5020, Bergen, Norway.
| | - Jide Wang
- Key Laboratory of Oil and Gas Fine Chemicals, College of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830017, China
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22
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Wright J, Hovey RK, Paterson H, Stead J, Cundy A. Microplastic accumulation in Halophila ovalis beds in the Swan-Canning Estuary, Western Australia. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 187:114480. [PMID: 36566516 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 12/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Small ephemeral seagrass (Halophila ovalis) beds in the Swan-Canning Estuary, Western Australia, were sampled to determine if microplastics attach to seagrass blades and accumulate in higher concentrations in seagrass sediment compared to bare sediment. Three microplastics were observed attached to sampled seagrass blades (n = 108). Microplastics had a mean concentration in seagrass sediments of 1000 ± 100.37se particles kg-1 and in bare sediment of 972 ± 92.19se particles kg-1. ATR FTIR further verified 64.2 % of subsample particles as plastic (n = 28). This is the first known study to identify microplastics within the leaf canopy of H. ovalis however we could not support our hypothesis that this seagrass species acts as a sink for microplastic particles in sediments, as seen in studies on other seagrass species. The ability for seagrass habitats to trap and accumulate microplastics in sediments is likely influenced by species morphology, seagrass canopy density and life history.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joné Wright
- UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia.
| | - Renae K Hovey
- UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; School of Biological Science, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Harriet Paterson
- UWA Oceans Institute, The University of Western Australia, Crawley, WA 6009, Australia; UWA Great Southern Marine Research Facility, Albany, WA 6330, Australia
| | - Jessica Stead
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre (Southampton), Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew Cundy
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, University of Southampton, National Oceanography Centre (Southampton), Southampton SO17 1BJ, United Kingdom; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
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23
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Silva-Cavalcanti JS, Silva JCP, de Andrade FM, Brito AMSS, Costa MFD. Microplastic pollution in sediments of tropical shallow lakes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 855:158671. [PMID: 36099957 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Forty-eight tropical shallow lakes (depth ≤ 4 m) across a climatic gradient were assessed for microplastic (MPs; <5 mm) pollution based on MPs concentrations in archive samples from lake shore sediments. The MPs were classified by type (fragments or fibres), colour (yellow, black, red, green, blue, white, and transparent), size (0.55 to 4.93 mm), and polymer (polyester, polyethylene, chlorinated polyethylene, and polyamide). Sediments were predominantly medium sand, and all samples (144) contained MPs, consisting of 24 % fragments (6.3 ± 11.3 MPs·300 g-1) and 76 % fibres (21.25 ± 12.7 MPs·300 g-1). The lake climate (humid, transitional, or semi-arid), type of surrounding land use (urban, semi-arid, or rural), and distance from the shoreline (0, 5 or 10 m) did not explain the differences in MPs concentrations, partially refuting the initial hypothesis. The only significant difference was between the sample medians for the number of fragments based on the region (H = 7.586; p = 0.0481). The number of fragments in the lakes in the humid region was greater than that in the semi-arid region (p < 0.05). Poor sanitation, sewage effluents, and solid wastes reaching and accumulating in the lakes may be the primary and transversal conditioning factors for this small difference among diverse environments. Freshwater lakes are investigated in all continents, and the present study contributes to the first record of MPs in shallow lake sediments in eastern South America. The 48 shallow lakes assessed showed a relatively low concentration of MPs compared to other lake contaminants reported in the international literature. This information coincides with public policies issued, regarding the control and reduction of plastics and MPs in Brazil, and the study region.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jayne Crisleny Pereira Silva
- Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, R. Dom Manuel de Medeiros, s/n, Recife 52171-900, Brazil; Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Arquitetura, s/n, Recife 50740-540, Brazil
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24
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Masud RI, Suman KH, Tasnim S, Begum MS, Sikder MH, Uddin MJ, Haque MN. A review on enhanced microplastics derived from biomedical waste during the COVID-19 pandemic with its toxicity, health risks, and biomarkers. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 216:114434. [PMID: 36209789 PMCID: PMC9536876 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/21/2022] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic led to the explosion of biomedical waste, a global challenge to public health and the environment. Biomedical waste comprising plastic can convert into microplastics (MPs, < 5 mm) by sunlight, wave, oxidative and thermal processes, and biodegradation. MPs with additives and contaminants such as metals are also hazardous to many aquatic and terrestrial organisms, including humans. Bioaccumulation of MPs in organisms often transfers across the trophic level in the global food web. Thus, this article aims to provide a literature review on the source, quantity, and fate of biomedical waste, along with the recent surge of MPs and their adverse impact on aquatic and terrestrial organisms. MPs intake (ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact) in humans causing various chronic diseases involving multiple organs in digestive, respiratory, and reproductive systems are surveyed, which have been reviewed barely. There is an urgent need to control and manage biomedical waste to shrink MPs pollution for reducing environmental and human health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rony Ibne Masud
- ABEx Bio-Research Center, East Azampur, Dhaka, 1230, Bangladesh; Department of Pharmacology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Kamrul Hassan Suman
- ABEx Bio-Research Center, East Azampur, Dhaka, 1230, Bangladesh; Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries & Livestock, Dhaka, 1000, Bangladesh
| | - Shadia Tasnim
- ABEx Bio-Research Center, East Azampur, Dhaka, 1230, Bangladesh; Department of Pharmacology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Most Shirina Begum
- Department of Environment and Energy, Sejong University, Seoul, 05006, Republic of Korea
| | - Mahmudul Hasan Sikder
- Department of Pharmacology, Bangladesh Agricultural University, Mymensingh, 2202, Bangladesh
| | - Md Jamal Uddin
- ABEx Bio-Research Center, East Azampur, Dhaka, 1230, Bangladesh; Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, Ewha Womans University, Seoul, 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Md Niamul Haque
- ABEx Bio-Research Center, East Azampur, Dhaka, 1230, Bangladesh; Department of Marine Science, College of Natural Sciences & Research Institute of Basic Sciences, Incheon National University, Incheon, 22012, Republic of Korea.
