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Domínguez-Hernández C, Villanova-Solano C, Álvarez-Méndez SJ, Pestano M, Tejera G, Arias Á, Díaz-Peña FJ, Hernández-Borges J, Hernández-Sánchez C. Anthropogenic debris pollution in yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis atlantis) nests in biosphere reserves of the Canary Islands. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 949:175209. [PMID: 39098411 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175209] [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: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 07/28/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 08/06/2024]
Abstract
Anthropogenic debris, particularly plastic pollution, has emerged as a significant environmental threat to biodiversity. Given that seabirds interact with artificial debris through ingestion, entanglement, and nest incorporation, it is particularly important to quantify the quantity, origins, and chemical composition of these debris items. In this work, it was evaluated for the first time the occurrence of anthropogenic debris in nests of yellow-legged gull (Larus michahellis atlantis) in biosphere reserves of the Canary Islands (Spain). A total of 48 abandoned nests were collected from five remote and hardly accessible sampling areas, revealing that 81.3 % contained anthropogenic waste, with plastic accounting for 34.7 % of the debris, followed by metal (33.6 %) and paper (19.6 %). On average, 32.8 ± 40.9 items were found per nest. Regarding the origin, food packagings (47.8 %), personal hygiene products (21.7 %), and textiles (15.8 %) were identified as the predominant sources. Furthermore, the polymer composition of the plastics was characterised by means of Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis, being polyester the most abundant (38.2 %), followed by polyethylene (25.6 %) and rayon (10.3 %). The incorporation of anthropogenic debris into nest construction may result from outdoor human activities carried out far from nesting areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristopher Domínguez-Hernández
- Departamento de Química, Unidad Departamental de Química Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, 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, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Cristina Villanova-Solano
- Departamento de Química, Unidad Departamental de Química Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, 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, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Sergio J Álvarez-Méndez
- Departamento de Química Orgánica, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n°, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Miguel Pestano
- Departamento de Química, Unidad Departamental de Química Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Gustavo Tejera
- Canary Islands' Ornithology and Natural History Group (GOHNIC), Buenavista del Norte, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Ángeles Arias
- Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Francisco J Díaz-Peña
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain
| | - Javier Hernández-Borges
- Departamento de Química, Unidad Departamental de Química Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna, Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, 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, Tenerife, 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, Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna, 38200 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Tenerife, Spain.
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Domínguez-Hernández C, Vega-Moreno D, Villanova-Solano C, Hernández-Sánchez C, Lambre ME, Hernández-Borges J. Characterization of pyroplastics from the North Atlantic. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 208:116960. [PMID: 39270560 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2024] [Revised: 09/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
This work describes for the first time the presence of pyroplastics in the Canary Islands (Spain). A total of 300 pyroplastics, identified between 2021 and 2024 in three beaches of the island of Tenerife, present mainly grey and dark colors, a mean weight of 6.8 ± 13.4 g and mean dimensions of 34.2 ± 17.0 mm (X), 24.5 ± 12.2 mm (Y) and 14.4 ± 6.4 (Z). A wide variety of encapsulated and semi-encapsulated materials were also found in the pyroplastics matrix, such as rocks, wood, charcoal and unmelted plastic inclusions. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed that polyethylene and polypropylene were the main types of plastic found, 61.3 % and 33.6 %, respectively. However, an important number of pyroplastics composed of more than one polymer were also found, coexisting even mixtures of polyester and polyethylene or polyethylene and styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene in the same matrix. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy analysis revealed the presence of a wide range of elements, being remarkable the high concentration of some heavy metals such as Pb and Cr, registering mean concentration values of 205.3 ± 6.3 mg·kg-1 and 51.1 ± 8.9 mg·kg-1, respectively. A good correlation was also found for these two metals in a total of 22 pyroplastics, which could be indicative of the presence of PbCrO4 as additive, widely used in the plastic industry for its bright yellow color, but currently regulated and restricted due to its harmful effects on human and environment health. Also noteworthy is the large variety of remains of marine organisms identified attached to the surface of the pyroplastics, such as algae, bryozoans, arthropods and molluscs, among others, which could indicate that these formations may act as a transport vector for such marine organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristopher Domínguez-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; 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
| | - Daura Vega-Moreno
- Departamento de Química, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Juan de Quesada, s/n°, 35001 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Cristina Villanova-Solano
- 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
| | - 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, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, C/ Sta. María Soledad, s/n°, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Maria Elisa Lambre
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, 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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3
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de Deus BCT, Costa TC, Altomari LN, Brovini EM, de Brito PSD, Cardoso SJ. Coastal plastic pollution: A global perspective. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 203:116478. [PMID: 38735173 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116478] [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: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Coastal ecosystems have ecological importance worldwide and require control and prevention measures to mitigate human pollution. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review to provide a comprehensive overview of the global issue of coastal plastic pollution. 689 articles were eligible for qualitative synthesis and 31 were considered for quantitative analysis. There was an exponential increase in articles addressing coastal plastic pollution over the past 50 years. Studies were mainly carried out on beaches, and plastic bottles were the most found item, followed by cigarette butts. Polyethylene was the predominant plastic polymer, and white microplastic fragments stood out. China published most articles on the topic and Brazil had the highest number of sites sampled. Meta-analysis had significant effect sizes based on the reported data. These findings carry significant implications for environmental policies, waste management practices, and targeted awareness campaigns aimed at mitigating plastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Corrêa Thomé de Deus
- Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, 36036-900, São Pedro, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thaiane Cantarino Costa
- Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, 36036-900, São Pedro, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Leslie Nascimento Altomari
- Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, 36036-900, São Pedro, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Emília Marques Brovini
- Postgraduate Program in Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Campus Universitário, Morro do Cruzeiro, 35400-000 Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paulo Sérgio Duque de Brito
- VALORIZA Research Centre, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, Campus Politécnico, 10, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portalegre, Portugal
| | - Simone Jaqueline Cardoso
- Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, 36036-900, São Pedro, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, 36036-900, São Pedro, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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4
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Rbiai O, Badaoui B, Chlaida M. Temporal β-diversity decomposition: Insights into fish biodiversity dynamics in the Moroccan South Atlantic. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 198:106504. [PMID: 38636277 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/02/2024] [Revised: 04/09/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the various aspects of temporal β-diversity and their relationships can profoundly enhance the knowledge of the intricate dynamics of biodiversity over temporal scales. In this study, we examined extensive data on fish in the Moroccan South Atlantic, to quantify taxonomic and functional temporal β-diversity over three five-year periods, determine the relative contributions of turnover and nestedness to each facet, and elucidate the relationship between taxonomic and functional temporal β-diversity including their components using temporal and spatial comparisons. Our findings revealed a complex relationship between taxonomic and functional temporal β-diversity, with decoupled variation often observed. Furthermore, the predominant component of functional temporal β-diversity was functional nestedness, while species turnover had a greater impact on taxonomic temporal β-diversity. A noteworthy observation was the significant fluctuation in the turnover and nestedness components, despite consistent temporal β-diversity. These insights underscore the pivotal role of temporal β-diversity decomposition and advocate for the integration of functional aspects in temporal biodiversity research to provide additional key indicators for biodiversity sustainable management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oussama Rbiai
- Biodiversity, Ecology and Genome Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences (FSR), Mohammed V University in Rabat (UM5), 4 Avenue Ibn Battouta, B.P. 1014 RP, Rabat, Morocco; Department of Fisheries Resources, National Institute of Fisheries Research (INRH), 2 BD Sidi Abderrahman 2, Ain Diab, 20180, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Bouabid Badaoui
- Biodiversity, Ecology and Genome Laboratory, Faculty of Sciences (FSR), Mohammed V University in Rabat (UM5), 4 Avenue Ibn Battouta, B.P. 1014 RP, Rabat, Morocco; African Sustainable Agriculture Research Institute (ASARI), Mohammed VI University (UM6P), Laâyoune, Morocco
| | - Malika Chlaida
- Department of Fisheries Resources, National Institute of Fisheries Research (INRH), 2 BD Sidi Abderrahman 2, Ain Diab, 20180, Casablanca, Morocco.
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5
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Chand R, Putna-Nīmane I, Vecmane E, Lykkemark J, Dencker J, Haaning Nielsen A, Vollertsen J, Liu F. Snow dumping station - A considerable source of tyre wear, microplastics, and heavy metal pollution. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 188:108782. [PMID: 38821018 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 05/18/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Snow dumping stations can be a hotspots for pollutants to water resources. However, little is known about the amount of microplastics including tyre wear particles transported this way. This study investigated microplastics and metals in snow from four snow dumping stations in Riga, Latvia, a remote site (Gauja National Park), and a roof top in Riga. Microplastics other than tyre wear particles were identified with Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) (>500 µm) and focal plane array based micro-Fourier Transform Infrared (FPA-µFTIR) imaging (10-500 µm), tyre wear particles by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (Py-GC-MS), and total metals by Inductively Coupled Plasma with Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES). Microplastics detected by FTIR were quantified by particle counts and their mass estimated, while tyre wear particles were quantified by mass. The concentrations varied substantially, with the highest levels in the urban areas. Microplastic concentrations measured by FTIR ranged between 26 and 2549 counts L-1 of melted snow with a corresponding estimated mass of 19-573 µg/L. Tyre wear particles were not detected at the two reference sites, while other sites held 44-3026 µg/L. Metal concentrations varied several orders of magnitude with for example sodium in the range 0.45-819.54 mg/L and cadmium in the range 0.05-0.94 µg/L. Correlating microplastic measured by FTIR to metal content showed a weak to moderate correlation. Tyre wear particles, however, correlated strongly to many of the metals. The study showed that snow can hold considerable amounts of these pollutants, which upon melting and release of the meltwater to the aquatic environment could impact receiving waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rupa Chand
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9200 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Ieva Putna-Nīmane
- Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Voleru str. 4, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
| | - Elina Vecmane
- Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Voleru str. 4, LV-1007 Riga, Latvia
| | - Jeanette Lykkemark
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9200 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jytte Dencker
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9200 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Asbjørn Haaning Nielsen
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9200 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Jes Vollertsen
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9200 Aalborg, Denmark
| | - Fan Liu
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9200 Aalborg, Denmark.
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Cheng Z, Ma Y, Fan X, Wang Q, Liu Y, You Z. Historical behaviors of microplastic in estuarine and riverine reservoir sediment. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 202:116331. [PMID: 38598928 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116331] [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: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/12/2024]
Abstract
This study investigates the sedimentation behaviors of microplastics (MPs) within a typical meso-scale river estuary, the Yalu River Estuary (YRE) and its riverine reservoir. It analyzes sediment cores in two habitats of Yalu River, revealing changing MPs abundance over time. Results highlight significant differences in riverine and estuarine MPs deposition. Reservoir sample contains more MPs in fragments. Color variations are notable in estuarine samples but minimal in reservoir sample. After 1980, estuarine cores show an increase in coarser MPs, likely due to growth of aquaculture activities. Although sediment accumulates at 1/10 of the rate in reservoir compared to estuary, MPs in reservoir sediments exceeds estuarine level by over threefold. A possible mechanistic framework is then proposed to discuss the varying MPs behaviors in the two habitats, indicating reservoirs accumulate MPs at a higher rate due to the barrier effect of an upper-stream reservoir, stable hydrodynamics, and weak salinity-induced buoyancy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixin Cheng
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, 116026, China; Centre for Ports and Maritime Safety, Dalian Maritime University, 116000, China
| | - Ye Ma
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, 116026, China; Centre for Ports and Maritime Safety, Dalian Maritime University, 116000, China.
| | - Xiaoxue Fan
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, 116026, China
| | - Qian Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Dalian Maritime University, 116026, China
| | - Yue Liu
- College of Science, Liaodong University, Dandong 118003, China
| | - Zaijin You
- Centre for Ports and Maritime Safety, Dalian Maritime University, 116000, China
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Rodríguez-Alcántara JS, Contreras-Llin A, Cruz-Pérez N, García-Gil A, Baquedano C, Marazuela MÁ, Diaz-Cruz MS, León JM, Santamarta JC. Presence of microplastics in the groundwater of volcanic islands, El Hierro and La Palma (Canary Islands). JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2024; 263:104340. [PMID: 38608419 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2024.104340] [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: 10/31/2023] [Revised: 03/29/2024] [Accepted: 04/07/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024]
Abstract
The increasing amount of plastic litter worldwide is a serious problem for the environment and its biodiversity, ecosystems, animal and human welfare and the economy. The degradation of these plastics leads to microplastics (MPs), which have been reported for the first time in groundwater in the Canary archipelago. This research investigates the presence of MPs at nine different points on La Palma and El Hierro, where samples were collected in galleries, wells and springs during the month of December 2022. Six different polymers were found with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) - polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), cellulose (CEL), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polystyrene (PS) and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The particle concentrations found ranged from 1 to 23 n/L, with a maximum particle size of 1900 μm, the smallest being 35 μm. PP and PE were the most common polymers found in the analysis, associated with the use of packaging, disposable products, textiles and water pipes, related to poorly maintained sewerage networks where leaks occur, allowing these MPs to escape into the environment and end up in groundwater. The detection of microplastic pollution in groundwater emphasises environmental hazards, including biodiversity disruption and water source contamination. Additionally, it presents potential risks to human health by transferring contaminants into the food chain and through respiratory exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Albert Contreras-Llin
- Environmental Chemistry Department, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA) Severo Ochoa Excellence Center, Spanish Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Noelia Cruz-Pérez
- Departamento de Ingeniería Agraria y del Medio Natural, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Tenerife, Spain.
| | - Alejandro García-Gil
- Geological Survey of Spain (IGME), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Carlos Baquedano
- Geological Survey of Spain (IGME), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Miguel Ángel Marazuela
- Geological Survey of Spain (IGME), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
| | - M Silvia Diaz-Cruz
- Environmental Chemistry Department, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research (IDAEA) Severo Ochoa Excellence Center, Spanish Council of Scientific Research (CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034 Barcelona, Spain.
| | - Jorge Martínez León
- Geological Survey of Spain (IGME), Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), Madrid, Spain.
| | - Juan C Santamarta
- Departamento de Ingeniería Agraria y del Medio Natural, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Tenerife, Spain.
