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Pérez-Flores J, Borges-Ramírez MM, Vargas-Contreras JA, Osten JRV. Inter-annual variation in the microplastics abundance in feces of the Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii) from the Selva Maya, México. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 941:173659. [PMID: 38839015 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173659] [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: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are found in a wide range of ecosystems, from the Arctic to the deep ocean. However, there is no data on their presence in terrestrial mammals that inhabit the Selva Maya. The aim of this study is to detect the presence of MPs in the feces of the Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii) from the region of Calakmul, located in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. We analyzed 129 fecal samples collected during 2017 and 2018, obtaining 57 and 72 samples during the rainy and dry seasons respectively. Sixty-eight percent of the samples contained 743 MPs with a mean of 19.3 ± 28.1 MPs/kg of dry weight (DW) feces in both years. An inter-annual variation in the average abundance of microplastic was observed during the two-year period (2017-2018), with a 72 % increase in these plastic particles in feces. Fourteen polymers were identified, with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polypropylene (PP) and polyester (PES) being the most abundant during both years. Although the effects of MPs on the health of tapirs are not known, their presence is cause for concern. There is an urgent need for the implementation of appropriate plastic waste management programs in communities of the Selva Maya to diminish the consumption of MPs in species including humans where they pose a significant risk to health. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS: The use of plastics worldwide is increasing every day, so the presence of microplastics is and will continue to be a major environmental problem. It is known that contaminants can adhere to plastics, making them hazardous materials. Microplastics can contaminate remote areas such as Biosphere Reserves. Terrestrial species such as the tapir can ingest microplastics, putting their health at risk. Knowing the dispersion of microplastics is very important in order to manage them properly, taking into account their emission sources and type of polymer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Pérez-Flores
- Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencia y Tecnología (CONAHCYT), Av. Insurgentes Sur 1582, CP 03940 Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico; El Colegio de La Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Unidad de Chetumal, Avenida Centenario Km 5.5, CP 77014 Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Merle M Borges-Ramírez
- Instituto de Ecología, Pesquería y Oceanografía del Golfo de México (EPOMEX), Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Campus VI, Av. Héroe de Nacozari 480, CP 24070, Campeche, Campeche, Mexico
| | - Jorge A Vargas-Contreras
- Facultad de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Campus V, Av. Ex Hacienda Kalá S/N, CP 24085 Campeche, Campeche, Mexico
| | - Jaime Rendón-von Osten
- Instituto de Ecología, Pesquería y Oceanografía del Golfo de México (EPOMEX), Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Campus VI, Av. Héroe de Nacozari 480, CP 24070, Campeche, Campeche, Mexico.
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Teampanpong J, Duengkae P. Using feces to indicate plastic pollution in terrestrial vertebrate species in western Thailand. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17596. [PMID: 38948236 PMCID: PMC11212639 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Plastic pollution is a widespread and growing concern due to its transformation into microplastics (MPs), which can harm organisms and ecosystems. This study, aimed to identify plastic pollution in the feces of terrestrial vertebrates using convenience sampling both inside and outside protected areas in Western Thailand. We hypothesized that MPs are likely to be detectable in the feces of all vertebrate species, primarily in the form of small black fragments. We predicted varying quantities of MPs in the feces of the same species across different protected areas. Furthermore, we expected that factors indicating human presence, landscape characteristics, scat weight, and the MP abundance in water, soils, and sediments would influence the presence of plastics in feces. Among 12 terrestrial species studied, potential MPs were found in 41.11% of 90 samples, totaling 83 pieces across eight species including the Asian elephant (Elephas maximus), Eld's deer (Rucervus eldii), Dhole (Cuon alpinus), Gaur (Bos gaurus), Sambar deer (Rusa unicolor), Wild boar (Sus scrofa), Northern red muntjac (Muntiacus vaginalis), and Butterfly lizard (Leiolepis belliana). Specifically, 3.61% of all potential MPs (three pieces) were macroplastics, and the remaining 96.39% were considered potential MPs with the abundance of 0.92 ± 1.89 items.scat-1 or 8.69 ± 32.56 items.100 g-1 dw. There was an association between the numbers of feces with and without potential plastics and species (χ2 = 20.88, p = 0.012). Most potential plastics were fibers (95.18%), predominantly black (56.63%) or blue (26.51%), with 74.70% smaller than two millimeters. Although there were no significant associations between species and plastic morphologies, colors, and sizes, the abundance classified by these characteristics varied significantly. FTIR identified 52.38% as natural fibers, 38.10% as synthetic fibers (rayon, polyurethane (PUR), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and PUR blended with cotton), and 9.52% as fragments of PET and Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). Human-related factors were linked to the occurrence of potential plastics found in the feces of land-dwelling wildlife. This study enhances the understanding of plastic pollution in tropical protected areas, revealing the widespread of MPs even in small numbers from the areas distant from human settlements. Monitoring plastics in feces offers a non-invasive method for assessing plastic pollution in threatened species, as it allows for easy collection and taxonomic identification without harming live animals. However, stringent measures to assure the quality are necessitated to prevent exogenous MP contamination. These findings underscore the importance of raising awareness about plastic pollution in terrestrial ecosystems, especially regarding plastic products from clothing and plastic materials used in agriculture and irrigation systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiraporn Teampanpong
