1
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Feng S, Lu H, Xue Y, Li Y, Yan P, Lu J, Li H, Sun T. A multivariate analysis of microplastics in soils along the headwaters of Yangtze river on the Tibetan Plateau. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 471:134347. [PMID: 38677115 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134347] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are among the most widespread anthropogenic pollutants of natural environments, while limited research has focused on the fate of MPs in soils along the Plateau rivers. In this study, we investigated MPs in soils along the source areas of the Yangtze River on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. The results showed mean MP abundance values of (89.4 ± 51.0) and (64.4 ± 24.5) items/kg of dry soils around the tributary and mainstream areas, respectively. Film, transparent colors, and polyethylene were common shape, color, and compositions, respectively. The correlation analysis and PCA revealed that MP abundance was related to soil heavy metals (Cr and Ni) and nutrients (TOC and TP) (p < 0.05). Structural equation modeling also revealed that population density was the dominant driving factor contributing to MPs, with a total effect coefficient of 0.45. In addition, the conditional fragmentation model further distinguished the differences in MP sources from upstream to downstream along the Jinsha River. The significant sources of MPs in the bare land and grasslands from the upper reaches of the Jinsha River included traffic, tourism, and atmospheric transport. In contrast, MP transport during farming activities mainly contributed to MPs in the agricultural soil in the lower reaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sansan Feng
- Key Laboratory of Water Cycle and Related Land Surface Process, Institute of Geographic Science and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Hongwei Lu
- Key Laboratory of Water Cycle and Related Land Surface Process, Institute of Geographic Science and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Yuxuan Xue
- Key Laboratory of Water Cycle and Related Land Surface Process, Institute of Geographic Science and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Yibo Li
- Key Laboratory of Water Cycle and Related Land Surface Process, Institute of Geographic Science and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Pengdong Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulic Engineering Simulation and Safety, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
| | - Jingzhao Lu
- College of Science and Technology, Hebei Agricultural University, Cangzhou 061100, China
| | - Hengchen Li
- Key Laboratory of Water Cycle and Related Land Surface Process, Institute of Geographic Science and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Tong Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulic Engineering Simulation and Safety, Tianjin University, Tianjin 300072, China
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2
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Du A, Hu C, Wang X, Zhao Y, Xia W, Dai X, Wang L, Zhang S. Experimental Study on the Migration and Distribution of Microplastics in Desert Farmland Soil Under Drip Irrigation. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:1250-1259. [PMID: 38563658 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5853] [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: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
The microplastics (MPs) formed by broken plastic film may migrate in the soil under drip irrigation. To investigate the migration distribution of MPs in desert farmland soil under drip irrigation conditions, our study was conducted on farmland in Xinjiang (China). A MP drip irrigation penetration migration testing device was set up in combination with Xinjiang farmland irrigation methods to conduct a migration simulation experiment. The results showed that the migration amount of MPs in soil was significantly positively correlated with the amount of drip irrigation, and significantly negatively correlated with the soil depth; in addition, the relationship between the migration amount of MPs in different types of soil was: clay < sandy loam < sandy soil. Under drip irrigation conditions, the migration rates of MPs were 30.51%, 19.41%, and 10.29% in sandy soil, sandy loam soil, and clay, respectively. The migration ability of these three particle sizes of polyethylene MPs in soil was ranked as follows: 25 to 147 μm > 0 to 25 μm > 147 to 250 μm. When the drip irrigation volume was 2.6 to 3.2 L, horizontal migration distances of MPs exceeded 5 cm, and vertical migration distances reached more than 30 cm. Our findings provide reference data for the study of soil MP migration. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1250-1259. © 2024 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ao Du
- College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Tarim University, Alaer, China
- The Key Laboratory of Colleges & Universities under the Department of Education of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Alaer, China
| | - Can Hu
- College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Tarim University, Alaer, China
- The Key Laboratory of Colleges & Universities under the Department of Education of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Alaer, China
| | - Xufeng Wang
- College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Tarim University, Alaer, China
- The Key Laboratory of Colleges & Universities under the Department of Education of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Alaer, China
| | - Yachuan Zhao
- College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Tarim University, Alaer, China
- The Key Laboratory of Colleges & Universities under the Department of Education of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Alaer, China
| | - Wenhao Xia
- College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Tarim University, Alaer, China
- The Key Laboratory of Colleges & Universities under the Department of Education of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Alaer, China
| | - Xianxing Dai
- College of Agriculture, Tarim University, Alar, China
| | - Long Wang
- College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Tarim University, Alaer, China
- The Key Laboratory of Colleges & Universities under the Department of Education of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Alaer, China
| | - Shufeng Zhang
- College of Mechanical and Electronic Engineering, Tarim University, Alaer, China
- The Key Laboratory of Colleges & Universities under the Department of Education of Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Alaer, China
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3
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Rodríguez‐Sevilla E, Álvarez‐Martínez JU, Castro‐Beltrán R, Morales‐Narváez E. Flexible 3D Plasmonic Web Enables Remote Surface Enhanced Raman Spectroscopy. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2402192. [PMID: 38582528 PMCID: PMC11187956 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202402192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Indexed: 04/08/2024]
Abstract