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25
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Alirezazadeh M, Nematollahi MJ, Keshavarzi B, Rezaei M, Moore F, Busquets R. Microplastics in Abiotic Compartments of a Hypersaline Lacustrine Ecosystem. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:19-32. [PMID: 36218167 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5497] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The study of microplastics in inland water bodies has been growing recently, but there is still insufficient knowledge of the status of microplastics in lacustrine ecosystems, especially saline lakes. Studies have also been conducted on sediment, water, and biological compartments of lakes. In the present study, the status of microplastics in abiotic compartments of the saline Maharloo Lake (Iran) was evaluated for the first time and included surface sediment, lake salt, sludge, lake water, and wastewater. A total of 742 microplastics, mainly clear and fibrous, ranging from 50 to 250 µm in size and composed of polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate, were identified in 33 samples. Mean microplastic concentrations in solid samples were higher than in liquid ones, with the highest levels (51.7 microplastics kg-1 ) in sludge and the lowest levels in lake salt (10.4 microplastics kg-1 ). The highest microplastic levels were found in the northwest area of the lake, where wastewater effluents from urban, industrial, and agricultural activities discharge into the lake. Inter-relationship assessments of microplastics with hierarchical cluster analysis suggested that differences in the distribution of microplastics with different physical properties in Maharloo Lake are greatly affected by weathering processes and proximity to contaminated hotspots. Our results reveal that the widespread occurrence of microplastics in Maharloo Lake mostly originates from potential plastic sources in urban areas of Shiraz Metropolis and its industrial zone in the vicinity of the study area; thus microplastics are dispersed into the lake via surface runoffs, especially wastewater inflows. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:19-32. © 2022 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Alirezazadeh
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Behnam Keshavarzi
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohsen Rezaei
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Farid Moore
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Rosa Busquets
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Surrey, UK
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26
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Goehler LO, Moruzzi RB, Tomazini da Conceição F, Júnior AAC, Speranza LG, Busquets R, Campos LC. Relevance of tyre wear particles to the total content of microplastics transported by runoff in a high-imperviousness and intense vehicle traffic urban area. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 314:120200. [PMID: 36165832 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120200] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 09/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging pollutant and a worldwide issue. A wide variety of MPs and tyre wear particles (TWPs) are entering and spreading in the environment. TWPs can reach waterbodies through runoff, where main contributing particulate matter comes from impervious areas. In this paper, TWPs and other types of MPs that were transported with the runoff of a high populated-impervious urban area were characterised. Briefly, MPs were sampled from sediments in a stormwater detention reservoir (SDR) used for flood control of a catchment area of ∼36 km2, of which 73% was impervious. The sampled SDR is located in São Paulo, the most populated city in South America. TWPs were the most common type of MPs in this SDR, accounting for 53% of the total MPs; followed by fragments (30%), fibres (9%), films (4%) and pellets (4%). In particular, MPs in the size range 0.1 mm-0.5 mm were mostly TWPs. Such a profile of MPs in the SDR is unlike what is reported in environmental compartments elsewhere. TWPs were found at levels of 2160 units/(kg sediment·km2 of impervious area) and 87.8 units/(kg sediment·km street length); MP and TWP loadings are introduced here for the first time. The annual flux of MPs and TWPs were 7.8 × 1011 and 4.1 × 1011 units/(km2·year), respectively, and TWP emissions varied from 43.3 to 205.5 kg/day. SDRs can be sites to intercept MP pollution in urban areas. This study suggests that future research on MP monitoring in urban areas and design should consider both imperviousness and street length as important factors to normalize TWP contribution to urban pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza Ostini Goehler
- UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia de São José Dos Campos - ICT, São José Dos Campos, Brazil.
| | - Rodrigo Braga Moruzzi
- UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia de São José Dos Campos - ICT, São José Dos Campos, Brazil.
| | - Fabiano Tomazini da Conceição
- UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia de São José Dos Campos - ICT, São José Dos Campos, Brazil
| | | | - Lais Galileu Speranza
- UNESP - Universidade Estadual Paulista, Instituto de Ciência e Tecnologia de São José Dos Campos - ICT, São José Dos Campos, Brazil; GreenCoLab - Associação Oceano Verde, Faro, Portugal
| | - Rosa Busquets
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy and Chemistry, Kingston University, United Kingdom; Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London, United Kingdom
| | - Luiza Cintra Campos
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering, University College London, United Kingdom
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27
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Viitala M, Steinmetz Z, Sillanpää M, Mänttäri M, Sillanpää M. Historical and current occurrence of microplastics in water and sediment of a Finnish lake affected by WWTP effluents. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 314:120298. [PMID: 36181939 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Revised: 09/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Only scarce information is available about the abundance of microplastics (MPs) in Nordic lakes. In this study, the occurrence, types, and distribution of MPs were assessed based on the lake water and sediment samples collected from a sub-basin of Lake Saimaa, Finland. The main goal was to estimate the possible effect of the local wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) on the abundance of MPs in different compartments of the recipient lake area. Collected bottom sediment samples were Cs-137 dated and the chronological structure was utilized to relate the concentrations of MPs to their sedimentation years. Raman microspectroscopy was used for the MPs' identification from both sample matrices. In addition, MPs consisting of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) were quantified from lake water samples by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to provide a complementary assessment of MPs based on two different analysis methods, which provide different metrics of the abundance of microplastics. MPs concentrations were highest in sediment samples closest to the discharge site of WWTP effluents (4400 ± 620 n/kg dw) compared to other sites. However, such a trend was not found in lake water samples (0.7 ± 0.1 n/L). Overall, microplastic fibers were relatively more abundant in sediment (70%) than in water (40%), and the majority of detected microplastic fibers were identified as polyester. This indicates that a part of textile fibers passing the WWTP processes accumulate in the sediment close to the discharge site. In addition, the abundance of MPs was revealed to have increased slightly during the last 30 years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mirka Viitala
- Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, School of Engineering Science, Department of Separation Science, Sammonkatu 12, FI-50130, Mikkeli, Finland.
| | - Zacharias Steinmetz
- iES Landau, Institute for Environmental Sciences, University of Koblenz-Landau, Fortstraβe 7, 76829, Landau, Germany.
| | - Mika Sillanpää
- Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Mining, Metallurgy and Chemical Engineering, University of Johannesburg, P. O. Box 17011, Doornfontein, 2028, South Africa.
| | - Mika Mänttäri
- Lappeenranta-Lahti University of Technology LUT, School of Engineering Science, Department of Separation Science, Yliopistonkatu 34, FI-53850, Lappeenranta, Finland.
| | - Markus Sillanpää
- Finnish Environment Institute, Laboratory Centre, Ecotoxicology and Risk Assessment, Mustialankatu 3, FI-00790, Helsinki, Finland.
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28
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Qiu Y, Zhang Z, Zhang T, Zhang P. Sulfide modifies physicochemical properties and mercury adsorption of microplastics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 848:157802. [PMID: 35931169 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) tend to accumulate and undergo a sulfur weathering process that leads to significant surface changes in sulfur-rich anaerobic environments, such as sewage and wastewater treatment plants. Aged MPs can have a profound impact on environmental behaviors of various toxic pollutants, especially heavy metals. Although previous studies have investigated the adsorption characteristics of metal ions on MPs that are aged in aerobic environments, the sorptive interactions of sulfur-aged MPs in anaerobic environments with mercury, i.e., Hg(II), are largely unknown. In this study, laboratory investigations were conducted to study the sorptive behaviors of Hg(II) by six common MPs treated anaerobically in the presence of sulfide. Adsorption isotherms show that the sulfur aging process greatly enhances the MP sorption capacity of Hg(II). The mechanisms including changes in the specific surface area, electrostatic interactions, surface precipitation, and surface functional groups are responsible for the enhanced adsorption capacities of sulfur-aged MPs. The thiol group that forms on the MP surface plays a dominant role in enhancing the MP adsorption capacity of Hg(II), which is determined by the formation of unsaturated bonds in the molecular chains of MPs. Furthermore, the pathways of surface chemical transformation of MPs during sulfur aging have been proposed. This study promotes our understanding of the potential hazard of MPs as well as the fate and transport of heavy metals in the presence of aged MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ye Qiu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Rd., Tianjin 300350, China; Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau
| | - Zhanhua Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Rd., Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Tong Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, Nankai University, 38 Tongyan Rd., Tianjin 300350, China.
| | - Ping Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau.