- Department of Conservation, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Prateep Duengkae
- Department of Forest Biology, Faculty of Forestry, Kasetsart University, Chatuchak, Bangkok, Thailand
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Álvarez-Méndez SJ, Díaz-Peña FJ, Gómez-Escabia S, González-Sálamo J, Hernández-Borges J. Tracking anthropogenic microparticles in wildlife of an alpine insular environment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133291. [PMID: 38157812 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133291] [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: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 12/10/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
Despite the isolation of remote natural regions, it has been discovered that they are experiencing the accumulation of anthropogenic microparticles (i.e., microplastics or natural or semisynthetic cellulosic particles). Teide National Park (Canary Islands, Spain) is a high-mountain protected area known for its rich biodiversity. This study aims to assess the occurrence of coloured anthropogenic particles in the faecal matter of wild mammals, specifically rabbits and mouflons, residing in the park. With this purpose, faeces were collected from 68 systematically distributed sampling points. A stereomicroscopy-guided grinding process allowed a chemical-free and quick visual inspection of 616 individual excreta, revealing that 96% were particle-free. However, 37 anthropogenic particles were found, which correspond to 0.79 ± 0.20 items per gram of dry faecal matter. The archetypical particle was a cellulosic blue microfibre of 2721 ± 407 µm, though poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate) and polypropylene were also identified via micro Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopic analysis. Atmospheric deposition and touristic pressure may be the sources of the anthropogenic particles, as they were randomly found in 36% of the sampling points. These findings represent the first evidence of anthropogenic particle ingestion by wild rabbits and mouflons, signifying the introduction of microplastics into terrestrial food chains in a remote high-mountain environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sergio J Álvarez-Méndez
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Francisco 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 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, 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.
| | - Santiago Gómez-Escabia
- 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; 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
| | - 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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Chen M, Coleman B, Gaburici L, Prezgot D, Jakubek ZJ, Sivarajah B, Vermaire JC, Lapen DR, Velicogna JR, Princz JI, Provencher JF, Zou S. Identification of microplastics extracted from field soils amended with municipal biosolids. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:168007. [PMID: 37871825 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168007] [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: 08/23/2023] [Revised: 10/19/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/25/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic particles in arable soil are expected to impact the environment and potentially human health. The application of municipal biosolids (MBs) to agricultural land presents a further dilemma in that biosolids act as a fertilizer for crop growth, and a disposal pathway for wastewater treatment plants. They are also a direct path for emerging contaminants, such as microplastics to enter the terrestrial environment. Reliable methods are needed to identify and quantify microplastics, found in agricultural soils to determine how microplastics are being cycled in the terrestrial environment. In this study, we developed a method for extracting microplastics from soil, and characterized their composition and identity for particles sized 5 μm to 2 mm. Method development was initially completed using natural soils spiked with microplastics and MBs, followed by the analyses of soil sampled from an agricultural field where MBs were recently applied at a rate of 13 tons dw/ha. The procedures that used the spiked samples showed that microplastics can be reliably extracted from soil in a laboratory setting, and identified and semi-quantified by thermogravimetric analysis combined with Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (TGA-FTIR). However, when the same methods were applied to the soil samples collected from the agricultural field, reproducibility became a challenge, as the number and type of microplastics changed even within the same soils (i.e., collected the same day from the same exact location). The variation in reproducibility observed between laboratory and field samples underscores the significant heterogeneity present in the environment. This heterogeneity, in turn, affects the identification and quantity of microplastics detected, a phenomenon observed even when comparing different fields within a single treatment regimen.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maohui Chen
- Metrology Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Brian Coleman
- Metrology Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Liliana Gaburici
- Security and Disruptive Technologies Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Daniel Prezgot
- Metrology Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Zygmunt J Jakubek
- Metrology Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Branaavan Sivarajah
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jesse C Vermaire
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - David R Lapen
- Ottawa Research Development Centre, Science and Technology Branch, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jessica R Velicogna
- Biological Assessment and Standardization Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Juliska I Princz
- Biological Assessment and Standardization Section, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Jennifer F Provencher
- National Wildlife Research Centre, Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
| | - Shan Zou
- Metrology Research Centre, National Research Council Canada, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada.