Nanoplasmonic materials concentrate light in specific regions of dramatic electromagnetic enhancement: hot spots. Such regions can be employed to perform single molecule detection via surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy. However, this phenomenon is challenging since hot spots are expected to be highly intense/abundant and positioning of molecules within such hot spots is crucial to manage with ultrasensitive SERS. Herein, it is discovered that a 3D plasmonic web embedded within a biohybrid (3D-POWER) exhibits plasmonic transmission, spontaneously absorbs the analyte, and meets these so much needed criteria in ultrasensitive SERS. 3D-POWER is built with nanopaper and self-assembled layers of graphene oxide and gold nanorods. According to in silico experiments, 3D-POWER captures light in a small region and performs plasmonic field transmission in a surrounding volume, thereby activating a plasmonic web throughout the simulated volume. The study also provides experimental evidence supporting the plasmonic field transport ability of 3D power, which operates as a SERS signal carrier (even beyond the apparatus field of view), and the ultrasensitive behavior of this ecofriendly and flexible material facilitating yoctomolar limit of detection. Besides, 3D-POWER is proven useful in food and biofluids analysis. It is foreseen that 3D-POWER can be employed as a valuable platform in (bio)analytical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Rodríguez‐Sevilla
- Centro de Investigaciones en Óptica A. C.Loma del Bosque 115, Lomas del CampestreLeónGuanajuato37150México
| | - Jonathan Ulises Álvarez‐Martínez
- Departamento de Ingeniería FísicaDivisión de Ciencias e IngenieríasUniversidad de GuanajuatoLoma del Bosque 103, Lomas del CampestreLeónGuanajuato37150México
| | - Rigoberto Castro‐Beltrán
- Departamento de Ingeniería FísicaDivisión de Ciencias e IngenieríasUniversidad de GuanajuatoLoma del Bosque 103, Lomas del CampestreLeónGuanajuato37150México
| | - Eden Morales‐Narváez
- Biophotonic Nanosensors LaboratoryCentro de Física Aplicada y Tecnología Avanzada (CFATA)Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM)Boulevard Juriquilla 3001Querétaro76230México
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4
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Bahrani F, Mohammadi A, Dobaradaran S, De-la-Torre GE, Arfaeinia H, Ramavandi B, Saeedi R, Tekle-Röttering A. Occurrence of microplastics in edible tissues of livestock (cow and sheep). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:22145-22157. [PMID: 38403824 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32424-9] [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: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
Plastic contamination is widely recognized as a major environmental concern due to the entry of small plastic particles into the food chain, thereby posing potential hazards to human health. However, the current understanding of microplastic (MP; < 5 mm) particles in livestock, which serve as an important food source, is limited. This study aims to investigate the concentration and characteristics of MPs in edible tissues of cow and sheep, namely liver, meat, and tripe, obtained from butcher shops in five areas of Bushehr port, Iran. The mean concentration of MPs in different tissues of cow and sheep were 0.14 and 0.13 items/g, respectively. Among the examined tissues, cow meat exhibited the highest concentration of MPs, with a concentration of 0.19 items/g. Nylon and fiber were identified as the predominant polymer types and shapes of MPs found in cow and sheep tissues, respectively. Furthermore, no statistically significant difference was observed in MP concentration across different tissues of cow and sheep. Significantly, this study highlights the elevated hazards associated with exposure to MPs through the consumption of edible cow and sheep tissues, particularly for children who consume meat. The results underscore the potential transfer of MPs from the environment to livestock bodies through their food, contamination during meat processing, and subsequent health hazards for consumers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Farkhondeh Bahrani
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Azam Mohammadi
- Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Sina Dobaradaran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
- Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran.
- Instrumental Analytical Chemistry and Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
- Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 5, 45141, Essen, Germany.
| | - Gabriel E De-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación de Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Sociedad, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru
| | - Hossein Arfaeinia
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
- Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Bahman Ramavandi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
- Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Reza Saeedi
- Workplace Health Promotion Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
- Department of Health and Safety, and Environment (HSE), School of Public Health and Safety, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Agnes Tekle-Röttering
- Westfälische Hochschule Gelsenkirchen, Neidenburger Strasse 43, 45877, Gelsenkirchen, Germany
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5
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Chandrakanthan K, Fraser MP, Herckes P. Microplastics are ubiquitous and increasing in soil of a sprawling urban area, Phoenix (Arizona). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167617. [PMID: 37804992 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 10/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/09/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are environmental contaminants that have been extensively studied in marine and aquatic environments; terrestrial ecosystems, where most microplastics originate and have the potential to accumulate, typically receive less attention. This study aims to investigate the spatial and temporal soil concentrations of microplastics in a large desert metropolitan area, the Central Arizona-Phoenix Long-Term Ecological Research (CAP-LTER) area. Soil samples from the Ecological Survey of Central Arizona (ESCA) surveys (2005 and 2015) were leveraged to study spatial distributions and the temporal change of microplastic abundances. The temporal soil microplastics data were supplemented by microplastics deposition fluxes in a central location within the area (Tempe, AZ) for a period of one year (Oct 5th, 2020 to Sept 22nd, 2021). Samples were processed and microplastics were counted under an optical microscope to obtain quantitative information of their distribution in soil. Results for the spatial variation of the microplastic abundances in soil samples in Phoenix and the surrounding areas of the Sonoran Desert from 2015 depict microplastics as ubiquitous and abundant in soils (122 to 1299 microplastics/kg) with no clear trends between different locations. Microplastics deposition fluxes show substantial deposition in the local area (71 to 389 microplastics/m2/day with an average deposition flux of 178 microplastics/m2/day) but the role of resuspension and redistribution by dust storms to deposition may contribute to the unclear spatial trends. Comparison between the 2005 and 2015 surveys show a systematic increase in the abundance of microplastics and a decrease in microplastics size. Micro-Raman spectroscopy identified a variety of plastics including PE, PS, PVC, PA, PES and PP. However, a majority of microplastics remained chemically unidentifiable. Polyethylene was present in 75 % of the sampling sites and was the most abundant polymer on average in all soil samples.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew P Fraser
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States
| | - Pierre Herckes
- School of Molecular Sciences, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ 85287, United States.
