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Lee JY, Chia RW, Veerasingam S, Uddin S, Jeon WH, Moon HS, Cha J, Lee J. A comprehensive review of urban microplastic pollution sources, environment and human health impacts, and regulatory efforts. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174297. [PMID: 38945237 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174297] [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: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution in urban environments is a pervasive and complex problem with significant environmental and human health implications. Although studies have been conducted on MP pollution in urban environments, there are still research gaps in understanding the exact sources, regulation, and impact of urban MP on the environment and public health. Therefore, the goal of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the complex pathways, harmful effects, and regulatory efforts of urban MP pollution. It discusses the research challenges and suggests future directions for addressing MPs related to environmental issues in urban settings. In this study, original research papers published from 2010 to 2024 across ten database categories, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, were selected and reviewed to improve our understanding of urban MP pollution. The analysis revealed multifaceted sources of MPs, including surface runoff, wastewater discharge, atmospheric deposition, and biological interactions, which contribute to the contamination of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. MPs pose a threat to marine and terrestrial life, freshwater organisms, soil health, plant communities, and human health through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure. Current regulatory measures for MP pollution include improved waste management, upgraded wastewater treatment, stormwater management, product innovation, public awareness campaigns, and community engagement. Despite these regulatory measures, several challenges such as; the absence of standardized MPs testing methods, MPs enter into the environment through a multitude of sources and pathways, countries struggle in balancing trade interests with environmental concerns have hindered effective policy implementation and enforcement. Addressing MP pollution in urban environments is essential for preserving ecosystems, safeguarding public health, and advancing sustainable development. Interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative research, stringent regulations, and public participation are vital for mitigating this critical issue and ensuring a cleaner and healthier future for urban environments and the planet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Yong Lee
- Department of Geology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea.
| | - Rogers Wainkwa Chia
- Department of Geology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea; Research Institute for Earth Resources, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea.
| | - S Veerasingam
- Environmental Science Center, Qatar University, Doha, P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Saif Uddin
- Environment and Life Sciences Research Centre, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Safat 13109, Kuwait
| | - Woo-Hyun Jeon
- Groundwater Environment Research Center, Climate Change Response Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Daejeon 34132, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Sun Moon
- Groundwater Environment Research Center, Climate Change Response Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Daejeon 34132, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihye Cha
- Department of Geology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea; School of Science and Engineering, University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Jejung Lee
- School of Science and Engineering, University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
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2
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Sambandam M, Mishra P, Dhineka K, Kaviarasan T, Murthy MVR, Ravichandran M. Tide of change: Urgency of a national marine litter policy in India. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 204:116562. [PMID: 38850757 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116562] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/10/2024]
Abstract
The rise of plastics in the 20th century revolutionized modern life but inadvertently exacerbated the marine litter crisis. The proliferation of wastes such as single-use plastics has escalated pollution along the coastline, demanding coordinated, decisive, and unified action. While the absence of specific national marine litter policies is concerning, there is growing recognition of urgency to address this issue. A group of experts and stakeholders was involved through a multi-staged workshop to assess the generated information based on scientific evidence and formulate a framework for the National Marine Litter Policy (NMLP). This paper proposes policy options (4 targets & 20 strategies) to address marine litter pollution, especially plastics, and aims to elucidate the urgency and significance of implementing an NMLP as a comprehensive strategy to combat plastics pollution. Implementing dedicated policies and action plans tailored to the unique challenges faced by each country is a vital step towards sustainable oceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Murugan Sambandam
- National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, NIOT Campus, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600 100, India
| | - Pravakar Mishra
- National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, NIOT Campus, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600 100, India.
| | - Kuppuswamy Dhineka
- National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, NIOT Campus, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600 100, India
| | - Thanamegam Kaviarasan
- National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, NIOT Campus, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600 100, India
| | - M V Ramana Murthy
- National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Ministry of Earth Sciences, Govt. of India, NIOT Campus, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600 100, India
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3
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Wang F, Lei A, Huang S, Su L, Li M, Craig NJ, Lai Z. Impact of typhoon events on microplastic distribution in offshore sediments in Leizhou Peninsula of the South China Sea. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 348:123817. [PMID: 38508366 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123817] [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: 12/27/2023] [Revised: 03/15/2024] [Accepted: 03/16/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic is an emerging pollutant and a technical fossil in Anthropocene sediments. Typhoon frequency and intensity have increased due to climate change, which has a major effect on the distribution patterns of microplastics. It is still unknown, though, how the topography of the peninsula affects the reconstruction of the distribution of microplastic in typhoons. Due to frequent typhoons, the Leizhou Peninsula (LZP) in the north part of the South China Sea is an ideal place to study the impact of topographic variations on microplastic distribution during typhoon events. This study investigated microplastics ranging in size from 50 μm to 5 mm in sediment. Microscopic inspection and μ-FTIR tests were used to identify microplastic characteristics from offshore surface sediments before and after typhoons. The average microplastic abundance in offshore sediments decreased from 18 ± 17 items/kg to 15 ± 15 items/kg after typhoons. Results show that typhoons only increase the microplastic abundance in topographically protected areas along the northeast coast of LZP, with no significant difference observed in other regions. The influence of typhoon on the morphological characteristics of microplastics in sediments is more pronounced and widespread, as evidenced by a shift in the predominant shape of microplastics from fibers to fragments and a decrease in size accompanied by an increased abundance within the 100 μm-1 mm fraction. The color of microplastics remained similar before and after typhoons, and the polymer composition of microplastics became more uniform. The alteration of microplastic morphology may be attributed to the enhancement of wave intensity induced by typhoons. This study enhances the comprehension of typhoon-induced impacts on pollutant redistribution, specifically microplastics, thereby providing essential empirical evidence and theoretical foundations for pollution regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feng Wang
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China
| | - Anhua Lei
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China
| | - Shengping Huang
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China
| | - Lei Su
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Change and Disaster in Beibu Gulf, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou, 535011, China
| | - Mingkun Li
- School of Geography, South China Normal University, Guangzhou, 510631, China
| | - Nicholas J Craig
- School of Biosciences, University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - Zhongping Lai
- Institute of Marine Sciences, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster Prediction and Prevention, Shantou University, Shantou, 515063, China.
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4
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Chen H, Cheng Y, Wang Y, Ding Y, Wang C, Feng X, Fan Q, Yuan F, Fu G, Gao B, Liu K, Zou X. Microplastics: A potential proxy for tracing extreme flood events in estuarine environments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 918:170554. [PMID: 38309341 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170554] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 01/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
The transport of microplastics (MPs) is susceptible to being influenced by catchment hydrology; however, there is a notable lack of research on their retention and responses to flood events in estuarine sedimentary records. Herein, we collected two cores in the Yangtze Estuary to explore their microplastic pollution, influencing factors and linkage to flood events. MP abundance exhibited a decreasing trend from the top to the bottom in both cores. Both plastic production and sediment mean grain size showed a significant positive correlation with MP abundance. The sedimentary record displayed a marked surge in MP abundance during the extreme flood period, suggesting a direct influence of flooding on MP deposition. The resuspension of upstream MPs and erosion of land-based MPs by heavy rain might be responsible for this increase. Furthermore, our study identified significant periodicities in MP abundance, closely aligned with the hydrological patterns of the Yangtze River. This study highlights the role of floods in fluvial MP distribution and proposes MPs as a proxy of extreme floods from the 20th century in estuarine environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Chen
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Coast and Island Development, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of South China Sea Studies, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yu Cheng
- Geological Survey of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing 210018, China
| | - Ying Wang
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Coast and Island Development, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yongcheng Ding
- Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Chenglong Wang
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Coast and Island Development, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of South China Sea Studies, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Xuguang Feng
- Key Laboratory of Marine Geology and Metallogeny, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Qinya Fan
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of South China Sea Studies, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Feng Yuan
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Coast and Island Development, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Guanghe Fu
- Nanjing Center, China Geological Survey, Nanjing 210016, China
| | - Bingfei Gao
- Geological Survey of Jiangsu Province, Nanjing 210018, China
| | - Kai Liu
- Nanjing Center, China Geological Survey, Nanjing 210016, China
| | - Xinqing Zou
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Coast and Island Development, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of South China Sea Studies, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
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Uogintė I, Byčenkienė S, Davtalab M, Markevičiūtė R. Exploring the abundance and characteristics of litter in Lithuanian riversides: a citizen science approach. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:324. [PMID: 38421530 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12503-7] [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: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/24/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
To gain a better understanding of the sources and ecological effects of plastic contamination in Lithuanian rivers, as well as to provide guidance for mitigation, monitoring is necessary. This is a logistically and financially demanding endeavor, particularly in the case of microplastics. Citizen science provides a viable option for sampling sites that are accessible, thus enabling the monitoring of wide areas. In Lithuania, a citizen science approach was employed, with schoolchildren examining litter at riversides and identifying potential sources at 24 sampling sites in Autumn 2022 and 32 in Spring 2023, covering both large and small rivers. The maximum amount of 220 items per location was registered in Autumn 2022, whereas 111 items per location were registered in Spring 2023. The two main types of microlitter discovered were plastic (34-42%) and cigarette butts (17-22%), with glass, paper, and metal also present, which suggests that recreational visitors are the main source of litter. By K-means clustering analysis, all locations were divided into four clusters according to litter composition. To sum up, the findings of this study illustrate the importance of citizen science in providing insight into the contamination of Lithuanian rivers, which can be used to inform the development of conservation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ieva Uogintė
- SRI Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC), Saulėtekio Ave. 3, 10257, Vilnius, Lithuania.
| | - Steigvilė Byčenkienė
- SRI Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC), Saulėtekio Ave. 3, 10257, Vilnius, Lithuania
| | - Mehri Davtalab
- SRI Center for Physical Sciences and Technology (FTMC), Saulėtekio Ave. 3, 10257, Vilnius, Lithuania
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Peleg E, Teitelbaum Y, Arnon S. Exploring the influence of sediment motion on microplastic deposition in streambeds. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 249:120952. [PMID: 38101045 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120952] [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: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MP) of all sizes and densities have been found deposited in streambeds. Several delivery processes were proposed to explain these observations. However, none of the previous studies explored these processes systematically, especially in cases of streambeds made of fine sediments that are regularly in motion. In this study, we quantified the effect of streambed motion on the deposition and accumulation of MP in streambed sediments using particle tracking simulations in a numerical flow and transport model. The model was run for streamwater velocities of 0.1-0.5 m s-1 and median grain sizes of 0.15-0.6 mm. Streambed morphodynamics were estimated from these input parameters using empirical relationships. MP propensity to become trapped in porous media was simulated using a filtration coefficient. For each grain size and streamwater velocity, a wide variety of filtration coefficients was used in simulations in order to predict the fate of particles in the sediment. We found that exchange due to sediment turnover leads to burial and long-term deposition of MP that originally were not expected to enter the bed due to size exclusion. The results also show that in streambeds with fine sediments, localized deposits of MP are expected to occur as a horizontal layer below the moving fraction of the bed (upper layer). However, increasing celerity reduces the depth of MP deposition in the streambed. We conclude that models that do not include the effect of bed motion on MP deposition are likely miscalculating the deposition, retention, resuspensions and long-term accumulation of MP in streambed sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eshel Peleg
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
| | - Yoni Teitelbaum
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
| | - Shai Arnon
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.