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8
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García-Regalado A, Herrera A, Almeda R. Microplastic and mesoplastic pollution in surface waters and beaches of the Canary Islands: A review. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 201:116230. [PMID: 38479326 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116230] [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: 12/03/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 04/07/2024]
Abstract
The Canary Archipelago is a group of volcanic islands located in the North Atlantic Ocean with high marine biodiversity. This archipelago intercepts the Canary Current, the easternmost branch of the Azores Current in the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre, which brings large amounts of litter from remote sources via oceanic transportation. It is, therefore, particularly vulnerable to marine plastic pollution. Here, we present a review of the available studies on mesoplastics and microplastics in the Canary Islands over the last decade to evaluate the level and distribution of plastic pollution in this archipelago. Specifically, we focused on data from beaches and surface waters to assess the pollution level among the different islands as well as between windward and leeward zones, and the main characteristics (size, type, colour, and polymer) of the plastics found in the Canary Islands. The concentrations of meso- and MPs on beaches ranged from 1.5 to 2972 items/m2 with a mean of 381 ± 721 items/m2. The concentration of MPs (>200 μm) in surface waters was highly variable with mean values of 998 × 103 ± 3364 × 103 items/km2 and 10 ± 31 items/m3. Plastic pollution in windward beaches was one order of magnitude significantly higher than in leeward beaches. The accumulation of MPs in surface waters was higher in the leeward zones of the high-elevation islands, corresponding to the Special Areas of Conservation (ZECs) and where the presence of marine litter windrows (MLW) has been reported. Microplastic fragments of polyethylene of the colour category "white/clear/uncoloured" were the most common type of plastic reported in both beaches and surface waters. More studies on the occurrence of MLW in ZECS and plastic pollution in the water column and sediments, including small-size fractions (<200 μm), are needed to better assess the level of plastic pollution and its fate in the Canary Islands. Overall, this review confirms that the Canary Archipelago is a hotspot of oceanic plastic pollution, with concentrations of MPs in surface waters in the highest range reported for oceanic islands and one of the highest recorded mean concentrations of beached meso- and microplastics in the world.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Alicia Herrera
- EOMAR, ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Rodrigo Almeda
- EOMAR, ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
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Sousa-Guedes D, Bessa F, Queiruga A, Teixeira L, Reis V, Gonçalves JA, Marco A, Sillero N. Lost and found: Patterns of marine litter accumulation on the remote Island of Santa Luzia, Cabo Verde. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 344:123338. [PMID: 38218543 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123338] [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: 11/16/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Santa Luzia, an uninhabited island in the archipelago of Cabo Verde, serves as a natural laboratory and important nesting site for loggerhead turtles Carettacaretta. The island constitutes an Integral Natural Reserve and a Marine Protected Area. We assessed marine litter accumulation on sandy beaches of the island and analysed their spatial patterns using two sampling methods: at a fine scale, sand samples from 1 × 1 m squares were collected, identifying debris larger than 1 mm; at a coarse scale, drone surveys were conducted to identify visible marine debris (>25 mm) in aerial images. We sampled six points on three beaches of the island: Achados (three points), Francisca (two points) and Palmo Tostão (one point). Then, we modelled the abundance of marine debris using topographical variables as explanatory factors, derived from digital surface models (DSM). Our findings reveal that the island is a significant repository for marine litter (>84% composed of plastics), with up to 917 plastic items per m2 in the sand samples and a maximum of 38 macro-debris items per m2 in the drone surveys. Plastic fragments dominate, followed by plastic pellets (at the fine-scale approach) and fishing materials (at the coarse-scale approach). We observed that north-facing, higher-elevation beaches accumulate more large marine litter, while slope and elevation affect their spatial distribution within the beach. Achados Beach faces severe marine debris pollution challenges, and the upcoming climate changes could exacerbate this problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Sousa-Guedes
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências Geo-Espaciais (CICGE), Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Alameda do Monte da Virgem, 4430-146 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal; University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ ARNET Aquatic Research Network, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, C/ Américo Vespucio, s/n, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; BIOS.CV - Conservation of the Environment and Sustainable Development, CP 52111, Sal Rei, Boa Vista Island, Cabo Verde.
| | - Filipa Bessa
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ ARNET Aquatic Research Network, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | | | | | - Vitória Reis
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências Geo-Espaciais (CICGE), Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Alameda do Monte da Virgem, 4430-146 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
| | - José Alberto Gonçalves
- Departamento de Geociências, Ambiente e Ordenamento do Território (DGAOT), Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Portugal; CIIMAR Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, Terminal de Cruzeiros de Leixões, Avenida General Norton de Matos s/n, 4450-208 Matosinhos, Portugal.
| | - Adolfo Marco
- Estación Biológica de Doñana, CSIC, C/ Américo Vespucio, s/n, 41092 Sevilla, Spain; BIOS.CV - Conservation of the Environment and Sustainable Development, CP 52111, Sal Rei, Boa Vista Island, Cabo Verde.
| | - Neftalí Sillero
- Centro de Investigação em Ciências Geo-Espaciais (CICGE), Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade do Porto, Alameda do Monte da Virgem, 4430-146 Vila Nova de Gaia, Portugal.
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10
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Lozano-Bilbao E, Paz S, Hardisson A, Rubio C, González-Weller D, Gutiérrez ÁJ. Comparative analysis of metal pollution in the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea: insights from Anemonia sulcata study. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 200:116120. [PMID: 38335636 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116120] [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: 10/15/2023] [Revised: 01/14/2024] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024]
Abstract
In this study, we investigated metal concentrations in Anemonia sulcata specimens from various locations in the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. A total of 84 individuals were sampled from specific zones, and their tissue samples were processed for metal analysis using Inductively Coupled Plasma Optical Emission Spectrometry (ICP-OES). The results revealed notable differences in metal concentrations among the studied regions. The Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea were found to have distinct patterns of marine pollution, influenced by a complex interplay of geographical, demographic, industrial, and environmental policy factors. Conversely, the semi-enclosed Mediterranean Sea has a lower natural dilution capacity, leading to the accumulation and prolonged presence of pollutants. Population density and industrial activities in coastal areas play a significant role in pollution disparities between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. The Mediterranean coasts, with higher population densities and intensive industrial operations, experience greater strain on marine ecosystems due to increased pollution sources. Additionally, environmental policies and management approaches differ between the two regions, contributing to variations in pollution response and regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Lozano-Bilbao
- Grupo Interuniversitario de Toxicología Ambiental y Seguridad de los Alimentos y Medicamentos, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; Grupo de Investigación en Ecología Marina Aplicada y Pesquerías (EMAP), Instituto de Investigación de Estudios Ambientales y Recursos Naturales (i-UNAT), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Campus de Tafira, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, Spain.
| | - Soraya Paz
- Grupo Interuniversitario de Toxicología Ambiental y Seguridad de los Alimentos y Medicamentos, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Área de Toxicología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Arturo Hardisson
- Grupo Interuniversitario de Toxicología Ambiental y Seguridad de los Alimentos y Medicamentos, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Área de Toxicología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Carmen Rubio
- Grupo Interuniversitario de Toxicología Ambiental y Seguridad de los Alimentos y Medicamentos, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Área de Toxicología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Dailos González-Weller
- Grupo Interuniversitario de Toxicología Ambiental y Seguridad de los Alimentos y Medicamentos, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; Servicio Público Canario de Salud, Laboratorio Central, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, 38006 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Ángel J Gutiérrez
- Grupo Interuniversitario de Toxicología Ambiental y Seguridad de los Alimentos y Medicamentos, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Área de Toxicología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra, San Cristóbal de La Laguna, 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
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11
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Yao C, Liu C, Hong S, Zhou J, Gao Z, Li Y, Lv W, Zhou W. Potential nervous threat of nanoplastics to Monopterus albus: Implications from a metabolomics study. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 910:168482. [PMID: 37981139 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168482] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Nanoplastics, as a new class of environmental pollutants, have been frequently detected in environmental media and organisms. Monopterus albus (M. albus) is an important economic aquatic product with a high dietary consumption. However, the potential biological effects of nanoplastics on M. albus remain unknown. In this study, the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs) at different concentrations (0, 0.5, 1, 5 and 10 mg/L) on M. albus were investigated using an untargeted metabolomics approach. The results showed that 59, 44, 24, and 31 individual differential metabolites and 16, 9, 6, and 2 significant differential metabolic pathways were significantly changed in 0.5, 1, 5, and 10 mg/L respectively, indicating the greater effect of PS-NPs at the relatively low concentrations. After further analysis, there are four same significant differential metabolic pathways for the 0.5 and 1 mg/L groups, i.e., ABC transporters, cAMP signaling pathway, Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction, and Synaptic vesicle cycle. In addition, there was one mutual differential metabolic pathway (Neuroactive ligand-receptor interaction) among the four groups, indicative of the probably universal nervous influence of nanoplastics on M. albus. In a word, the current work suggests that PS-NPs might affect the nervous systems of M. albus through disturbing their liver metabolism, and nanoplastics at relatively low concentrations may possess a greater effect, which provides significant information for assessing the toxic effect and exposure risk of nanoplastics to organisms in aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxia Yao
- Institute for Agri-food Standards and Testing Technology, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China; Key Laboratory of Food Quality Safety and Nutrition (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai 201403, China
| | - Chengbin Liu
- Institute for Agri-food Standards and Testing Technology, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China; Key Laboratory of Food Quality Safety and Nutrition (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai 201403, China
| | - Shuang Hong
- Institute for Agri-food Standards and Testing Technology, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China; College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai Ocean university, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Jiaxin Zhou
- Institute for Agri-food Standards and Testing Technology, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China; Key Laboratory of Food Quality Safety and Nutrition (Co-construction by Ministry and Province), Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai 201403, China
| | - Zhaoliang Gao
- Institute of Fruit and Forest, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China
| | - Yiming Li
- Fishery Machinery and Instrument Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fisheries Sciences, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Weiwei Lv
- Eco-environmental Protection Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China.
| | - Wenzong Zhou
- Eco-environmental Protection Research Institute, Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Shanghai 201403, China.
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12
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Lozano-Bilbao E, Jurado-Ruzafa A, Lorenzo JM, González JA, Hardisson A, González-Weller D, Paz S, Rubio C, Gutiérrez ÁJ. A Comparative Analysis of Sparisoma cretense in Island Environments: Unraveling Metal Accumulation Differences in the Canary Islands (Spain, NW African Waters). Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:3787. [PMID: 38136824 PMCID: PMC10740405 DOI: 10.3390/ani13243787] [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: 11/03/2023] [Revised: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023] Open
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of varying environmental conditions on the metal composition within the tissues of Sparisoma cretense, contributing to the understanding necessary to offer scientifically sound advice regarding the health status of this species. This knowledge extends beyond fishery production, encompassing implications for food security. The data span the years 2022 and 2023, encompassing both cold and warm climatic seasons. The concentrations of various metals, such as Al, Zn, Cd, Pb, Fe, and Cu, exhibited noteworthy variations across the islands, with significant increases recorded in 2023, particularly during the warm season. The intricate interplay between multiple factors shaped the availability of the analyzed elements in S. cretense. Factors such as rising temperatures during the warm season increased biological activity in marine ecosystems, seasonal fluctuations in weather conditions, water quality, and anthropogenic influences, all contributing to the observed variations in metal concentrations. Additionally, the geological composition of each island and the patterns of marine currents and sediment transport play pivotal roles in these differences. Comprehensive scientific research, monitoring, and environmental surveillance are essential for a holistic understanding of this variability and providing valuable insights for the conservation and management of marine ecosystems in the Canary archipelago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Enrique Lozano-Bilbao
- Grupo Interuniversitario de Toxicología Ambiental y Seguridad de los Alimentos y Medicamentos, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; (A.H.); (D.G.-W.); (S.P.); (C.R.); (Á.J.G.)