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6
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Bodor A, Feigl G, Kolossa B, Mészáros E, Laczi K, Kovács E, Perei K, Rákhely G. Soils in distress: The impacts and ecological risks of (micro)plastic pollution in the terrestrial environment. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 269:115807. [PMID: 38091673 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2023.115807] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/23/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Plastics have revolutionised human industries, thanks to their versatility and durability. However, their extensive use, coupled with inadequate waste disposal, has resulted in plastic becoming ubiquitous in every environmental compartment, posing potential risks to the economy, human health and the environment. Additionally, under natural conditions, plastic waste breaks down into microplastics (MPs<5 mm). The increasing quantity of MPs exerts a significant burden on the soil environment, particularly in agroecosystems, presenting a new stressor for soil-dwelling organisms. In this review, we delve into the effects of MP pollution on soil ecosystems, with a specific attention to (a) MP transport to soils, (b) potential changes of MPs under environmental conditions, (c) and their interaction with the physical, chemical and biological components of the soil. We aim to shed light on the alterations in the distribution, activity, physiology and growth of soil flora, fauna and microorganisms in response to MPs, offering an ecotoxicological perspective for environmental risk assessment of plastics. The effects of MPs are strongly influenced by their intrinsic traits, including polymer type, shape, size and abundance. By exploring the multifaceted interactions between MPs and the soil environment, we provide critical insights into the consequences of plastic contamination. Despite the growing body of research, there remain substantial knowledge gaps regarding the long-term impact of MPs on the soil. Our work underscores the importance of continued research efforts and the adoption of standardised approaches to address plastic pollution and ensure a sustainable future for our planet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Attila Bodor
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary; Institute of Biophysics, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary.
| | - Gábor Feigl
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Bálint Kolossa
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Enikő Mészáros
- Department of Plant Biology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Krisztián Laczi
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Etelka Kovács
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Katalin Perei
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary
| | - Gábor Rákhely
- Department of Biotechnology, University of Szeged, Szeged, Hungary; Institute of Biophysics, HUN-REN Biological Research Centre, Szeged, Hungary
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7
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Liu Y, Prikler B, Bordós G, Lorenz C, Vollertsen J. Does microplastic analysis method affect our understanding of microplastics in the environment? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 902:166513. [PMID: 37619728 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2023] [Revised: 08/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/26/2023]
Abstract
Two analytical methods - both in active use at different laboratories - were tested and compared against each other to investigate how the procedure influences microplastic (MP) detection with micro Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (μFTIR) imaging. A representative composite water sample collected from the Danube River was divided into 12 subsamples, and processed following two different methods, which differed in MP isolation procedures, the optical substrate utilized for the chemical imaging, and the detection limit of the spectroscopic instruments. The first instrument had a nominal pixel resolution of 5.5 μm, while the second had a nominal resolution of 25 μm. These two methods led to different MP abundance, MP mass estimates, but not MP characteristics. Only looking at MPs > 50 μm, the first method showed a higher MP abundance, namely 418-2571 MP m-3 with MP mass estimates of 703-1900 μg m-3, while the second method yielded 16.7-72.1 MP m-3 with mass estimates of 222-439 μg m-3. Looking deeper into the steps of the methods showed that the MP isolation procedure contributed slightly to the difference in the result. However, the variability between individual samples was larger than the difference caused by the methods. Somewhat sample-dependent, the use of two different substrates (zinc selenide windows versus Anodisc filters) caused a substantial difference between results. This was due to a higher tendency for particles to agglomerate on the Anodisc filters, and an 'IR-halo' around particles on ZnSe windows when scanning with μFTIR. Finally, the μFTIR settings and nominal resolution caused significant differences in identifying MP size and mass estimate, which showed that the smaller the pixel size, the more accurately the particle boundary can be defined. These findings contributed to explaining disagreements between studies and addressed the importance of harmonization of methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuanli Liu
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark.
