1
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Ugolini A, Russo A, Costa J, Cincinelli A, Martellini T, Conti L, Cavalieri D, Mercatelli L, Pogni R. Ingestion of chitosan-starch blends: Effect on the survival of supralittoral amphipods. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 950:175302. [PMID: 39111422 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 08/03/2024] [Indexed: 08/13/2024]
Abstract
Sandy beach ecosystems are particularly affected by plastic pollution. Supralittoral amphipods are important components of the food web in sandy beaches and their ability to ingest microplastics and bioplastics has been assessed. Chitosan, a polysaccharide obtained by deacetylation of chitin, the second most abundant polymer in the world, represents an interesting component to produce novel bioplastics in combination with other biopolymers like starch. Here, the possibility of ingesting chitosan-starch blends and the possible effects on the amphipod Talitrus saltator were investigated. Groups of adult individuals were fed with sheets containing mixtures of chitosan and starch in different percentages for 7 and 14 days. The results showed that chitosan ingestion is dependent on the percentage of starch present in the mixture. Moreover, FTIR analyses of both sheets and faecal pellets after consumption show that chitosan is not digested. Furthermore, the survival rate of amphipods fed with a mixture of chitosan and starch decreases after one week compared to the control groups (100 % starch and paper), and drops drastically to 0 % after two weeks the experiment began. In addition, consumption of 100 % chitosan is negligible. Therefore, the results of the experimental observations evidenced that chitosan is avoided as food resource and its consumption significantly affects the survival capacity of T. saltator. It is emphasized that the release of mixtures of chitosan and starch into the marine environment appears to be dangerous for littoral amphipods.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Jessica Costa
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università di Siena, Italy
| | | | - Tania Martellini
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Ugo Schiff", Università di Firenze, Italy
| | - Luca Conti
- Dipartimento di Chimica "Ugo Schiff", Università di Firenze, Italy
| | | | | | - Rebecca Pogni
- Dipartimento di Biotecnologie, Chimica e Farmacia, Università di Siena, Italy
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2
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Martínez Rodríguez A, Kratina P, Jones JI. Microplastic pollution and nutrient enrichment shift the diet of freshwater macroinvertebrates. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 359:124540. [PMID: 39004208 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124540] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic pollution poses a global threat to freshwater ecosystems, with laboratory experiments indicating potential toxic impacts through chemical toxicity, physical abrasion, and false satiation. Bioplastics have emerged as a potential greener alternative to traditional oil-based plastics. Yet, their environmental effects remain unclear, particularly at scales relevant to the natural environment. Additionally, the interactive impacts of microplastics with other environmental stressors, such as nutrient enrichment, are poorly understood and rarely studied. Under natural conditions organisms might be able to mitigate the toxic effects of microplastics by shifting their diet, but this ability may be compromised by other stressors. This study combines an outdoor mesocosm experiment and stable isotope analysis to determine changes in the trophic niches of three freshwater invertebrate species exposed to conventional (HDPE) and bio-based biodegradable (PLA) microplastics at two concentrations, both independently and combined with nutrient enrichment. Exposure to microplastics altered the isotopic niches of two of the invertebrate species, with nutrient enrichment mediating this effect. Moreover, the effects of microplastics were consistent regardless of their type or concentration. Under enriched conditions, two of the species exposed to microplastics shifted to a specialised diet compared with controls, whereas little difference was observed between the isotopic niches of those exposed to microplastic and controls under ambient nutrient conditions. Additionally, PLA was estimated to support 24 % of the diet of one species, highlighting the potential assimilation of bioplastics by biota and possible implications. Overall, these findings suggest that the toxic effects of microplastics suggested from laboratory studies might not manifest under real-world conditions. However, this study does demonstrate that subtle sublethal effects occur even at environmentally realistic microplastic concentrations. The crucial role of nutrient enrichment in mediating microplastic effects underscores the importance of considering microplastic pollution in the context of other environmental stressors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Martínez Rodríguez
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK.
| | - Pavel Kratina
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - J Iwan Jones
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK
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3
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Sharma S, Bhardwaj A, Thakur M, Saini A. Understanding microplastic pollution of marine ecosystem: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:41402-41445. [PMID: 37442935 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28314-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are emerging as prominent pollutants across the globe. Oceans are becoming major sinks for these pollutants, and their presence is widespread in coastal regions, oceanic surface waters, water column, and sediments. Studies have revealed that microplastics cause serious threats to the marine ecosystem as well as human beings. In the past few years, many research efforts have focused on studying different aspects relating to microplastic pollution of the oceans. This review summarizes sources, migration routes, and ill effects of marine microplastic pollution along with various conventional as well as advanced methods for microplastics analysis and control. However, various knowledge gaps in detection and analysis require attention in order to understand the sources and transport of microplastics, which is critical to deploying mitigation strategies at appropriate locations. Advanced removal methods and an integrated approach are necessary, including government policies and stringent regulations to control the release of plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Swati Sharma
- Department of Biotechnology, Shoolini Institute of Life Sciences and Business Management, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Aprajita Bhardwaj
- Department of Biotechnology, Shoolini Institute of Life Sciences and Business Management, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Monika Thakur
- Department of Microbiology, Shoolini Institute of Life Sciences and Business Management, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, India
| | - Anita Saini
- Department of Microbiology, School of Basic and Applied Sciences, Maharaja Agrasen University, Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, India.
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4
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Queiroz LG, Prado CCA, Melo EC, Moraes BR, de Oliveira PFM, Ando RA, Paiva TCB, Pompêo M, Rani-Borges B. Biofragmentation of Polystyrene Microplastics: A Silent Process Performed by Chironomus sancticaroli Larvae. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:4510-4521. [PMID: 38426442 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Polystyrene (PS) is one of the main synthetic polymers produced around the world, and it is present in the composition of a wide variety of single-use objects. When released into the environment, these materials are degraded by environmental factors, resulting in microplastics. We investigated the ability of Chironomus sancticaroli (Diptera, Chironomidae) to promote the fragmentation of PS microspheres (24.5 ± 2.9 μm) and the toxic effects associated with exposure to this polymer. C. sancticaroli larvae were exposed to 3 different concentrations of PS (67.5, 135, and 270 particles g-1 of dry sediment) for 144 h. Significant lethality was observed only at the highest concentration. A significant reduction in PS particle size as well as evidence of deterioration on the surface of the spheres, such as grooves and cracks, was observed. In addition, changes in oxidative stress biomarkers (SOD, CAT, MDA, and GST) were also observed. This is the first study to report the ability of Chironomus sp. to promote the biofragmentation of microplastics. The information obtained demonstrates that the macroinvertebrate community can play a key role in the degradation of plastic particles present in the sediment of freshwater environments and can also be threatened by such particle pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas G Queiroz
- Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, Rua do Matão 277, São Paulo, 05508-090 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Caio C A Prado
- School of Engineering of Lorena, Department of Biotechnology, University of São Paulo, Estrada do Campinho s/n, Lorena, 12602-810 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Eduardo C Melo
- Institute of Chemistry, Department of Fundamental Chemistry, University of São Paulo, Av Prof. Lineu Prestes 748, São Paulo, 05508-900 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Beatriz R Moraes
- Institute of Chemistry, Department of Fundamental Chemistry, University of São Paulo, Av Prof. Lineu Prestes 748, São Paulo, 05508-900 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Paulo F M de Oliveira
- Institute of Chemistry, Department of Fundamental Chemistry, University of São Paulo, Av Prof. Lineu Prestes 748, São Paulo, 05508-900 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Rômulo A Ando
- Institute of Chemistry, Department of Fundamental Chemistry, University of São Paulo, Av Prof. Lineu Prestes 748, São Paulo, 05508-900 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Teresa C B Paiva
- School of Engineering of Lorena, Department of Basic and Environmental Sciences, University of São Paulo, Estrada do Campinho s/n, Lorena, 12602-810 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Marcelo Pompêo
- Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, Rua do Matão 277, São Paulo, 05508-090 São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Bárbara Rani-Borges