- Grupo de Investigación en Ecología Marina Aplicada y Pesquerías (EMAP), Instituto de Investigación de Estudios Ambientales y Recursos Naturales (i-UNAT), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus de Tafira, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, Spain; (J.M.L.); (J.A.G.)
| | - Alba Jurado-Ruzafa
- Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Canarias, 38180 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain;
| | - José M. Lorenzo
- Grupo de Investigación en Ecología Marina Aplicada y Pesquerías (EMAP), Instituto de Investigación de Estudios Ambientales y Recursos Naturales (i-UNAT), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus de Tafira, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, Spain; (J.M.L.); (J.A.G.)
| | - José A. González
- Grupo de Investigación en Ecología Marina Aplicada y Pesquerías (EMAP), Instituto de Investigación de Estudios Ambientales y Recursos Naturales (i-UNAT), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus de Tafira, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Las Palmas, Spain; (J.M.L.); (J.A.G.)
| | - Arturo Hardisson
- Grupo Interuniversitario de Toxicología Ambiental y Seguridad de los Alimentos y Medicamentos, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; (A.H.); (D.G.-W.); (S.P.); (C.R.); (Á.J.G.)
| | - Dailos González-Weller
- Grupo Interuniversitario de Toxicología Ambiental y Seguridad de los Alimentos y Medicamentos, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; (A.H.); (D.G.-W.); (S.P.); (C.R.); (Á.J.G.)
- Servicio Público Canario de Salud, Laboratorio Central, 38006 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Soraya Paz
- Grupo Interuniversitario de Toxicología Ambiental y Seguridad de los Alimentos y Medicamentos, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; (A.H.); (D.G.-W.); (S.P.); (C.R.); (Á.J.G.)
| | - Carmen Rubio
- Grupo Interuniversitario de Toxicología Ambiental y Seguridad de los Alimentos y Medicamentos, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; (A.H.); (D.G.-W.); (S.P.); (C.R.); (Á.J.G.)
| | - Ángel J. Gutiérrez
- Grupo Interuniversitario de Toxicología Ambiental y Seguridad de los Alimentos y Medicamentos, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain; (A.H.); (D.G.-W.); (S.P.); (C.R.); (Á.J.G.)
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13
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Pham CK, Estevez SG, Pereira JM, Herrera L, Rodríguez Y, Domínguez-Hernández C, Villanova-Solano C, Hernández-Sánchez C, Díaz-Peña FJ, Hernández-Borges J. Three-dimensional evaluation of beaches of oceanic islands as reservoirs of plastic particles in the open ocean. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 900:165798. [PMID: 37506916 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/30/2023]
Abstract
The quantification of plastic debris on beaches has been extensively used as an indicator of plastic pollution in the marine environment. However, most efforts have focused on surface layers, with few investigations looking deeper into the substrate, thus underestimating total standing stocks. Such information is crucial to improve our understanding of where plastic accumulates in the oceans. In this study, we investigated the three-dimensional distribution of plastic (>1 mm) in three sandy beaches located in oceanic islands of the North Atlantic (Azores and the Canary Islands) that are known to accumulate significant quantities of small plastic debris at the surface layer. On each beach, we collected a total of 16 sediment cores down to 1 m depth, from the high tide line up to the backshore following a stratified random sampling design spread across four different levels across the beach. Samples were taken every 10 cm down to 1 m into the sand. Our results revealed the presence of plastic items in the deepest layers with subsurface layers accounting for 84 % of the total plastic abundance and with a similar pattern in terms of size, shape, colour and composition. Furthermore, we found increasing plastic concentrations towards the upper levels of the beach, indicating longer term accumulation in the backshore. Collectively, this study suggests that the plastic items reaching sandy beaches of the Macaronesia are being incorporated into its deepest layers, acting as reservoirs of plastic in the open ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher K Pham
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal.
| | - Sofia G Estevez
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - João M Pereira
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Laura Herrera
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Yasmina Rodríguez
- Instituto de Investigação em Ciências do Mar - OKEANOS, Universidade dos Açores, Horta, Portugal
| | - Cristopher Domínguez-Hernández
- Departamento de Química, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Cristina Villanova-Solano
- Departamento de Química, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Cintia Hernández-Sánchez
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Legal y Forense y Parasitología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Francisco J Díaz-Peña
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Javier Hernández-Borges
- Departamento de Química, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
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14
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Matos DM, Ramos JA, Bessa F, Silva V, Rodrigues I, Antunes S, Dos Santos I, Coentro J, Brandão ALC, Batista de Carvalho LAE, Marques MPM, Santos S, Paiva VH. Anthropogenic debris ingestion in a tropical seabird community: Insights from taxonomy and foraging distribution. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 898:165437. [PMID: 37437636 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165437] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/20/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
Oceans have been considered as an unlimited supply of goods and services, but resource extraction and waste disposal became ubiquitous and have been damaging the health of marine ecosystems. Finding suitable sentinel species of the human impacts on the oceans is thus imperative, since they may work as early warnings of disruptive situations. In this study, we investigated how taxonomy and foraging distribution influenced the occurrence of anthropogenic debris among five seabird species inhabiting the tropical Atlantic region. Occurrence of anthropogenic debris was assessed using faeces of breeding individuals as a proxy of ingestion. A total of 268 particles were extracted from all samples. The categories "fragments" and "fibres", as well as the colour "blue", were the most prevalent characteristics across species. There was a high diversity of polymers from cellulosic particles to synthetic plastics (Anthropogenic Cellulosic 26.9 %; Polyester 7.7 %; Varnish 5.8 %; Polypropylene 1.9 %). Species with a more coastal foraging strategy exhibited higher occurrence and number of anthropogenic debris when compared to species foraging comparably more in pelagic areas. This suggests that anthropogenic debris are more prevalent in coastal foraging areas, where human activities occur in higher number and frequency (e.g., fisheries) and sources of freshwater input from inland are at close distance. These results provide more evidence to the growing perception on the ubiquity and diversity of anthropogenic debris in the marine environment, and further support the usefulness of using seabirds as bio-indicators of anthropogenic pollution in both neritic and oceanic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- D M Matos
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - J A Ramos
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Filipa Bessa
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Vítor Silva
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Isabel Rodrigues
- Biosfera Cabo Verde, Sul do Cemitério, Rua 5 - Caixa Postal 233, São Vicente, Cabo Verde
| | - Stefan Antunes
- Biosfera Cabo Verde, Sul do Cemitério, Rua 5 - Caixa Postal 233, São Vicente, Cabo Verde
| | - I Dos Santos
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - João Coentro
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - A L C Brandão
- University of Coimbra, Molecular Physical-Chemistry R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - L A E Batista de Carvalho
- University of Coimbra, Molecular Physical-Chemistry R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - M P M Marques
- University of Coimbra, Molecular Physical-Chemistry R&D Unit, Department of Chemistry, 3004-535 Coimbra, Portugal; University of Coimbra, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Sara Santos
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - V H Paiva
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Department of Life Sciences, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
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15
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Quang HHP, Dinh DA, Dutta V, Chauhan A, Lahiri SK, Gopalakrishnan C, Radhakrishnan A, Batoo KM, Thi LAP. Current approaches, and challenges on identification, remediation and potential risks of emerging plastic contaminants: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023:104193. [PMID: 37348772 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
Plastics are widely employed in modern civilization because of their durability, mold ability, and light weight. In the recent decade, micro/nanoplastics research has steadily increased, highlighting its relevance. However, contaminating micro/nanoplastics in marine environments, terrestrial ecosystems, and biological organisms is considered a severe threat to the environmental system. Geographical distribution, migration patterns, etymologies of formation, and ecological ramifications of absorption are just a few topics covered in the scientific literature on environmental issues. Degradable solutions from material science and chemistry are needed to address the micro/nanoplastics problem, primarily to reduce the production of these pollutants and their potential effects. Removing micro/nanoplastics from their discharge points has been a central and effective way to mitigate the adverse pollution effects. In this review, we begin by discussing the hazardous effect on living beings and the identification-characterization of micro/nanoplastics. Then, we provide a summary of the existing degradation strategies, which include bio-degradation and advanced oxidation processes (AOPs), and a detailed discussion of their degradation mechanisms is also represented. Finally, a persuasive summary of the evaluated work and projections for the future of this topic is provided.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huy Hoang Phan Quang
- Faculty of Biology and Environment, Ho Chi Minh City University of Food Industry, 140 Le Trong Tan Street, Tay Thanh Ward, Tan Phu District, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Duc Anh Dinh
- VKTech Research Center, NTT Hi-Tech Institute, Nguyen Tat Thanh University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Viet Nam
| | - Vishal Dutta
- University Centre for Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab.
| | - Ankush Chauhan
- Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam-603103, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Sudip Kumar Lahiri
- Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, 5 King's College Road, University of Toronto, Canada
| | - C Gopalakrishnan
- Department of Physics and Nanotechnology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu, 603203, India
| | - Arunkumar Radhakrishnan
- Department of Pharmacology, Chettinad Hospital and Research Institute, Chettinad Academy of Research and Education, Kelambakkam-603103, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Khalid Mujasam Batoo
- King Abdullah Institute for Nanotechnology, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lan-Anh Phan Thi
- VNU Key Laboratory of Analytical Technology for Environmental Quality and Food Safety Control (KLATEFOS), University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, Vietnam; Center for Environmental Technology and Sustainable Development (CETASD), University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, 334 Nguyen Trai, Hanoi, Vietnam.
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16
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Bhatt S, Fan C, Liu M, Wolfe-Bryant B. Effect of High-Density Polyethylene Microplastics on the Survival and Development of Eastern Oyster ( Crassostrea virginica) Larvae. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:6142. [PMID: 37372729 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20126142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/03/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution is a growing global concern-especially in estuarine areas that serve as natural habitats and nurseries for many marine organisms. One such marine organism is the Eastern oyster (Crassostrea virginica), which is a reef-forming keystone species in the Chesapeake Bay, the largest estuary in the United States. To understand the potential impacts of MP pollution on the estuary ecosystem, the effects of high-density polyethylene (HDPE) MPs on Eastern oyster larval survival and development were investigated. Three cohorts of larvae were exposed to HDPE MPs with a size of 10-90 µm at a 10 mg/L concentration, after 7 to 11 days of fertilization. After exposure, the number and size of oyster larvae were measured twice a week for approximately 2 weeks until larval settlement. The experiment found that there were no significant differences in the rate of survival between the control and MP-addition treatments. However, we noticed that larval development was significantly delayed with the MP treatment. The percentage of larvae that were ready to settle was 64% with the control treatment compared to 43.5% with the MP treatment. This delay in growth resulted in a delayed larval settlement, which could adversely affect the survival of the Eastern oyster due to the increased risk of predation. The current study demonstrates that MPs could be a risk to the ecology of estuaries, and plastic pollution management is needed for the preservation of these estuaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sulakshana Bhatt
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA
- Patuxent Aquatic and Environmental Research Laboratory (PEARL), Morgan State University, Saint Leonard, MD 20685, USA
| | - Chunlei Fan
- Department of Biology, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA
- Patuxent Aquatic and Environmental Research Laboratory (PEARL), Morgan State University, Saint Leonard, MD 20685, USA
| | - Ming Liu
- Patuxent Aquatic and Environmental Research Laboratory (PEARL), Morgan State University, Saint Leonard, MD 20685, USA
| | - Brittany Wolfe-Bryant
- Patuxent Aquatic and Environmental Research Laboratory (PEARL), Morgan State University, Saint Leonard, MD 20685, USA
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17
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Compa M, Alomar C, Rios-Fuster B, Fagiano V, Deudero S. Sea surface surveys for microplastic and floating marine macro litter items in coastal waters of Cabrera Archipelago Maritime Terrestrial National Park. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-27710-x. [PMID: 37264171 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27710-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023]
Abstract
This study is aimed at identifying and comparing microplastics and floating marine litter along the sea surface in the marine protected area of Cabrera Archipelago Maritime Terrestrial National Park (Cabrera MPA) in the Balearic Islands. A total of 52 net surveys and 22 visual surveys were carried out between July and August in 2019 and 2020. The abundance of microplastic (MP) items was highest in the southern and eastern regions, with an average of 381,244.4 ± 1,031,082.8 items/km2 weighing an average of 927.1 ± 2731.4 g/km2. Most of these items were < 5 mm (81%) in size and were mainly composed of polyethylene and polypropylene (98%). In terms of floating marine macro litter (ML) from visual surveys, an average of 2028 ± 2084 items/km2 were observed. In this case, the majority of the ML items were plastic pieces (69%) measuring 2.5 to 50 cm. Furthermore, ML quantified by visual surveys was an order of magnitude higher than in similar studies carried out on large vessels, highlighting the importance of vessel height and speed for identifying the smallest size fractions (81%). The results of this study document the intensity of MPs and ML, primarily plastic, in coastal waters, and provide a baseline for management efforts to mitigate floating litter, in addition to raising awareness of the transferability of marine litter from other regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Montserrat Compa
- Centro Nacional Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IEO-CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015, Mallorca, Spain
| | - Carme Alomar
- Centro Nacional Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IEO-CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015, Mallorca, Spain.