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7
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Siddique MAM, Uddin A, Hossain MS, Rahman SMA, Rahman MS, Kibria G, Malafaia G. "Microplastic seasoning": A study on microplastic contamination of sea salts in Bangladesh. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 198:115863. [PMID: 38039574 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115863] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2023] [Revised: 10/26/2023] [Accepted: 11/27/2023] [Indexed: 12/03/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated microplastics (MPs) in commercial sea salts from Bangladesh. The presence of MPs in the 18 sea salt bands was 100 %, where the mean MPs abundance was 471.67 MPs/kg, ranging between 300 and 670 MPs/kg. The maximum number of MPs in the 300-1500 μm size class was significantly higher than the 1500-3000 μm and 3000-5000 μm size class. The most dominant color was black. Fibers and foams were the dominant shapes. The highest number of MPs was 41 %, obtained from coarse salt grains. Four types of polymers were mainly identified from the analyzed samples: PP, PE, PET, and PA. The mean polymer risk index value among these sea salts was 539 to 1257. The findings of this study can be helpful for consumers, salt industries, and policymakers to be aware of or reduce MP contamination levels in sea salts during production and consumption.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Abdul Momin Siddique
- University of South Bohemia in Ceske Budejovice, Faculty of Fisheries and Protection of Waters, South Bohemian Research Center of Aquaculture and Biodiversity of Hydrogenases, Research Institute of Fish Culture and Hydrobiology, Zatisi 728/II, 389 25 Vodnany, Czech Republic; Department of Oceanography, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali 3814, Bangladesh.
| | - Azad Uddin
- Department of Oceanography, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali 3814, Bangladesh
| | - Md Soliman Hossain
- Department of Oceanography, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali 3814, Bangladesh
| | - Shahriar Md Arifur Rahman
- Department of Environmental Science and Disaster Management, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali 3814, Bangladesh; Department of Natural Resource and Society, University of Idaho, Moscow, ID 83844, USA
| | - M Safiur Rahman
- Water Quality Research Laboratory, Chemistry Division, Atomic Energy Center, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, 4-Kazi Nazrul Islam Avenue, Shahbag, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | | | - Guilherme Malafaia
- Laboratory of Toxicology Applied to the Environment, Goiano Federal Institute, Urutaí, GO, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Conservation of Cerrado Natural Resources, Goiano Federal Institute, Urutaí, GO, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Ecology, Conservation, and Biodiversity, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil; Post-Graduation Program in Biotechnology and Biodiversity, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, G.O., Brazil.
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8
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Moses SR, Löder MGJ, Herrmann F, Laforsch C. Seasonal variations of microplastic pollution in the German River Weser. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 902:166463. [PMID: 37607635 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2023] [Revised: 08/18/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 08/24/2023]
Abstract
Rivers play a major role in the distribution of microplastics (MPs) in the environment, however, research on temporal variations in these highly dynamic systems is still in its infancy. To date, most studies dealing with the seasonality of MP contamination in rivers focus on bi-yearly analysis, while temporal fluctuations over the course of the year are rarely studied. To shed more light on seasonal variability of MP abundance and potential driving factors, we have thus sampled the water surface of one location in the Weser River in Germany monthly over one entire year. In our study, we targeted MP in the size range 10-5000 μm, using two different state-of-the-art sampling methods (manta net for large MP (l-MP; 500-5000 μm) and a filtration system for small MP (s-MP; 10-500 μm)) and analysis techniques (ATR-FTIR and FPA-μFTIR) for chemical identification. Our findings show a strong size-dependent positive correlation of the MP concentration with discharge rates (specifically direct runoff) and suspended particulate matter (SPM) for s-MPs, specifically in the size range 10-149 μm. L-MPs, however, show a different environmental behaviour and do not follow these patterns. With our study, we were able to deliver a much higher temporal resolution, covering a broader size range of MPs compared to most studies. Our findings point towards an interplay of two possible mechanisms: a) the riverbeds play an important role in large-scale MP and SPM release via resuspension during high discharge events, and b) precipitation-driven soil erosion and runoff from urban surfaces (e.g. rain sewers) introduce MP and SPM. Hence, our study serves as a basis for more detailed investigations of MP transport in and between ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonya R Moses
- Department of Animal Ecology I and BayCEER, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Martin G J Löder
- Department of Animal Ecology I and BayCEER, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Frank Herrmann
- Institute of Bio- and Geosciences (IBG), Institute 3: Agrosphere, Forschungszentrum Jülich GmbH (FZJ), 52425 Jülich, Germany
| | - Christian Laforsch
- Department of Animal Ecology I and BayCEER, University of Bayreuth, Universitätsstr. 30, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany.
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Lincoln S, Chowdhury P, Posen PE, Robin RS, Ramachandran P, Ajith N, Harrod O, Hoehn D, Harrod R, Townhill BL. Interaction of climate change and marine pollution in Southern India: Implications for coastal zone management practices and policies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 902:166061. [PMID: 37543339 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166061] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2023] [Revised: 08/01/2023] [Accepted: 08/02/2023] [Indexed: 08/07/2023]
Abstract
Climate change and marine litter are inextricably linked, and their interaction manifests differently depending on the specific environmental and biological characteristics, and other human activities taking place. The negative impacts resulting from those synergistic interactions are threatening coastal and marine ecosystems and the many goods and services they provide. This is particularly pervasive in the coastal zone of the Indian subcontinent. India is already experiencing severe climate change impacts, which are projected to worsen in the future. At the same time, the country is gripped by a litter crisis that is overwhelming authorities and communities and hindering the country's sustainable development goals. The coastal environment and communities of the southern states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. While these state governments and authorities are stepping up efforts to improve the management of their coastal zones, the scale and severity of these issues are mounting. Here we review the combined effects of climate change and marine litter pollution in Southern India, focusing on the Gulf of Mannar Reserve in Tamil Nadu and the Malabar Coast in Kerala. Finally, we discuss effective management options that could help improve resilience and sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susana Lincoln
- International Marine Climate Change Centre, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Cefas Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom.
| | - Piyali Chowdhury
- International Marine Climate Change Centre, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Cefas Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - Paulette E Posen
- International Marine Climate Change Centre, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Cefas Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - R S Robin
- National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Chennai 600 025, India
| | - Purvaja Ramachandran
- National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Chennai 600 025, India
| | - Nithin Ajith
- National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Chennai 600 025, India
| | - Olivia Harrod
- International Marine Climate Change Centre, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Cefas Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - Danja Hoehn
- International Marine Climate Change Centre, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Cefas Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Harrod
- International Marine Climate Change Centre, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Cefas Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - Bryony L Townhill
- International Marine Climate Change Centre, The Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Cefas Laboratory, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
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10
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Lahon J, Handique S. Impact of flooding on microplastic abundance and distribution in freshwater environment: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:118175-118191. [PMID: 37936046 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30819-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Due to smaller particle size (0.1 µm-5 mm), non-biodegradable or slowly degradable nature, and high accumulation capacity in the environment, microplastics are becoming a cause of concern throughout the globe. The abundance and distribution of microplastics in aquatic compartments are strongly influenced by various natural and anthropogenic variables. Hydrodynamic conditions like flood events, caused due to extreme precipitation, accelerate the transport and settlement of microplastics in freshwater bodies. This review highlights the current literature which focuses on the effect of flooding on microplastic abundance, characterization, and distribution in freshwater environments worldwide. However, only limited research papers are identified through focused literature search, as this area of research is relatively new. Most of the studies reported increased and decreased abundance of microplastics in water and sediment samples, respectively, during post-flooding period with the exception of few studies. We also evaluate the post-flooding abundances of different morphological shape and polymer type of microplastics. Fragments, fibers, beads, and film were the most frequently reported microplastic shape and polystyrene, and polyethylene was the dominant polymer type found in freshwater environments. Future research should focus on more advanced techniques to understand microplastic fluxes under flood condition and the dominance of various natural and human-induced factors over one another in determining microplastic abundance. This will further enhance to mitigate microplastic pollution in freshwater environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jigyashree Lahon
- Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Tezpur, 784028, Assam, India
| | - Sumi Handique
- Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Tezpur, 784028, Assam, India.
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11
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Yose P, Thondhlana G, Fraser G. Conceptualizing the socio-cultural impacts of marine plastic pollution on human well-being - A perspective. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 194:115285. [PMID: 37459770 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115285] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/09/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
Marine plastic pollution is one of the major environmental problems globally, with adverse impacts on human well-being but socio-cultural impacts remain poorly conceptualized and little understudied. This perspective paper argues for a more nuanced understanding of the socio-cultural dimensions of impacts beyond direct and quantitatively measured impacts. The paper provides a working definition of and a conceptual framework for categorizing the socio-cultural impacts of marine plastic pollution. It also highlights three dimensions of socio-cultural impacts (lifestyle, mental health, and cultural and heritage impacts), and characterizes and suggests ways socio-cultural impacts can be assessed and recognized. The paper is meant to provoke productive debate and policy and management options for addressing the impacts of marine plastic pollution in socially meaningful and equitable ways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Papama Yose
- Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa
| | - Gladman Thondhlana
- Department of Environmental Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa.
| | - Gavin Fraser
- Department of Economics and Economic History, Rhodes University, Makhanda 6140, South Africa
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12
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Thandavamoorthy Rajeswari I, Iyyanar A, Govindarajulu B. Microplastic pollution in Kolavai Lake, Tamil Nadu, India: quantification of plankton-sized microplastics in the surface water of lake. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:94033-94048. [PMID: 37526833 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29078-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
The prevalence of microplastics (MP) (< 5 mm) in aquatic habitats has recently raised concerns owing to their influence on humans and aquatic organisms, as they absorb organic pollutants and pathogens from the surrounding media because of their higher surface-to-volume ratio. Freshwater systems are severely affected by the increased intake of discarded waste from diverse sources. This study focused on the microplastic-to-zooplankton ratio and its potential impact on the environment's food chain. The sampling sites of Kolavai Lake were divided into three zones (18 stations) to investigate the spatial distribution of microplastics and zooplankton biota. The average microplastic abundance was 6.1 ± 2.5 particles/L. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and SEM analysis were performed to understand the chemical composition and surface morphology of microplastics. Water samples collected along the Central and Southern Zones revealed a high abundance of microplastics, which might be due to anthropogenic activities. A negative correlation was observed between the abundance of microplastics and zooplankton. The microplastic-to-zooplankton ratio was found to range from 0.05 to 0.74. Furthermore, the impact of microplastics in the lake ecosystem was analysed using the size and shape descriptors for both zooplankton and microplastics. These findings suggest that microplastics built up in aquatic environments, particularly those with rich biota, could be a severe concern because of their capacity to infiltrate the food web.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Anandavelu Iyyanar
- National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Chennai, 600 025, India
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13
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Wu J, Ye Q, Sun L, Liu J, Huang M, Wang T, Wu P, Zhu N. Impact of persistent rain on microplastics distribution and plastisphere community: A field study in the Pearl River, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 879:163066. [PMID: 37004292 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163066] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2023] [Revised: 02/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic contamination is a global problem which has been threatening human health and the environment. There is still a knowledge gap about the effect of persistent rain on microplastics distribution and plastisphere community in fluvial environments. In this study, the abundance and composition of microplastics in the sediment and surface water from the Pearl River was investigated. Thirty polymers (10-500 μm) were identified from thirty-eight samples collected at ten sites using the newly developed laser direct infrared (LDIR) technique. The average concentrations of microplastics in the sediment and surface water were 1974 particles kg-1 and 290 particles L-1, respectively. Abnormally high concentrations of polyurethanes (PU) were possibly due to particulate pollution from ship antifouling. The persistent rain increased the abundance and diversity of microplastics in the surface water, whereas an opposite trend was observed in the sediment. Sediments could temporarily switch from microplastics sinks to potential sources under the effect of violent hydrodynamic disturbances. Additionally, plastisphere communities and predicted functional profiles indicated significant differences before and after the rain. Our study highlights the important impact of persistent rain on microplastic contamination in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiayan Wu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Quanyun Ye
- Guangdong Engineering & Technology Research Center for System Control of Livestock and Poultry Breeding Pollution, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou 510655, China
| | - Leiye Sun
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Jieyu Liu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Minye Huang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Tianming Wang
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
| | - Pingxiao Wu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Solid Wastes Pollution Control and Recycling, Guangzhou 510006, PR China.