- Institute of Science and Technology, São Paulo State University, Av Três de Março 511, Sorocaba, 18087-180 São Paulo, Brazil
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5
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Istomina A, Chelomin V, Mazur A, Zhukovskaya A, Karpenko A, Mazur M. Biodegradation of polyethylene in digestive gland homogenates of marine invertebrates. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17041. [PMID: 38426135 PMCID: PMC10903337 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Вiotic factors may be the driving force of plastic fragmentation along with abiotic factors. Since understanding the processes of biodegradation and biological depolymerization of plastic is important, a new methodological approach was proposed in this study to investigate the role of marine invertebrate digestive enzymes in plastic biodegradation. The aim of this study is to evaluate the possibility of enzymatic biodegradation of polyethylene fragments in the digestive gland homogenate of marine invertebrates differing in their feeding type (Strongylocentrotus nudus, Patiria pectinifera, Mizuhopecten yessoensis). Significant changes are found in the functional groups of the polymer after 3 days of incubation in the digestive gland homogenates of the studied marine invertebrates. A significant increase in the calculated CI (carbonyl index) and COI (сarbon-oxygen index) indices compared to the control sample was observed. The results suggest that digestive enzymes of studied organisms may play an important role in the biogeochemical cycling of plastic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aleksandra Istomina
- V.I. Il’ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Victor Chelomin
- V.I. Il’ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Andrey Mazur
- V.I. Il’ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Avianna Zhukovskaya
- V.I. Il’ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Alexander Karpenko
- A.V. Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Marina Mazur
- A.V. Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Far Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
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6
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Stevenson EM, Buckling A, Cole M, Lindeque PK, Murray AK. Selection for antimicrobial resistance in the plastisphere. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168234. [PMID: 37924893 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics and antimicrobials are widespread contaminants that threaten global systems and frequently co-exist in the presence of human or animal pathogens. Whilst the impact of each of these contaminants has been studied in isolation, the influence of this co-occurrence in driving antimicrobial resistance (AMR)1 in microplastic-adhered microbial communities, known as 'the Plastisphere', is not well understood. This review proposes the mechanisms by which interactions between antimicrobials and microplastics may drive selection for AMR in the Plastisphere. These include: 1) increased rates of horizontal gene transfer in the Plastisphere compared with free-living counterparts and natural substrate controls due to the proximity of cells, co-occurrence of environmental microplastics with AMR selective compounds and the sequestering of extracellular antibiotic resistance genes in the biofilm matrix. 2) An elevated AMR selection pressure in the Plastisphere due to the adsorbing of AMR selective or co-selective compounds to microplastics at concentrations greater than those found in surrounding mediums and potentially those adsorbed to comparator particles. 3) AMR selection pressure may be further elevated in the Plastisphere due to the incorporation of antimicrobial or AMR co-selective chemicals in the plastic matrix during manufacture. Implications for both ecological functioning and environmental risk assessments are discussed, alongside recommendations for further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emily M Stevenson
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter Medical School, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, UK; Marine Ecology & Biodiversity, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, West Hoe, Plymouth PL1 3DH, UK; Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Angus Buckling
- Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Matthew Cole
- Marine Ecology & Biodiversity, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, West Hoe, Plymouth PL1 3DH, UK
| | - Penelope K Lindeque
- Marine Ecology & Biodiversity, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, West Hoe, Plymouth PL1 3DH, UK; Faculty of Environment, Science and Economy, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Cornwall TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Aimee K Murray
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, Environment and Sustainability Institute, University of Exeter Medical School, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Penryn Campus, Cornwall, UK.
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7
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Rose DLG, Hudson MD, Bray S, Gaca P. Assessment of the estuarine shoreline microplastics and mesoplastics of the River Itchen, Southampton (UK) for contaminants and for their interaction with invertebrate fauna. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:6437-6459. [PMID: 38150160 PMCID: PMC10799153 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-31396-6] [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: 08/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
The presence of shoreline microplastics (1-5 mm) and mesoplastics (5-25 mm) in estuarine ecosystems is ubiquitous, but there remains little data on their composition, contamination status and ecological impacts. Chessel Bay Nature Reserve, situated in the internationally protected Itchen Estuary in Southampton, UK, has serious issues with shoreline plastic accumulation. In evaluating potentially adverse ecological impacts, the influence of quantities of shoreline microplastic (mp) and mesoplastic (MeP) material and adsorbed contaminants (PAHs and trace metals) on the biometrics and population dynamics of the burrowing supralittoral amphipod, Orchestia gammarellus, was assessed in this study. mp/MeP concentrations were variable in surface (0-42%: 0-422,640 mg/kg dry sediment) and subsurface horizons (0.001-10%: 11-97,797 mg/kg dry sediment). Secondary microplastics accounted for 77% of the total microplastic load (dominated by fragments and foams), but also comprised 23% nurdles/pellets (primary microplastics). Sorption mechanisms between contaminants and natural sediments were proposed to be the main contributor to the retention of PAHs and trace metal contaminants and less so, by mp/MeP. O. gammarellus populations showed a positive correlation with microplastic concentrations (Spearman correlation, R = 0.665, p = 0.036). Some reported toxicological thresholds were exceeded in sediments, but no impacts related to chemical contaminant concentrations were demonstrated. This study highlights a protected site with the severe plastic contamination, and the difficulty in demonstrating in situ ecotoxicological impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deanna L G Rose
- School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BK, UK
| | - Malcolm D Hudson
- School of Geography and Environmental Science, University of Southampton, Highfield, Southampton, SO17 1BK, UK.
| | - Sargent Bray
- National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK
| | - Pawel Gaca
- National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK
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8
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Zhao X, Gao S, Ouyang D, Chen S, Qiu C, Qiu H, Chen Z. Advances on micro/nanoplastics and their effects on the living organisms: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 904:166722. [PMID: 37678525 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166722] [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: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/29/2023] [Indexed: 09/09/2023]
Abstract
Micro/nanoplastics (MPs) are attracting increasing attention owing to the potential threats they pose to the sustainability of the environment and the health of living organisms. Thus, a comprehensive understanding of the influence of MPs on living organisms is vital for developing countermeasures. We conducted an extensive literature search to retrieve the articles related to MPs via the Web of Science. Accordingly, 152 articles published in the last decade and in influential journals were selected to analyze the effects of MPs on plants, animals, microorganisms, and humans as well as the current status, hotspots, and trends of studies on MPs. The results showed that owing to the special characteristics of MPs and anthropogenic activities, MPs have become ubiquitous worldwide. MPs are ingested by plants and animals and enter the human body through various pathways, resulting in numerous adverse effects, such as growth inhibition, oxidative stress, inflammation, organ damage, and germ cell lesions. Moreover, they affect microorganisms by reshaping the structure and function of microbial communities and changing the spread pathway. However, microorganisms can also contribute to the degradation of MPs. With increasing evidence of the adverse effects of MPs on biota, coping with MP pollution and mitigating harmful outcomes have emerged as major challenges. This review focuses on (1) the main effects of MPs on living organisms, ranging from microorganisms to humans, (2) the current status and hotspots of studies related to MPs, and (3) the challenges and prospects of further studies on MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinlin Zhao
- Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, Hunan Province, China
| | - Shuaishuai Gao
- Hunan Institute of Microbiology, Changsha 410009, Hunan Province, China
| | - Da Ouyang
- Key Laboratory of Soil Contamination Bioremediation of Zhejiang Province, School of Environmental & Resource Sciences, Zhejiang Agriculture and Forestry University, Hangzhou 311300, China
| | - Su Chen
- Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, Hunan Province, China
| | - Caisheng Qiu
- Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, Hunan Province, China
| | - Huajiao Qiu
- Institute of Bast Fiber Crops, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Changsha 410205, Hunan Province, China.
| | - Zhaoming Chen
- Institute of Environment, Resources, Soil and Fertilizer, Zhejiang Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Hangzhou 310021, Zhejiang Province, China.