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29
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Zhang L, Tao Y. Microplastics contributed much less than organic matter to the burial of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by sediments in the past decades: a case study from an urban lake. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2022; 24:2100-2107. [PMID: 36193813 DOI: 10.1039/d2em00309k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The role of microplastics in burying hydrophobic organic compounds remains largely unknown. Sediment cores collected from the center of a typical urban lake (Lake Qianhu) in China were chosen to explore the contribution of microplastics to the burial of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by sediments, and to elucidate how this contribution changed with microplastic composition and the hydrophobicity of PAHs on a decade scale. Our results showed that the concentration of individual PAHs adsorbed by microplastics varied from detection limit (LOD) to 7.2 mg g-1 MP, which was much higher than the LOD to 31.0 μg g-1 TOC buried by total organic carbon. However, the amount of individual PAHs adsorbed by microplastics only contributed to 0-34.2% of that in sediments. Changes in the composition of microplastics, including the increased proportion of polyethylene and polypropylene : polyethylene polymer in sediments, resulted in the average microplastic sediment burial ratios (MSBRs) of most PAHs increasing by 0.13% to 2.7% in the period from 1997 to 2018 compared with those in the period from 1975 to 1996. The average MSBRs varied with the hydrophobicity of PAHs, which increased with log Kow value if it varied from 3.45 to 5.20, but decreased with log Kow if it was in the range of 5.30 to 6.50. Our study provides novel knowledge on the contribution of microplastics to the burial of PAHs by sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liqi Zhang
- College of Oceanography, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210024, China.
| | - Yuqiang Tao
- College of Oceanography, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210024, China.
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30
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Samadi A, Kim Y, Lee S, Kim YJ, Esterhuizen M. Review on the ecotoxicological impacts of plastic pollution on the freshwater invertebrate Daphnia. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2022; 37:2615-2638. [PMID: 35907204 PMCID: PMC9796382 DOI: 10.1002/tox.23623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2022] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
The environmental impacts of plastic pollution have recently attracted universal attention, especially in the aquatic environment. However, research has mostly been focused on marine ecosystems, even though freshwater ecosystems are equally if not more polluted by plastics. In addition, the mechanism and extent to which plastic pollution affects aquatic biota and the rates of transfer to organisms through food webs eventually reaching humans are poorly understood, especially considering leaching hazardous chemicals. Several studies have demonstrated extreme toxicity in freshwater organisms such Daphnia. When such keystone species are affected by ambient pollution, entire food webs are destabilized and biodiversity is threatened. The unremitting increase in plastic contaminants in freshwater environments would cause impairments in ecosystem functions and structure, leading to various kinds of negative ecological consequences. As various studies have reported the effects on daphnids, a consolidation of this literature is critical to discuss the limitations and knowledge gaps and to evaluate the risk posed to the aquatic environment. This review was undertaken due to the evident need to evaluate this threat. The aims were to provide a meaningful overview of the literature relevant to the potential impact of plastic pollution and associated contaminants on freshwater daphnids as primary consumers. A critical evaluation of research gaps and perspectives is conducted to provide a comprehensive risk assessment of microplastic as a hazard to aquatic environments. We outlined the challenges and limitations to microplastic research in hampering better-focused investigations that could support the development of new plastic materials and/or establishment of new regulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Afshin Samadi
- Environmental Safety GroupKorea Institute of Science and Technology EuropeSaarbruckenGermany
| | - Youngsam Kim
- Environmental Safety GroupKorea Institute of Science and Technology EuropeSaarbruckenGermany
- Division of Energy & Environment TechnologyUniversity of Science & TechnologyDaejeonSouth Korea
| | - Sang‐Ah Lee
- Environmental Safety GroupKorea Institute of Science and Technology EuropeSaarbruckenGermany
| | - Young Jun Kim
- Environmental Safety GroupKorea Institute of Science and Technology EuropeSaarbruckenGermany
- Division of Energy & Environment TechnologyUniversity of Science & TechnologyDaejeonSouth Korea
| | - Maranda Esterhuizen
- Environmental Safety GroupKorea Institute of Science and Technology EuropeSaarbruckenGermany
- Ecosystems and Environment Research ProgrammeUniversity of HelsinkiLahtiFinland
- Clayton H. Riddell Faculty of Environment, Earth, and ResourcesUniversity of ManitobaWinnipegManitobaCanada
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Sun Y, Cao L, Wang Y, Chen W, Li Y, Zhao X. Sources and distribution of microplastics in the east China sea under a three-dimensional numerical modelling. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 311:119910. [PMID: 35961574 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2022] [Revised: 08/02/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are new pollutants found in various environments; moreover, high concentrations of microplastics have been proved to harm aquatic organisms. To understand the high abundance of microplastics in the East China Sea (ECS), where the Zhoushan fishing ground is located, this study investigated the transportation and spatial distribution of microplastics from the Changjiang River Estuary (CE) to the ECS via three-dimensional numerical modelling. Utilising observations of microplastics at the surface of the ECS and backward particle tracking, three sources of microplastics were identified: the Changjiang River, Hangzhou Bay, and coastal area of Nantong city. Moreover, Southern Korea contributed to the microplastics in ECS. After microplastics are released from these sources, monsoons, currents, the Changjiang plume, and tides cause significant seasonal differences in the hot spots for microplastics in the ECS; moreover, the generation of ocean fronts may promote microplastic accumulation. In addition, the settling characteristics of microplastics were shown to influence their distributions; for example, large amounts of microplastics accumulated at the bottom of the riverbeds. This study enables a more complete assessment of microplastic transport from estuaries to the open sea and provides a spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics at the surface of the ECS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yichen Sun
- Department of Ocean Engineering Equipment, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, 316000, China
| | - Lu Cao
- Department of Ocean Engineering Equipment, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, 316000, China.
| | - Yuntao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou, 310012, China
| | - Wei Chen
- Department of Ocean Engineering Equipment, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, 316000, China
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Ocean Engineering Equipment, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, 316000, China
| | - Xizeng Zhao
- Department of Ocean Engineering Equipment, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, Zhejiang, 316000, China; Ocean College, Zhejiang University, Zhoushan, 316021, Zhejiang, China
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Jaouani R, Mouneyrac C, Châtel A, Amiard F, Dellali M, Beyrem H, Michelet A, Lagarde F. Seasonal and spatial distribution of microplastics in sediments by FTIR imaging throughout a continuum lake - lagoon- beach from the Tunisian coast. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156519. [PMID: 35690197 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156519] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Plastics pollution in marine environment has become an issue of increasing scientific concern. This work aims to study the temporal and spatial distribution of plastics in sediments from three different Tunisian ecosystems; Rimel Beach, Bizerta lagoon and Ichkeul lake. Sediment sampling was conducted in surface (2 cm) and depth (15 cm) during spring, summer and winter. Plastics debris were separated by size fractions: macro (>5 mm), meso (1-5 mm) and microplastics (<1 mm) to optimize the time necessary for their characterisation. Macroplastics and mesoplastics were identified using an IR Attenuated total reflectance (ATR) and microplastics with Imaging Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) spectroscopy after an optimized extraction protocol. Results indicate that, the lowest contamination degree with macroplastics was recorded in Ichkeul lake, 2 macro debris/m2 (marine protected area, national parc of Ichkeul). Mesoparticles were only detected in lagoon of Bizerte in large quantities (4900 item/kg of sediment in surface and 680 item/kg of sediment in depth) and were identified principally as paint products. For microplastics, the repartition was quite homogeneous between the three sites with an average abundance was 130.55 ± 65.61 items/kg for all seasons. The variations of microplastics abundances on the three sites could not be clearly related to the seasons. Whereas the polymer characterisation in the surface and depth sediments of the three studied areas were principally due to eight types of polymers (PVC, PET, PP, PE PS, Polyamide (PA) and polymeric methyl methacrylate (PMMA)) as reported in many other studies, surprisingly all MPs recovered in the study were smaller than 300 μm, >70 % being fragments. This study brings new results as regards to the state of plastic contamination in Tunisian coast and shows the importance of investigating different ecosystems in such studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rihab Jaouani
- Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans (IMMM, UMR CNRS 6283), Le Mans Université, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, F-72085 Le Mans, France; Laboratoire Biologie des Organismes, Stress, Santé, Environnement (BIOSSE), Université Catholique de l'Ouest, F-49000 Angers, France; Laboratoire de biosurveillance de l'environnement, Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisie.