| | - Nengwu Zhu
- School of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou Higher Education Mega Centre, Guangzhou 510006, PR China
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14
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Jeyasanta KI, Jayanthi M, Laju RL, Patterson J, Bilgi DS, Sathish N, Edward JKP. Seasonal and spatial variations in the distribution pattern, sources and impacts of microplastics along different coastal zones of Tamil Nadu, India. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 192:115114. [PMID: 37276709 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115114] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/27/2023] [Indexed: 06/07/2023]
Abstract
We investigated spatiotemporal variations of microplastics (MPs) in Coromandel Coast, Palk Bay, Gulf of Mannar, and West Coast of Tamil Nadu, India. MPs abundance varies from 37 ± 1.52 to 189 ± 9.02 items/kg in sediment and 23 ± 15.25 to 155.25 ± 4.16 items/L in water. Highest abundance in monsoon by riverine inflow transports plastic waste to the ocean. MPs sizes 0.5-1 mm are dominant in summer with 16 polymers, while 3-4 mm dominates the monsoon with 23 polymers. Carbonyl Index shows high MP oxidation (>0.31), unrelated to spatiotemporal changes. SEM-EDAX shows weathered MPs carrying hazardous metals. High MP diversity (MPDII = 0.77) of Coromandel Coast points to many sources of pollution and the need for immediate control measures. Pollution load values indicate low degree of MP pollution (<10), polymer hazard index shows level III (10-100) and IV (100-1000), and ecological risk assessment shows minor risks (<150) at present.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - M Jayanthi
- Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, India
| | - R L Laju
- Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Jamila Patterson
- Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Deepak S Bilgi
- Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, India
| | - Narmatha Sathish
- Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India
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15
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Raju MP, Veerasingam S, Suneel V, Saha M, Rathore C, Naik A, Suneetha P, Ramakrishna SSVS. Seasonal variation and spatial distribution of microplastic pellets and their associated contaminants along the central east coast of India. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:68489-68503. [PMID: 37126173 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27100-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic pellets (MPPs) are one of the significant sources of plastic pollution on shorelines worldwide. In this study, for the first time, we have examined the occurrence of MPPs and their spatial and seasonal distributions, adsorbed contaminants, polymer composition, and ecological risks at eight renowned beaches of Andhra Pradesh, central east coast of India. A total of 3950 MPPs were collected from eight beaches along the central east coast of India during October 2020, representing pre-northeast monsoon (pNEM), and during January 2021, representing the northeast monsoon (NEM). The abundance of MPPs was higher during the NEM than those found in the pNEM. ATR-FTIR and SEM analyses were conducted to characterize the polymer types and weathering patterns of MPPs. Energy-Dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) results show the MPP adsorbance of heavy metals such as Ni, Cr, Cu, Pb, and Zn. The degree of contamination and polymer hazard risks of MPPs were assessed using the pollution load index (PLI) and polymer hazard index (PHI). The conducive wind and currents during the NEM lead to higher MPP abundance than during the pNEM. However, the spatial variations of MPPs showed significant differences among the beaches. This study revealed that the presence of MPPs on the beaches along the central east coast of India might pose a considerable polymer hazard risk to the ecosystem. The substantial surface weathering features of MPPs would lead to more toxic nanoplastics in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mallela Pruthvi Raju
- Department of Meteorology and Oceanography, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, 530003, India
| | | | - Vasimalla Suneel
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, 403004, Dona Paula, India.
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201002, India.
| | - Mahua Saha
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, 403004, Dona Paula, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201002, India
| | - Chayanika Rathore
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, 403004, Dona Paula, India
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, 201002, India
| | - Akshata Naik
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Goa, 403004, Dona Paula, India
| | - Pilli Suneetha
- Department of Meteorology and Oceanography, Andhra University, Visakhapatnam, 530003, India
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16
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Amrutha K, Warrier AK, Rangel-Buitrago N. Did the COVID-19 pandemic play a role in the spatial and temporal variations of microplastics? Evidence from a tropical river in southern India. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 192:115088. [PMID: 37269702 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/05/2023]
Abstract
Personal protective equipment (PPE) use has increased because of COVID-19, producing more microplastics (MPs). The pandemic's impact on MP pollution in Indian rivers is little understood. In this study, the Netravathi River in Karnataka was investigated for the spatiotemporal distribution of MPs. The MPs abundance, size, and categories varied seasonally, with a higher concentration during the monsoon seasons. The reduction in rainfall during MON20 and the COVID-19 lockdown can be the reasons for the significant decrease in the MP concentration when compared to MON19. Polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate were the most abundant polymers, with a shift from polyethylene to the latter (74 %) during post-monsoon season post-lockdown. The situation of MP pollution in Western Ghats can be mitigated with the aid of appropriate waste management of plastic trash and greater public awareness about the disposal of single-use plastics, which has risen significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaniyambadi Amrutha
- Department of Sciences, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India; Department of Civil Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India
| | - Anish Kumar Warrier
- Department of Civil Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India; Centre for Climate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal 576104, Karnataka, India.
| | - Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programa de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Puerto Colombia, Atlántico, Colombia
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17
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Nikhil VG, Ranjeet K, Varghese GK. Spatio-temporal evaluation and risk assessment of microplastics in nearshore surface waters post-2018 Kerala deluge along the southwest coast of India. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 192:115058. [PMID: 37210987 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
Spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics along the nearshore surface waters of Kerala after the floods of 2018 was studied. Results indicated a seven-fold increase in its mean concentration (7.14 ± 3.03 items/m3) post deluge. The average abundance was highest during pre-monsoon (8.27 ± 3.09 items/m3). Fibres were the dominant group, with blue and black being the most prevalent colours. Polyethylene and polypropylene were the most commonly found polymers, possibly gaining entry through sewage waste or land-based plastic litter. Highest abundance of microplastic was recorded off Kochi categorising it at Hazard Level I under Pollution Load Index assessment. Similarly high levels of Pollution Hazard Index and Potential Ecological Risk Index were also reported due to the presence of hazardous polymers PVC and PU that can cause concern to marine life. The differential weathering pattern and surface morphology analysis suggested microplastics to be relatively old that had undergone substantial mechanical and oxidative weathering.
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Affiliation(s)
- V G Nikhil
- Faculty of Ocean Science and Technology, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kochi, India
| | - K Ranjeet
- Department of Aquatic Environment Management, Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies, Kochi, India.
| | - George K Varghese
- Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Kozhikode, India
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18
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Devereux R, Ayati B, Westhead EK, Jayaratne R, Newport D. Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on microplastic abundance along the River Thames. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 189:114763. [PMID: 36842283 PMCID: PMC9951046 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
In April 2020, the Covid-19 pandemic changed human behaviour worldwide, creating an increased demand for plastic, especially single-use plastic in the form of personal protective equipment. The pandemic also provided a unique situation for plastic pollution studies, especially microplastic studies. This study looks at the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and three national lockdowns on microplastic abundance at five sites along the river Thames, UK, compared to pre-Covid-19 levels. This study took place from May 2019-May 2021, with 3-L water samples collected monthly from each site starting at Teddington and ending at Southend-on-Sea. A total of 4480 pieces, the majority of fibres (82.1 %), were counted using light microscopy. Lockdown 2 (November 2020) had the highest average microplastic total (27.1 L-1). A total of 691 pieces were identified via Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). Polyvinyl chloride (36.19 %) made up the most microplastics identified. This study documents changes in microplastic abundance before, during and after the Covid-19 pandemic, an unprecedented event, as well as documenting microplastic abundance along the river Thames from 2019 to 2021.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ria Devereux
- Sustainability Research Institute (SRI), University of East London, Knowledge Dock, Docklands Campus, 4-6 University Way, London E16 2RD, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - Bamdad Ayati
- Sustainability Research Institute (SRI), University of East London, Knowledge Dock, Docklands Campus, 4-6 University Way, London E16 2RD, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Elizabeth Kebede Westhead
- Department of Bioscience, University of East London, Water Lane, London E15 4LZ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Ravindra Jayaratne
- Department of Engineering & Construction, University of East London, Docklands Campus, 4-6 University Way, London E16 2RD, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Darryl Newport
- Suffolk Sustainability Research Institute (SSI), University of Suffolk, Waterfront Building, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 1QJ, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
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19
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Goswami P, Selvakumar N, Verma P, Saha M, Suneel V, Vinithkumar NV, Dharani G, Rathore C, Nayak J. Microplastic intrusion into the zooplankton, the base of the marine food chain: Evidence from the Arabian Sea, Indian Ocean. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 864:160876. [PMID: 36539089 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160876] [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: 09/12/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in the marine environment, yet information regarding their occurrence in the food web is limited. We investigated the concentration and composition of MPs in water and diverse zooplankton groups from the Arabian Sea basin. Forty-one zooplankton tows were collected with a bongo net (330 μm mesh) from the Arabian Sea in January 2019. MPs in the surface water varied between 0 and 0.055 particles/m3, with a relatively higher concentration (0.013 ± 0.002 particles/m3) in the central Arabian Sea. Though fibrous MPs were most abundant in the seawater (77.14 %), zooplankton prefers small fragments (55.3 %). The size of MPs was distinctly smaller (277.1 ± 46.74 μm) in zooplankton than that in seawater (864.32 ± 73.72 μm), and MPs bioaccumulation was observed in almost all the zooplankton functional groups. Polymer composition revealed polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, and PVC were abundant in water and zooplankton, suggesting that the textile, fishing, shipping, and packaging industries are significant sources. The prevailing northeasterly winds, strong West India Coastal Current, and conducive westward radiated Rossby wave during January 2019 have carried the microplastic contaminated water mass away from the coast, posing a threat to the open ocean ecosystems. These results demand further attention to investigate the state of plastic pollution in the Arabian Sea basin.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prasun Goswami
- Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Port Blair, 744103, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.
| | - Narasimman Selvakumar
- Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Port Blair, 744103, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India; Centre for Environmental Studies, Anna University, Chennai 600 025, India
| | - Pankaj Verma
- Ocean Science and Technology for Islands, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, Chennai 600 100, India
| | - Mahua Saha
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004, India
| | - V Suneel
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004, India
| | - Nambali Valsalan Vinithkumar
- Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Port Blair, 744103, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
| | - Gopal Dharani
- Ocean Science and Technology for Islands, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, Chennai 600 100, India
| | - Chayanika Rathore
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403 004, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India
| | - Jibananand Nayak
- Atal Centre for Ocean Science and Technology for Islands, National Institute of Ocean Technology, Port Blair, 744103, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India
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20
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Bahrehmand MR, Tabatabaie T, Hashemi SE, Amiri F, Pazira AR. Occurrence and spatial distribution of microplastics in sediment and fish along the Persian Gulf-a case study: Bushehr Province, Iran. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2023:10.1007/s10653-022-01427-1. [PMID: 36811701 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-022-01427-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) contamination in the marine environment is a global threat. The present study is the first to comprehensively investigate the MPs contamination in the marine environment in Bushehr province along the Persian Gulf. For this purpose, 16 stations were selected along the coast and 10 fish samples were collected. The results obtained from MPs in sediment samples indicate the mean abundance of MPs in different sediment samples was 57.19 Particles/Kg. The dominant MPs color in sediment samples was black, accounting for 47.54%, followed by white (36.07%). As for MPs in fish, the highest MPs digested in different fish samples were 9. In addition, over 83.3% of MPs observed in fishes were black followed by red and blue (6.67%). Overall, the presence of MPs in fish and sediment can be attributed to improper disposal of industrial effluents; an efficient measurement is required in order to improve the quality of the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tayebeh Tabatabaie
- Department of Environment, Bushehr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bushehr, Iran.