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9
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Porter A, Godbold JA, Lewis CN, Savage G, Solan M, Galloway TS. Microplastic burden in marine benthic invertebrates depends on species traits and feeding ecology within biogeographical provinces. Nat Commun 2023; 14:8023. [PMID: 38049431 PMCID: PMC10696022 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43788-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The microplastic body burden of marine animals is often assumed to reflect levels of environmental contamination, yet variations in feeding ecology and regional trait expression could also affect a species' risk of contaminant uptake. Here, we explore the global inventory of individual microplastic body burden for invertebrate species inhabiting marine sediments across 16 biogeographic provinces. We show that individual microplastic body burden in benthic invertebrates cannot be fully explained by absolute levels of microplastic contamination in the environment, because interspecific differences in behaviour and feeding ecology strongly determine microplastic uptake. Our analyses also indicate a degree of species-specific particle selectivity; likely associated with feeding biology. Highest microplastic burden occurs in the Yellow and Mediterranean Seas and, contrary to expectation, amongst omnivores, predators, and deposit feeders rather than suspension feeding species. Our findings highlight the inadequacy of microplastic uptake risk assessments based on inventories of environmental contamination alone, and the need to understand how species behaviour and trait expression covary with microplastic contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Porter
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK.
| | - Jasmin A Godbold
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK
| | - Ceri N Lewis
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Georgie Savage
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Martin Solan
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre Southampton, University of Southampton, Waterfront Campus, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK
| | - Tamara S Galloway
- Department of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
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10
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Town RM, van Leeuwen HP, Duval JFL. Effect of Polymer Aging on Uptake/Release Kinetics of Metal Ions and Organic Molecules by Micro- and Nanoplastics: Implications for the Bioavailability of the Associated Compounds. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:16552-16563. [PMID: 37856883 PMCID: PMC10620988 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05148] [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: 07/01/2023] [Revised: 09/16/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
The main driver of the potential toxicity of micro- and nanoplastics toward biota is often the release of compounds initially present in the plastic, i.e., polymer additives, as well as environmentally acquired metals and/or organic contaminants. Plastic particles degrade in the environment via various mechanisms and at different rates depending on the particle size/geometry, polymer type, and the prevailing physical and chemical conditions. The rate and extent of polymer degradation have obvious consequences for the uptake/release kinetics and, thus, the bioavailability of compounds associated with plastic particles. Herein, we develop a theoretical framework to describe the uptake and release kinetics of metal ions and organic compounds by plastic particles and apply it to the analysis of experimental data for pristine and aged micro- and nanoplastics. In particular, we elucidate the contribution of transient processes to the overall kinetics of plastic reactivity toward aquatic contaminants and demonstrate the paramount importance of intraparticulate contaminant diffusion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raewyn M. Town
- ECOSPHERE,
Department of Biology, Universiteit Antwerpen, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Herman P. van Leeuwen
- ECOSPHERE,
Department of Biology, Universiteit Antwerpen, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
- Physical
Chemistry and Soft Matter, Wageningen University
& Research, Stippeneng
4, 6708 WE Wageningen, The Netherlands
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11
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Schuab JM, Quirino WP, de Paula MS, Milagres MR, Motta DG, Zamprogno GC, Otegui MBP, Ocaris ERY, da Costa MB. Abundance of microplastic in different coastal areas using Phragmatopoma caudata (Kroyer in Morch, 1863) (Polychaeta: Sabelariidae) as an indicator. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 880:163219. [PMID: 37011693 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163219] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2023] [Revised: 03/20/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Plastic debris has been reported in the marine environment since the '70s. These plastic materials are introduced into the marine environment in several sizes, one of them microplastics (MP), and they have drawn great interest and concern in the past decades. Consumption of MP can cause weight loss, feeding rate decrease, reproductive activity decrease, and several other negative effects. Ingestion of MPs has already been reported for some species of polychaetes but the use of these annelids in MP studies is still poorly reported. Costa et al. (2021) was the first study to investigate the capability of the reef-building polychaete Phragmatopoma caudata to incorporate microplastic in its colony's structures. This makes the colonies a reservoir of MP and thus they reflect the environment's quality regarding MP presence. Consequently, this specie becomes an important asset to MP pollution investigation in coastal areas. Therefore, this work aims to investigate the abundance of MPs on the coastline of Espírito Santo using P. caudata as an indicator of MP presence. For this, we collected samples of P. caudata colonies in 12 sampling sites along the Espírito Santo coast (three replicates at each site). These colony samples were processed to extract the MPs particles from the colony surface, its inner structure, and tissues from the individuals. These MPs were counted using a stereomicroscope and sorted according to their color and type (filament, fragment, and other). Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism 9.3.0. Significant values followed p < 0.05. We found MP particles in all 12 sampled beaches, configuring a pollution rate of 100 %. The number of filaments was notably greater than the number of fragments and others. The most impacted beaches were found inside the metropolitan region of the state. Finally, P. caudata is an efficient and trustable indicator of microplastic in coastal areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Marcos Schuab
- Post-Graduation Program in Animal Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Brazil; Laboratory of Coastal Biology and Microplastic Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Brazil.
| | - Welton Pereira Quirino
- Laboratory of Coastal Biology and Microplastic Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Brazil; Laboratory of Genetics and Molecular Evolution, Biological Sciences Department, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Midiã Silva de Paula
- Post-Graduation Program in Animal Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Brazil; Laboratory of Coastal Biology and Microplastic Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Mateus Reis Milagres
- Post-Graduation Program in Animal Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Brazil; Laboratory of Coastal Biology and Microplastic Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Daniel Gosser Motta
- Post-Graduation Program in Animal Biology, Department of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Brazil; Laboratory of Coastal Biology and Microplastic Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Gabriela Carvalho Zamprogno
- Laboratory of Coastal Biology and Microplastic Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Mariana Beatriz Paz Otegui
- Laboratory of Coastal Biology and Microplastic Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Brazil; Institute of Biodiversity and Applied Experimental Biology (CONICET-UBA), Buenos Aires University, Argentina
| | - Enrique Ronald Yapuchura Ocaris
- Universidad Tecnológica del Perú, Peru; Laboratory of Carbon and Ceramic Materials, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Brazil
| | - Mercia Barcellos da Costa
- Laboratory of Coastal Biology and Microplastic Analysis, Department of Chemistry, Federal University of Espírito Santo, Brazil
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Martellini T, Russo A, Cincinelli A, Santini S, Lofrumento C, Baini M, Ciattini S, Conti L, Mostardini F, Mercatelli L, Ugolini A. Bioplastics on marine sandy shores: Effects on the key species Talitrus saltator (Montagu, 1808). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 876:162811. [PMID: 36924974 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162811] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2023] [Revised: 03/08/2023] [Accepted: 03/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Talitrid amphipods are an important component of detritus web, playing a key role in the fragmentation of organic matters of marine and terrestrial origin, and it is well known that sandhoppers ingest microplastics. To assess the effective consumption of bioplastics and their effects on survival rate and on pollutants transfer (i.e. phthalates) on supralittoral arthropods, laboratory experiments were conducted by feeding adult T. saltator with two different types of bioplastic commonly used in the production of shopping bags. Groups of about 20 individuals were fed with 10 × 10 cm sample sheets of the two types of bioplastic for four weeks. The results show that amphipods ingest bioplastics even in the absence of microbial film and that ingestion of bioplastic can have effects on talitrid amphipods. Microtomographic analyses of faecal pellets seem consistent with this finding. The high phthalate concentrations in freshly collected individuals suggest the presence in the environment of these compounds, and the ability of amphipods to assimilate them, while the decrease in phthalate concentrations in bioplastic-fed individuals could be attributed to the scavenging effect of virgin plastic, as already observed in a previous study. In summary, the results indicate that different bioplastics may have effects on T. saltator (i.e. survival rate and faecal pellets structure) and confirm a potential role of amphipods in the degradation of bioplastics in supralittoral zone of marine sandy beaches, even when bioplastics are not colonized by bacterial biofilm that seems to improve palatability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tania Martellini
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia, 3, Sesto F.no, 50019 Florence, Italy; CSGI, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto F.no, 50019 Florence, Italy.
| | - Alessandro Russo
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Romana 17, 50125 Florence, Italy
| | - Alessandra Cincinelli
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia, 3, Sesto F.no, 50019 Florence, Italy; CSGI, University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto F.no, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Saul Santini
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia, 3, Sesto F.no, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Cristiana Lofrumento
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia, 3, Sesto F.no, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Matteo Baini
- Department of Environmental, Earth and Physical Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli 4, Siena, Italy
| | - Samuele Ciattini
- Centro di Cristallografia (CRIST), University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia 3, Sesto Fiorentino, I-50019 Florence, Italy
| | - Luca Conti
- Department of Chemistry "Ugo Schiff", University of Florence, Via della Lastruccia, 3, Sesto F.no, 50019 Florence, Italy
| | | | - Luca Mercatelli
- National institute of Optics, CNR, Largo E. Fermi, 6, 50125 Florence, Italy
| | - Alberto Ugolini
- Department of Biology, University of Florence, Via Romana 17, 50125 Florence, Italy.