| | - Catherine Mouneyrac
- Laboratoire Biologie des Organismes, Stress, Santé, Environnement (BIOSSE), Université Catholique de l'Ouest, F-49000 Angers, France
| | - Amélie Châtel
- Laboratoire Biologie des Organismes, Stress, Santé, Environnement (BIOSSE), Université Catholique de l'Ouest, F-49000 Angers, France
| | - Frédéric Amiard
- Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans (IMMM, UMR CNRS 6283), Le Mans Université, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, F-72085 Le Mans, France
| | - Mohamed Dellali
- Laboratoire de biosurveillance de l'environnement, Faculté des Sciences de Bizerte, Zarzouna 7021, Tunisie
| | - Hamouda Beyrem
- Laboratoire Biologie des Organismes, Stress, Santé, Environnement (BIOSSE), Université Catholique de l'Ouest, F-49000 Angers, France
| | - Alexandre Michelet
- Perkin Elmer, ZA Courtaboeuf, 12, 14 Avenue de la Baltique, 91140 Villebon sur Yvette, France
| | - Fabienne Lagarde
- Institut des Molécules et Matériaux du Mans (IMMM, UMR CNRS 6283), Le Mans Université, Avenue Olivier Messiaen, F-72085 Le Mans, France
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Parker B, Britton JR, Pabortsava K, Barrow M, Green ID, Dominguez Almela V, Andreou D. Distinct microplastic patterns in the sediment and biota of an urban stream. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156477. [PMID: 35660581 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156477] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2022] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Urban freshwaters, their sediments and resident biota are often highly susceptible to microplastic contamination from catchment-specific sources. Water velocity and spatiotemporal dynamics within the system can impact microplastic loads, while biological features may additionally impact levels within freshwater biota. Here, we investigated the spatiotemporal variations in microplastic loads collected from sediment, macroinvertebrate and fish samples from an urban watercourse (Bourne Stream) in Dorset, southwest England. Sediment particles were mostly fragments of colours (especially orange and purple) whereas microplastics in both macroinvertebrates and fishes were blue/green and fibres. Across all sample types, the dominant particle size class was ≤100 μm. Median (M) and range (R) of microplastic loads within each sample type were sediment: M = 0.06, R = 0-0.36 particles g-1; macroinvertebrates: M = 0, R = 0-4 particles per batch; and fishes: M = 1, R = 0-6 particles per individual. Sediment loads varied spatially, with the highest load in the most upstream site, whereas biotic loads did not vary across space and time. Macroinvertebrate batch loadings varied between taxa and feeding guild, with counts significantly higher in annelids but lower in herbivores. Fish counts were higher in species with true, differentiated stomachs, but with the effects of species, feeding guild and body size being non-significant. Within sites, mean microplastic loads did not correlate between sediment, macroinvertebrate and fish samples. These results suggest that sediment freshwater microplastic loadings may vary spatially but that these trends are not reflected by, or correlated to, those in the biota where ingestion varies with biological traits. Assessments of freshwater microplastic contamination must therefore consider sampling spatiotemporally and across different biotic communities to fully understand the scale of contamination, and to subsequently undertake effective mitigation steps.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Parker
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole, Dorset BH12 5BB, UK.
| | - J Robert Britton
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole, Dorset BH12 5BB, UK
| | | | - Magdalena Barrow
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole, Dorset BH12 5BB, UK
| | - Iain D Green
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole, Dorset BH12 5BB, UK
| | - Victoria Dominguez Almela
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole, Dorset BH12 5BB, UK; School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Demetra Andreou
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Science and Technology, Bournemouth University, Poole, Dorset BH12 5BB, UK
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Jiang N, Luo W, Zhao P, Ga B, Jia J, Giesy JP. Distribution of microplastics in benthic sediments of Qinghai Lake on the Tibetan Plateau, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 835:155434. [PMID: 35461939 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2022] [Revised: 04/17/2022] [Accepted: 04/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Although several studies of microplastics (MPs) with size <5 mm in lake sediments focused on lakeshore areas, there have been no studies of distributions of MPs from lakeshores to the center of a lake. To test our hypothesis that MPs decrease from lakeshore to the center, a study was conducted on the largest brackish lake on the remote and high-altitude Tibetan Plateau, China. Abundances and characteristics of MPs in 14 samples of surface sediment collected from a river bay, a lake bay, and a lake central area were investigated. Distributions were influenced by river inflow, tourism, and minimal activity of humans, respectively around Qinghai Lake. The mean abundance of MPs in sediments of Qinghai Lake was 393 ± 457 items/kg, dry mass (dm). Based on the range of MP abundances in surface sediments of lakes worldwide, Qinghai Lake was classified as being moderately polluted with MPs. The dominant color, shape, size, and polymer type of MPs in sediments were transparent, fiber, 0.05-1 mm, and polypropylene, respectively. The river bay had a mean abundance of MPs two-fold greater than either the bay or central area of the lake. This indicates that the river catchment caused more pollution with MPs, while the central area of the lake was not a sink for MPs. Spatial trends of MPs in sediments from the shore to the center of the lake differed among areas, and were significantly related to wind, lake current, sedimentation rate, water- and sediment-properties, water depth, and proximity to land sources of MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Jiang
- Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Recycling, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wei Luo
- Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Recycling, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China; State Key Laboratory of Urban and Regional Ecology Research, Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China.