| | - Bence Prikler
- Eurofins Analytical Services Hungary Ltd., 6. Anonymus st., Budapest 1045, Hungary; Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Gábor Bordós
- Eurofins Analytical Services Hungary Ltd., 6. Anonymus st., Budapest 1045, Hungary
| | - Claudia Lorenz
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark; Department of Science and Environment, Roskilde University, 4000 Roskilde, Denmark
| | - Jes Vollertsen
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark
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8
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Dube E, Okuthe GE. Plastics and Micro/Nano-Plastics (MNPs) in the Environment: Occurrence, Impact, and Toxicity. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6667. [PMID: 37681807 PMCID: PMC10488176 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20176667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Plastics, due to their varied properties, find use in different sectors such as agriculture, packaging, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and construction, to mention a few. Excessive use of plastics results in a lot of plastic waste buildup. Poorly managed plastic waste (as shown by heaps of plastic waste on dumpsites, in free spaces, along roads, and in marine systems) and the plastic in landfills, are just a fraction of the plastic waste in the environment. A complete picture should include the micro and nano-plastics (MNPs) in the hydrosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and atmosphere, as the current extreme weather conditions (which are effects of climate change), wear and tear, and other factors promote MNP formation. MNPs pose a threat to the environment more than their pristine counterparts. This review highlights the entry and occurrence of primary and secondary MNPs in the soil, water and air, together with their aging. Furthermore, the uptake and internalization, by plants, animals, and humans are discussed, together with their toxicity effects. Finally, the future perspective and conclusion are given. The material utilized in this work was acquired from published articles and the internet using keywords such as plastic waste, degradation, microplastic, aging, internalization, and toxicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edith Dube
- Department of Biological & Environmental Sciences, Walter Sisulu University, Mthatha 5117, South Africa;
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9
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Astner AF, Gillmore AB, Yu Y, Flury M, DeBruyn JM, Schaeffer SM, Hayes DG. Formation, behavior, properties and impact of micro- and nanoplastics on agricultural soil ecosystems (A Review). NANOIMPACT 2023; 31:100474. [PMID: 37419450 DOI: 10.1016/j.impact.2023.100474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 06/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Abstract
Micro and nanoplastics (MPs and NPs, respectively) in agricultural soil ecosystems represent a pervasive global environmental concern, posing risks to soil biota, hence soil health and food security. This review provides a comprehensive and current summary of the literature on sources and properties of MNPs in agricultural ecosystems, methodology for the isolation and characterization of MNPs recovered from soil, MNP surrogate materials that mimic the size and properties of soil-borne MNPs, and transport of MNPs through the soil matrix. Furthermore, this review elucidates the impacts and risks of agricultural MNPs on crops and soil microorganisms and fauna. A significant source of MPs in soil is plasticulture, involving the use of mulch films and other plastic-based implements to provide several agronomic benefits for specialty crop production, while other sources of MPs include irrigation water and fertilizer. Long-term studies are needed to address current knowledge gaps of formation, soil surface and subsurface transport, and environmental impacts of MNPs, including for MNPs derived from biodegradable mulch films, which, although ultimately undergoing complete mineralization, will reside in soil for several months. Because of the complexity and variability of agricultural soil ecosystems and the difficulty in recovering MNPs from soil, a deeper understanding is needed for the fundamental relationships between MPs, NPs, soil biota and microbiota, including ecotoxicological effects of MNPs on earthworms, soil-dwelling invertebrates, and beneficial soil microorganisms, and soil geochemical attributes. In addition, the geometry, size distribution, fundamental and chemical properties, and concentration of MNPs contained in soils are required to develop surrogate MNP reference materials that can be used across laboratories for conducting fundamental laboratory studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anton F Astner
- Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-4531, United States of America
| | - Alexis B Gillmore
- Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-4531, United States of America
| | - Yingxue Yu
- Department of Crops and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, and Puyallup, WA 98371, United States of America
| | - Markus Flury
- Department of Crops and Soil Sciences, Washington State University, Pullman, WA 99164, and Puyallup, WA 98371, United States of America
| | - Jennifer M DeBruyn
- Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-4531, United States of America
| | - Sean M Schaeffer
- Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-4531, United States of America
| | - Douglas G Hayes
- Department of Biosystems Engineering and Soil Science, University of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN 37996-4531, United States of America.
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10
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Tian X, Yang M, Guo Z, Chang C, Li J, Guo Z, Li H, Wang R, Li Q, Zhang J, Zou X. Amount and characteristics of microplastic and organic matter in wind-blown sediment at different heights within the aeolian sand saltation layer. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 327:121615. [PMID: 37054872 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121615] [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: 12/05/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Soils of croplands especially where plastic film mulch is commonly applied, are normally contaminated by Microplastics (MPs). Microplastics can threaten air quality, food and water health, as well as human health by wind erosion processes. In this research, we investigated MPs collected in four wind erosion events at sampling heights between 0 and 60 cm in typical semiarid farmlands in northern China that employ plastic film mulch. Height distribution and enrichment heights of the MPs were measured. The results revealed that the average amounts of MPs for 0-20 cm, 20-40 cm and 40-60 cm sampling heights were 868.71 ± 249.21, 799.87 ± 271.25, 1102.54 ± 317.44 particles kg-1. The average enrichment ratios of MPs for the different heights were 0.89 ± 0.54, 0.85 ± 0.56, 1.15 ± 0.73. Height distribution of MPs was combined affected by shape (fiber and non-fiber) and size of MPs, wind speed and soil aggregate stability. The amount of fibers approximately <4 mm in size and non-fibers <2 mm in size increased with sampling height, while both shapes of larger MPs than these two sizes was almost independent of the sampling height. Enrichment ratios of microfibers were positively related to wind speed but negatively related to soil aggregate stability at each sampling height. The results revealed that although MPs have similar density to organic matter (OM), the MPs' amount and enrichment were independent of height but the OM content and enrichment ratios increased with height. These results suggested that more attention should be paid to the exploration of the influence of higher sampling heights (>60 cm) on the distribution of MPs in the future and the MPs characteristics for different sampling heights require carefully parameterization in detailed models of atmospheric MPs transport by wind erosion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Tian
- School of Geographical Sciences/Hebei Key Laboratory of Environmental Change and Ecological Construction/Hebei Technology Innovation Center for Remote Sensing Identification of Environmental Change, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang Hebei, 050024, China
| | - Meiniu Yang
- School of Geographical Sciences/Hebei Key Laboratory of Environmental Change and Ecological Construction/Hebei Technology Innovation Center for Remote Sensing Identification of Environmental Change, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang Hebei, 050024, China
| | - Zhongling Guo
- School of Geographical Sciences/Hebei Key Laboratory of Environmental Change and Ecological Construction/Hebei Technology Innovation Center for Remote Sensing Identification of Environmental Change, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang Hebei, 050024, China.