| | - Beatriz Rios-Fuster
- Centro Nacional Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IEO-CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015, Mallorca, Spain
| | - Valentina Fagiano
- Centro Nacional Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IEO-CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015, Mallorca, Spain
| | - Salud Deudero
- Centro Nacional Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares, Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (IEO-CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015, Mallorca, Spain
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18
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Hernández-Sánchez C, Pestana-Ríos ÁA, Villanova-Solano C, Domínguez-Hernández C, Díaz-Peña FJ, Rodríguez-Álvarez C, Lecuona M, Arias Á. Bacterial Colonization of Microplastics at the Beaches of an Oceanic Island, Tenerife, Canary Islands. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:3951. [PMID: 36900968 PMCID: PMC10001659 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20053951] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/17/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
(1) Isolated systems, such as oceanic islands, are increasingly experiencing important problems related to microplastic debris on their beaches. The formation of microbial biofilm on the surface of microplastics present in marine environments provides potential facilities for microorganisms to survive under the biofilm. Moreover, microplastics act as a vehicle for the dispersion of pathogenic organisms, constituting a new route of exposure for humans. (2) In this study, the microbial content (FIO and Vibrio spp. and Staphylococcus aureus) of microplastics (fragments and pellets) collected from seven beaches of the oceanic island of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands (Spain), was determined. (3) Results showed that Escherichia coli was present in 57.1% of the fragments and 28.5% of the pellets studied. In the case of intestinal Enterococci, 85.7% of the fragments and 57.1% of the pellets tested positive for this parameter. Finally, 100% of the fragments and 42.8% of the pellets analyzed from the different beaches contained Vibrio spp. (4) This study shows that microplastics act as reservoirs of microorganisms that can increase the presence of bacteria indicating faecal and pathogenic contamination in bathing areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cintia Hernández-Sánchez
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Toxicology, Legal and Forensic Medicine and Parasitology, Health Science Faculty, University of La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra s/n, 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
- Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna (ULL), Avda, Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n°, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Ángel Antonio Pestana-Ríos
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Toxicology, Legal and Forensic Medicine and Parasitology, Health Science Faculty, University of La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra s/n, 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Cristina Villanova-Solano
- Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna (ULL), Avda, Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n°, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Departmental Unit of Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry Department, Science Faculty, University of La Laguna (ULL), Avda Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n°, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Cristopher Domínguez-Hernández
- Institute of Tropical Diseases and Public Health of the Canary Islands, University of La Laguna (ULL), Avda, Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n°, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
- Departmental Unit of Analytical Chemistry, Chemistry Department, Science Faculty, University of La Laguna (ULL), Avda Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n°, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Francisco Javier Díaz-Peña
- Department of Animal Biology, Soil Science and Geology, Science Faculty, University of La Laguna (ULL), Avda, Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n°, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Cristobalina Rodríguez-Álvarez
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Toxicology, Legal and Forensic Medicine and Parasitology, Health Science Faculty, University of La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra s/n, 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - María Lecuona
- Microbiology and Infection Control Service of the University Hospital of the Canary Islands (HUC), 38071 Tenerife, Spain
| | - Ángeles Arias
- Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health, Toxicology, Legal and Forensic Medicine and Parasitology, Health Science Faculty, University of La Laguna (ULL), Campus de Ofra s/n, 38071 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
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19
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Gurjar UR, Xavier KAM, Shukla SP, Takar S, Jaiswar AK, Deshmukhe G, Nayak BB. Seasonal distribution and abundance of microplastics in the coastal sediments of north eastern Arabian Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 187:114545. [PMID: 36608479 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114545] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2022] [Revised: 12/25/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The present study reports site-specific data on the seasonal variation in microplastic abundance and characteristics in coastal sediments along the North Eastern Arabian Sea, India. The abundance of MP in coastal sediments ranged from 4400 to 15,300 items/kg dry weight (DW), with the dominance of the size ranging between 100 and 500 μm. In the studied sediment samples, fibers were the most dominant form, followed by fragments. Ten different microplastics polymers were recorded during the study with dominance of polyethylene, polyester, polyamide and all the recorded plastic items in the sediments were denser than water, except polyethylene. The mean abundance of MP in sediments was significantly higher in the monsoon season. During this season, freshwater flow increases to the sea, which brings a higher concentration of microplastics from catchment areas. For a better insight, more time-series data and research are required to assess the source of MP pollution, understand spatial-temporal variations in MP abundance and their possible hazardous impacts on marine organisms and the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Udai Ram Gurjar
- Fisheries Resource Harvest and Post-Harvest Management Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai 400 061, Maharashtra, India; Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Parsauni, RPCAU, Pusa, Samastipur 845 458, Bihar, India
| | - K A Martin Xavier
- Fisheries Resource Harvest and Post-Harvest Management Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai 400 061, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Satya Prakash Shukla
- Aquatic Environmental Management Department, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai 400 061, Maharashtra, India
| | - Suman Takar
- Department of Fisheries Resource Management, College of Fisheries, CGKV, Kawardha 491 995, Chhattisgarh, India
| | - Ashok Kumar Jaiswar
- Fisheries Resource Harvest and Post-Harvest Management Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai 400 061, Maharashtra, India
| | - Geetanjali Deshmukhe
- Fisheries Resource Harvest and Post-Harvest Management Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai 400 061, Maharashtra, India
| | - Binaya Bhusan Nayak
- Fisheries Resource Harvest and Post-Harvest Management Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai 400 061, Maharashtra, India
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20
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Nunes BZ, Huang Y, Ribeiro VV, Wu S, Holbech H, Moreira LB, Xu EG, Castro IB. Microplastic contamination in seawater across global marine protected areas boundaries. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120692. [PMID: 36402421 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2022] [Revised: 09/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Despite the relatively rich literature on the omnipresence of microplastics in marine environments, the current status and ecological impacts of microplastics on global Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) are still unknown. Their ubiquitous occurrence, increasing volume, and ecotoxicological effects have made microplastic an emerging marine pollutant. Given the critical conservation roles of MPAs that aim to protect vulnerable marine species, biodiversity, and resources, it is essential to have a comprehensive overview of the occurrence, abundance, distribution, and characteristics of microplastics in MPAs including their buffer zones. Here, extensive data were collected and screened based on 1565 peer-reviewed literature from 2017 to 2020, and a GIS-based approach was applied to improve the outcomes by considering boundary limits. Microplastics in seawater samples were verified within the boundaries of 52 MPAs; after including the buffer zones, 1/3 more (68 MPAs) were identified as contaminated by microplastics. A large range of microplastic levels in MPAs was summarized based on water volume (0-809,000 items/m3) or surface water area (21.3-1,650,000,000 items/km2), which was likely due to discrepancy in sampling and analytical methods. Fragment was the most frequently observed shape and fiber was the most abundant shape. PE and PP were the most common and also most abundant polymer types. Overall, 2/3 of available data reported that seawater microplastic levels in MPAs were higher than 12,429 items/km2, indicating that global MPAs alone cannot protect against microplastic pollution. The current limitations and future directions were also discussed toward the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework goals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuyue Huang
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Siqi Wu
- College of Environment and Ecology, Chongqing University, 400044, China
| | - Henrik Holbech
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense, Denmark
| | | | - Elvis Genbo Xu
- Department of Biology, University of Southern Denmark, 5230, Odense, Denmark.
| | - Italo B Castro
- Institute of Oceanography, Universidade Federal Do Rio Grande, Brazil; Institute of Marine Science, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, Brazil
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21
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Navarro A, Luzardo OP, Gómez M, Acosta-Dacal A, Martínez I, Felipe de la Rosa J, Macías-Montes A, Suárez-Pérez A, Herrera A. Microplastics ingestion and chemical pollutants in seabirds of Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 186:114434. [PMID: 36495613 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114434] [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: 09/19/2022] [Revised: 11/13/2022] [Accepted: 11/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution constitutes an environmental problem in the Canary Islands nowadays. Nevertheless, studies evaluating the impact of plastics on its avifauna are still scarce. Gastrointestinal tracts of 88 birds belonging to 14 species were studied for the presence of plastics. Moreover, their livers were analyzed for the determination of bromodiphenyl ethers (BDEs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs). Among Cory's shearwaters (n = 45), the frequency of occurrence of plastic ingestion was considerably high (88.89 %). This species had the highest mean value of items (7.22 ± 5.66) and most of them were compatible with lines derived from fishing gear. PCBs and PAHs were detected in all of the samples and OCPs in the great majority of them (98.86 %). Our results highlight the problems that plastic debris (mainly for seabirds) and organic pollutants pose to these species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alberto Navarro
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Octavio Pérez Luzardo
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - May Gómez
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Andrea Acosta-Dacal
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Ico Martínez
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Jorge Felipe de la Rosa
- Facultad de Veterinaria, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Arucas, Las Palmas, Spain
| | - Ana Macías-Montes
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | | | - Alicia Herrera
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
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22
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Pan Y, Gao SH, Ge C, Gao Q, Huang S, Kang Y, Luo G, Zhang Z, Fan L, Zhu Y, Wang AJ. Removing microplastics from aquatic environments: A critical review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND ECOTECHNOLOGY 2023; 13:100222. [PMID: 36483746 PMCID: PMC9722483 DOI: 10.1016/j.ese.2022.100222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Revised: 11/03/2022] [Accepted: 11/06/2022] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
As one of the typical emerging contaminants, microplastics exist widely in the environment because of their small size and recalcitrance, which has caused various ecological problems. This paper summarizes current adsorption and removal technologies of microplastics in typical aquatic environments, including natural freshwater, marine, drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs), and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), and includes abiotic and biotic degradation technologies as one of the removal technologies. Recently, numerous studies have shown that enrichment technologies have been widely used to remove microplastics in natural freshwater environments, DWTPs, and WWTPs. Efficient removal of microplastics via WWTPs is critical to reduce the release to the natural environment as a key connection point to prevent the transfer of microplastics from society to natural water systems. Photocatalytic technology has outstanding pre-degradation effects on microplastics, and the isolated microbial strains or enriched communities can degrade up to 50% or more of pre-processed microplastics. Thus, more research focusing on microplastic degradation could be carried out by combining physical and chemical pretreatment with subsequent microbial biodegradation. In addition, the current recovery technologies of microplastics are introduced in this review. This is incredibly challenging because of the small size and dispersibility of microplastics, and the related technologies still need further development. This paper will provide theoretical support and advice for preventing and controlling the ecological risks mediated by microplastics in the aquatic environment and share recommendations for future research on the removal and recovery of microplastics in various aquatic environments, including natural aquatic environments, DWTPs, and WWTPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yusheng Pan
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Shu-Hong Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Chang Ge
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Qun Gao
- State Key Joint Laboratory of Environment Simulation and Pollution Control, School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing, 100084, China
| | - Sijing Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Yuanyuan Kang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Gaoyang Luo
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Ziqi Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Lu Fan
- Department of Ocean Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen, China
- Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou, China
| | - Yongming Zhu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, 150090, China
| | - Ai-Jie Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
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23
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Domínguez-Hernández C, Villanova-Solano C, Sevillano-González M, Hernández-Sánchez C, González-Sálamo J, Ortega-Zamora C, Díaz-Peña FJ, Hernández-Borges J. Plastitar: A new threat for coastal environments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 839:156261. [PMID: 35644393 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156261] [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: 04/03/2022] [Revised: 05/02/2022] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Oil residues have been frequently found on the coasts all over the world as a result of different accidental releases. Their partial evaporation and solidification onto the coastal rocks can produce the formation of a new solid structure forming an agglomerate with other materials, mainly microplastics (though wood, glass, sand and rocks were also found), yielding to a new plastic formation, name herein for the first time as "plastitar". These new formations have been found in several of the islands of the Canary Islands archipelago (Spain). Their study has shown that these new formations can be permanently attached to the rock, occupying even a 56% of the sampled area with an heterogeneous distribution. It was also observed that the studied plastitar was composed mainly of tar and polyethylene (90.6% of the studied particles) and polypropylene (9.4% of the studied particles) microplastics, primarily fragments (82.5%), pellets (15.7%) and lines (1.8%). The ever more frequent presence of plastics and, in particular, microplastics in coastal environments can lead to the common occurrence of these new plastic formations (probably present in other parts of the world), which long-term effects on the coasts should be further investigated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristopher Domínguez-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
| | - Cristina Villanova-Solano
- 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
| | - Marta Sevillano-González
- 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
| | - 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 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, P.le Aldo Moro 5. 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Cecilia Ortega-Zamora
- 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
| | - Francisco Javier 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
| | - 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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24
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Lozoya JP, Rodríguez M, Azcune G, Lacerot G, Pérez-Parada A, Lenzi J, Rossi F, de Mello FT. Stranded pellets in Fildes Peninsula (King George Island, Antarctica): New evidence of Southern Ocean connectivity. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:155830. [PMID: 35561917 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155830] [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: 01/23/2022] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Plastic and microplastic debris is transported by ocean currents over long distances, reaching remote areas, far from its original source. In Polar Regions, microplastics (MPs) can come from local activities or be transported from lower latitudes, with the former being the likely and major source. Although historically Antarctica was considered isolated from the global ocean, there is recent evidence of materials and organisms being transported in and out of the Southern Ocean, despite its multi-front structure. During the austral summer of 2019, beach surveys were conducted on the NW coast of the Fildes Peninsula (King George Island). The beach was characterised, and the first 2 cm of sediment from 5 quadrants (50 × 50 cm) along 100 m of the highest strandline were collected. Large microplastics (LMPs) and mesoplastics (MesoPs) were isolated, counted, measured, weighed and classified by shape. Polymer composition was analysed by FTIR and ageing estimated by Carbonyl Index. We found 293 items of LMPs (188 items) and MesoPs (105 items), with a total average density (±SD) of 234.4 ± 166 items m-2. Foams (130.4 ± 76.3), fragments (58.4 ± 56.0) and pellets (44.0 ± 50.5) were the most abundant shapes. The main polymers found were polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyethylene. We found pellets among the MesoPs, being the first record for beaches in Antarctica. The presence of these primary MPs south of 62°S not only alerts about their possible direct consequences on Antarctic ecosystems, but also gives empirical evidence for the passive entry of plastic debris from lower latitudes through cross-frontal exchanges, providing new evidence of a global connectivity of the Southern Ocean. Despite increasing research, knowledge of plastics dynamics and their impact in the Southern Ocean and Antarctica is still limited but certainly necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- J P Lozoya
- Centro Universitario Regional del Este (CURE), Universidad de la República (UDELAR), Cachimba del Rey entre Bvar. Artigas y Av. Aparicio Saravia, 20000 Maldonado, Uruguay.