| | - Pin Zhao
- Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Recycling, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Bila Ga
- Laboratory of Solid Waste Treatment and Recycling, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Junmei Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Plateau Ecology and Agriculture, Qinghai University, Xining 810016, China
| | - John P Giesy
- Toxicology Program Faculty, Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B3, Canada; Department of Veterinary Biomedical Sciences, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, SK, Canada; Department of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA; Department of Environmental Science, Baylor University, Waco, TX, USA
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35
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Shi M, Li R, Xu A, Su Y, Hu T, Mao Y, Qi S, Xing X. Huge quantities of microplastics are "hidden" in the sediment of China's largest urban lake-Tangxun Lake. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 307:119500. [PMID: 35667519 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 04/24/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) pollution in Tangxun Lake, the largest urban lake in China, was investigated. The average MPs pollution in sediment (1.81 ± 1.75 × 104 items kg-1) is at a high level, while the MPs in lakeshore water (917.77 ± 742.17 items m-3) is in the middle to low level compared with existing studies, which is related to the government's protection. Fragments and fibers are the most common shapes in sediment and water, respectively. MPs size <1 mm dominates in the sediment, while the MPs in water has a larger size. The distribution of MPs in the inner lake shows that pellets tend to "hidden" in sediments. Suspected MPs are randomly selected for polymer detection by Micro-Raman microscopy. Polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are the most common polymer types in water, sediment and atmospheric deposition MPs samples. The input of wastewater, fishery and surrounding human activities are the main sources of MPs in sediment. Atmospheric deposition has a great impact on the distribution of MPs, while the contribution of surface runoff to lake MPs is not remarkable. In addition, MPs in sediments have exceeded the environmental carrying capacity. More attention should be focused on the sediment, where huge amounts of MPs are "hidden".
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingming Shi
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Rui Li
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - An Xu
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Yewang Su
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Tianpeng Hu
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Yao Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Shihua Qi
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China
| | - Xinli Xing
- School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China; State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan 430074, China.
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36
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Liu S, Huang Y, Luo D, Wang X, Wang Z, Ji X, Chen Z, Dahlgren RA, Zhang M, Shang X. Integrated effects of polymer type, size and shape on the sinking dynamics of biofouled microplastics. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 220:118656. [PMID: 35635917 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118656] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Sinking of microplastics (MPs) after biofouling is considered an important mechanisms responsible for the downward transport/sedimentation of MPs in the ocean and freshwaters. Previous studies demonstrated MP sinking caused by an increase in the composite density of MPs after biofouling, while MPs with smaller size or shapes with higher surface area to volume ratios (SA:V), such as films, are speculated to sink faster. In this study, we designed an in situ microcosm to simulate the ambient environmental conditions experienced by floating MPs to elucidate the biofouling and sinking of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and expanded-polystyrene (EPS) MPs of various sizes and shapes. Our results showed smaller PE and PP MP granules sank faster than large ones. Even EPS granules of 100 μm diameter, having a much lower density (0.02 mg/mm3) than water, started to sink after 2 weeks of biofouling. Moreover, PE film and fiber MPs with higher SA:V did not sink faster than PE MP granules of the same mass, implying that mechanisms other than SA:V, such as fouling contact area and drag coefficient, play a role in the regulation of biofouling and sinking of MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siguang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Fujian Institute of Oceanography, Xiamen 361013, China
| | - Yifeng Huang
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Dehua Luo
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xiao Wang
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zhenfeng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xiaoliang Ji
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zheng Chen
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Randy A Dahlgren
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Minghua Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Xu Shang
- Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health of Zhejiang Province, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
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Kallenbach EMF, Friberg N, Lusher A, Jacobsen D, Hurley RR. Anthropogenically impacted lake catchments in Denmark reveal low microplastic pollution. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:47726-47739. [PMID: 35181858 PMCID: PMC9232414 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19001-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2021] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics have been detected in lake environments globally, including in remote regions. Agricultural and populated areas are known to congregate several inputs and release pathways for microplastic. This study investigated microplastic (50-5000 µm) contamination in five Danish freshwater lakes with catchments dominated by arable land use. The concentrations in sediments (n = 3/site) and the zebra mussel, Dreissena polymorpha (n = 30/site), were calculated and compared with catchment characteristics and environmental parameters. Microplastic concentrations in sediment were relatively low (average 0.028 ± 0.017 items/g dry weight sediment) whilst only a single microplastic was found in the mussels (average 0.067 ± 0.249 items/10 individual). Hence, no relationship between the number of observed microplastics in sediment and mussels could be identified, nor could a relationship between concentration in sediment and environmental parameters. As all lakes studied received their water from moderate to heavily anthropogenically impacted catchments, it was expected that they would be sinks for microplastic with high bioavailability. Based on the results of the present study, D. polymorpha were found to not be contaminated by microplastics in the five study lakes. Thus, our results suggest that these mussels do not interact with microplastics at low concentrations. We speculate that the results on sediment and biota could be explained by several factors related to regional differences in plastic use, species characteristics, sampling size, and the fact that finding no microplastic is not always reported in the scientific literature. Thus, the paper provides insight into the dynamics between the catchment, lake, and biota in systems with low microplastic concentration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emilie M. F. Kallenbach
- NIVA Denmark Water Research, Njalsgade 76, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark
- University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 4, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
| | - Nikolai Friberg
- NIVA Denmark Water Research, Njalsgade 76, 2300 Copenhagen S, Denmark
- University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 4, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
- NIVA, Økernveien 94, 0579 Oslo, Norway
- School of Geography, water@leeds, University of Leeds, Leeds, LS2 9JT UK
| | - Amy Lusher
- NIVA, Økernveien 94, 0579 Oslo, Norway
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Bergen, 5020 Bergen, Norway
| | - Dean Jacobsen
- University of Copenhagen, Universitetsparken 4, Copenhagen Ø, Denmark
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Xu Y, Huang D, Liu P, Ouyang Z, Jia H, Guo X. The characteristics of dissolved organic matter release from UV-aged microplastics and its cytotoxicity on human colonic adenocarcinoma cells. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 826:154177. [PMID: 35231513 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154177] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
There are a large number of microplastic (MPs) in the sea or on land, most of which undergo physical, chemical or biological processes leading to the release of dissolved organic matter (DOM). In this study, we analyzed the change of Polyurethane microplastic (PU-MPs) valence bond under different aging conditions thanks to Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and its surface characteristics using scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and also described the characteristics of DOM dissolved from PU (PU-DOM) under UV aging process in two different medium (water and air), based on Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) measurements, UV-visible spectrometer and Three-dimensional excitation emission matrices (3D-EEMs). The DOC data both showed that Under UV aging of different systems, PU-DOM concentration increases with the extension of aging time, and correspondingly, its toxicity to human colon adenocarcinoma cells also increases, but the release amount of PU-DOM under air aging is higher than that of PU-DOM in water. We speculate that it may be the refraction and scattering of water, which leads to the reduction of the intensity of UV radiation. 3D-EEMs identified tryptophan-like fluorescent component and tyrosine-like component, meanwhile, the liquid chromatography-mass spectrometer (LC-MS) data further confirmed the formation of acid substances. The results further confirmed that the composition of PU-DOM in different systems is the same, but the release amount is different. The contents of the produced conjugated carbonyls and Reactive oxygen species (ROS) because of light irradiation increased likewise. The cytotoxicity of PU-DOM was consistent with the changing trend of ROS level in PU-MPs, suggesting that the produced ROS induced the in vitro toxicities. The results not only highlight the adverse health effects of photoaged PU-MPs, but also provide new perspectives for the environmental risks of MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yibo Xu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Daofen Huang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Peng Liu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agro-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Zhuozhi Ouyang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agro-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Hanzhong Jia
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agro-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xuetao Guo
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agro-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
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39
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Moura DS, Pestana CJ, Moffat CF, Hui J, Irvine JTS, Edwards C, Lawton LA. Adsorption of cyanotoxins on polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate: Microplastics as vector of eight microcystin analogues. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 303:119135. [PMID: 35283205 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119135] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 03/04/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Plastics are utilised globally but are of environmental concern due to their persistence. The global presence of microplastics (particles <5 mm in all dimensions) in freshwater environments is increasingly reported, as has the presence of cyanobacterial toxins, including the microcystins. We elucidated the potential role of microplastics as a vector for eight microcystin analogues. Two sizes of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microparticles were evaluated. The median particle size distribution (D50) was 8-28 μm for small particles, and 81-124 μm for large particles. Additionally, microcystin-LR and -LF were evaluated individually using small PP and PET to elucidate the adsorption behaviour in the absence of competition. Microcystin hydrophobicity, polymer material, and particle size were key factors influencing adsorption to the plastic microparticles. The small size PP microparticles demonstrated a high affinity for the 8 microcystin analogues. The proportion of microcystin adsorbed onto the small particles of PP after 48 h contact was between 83 and 100%, depending on the analogue. Of all analogues investigated, only microcystin-LW and -LF adsorbed onto the larger sized PP and PET microparticles. Individually, greater amounts of MC-LF adsorbed onto the small PET (19%) compared to when it was present in the mixture of microcystins (11%). While MC-LR did not adsorb onto small PET microparticles in the mixture, 5% adsorption was observed when individually in contact with small PET microparticles. The results demonstrated that microplastics can adsorb eight different microcystin analogues and that more hydrophobic analogues are more likely to adsorb than less hydrophobic analogues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana S Moura
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ, UK.