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Kelly ERM, Trujillo JE, Setiawan A, Pether S, Burritt D, Allan BJM. Investigating the impacts of biofouled marine plastic debris on the olfactory behaviour of juvenile yellowtail kingfish (Seriola lalandi). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 192:115079. [PMID: 37236095 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2023] [Revised: 05/07/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Marine microplastics are rapidly colonised by a microbial community which form a biofilm unique from the surrounding seawater that often contains infochemical-producing species associated with food sources. Here, we investigated whether juvenile kingfish (Seriola lalandi) were more attracted to biofouled plastics compared to clean plastics. Plastics were exposed to unfiltered seawater for one month to cultivate a microbial community. An olfactory behavioural experiment showed little difference in their response to the biofilm compared to clean plastic and control treatment. Further, ingestion experiments demonstrated that S. lalandi ingested fewer biofouled microplastics compared to clean microplastics. However, this was likely due to the bioavailability of the biofouled microplastics. This study highlights that while juvenile kingfish will ingest microplastics, they are not more attracted to those with a naturally acquired biofilm.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - José E Trujillo
- Department of Marine Science, University of Otago, New Zealand
| | | | | | - David Burritt
- Department of Botany, University of Otago, New Zealand
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14
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Zheng Y, Zhu J, Li J, Li G, Shi H. Burrowing invertebrates induce fragmentation of mariculture Styrofoam floats and formation of microplastics. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 447:130764. [PMID: 36682250 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.130764] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 01/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Secondary microplastics originate from the fragmentation of large plastics, and weathering is supposed to be the main cause of fragmentation. In this study, we investigated burrows and burrowing invertebrates on Styrofoam floats from the mariculture areas of China's coastal waters. Various burrows were found on the submerged surface of Styrofoam floats and could be divided into 'I', 'S', 'J', and 'Y' types based on the burrow entrance number and passage curvature. Different invertebrate species, including 5 isopods, 8 clamworms, and 12 crabs, were found inside the burrows. Micro-foams were found in the bodies of these burrowers, with an average abundance of 4.2 ± 0.3 (isopod), 6.9 ± 2.0 (clamworm), and 3.0 ± 0.5 (crab) micro-foams per individual. In the laboratory, we observed the boring process of crabs in abandoned floats. Field and laboratory evidence suggested that these invertebrates bored various burrows. The total volume of crab burrows on a 3-year-used float was estimated to be 2.6 × 103 cm3, producing 4.1 × 108 microplastics. This study highlights the critical role of bioerosion in destroying man-made substrates and prompting microplastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jingmin Zhu
- School of Fishery, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, China
| | - Jiji Li
- National Engineering Research Center for Marine Aquaculture, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, China
| | - Guoliang Li
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Marine Disaster in the Beibu Gulf, Ocean College, Beibu Gulf University, Qinzhou 535011, China
| | - Huahong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.
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15
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Landrigan PJ, Raps H, Cropper M, Bald C, Brunner M, Canonizado EM, Charles D, Chiles TC, Donohue MJ, Enck J, Fenichel P, Fleming LE, Ferrier-Pages C, Fordham R, Gozt A, Griffin C, Hahn ME, Haryanto B, Hixson R, Ianelli H, James BD, Kumar P, Laborde A, Law KL, Martin K, Mu J, Mulders Y, Mustapha A, Niu J, Pahl S, Park Y, Pedrotti ML, Pitt JA, Ruchirawat M, Seewoo BJ, Spring M, Stegeman JJ, Suk W, Symeonides C, Takada H, Thompson RC, Vicini A, Wang Z, Whitman E, Wirth D, Wolff M, Yousuf AK, Dunlop S. The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health. Ann Glob Health 2023; 89:23. [PMID: 36969097 PMCID: PMC10038118 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.4056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 53.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Plastics have conveyed great benefits to humanity and made possible some of the most significant advances of modern civilization in fields as diverse as medicine, electronics, aerospace, construction, food packaging, and sports. It is now clear, however, that plastics are also responsible for significant harms to human health, the economy, and the earth's environment. These harms occur at every stage of the plastic life cycle, from extraction of the coal, oil, and gas that are its main feedstocks through to ultimate disposal into the environment. The extent of these harms not been systematically assessed, their magnitude not fully quantified, and their economic costs not comprehensively counted. Goals The goals of this Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health are to comprehensively examine plastics' impacts across their life cycle on: (1) human health and well-being; (2) the global environment, especially the ocean; (3) the economy; and (4) vulnerable populations-the poor, minorities, and the world's children. On the basis of this examination, the Commission offers science-based recommendations designed to support development of a Global Plastics Treaty, protect human health, and save lives. Report Structure This Commission report contains seven Sections. Following an Introduction, Section 2 presents a narrative review of the processes involved in plastic production, use, and disposal and notes the hazards to human health and the environment associated with each of these stages. Section 3 describes plastics' impacts on the ocean and notes the potential for plastic in the ocean to enter the marine food web and result in human exposure. Section 4 details plastics' impacts on human health. Section 5 presents a first-order estimate of plastics' health-related economic costs. Section 6 examines the intersection between plastic, social inequity, and environmental injustice. Section 7 presents the Commission's findings and recommendations. Plastics Plastics are complex, highly heterogeneous, synthetic chemical materials. Over 98% of plastics are produced from fossil carbon- coal, oil and gas. Plastics are comprised of a carbon-based polymer backbone and thousands of additional chemicals that are incorporated into polymers to convey specific properties such as color, flexibility, stability, water repellence, flame retardation, and ultraviolet resistance. Many of these added chemicals are highly toxic. They include carcinogens, neurotoxicants and endocrine disruptors such as phthalates, bisphenols, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), brominated flame retardants, and organophosphate flame retardants. They are integral components of plastic and are responsible for many of plastics' harms to human health and the environment.Global plastic production has increased almost exponentially since World War II, and in this time more than 8,300 megatons (Mt) of plastic have been manufactured. Annual production volume has grown from under 2 Mt in 1950 to 460 Mt in 2019, a 230-fold increase, and is on track to triple by 2060. More than half of all plastic ever made has been produced since 2002. Single-use plastics account for 35-40% of current plastic production and represent the most rapidly growing segment of plastic manufacture.Explosive recent growth in plastics production reflects a deliberate pivot by the integrated multinational fossil-carbon corporations that produce coal, oil and gas and that also manufacture plastics. These corporations are reducing their production of fossil fuels and increasing plastics manufacture. The two principal factors responsible for this pivot are decreasing global demand for carbon-based fuels due to increases in 'green' energy, and massive expansion of oil and gas production due to fracking.Plastic manufacture is energy-intensive and contributes significantly to climate change. At present, plastic production is responsible for an estimated 3.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than the contribution of Brazil. This fraction is projected to increase to 4.5% by 2060 if current trends continue unchecked. Plastic Life Cycle The plastic life cycle has three phases: production, use, and disposal. In production, carbon feedstocks-coal, gas, and oil-are transformed through energy-intensive, catalytic processes into a vast array of products. Plastic use occurs in every aspect of modern life and results in widespread human exposure to the chemicals contained in plastic. Single-use plastics constitute the largest portion of current use, followed by synthetic fibers and construction.Plastic disposal is highly inefficient, with recovery and recycling rates below 10% globally. The result is that an estimated 22 Mt of plastic waste enters the environment each year, much of it single-use plastic and are added to the more than 6 gigatons of plastic waste that have accumulated since 1950. Strategies for disposal of plastic waste include controlled and uncontrolled landfilling, open burning, thermal conversion, and export. Vast quantities of plastic waste are exported each year from high-income to low-income countries, where it accumulates in landfills, pollutes air and water, degrades vital ecosystems, befouls beaches and estuaries, and harms human health-environmental injustice on a global scale. Plastic-laden e-waste is particularly problematic. Environmental Findings Plastics and plastic-associated chemicals are responsible for widespread pollution. They contaminate aquatic (marine and freshwater), terrestrial, and atmospheric environments globally. The ocean is the ultimate destination for much plastic, and plastics are found throughout the ocean, including coastal regions, the sea surface, the deep sea, and polar sea ice. Many plastics appear to resist breakdown in the ocean and could persist in the global environment for decades. Macro- and micro-plastic particles have been identified in hundreds of marine species in all major taxa, including species consumed by humans. Trophic transfer of microplastic particles and the chemicals within them has been demonstrated. Although microplastic particles themselves (>10 µm) appear not to undergo biomagnification, hydrophobic plastic-associated chemicals