| | - Chunping Chang
- School of Geographical Sciences/Hebei Key Laboratory of Environmental Change and Ecological Construction/Hebei Technology Innovation Center for Remote Sensing Identification of Environmental Change, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang Hebei, 050024, China
| | - Jifeng Li
- School of Geographical Sciences/Hebei Key Laboratory of Environmental Change and Ecological Construction/Hebei Technology Innovation Center for Remote Sensing Identification of Environmental Change, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang Hebei, 050024, China
| | - Zixiao Guo
- School of Geographical Sciences/Hebei Key Laboratory of Environmental Change and Ecological Construction/Hebei Technology Innovation Center for Remote Sensing Identification of Environmental Change, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang Hebei, 050024, China
| | - Huiru Li
- School of Geographical Sciences/Hebei Key Laboratory of Environmental Change and Ecological Construction/Hebei Technology Innovation Center for Remote Sensing Identification of Environmental Change, Hebei Normal University, Shijiazhuang Hebei, 050024, China
| | - Rende Wang
- Institute of Geographical Sciences, Hebei Academy Sciences/Hebei Engineering Research Center for Geographic Information Application; Shijiazhuang Hebei, 050011, China
| | - Qing Li
- Institute of Geographical Sciences, Hebei Academy Sciences/Hebei Engineering Research Center for Geographic Information Application; Shijiazhuang Hebei, 050011, China
| | - Jiaqiong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Institute of Water and Soil Conservation, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, PR China; Institute of Soil and Water Conservation, Chinese Academy of Sciences and Ministry of Water Resources, Yangling, PR China
| | - Xueyong Zou
- State Key Laboratory of Earth Surface Processes and Resource Ecology, MOE Engineering Center of Desertification and Blown-sand Control, Faculty of Geographical Science, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
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11
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Abbasi S, Rezaei M, Mina M, Sameni A, Oleszczuk P, Turner A, Ritsema C. Entrainment and horizontal atmospheric transport of microplastics from soil. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 322:138150. [PMID: 36804497 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138150] [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: 10/17/2022] [Revised: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 02/12/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Soils are an important source of microplastics (MPs) to the atmosphere but the fluxes and mechanisms involved in MPs entrainment are not well understood. In the present study, a series of horizontally aligned sediment traps have been deployed at different heights within 1 m above the ground for a two-month period at various locations in an arid region (Sarakhs, Iran). MPs were isolated from sediments and were quantified and characterised according to size, colour, shape and polymer composition by established techniques. Most MPs were <250 μm in length, fibres were the most important shape, black and blue-green were the dominant colours, and polymer abundance decreased in the order polyethylene > nylon > polypropylene > polystyrene > polyethylene terephthalate. The distributions of sediment mass (range <0.01-9 g) and number of MPs (range = 0 to 21) were heterogeneous, both between sites and at the different heights sampled, and yielded median, vertically-averaged horizontal fluxes for the region of about 450 g m-2 d-1 and 2600 MP m-2 d-1, respectively. However, when data were pooled, the number of MPs normalised to sediment mass exhibited a significant inverse relationship with sediment mass, an effect attributed to the presence of ambient suspended MPs and sediment that are diluted by the suspension of soil and deposited MPs at higher wind speeds. The mechanisms of MP saltation and entrainment were not ascertained but a theoretical framework for threshold shear velocity based on regularly-shaped particles and density considerations is presented. Further experimental work is required to verify this framework, and in particular for fibrous MPs with different aerodynamic properties to soil particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajjad Abbasi
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71454, Iran; Centre for Environmental Studies and Emerging Pollutants (ZISTANO), Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran.