| | - Carlos J Pestana
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ, UK
| | - Colin F Moffat
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ, UK
| | - Jianing Hui
- School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Scotland, KY16 9ST, UK
| | - John T S Irvine
- School of Chemistry, University of St Andrews, North Haugh, St Andrews, Scotland, KY16 9ST, UK
| | - Christine Edwards
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ, UK
| | - Linda A Lawton
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ, UK
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Zhao M, Cao Y, Chen T, Li H, Tong Y, Fan W, Xie Y, Tao Y, Zhou J. Characteristics and source-pathway of microplastics in freshwater system of China: A review. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 297:134192. [PMID: 35257703 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
China plays a key role in global plastic production, consumption and disposal, which arouses growing concern about microplastics (MPs) contamination in Chinese freshwater systems. However, few reviews have discussed the characteristics of MP pollution in whole freshwater systems at a national scale. In this review, we summarized the characteristics, sources and transport pathways of MPs in Chinese freshwater systems including surface water and sediment. Results showed that current research mainly focused on the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and its tributaries, as well as lakes and reservoirs along the Yangtze River. Large-scale reservoirs, rivers and lakes located in densely populated areas usually showed higher abundances of MPs. The majority of MPs in Chinese surface water and sediment mainly consisted of polyethylene and polypropylene, and the most common morphologies were fibers and fragments. To identify the sources and pathways, we introduced the source-sink-pathway model, and found that sewage system, farmland and aquaculture area were the three most prevalent sinks in freshwater systems in China. The source-sink-pathway model will help to further identify the migration of MPs from sources to freshwater systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjie Zhao
- Research Center for Environment and Health, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China; School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China
| | - Yanxiao Cao
- Research Center for Environment and Health, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China; School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China.
| | - Tiantian Chen
- Research Center for Environment and Health, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China; School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China
| | - Honghu Li
- Research Center for Environment and Health, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China; School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China
| | - Yifei Tong
- Wuhan Ecologic Environmental Carbon Technology Co., Ltd, Wuhan, 430073, China
| | - Wenbo Fan
- Research Center for Environment and Health, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China; School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China
| | - Yuwei Xie
- Research Center for Environment and Health, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China; School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China
| | - Ye Tao
- Research Center for Environment and Health, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China; School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China
| | - Jingcheng Zhou
- Research Center for Environment and Health, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China; School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China.
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41
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Jeevanandam M, Talelign W, Biru A, Sakthi JS, Silva JD, Saravanan P, Jonathan MP. Evidences of microplastics in Hawassa Lake, Ethiopia: A first-hand report. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 296:133979. [PMID: 35182535 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133979] [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: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 01/01/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Investigation on freshwater MPs has increased gradually across the world, since they are main trajectory for the transportation of MPs from inland to ocean. The present study aims to identify the presence, distribution and the type of MPs in the lake Hawassa, Ethiopia. Twenty-five shoreline surface sediments were separated using ZnCl2 solution and was microphotographed using SEM and type of MP was identified using FTIR spectra. The abundance of MPs was in range of 11-74 items/m3 near the catchment area of the lake in the eastern side. Fiber (90%), fragments (5%) and pellets (5%) were the commonly observed form with varied colour such as white, black, blue, red and others. Our results infer that the common polymer detected in the study area were polyester (82%), polyethylene (15%) and polystyrene (3%) infer their origin from fishing nets, ropes and plastics bags. The industries near the lake contributes more MPs, where the waste water effluents are drained directly into the lake. Spearman's correlation matrix applied among the MPs characters endorses the fate of MPs in the lake environment indicating the weathering process (especially due to bleaching process). Comparative studies with other lake regions around the globe indicate higher values which is entirely and it depends on various factors surrounding the study area. Being, highly polluted lake in Ethiopia, this study extremely acclaims that some monitoring studies in fresh water components in the lake Hawassa helps to mitigate the prevailing MPs pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Jeevanandam
- Department of Geology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Wegene Talelign
- Department of Geology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - Adane Biru
- Department of Geology, College of Natural and Computational Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
| | - J S Sakthi
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios Sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo, (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Calle 30 de Junio de 1520, Barrio La Laguna Ticomán, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, C.P.07340, Ciudad de México (CDMX), Mexico
| | - Judith D Silva
- Tamil Nadu Irrigated Agricultural Modernization Project, Multi-Disciplinary Project Unit (World Bank Funded), Public Works Department, Chepauk, Chennai, 600005, India
| | - P Saravanan
- Department of Geology, University of Madras, Guindy Campus, Chennai, 600 025, India
| | - M P Jonathan
- Centro Interdisciplinario de Investigaciones y Estudios Sobre Medio Ambiente y Desarrollo, (CIIEMAD), Instituto Politécnico Nacional (IPN), Calle 30 de Junio de 1520, Barrio La Laguna Ticomán, Del. Gustavo A. Madero, C.P.07340, Ciudad de México (CDMX), Mexico.