| | - M Rodríguez
- Centro Universitario Regional del Este (CURE), Universidad de la República (UDELAR), Ruta nacional N°9 intersección con ruta N°15, Rocha, Uruguay.
| | - G Azcune
- Centro Universitario Regional del Este (CURE), Universidad de la República (UDELAR), Ruta nacional N°9 intersección con ruta N°15, Rocha, Uruguay.
| | - G Lacerot
- Centro Universitario Regional del Este (CURE), Universidad de la República (UDELAR), Cachimba del Rey entre Bvar. Artigas y Av. Aparicio Saravia, 20000 Maldonado, Uruguay.
| | - A Pérez-Parada
- Centro Universitario Regional del Este (CURE), Universidad de la República (UDELAR), Ruta nacional N°9 intersección con ruta N°15, Rocha, Uruguay.
| | - J Lenzi
- Centro de Investigación y Conservación Marina (CICMAR), Uruguay
| | - F Rossi
- Centro Universitario Regional del Este (CURE), Universidad de la República (UDELAR), Cachimba del Rey entre Bvar. Artigas y Av. Aparicio Saravia, 20000 Maldonado, Uruguay
| | - F Teixeira de Mello
- Centro Universitario Regional del Este (CURE), Universidad de la República (UDELAR), Cachimba del Rey entre Bvar. Artigas y Av. Aparicio Saravia, 20000 Maldonado, Uruguay.
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Gao Z, Yu H, Li M, Li X, Lei J, He D, Wu G, Fu Y, Chen Q, Shi H. A battery of baseline toxicity bioassays directed evaluation of plastic leachates-Towards the establishment of bioanalytical monitoring tools for plastics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 828:154387. [PMID: 35276177 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154387] [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: 01/14/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2022] [Accepted: 03/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
There are increasing concerns regarding the ecological risks of plastics to the natural environment, especially the potential effects of plastic leachates on organisms, which contain various toxic components. However, appropriate methods to assess the overall environmental risks of plastics are limited. In this study, five different plastic products (three conventional and two biodegradable plastics) were immersed in simulated freshwater, and their toxicity was assessed using a battery of bioassays. We evaluated the effects of plastic leachates effects on organisms from four trophic levels of species (nematodes, Caenorhabditis elegans; algae, Scenedesmus obliquus; daphnids, Daphnia magna; and fish, Danio rerio) by measuring their acute and chronic toxicity. Our results indicated that all plastic leachates exhibited poor acute and chronic toxicity to the organisms. The acute toxicity of conventional plastic leachates with EC20 values <1.6 g plastic/L was higher than that of the biodegradable polydioxanone (PPDO) leachate (EC20: 16.2-796.1 g plastic/L); however, the toxicity of PPDO-octane (EC20: 0.04-1.9 g plastic/L) was similar to that of polyethylene or polystyrene (excluding toxicity in D. magna). Similarly, the leachates of the three conventional plastics and PPDO-octane had obvious inhibitory effects on the growth of C. elegans at exposure concentrations higher than 0.01 g plastic/L; however, the toxicity of the PPDO leachates was at least an order of magnitude lower. Therefore, the environmental related concentration of the plastic leachates did not have significant toxic effects. Considering that a single bioassay does not provide comprehensive information on biological implications, this study provided a new integrated and efficient method for the environmental risk assessment (ERA) of plastic leachates. Moreover, the toxicity sensitivity of different organisms varied following exposure to different plastics, thus demonstrating that multiple organisms from different trophic levels should be included in the ERA for plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhuo Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Hairui Yu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Mingyuan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jin Lei
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Friendly and Fire-Safety Polymeric Materials (MoE), National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Defu He
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Gang Wu
- The Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Friendly and Fire-Safety Polymeric Materials (MoE), National Engineering Laboratory of Eco-Friendly Polymeric Materials (Sichuan), State Key Laboratory of Polymer Materials Engineering, College of Chemistry, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610064, China
| | - Ye Fu
- College of Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Beijing Technology and Business University, Beijing 100037, China
| | - Qiqing Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.
| | - Huahong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
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Khosrovyan A, Kahru A. Virgin and UV-weathered polyamide microplastics posed no effect on the survival and reproduction of Daphnia magna. PeerJ 2022; 10:e13533. [PMID: 35663524 PMCID: PMC9161812 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.13533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Although evidence suggests that microplastic (MP) particles pose a risk to organisms, the effects of virgin and weathered MP should be evaluated separately as their effects may be different. In this work, we provide new information on the toxic potential of virgin and UV-weathered polyamide, one of the commonly used plastics worldwide. Polyamide MP particles were subjected to UV-weathering in wet conditions over 26 days in a customized irradiation chamber equipped with UV-C light tubes (15 W each, max. wavelength 254 nm). The toxicity of virgin and UV-weathered polyamide MP (< 180 µm in one dimension, 100 and 300 mg L-1) was evaluated by studying Daphnia magna reproduction in natural lake water spiked with MP, following the 21-day OECD 211 test guideline. In parallel, a nonionic surfactant Tween 20 (7 mg L-1) was added to the test medium to improve the suspendability of the MP. The results of the tests showed no adverse effects of either virgin or UV-weathered polyamide MP on the reproduction of D. magna. In addition, presence of Tween 20 in the test medium had no effects on the test results. These results bring a new perspective on the potential long-term impact of polyamide particles on aquatic organisms, especially considering that the polyamide has received marginal attention in the ecotoxicological research. However, standard test endpoints (survival and reproduction) may still miss long-term adverse effects of insoluble e.g., plastic particles and additional studies may be necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alla Khosrovyan
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Anne Kahru
- Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, National Institute of Chemical Physics and Biophysics, Tallinn, Estonia,Estonian Academy of Sciences, Tallinn, Estonia
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Herrera A, Acosta-Dacal A, Pérez Luzardo O, Martínez I, Rapp J, Reinold S, Montesdeoca-Esponda S, Montero D, Gómez M. Bioaccumulation of additives and chemical contaminants from environmental microplastics in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 822:153396. [PMID: 35092768 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153396] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Marine microplastic pollution is one of the biggest environmental problems we face. The growth of plastic production has not ceased since the 1950s and it is currently estimated that 368 tons of plastic were produced in 2019 (PlascticsEurope, 2020). Geyer et al. (2017) estimate that 79% of the plastic produced in the world still remains in the environment; this plastic due to the effect of degradation and subsequent fragmentation, is present in the form of microplastics in all oceans and, due to its small size can be ingested by fish and filter-feeding organisms. In addition, microplastics have additives and chemical contaminants associated with them, and the potential effect of microplastic ingestion on marine organisms, and through them, the potential risk to humans, is unknown. In the present study, European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax) were fed for 60 days with three treatments: Control (feed), MP (feed with 10% virgin microplastics) and EMP (feed with 10% environmental microplastics), being the first study to evaluate long-term accumulation of contaminants due to ingestion of environmental microplastics (EMP) in fish. Both plastic additives such as PBDEs, and chemical contaminants adsorbed from the environment such as PCBs and DDE, were analyzed in the EMP, feed and liver. The concentration of microplastics in the feed was calculated based on the MPs/zooplankton wet weight (WW) ratio of 0.1 found in an area of maximum accumulation in the Canary Islands. Therefore, it is an experiment that simulates real conditions, but in the worst-case scenario, using both, concentrations based on data obtained in oceanographic campaigns and microplastics collected from the environment. Our results show that in this scenario, additives and chemical contaminants adsorbed on EMPs bioaccumulate in fish liver due to long-term ingestion of microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Herrera
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), Iu-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Andrea Acosta-Dacal
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Octavio Pérez Luzardo
- Toxicology Unit, Research Institute of Biomedical and Health Sciences (IUIBS), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Paseo Blas Cabrera s/n, 35016 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Ico Martínez
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), Iu-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Jorge Rapp
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), Iu-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Stefanie Reinold
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), Iu-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Sarah Montesdeoca-Esponda
- Instituto de Estudios Ambientales y Recursos Naturales (i-UNAT), Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Daniel Montero
- Grupo de Investigación en Acuicultura (GIA), Iu-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - May Gómez
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), Iu-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
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Herrera A, Rivera JA, Moreno T, Martínez I, Gómez M. First inventory of marine debris on Alegranza, an uninhabited island in the Northeast Atlantic. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 178:113604. [PMID: 35366546 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113604] [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: 11/28/2021] [Revised: 03/16/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Alegranza is the most northerly island of the Canary Islands archipelago, the first obstacle crossed by the Canary Current. From July to October 2020, six expeditions were led to the island to make a first inventory of marine debris and its possible source and origin. In total, 3667 objects weighing 321 kg were removed, excluding wooden objects. Of these, 97.7% were plastics, the most abundant being drink bottles (25.4%). While knowing the origin, source and pathway of debris is difficult, legible labels provided valuable information. In Alegranza, 66.7% of the legible bottle labels indicated Asian countries of manufacture, which is evidence that the source is maritime traffic in the region. The lobster trap license labels from the east coast of the United States and Canada were dated from 1999 to 2018, supporting both the exogenous origin and long lifetime in the ocean of these debris.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alicia Herrera
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), Iu-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Campus Universitario de Tafira, Canary Islands, Spain; Asociación para la Conservación Medioambiental Latitud Azul, Spain.