| | - Seyed Enayat Hashemi
- Department of Environment, Bushehr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bushehr, Iran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Fazel Amiri
- Department of Environment, Bushehr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Abdul Rahim Pazira
- Department of Environment, Bushehr Branch, Islamic Azad University, Bushehr, Iran
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21
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Ashrafy A, Liza AA, Islam MN, Billah MM, Arafat ST, Rahman MM, Rahman SM. Microplastics Pollution: A Brief Review of Its Source and Abundance in Different Aquatic Ecosystems. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS ADVANCES 2023; 9:100215. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hazadv.2022.100215] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
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22
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Nithin A, Sundaramanickam A, Iswarya P, Babu OG. Hazard index of microplastics contamination in various fishes collected off Parangipettai, Southeast coast of India. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 307:136037. [PMID: 35995186 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136037] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The authors of the present research aimed to assess microplastics (MPs) contamination in the gills and gut of selected fishes from various aquatic zones and also to bring out the risks of the identified polymers. Accordingly, about 200 fish specimens of 10 different species were collected from the landing center at Parangipettai, southeast coast of India. The fishes were dissected to investigate MPs contamination in their gills and gut. The dissected tissues were acid digested and filtered to observe its microplastic contamination using a stereozoom microscope. In gills, Cynoglossus arel had the least contamination (0.4 ± 0.01 particles/ind) and Mugil cephalus had highest microplastic contamination (1.7 ± 0.01 particles/ind). In gut, C. arel had the minimum contamination (0.7 ± 0.09 particles/ind) and Rastrelliger kanagurta had maximum contamination (2.3 ± 0.26 particles/ind). The size of microplastics isolated from the present study ranged from 100 to 1000 μm. Among microplastic shapes, fibers (97%) and pellets (3%) were observed. About eight colours of microplastics were observed in the fishes among which black was dominant. Three polymers such as LDPE, PP and PS were identified by μFTIR, among which LDPE (57%) was dominant. Polymer Hazard Index denotes that LDPE (6.27), PP (3.4) and PS (2.7) have a PHI score of 1-10 classifying them in the hazard category II which has a medium risk. These polymers may directly enter the human body when consumed and cause health implications which require further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajith Nithin
- Centre of Advance Study in Marine Biology, Faculty of Maine Sciences, Annamalai University Parangipettai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Arumugam Sundaramanickam
- Centre of Advance Study in Marine Biology, Faculty of Maine Sciences, Annamalai University Parangipettai, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Parthasarathy Iswarya
- Centre of Advance Study in Marine Biology, Faculty of Maine Sciences, Annamalai University Parangipettai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - O Ganesh Babu
- Department of Civil, Anna University Regional Campus, Tirunelveli, India
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23
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Wakkaf T, El Zrelli R, Yacoubi L, Kedzierski M, Lin YJ, Mansour L, Bruzaud S, Rabaoui L. Seasonal patterns of microplastics in surface sediments of a Mediterranean lagoon heavily impacted by human activities (Bizerte lagoon, Northern Tunisia). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:76919-76936. [PMID: 35672640 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21129-6] [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: 11/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In this paper, we investigated seasonal variations in concentrations of microplastics (MPs) in surface sediments of a lagoon heavily impacted by human activities, located in northern Tunisia (the Bizerte lagoon, southern Mediterranean Sea). Analyses of 112 sediment samples collected from 28 stations between May 2019 and February 2020 revealed significant seasonal variation in concentrations of total MPs, with the highest levels recorded in August 2019 (109.6 ± 59.8 items kg-1 DS (dry sediment)) and the lowest in February 2020 (33.2 ± 22.0 items kg-1 DS). In terms of polymer types, polyethylene particles were the most abundant throughout the year, followed by polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polyethylene terephthalate. Spatial variations in total MP concentrations were found to depend on several environmental factors, including proximity to the coastline, level of anthropogenic pressure, location inside the lagoon, and presence/absence of vegetation. The upper 5-cm surface sediment layer of the lagoon was found to contain ~ 9.96 × 1010 MP particles, equal to ~ 248.97 t of plastic. Similar patterns of microplastic composition and structure were found throughout the year, revealing the same plastic pollution hotspots during all seasons. This indicates that sources of plastic pollution are land-based and originate from coastal urban, industrial, and agricultural areas, as well as from major freshwater streams. The findings of the present work can help to develop an efficient environmental management plan aiming to reduce and/or stop the spread of plastic pollution and its impacts on the socially and economically important ecosystem of the Bizerte lagoon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takwa Wakkaf
- University of Jendouba, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Béja, Habib Bourguiba Avenue, 9000, Béja, Tunisia
- University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Science of Tunis, Laboratory of Biodiversity and Parasitology of Aquatic Ecosystems (LR18ES05), 2092, Tunis, Tunisia
| | | | | | - Mikaël Kedzierski
- Université Bretagne Sud, IRDL, UMR CNRS 6027, F-56100, Lorient, France
| | - Yu-Jia Lin
- National Taiwan University, Institute of Oceanography, Taipei, 10617, Taiwan
| | - Lamjed Mansour
- Zoology Department, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Stéphane Bruzaud
- Université Bretagne Sud, IRDL, UMR CNRS 6027, F-56100, Lorient, France
| | - Lotfi Rabaoui
- University of Tunis El Manar, Faculty of Science of Tunis, Laboratory of Biodiversity and Parasitology of Aquatic Ecosystems (LR18ES05), 2092, Tunis, Tunisia.
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24
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Baraza T, Hernandez NF, Sebok JN, Wu CL, Hasenmueller EA, Knouft JH. Integrating land cover, point source pollution, and watershed hydrologic processes data to understand the distribution of microplastics in riverbed sediments. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 311:119852. [PMID: 35940489 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119852] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2022] [Revised: 07/21/2022] [Accepted: 07/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are emerging contaminants ubiquitously distributed in the environment, with rivers acting as their main mode of transport in surface freshwater systems. However, the relative importance of hydrologic processes and source-related variables for benthic microplastic distribution in river sediments is not well understood. We therefore sampled and characterized microplastics in river sediments across the Meramec River watershed (eastern Missouri, United States) and applied a hydrologic modeling approach to estimate the relative importance of river discharge, river sediment load, land cover, and point source pollution sites to understand how these environmental factors affect microplastic distribution in benthic sediments. We found that the best model for the Meramec River watershed includes both source-related variables (land cover and point sources) but excludes both hydrologic transport-related variables (discharge and sediment load). Prior work has drawn similar and dissimilar conclusions regarding the importance of anthropogenic versus hydrologic variables in microplastic distribution, though we acknowledge that comparisons are limited by methodological differences. Nevertheless, our findings highlight the complexity of microplastic pollution in freshwater systems. While generating a universal predictive model might be challenging to achieve, our study demonstrates the potential of using a modeling approach to determine the controlling factors for benthic microplastic distribution in fluvial systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Baraza
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, 63108, United States; WATER Institute, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, 63103, United States
| | - Natalie F Hernandez
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, 63108, United States; WATER Institute, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, 63103, United States.
| | - Jack N Sebok
- McKelvey School of Engineering, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri, 63130, United States
| | - Chin-Lung Wu
- Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, 63103, United States
| | - Elizabeth A Hasenmueller
- Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, 63108, United States; WATER Institute, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, 63103, United States
| | - Jason H Knouft
- WATER Institute, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, 63103, United States; Department of Biology, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, Missouri, 63103, United States; National Great Rivers Research and Education Center, Alton, IL, 62024, United States
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25
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Jiang X, Conner N, Lu K, Tunnell JW, Liu Z. Occurrence, distribution, and associated pollutants of plastic pellets (nurdles) in coastal areas of South Texas. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 842:156826. [PMID: 35750165 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156826] [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: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nurdles, also known as plastic resin pellets, are now a major source of plastic pollution on beaches globally, thus it is important to elucidate their weathering patterns and environmental fates as well as the associated pollutants. In this study we collected nurdles from 24 sites in the coastal bend region of south Texas, covering areas from the near shore railway stations to the adjacent bays and barrier islands. The morphologies of nurdles and associated pollutants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and mercury, were investigated. The results showed that the nurdles varied greatly in color, shape, polymer composition, and oxidation degree. More than 80 % of the nurdles were made with polyethylene, and the rest with polypropylene, polyester, polystyrene, polyethylene-vinyl acetate, and polyvinyl chloride based on Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. PCBs were not detected on nurdles. PAHs and mercury on nurdles were detected at 12 % and 20 % of the sampling sites. The total concentrations of detectable PAHs ranged from 92.59 to 1787.23 ng/g-nurdle, and the detectable mercury concentrations ranged from 1.23 to 22.25 ng/g-nurdle. Although the concentrations of these pollutants were not at the acute toxic effect level, the presence of PAHs and mercury suggested the potential risk of pollutant exposure to marine organisms in ecosystems, given the fact that nurdles are persistent in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangtao Jiang
- University of Texas Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States of America
| | - Niki Conner
- University of Texas Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States of America
| | - Kaijun Lu
- University of Texas Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States of America
| | - Jace W Tunnell
- University of Texas Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States of America
| | - Zhanfei Liu
- University of Texas Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States of America.
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26
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Mohan PM, Tiwari S, Karuvelan M, Malairajan S, Mageswaran T, Sachithanandam V. A baseline study of meso and microplastic predominance in pristine beach sediment of the Indian tropical island ecosystem. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 181:113825. [PMID: 35701234 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The global presence and prevalence of microplastic have moved microplastic from an emerging pollutant to a persistent contaminant. Microplastic prevails in almost all spheres of the environment viz. terrestrial, marine and atmosphere the globe abundantly. The prevalence and toxic effects on marine organisms have been studied around the world but the studies are limited to the coastal regime of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands (ANI). This study aims to record microplastic prevalence on the tourist beaches of Port Blair, ANI. Three coastal stations namely Cove beach, Quarry beach and Wandoor beach were examined in detail in this regard. Microplastics in the form of lines, fragments, pellets, foams and fibres were found at the sampled sites. Wandoor beach recorded the highest microplastic particles ranging from 105-475 particles kg-1 of sediment with the mean value of 249.82 ± 105.78 particles kg-1. Quarry beach near the municipal waste dumpsite showed the lowest of 72.5-222.5 particles kg-1 with a mean value of 135.625 ± 62.83 particles kg-1. The polymeric forms found were High-density polyethylene (HDPE), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). This study revealed microplastic input from municipal dump waste near the beach. Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) revealed the presence of a new type of polymer namely plasta zinc in the beach sediment, which possibly could be a nanoplastic. Its presence reveals the biological enzymatic degradation of microplastic occurring in the marine environment. Further investigations are required to determine the factors influencing the prevalence of microplastic, its toxic effects on marine habitat and microplastic degradation mechanisms in the marine habitat.