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Hove HTB, Næsheim T, Kögel T. Quick and efficient microplastic isolation from fatty fish tissues by surfactant-enhanced alkaline digestion. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 197:115726. [PMID: 37925993 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115726] [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: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
For monitoring microplastic contamination in fish tissues, tissue digestion into filterable components prior to microplastic identification and quantification should be quick and efficient, providing satisfying microplastic recoveries of relevant particle sizes. Filtration with a small pore size, necessary to target small particles, is a challenge. Some proposed protocols take several days. To improve this, a combination of surfactants (Tween®-20 and Triton™ X-100) with potassium hydroxide (KOH) and pH neutralization was used. Fish bones were removed in tissue preparation prior to digestion. Recovery down to ca. 60-80 μm worked well for PA-66, PE, PET, PP, PS and PVC. In conclusion, we developed a comparatively swift digestion protocol, enabling filtration of 100 g samples with a pore size of 10 μm, for fish fillets with high (mackerel), intermediate (salmon, plaice) and low (cod) fat contents, fish liver, head kidney and oil samples, within 16-24 h.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Thomas Næsheim
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway; EUROFINS, Sandviksveien 110, 5035 Bergen, Norway.
| | - Tanja Kögel
- Institute of Marine Research, P.O. Box 1870 Nordnes, 5817 Bergen, Norway.
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Ayala F, Zeta-Flores M, Ramos-Baldárrago S, Tume-Ruiz J, Rangel-Vega A, Reyes E, Quinde E, De-la-Torre GE, Lajo-Salazar L, Cárdenas-Alayza S. Terrestrial mammals of the Americas and their interactions with plastic waste. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:57759-57770. [PMID: 36971935 PMCID: PMC10040927 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26617-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Plastics have brought many benefits to society, but their mismanagement has turned them into a serious environmental problem. Today, the effects of plastic waste on wildlife are becoming increasingly evident. Since studies on plastic pollution have focused on species in marine ecosystems, here we review current knowledge on interactions between terrestrial mammals and plastic waste in the countries of the Americas, which is a global hotspot of mammalian biodiversity and in turn has, among its member countries, nations with high per capita generations of plastic waste globally. We identified 46 scientific articles documenting plastic ingestion in 37 species and four species that used plastic waste for nest or burrow construction. Of the 46 investigations, seven focused on plastic contamination, while the others reported on the presence of plastics in wildlife, even though this was not the primary focus of the research. However, these publications lack analytical methods commonly used in plastic studies, and only one study applied a standardized methodology for plastic detection. Therefore, in general, plastic pollution research on terrestrial mammals is limited. We extend several recommendations such as designing methodologies that are adapted to terrestrial mammals for the identification of plastics in fecal matter or gastrointestinal contents, carrying out species-specific analyzes on the impacts of plastics in nests or burrows, and giving further attention to this understudied issue and taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Félix Ayala
- Centro para la Sostenibilidad Ambiental, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
- Subgerencia de Salud y Medio Ambiente, Municipalidad Provincial de Sechura, Piura, Peru.
| | - Martín Zeta-Flores
- Facultad de Ingeniería de Minas, Universidad Nacional de Piura, Piura, Peru
| | | | - Juan Tume-Ruiz
- Facultad de Ingeniería Pesquera, Universidad Nacional de Piura, Piura, Peru
| | - Antia Rangel-Vega
- Facultad de Ingeniería Pesquera, Universidad Nacional de Piura, Piura, Peru
| | - Eddy Reyes
- Facultad de Ingeniería Pesquera, Universidad Nacional de Piura, Piura, Peru
| | - Edgardo Quinde
- Facultad de Ingeniería Pesquera, Universidad Nacional de Piura, Piura, Peru
| | - Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación de Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Sociedad, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru
| | - Leticia Lajo-Salazar
- División de Mastozoología, Centro de Ornitología y Biodiversidad (CORBIDI), Lima, Peru
| | - Susana Cárdenas-Alayza
- Centro para la Sostenibilidad Ambiental, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Fisiológicas, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
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