| | | | - Teresa Moreno
- Instituto Politécnico de Formación Profesional Marítimo-Pesquero de Canarias, Spain
| | - Ico Martínez
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), Iu-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Campus Universitario de Tafira, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - May Gómez
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), Iu-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, 35017 Campus Universitario de Tafira, Canary Islands, Spain
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29
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Villanova-Solano C, Díaz-Peña FJ, Hernández-Sánchez C, González-Sálamo J, González-Pleiter M, Vega-Moreno D, Fernández-Piñas F, Fraile-Nuez E, Machín F, Hernández-Borges J. Microplastic pollution in sublittoral coastal sediments of a North Atlantic island: The case of La Palma (Canary Islands, Spain). CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 288:132530. [PMID: 34653476 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 10/08/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In this work, the microplastic content of sediments collected in July 2020 between 5 and 7 m depth was studied in four locations of La Palma island (Canary Islands, Spain). At each sampling location, three samples were taken parallel to the shoreline. The microplastic content in each sampling corer was studied every 2.5 cm depth after digestion with a H2O2 solution followed by flotation in a saturated NaCl solution. Visualization of the final filtrates under a stereomicroscope revealed that all the sediment samples evaluated contained mostly microfibers (98.3%) which were mainly white/colorless (86.0%) and blue (9.8%), with an average length of 2423 ± 2235 (SD) mm and an average concentration of 2682 ± 827 items per kg of dry weight, being the total number of items found 1,019. Fourier Transform Infrared microscopy analysis of 13.9% (n = 139) of the microfibers also showed that they were mainly cellulosic (81.3%). No significant differences were found between the depths of the sediment. However, significant differences were found between the number of fibers from the sampling sites at the east and west of the island. Such variability could be driven by the winds and ocean mesoscale dynamics in the area. This study confirms the wide distribution of microfibers in sediments from an oceanic island like La Palma, providing their first report in marine sediments of the Canary Islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristina Villanova-Solano
- 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
| | - 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
- 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; 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 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
| | - Miguel González-Pleiter
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, E-28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Daura Vega-Moreno
- Departamento de Química, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Spain
| | - Francisca Fernández-Piñas
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, E-28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eugenio Fraile-Nuez
- Centro Oceanográfico de Canarias, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Calle Farola del Mar, 22, 38180, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Francisco Machín
- Departamento de Física, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), 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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Reinold S, Herrera A, Stile N, Saliu F, Hernández-González C, Martinez I, Ortega Z, Marrero MD, Lasagni M, Gómez M. An annual study on plastic accumulation in surface water and sediment cores from the coastline of Tenerife (Canary Island, Spain). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:113072. [PMID: 34700151 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113072] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2021] [Revised: 10/14/2021] [Accepted: 10/15/2021] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Sediment core samples from high tide lines and in submerged zones as well as surface water samples from eight beaches of Tenerife were analysed. Sampling was conducted over a period of one year in intervals of 5 weeks. The majority of particles were found in the high tide sediment (66%), followed by water samples (23%) and finally in sediment from submerged zones (11%). Regarding the particle amount per volume (items/L), accumulation in sediment samples was statistically higher compared to water samples. Mean values of items/L were higher in high tide sediments. In high tide and water samples, mostly white and transparent particles >1 mm were found. More than 70% were represented by fragments. In sediments from submerged zones, yellow and blue microparticles (<1 mm) were predominant and 61.9% consisted of fibres. Larger particles were mainly identified as PP, PE, PS, PTFE and PVC, while polymer types of smaller particles were more variable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefanie Reinold
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), Iu-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, 35017, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Alicia Herrera
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), Iu-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, 35017, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Nicolò Stile
- Earth and Environmental Science Department, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy.
| | - Francesco Saliu
- Earth and Environmental Science Department, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy.
| | - Carlos Hernández-González
- Centro Oceanográfico de Canarias, Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Ico Martinez
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), Iu-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, 35017, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Zaida Ortega
- Departamento de Ingeniería de Procesos, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, 35017, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - María Dolores Marrero
- Departamento de Ingeniería de Procesos, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, 35017, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Marina Lasagni
- Earth and Environmental Science Department, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy.
| | - May Gómez
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), Iu-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, 35017, Canary Islands, Spain.
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Khosrovyan A, Kahru A. Evaluation of the potential toxicity of UV-weathered virgin polyamide microplastics to non-biting midge Chironomus riparius. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 287:117334. [PMID: 34000673 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.117334] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/06/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The relevance of the environmental hazard evaluation of virgin plastics particles is problematic, as plastics almost never occur in a virgin state after being discarded into the environment. However, the producers or importers must evaluate the environmental effect of their products as they are produced. Many plastic types e.g., polyamide, polyethylene are already under pre-registration, according to the database of the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA), in order to restrict the placing on the market of polymers (as defined by Article 3(5) of EU's REACH regulation (Registration, Evaluation, Authorization & Restriction of Chemicals), as a substance or in a mixture (ECHA, 2019). However, the hazard of microplastics could not be evaluated without relevant data on its (eco)toxic effects. In this work, the long-term toxicity of virgin polyamide microplastic (PA-MP) (size from 0 to 180 μm) and UV-weathered virgin PA-MP was investigated in the controlled life cycle experiments conducted in accordance with the OECD guidelines for testing of chemicals using Chironomus riparius (OECD test 218). In addition, a three-generation test was conducted to understand the trans-generational toxicity potential of virgin PA-MP. After UV irradiation (26 d) the buoyancy and color of the particles was changed and the share of smaller particles (of a few micrometer size range) increased. The exposure of C. riparius larvae to UV-weathered PA-MP (1000 mg kg-1) during their life cycle (28 d), negatively affected their development and subsequent emergence as adults. However, the exposure to virgin PA-MP throughout the life cycle and also over three consecutive generations did not significantly reduced the number of emerged adults. From the point of view of environmental hazard, the virgin polyamide plastics have probably no long-term hazard to chironomids. While it may not be relevant as environmental pollutant in the strict sense, UV-weathering may turn it hazardous.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alla Khosrovyan
- Keemilise Ja Bioloogilise Fuusika Instituut, 23 Akadeemia Tee, 12618, Tallinn, Estonia.
| | - Anne Kahru
- Keemilise Ja Bioloogilise Fuusika Instituut, 23 Akadeemia Tee, 12618, Tallinn, Estonia; Estonian Academy of Sciences, Kohtu 6, 10130, Tallinn, Estonia
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32
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Rasta M, Rahimibashar MR, Ershad A, Jafroudi HT, Kouhbane ST. Characteristics and Seasonal Distribution of Microplastics in the Surface Waters of Southwest Coast of the Caspian Sea (Guilan Province, Iran). BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2021; 107:671-676. [PMID: 34036436 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-021-03268-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 05/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence, abundance and distribution of microplastics (MPs) in the southwest coast of the Caspian Sea in four seasons. Three stations were chosen and their surface waters were sampled between April 2019 and February 2020. The average number of MPs was 1.37 ± 0.47 items/m3 and the predominant frequency in different seasons were as follows: summer > autumn > spring > winter. MPs were dominated by fiber in shape. Black and blue were the most common colors respectively. The size was in the range of 0.3-5 mm with a mean of 1.44 ± 1.08 mm. Due to Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy equipped with attenuated total reflection (ATR-FTIR), four different polymers were identified dominating by polypropylene. The low MP concentrations detected in the present study can be related to lower sewage inlet and more MPs sedimentation in the investigated stations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Majid Rasta
- Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Guilan, Sowmehsara, Iran
| | - Mohammad Reza Rahimibashar
- Department of Marine Biology, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Lahijan branch, Lahijan, Iran.
| | - Arash Ershad
- Department of Marine Biology, Faculty of Science, Islamic Azad University, Lahijan branch, Lahijan, Iran
| | - Hor Torabi Jafroudi
- Department of Marine Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Guilan, Rasht, Iran
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Vega-Moreno D, Abaroa-Pérez B, Rein-Loring PD, Presas-Navarro C, Fraile-Nuez E, Machín F. Distribution and transport of microplastics in the upper 1150 m of the water column at the Eastern North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre, Canary Islands, Spain. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 788:147802. [PMID: 34034192 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2020] [Revised: 04/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays it is widely known that pollution by microplastics (MP) at the open ocean covers immense areas. Buoyant plastics tend to accumulate in areas of convergence at the sea surface such as subtropical gyres, while non-buoyant plastics accumulate at the seafloor. However, previous studies have revealed that the total amount of plastic in the different oceans is not well correlated with the concentrations measured at the sea surface and the sea floor, evidencing a significant amount of missing plastic in the oceans. This deviation could be related to an underestimation of the role played by small fragments of plastic and fibers in the oceans. Furthermore, microplastic fragments with a density lower than the density of seawater have been gathered hundreds of meters below the sea surface in the Pacific Ocean due to their size and shape. The main objective of this study is to carry out, for the first time, an equivalent analysis along the water column for the Atlantic Ocean. In that sense, a total number of 51 samples were collected during four different oceanographic cruises between February and December 2019, from the sea surface down to 1150 m depth at the open ocean waters of the Canary Islands region (Spain). For each sample, 72 l of seawater were filtered on board with a mesh size of 100 μm, where the presence of microplastics has been clearly observed. Our results reveal the presence of microplastics at least up to 1150 m depth, at the Northeastern Atlantic Subtropical Gyre with noticeable seasonal differences. The spatial distribution of these small fragments and fibers at the water column is mainly related to the oceanic dynamics and mesoscale convective flows, overcoming the MP motion induced by their own buoyancy. Moreover, these microplastics have being transported by the ocean dynamics as passive drifters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daura Vega-Moreno
- Departamento de Química, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Spain.
| | - Bárbara Abaroa-Pérez
- Departamento de Química, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Spain
| | | | - Carmen Presas-Navarro
- Centro Oceanográfico de Canarias, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Spain
| | - Eugenio Fraile-Nuez
- Centro Oceanográfico de Canarias, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Spain.
| | - Francisco Machín
- Departamento de Física, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Spain
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Bellasi A, Binda G, Pozzi A, Boldrocchi G, Bettinetti R. The extraction of microplastics from sediments: An overview of existing methods and the proposal of a new and green alternative. CHEMOSPHERE 2021; 278:130357. [PMID: 33823347 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130357] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2020] [Revised: 03/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) contamination is an existing and concerning environmental issue. Plastic particles have been observed worldwide in every natural matrix, with water environments being the final sink of dispersed MPs. Microplastic distribution in water ecosystems varies as a function of multiple factors, including polymer properties (e.g., density and wettability) and environmental conditions (e.g., water currents and temperature). Because of the tendency of MPs to settle, sediment is known to be one of the most impacted environmental matrices. Despite the increasing awareness of their diffusion in sediments, a proper quantification of dispersed particles is still difficult, due to the lack of standard protocols, which avoid a proper comparison of different sites. This hampers the current knowledge on environmental implications and toxicological effects of MPs in sediments. In this work, we examined 49 studies carried out from 2004 to 2020 to describe the different extraction methods applied, and to highlight pros and cons, with the aim of evaluating the more promising protocols. Therefore, we evaluated each proposed method by considering precision, reproducibility, economic viability and greenness (in term of used reagents). Finally, we proposed a valid alternative procedure in term of reliability and costs, which can attract increasing interest for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Bellasi
- Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100, Como, Italy.
| | - G Binda
- Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100, Como, Italy.
| | - A Pozzi
- Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100, Como, Italy.
| | - G Boldrocchi
- Department of Human and Innovation for the Territory, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100, Como, Italy.
| | - R Bettinetti
- Department of Human and Innovation for the Territory, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100, Como, Italy.
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Hernández-Sánchez C, González-Sálamo J, Díaz-Peña FJ, Fraile-Nuez E, Hernández-Borges J. Arenas Blancas (El Hierro island), a new hotspot of plastic debris in the Canary Islands (Spain). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 169:112548. [PMID: 34091246 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The present work has studied the incidence and type of micro (1-5 mm), meso (5-25 mm) and macroplastics (>25 mm) that have reached Arenas Blancas beach, located in the north coast of El Hierro island, in the Canary Islands (Spain), from October 2019 to May 2020 (13 sampling dates with 3 sampling points each). Taking into consideration the three studied plastic debris fractions (macro, meso and microplastics), a total of 9206 items were found, which had a total weight of 1169.7 g and a concentration of 891.3 ± 91.5 items/m2 (118.3 ± 17.8 g/m2 and 2.3 ± 0.4 g/L). Regarding their colour, most of them were transparent/white/clear, especially in the microplastic fraction in which they accounted for a 68% of the total. Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy of meso and microplastic fractions indicated that most of the particles were either polypropylene and polyethylene followed by polystyrene in a much lower amount. In general, the total amount of plastic debris that arrives to the beach by the persistent oceanic current pattern linked to the easternmost branch of the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre is comparable to those of the most contaminated beaches of the Canary Islands archipelago, suggesting that a new hotspot of plastic debris arrival has been found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cintia Hernández-Sánchez
- 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; 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 González-Sálamo
- 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 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
| | - 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
| | - Eugenio Fraile-Nuez
- Centro Oceanográfico de Canarias, Instituto Español de Oceanografía (IEO), Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Calle Farola del Mar, 22, 38180 Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Javier Hernández-Borges
- 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 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.
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Sevwandi Dharmadasa WLS, Andrady AL, Kumara PBTP, Maes T, Gangabadage CS. Microplastic pollution in Marine Protected Areas of Southern Sri Lanka. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 168:112462. [PMID: 33993039 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112462] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2020] [Revised: 05/01/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in marine environment. The prevalence of MPs in coastal and lagoon sediments, and water were studied in two Marine Protected Areas (MPAs); Bundala National Park (BNP) and Hikkaduwa Marine National Park (HNP) in Sri Lanka. Both areas are important for turtles, birds and coral ecosystems, all of which are particularly threatened by MPs. Abundance of MPs was generally higher in both coastal sediments and waters in HNP (111±29 MPs/m2 for sediments and 0.515±0.054 MPs/m3 for water) than in the BNP (102±16 MPs/m2 for sediments and 0.276±0.077 MPs/m3 for water). The most common shape and polymer type of MPs were fragments and Polyethylene respectively. This research is the first to survey MPs in MPAs in Sri Lanka and provides a baseline of MPs pollution in these environments for future research and management.