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Affiliation(s)
- P M Mohan
- Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Port Blair 744 112, India
| | - Shivam Tiwari
- Department of Ocean Studies and Marine Biology, Pondicherry University, Port Blair 744 112, India
| | - Murugan Karuvelan
- Centre for Environmental Studies, Anna University, Chennai 600 025, India
| | - Sumathi Malairajan
- Centre for Environmental Studies, Anna University, Chennai 600 025, India
| | - T Mageswaran
- National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Ministry of Environmental, Forest and Climate Change, Chennai 600 025, India
| | - V Sachithanandam
- National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Ministry of Environmental, Forest and Climate Change, Chennai 600 025, India.
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27
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Ranjani M, Veerasingam S, Venkatachalapathy R, Jinoj TPS, Guganathan L, Mugilarasan M, Vethamony P. Seasonal variation, polymer hazard risk and controlling factors of microplastics in beach sediments along the southeast coast of India. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 305:119315. [PMID: 35439596 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2022] [Accepted: 04/13/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and its associated organic and inorganic contaminants are one among the significant health hazards to almost all biota, including human. We investigated the polymer hazard risk and its adsorbed contaminants in MPs at six prominent beaches of Chennai on the southeast coast of India. The spatial variation of MPs during the northeast (NE) monsoon (range: 76-720 items/kg, mean: 247.4 items/kg) was higher than that during southwest (SW) monsoon (range: 84-498 items/kg, mean: 302.7 items/kg). In both the seasons, polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) were the dominant polymers and fibre was the predominant shape of MPs, likely to be derived from fishing, textile and urban activities in this region. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) images exhibited various surface weathering features including grooves, cracks, fractures, adhering particles, pits, vermiculate textures and fibre reinforcements. Energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS) results showed that MPs have adsorbed major (Si, Al, Na, Mg, Ca, Fe and Ti) and trace (Cu, Cr, Ni, Pb and Zn) metals. Though pollution load index (PLI) presented low degree of MP contamination in the beach sediments, hazardous polymers such as polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA) and polystyrene (PS) contributed to high polymer hazard index (PHI) and potential ecological risk index (PERI), posing very high risk to the biota. The trajectories obtained from particle-tracking coupled with hydrodynamic simulation clearly showed that 20% of MPs settled along the coast and the remaining moved towards north, alongshore and offshore (∼50 km) within 30 days, and in NE monsoon due to current reversal, the floating debris and MPs have drifted towards south, ∼40 km in 30 days, indicating the role of circulation in the fate and transport pathways of plastic debris.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ranjani
- Department of Physics, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - S Veerasingam
- Environmental Science Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box: 2713, Qatar.
| | - R Venkatachalapathy
- Department of Physics, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - T P S Jinoj
- National Centre for Coastal Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, Chennai, 600 100, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - L Guganathan
- Department of Physics, Annamalai University, Annamalai Nagar, 608 002, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - M Mugilarasan
- National Centre for Sustainable Coastal Management, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Chennai, 600 025, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - P Vethamony
- Environmental Science Center, Qatar University, P.O. Box: 2713, Qatar
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28
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Dilshad A, Taneez M, Younas F, Jabeen A, Rafiq MT, Fatimah H. Microplastic pollution in the surface water and sediments from Kallar Kahar wetland, Pakistan: occurrence, distribution, and characterization by ATR-FTIR. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2022; 194:511. [PMID: 35713715 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-022-10171-z] [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: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2022] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
This study reports the distribution of microplastics in surface water and sediments collected from Kallar Kahar wetland, Punjab, Pakistan, which is a game reserve and hosts migratory birds during winter season. Microplastics were extracted using density separation and wet oxidation method. The microplastics identification was done under a stereo-microscope, and their polymer compositions were characterized using an attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy. The average abundance of microplastics in water and sediment samples was 88 ± 14.5 items/L and 5720 ± 2580 items/kg, respectively. The dominant shape groups of microplastics in water were fiber (58.7%), irregular fragments (32.4%), and beads (8.7%) with dominant colors as transparent > black > yellow ≈ white > red > green > pink > blue. Similar distribution in sediments was found, i.e., fiber (61.2%), irregular fragments (28.4%), and beads (10.3%) with dominant colors as transparent > pink > white > red ≈ black > blue > brown > green ≈ yellow. The ATR-FTIR spectra of visible microplastics were identified to be polypropylene (PP), high density polyethylene (HDPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), low density polyethylene (LDPE), nitrile, polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), latex, and polyethylene terephthalate (PETE). In the study area, recreational activities, improper waste disposal, and runoff from catchment areas are the main reasons for the contamination of microplastics in the Lake. The pollution load can be minimized by taking measures such as creating awareness, promotion of ecotourism, and reducing plastic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aqsa Dilshad
- Sulaiman Bin Abdullah Aba Al-Khail-Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences (SA-CIRBS), International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Mehwish Taneez
- Sulaiman Bin Abdullah Aba Al-Khail-Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences (SA-CIRBS), International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan.
| | - Farhan Younas
- Sulaiman Bin Abdullah Aba Al-Khail-Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences (SA-CIRBS), International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Asma Jabeen
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Fatima Jinnah Women University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Tariq Rafiq
- Sulaiman Bin Abdullah Aba Al-Khail-Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Basic Sciences (SA-CIRBS), International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Hina Fatimah
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Allama Iqbal Open University, Islamabad, Pakistan
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29
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Chen Y, Gao B, Xu D, Sun K, Li Y. Catchment-wide flooding significantly altered microplastics organization in the hydro-fluctuation belt of the reservoir. iScience 2022; 25:104401. [PMID: 35637732 PMCID: PMC9142631 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2022] [Revised: 04/18/2022] [Accepted: 05/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Hydro-fluctuation belt (HFB) is the most sensitive area of a large reservoir. This research aimed to identify the impact of catastrophic flooding on the local microplastics organization in the HFB soil of the Three Gorges Reservoir, the largest reservoir in China. We found that the catchment-wide flooding efficiently alleviated the local microplastics abundance from 7,633 to 4,875 items/kg (from 44 to 18 mg/kg) but added to the pollution risk in the reservoir body. After flooding, the overall size distribution of local microplastics was minimally altered. Interestingly, the preferential retention of the small-sized polyethylene was found in HFB after flooding. Approximately 5.0×1014 items (∼2,360 tons) of microplastics were evacuated into the reservoir, equivalent to 15.8 wt% of the plastic flux of the Yangtze River into the ocean. We observed that HFB is a significant source of local microplastics in reservoir, and the long-term source–sink transformation mechanism in the HFB should be further investigated. Microplastics were detected across all sites in hydro-fluctuation belt (HFB) soil Flooding efficiently reduced local microplastics in HFB soil Catastrophic flooding induced selective retention of microplastics in HFB soil HFB soil was a significant source of microplastics in the reservoir basin
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China.,State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Bo Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Dongyu Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Ke Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Yanyan Li
- State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China
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30
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Ng KL, Suk KF, Cheung KW, Shek RHT, Chan SMN, Tam NFY, Cheung SG, Fang JKH, Lo HS. Macroalgal morphology mediates microplastic accumulation on thallus and in sediments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 825:153987. [PMID: 35189232 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153987] [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: 01/13/2022] [Revised: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The accumulation process of microplastics (MPs) is a key to understanding their fate in the environment. However, there is limited information about the short-term accumulation of MPs on macrophytes. The ability of macrophyte to attenuate wave and reduce current velocity is potentially facilitating MPs deposition. We hypothesize that the macroalgae retain MPs with their morphologies (filamentous and non-filamentous) being one of the factors to govern retention. Our hypothesis was tested by field observation during the dry season in Hong Kong when the macroalgae communities were the most diverse. MPs per biomass, surface area, or interstitial volume were used to represent the abundances on macroalgae. We found that filamentous algae retained a 2.35 times higher number of MPs when compared with non-filamentous algae if unit per biomass was considered. Other units, however, showed insignificant differences in MPs abundances between algal morphologies. Fibre was the most dominant shape of MPs with no significant difference in their abundances between filamentous and non-filamentous algae, suggesting fibres were retained regardless of the algal morphologies. To further evaluate the potential accumulation in the environment, sediment samples were also collected under the algal mat and immediate vicinity (~50 cm) of the algal mat. We found that sediment collected under the vegetated area contained significantly higher MPs. This was 3.39 times higher than the unvegetated area. Sediment collected under/near filamentous algae retained much higher abundances of MPs than those of non-filamentous algae. Provided that the observed retention of MPs on macroalgae, we speculate macrophyte system is one of the short-term MPs accumulation hotspots where the temporal increase of MPs depends on the seasonality of macrophyte in a given region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ka Long Ng
- Department of Science, School of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong; Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Ki Fung Suk
- Department of Science, School of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Kam Wing Cheung
- Department of Science, School of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Roden Hon Tsung Shek
- Department of Science, School of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Sidney Man Ngai Chan
- Department of Science, School of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Nora Fung Yee Tam
- Department of Science, School of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong; Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Siu Gin Cheung
- Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - James Kar-Hei Fang
- Department of Applied Biology and Chemical Technology, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong; State Key Laboratory in Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong; Research Institute for Future Food, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong.
| | - Hoi Shing Lo
- Department of Science, School of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon, Hong Kong; Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91, Stockholm, Sweden.
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31
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Xu S, Chen L, Zhang K, Cao Y, Ma Y, Chau HS, Tao D, Wu C, Li C, Lam PKS. Microplastic occurrence in the northern South China Sea, A case for Pre and Post cyclone analysis. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 296:133980. [PMID: 35176303 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.133980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2021] [Revised: 01/17/2022] [Accepted: 02/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have become a great concern owing to their persistence and ecotoxicity in various environmental compartments. MPs can be transported from land to oceans via the aquatic system, and the oceans are believed to be the final sink for MPs. To resolve the lack of data concerning MP contamination in the northern South China Sea (NSCS), coastal seawater and sediments were investigated. The sample sites included the coastal area from Hong Kong to western Guangdong Province, which provided a representative coverage of variable distance to the shore. MP particles were observed in all samples, suggesting a widespread MP pollution in NSCS. The average MP abundance was relatively high in South China Sea, but it was lower than that in other Chinese coastal areas. In all samples, the dominant MP polymer was polyethylene terephthalate fibers. No statistically significant correlation was found between the abundances of MPs in seawater and sediment. The MP distribution in surface water affected by the monsoon exhibited high abundance in the east and low in the west, and MPs were more abundant near the shore than away from it. The tropical cyclone had no obvious effect on the overall MP abundance except in the Hong Kong west marine water (R4), which may attribute to proximity to Hong Kong and other islands.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaopeng Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Luoluo Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China; National Observation and Research Station of Coastal Ecological Environments in Macao, Macao Environmental Research Institute, Macau University of Science and Technology, Macao SAR, China; Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health, the City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, China.
| | - Yaru Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Yue Ma
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Hoi Shan Chau
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Danyang Tao
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Chenxi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, China
| | - Chengtao Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science &Technology, Xi'an, 710021, China
| | - Paul K S Lam
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, Department of Chemistry, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Zhuhai), Zhuhai, China; Research Centre for the Oceans and Human Health, the City University of Hong Kong Shenzhen Research Institute, Shenzhen, 518057, China; Office of the President, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong SAR, China
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32
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Roscher L, Halbach M, Nguyen MT, Hebeler M, Luschtinetz F, Scholz-Böttcher BM, Primpke S, Gerdts G. Microplastics in two German wastewater treatment plants: Year-long effluent analysis with FTIR and Py-GC/MS. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 817:152619. [PMID: 34968590 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MP) have been recorded in various environments around the globe. For a better understanding of distribution patterns and for providing a basis for risk assessments, detailed data on MP concentrations and polymer compositions are required. This study investigated the effluents of two German wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) monthly over one year, in order to better understand their temporal input of MP into the receiving river systems. MP item data down to 11 μm were obtained by means of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy under the application of an improved polymer database. Complementary mass data were obtained by pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) (for one WWTP). Both FTIR and Py-GC/MS analysis revealed a homogeneous polymer composition over the year, with a general dominance of polyolefins. Elevated MP item and mass concentrations (maximum: 3 × 104 items m-3 and 3.8 × 103 μg m-3) were observed during winter months and were accompanied by either heavy rainfall (increased discharge and total organic carbon) or elevated turbidity values. These observations emphasize the need for the assessment of background parameters in future MP monitoring studies. By providing monthly data over one year on MP items and masses in WWTP effluents, this study helps enhancing the understanding of temporal MP dynamics and can act as a valuable reference point for future assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Roscher
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, D-27483 Helgoland, Germany.