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42
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Wu Y, Wang S, Wu L, Yang Y, Yu X, Liu Q, Liu X, Li Y, Wang X. Vertical distribution and river-sea transport of microplastics with tidal fluctuation in a subtropical estuary, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 822:153603. [PMID: 35114237 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The river-sea transport of microplastic with complex environmental conditions and diverse driving factors has received growing attention in the estuary. This research investigated the vertical distribution of microplastics in the water column and surface sediments and explored the effect of tidal variation on the transport of microplastics in Jiulong Estuary and Xiamen Bay, China. Results show that the microplastics in the estuary (630 ± 515 μm) was significantly larger than that in the bay (344 ± 420 μm, p < 0.01). Low-density microplastics are present in the whole water column, while high-density microplastics was apt to accumulate in the bottom water and surface sediment suggesting biofouling and material density of microplastics synergistic affect its vertical distribution. Every 1-2 h high-frequency samples collected in a whole tide found the increase of fine size (45-300 μm) and decrease of large size (>300 μm) in the flood tide, which implied fine microplastics were easily driven into the estuary from the bay at flood tide than large microplastics. The abundance of microplastics in the sediments decreased in the fast-rising and fast-falling period implies the tide influences the fragmentation and resuspension of microplastics in the estuary. Finally, the flux of microplastics entering Xiamen Bay was 53.5 t/month in the moderate flow month were estimated based on the abundance of different water layers instead of floating microplastics in the surface water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Siquan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Libo Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Yijing Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xiaoxuan Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Qingxiang Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xiaolong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Yongyu Li
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xinhong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, College of the Environment & Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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43
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Yu X, Xu Y, Lang M, Huang D, Guo X, Zhu L. New insights on metal ions accelerating the aging behavior of polystyrene microplastics: Effects of different excess reactive oxygen species. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 821:153457. [PMID: 35092773 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153457] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Revised: 01/23/2022] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) will coexist with various pollutants in the environment, but it is not clear whether these pollutants will affect the aging process of MPs. The aging process of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) mediated by Cu2+ and Pb2+ was investigated in this study. The results showed that the aging rate of PS-MPs mediated by Cu2+ and Pb2+ were significantly higher than that of ultrapure water (After 7 days of light irradiation, the CI values of aging PS-MPs mediated by ultrapure water, Cu2+ and Pb2+ increased from 0.030 of original PS-MPs to 0.034, 0.048 and 0.086 respectively). This process may be related to the generation of a large amount of reactive oxygen species, because OH were detected in PS-MPs suspension mediated by Cu2+, which were significantly higher than those in ultrapure water, while 1O2 mediated by Pb2+ were more. However, these photo-aging effects were significantly inhibited by reactive oxygen species (ROS) quencher, which indicated that excessive ROS production was the main reason for metal ions to promote the photo-aging of PS-MPs. In addition, this study reported that excessive ROS will accelerate the formation of carbonyl group on the surface of PS-MPs, and lead to the change of physical and chemical properties of PS-MPs. This study provides new insights for the environmental behavior of MPs under the condition of combined pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoqin Yu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yibo Xu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Mengfan Lang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Daofen Huang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xuetao Guo
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agro-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
| | - Lingyan Zhu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agro-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
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44
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Guo C, Guo H. Progress in the Degradability of Biodegradable Film Materials for Packaging. MEMBRANES 2022; 12:membranes12050500. [PMID: 35629826 PMCID: PMC9143987 DOI: 10.3390/membranes12050500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 04/28/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
In today’s world, the problem of “white pollution” is becoming more and more serious, and many countries have paid special attention to this problem, and it has become one of the most important tasks to reduce polymer waste and to protect the environment. Due to the degradability, safety, economy and practicality of biodegradable packaging film materials, biodegradable packaging film materials have become a major trend in the packaging industry to replace traditional packaging film materials, provided that the packaging performance requirements are met. This paper reviews the degradation mechanisms and performance characteristics of biodegradable packaging film materials, such as photodegradation, hydrodegradation, thermo-oxidative degradation and biodegradation, focuses on the research progress of the modification of biodegradable packaging film materials, and summarizes some challenges and bottlenecks of current biodegradable packaging film materials.
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45
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Lang M, Wang G, Yang Y, Zhu W, Zhang Y, Ouyang Z, Guo X. The occurrence and effect of altitude on microplastics distribution in agricultural soils of Qinghai Province, northwest China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 810:152174. [PMID: 34896515 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2021] [Revised: 11/29/2021] [Accepted: 11/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MPs) is a new type of environmental pollutant that has been widely detected in recent years. It is one of the main environmental problems faced by the global ecosystem and has attracted widespread attention. However, few studies have focused on the occurrence and distribution of MPs in agroecosystems. Therefore, Qinghai Province, a typical northwest region of China, was selected as the research area to study the distribution characteristics of MPs in agricultural soils in the low-altitude areas. The results indicated that MPs were detected in all soil samples. The abundance of MPs in agricultural soils in Qinghai Province ranged from 240 to 3660 items·kg-1. MPs with size less than 0.5 mm dominated, accounting for 50% of the total MPs. The main types of MPs were film and fiber, accounting for 67% and 29% respectively. It was proved that the use of mulching film and sewage irrigation are the main sources of MPs, and the recovery and treatment of agricultural waste can reduce MPs pollution. At the same time, the spatial distribution characteristics of MPs in the soil of Qinghai Province were analyzed, and the results showed that the heavily polluted areas of MPs were mainly concentrated in the densely populated areas in the east of the province. In addition, the influence of altitude on MPs abundance was investigated, and there was a negative correlation between altitude and MPs abundance, and ultraviolet light may accelerate the aging and degradation of MPs. This study revealed the distribution characteristics of farmland soil pollution in typical northwest China, and provided an important theoretical basis for the subsequent study of MPs in agricultural ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengfan Lang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Guyue Wang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Yueyun Yang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Weimin Zhu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Youming Zhang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Zhuozhi Ouyang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agro-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China
| | - Xuetao Guo
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China; Key Laboratory of Plant Nutrition and the Agro-environment in Northwest China, Ministry of Agriculture, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, China.
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46
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Blackburn K, Green D. The potential effects of microplastics on human health: What is known and what is unknown. AMBIO 2022; 51:518-530. [PMID: 34185251 PMCID: PMC8800959 DOI: 10.1007/s13280-021-01589-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 94] [Impact Index Per Article: 47.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 05/31/2021] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic contamination is ubiquitous in aquatic and terrestrial environments, found in water, sediments, within organisms and in the atmosphere and the biological effects on animal and plant life have been extensively investigated in recent years. There is growing evidence that humans are exposed to microplastics via ingestion of food and drink and through inhalation. Despite the prevalence of contamination, there has been limited research on the effects of microplastics on human health and most studies, to date, analyse the effects on model organisms with the likely impacts on human health being inferred by extrapolation. This review summarises the latest findings in the field with respect to the prevalence of microplastics in the human-environment, to what extent they might enter and persist in the body, and what effect, if any, they are likely to have on human health. Whilst definitive evidence linking microplastic consumption to human health is currently lacking, results from correlative studies in people exposed to high concentrations of microplastics, model animal and cell culture experiments, suggest that effects of microplastics could include provoking immune and stress responses and inducing reproductive and developmental toxicity. Further research is required to explore the potential implications of this recent contaminant in our environment in more rigorous clinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kirsty Blackburn
- Applied Ecology Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Room 302 Science Centre, Cambridge, CB1 1PT UK
- Biomedical Sciences Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, CB1 1PT UK
- Wellcome Sanger Institute, Wellcome Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridge, CB10 1SA UK
| | - Dannielle Green
- Applied Ecology Research Group, School of Life Sciences, Anglia Ruskin University, Room 302 Science Centre, Cambridge, CB1 1PT UK
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Neelavannan K, Sen IS, Lone AM, Gopinath K. Microplastics in the high-altitude Himalayas: Assessment of microplastic contamination in freshwater lake sediments, Northwest Himalaya (India). CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 290:133354. [PMID: 34929278 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133354] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 12/02/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In this study, we assess the magnitude, type, and sources of microplastic (MP) in lake bottom sediments collected from freshwater Anchar Lake, located in the Kashmir Valley, Northwest Himalaya. The MP identification was done on twenty-four lake bottom sediment samples under a stereo-microscope, and their polymer compositions were characterized using an Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. The study reveals that 606 ± 360 (average ± SD, n = 24) numbers of MP were present per kilogram of dry sediment samples, with fibers (91%), fragments/films (8%), and pellets (1%) dominating the shape groups. Polyamide (PA, 96%) was the dominant polymer composition present in the sediment samples, followed by polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 1.4%), polystyrene (PS, 1.4%), polyvinyl chloride (PVC, 0.9%), and polypropylene (PP, 0.7%). Polymer Hazard Index (PHI) and Pollution Load Index (PLI) were used to evaluate the quality of sediments. It was noted that high PHI values (>1000) were due to the presence of PVC polymer. According to PLI values, sediments in the Anchar lake are less contaminated with MP. We conclude that MP in the Anchar Lake have a complex source derived mostly from the automobile, textile, and packaging industries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kannaiyan Neelavannan
- Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, 208016, India; Institute for Ocean Management, Anna University, Chennai, 600025, India.