bioaccumulate in marine animals and biomagnify in marine food webs. The amounts and fates of smaller microplastic and nanoplastic particles (MNPs <10 µm) in aquatic environments are poorly understood, but the potential for harm is worrying given their mobility in biological systems. Adverse environmental impacts of plastic pollution occur at multiple levels from molecular and biochemical to population and ecosystem. MNP contamination of seafood results in direct, though not well quantified, human exposure to plastics and plastic-associated chemicals. Marine plastic pollution endangers the ocean ecosystems upon which all humanity depends for food, oxygen, livelihood, and well-being. Human Health Findings Coal miners, oil workers and gas field workers who extract fossil carbon feedstocks for plastic production suffer increased mortality from traumatic injury, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, silicosis, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. Plastic production workers are at increased risk of leukemia, lymphoma, hepatic angiosarcoma, brain cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, neurotoxic injury, and decreased fertility. Workers producing plastic textiles die of bladder cancer, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and interstitial lung disease at increased rates. Plastic recycling workers have increased rates of cardiovascular disease, toxic metal poisoning, neuropathy, and lung cancer. Residents of "fenceline" communities adjacent to plastic production and waste disposal sites experience increased risks of premature birth, low birth weight, asthma, childhood leukemia, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer.During use and also in disposal, plastics release toxic chemicals including additives and residual monomers into the environment and into people. National biomonitoring surveys in the USA document population-wide exposures to these chemicals. Plastic additives disrupt endocrine function and increase risk for premature births, neurodevelopmental disorders, male reproductive birth defects, infertility, obesity, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, and cancers. Chemical-laden MNPs formed through the environmental degradation of plastic waste can enter living organisms, including humans. Emerging, albeit still incomplete evidence indicates that MNPs may cause toxicity due to their physical and toxicological effects as well as by acting as vectors that transport toxic chemicals and bacterial pathogens into tissues and cells.Infants in the womb and young children are two populations at particularly high risk of plastic-related health effects. Because of the exquisite sensitivity of early development to hazardous chemicals and children's unique patterns of exposure, plastic-associated exposures are linked to increased risks of prematurity, stillbirth, low birth weight, birth defects of the reproductive organs, neurodevelopmental impairment, impaired lung growth, and childhood cancer. Early-life exposures to plastic-associated chemicals also increase the risk of multiple non-communicable diseases later in life. Economic Findings Plastic's harms to human health result in significant economic costs. We estimate that in 2015 the health-related costs of plastic production exceeded $250 billion (2015 Int$) globally, and that in the USA alone the health costs of disease and disability caused by the plastic-associated chemicals PBDE, BPA and DEHP exceeded $920 billion (2015 Int$). Plastic production results in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions equivalent to 1.96 gigatons of carbon dioxide (CO2e) annually. Using the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) social cost of carbon metric, we estimate the annual costs of these GHG emissions to be $341 billion (2015 Int$).These costs, large as they are, almost certainly underestimate the full economic losses resulting from plastics' negative impacts on human health and the global environment. All of plastics' economic costs-and also its social costs-are externalized by the petrochemical and plastic manufacturing industry and are borne by citizens, taxpayers, and governments in countries around the world without compensation. Social Justice Findings The adverse effects of plastics and plastic pollution on human health, the economy and the environment are not evenly distributed. They disproportionately affect poor, disempowered, and marginalized populations such as workers, racial and ethnic minorities, "fenceline" communities, Indigenous groups, women, and children, all of whom had little to do with creating the current plastics crisis and lack the political influence or the resources to address it. Plastics' harmful impacts across its life cycle are most keenly felt in the Global South, in small island states, and in disenfranchised areas in the Global North. Social and environmental justice (SEJ) principles require reversal of these inequitable burdens to ensure that no group bears a disproportionate share of plastics' negative impacts and that those who benefit economically from plastic bear their fair share of its currently externalized costs. Conclusions It is now clear that current patterns of plastic production, use, and disposal are not sustainable and are responsible for significant harms to human health, the environment, and the economy as well as for deep societal injustices.The main driver of these worsening harms is an almost exponential and still accelerating increase in global plastic production. Plastics' harms are further magnified by low rates of recovery and recycling and by the long persistence of plastic waste in the environment.The thousands of chemicals in plastics-monomers, additives, processing agents, and non-intentionally added substances-include amongst their number known human carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxicants, and persistent organic pollutants. These chemicals are responsible for many of plastics' known harms to human and planetary health. The chemicals leach out of plastics, enter the environment, cause pollution, and result in human exposure and disease. All efforts to reduce plastics' hazards must address the hazards of plastic-associated chemicals. Recommendations To protect human and planetary health, especially the health of vulnerable and at-risk populations, and put the world on track to end plastic pollution by 2040, this Commission supports urgent adoption by the world's nations of a strong and comprehensive Global Plastics Treaty in accord with the mandate set forth in the March 2022 resolution of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).International measures such as a Global Plastics Treaty are needed to curb plastic production and pollution, because the harms to human health and the environment caused by plastics, plastic-associated chemicals and plastic waste transcend national boundaries, are planetary in their scale, and have disproportionate impacts on the health and well-being of people in the world's poorest nations. Effective implementation of the Global Plastics Treaty will require that international action be coordinated and complemented by interventions at the national, regional, and local levels.This Commission urges that a cap on global plastic production with targets, timetables, and national contributions be a central provision of the Global Plastics Treaty. We recommend inclusion of the following additional provisions:The Treaty needs to extend beyond microplastics and marine litter to include all of the many thousands of chemicals incorporated into plastics.The Treaty needs to include a provision banning or severely restricting manufacture and use of unnecessary, avoidable, and problematic plastic items, especially single-use items such as manufactured plastic microbeads.The Treaty needs to include requirements on extended producer responsibility (EPR) that make fossil carbon producers, plastic producers, and the manufacturers of plastic products legally and financially responsible for the safety and end-of-life management of all the materials they produce and sell.The Treaty needs to mandate reductions in the chemical complexity of plastic products; health-protective standards for plastics and plastic additives; a requirement for use of sustainable non-toxic materials; full disclosure of all components; and traceability of components. International cooperation will be essential to implementing and enforcing these standards.The Treaty needs to include SEJ remedies at each stage of the plastic life cycle designed to fill gaps in community knowledge and advance both distributional and procedural equity.This Commission encourages inclusion in the Global Plastic Treaty of a provision calling for exploration of listing at least some plastic polymers as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) under the Stockholm Convention.This Commission encourages a strong interface between the Global Plastics Treaty and the Basel and London Conventions to enhance management of hazardous plastic waste and slow current massive exports of plastic waste into the world's least-developed countries.This Commission recommends the creation of a Permanent Science Policy Advisory Body to guide the Treaty's implementation. The main priorities of this Body would be to guide Member States and other stakeholders in evaluating which solutions are most effective in reducing plastic consumption, enhancing plastic waste recovery and recycling, and curbing the generation of plastic waste. This Body could also assess trade-offs among these solutions and evaluate safer alternatives to current plastics. It could monitor the transnational export of plastic waste. It could coordinate robust oceanic-, land-, and air-based MNP monitoring programs.This Commission recommends urgent investment by national governments in research into solutions to the global plastic crisis. This research will need to determine which solutions are most effective and cost-effective in the context of particular countries and assess the risks and benefits of proposed solutions. Oceanographic and environmental research is needed to better measure concentrations and impacts of plastics <10 µm and understand their distribution and fate in the global environment. Biomedical research is needed to elucidate the human health impacts of plastics, especially MNPs. Summary This Commission finds that plastics are both a boon to humanity and a stealth threat to human and planetary health. Plastics convey enormous benefits, but current linear patterns of plastic production, use, and disposal that pay little attention to sustainable design or safe materials and a near absence of recovery, reuse, and recycling are responsible for grave harms to health, widespread environmental damage, great economic costs, and deep societal injustices. These harms are rapidly worsening.While there remain gaps in knowledge about plastics' harms and uncertainties about their full magnitude, the evidence available today demonstrates unequivocally that these impacts are great and that they will increase in severity in the absence of urgent and effective intervention at global scale. Manufacture and use of essential plastics may continue. However, reckless increases in plastic production, and especially increases in the manufacture of an ever-increasing array of unnecessary single-use plastic products, need to be curbed.Global intervention against the plastic crisis is needed now because the costs of failure to act will be immense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip J. Landrigan