| | - Maurits Halbach
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, D-26111 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Minh Trang Nguyen
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, D-27483 Helgoland, Germany
| | | | | | - Barbara M Scholz-Böttcher
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, D-26111 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Sebastian Primpke
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, D-27483 Helgoland, Germany
| | - Gunnar Gerdts
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, D-27483 Helgoland, Germany
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Sivadas SK, Mishra P, Kaviarasan T, Sambandam M, Dhineka K, Murthy MVR, Nayak S, Sivyer D, Hoehn D. Litter and plastic monitoring in the Indian marine environment: A review of current research, policies, waste management, and a roadmap for multidisciplinary action. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 176:113424. [PMID: 35176547 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2021] [Revised: 12/26/2021] [Accepted: 01/30/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Environmental contamination due to plastic waste mismanagement is a growing global concern. Plastic problem is of particular concern to the Indian Ocean nations as Asia currently contributes to the highest share of mismanaged plastic waste. Consequently, there is a worldwide interest to understand the distribution and transboundary movement of plastic from this region, which is crucial for implementing management measures. This review article focuses on current knowledge of plastic research, policies, waste management, socio-economics, challenges, and research opportunities. To date, marine plastic studies have focused on a few locations, providing an analysis of distribution and plastic-organism interactions in the Indian marine system. Along with scientific investigation, enforcement, improvisation, and, if necessary, framing new policies, integrated technologies to manage plastic waste, and behavioural changes are essential to mitigate plastic pollution. Such measures will be effective through a combination of actions among national and international researchers, industries, environmental managers, and the public.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sanitha K Sivadas
- National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), NIOT Campus, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600100, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Pravakar Mishra
- National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), NIOT Campus, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600100, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - T Kaviarasan
- National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), NIOT Campus, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600100, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - M Sambandam
- National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), NIOT Campus, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600100, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - K Dhineka
- National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), NIOT Campus, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600100, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - M V Ramana Murthy
- National Centre for Coastal Research (NCCR), Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), NIOT Campus, Pallikaranai, Chennai 600100, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Shailesh Nayak
- National Institute of Advanced Studies (NIAS), IISc campus, Bengaluru 560012, Karnataka, India
| | - David Sivyer
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Suffolk NR33 OHT, United Kingdom
| | - Danja Hoehn
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (Cefas), Suffolk NR33 OHT, United Kingdom
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Choudhary S, Neelavanan K, Saalim SM. Microplastics in the surface sediments of Krossfjord-Kongsfjord system, Svalbard, Arctic. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 176:113452. [PMID: 35183020 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113452] [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: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Krossfjord-Kongsfjord system in the European Arctic has been assessed for abundance, source and distribution of microplastics in the surface sediments. The average abundance of microplastics in Krossfjord and Kongsfjord is 721.42 ± 217.89 (n = 5) pieces/kg and 783 ± 530.28 (n = 8) pieces/kg. Polymers like polyethylene and polypropylene are abundant in the sediment samples. Fibers are the most common shape of plastic particles. A high abundance of smaller plastic particles in the sediment may be due to the fragmentation of larger plastic particles during transportation. The microplastics' spatial distribution, shape, size, and composition suggest that the long-range transport by west Spitsbergen current and local inputs from anthropogenic activities are possible sources of microplastics found in the study area. Our results exhibit the presence of microplastic pollution, suggesting the influence of anthropogenic activity in the Arctic fjord and the need to control/reduce marine pollution which has become a potential threat to marine organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Choudhary
- Ministry of Earth Sciences, New Delhi, India; National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Goa, India.
| | | | - Syed Mohammad Saalim
- National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Goa, India
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Empowering Local Practitioners to Collect and Report on Anthropogenic Riverine and Marine Debris Using Inexpensive Methods in India. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14031928] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
This article includes a review of the literature on marine debris in an Indian context and introduces a replicable, scientific, and inexpensive collection method to build capacity and inform policymakers. We share baseline data resulting from ten cleanups using these methods in India. This method was introduced in a 2019 workshop to train Indian researchers, leading to local-led collections in three states and two Union Territories (8 beaches, 2 riversides) yielding 33,474 individual pieces of debris weighing a total of 599.15 kg. Plastic was the most frequently found material at all ten collection sites, comprising from 45% to 89% of all items found. The research establishes a baseline data collection at ten locations, with debris density at sites ranging from 0.38–3.86 items/m2. Application of the Clean Coast Index yields resulting rankings of moderate (1 site), dirty (2 sites), and extremely dirty (7 sites). Researchers also identified 2461 brands in analysis at six sites, 76% of which were Indian in origin. Replication of the methods in other Indian regions among the community of thirty-three practitioners was below target for collection (41%) and brand audit (8.3%) with 25% of teams sharing data with the community of practitioners and 12.5% sharing results with local policymakers. The analysis indicates debris is overwhelmingly composed of plastic from residential activities. The methods empower practitioners to collect and report on debris, ground-truthing global debris estimates, and illuminating the missing plastic problem.
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36
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Water Level Prediction through Hybrid SARIMA and ANN Models Based on Time Series Analysis: Red Hills Reservoir Case Study. SUSTAINABILITY 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/su14031843] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Reservoir water level (RWL) prediction has become a challenging task due to spatio-temporal changes in climatic conditions and complicated physical process. The Red Hills Reservoir (RHR) is an important source of drinking and irrigation water supply in Thiruvallur district, Tamil Nadu, India, also expected to be converted into the other productive services in the future. However, climate change in the region is expected to have consequences over the RHR’s future prospects. As a result, accurate and reliable prediction of the RWL is crucial to develop an appropriate water release mechanism of RHR to satisfy the population’s water demand. In the current study, time series modelling technique was adopted for the RWL prediction in RHR using Box–Jenkins autoregressive seasonal autoregressive integrated moving average (SARIMA) and artificial neural network (ANN) hybrid models. In this research, the SARIMA model was obtained as SARIMA (0, 0, 1) (0, 3, 2)12 but the residual of the SARIMA model could not meet the autocorrelation requirement of the modelling approach. In order to overcome this weakness of the SARIMA model, a new SARIMA–ANN hybrid time series model was developed and demonstrated in this study. The average monthly RWL data from January 2004 to November 2020 was used for developing and testing the models. Several model assessment criteria were used to evaluate the performance of each model. The findings showed that the SARIMA–ANN hybrid model outperformed the remaining models considering all performance criteria for reservoir RWL prediction. Thus, this study conclusively proves that the SARIMA–ANN hybrid model could be a viable option for the accurate prediction of reservoir water level.
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37
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Gurjar UR, Xavier KAM, Shukla SP, Jaiswar AK, Deshmukhe G, Nayak BB. Microplastic pollution in coastal ecosystem off Mumbai coast, India. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 288:132484. [PMID: 34624351 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2021] [Revised: 09/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are anthropogenic pollutants which can adsorb toxic substances from surrounding water and absorb into the fish body. During the present study, MPs were observed in water, sediment, and gastrointestinal tracts of marine biota samples collected from the coastal waters of Mumbai, India. The mean abundances of MPs recorded in water samples 372 ± 143 items/liter and 9630 ± 2947 items/kg dry weight (DW) in sediment samples. The mean abundance of MPs in pelagic fish species varied from 6.74 ± 2.74 to 9.12 ± 3.57 items/individual and in the demersal species the values ranged from 5.62 ± 2.27 to 6.6 ± 2.98 items/individual. Shape-wise, four type of MPs were observed in the surface waters, sediments and all studied species, predominantly fibers, followed by fragments, pellets/beads, and films. Seven different colors of MPs (red, blue, black, translucent, brown, green, and yellow) were observed from studied samples. MPs of size below 250 μm formed the dominant size in the surface water, sediments, and biota samples except Bombay duck and Malabar sole fish. Based on Raman spectroscopy analysis, eleven types of plastic polymers identified from all studied samples. Thus, presence of MPs in studied biota indicates the transfer of MPs through interlinked food chain/web to higher trophic levels and the occurrence of MPs in the fish gut underlines the necessity of more studies on processing interventions for reducing the microplastic contamination in fish for human consumption.
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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, 400061, Maharashtra, India
| | - K A Martin Xavier
- Fisheries Resource Harvest and Post-Harvest Management Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai, 400061, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Satya Prakash Shukla
- Aquatic Environmental Management Department, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai, 400061, Maharashtra, India
| | - Ashok Kumar Jaiswar
- Fisheries Resource Harvest and Post-Harvest Management Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai, 400061, Maharashtra, India
| | - Geetanjali Deshmukhe
- Fisheries Resource Harvest and Post-Harvest Management Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai, 400061, Maharashtra, India
| | - Binaya Bhusan Nayak
- Fisheries Resource Harvest and Post-Harvest Management Division, ICAR-Central Institute of Fisheries Education (CIFE), Mumbai, 400061, Maharashtra, India
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Neelavannan K, Achyuthan H, Sen IS, Krishnakumar S, Gopinath K, Dhanalakshmi R, Rajalakshmi PR, Sajeev R. Distribution and characterization of plastic debris pollution along the Poompuhar Beach, Tamil Nadu, Southern India. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 175:113337. [PMID: 35093779 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113337] [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: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/07/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The present study was carried out to determine the characteristics, distribution, and abundance of plastic debris in 25 sediment samples collected from the Poompuhar beach, southeast coast of India. The result reveals that the mean plastic debris abundance was 42 ± 27 particles/m2 dry weight (dw) (1 SD, n = 25) with higher concentrations in the river mouth. The dominant shapes in the study area were fragment (70.7%), followed by fiber (20.7%), and pellet-shaped (8.6%). The dominant colors of the plastic debris were: white-colored (47%) followed by blue (28%) and green (14%). The study further reveals that the dominant polymer type was polyethylene (PE, 63.4%), followed by nylon (PA, 16.9), polyvinyl chloride (PVC, 15.5%), polypropylene (PP, 3.1%), and polystyrene (PS, 1.1%). In the study area, the main source of plastic debris was from land-based fishing and tourism activities, and rainwater runoff from the Cauvery River.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kannaiyan Neelavannan
- Institute for Ocean Management, Anna University, Chennai 600025, India; Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India.
| | - Hema Achyuthan
- Institute for Ocean Management, Anna University, Chennai 600025, India.