| | - Indra Sekhar Sen
- Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, 208016, India
| | - Aasif Mohmad Lone
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, IISER, Bhopal, 462066, India
| | - Kalpana Gopinath
- Institute for Ocean Management, Anna University, Chennai, 600025, India; Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, Sweden
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48
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Liang T, Lei Z, Fuad MTI, Wang Q, Sun S, Fang JKH, Liu X. Distribution and potential sources of microplastics in sediments in remote lakes of Tibet, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150526. [PMID: 34597964 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150526] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2021] [Revised: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/18/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of microplastics in water bodies such as oceans and rivers has received considerable attention in recent years. The present study contributes to this research effort by assessing microplastics in 12 remote lakes on the Tibetan Plateau, China. Despite the limited extent of human activities, at least 17 items and up to 2644 items of microplastics were found per kg of dried sediments collected from the lakes in Tibet. These values were considered high compared to the levels of microplastics reported in other lake areas worldwide. Our results showed that the most prevailing types of microplastics in the sediments were black or transparent fibers in the size range of 0.05-0.5 mm, which were mainly identified to be polyamide and polyethylene terephthalate using Fourier-transform infrared microspectroscopy. The number of microplastics found appeared to be higher in sediments with a higher silt and clay content. Atmospheric long-range transport, glacial meltwater and surface runoff represent potential pathways to carry microplastics from elsewhere to the remote lakes in Tibet. This study shall be of great significance in understanding the transport and distribution of microplastics in the environment at regional or global scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Liang
- College of Marine Life Sciences and Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Zhiyuan Lei
- College of Marine Life Sciences and Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Md Tariful Islam Fuad
- College of Marine Life Sciences and Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Qi Wang
- College of Marine Life Sciences and Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Shichun Sun
- Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - James Kar-Hei Fang
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; Research Institute for Land and Space, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China; State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, China.
| | - Xiaoshou Liu
- College of Marine Life Sciences and Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China; Institute of Evolution and Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China.
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49
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Wagstaff A, Lawton LA, Petrie B. Polyamide microplastics in wastewater as vectors of cationic pharmaceutical drugs. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 288:132578. [PMID: 34656621 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132578] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/05/2021] [Revised: 10/06/2021] [Accepted: 10/13/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Reported here is the first study to investigate the adsorption of pharmaceutical drugs to microplastics in wastewater. Wastewater is an environmental source of microplastics and pharmaceuticals, which is discharged as treated effluent or combined sewer overflows. In this study, adsorption of cationic pharmaceuticals, with a range of octanol-water distribution coefficients, to polyamide (Nylon 12) microplastics was investigated in real wastewater samples. Significant adsorption was observed for the more hydrophobic pharmaceuticals studied, propranolol, amitriptyline, and fluoxetine, with equilibrium reached within 24 h. Microplastic-wastewater distribution coefficients for these three pharmaceuticals were 191, 749 and 1020 L kg-1, respectively. Favourable wastewater conditions for adsorption of pharmaceuticals to polyamide were at pH > 7, summer temperatures (20 °C), and no stormwater dilution. Adsorption of the more hydrophilic pharmaceuticals atenolol, pseudoephedrine, metoprolol, and tramadol was ≤7% under all conditions and considered insignificant. Limited desorption (7-17%) of propranolol, amitriptyline, and fluoxetine was observed in river water over 24 h. This suggests that microplastics may be able to transport adsorbed pharmaceuticals for considerable distances after discharge. In simulated gastric fluids their desorption increased to 24-27% and 40-58% in cold- and warm-blooded temperatures respectively. The findings demonstrate that wastewater microplastics could act as a vector of pharmaceutical drugs, from wastewater treatment plants to aquatic organisms. However, further research is needed to better appreciate the risks posed by pharmaceuticals adsorbed to microplastics in comparison to other organic particulates found in wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Antony Wagstaff
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ, UK
| | - Linda A Lawton
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ, UK
| | - Bruce Petrie
- School of Pharmacy and Life Sciences, Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, AB10 7GJ, UK.
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50
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Tamminga M, Hengstmann E, Deuke AK, Fischer EK. Microplastic concentrations, characteristics, and fluxes in water bodies of the Tollense catchment, Germany, with regard to different sampling systems. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:11345-11358. [PMID: 34533749 PMCID: PMC8794927 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16106-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The widespread presence of microplastics in multiple environmental compartments has largely been demonstrated. Assessing the ecological risk that microplastics pose is, at the present stage, hindered due to methodical differences. Moreover, different methods hamper meaningful comparisons between studies and data on microplastics <300 μm is scarce. Therefore, we focused on microplastics >20 μm in freshwater and sampling-related aspects in this concern. Sampling was conducted between 2018 and 2020 in the Tollense catchment in northeastern Germany and was carried out by in situ pump filtration. Two different sampling systems (cutoff sizes 20 μm and 63 μm) were applied to filter water volumes of 0.075-1.836 m3. Retained particles were analyzed by a combination of Nile red staining and micro-Raman spectroscopy. Thereby, we found microplastic concentrations between 123 and 1728 particles m-3 using the 63-μm cut-off size and between 1357 and 2146 particles m-3 using the 20-μm cut-off size. Local hydrodynamics (discharge and flow velocity) and land cover are likely influencing the observed microplastic concentrations and fluxes. The variability between both sampling systems cannot fully be explained by the different mesh sizes used. We argue that differentiation between a theoretical cut-off size (finest mesh) and a factual cut-off size (reliable quantification) can help to understand sampling related differences between studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Tamminga
- Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN), Universität Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, 20146, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Elena Hengstmann
- Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN), Universität Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ann-Kristin Deuke
- Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN), Universität Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Elke Kerstin Fischer
- Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN), Universität Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
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