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Medical Biology Department, MC
| | - Hervé Raps
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Medical Biology Department, MC
| | - Maureen Cropper
- Economics Department, University of Maryland, College Park, US
| | - Caroline Bald
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Patrick Fenichel
- Université Côte d’Azur
- Centre Hospitalier, Universitaire de Nice, FR
| | - Lora E. Fleming
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, UK
| | | | | | | | - Carly Griffin
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | - Mark E. Hahn
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US
- Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, US
| | - Budi Haryanto
- Department of Environmental Health, Universitas Indonesia, ID
- Research Center for Climate Change, Universitas Indonesia, ID
| | - Richard Hixson
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, UK
| | - Hannah Ianelli
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | - Bryan D. James
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
- Department of Biology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US
| | | | - Amalia Laborde
- Department of Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of the Republic, UY
| | | | - Keith Martin
- Consortium of Universities for Global Health, US
| | - Jenna Mu
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | | | - Adetoun Mustapha
- Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria
- Lead City University, NG
| | - Jia Niu
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, US
| | - Sabine Pahl
- University of Vienna, Austria
- University of Plymouth, UK
| | | | - Maria-Luiza Pedrotti
- Laboratoire d’Océanographie de Villefranche sur mer (LOV), Sorbonne Université, FR
| | | | | | - Bhedita Jaya Seewoo
- Minderoo Foundation, AU
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, AU
| | | | - John J. Stegeman
- Biology Department and Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US
| | - William Suk
- Superfund Research Program, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, US
| | | | - Hideshige Takada
- Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry (LOG), Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, JP
| | | | | | - Zhanyun Wang
- Technology and Society Laboratory, WEmpa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials and Technology, CH
| | - Ella Whitman
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | | | | | - Aroub K. Yousuf
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | - Sarah Dunlop
- Minderoo Foundation, AU
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, AU
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Fan S, Yan Z, Qiao L, Gui F, Li T, Yang Q, Zhang X, Ren C. Biological effects on the migration and transformation of microplastics in the marine environment. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 185:105875. [PMID: 36652887 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2023.105875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2022] [Revised: 12/28/2022] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics(MPs) are ubiquitous, difficult to degrade, and potentially threatening to organisms in marine environment, so it is important to clarify the factors that affect their biogeochemical processes. The impact of biological activities on the MPs in marine environment is ubiquitous and complex, and there is currently a lack of systematic summaries. This paper reviews the effects of biological actions on the migration, distribution and degradation of MPs in marine environment from four aspects: biological ingestion and digestion, biological movement, biological colonization and biological adhesion. MPs in seawater and sediments can be closely combined with organisms through three pathways: biological ingestion, biofilm formation or adhesion to organisms, and are passed between species at different trophic levels through the food chain. The generation and degradation of faecal pellets and biofilms can alter the density of "environmental MPs", thereby affecting their vertical migration and deposition in water bodies. The movement of swimming organisms and the disturbance by benthic organisms can promote the migration of MPs in water and vertical migration and resuspension in sediments, thereby changing the distribution of MPs in local sea areas. The grinding effect of the digestive tract and the secretion of chemicals from the biofilm (such as enzymes and acids) can reduce the particle size and increase surface roughness of MPs, or even degrade them completely. Besides, biological adhesion may be an important mechanism affecting the distribution, migration and preservation of MPs. There may be complex interactions and linkages among marine dynamical processes, photochemical degradation and biological processes that collectively affect the biogeochemical processes of MPs, but their relative contributions remain to be more studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Songyao Fan
- College of Marine Science & Technology, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316004, China
| | - Zezheng Yan
- College of Marine Science & Technology, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316004, China
| | - Ling Qiao
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Utilization of Technology Research for Fishery Resource of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Zhoushan, 316012, China
| | - Feng Gui
- College of Marine Science & Technology, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316004, China
| | - Tiejun Li
- Key Laboratory of Sustainable Utilization of Technology Research for Fishery Resource of Zhejiang Province, Zhejiang Marine Fisheries Research Institute, Zhoushan, 316012, China
| | - Qiao Yang
- ABI Group, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316022, China
| | - Xiaoling Zhang
- College of Marine Science & Technology, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316004, China
| | - Chengzhe Ren
- College of Marine Science & Technology, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan, 316004, China.
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17
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Katte Y, Saito J, Nagato EG. Abundance and characterization of microplastics in amphipods from the Japanese coastal environment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:35505-35512. [PMID: 36787079 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-25878-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics can be ingested by tiny detritivores such as amphipods, with potential consequences on the food chain. The present study characterizes the abundance, chemical composition, and size of microplastics in amphipods found in the Japan Sea coastal environment, which is a hotspot for microplastic accumulation. High amounts of microplastic ingestion and a large discrepancy by amphipod species, Talorchestia nipponensis, Ampithoe valida, and Trinorchestia trinitatis, were observed (between 0.2 and 76.3 particles/individual) which may be due to differences in habitat preference and background contamination. This result indicates that coastal amphipods in particular may ingest large amounts of microplastics. The average microplastic particle size in amphipods was 59 ± 8.6 µm, with 83% of particles smaller than 90 µm, and polyethylene was dominant. This study provides insights into microplastic abundance in coastal amphipods and the context for further studies on coastal amphipod microplastic ingestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasuharu Katte
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, Shimane University, Nishikawatsu, Matsue, 690-8504, Japan
| | - Junya Saito
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, Shimane University, Nishikawatsu, Matsue, 690-8504, Japan
| | - Edward G Nagato
- Faculty of Life and Environmental Science, Shimane University, Nishikawatsu, Matsue, 690-8504, Japan.
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Askham C, Pauna VH, Boulay AM, Fantke P, Jolliet O, Lavoie J, Booth AM, Coutris C, Verones F, Weber M, Vijver MG, Lusher A, Hajjar C. Generating environmental sampling and testing data for micro- and nanoplastics for use in life cycle impact assessment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 859:160038. [PMID: 36395847 PMCID: PMC9760571 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2022] [Revised: 10/31/2022] [Accepted: 11/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Ongoing efforts focus on quantifying plastic pollution and describing and estimating the related magnitude of exposure and impacts on human and environmental health. Data gathered during such work usually follows a receptor perspective. However, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) represents an emitter perspective. This study examines existing data gathering and reporting approaches for field and laboratory studies on micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) exposure and effects relevant to LCA data inputs. The outcomes indicate that receptor perspective approaches do not typically provide suitable or sufficiently harmonised data. Improved design is needed in the sampling, testing and recording of results using harmonised, validated and comparable methods, with more comprehensive reporting of relevant data. We propose a three-level set of requirements for data recording and reporting to increase the potential for LCA studies and models to utilise data gathered in receptor-oriented studies. We show for which purpose such data can be used as inputs to LCA, particularly in life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) methods. Implementing these requirements will facilitate proper integration of the potential environmental impacts of plastic losses from human activity (e.g. litter) into LCA. Then, the impacts of plastic emissions can eventually be connected and compared with other environmental issues related to anthropogenic activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cecilia Askham
- Norwegian Institute for Sustainability Research (NORSUS), Stadion 4, 1671 Kråkerøy, Norway.