| | - Mahrooz Rezaei
- Meteorology and Air Quality Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700, AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Monireh Mina
- Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Abdolmajid Sameni
- Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Patryk Oleszczuk
- Department of Radiochemistry and Environment Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, 20-031, Lublin, Poland
| | - Andrew Turner
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Coen Ritsema
- Soil Physics and Land Management Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
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12
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Khan MA, Huang Q, Khan S, Wang Q, Huang J, Fahad S, Sajjad M, Liu Y, Mašek O, Li X, Wang J, Song X. Abundance, spatial distribution, and characteristics of microplastics in agricultural soils and their relationship with contributing factors. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 328:117006. [PMID: 36521215 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.117006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/13/2022] [Revised: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Agro-ecosystem contamination with microplastics (MPs) is of great concern. However, limited research has been conducted on the agricultural soil of tropical regions. This paper investigated MPs in the agro-ecosystem of Hainan Island, China, as well as their relationships with plastic mulching, farming practices, and social and environmental factors. The concentration of MPs in the study area ranged from 2800 to 82500 particles/kg with a mean concentration of 15461.52 particles/kg. MPs with sizes between 20 and 200 μm had the highest abundance of 57.57%, fragment (58.16%) was the most predominant shape, while black (77.76%) was the most abundant MP colour. Polyethylene (PE) (71.04%) and polypropylene (PP) (19.83%) were the main types of polymers. The mean abundance of MPs was significantly positively correlated (p < 0.01) with all sizes, temperature, and shapes except fibre, while weakly positively correlated with the population (p = 0.21), GDP (p = 0.33), and annual precipitation (p = 0.66). In conclusion, plastic mulching contributed to significant contamination of soil MPs in the study area, while environmental and social factors promoted soil MPs fragmentation. The current study results indicate serious contamination with MPs, which poses a concern regarding ecological and environmental safety.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Amjad Khan
- College of Ecology and Environment, Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Center for Eco-Environmental Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Key Laboratory for Environmental Toxicology of Haikou, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China; Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Qing Huang
- College of Ecology and Environment, Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Center for Eco-Environmental Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Key Laboratory for Environmental Toxicology of Haikou, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China.
| | - Sardar Khan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Qingqing Wang
- College of Ecology and Environment, Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Center for Eco-Environmental Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Key Laboratory for Environmental Toxicology of Haikou, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Jingjing Huang
- College of Ecology and Environment, Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Center for Eco-Environmental Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Key Laboratory for Environmental Toxicology of Haikou, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Shah Fahad
- Department of Agronomy, The University of Haripur, Haripur, 22620, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Sajjad
- College of Ecology and Environment, Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Center for Eco-Environmental Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Key Laboratory for Environmental Toxicology of Haikou, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Yin Liu
- College of Ecology and Environment, Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Center for Eco-Environmental Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Key Laboratory for Environmental Toxicology of Haikou, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Ondřej Mašek
- UK Biochar Research Centre, School of GeoSciences, Crew Building, The King's Buildings, University of Edinburgh, EH9 3FF, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Xiaohui Li
- Hainan Inspection and Detection Center for Modern Agriculture, Haikou, 570100, China
| | - Junfeng Wang
- College of Ecology and Environment, Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, Center for Eco-Environmental Restoration Engineering of Hainan Province, State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Key Laboratory for Environmental Toxicology of Haikou, Hainan University, Haikou, 570228, China
| | - Xiaomao Song
- Pujin Environmental Engineering (Hainan) Co., Ltd. Haikou, 570125, China
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13
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Pérez-Reverón R, Álvarez-Méndez SJ, González-Sálamo J, Socas-Hernández C, Díaz-Peña FJ, Hernández-Sánchez C, Hernández-Borges J. Nanoplastics in the soil environment: Analytical methods, occurrence, fate and ecological implications. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 317:120788. [PMID: 36481462 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120788] [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: 08/07/2022] [Revised: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Soils play a very important role in ecosystems sustainability, either natural or agricultural ones, serving as an essential support for living organisms of different kinds. However, in the current context of extremely high plastic pollution, soils are highly threatened. Plastics can change the chemical and physical properties of the soils and may also affect the biota. Of particular importance is the fact that plastics can be fragmented into microplastics and, to a final extent into nanoplastics. Due to their extremely low size and high surface area, nanoplastics may even have a higher impact in soil ecosystems. Their transport through the edaphic environment is regulated by the physicochemical properties of the soil and plastic particles themselves, anthropic activities and biota interactions. Their degradation in soils is associated with a series of mechanical, photo-, thermo-, and bio-mediated transformations eventually conducive to their mineralisation. Their tiny size is precisely the main setback when it comes to sampling soils and subsequent processes for their identification and quantification, albeit pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and other spectroscopic techniques have proven to be useful for their analysis. Another issue as a consequence of their minuscule size lies in their uptake by plants roots and their ingestion by soil dwelling fauna, producing morphological deformations, damage to organs and physiological malfunctions, as well as the risks associated to their entrance in the food chain, although current conclusions are not always consistent and show the same pattern of effects. Thus, given the omnipresence and seriousness of the plastic menace, this review article pretends to provide a general overview of the most recent data available regarding nanoplastics determination, occurrence, fate and effects in soils, with special emphasis on their ecological implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel Pérez-Reverón
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL). Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Sergio J Álvarez-Méndez
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL). Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Bio-Orgánica Antonio González, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Francisco Sánchez, s/n, 38206 La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Química, Unidad Departamental de Química Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL). Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Javier González-Sálamo
- Departamento de Química, Unidad Departamental de Química Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL). Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; Department of Chemistry, Sapienza University of Rome, P.le Aldo Moro, 5, 00185, Rome, Italy
| | - Cristina Socas-Hernández
- Departamento de Química, Unidad Departamental de Química Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL). Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; Foundation for the Promotion of Health and Biomedical Research in the Valencian Region, FISABIO-Public Health, Avenida Catalunya, 21, 46020, Valencia, Spain
| | - Francisco J Díaz-Peña
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL). Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Cintia Hernández-Sánchez
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Forense y Legal y Parasitología, Área de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Escuela Politécnica Superior de Ingeniería, Sección de Náutica, Máquinas y Radioelectrónica Naval, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Vía Auxiliar Paso Alto 2, 38001, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Javier Hernández-Borges
- Departamento de Química, Unidad Departamental de Química Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL). Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain.