| | - Indra Sekhar Sen
- Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur, Kanpur 208016, India
| | - S Krishnakumar
- Institute for Ocean Management, Anna University, Chennai 600025, India; Department of Geology, Malankara catholic college, Mariyagiri, Kaliyakkavilai, Kanyakumari 629153, India
| | - Kalpana Gopinath
- Institute for Ocean Management, Anna University, Chennai 600025, India; Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering, Luleå University of Technology, Luleå 97754, Sweden
| | - R Dhanalakshmi
- Department of Geography, Queen Mary's College, Chennai 600 004, India
| | - P R Rajalakshmi
- Institute for Ocean Management, Anna University, Chennai 600025, India
| | - Riffin Sajeev
- Institute for Ocean Management, Anna University, Chennai 600025, India
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Masiá P, Mateo JL, Arias A, Bartolomé M, Blanco C, Erzini K, Le Loc'h F, Mve Beh JH, Power D, Rodriguez N, Schaal G, Machado-Schiaffino G, Garcia-Vazquez E. Potential microplastics impacts on African fishing resources. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150671. [PMID: 34599958 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150671] [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: 08/21/2021] [Revised: 09/24/2021] [Accepted: 09/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution is increasing worldwide and affecting aquatic fauna in different ways, which endangers current aquatic resources in a still unknown extent. MP-induced threats to marine fauna are critical for developing countries, where waste treatment may be not optimal and coastal communities rely heavily on marine resources for dietary protein. In this study, we assess the importance of MP pollution for African fishing resources. A new meta-database was created from published studies, containing 156 samples with more than 6200 individuals analysed for microplastic content from African and adjacent waters. A combination of research landscape analysis and rank analysis served to identify main research targets and to determine regional fishing resources especially affected by MP. A network of relevant terms showed fish health as a concern in Mediterranean waters, environmental pollution in freshwater and an emphasis on plastic items in South Africa. MP contents in fishing resources from Nile countries and the Gulf of Guinea, followed by Tunisia, are significantly higher than in other regions. Some of the most exploited species are among the most polluted ones, highlighting the threat of MP pollution in valuable but already compromised African fishing resources. Large geographic gaps with almost absent data about MP in aquatic fauna were revealed, especially in freshwater and in East African coasts. These results emphasize the importance of increasing the coverage of MP pollution in African fishing resources, and improving plastic waste management in the continent.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Karim Erzini
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | - François Le Loc'h
- University of Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280 Plouzane, France
| | - Jean Hervé Mve Beh
- University of Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280 Plouzane, France; Laboratoire d'Hydrologie et d'Ichtyologie, IRAF, CENAREST, Libreville, Gabon
| | - Deborah Power
- Centro de Ciências do Mar (CCMAR), Universidade do Algarve, 8005-139 Faro, Portugal
| | | | - Gauthier Schaal
- University of Brest, CNRS, IRD, Ifremer, LEMAR, F-29280 Plouzane, France
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Hajiouni S, Mohammadi A, Ramavandi B, Arfaeinia H, De-la-Torre GE, Tekle-Röttering A, Dobaradaran S. Occurrence of microplastics and phthalate esters in urban runoff: A focus on the Persian Gulf coastline. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150559. [PMID: 34582879 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150559] [Citation(s) in RCA: 77] [Impact Index Per Article: 38.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2021] [Revised: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 09/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Urban runoff seems an obvious pathway for the transfer of microplastics (MPs) and phthalate acid esters (PAEs) from land-based sources to the marine environment; an issue that still lacks attention. This study presents the first results on MP and PAE levels in the urban runoff into the northern part of the Persian Gulf during the dry season. Average concentrations of MPs and PAEs in the urban runoff of eight selected sampling sites (N = 72) along the Bushehr coast were 1.86 items/L and 53.57 μg/L, respectively. MPs with a size range of 500-1000 μm had the highest abundance, and the mean levels of PAEs in MPs were 99.77 μg/g. The results of this study show that urban runoff is a main source of MP and PAE contaminants that are discharged into the Persian Gulf. Therefore, to decrease these pollutants from entering the aquatic environment, decision-makers in the area should consider this problem and stop the direct discharging of urban runoff into water bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shamim Hajiouni
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Azam Mohammadi
- Department of Environmental Health, School of Public Health, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran
| | - Bahman Ramavandi
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | - Hossein Arfaeinia
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran
| | | | - Agnes Tekle-Röttering
- Westfälische Hochschule Gelsenkirchen, Neidenburger Strasse 43, Gelsenkirchen 45877, Germany
| | - Sina Dobaradaran
- Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; Instrumental Analytical Chemistry and Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany.
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41
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Treilles R, Gasperi J, Tramoy R, Dris R, Gallard A, Partibane C, Tassin B. Microplastic and microfiber fluxes in the Seine River: Flood events versus dry periods. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 805:150123. [PMID: 34537701 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 08/19/2021] [Accepted: 08/31/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Studies on the influence of hydrodynamic conditions on anthropogenic microfiber (MF) and microplastic (MP) distributions in freshwater environments are sparse. In this study, we evaluated the influence of urbanisation gradient on the spatial variability of MFs and MPs. Temporal variability was also assessed by comparing the concentrations and fluxes of MFs and MPs under low flow conditions with those during the January-February 2018 flood event. For each period, Seine river water was collected upstream and downstream of Greater Paris and filtered through an 80 μm net at three different sampling sites. MFs were counted using a stereomicroscope, while MPs were analysed using micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy coupled with siMPle analysis software. The highest concentrations of MFs and MPs were reported at the furthest downstream sites during both periods. However, high water flowrates and urbanisation gradient did not significantly impact MF and MP concentrations, sizes, or polymer distributions. The median MF and MP concentrations were 2.6 and 15.5 items/L and their interquartile ranges were 1.6 and 4.9 items/L (n = 10), respectively, illustrating relatively stable concentrations in spite of the urbanisation gradient and variations in the flowrate. In contrast to the concentration, size, and polymer distribution characteristics, MP mass fluxes were strongly affected by river flow. MF and MP fluxes show increases in the number and mass of particles from upstream to downstream. The downstream site presents high MP mass fluxes, which range between 924 and 1675 tonnes/year. These results may indicate significant MP inputs from the Paris Megacity through wastewater treatment plant effluents and untreated stormwater. The January-February 2018 flood event, which represented 14.5% of the year (in terms of time), contributed 40% of the yearly MP mass fluxes. Thus, flood events contribute strongly to MP fluxes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robin Treilles
- Leesu, Ecole des Ponts, Univ Paris Est Creteil, Marne-la-Vallee, France.
| | - Johnny Gasperi
- GERS-LEE Université Gustave Eiffel, IFSTTAR, F-44344 Bouguenais, France
| | - Romain Tramoy
- Leesu, Ecole des Ponts, Univ Paris Est Creteil, Marne-la-Vallee, France
| | - Rachid Dris
- Leesu, Ecole des Ponts, Univ Paris Est Creteil, Marne-la-Vallee, France
| | - Anaïs Gallard
- Leesu, Ecole des Ponts, Univ Paris Est Creteil, Marne-la-Vallee, France
| | | | - Bruno Tassin
- Leesu, Ecole des Ponts, Univ Paris Est Creteil, Marne-la-Vallee, France
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Kedzierski M, Palazot M, Soccalingame L, Falcou-Préfol M, Gorsky G, Galgani F, Bruzaud S, Pedrotti ML. Chemical composition of microplastics floating on the surface of the Mediterranean Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 174:113284. [PMID: 34995887 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113284] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/25/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The Mediterranean Sea is one of the most studied regions in the world in terms of microplastic (MP) contamination. However, only a few studies have analysed the chemical composition of MPs at the Mediterranean Sea surface. In this context, this study aims to describe the chemical composition as a function of particle size, mass and number concentrations of MPs collected in the surface waters of the Mediterranean Sea. The chemical composition showed a certain homogeneity at the Mediterranean Sea scale. The main polymers identified by Fourier Transform Infra-Red (FTIR) spectroscopy were poly(ethylene) (67.3 ± 2.4%), poly(propylene) (20.8 ± 2.1%) and poly(styrene) (3.0 ± 0.9%). Nevertheless, discrepancies, confirmed by the literature, were observed at a mesoscale level. Thus, in the North Tyrrhenian Sea, the proportion of poly(ethylene) was significantly lower than the average value of the Mediterranean Sea (57.9 ± 10.5%). Anthropic sources, rivers, or polymer ageing are assumed to be responsible for the variations observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikaël Kedzierski
- Université Bretagne Sud, UMR CNRS 6027, IRDL, F-56100 Lorient, France.
| | - Maialen Palazot
- Université Bretagne Sud, UMR CNRS 6027, IRDL, F-56100 Lorient, France
| | - Lata Soccalingame
- Université Bretagne Sud, UMR CNRS 6027, IRDL, F-56100 Lorient, France
| | - Mathilde Falcou-Préfol
- University of Antwerp, Systemic Physiological and Ecotoxicological Research (SPHERE), 2020 Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Gabriel Gorsky
- Sorbonne Universités, UMR CNRS 7093, LOV, F-06230 Villefranche sur mer, France; Research Federation for the study of Global Ocean Systems Ecology and Evolution, FR2022/Tara Oceans-GOSEE, Paris, France
| | | | - Stéphane Bruzaud
- Université Bretagne Sud, UMR CNRS 6027, IRDL, F-56100 Lorient, France
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Nithin A, Sundaramanickam A, Sathish M. Seasonal distribution of microplastics in the surface water and sediments of the Vellar estuary, Parangipettai, southeast coast of India. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 174:113248. [PMID: 34953264 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/05/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are toxic pollutants, which are found ubiquitously in the marine environment. The present study aimed to assess the level of MP contamination in Vellar estuary, southeast coast of India. MP abundance in surface water and sediments ranged from 1.15 ± 0.01 to 5.14 ± 0.04 items/m3 and 24.8 ± 0.75 to 43.4 ± 0.98 particles/kg d.w., respectively. Fiber, fragment, film, pellet and glitter were present in the study area. In total, ten colors of MPs were found in the study, of which black was the most abundant. Seven polymers in sediments and four polymers in water were characterized from the study area, among which LDPE was the most dominant. Sediment texture results showed that clay particles were able to retain a greater number of MPs. This study shows that the Vellar estuary is contaminated with MPs; however, further investigation is required to classify the estuary as polluted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ajith Nithin
- Centre of Advance Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University Parangipettai, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Arumugam Sundaramanickam
- Centre of Advance Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University Parangipettai, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - Manupoori Sathish
- Centre of Advance Study in Marine Biology, Annamalai University Parangipettai, Tamil Nadu, India
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Nigam R, Luis AJ, Prasad P, Kuttikar S, Yadav R, Vaz E, Kotha M. Spatio-temporal assessment of COVID-19 lockdown impact on beach litter status and composition in Goa, India. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 174:113293. [PMID: 35090278 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113293] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The study aimed to understand beach litter status at some of the world-famous beaches of Goa, West India, to comprehend the impact of the Covid-19 lockdown. We characterize litter in six categories (Nylon+Rubber, Plastics, Footwear, Glass, Metal, and Thermocol) for eight sampled beaches in the north and south Goa. All beaches show increased glass and decreased plastics (significant litter) during the lockdown period compared to the unlock period that marked the high tourist inflow. Beaches were classified and graded with colour codes using litter density exhibit light blue-green colour coding during the lockdown or unlock period, suggests clean maintenance. The Miramar beach located in the heart of the capital city showed relatively more litter density (yellow code) due to the combination of local people and tourist inflow. Morjim, Palolem, Velsao were littered the least during both periods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ritwik Nigam
- School of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (SEOAS), Goa University, Goa 403206, India
| | - Alvarinho J Luis
- Polar Remote Sensing Section, National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Government of India, Headland Sada, Vasco-da-Gama, Goa 403804, India
| | - Pankaj Prasad
- School of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (SEOAS), Goa University, Goa 403206, India; Geological Oceanography Division, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403004, India
| | - Sachit Kuttikar
- School of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (SEOAS), Goa University, Goa 403206, India
| | - Ramanand Yadav
- Geological Oceanography Division, CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa 403004, India
| | - Eric Vaz
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Ryerson University, Toronto, Canada
| | - Mahender Kotha
- School of Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences (SEOAS), Goa University, Goa 403206, India.