| | - Valentina H Pauna
- Norwegian Institute for Sustainability Research (NORSUS), Stadion 4, 1671 Kråkerøy, Norway; International PhD Programme/UNESCO Chair "Environment, Resources and Sustainable Development", Department of Science and Technology, Parthenope University of Naples, Centro Direzionale, Isola C4, 80143 Naples, Italy
| | - Anne-Marie Boulay
- CIRAIG, Chemical Engineering Department, Polytechnique Montreal, Canada
| | - Peter Fantke
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Olivier Jolliet
- Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark
| | - Jérôme Lavoie
- CIRAIG, UQÀM/ISE-Institute of Environmental Sciences, Montreal, Canada
| | | | - Claire Coutris
- NIBIO Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Division of Environment and Natural Resources, Ås, Norway
| | - Francesca Verones
- Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway
| | | | - Martina G Vijver
- Leiden University, Institute of Environmental Sciences, the Netherlands
| | - Amy Lusher
- Norwegian Institute of Water Research (NIVA), Oslo, Norway; Department of Biological Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
| | - Carla Hajjar
- CIRAIG, Chemical Engineering Department, Polytechnique Montreal, Canada
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19
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Taurozzi D, Cesarini G, Scalici M. Epiplastic microhabitats for epibenthic organisms: a new inland water frontier for diatoms. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:17984-17993. [PMID: 36205868 PMCID: PMC9540040 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23335-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2022] [Accepted: 09/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is widespread in each type of ecosystems. However, the colonization events of microorganisms on plastics seem to be neglected in inland waters. Therefore, in this study we analyze the possible colonization on the surface (hereafter epiplastic microhabitats) of two typology of plastic supports by diatom community. Specifically, we located 20 supports in expanded polystyrene and 20 in polyethylene terephthalate both floating and dipped (~ 1 m) in a central Italian shallow water pond, in order to evaluate the diachronic colonization of diatoms from November 2019 to August 2020. Our result showed the tendency in colonizing both epiplastic microhabitats without significant differences in number of species; additionally, depth does not appear to affect the number of species. As regard the temporal colonization, the number of species tends to increase over time from autumn-winter to spring-summer in both types of epiplastic microhabitats and depth. Instead, increase in dominance of some species over time has been demonstrated: only a few species keep a high number of individuals compared to the others; therefore, the number of individuals within the species is not uniformly distributed. These results suggest the tendency of diatom community to colonize plastic supports in lentic waters, and this evidence can be very important because artificial supports can increase the surface available for the settlement of the algae community with an increase of productivity and the colonization of new communities of different taxa. Further studies are mandatory to investigate the possible effects on the epiplastic community and the ecological implications in freshwater environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Taurozzi
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Cesarini
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano Scalici
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
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20
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Porter A, Barber D, Hobbs C, Love J, Power AL, Bakir A, Galloway TS, Lewis C. Uptake of microplastics by marine worms depends on feeding mode and particle shape but not exposure time. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159287. [PMID: 36209888 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The uptake of microplastics into marine species has been widely documented across trophic levels. Feeding mode is suggested as playing an important role in determining different contamination loads across species, but this theory is poorly supported with empirical evidence. Here we use the two distinct feeding modes of the benthic polychaete, Hediste diversicolor (The Harbour Ragworm) (O.F. Müller, 1776), to test the hypothesis that filter feeding will lead to a greater uptake of microplastic particles than deposit feeding. Worms were exposed to both polyamide microfragments and microfibres in either water (as filter feeders) or sediment (as deposit feeders) for 1 week. No effect of exposure time was found between 1 day and 1 week (p > 0.19) but feeding mode was found to significantly affect the number of microfibres recovered from each worm (p < 0.001). When exposed to microfibers, filter feeding worms took up ≈15,000 % more fibres than deposit feeding worms (p < 0.001), whereas when feeding on microfragments there was no difference between feeding modes. Our data demonstrate that both feeding mode and particle characteristics significantly influence the uptake of microplastics by H. diversicolor. Using imaging flow cytometry, filter feeders were found to take up a broader size range of particles, with significantly more smaller and larger particles than deposit feeders (p < 0.05), commensurate with the range of plastics isolated from the guts of ragworms recovered from the environment. These results demonstrate that biological traits are useful in understanding the uptake of plastics into marine worms and warrant further exploration as a tool for understanding the bioaccessibility of plastics to marine organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam Porter
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Biosciences, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, United Kingdom.
| | - Dan Barber
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Biosciences, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Catherine Hobbs
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Biosciences, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - John Love
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Biosciences, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Ann L Power
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Biosciences, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Adil Bakir
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS), Pakefield Road, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - Tamara S Galloway
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Biosciences, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Ceri Lewis
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Biosciences, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
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21
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Andrady AL, Barnes PW, Bornman JF, Gouin T, Madronich S, White CC, Zepp RG, Jansen MAK. Oxidation and fragmentation of plastics in a changing environment; from UV-radiation to biological degradation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:158022. [PMID: 35970458 PMCID: PMC9765214 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 24.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 08/09/2022] [Accepted: 08/10/2022] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
Understanding the fate of plastics in the environment is of critical importance for the quantitative assessment of the biological impacts of plastic waste. Specially, there is a need to analyze in more detail the reputed longevity of plastics in the context of plastic degradation through oxidation and fragmentation reactions. Photo-oxidation of plastic debris by solar UV radiation (UVR) makes material prone to subsequent fragmentation. The fragments generated following oxidation and subsequent exposure to mechanical stresses include secondary micro- or nanoparticles, an emerging class of pollutants. The paper discusses the UV-driven photo-oxidation process, identifying relevant knowledge gaps and uncertainties. Serious gaps in knowledge exist concerning the wavelength sensitivity and the dose-response of the photo-fragmentation process. Given the heterogeneity of natural UV irradiance varying from no exposure in sediments to full UV exposure of floating, beach litter or air-borne plastics, it is argued that the rates of UV-driven degradation/fragmentation will also vary dramatically between different locations and environmental niches. Biological phenomena such as biofouling will further modulate the exposure of plastics to UV radiation, while potentially also contributing to degradation and/or fragmentation of plastics independent of solar UVR. Reductions in solar UVR in many regions, consequent to the implementation of the Montreal Protocol and its Amendments for protecting stratospheric ozone, will have consequences for global UV-driven plastic degradation in a heterogeneous manner across different geographic and environmental zones. The interacting effects of global warming, stratospheric ozone and UV radiation are projected to increase UV irradiance at the surface in localized areas, mainly because of decreased cloud cover. Given the complexity and uncertainty of future environmental conditions, this currently precludes reliable quantitative predictions of plastic persistence on a global scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- A L Andrady
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - P W Barnes
- Biological Sciences and Environmental Program, Loyola University New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - J F Bornman
- Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
| | - T Gouin
- TG Environmental Research, Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, UK
| | - S Madronich
- Atmospheric Chemistry Observations and Modeling Laboratory, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO, USA
| | | | - R G Zepp
- ORD/CEMM, US Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, GA, USA
| | - M A K Jansen
- School of BEES, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
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22
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Dong R, Liu R, Xu Y, Liu W, Sun Y. Effect of foliar and root exposure to polymethyl methacrylate microplastics on biochemistry, ultrastructure, and arsenic accumulation in Brassica campestris L. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 215:114402. [PMID: 36167108 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114402] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Revised: 09/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Despite the serious risk of microplastic pollution in the roots and leaves of crops, the phytotoxicity of microplastics (introduced via different exposure routes) in leafy vegetables remain insufficiently understood. Here, the effects of the root and foliar exposure of polymethyl methacrylate microplastic (PMMAMPs) on phytotoxicity, As accumulation, and subcellular distribution were investigated in rapeseed (Brassica campestris L). The relative chlorophyll content under PMMAMPs treatment decreased with time, and the 0.05 g L-1 root exposure decreased it significantly (by 9.97-20.48%, P < 0.05). In addition, superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione reductase (GR), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX) activities in rapeseed were more sensitive to PMMAMPs introduced through root exposure than through foliar exposure. There was dose-dependent ultrastructural damage, and root exposure had a greater impact than foliar exposure on root tip cells and chloroplasts. PMMAMPs entered the shoots and roots of rapeseed through root exposure. Under foliar exposure, PMMAMPs promoted As accumulation in rapeseed by up to 75.6% in shoots and 68.2% in roots compared to that under control (CK). As content in cell wall under PMMAMP treatments was 3.6-5.3 times higher than that of CK, as indicated by subcellular component results. In general, root exposure to PMMAMPs resulted in a stronger physiological impact and foliar exposure led to increased As accumulation in rapeseed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruyin Dong
- Key Laboratory of Original Agro-Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, MARA, Tianjin, 300191, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agro-Product Safety, Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, MARA, Tianjin, 300191, China
| | - Rongle Liu
- Key Laboratory of Original Agro-Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, MARA, Tianjin, 300191, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agro-Product Safety, Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, MARA, Tianjin, 300191, China.
| | - Yingming Xu
- Key Laboratory of Original Agro-Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, MARA, Tianjin, 300191, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agro-Product Safety, Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, MARA, Tianjin, 300191, China
| | - Weitao Liu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300071, China
| | - Yuebing Sun
- Key Laboratory of Original Agro-Environmental Pollution Prevention and Control, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, MARA, Tianjin, 300191, China; Tianjin Key Laboratory of Agro-Environment and Agro-Product Safety, Agro-Environmental Protection Institute, MARA, Tianjin, 300191, China.