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14
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Bullard JE, Zhou Z, Davis S, Fowler S. Breakdown and Modification of Microplastic Beads by Aeolian Abrasion. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:76-84. [PMID: 36519925 PMCID: PMC9835823 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Saltation is an important wind erosion process that can cause the modification and breakdown of particles by aeolian abrasion. It is recognized that microplastic particles can be transported by wind, but the effect of saltation on microplastic properties is unknown. This study examined the impact of simulated saltation alongside quartz grains on the size, shape, and surface properties of spherical microplastic beads. The diameter of the microplastics was reduced by 30-50% over 240-300 h of abrasion with a mass loss of c. 80%. For abrasion periods up to 200 h, the microplastic beads remained spherical with minimal change to overall shape. Over 95% of the fragments of plastic removed from the surface of the microbeads during the abrasion process had a diameter of ≤10 μm. In addition, during the abrasion process, fine particles derived from breakdown of the quartz grains became attached to the surfaces of the microbeads resulting in a reduction in carbon and an increase in silicon detected on the particle surface. The results suggest that microplastics may be mechanically broken down during aeolian saltation and small fragments produced have the potential for long distance transport as well as being within the size range for human respiration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joanna E. Bullard
- Geography
and Environment, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, U.K.
| | - Zhaoxia Zhou
- Loughborough
Materials Characterisation Centre, Department of Materials, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, U.K.
| | - Sam Davis
- Loughborough
Materials Characterisation Centre, Department of Materials, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, U.K.
| | - Shaun Fowler
- Loughborough
Materials Characterisation Centre, Department of Materials, Loughborough University, Leicestershire LE11 3TU, U.K.
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15
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Bhat MA, Gedik K, Gaga EO. Atmospheric micro (nano) plastics: future growing concerns for human health. AIR QUALITY, ATMOSPHERE, & HEALTH 2023; 16:233-262. [PMID: 36276170 PMCID: PMC9574822 DOI: 10.1007/s11869-022-01272-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
ABSTRACT Plastics are an integral but largely inconspicuous part of daily human routines. The present review paper uses cross-disciplinary scientific literature to examine and assess the possible effects of nanoplastics (NPs) concerning microplastics (MPs) on human health and summarizes crucial areas for future research. Although research on the nature and consequences of MPs has seen a substantial rise, only limited studies have concentrated on the atmospheric nanosized polymeric particles. However, due to the intrinsic technological complications in separating and computing them, their existence has been difficult to determine correctly. There is a consensus that these are not only existing in the environment but can get directly released or as the outcome of weathering of larger fragments, and it is believed to be that combustion can be the tertiary source of polymeric particles. NPs can have harmful consequences on human health, and their exposure may happen via ingestion, inhalation, or absorption by the skin. The atmospheric fallout of micro (nano) plastics may be responsible for contaminating the environment. Apart from this, different drivers affect the concentration of micro (nano) plastics in every environment compartment like wind, water currents, vectors, soil erosion, run-off, etc. Their high specific surface for the sorption of organic pollutions and toxic heavy metals and possible transfer between organisms at different nutrient levels make the study of NPs an urgent priority. These NPs could potentially cause physical damage by the particles themselves and biological stress by NPs alone or by leaching additives. However, there is minimal understanding of the occurrence, distribution, abundance, and fate of NPs in the environment, partially due to the lack of suitable techniques for separating and identifying NPs from complex environmental matrices. HIGHLIGHTS Micro (nano) plastics generated may reach the soil, water, and atmospheric compartments.Atmospheric currents serve as a way to transport, leading to micro (nano) plastics pollution.Exposure to micro (nano) plastics may happen via ingestion, inhalation, or absorption by the skin.Nanoplastics may be environmentally more harmful than other plastic particles; the focus should be on defining the exact size range.Visual classification of micro (nano) plastics is poor in reliability and may also contribute to microplastics being misidentified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansoor Ahmad Bhat
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Eskişehir Technical University, 26555 Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Kadir Gedik
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Eskişehir Technical University, 26555 Eskişehir, Turkey
- Environmental Research Center (ÇEVMER), Eskişehir Technical University, 26555 Eskişehir, Turkey
| | - Eftade O. Gaga
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Environmental Engineering, Eskişehir Technical University, 26555 Eskişehir, Turkey
- Environmental Research Center (ÇEVMER), Eskişehir Technical University, 26555 Eskişehir, Turkey
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16
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Park SY, Kim CG. A comparative study on the distribution behavior of microplastics through FT-IR analysis on different land uses in agricultural soils. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 215:114404. [PMID: 36154862 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114404] [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: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 09/07/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Plastic materials have been variously exposed to arable land for decades through soil mulching, plastic housing, and sewage sludge composting. Their mechanical abrasion and biochemical degradation induce the proliferation of myriad microplastics that can further be broken into smaller nano-sized pieces that can be further accumulated in living organisms (including soil invertebrates, fruits, and vegetables); they can also be widely dispersed in neighboring environments. Despite the intensive use of plastics in agriculture, little is known about their origin of occurrence and environmental fate, especially with a size below 100 μm. Therefore, in this study, microplastics with a size in the range of 20-2,000 μm were investigated in soil samples obtained from three different conditions of land uses: tilled with plastic mulch, bare ground (i.e., uncultivated land), and in between the greenhouses of the farmland D located in Namyangju-si, Gyeonggi-do, Republic of Korea. They were primarily identified using Fourier transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy coupled with a microscope. Prior to performing the analysis, microplastic extraction from the soil samples was validated using standardized high-density polyethylene (HDPE) microplastics of various sizes ranging from 20 to 500 μm. As a result, the number of microplastics was estimated to be (241 ± 52), (195 ± 37), and (306 ± 56) particles per kg of dry soil in tillage, bare ground, and in between greenhouses, respectively. They consist of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), which are the basic constituents of commonly used agricultural products. The particle size distribution depends on the type of plastic, the time elapsed since their usage, and the degree and duration of environmental exposure; the plastic particle sizes were smaller in tillage and around the greenhouses since agricultural films have been weathered for a long time, whereas those with relatively large sizes were found in the uncultivated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seon Yeong Park
- Institute of Environmental Research, INHA University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea; Program in Environmental and Polymer Engineering, INHA University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea.
| | - Chang Gyun Kim
- Program in Environmental and Polymer Engineering, INHA University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea; Department of Environmental Engineering, INHA University, Incheon, 22212, Republic of Korea.
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17
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Knez E, Kadac-Czapska K, Dmochowska-Ślęzak K, Grembecka M. Root Vegetables-Composition, Health Effects, and Contaminants. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15531. [PMID: 36497603 PMCID: PMC9735862 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192315531] [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: 10/01/2022] [Revised: 11/10/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Root vegetables are known all over the world, but they are being less and less consumed by individuals. The main purpose of this article was to summarize the benefits, health effects, and threats associated with the consumption of carrot, celery, parsley, beetroot, radish, turnip, and horseradish. They are characterized by high nutritional value due to their richness in dietary fiber, vitamins, and minerals. One of their most important features is their high content of bioactive compounds, such as polyphenols, phenols, flavonoids, and vitamin C. These compounds are responsible for antioxidant potential. Comparison of their antioxidant effects is difficult due to the lack of standardization among methods used for their assessment. Therefore, there is a need for a reference method that would allow for correct interpretation. Moreover, root vegetables are characterized by several health-promoting effects, including the regulation of metabolic parameters (glucose level, lipid profile, and blood pressure), antioxidant potential, prebiotic function, and anti-cancer properties. However, due to the type of cultivation, root vegetables are vulnerable to contaminants from the soil, such as toxic metals (lead and cadmium), pesticides, pharmaceutical residues, microplastics, and nitrates. Regardless, the low levels of toxic substances present in root vegetables do not pose health risks to the average consumer.
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18
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Esfandiari A, Abbasi S, Peely AB, Mowla D, Ghanbarian MA, Oleszczuk P, Turner A. Distribution and transport of microplastics in groundwater (Shiraz aquifer, southwest Iran). WATER RESEARCH 2022; 220:118622. [PMID: 35613485 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2021] [Revised: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Despite the significance of groundwater to the hydrological cycle and as a source of potable water, very little information exists on microplastics (MPs) in this environment. In the present study, MPs have been determined in ten well samples obtained from an alluvial aquifer in a semi-arid region (Shiraz, Iran) following filtration, digestion and inspection under a binocular microscope. A total of 96 MPs were identified, and concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 1.3 MP L-1 (mean and median = 0.48 and 0.43 MP L-1, respectively) and exhibited a complex distribution across the area that reflected differences in land use and local hydrology and geology. The majority of MPs (about 70%) were fibres of ≤ 500 μm in length, but fragments and films were present at some sites, and the dominant polymers were polystyrene, polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate. Coupling meteorological and water table monitoring data from the regional water organization and published information on aquifer hydrology, we estimate a lag time from precipitation to water table intrusion of between one and five months and groundwater velocity flows of between 0.01 and 0.07 m d-1. Although the extent of retardation of MPs within the pores of groundwater is unknown, by considering empirical data and theoretical predictions on particle flow through porous media in the literature we surmise that MP residence times in the aquifer are likely to range from years to decades, thereby impeding any clear means of source identification. Nevertheless, and more generally, the consumption of potable groundwater may make to a contribution to MP exposure through ingestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Atefeh Esfandiari
- Environmental Research Centre in Petroleum and Petrochemical Industries, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Sajjad Abbasi
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71454, Iran; Department of Radiochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin 20-031, Poland.
| | - Ahmad Behrouj Peely
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71454, Iran
| | - Dariush Mowla
- Environmental Research Centre in Petroleum and Petrochemical Industries, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Patryk Oleszczuk
- Department of Radiochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin 20-031, Poland
| | - Andrew Turner
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, United Kingdom
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