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Affiliation(s)
- W L S Sevwandi Dharmadasa
- Department of Oceanography and Marine Geology, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences & Technology, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka.
| | - A L Andrady
- Department of Biology and Marine Biology, University of North Carolina at Wilmington, Wilmington, NC 28403, USA
| | - P B Terney Pradeep Kumara
- Department of Oceanography and Marine Geology, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences & Technology, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka; Marine Environment Protection Authority, No.177, Nawala Road, Narahenpita, Colombo 05, Sri Lanka
| | - T Maes
- Grid-Arendal, Teaterplassen 3, 4836 Arendal, Norway
| | - C S Gangabadage
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, University of Ruhuna, Matara, Sri Lanka
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37
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Sridharan S, Kumar M, Bolan NS, Singh L, Kumar S, Kumar R, You S. Are microplastics destabilizing the global network of terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem services? ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2021; 198:111243. [PMID: 33933493 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2021] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Plastic has created a new man-made ecosystem called plastisphere. The plastic pieces including microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have emerged as a global concern due to their omnipresence in ecosystems and their ability to interact with the biological systems. Nevertheless, the long-term impacts of MPs on biotic and abiotic resources are not completely understood, and existing evidence suggests that MPs are hazardous to various keystones species of the global biomes. MP-contaminated ecosystems show reduced floral and faunal biomass, productivity, nitrogen cycling, oxygen-generation and carbon sequestration, suggesting that MPs have already started affecting ecological biomes. However, not much is known about the influence of MPs towards the ecosystem services (ESs) cascade and its correlation with the biodiversity loss. MPs are perceived as a menace to the global ecosystems, but their possible impacts on the provisional, regulatory, and socio-economic ESs have not been extensively studied. This review investigates not only the potentiality of MPs to perturb the functioning of terrestrial and aquatic biomes, but also the associated social, ecological and economic repercussions. The possible long-term fluxes in the ES network of terrestrial and aquatic niches are also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinidhi Sridharan
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India; CSIR National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, 440020, Maharashtra, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- CSIR National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, 440020, Maharashtra, India
| | - Nanthi S Bolan
- Global Centre for Environmental Remediation, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia; Cooperative Research Centre for High Performance Soils, Callaghan, NSW, 2308, Australia
| | - Lal Singh
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India; CSIR National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, 440020, Maharashtra, India
| | - Sunil Kumar
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India; CSIR National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, 440020, Maharashtra, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- CSIR National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Nagpur, 440020, Maharashtra, India
| | - Siming You
- James Watt School of Engineering, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, G12 8QQ, UK.
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Carvalho JPS, Silva TS, Costa MF. Distribution, characteristics and short-term variability of microplastics in beach sediment of Fernando de Noronha Archipelago, Brazil. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 166:112212. [PMID: 33690085 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112212] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Fernando de Noronha Archipelago is highly vulnerable to microplastic pollution, which has been previously reported with snapshot samplings on the site. The present study has performed daily beach sediment samplings on the archipelago, aiming to assess the distribution, characteristics and short-term variability of microplastics (1-5 mm), expressing concentrations in three different units. The concentrations ranged from 0.6 ± 2.5 particles/m2 to 1059.3 ± 1385.6 particles/m2 and showed a large spatial and temporal small-scale variability. The results indicate that microplastic contamination is recurrent in Fernando de Noronha and the distribution of these particles is associated with a combination of various physical processes. A wider comparison with results obtained in beaches worldwide was possible using different units of concentration, but standard methods for sampling and analysis of microplastics is needed to better understanding of large-scale spatial and temporal variability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia P S Carvalho
- Laboratory of Ecology and Management of Estuarine and Coastal Ecosystems, Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Oceanography Department, Av. Arquitetura s/n, 50740-550 Recife, PE, Brazil.
| | - Thaiane S Silva
- Laboratory of Ecology and Management of Estuarine and Coastal Ecosystems, Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Oceanography Department, Av. Arquitetura s/n, 50740-550 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Monica F Costa
- Laboratory of Ecology and Management of Estuarine and Coastal Ecosystems, Federal University of Pernambuco (UFPE), Oceanography Department, Av. Arquitetura s/n, 50740-550 Recife, PE, Brazil
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Rapp J, Herrera A, Bondyale-Juez DR, González-Pleiter M, Reinold S, Asensio M, Martínez I, Gómez M. Microplastic ingestion in jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca (Forsskal, 1775) in the North Atlantic Ocean. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 166:112266. [PMID: 33770553 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2020] [Revised: 03/09/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The present study is the first evidence-based study about the ingestion of plastic and microplastics in jellyfish Pelagia noctiluca in the North Atlantic Ocean. A bloom of this organism was collected from Gran Canaria Island coast. It was digested using KOH to quantify the plastic particles and by separating the umbrella from tentacles. About 97% of the organisms analysed showed the presence of microdebris. The majority of the microfibers were with blue or uncorrected fibre concentrations and mainly composed of cotton. Their presence in the gastrovascular cavity of the jellyfish was confirmed. These results warn about the impact of various factors such as jellyfish health, the transfer to jellyfish predators, human consumption of jelly fish, and the transport of carbon and microplastics in the water column.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Rapp
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Alicia Herrera
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain; Asociación para la Conservación Medioambiental Latitud Azul, Av Mesa y López 57-15A, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
| | - Daniel R Bondyale-Juez
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Miguel González-Pleiter
- Departamento de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain.
| | - Stefanie Reinold
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Maite Asensio
- Asociación para la Conservación Medioambiental Latitud Azul, Av Mesa y López 57-15A, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain.
| | - Ico Martínez
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - May Gómez
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
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40
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The Role of Land Use Transition on Industrial Pollution Reduction in the Context of Innovation-Driven: The Case of 30 Provinces in China. LAND 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/land10040353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
With the world calling for environmental protection, China has to follow an innovation-driven development path in order to achieve its own high-quality and sustainable development. During this period, the problem of inefficient land use resulting from rapid progress in urbanisation is difficult to ignore. This study uses data from 30 provinces in mainland China to analyse the environmental protection effects of land use transition towards innovation-driven development, using spatial econometric models and entropy method. The results show that the innovation-oriented land use transition in four dimensions, human capital, material capital, urban function and government, is conducive to reducing industrial pollution emissions in the region, but this effect does not have a spillover effect. The results of this study provide some insights into the “triple-win” (environmental protection, innovation and land-use optimisation) approach to economic development in China.
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Do Consumers Really Want to Reduce Plastic Usage? Exploring the Determinants of Plastic Avoidance in Food-Related Consumption Decisions. SUSTAINABILITY 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/su12229627] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
The mass production and use of plastics over the past decades is now posing a threat to the environment due to increasing pollution. The industrial transition towards more sustainable plastic alternatives has already started, but the process will require years to become truly feasible from an industrial and economic standpoint. In the meantime, a significant contribution to limit plastic-related environmental impact could arise from consumers’ daily consumption choices. This study aims at investigating the determinants of consumers’ decision to avoid purchasing single-use plastic eating utensils, food products with multiple plastic packaging, and plastic water bottles while grocery shopping. The results of the Structural Equation Model reveal that environment- and health-related concerns associated with plastics are key drivers of plastic avoidance. Instead, subjective knowledge and the importance attached to the commitment of third parties for tackling the plastic issue only indirectly affect consumer behaviors with regard to plastic avoidance.
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Wu M, Yang C, Du C, Liu H. Microplastics in waters and soils: Occurrence, analytical methods and ecotoxicological effects. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2020; 202:110910. [PMID: 32800245 PMCID: PMC7324347 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2020.110910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2020] [Revised: 06/15/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in the environment and more abundant in the marine environment. Consequently, increasing focus has been put on MPs in oceans and seas, while little importance has been attached to their presence in freshwaters and soils. Therefore, this paper aimed to provide a comprehensive review of the occurrence, analysis and ecotoxicology of MPs. The abundance and distribution of MPs in several typical freshwater systems of China were summarized. It suggested that the surface water of Poyang Lake contained the highest concentration of 34 items/L MPs among all the 8 freshwater systems, and the content of MPs in sediments were higher than that of the surface water. Net-based zooplankton sampling methods are the most frequently utilized sampling methods for MPs, and density separation, elutriation and digestion are three major pretreatment methods. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and pyrolysis-gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry are often used to identify the polymer types of MPs. Besides, MPs might damage the digestive tract of various organisms and negatively inhibit their growth, feeding and reproduction. The ways of human exposure to MPs are by ingestion, inhalation and dermal exposure, digestive and respiratory system might be adversely influenced. However, potential health risks of MPs to humans are remained insufficiently researched. Overall, by showing the presence of MPs in freshwaters and soils as well as possible ecotoxicological effects on the environment and humans, this paper provided a framework for future research in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjie Wu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Pollution Processes and Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming, Guangdong, 525000, China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
| | - Chunping Yang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Pollution Processes and Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming, Guangdong, 525000, China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China; Hunan Provincial Environmental Protection Engineering Center for Organic Pollution Control of Urban Water and Wastewater, Changsha, Hunan, 410001, China.
| | - Cheng Du
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Petrochemical Pollution Processes and Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guangdong University of Petrochemical Technology, Maoming, Guangdong, 525000, China.
| | - Hongyu Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, and Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan, 410082, China
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43
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Brander SM, Renick VC, Foley MM, Steele C, Woo M, Lusher A, Carr S, Helm P, Box C, Cherniak S, Andrews RC, Rochman CM. Sampling and Quality Assurance and Quality Control: A Guide for Scientists Investigating the Occurrence of Microplastics Across Matrices. APPLIED SPECTROSCOPY 2020; 74:1099-1125. [PMID: 32643389 DOI: 10.1177/0003702820945713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 103] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is a defining environmental contaminant and is considered to be one of the greatest environmental threats of the Anthropocene, with its presence documented across aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. The majority of this plastic debris falls into the micro (1 μm-5 mm) or nano (1-1000 nm) size range and comes from primary and secondary sources. Its small size makes it cumbersome to isolate and analyze reproducibly, and its ubiquitous distribution creates numerous challenges when controlling for background contamination across matrices (e.g., sediment, tissue, water, air). Although research on microplastics represents a relatively nascent subfield, burgeoning interest in questions surrounding the fate and effects of these debris items creates a pressing need for harmonized sampling protocols and quality control approaches. For results across laboratories to be reproducible and comparable, it is imperative that guidelines based on vetted protocols be readily available to research groups, many of which are either new to plastics research or, as with any new subfield, have arrived at current approaches through a process of trial-and-error rather than in consultation with the greater scientific community. The goals of this manuscript are to (i) outline the steps necessary to conduct general as well as matrix-specific quality assurance and quality control based on sample type and associated constraints, (ii) briefly review current findings across matrices, and (iii) provide guidance for the design of sampling regimes. Specific attention is paid to the source of microplastic pollution as well as the pathway by which contamination occurs, with details provided regarding each step in the process from generating appropriate questions to sampling design and collection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susanne M Brander
- Department of Fisheries and Wildlife, Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station, Oregon State University, Corvallis, USA
| | - Violet C Renick
- Environmental Services Department, Orange County Sanitation District, Fountain Valley, USA
| | | | - Clare Steele
- California State University Channel Islands, Environmental Science and Resource Management, Camarillo, USA
| | - Mary Woo
- California State University Channel Islands, Environmental Science and Resource Management, Camarillo, USA
| | - Amy Lusher
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Oslo, Norway
| | - Steve Carr
- San Jose Creek Water Quality Laboratory, County Sanitation Districts of Los Angeles, Whittier, USA
| | - Paul Helm
- Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, Toronto, Canada
| | | | - Sam Cherniak
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Robert C Andrews
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
| | - Chelsea M Rochman
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Canada
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Pham CK, Pereira JM, Frias JPGL, Ríos N, Carriço R, Juliano M, Rodríguez Y. Beaches of the Azores archipelago as transitory repositories for small plastic fragments floating in the North-East Atlantic. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 263:114494. [PMID: 32278235 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114494] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2020] [Revised: 03/22/2020] [Accepted: 03/28/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is among the most pervasive stressors currently influencing the marine environment and affecting even the most remote areas. To date, there are still fundamental gaps in our understanding of the major pathways and fate of plastic debris in the oceans. Here we show that oceanic insular environments are important transitory repositories of small plastic items floating in the open ocean. Monthly monitoring of seven beaches over a three-year period demonstrate that beaches of the Azores islands with particular characteristics can capture significant quantities of fragments between 2 and 5 mm in length. The beach with the highest plastic loading rates was found to occasionally accumulate densities exceeding 15,000 fragments m-2 on part of the backshore. However, a large portion of these fragments can be rapidly washed back into the marine environment. Detailed characterization of those plastic items revealed the typology and size distribution to be similar throughout the seven beaches and through the 33 months surveyed, suggesting a same and unique source. Our results show that these oceanic islands of the North-East Atlantic are under pressure of high quantities of fragmented plastic debris that probably entered the ocean many years ago.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher K Pham
- IMAR/OKEANOS - Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal.