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Wu J, Jiang Z, Liu Y, Zhao X, Liang Y, Lu W, Song J. Microplastic contamination assessment in water and economic fishes in different trophic guilds from an urban water supply reservoir after flooding. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 299:113667. [PMID: 34482108 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113667] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Rain and floods events are responsible for the transport of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems, yet to date, rare study has examined microplastics pollution in urban water supply reservoirs during such events. In this study, we investigated the concentrations and characteristics of microplastic in water and economic fish species with different feeding guilds in the Dafangying Reservoir, an important source of drinking water for Hefei city. Microplastic concentrations in water were relatively higher than that in natural lakes, indicating abundant microplastic contaminants input through overland runoff triggered by flooding. Our results detected five types (fiber, debris, film, microbead and particle) and six colors (black, transparent, blue, yellow, red and green) of microplastics in water samples. Fiber accounted for the dominant shape, which may result from the household sewage from washing clothes and desquamated fiber transported by wind and overland runoff. Meanwhile, transparent was the predominant microplastic color, which can be ascribe to the widely use of intentionally manufactured transparent disposable plastic commodities in cities. Then in fish samples, the microplastic concentrations ranged from 8.75 to 51.3 items/individual in fish guts, and 9.5-52.6 items/individual in fish gills. Our results demonstrated significant higher microplastic concentrations in planktivorous and herbivorous species. The filter feeding capture mode, i.e., engulfing floating prey through frequently drawing in large volume of water confused with microplastics, may result in the higher microplastic concentrations of planktivorous fishes. Due to the dense microplastics adhering on plant surface, herbivorous fishes can concentrate higher microplastics abundance through the ingestion of macrophytes. According to the biological concentration factor (BCF), all the determined microplastics gave BCF far below 1, suggesting the low bioaccumulation capacity of microplastics in fish species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiajun Wu
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, 230601, PR China
| | - Zhongguan Jiang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, 230601, PR China; Anhui Province Key Laboratory of Wetland Ecosystem Protection and Restoration, Hefei, 230601, PR China.
| | - Yunzhao Liu
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Hefei, 230601, PR China
| | - Xianfu Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Ecological Impacts of Hydraulic Projects and Restoration of Aquatic Ecosystem of Ministry of Water Resources, Institute of Hydroecology, Ministry of Water Resources & Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan, 430072, PR China
| | - Yangyang Liang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquaculture and Enhancement of Anhui Province, Fisheries Research Institute, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, 230001, PR China
| | - Wenxuan Lu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquaculture and Enhancement of Anhui Province, Fisheries Research Institute, Anhui Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hefei, 230001, PR China
| | - Jin Song
- Fengyang Xiaogang Village Water Source Environmental Technology Limited Company, Chuzhou, 233124, PR China
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Vaid M, Mehra K, Gupta A. Microplastics as contaminants in Indian environment: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2021; 28:68025-68052. [PMID: 34648156 PMCID: PMC8514609 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16827-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2021] [Accepted: 09/26/2021] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
The increased production and consumption scale of plastic items has led to the generation of microplastics (MPs), an emerging class of contaminants, in our environment. MPs are plastic particles less than 5 mm in size and could originate due to primary and secondary sources. The primary ones are generated as such in the MP size range while the secondary MPs are a result of fragmentation of larger plastic particles which eventually enters the aquatic, terrestrial and atmospheric environments. The increasing concern of MP pollution in every compartment of our environment is being globally explored, with relatively fewer studies in India. Among the total studies published on MP prevalence in the Indian environments, marine systems have received significantly higher attention compared to the other compartments like freshwater, atmosphere, terrestrial and human consumables. This review article is an effort to present current understanding of MP pollution in aquatic systems, terrestrial systems, atmosphere and human consumables of India by reviewing available scientific literature. Along with this, the review also focuses on identification of the gap areas in current knowledge and highlights way forward for future research. This would further help in meeting the goals of this emergent pollutant management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansi Vaid
- University School of Environment Management, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Dwarka Sector 16C, New Delhi, 110078, India
| | - Komal Mehra
- University School of Environment Management, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Dwarka Sector 16C, New Delhi, 110078, India
| | - Anshu Gupta
- University School of Environment Management, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Dwarka Sector 16C, New Delhi, 110078, India.
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Rashid CP, Jyothibabu R, Arunpandi N, Abhijith VT, Josna MP, Vidhya V, Gupta GVM, Ramanamurty MV. Microplastics in zooplankton in the eastern Arabian Sea: The threats they pose to fish and corals favoured by coastal currents. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:113042. [PMID: 34655907 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113042] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2021] [Revised: 10/04/2021] [Accepted: 10/06/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
The baseline study of Microplastics (MPs) in zooplankton (copepods, chaetognaths, decapods, and fish larvae) from six different zones along India's west coast (off Kanyakumari/Cape Comorin, Kochi, Mangalore, Goa, Mumbai, and Okha) in the Eastern Arabian Sea (EAS) is presented here with their vast ecosystem impacts. This investigation revealed that zooplankton in all six zones accumulated MPs pellets (52.14%), fibres (28.40%), films (10.51%), and fragments (8.95%). The highest average retention of MPs (MPs/individual) was found in fish larvae (av. 0.57 ± 0.18) while copepods had the lowest (av. 0.03 ± 0.01). The presence of low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate was confirmed by Raman Spectra of MPs. The MPs in zooplankton found in this study (av. 22 ± 7 pieces/m3) were nearly 2-fold greater than those found in some of the world's most densely populated areas. It is shown that the strong southerly coastal currents could advect the MPs contaminated water mass too far away, having the potential to affect the fish and corals.
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Affiliation(s)
- C P Rashid
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Kochi, India
| | - R Jyothibabu
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Kochi, India.
| | - N Arunpandi
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Kochi, India
| | - V T Abhijith
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Kochi, India
| | - M P Josna
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Kochi, India
| | - V Vidhya
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Kochi, India
| | - G V M Gupta
- Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Kochi, India
| | - M V Ramanamurty
- National Centre for Coastal Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Chennai, India
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48
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Gandhi KS, Pradhap D, Prabaharan G, Singh SH, Krishnakumar S. Distribution of plastic litter in beach sediments of Silver beach, Cuddalore, during Nivar Cyclone - A first report. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 172:112904. [PMID: 34469828 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112904] [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: 04/23/2021] [Revised: 08/16/2021] [Accepted: 08/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/24/2023]
Abstract
The present study was conducted to assess the distribution of plastic debris in pre- and post-cyclonic beach sediments in Silver beach, Cuddalore, southeast coast of India. The total amount of macroplastic in pre-cyclonic beach sediments was higher than that in the post-cyclonic coastal sediments (pre-cyclonic 16.1%; post-cyclonic 5.4%). The polymer varieties in pre- and post-cyclonic sediments were present in the following descending order: Pre-cyclonic sediments: polyvinyl chloride (79.06%) > polyethylene (13.9%) > nylon (6.9%); post cyclonic sediments: polypropylene (31.4%) > polyethylene (30.5%) > polystyrene (16.0) > nylon (15.5%) > polyvinyl chloride (5.1%). The different varieties of polymers with irregular shapes in the sediments are most probably introduced into the coastal environment by cyclonic floods. Wind and cyclone-induced rainfall were the driving forces for the transportation and deposition of plastic debris. The results of this study will be useful to formulate effective beach litter management policies in an attempt to develop long-term solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- K Sanjai Gandhi
- Department of Geology, Periyar University, PG Extension Centre, Dharmapuri 636701, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | - D Pradhap
- Department of Geology, University of Madras, Guindy campus, Chennai 600 025, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - G Prabaharan
- Department of Geology, Periyar University, PG Extension Centre, Dharmapuri 636701, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Satheesh Herbert Singh
- Department of Geology, Malankara Catholic College, Mariagiri, Kaliakkavilai, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu 629 153, India
| | - S Krishnakumar
- Department of Geology, Malankara Catholic College, Mariagiri, Kaliakkavilai, Kanyakumari District, Tamil Nadu 629 153, India.
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Nikki R, Abdul Jaleel KU, Ragesh S, Shini S, Saha M, Dinesh Kumar PK. Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in commercially important bottom dwelling finfishes and shellfish of the Vembanad Lake, India. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 172:112803. [PMID: 34371342 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2021] [Revised: 07/28/2021] [Accepted: 07/29/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This paper characterize microplastics (MPs) in the heavily urbanized, brackish water Vembanad Lake (India), focussing on some commercially important bottom-feeding fishes and shellfish (Arius maculatus, Etroplus suratensis, E. maculatus and Villorita sp.). The average abundance of MPs was higher in the water column (872 ± 573 nos./m3) than in finfishes (15 ± 13 particles per fish) and shellfish (23 ± 20 nos./ind.). Fibre was the most abundant MP type in the water and the organisms examined. The size of MPs obtained from finfishes ranged between 0.04 and 4.73 mm (4 ± 3 mm), with a majority of particles being <4 mm. No correlation was found between biological features (e.g. gut length, mouth size) of fishes and the size of MPs in their gut. In Villorita sp., the abundance of MPs was positively correlated with the size of the individuals. Raman spectroscopy confirmed the presence of chlorinated polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene and polyester in the samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramachandran Nikki
- CSIR- National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Kochi 682018, Kerala, India
| | - K U Abdul Jaleel
- CSIR- National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Kochi 682018, Kerala, India.
| | - Saraswathi Ragesh
- Department of Marine Biology, Microbiology and Biochemistry, School of Marine Sciences, Cochin University of Science & Technology (CUSAT), Cochin 682016, Kerala, India
| | - Shaji Shini
- CSIR- National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Kochi 682018, Kerala, India
| | - Mahua Saha
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula, Goa, India
| | - P K Dinesh Kumar
- CSIR- National Institute of Oceanography, Regional Centre, Kochi 682018, Kerala, India
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50
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Patterson J, Jeyasanta KI, Laju RL, Edward JKP. Microplastic contamination in Indian edible mussels (Perna perna and Perna viridis) and their environs. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 171:112678. [PMID: 34242958 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112678] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
This study investigated the microplastic (MPs) contamination of the mussels, P. viridis and P. perna of different sizes, and their environment viz. water and sediment. MPs were recovered from the soft tissues of both species. The mean abundance of MPs ranges from 0.87 ± 0.55 to 10.02 ± 4.15 items/individual; 0.1 ± 0.03 to 2.05 ± 0.33 items/g; 31.57 ± 7.63 to 59.25 ± 14.32 items/l in water, and 79.54 ± 18.66 to 108 ± 40.36 items/kg in sediment. Smaller mussels (3-6 cm) are capable of ingesting higher quantities of MPs per gram of tissue weight, and the rate of MP uptake decreases when the mussels grow in size. These might be due to the faster filtration rate in smaller mussels. MPs of fiber type and blue color in the size range of 500 μm to 1 mm are predominant in mussels. Eleven different polymeric groups were identified, of which PE is the most common, followed by PP. The distribution patterns of MP abundance, shape, size, color, and polymer in mussels more closely resemble those in water. There is no significant difference in MP quantities between P. perna and P. viridis (p > 0.05). FTIR-ATR spectroscopy and SEM analysis show that most of the MPs have been strongly weathered. EDAX analysis detects heavy metals like As, Ni, Fe, Zn, and Cd associated with MPs. This study shows that the MPs contents of both the mussel species are transferred from seawater to their edible meat. This study again proved that mussels can act as bio indicator of MPs pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamila Patterson
- Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India.
| | | | - R L Laju
- Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India
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