| | - João M Pereira
- IMAR/OKEANOS - Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal
| | - João P G L Frias
- MFRC - Marine and Freshwater Research Centre, Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), Dublin Road, Galway, H91 T8NW, Ireland
| | - Noelia Ríos
- IMAR/OKEANOS - Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal
| | - Rita Carriço
- IMAR/OKEANOS - Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal
| | - Manuela Juliano
- IMAR/OKEANOS - Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal
| | - Yasmina Rodríguez
- IMAR/OKEANOS - Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, 9901-862, Horta, Portugal
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Mazariegos-Ortíz C, de Los Ángeles Rosales M, Carrillo-Ovalle L, Cardoso RP, Muniz MC, Dos Anjos RM. First evidence of microplastic pollution in the El Quetzalito sand beach of the Guatemalan Caribbean. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 156:111220. [PMID: 32365004 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2020] [Revised: 04/22/2020] [Accepted: 04/23/2020] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
In Guatemala, assessment of the impacts of microplastic pollution in marine and coastal protected areas has not yet been carried out. Therefore, the main goal of this paper was to evaluate the abundance, composition, physical forms, and the possible sources of plastic debris in the El Quetzalito Beach. The area was intended for biodiversity conservation but has been excessively contaminated by plastic materials from land-based activities. The results state that plastic debris negatively impact the Caribbean coast of Guatemala and are released by storm water and riverine transport from the Motagua River. With a high abundance of 279 items/m2 (30 items/kg d.w.), composed mainly of polystyrene foam beads (66.8%) and polypropylene fragments (25.8%), the microplastic sources are the deterioration of large plastics. As these plastics are commonly used in industrial, commercial, fishing, and household activities, these findings reinforce the need to improve effective sustainable management actions of solid waste treatment and disposal in the Guatemalan cities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlos Mazariegos-Ortíz
- Centro de Estudios del Mar y Acuicultura, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Ciudad Universitaria, zona 12, Guatemala; Red de investigación de los Estresores Marino Costeros de Latinoamerica y el Caribe -REMARCO, Brazil
| | - María de Los Ángeles Rosales
- Fundación Mundo Azul, Ciudad Cayalá, zona 16, Guatemala; Red de investigación de los Estresores Marino Costeros de Latinoamerica y el Caribe -REMARCO, Brazil
| | - Leonel Carrillo-Ovalle
- Centro de Estudios del Mar y Acuicultura, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, Ciudad Universitaria, zona 12, Guatemala; Red de investigación de los Estresores Marino Costeros de Latinoamerica y el Caribe -REMARCO, Brazil
| | - Renan Pereira Cardoso
- Laboratório de Radioecologia e Alterações Ambientais (LARA), Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Av. Gal Milton Tavares de Souza, s/no, Gragoatá, 24210-346 Niterói, RJ, Brazil; Red de investigación de los Estresores Marino Costeros de Latinoamerica y el Caribe -REMARCO, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Costa Muniz
- Laboratório de Radioecologia e Alterações Ambientais (LARA), Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Av. Gal Milton Tavares de Souza, s/no, Gragoatá, 24210-346 Niterói, RJ, Brazil; Red de investigación de los Estresores Marino Costeros de Latinoamerica y el Caribe -REMARCO, Brazil
| | - Roberto Meigikos Dos Anjos
- Laboratório de Radioecologia e Alterações Ambientais (LARA), Instituto de Física, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Av. Gal Milton Tavares de Souza, s/no, Gragoatá, 24210-346 Niterói, RJ, Brazil; Red de investigación de los Estresores Marino Costeros de Latinoamerica y el Caribe -REMARCO, Brazil.
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46
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Montoto-Martínez T, Hernández-Brito JJ, Gelado-Caballero MD. Pump-underway ship intake: An unexploited opportunity for Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) microplastic monitoring needs on coastal and oceanic waters. PLoS One 2020; 15:e0232744. [PMID: 32384129 PMCID: PMC7209351 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0232744] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Accepted: 03/29/2020] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Broad scale sampling methods for microplastic monitoring in the open ocean waters remain a challenge in oceanography. A large number of samples is required to understand the distribution, abundance and fate of microplastic particles in the environment. Despite more than a decade of widespread study, there is currently no established time series of microplastic measurements and the research community is yet to establish a standardised set of methods that will allow data to be collected in a quick, affordable and interoperable way. We present a sampling technique involving the connection of a custom-built microplastic sampling device to the pump-underway ship intake system of a research vessel (RV) as an unexploited opportunity for oceanic monitoring needs concerning microplastic abundance and distribution. The method is cost effective, highly versatile and accurate, and is able to sample particles down to 50μm from opportunity platforms, thus contributing to an emerging area of study, and in particular helping to increase the monitoring reporting of data, and thereby serving as a valuable aid for the implementation of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Sampling was performed during three consecutive oceanographic cruises in the subtropical NE Atlantic over a year, sampling subsurface waters (4 m depth) during navigation and while on coastal and oceanic stations. Microplastic particles were found in all stations and transects sampled. Fibres (64.42%) were predominant over fragments (35.58%), with the concentration values falling within the ranges of data reported for other areas of the Atlantic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Montoto-Martínez
- Environmental Technologies, Management and Biogeochemistry Research Group, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
- * E-mail:
| | - José Joaquín Hernández-Brito
- Environmental Technologies, Management and Biogeochemistry Research Group, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
- Atlantic International Research Centre, Azores, Portugal
- Oceanic Platform of the Canary Islands, Taliarte, Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - Mª. Dolores Gelado-Caballero
- Environmental Technologies, Management and Biogeochemistry Research Group, University of Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
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Waldschläger K, Lechthaler S, Stauch G, Schüttrumpf H. The way of microplastic through the environment - Application of the source-pathway-receptor model (review). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2020; 713:136584. [PMID: 32019016 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.136584] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 01/06/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics in the environment is a highly relevant research topic. However, although more and more studies on environmental concentrations of microplastics are published, a profound risk assessment could not be carried out yet. This is mainly attributable to the fact that the current sampling and analysis methods do not provide a representative picture of the environmental pollution, as the fundamental knowledge about transport processes of microplastic is not present, and the ecotoxicological studies therefore cannot consider the relevant exposures of the organisms. To provide a methodological basis for further research and risk assessments, this paper applies the Source-Pathway-Receptor model to the context of microplastics, whereby the current state of knowledge can be compiled in a structured way and important knowledge gaps can be identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kryss Waldschläger
- Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management, RWTH Aachen University, Germany.
| | - Simone Lechthaler
- Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management, RWTH Aachen University, Germany; Chair of Physical Geography and Geoecology, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
| | - Georg Stauch
- Chair of Physical Geography and Geoecology, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
| | - Holger Schüttrumpf
- Institute of Hydraulic Engineering and Water Resources Management, RWTH Aachen University, Germany
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Herrera A, Raymond E, Martínez I, Álvarez S, Canning-Clode J, Gestoso I, Pham CK, Ríos N, Rodríguez Y, Gómez M. First evaluation of neustonic microplastics in the Macaronesian region, NE Atlantic. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 153:110999. [PMID: 32275548 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.110999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 02/17/2020] [Accepted: 02/17/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Marine microplastic pollution is an issue of great concern nowadays since high concentrations have been detected in the ocean, mainly in the subtropical gyres that accumulate this type of debris. The long-term effects of this pollution on ecosystems and marine biota are still unknown. The aim of this study is to quantify and characterise microplastics and neustonic zooplankton in sub-surface waters of the Macaronesian region, an area that has been little studied to date. Our results show a great variability in the concentration of microplastics with values between 15,283 items/km2 in Los Gigantes (Tenerife, Canary Islands) and 1,007,872 items/km2 in Las Canteras (Gran Canaria, Canary Islands). The main types of debris found were plastic fragments and fibres. The abundances of neustonic zooplankton were also very variable between the different sampling areas, being the main components copepods and eggs. Regarding the microplastics-zooplankton ratio, values were obtained between 0.002 and 0.22. In Las Canteras, the highest accumulation zone, was found twice as much microplastics as zooplankton for the 1-5 mm fraction in dry weight. These values highlight the potential hazard of microplastics - and its associated chemical contaminants - for marine biota, especially for large filter feeders.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Herrera
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), IU- ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - E Raymond
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), IU- ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - I Martínez
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), IU- ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
| | - S Álvarez
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação Tecnologia e Inovação (ARDITI), Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
| | - J Canning-Clode
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação Tecnologia e Inovação (ARDITI), Funchal, Madeira, Portugal; Centre of IMAR of the University of the Azores, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries, Azores, Portugal; Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, 647 Contees Wharf Road, Edgewater, MD 21037, USA
| | - I Gestoso
- MARE-Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Agência Regional para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação Tecnologia e Inovação (ARDITI), Funchal, Madeira, Portugal; Centre of IMAR of the University of the Azores, Department of Oceanography and Fisheries, Azores, Portugal
| | - C K Pham
- IMAR/OKEANOS - Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, Horta 9901-862, Portugal
| | - N Ríos
- IMAR/OKEANOS - Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, Horta 9901-862, Portugal
| | - Y Rodríguez
- IMAR/OKEANOS - Universidade dos Açores, Departamento de Oceanografia e Pescas, Horta 9901-862, Portugal
| | - M Gómez
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), IU- ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain
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49
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Rapp J, Herrera A, Martinez I, Raymond E, Santana Á, Gómez M. Study of plastic pollution and its potential sources on Gran Canaria Island beaches (Canary Islands, Spain). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 153:110967. [PMID: 32275527 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.110967] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2019] [Revised: 02/05/2020] [Accepted: 02/06/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
In order to understand the origin of plastic debris pollutants that accumulate in the Canary Islands coastline, six beaches of Gran Canaria Island were studied during different seasons to estimate the abundance and the types of two microplastics fraction sizes (0.01-1 mm and 1-5 mm) and mesoplastics fraction (5-25 mm). For the larger fraction of microplastics and mesoplastics, a high percentage of fragments and foams were found; moreover, both fractions show the same accumulation pattern in relation with the wave, wind, and current. The debris was checked for exogenous and local origins. Moreover, for the smaller fraction of microplastics, only natural, semi-synthetic, and synthetic fibres were found, showing a totally different spatial distribution from the others fractions. This result suggests a possible endogenous origin of the contamination, in relation to the type and amount of wastewater discharges and beach users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Rapp
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Alicia Herrera
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Ico Martinez
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Eugenio Raymond
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - Ángelo Santana
- Mathematics Department, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
| | - May Gómez
- Marine Ecophysiology Group (EOMAR), IU-ECOAQUA, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Campus Universitario de Tafira, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Canary Islands, Spain.
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50
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Dodson GZ, Shotorban AK, Hatcher PG, Waggoner DC, Ghosal S, Noffke N. Microplastic fragment and fiber contamination of beach sediments from selected sites in Virginia and North Carolina, USA. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 151:110869. [PMID: 32056649 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.110869] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2019] [Revised: 12/25/2019] [Accepted: 12/26/2019] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic particles (<5 mm) constitute a growing pollution problem within coastal environments. This study investigated the microplastic presence of estuarine and barrier island beaches in the states of Virginia and North Carolina, USA. Seventeen sediment cores were collected at four study sites and initially tested for microplastic presence by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. For the extraction, microplastic particles were first separated from the sediment using a high-density cesium chloride solution (1.88 g/mL). In a second step, an oil extraction collected the remaining microplastic particles of higher densities. Under the light microscope, the extracted microplastic particles were classified based on their morphologies into fragments and fibers. Raman microspectroscopy chemically identified a subset of microplastic particles as polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, poly(4-vinylbiphenyl), polystyrene, polyethylene, and nylon. The results show a concentration of microplastic particles (1410 ± 810 per kg of dry sediment) even in protected and ostensibly unpolluted estuarine and beach sediments of Virginia and North Carolina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabrielle Z Dodson
- Department of Ocean, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA.
| | - A Katrina Shotorban
- Department of Ocean, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA
| | - Patrick G Hatcher
- Department of Chemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA
| | - Derek C Waggoner
- Department of Chemistry, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA
| | - Sutapa Ghosal
- California Department of Public Health, Environmental Health Laboratory Branch, Richmond, CA 94804, USA
| | - Nora Noffke
- Department of Ocean, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences, Old Dominion University, Norfolk, VA 23529, USA
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