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23
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Markic A, Bridson JH, Morton P, Hersey L, Maes T, Bowen M. Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of Vava'u, Tonga. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 185:114243. [PMID: 36330932 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114243] [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: 05/26/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Marine plastic pollution, particularly microplastics, has been recognised as a global issue in the recent years, but research efforts in the Pacific are lagging. We carried out research on microplastics contamination of surface waters of the Vava'u archipelago, Tonga. Since microplastics smaller than the standard mesh size (333-335 μm) are readily reported in the literature on microplastics, we used a finer plankton net (100 μm) to determine the proportion of captured microplastics smaller than 300 μm. Isolated microplastics were counted and measured using stereomicroscope with polymer identification performed by FTIR spectroscopy. The analysis revealed high microplastics concentrations (329,299.7 ± 40,994.2 pcs km-2 or 1.05 ± 0.13 pcs m-3). The proportion of particles smaller than 300 μm was 40 %. The predominant type of microplastics in surface waters were small bits of white film, which we associated with cement-filled white bags used to construct docks throughout Vava'u, often heavily eroded.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Markic
- Blue Spark Put za Marleru 20, 52204 Ližnjan, Croatia.
| | - James H Bridson
- Scion, Titokorangi Drive, Private Bag 3020, Rotorua 3046, New Zealand
| | - Peta Morton
- University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Lucy Hersey
- Monash University, Wellington Road, Clayton 3800, Victoria, Australia
| | - Thomas Maes
- Grid-Arendal, Teaterplassen 3, 4836 Arendal, Norway
| | - Melissa Bowen
- School of Environment, University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
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24
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Valentine K, Cross R, Cox R, Woodmancy G, Boxall ABA. Caddisfly Larvae are a Driver of Plastic Litter Breakdown and Microplastic Formation in Freshwater Environments. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:3058-3069. [PMID: 36200670 PMCID: PMC9827824 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5496] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 09/10/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Plastic litter is now pervasive in the aquatic environment. Several marine and terrestrial organisms can fragment plastic with their feeding appendages, facilitating its breakdown and generating microplastics. However, similar studies with freshwater organisms are extremely limited. We explored the interactions between the caddisfly larvae Agrypnia sp. and polylactic acid (PLA) film. The use of plastic by larvae to build their protective cases was investigated, along with their ability to fragment the plastic film as they do with leaf litter. Caddisfly consistently incorporated PLA into their cases alongside leaf material. They also used their feeding appendages to rapidly fragment PLA-forming hundreds of submillimeter-sized microplastics. Although larvae showed a preference for leaf material when constructing cases, plastic use and fragmentation still occurred when leaf material was replete, indicating that this behavior is likely to occur in natural environments that are polluted with plastics. This is thought to be the first documented evidence of active plastic modification by a freshwater invertebrate and therefore reveals a previously unidentified mechanism of plastic fragmentation and microplastic formation in freshwater. Further work is now needed to determine the extent of this behavior across freshwater taxa and the potential implications for the wider ecosystem. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:3058-3069. © 2022 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katey Valentine
- Department of Environment and GeographyUniversity of YorkHeslingtonUK
| | | | - Ruairidh Cox
- UK Centre for Ecology and HydrologyWallingfordUK
| | - Gina Woodmancy
- Department of Environment and GeographyUniversity of YorkHeslingtonUK
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25
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Venâncio C, Lopes I, Oliveira M. Bioplastics: known effects and potential consequences to marine and estuarine ecosystem services. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 309:136810. [PMID: 36228730 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Bioplastics have been suggested as more sustainable alternatives to conventional, petroleum-based plastics. In this work, the available studies comparing effects of biopolymers and petroleum-based plastics were reviewed to improve the knowledge on the sustainability of biobased polymers, providing a benchmark regarding their ecotoxicological effects, as well as to highlight research priorities in this field. The literature review shows that, only a small number of the available biopolymers have been tested highlighting the need for more research diversifying the tested polymers. Overall, the available studies support the idea that bioplastics are likely to cause physiological impairments (feeding, reproduction, or locomotion) as well as cellular (proteome and enzyme activity) effects on biota. Furthermore, the studies on bioplastic degradation under realistic conditions report changes in water and sediment quality, which may also have consequences to biota. It is evident that some reservations must be kept regarding conventional plastics substitutions by bioplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cátia Venâncio
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Isabel Lopes
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Miguel Oliveira
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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26
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Pisani XG, Lompré JS, Pires A, Greco LL. Plastics in scene: A review of the effect of plastics in aquatic crustaceans. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113484. [PMID: 35644492 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution in aquatic environments is present in all compartments from surface water to benthic sediment, becoming a topic of emerging concern due to the internalization, retention time, and its effects on aquatic biota. Crustacea with nearly 70,000 species, broad distribution and different roles in the trophic webs is a significant target of the increasing plastic pollution. At least 98 publications in the last 10 years report the impact of plastics in crustaceans, all suggesting that this taxon is at high risk for ecosystem disadvantage by plastic contamination loads. This review compiles the current knowledge on physiological effects (endpoints) by plastic contamination analyzed in crustaceans in the last 10 years, highlighting their use as model species for ecotoxicological tests, sentinels species and bioindicators. Plastic contamination analyzed in this review includes macroplastic, microplastic, and nanoplastic, in a wide variety of types. The studies were focused on 38 marine species with an economic interest in fisheries and aquaculture; 14 freshwater with a higher frequency in standard test species and 4 estuarial and 3 mangrove species with ecological interest. The publications reviewed were divided into studies describing plastic presence in crustaceans without reporting toxic effects and those with analysis of plastic toxicity. Publications describing the plastic presence in the organisms show that the ingestion in individual effects and food-web transfer in ecological effects were the most frequent endpoints. The publications that analyzed plastic toxicity through survival, nutrition-metabolism-assimilation, and reproduction in individual effects, and bioaccumulation in ecological effects were the most frequent endpoints. This review gathers the available information on the use of crustaceans as model species in environmental impact for toxicity screening and hazard assessment. Besides, identifying knowledge gaps will let us propose some future directions in research and the effects on target fisheries species which involves a possible effect on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ximena González Pisani
- Centro para El Estudio de Sistemas Marinos, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CESIMAR-CONICET), Puerto Madryn, Argentina; Instituto Patagónico Del Mar, Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y de La Salud, Universidad Nacional de La Patagonia "San Juan Bosco" (IPaM-UNPSJB), Puerto Madryn, Argentina.
| | - Julieta Sturla Lompré
- Centro para El Estudio de Sistemas Marinos, Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CESIMAR-CONICET), Puerto Madryn, Argentina
| | - Adilia Pires
- Center for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM) & Departament of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Laura López Greco
- Universidad de Buenos Aires-CONICET, Instituto de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental y Aplicada (IBBEA), Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Departamento de Biodiversidad y Biología Experimental, Laboratorio de Biología de La Reproducción, Crecimiento y Nutrición de Crustáceos Decápodos, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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27
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Helmberger MS, Grieshop MJ. Characterizing Fragmentation of Polystyrene Foam Debris by Isopods Oniscus asellus (Isopoda: Oniscidae) and Trachelipus rathkii (Isopoda: Trachelipodidae). ENVIRONMENTAL ENTOMOLOGY 2022; 51:710-715. [PMID: 35834266 DOI: 10.1093/ee/nvac052] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics present a novel and potentially unique threat to soil ecosystems, one whose effects may be mediated by soil organisms themselves. We investigated fragmentation of polystyrene (PS) foam into microplastic particles by two isopods, Oniscus asellus L. and Trachelipus rathkii Brandt, in laboratory arena experiments. First, we examined the temporal dynamics of fragmentation across a time span of 96 h. O. asellus produced more fragments than T. rathkii, and neither species significantly fragmented the PS foam until 48 h had passed. Second, we asked whether O. asellus would still fragment PS foam in the presence of an alternate, more natural substrate like wood. Wood did not significantly affect fragmentation rates, in line with the few other studies examining the effect of alternate food on soil invertebrates' propensity to consume and/or fragment plastics. Our results provide additional characterization of PS foam fragmentation by isopods and indicate that laboratory experiments involving soil invertebrates and plastic debris can take place over relatively short timespans of four or fewer days, but do not necessarily need to provide alternate food to prove that plastic consumption would still occur in its presence.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew J Grieshop
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- College of Agriculture, Food, and Environmental Sciences, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, San Luis Obispo, CA, USA
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28
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Ghaffar I, Rashid M, Akmal M, Hussain A. Plastics in the environment as potential threat to life: an overview. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:56928-56947. [PMID: 35713833 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21542-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Plastics have become inevitable for human beings in their daily life. Million tons of plastic waste is entering in oceans, soil, freshwater, and sediments. Invasion of plastics in different ecosystems is causing severe problems to inhabitants. Wild animals such as seabirds, fishes, crustaceans, and other invertebrates are mostly effected by plastic entanglements and organic pollutants absorbed and carried by plastics/microplastics. Plastics can also be potentially harmful to human beings and other mammals. Keeping in view the possible harms of plastics, some mitigation strategies must be adopted which may include the use of bioplastics and some natural polymers such as squid-ring teeth protein. This review focuses on the possible sources of intrusion and fate of plastics in different ecosystems, their potential deleterious effects on wildlife, and the measures that can be taken to minimize and avoid the plastic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imania Ghaffar
- Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Rashid
- Faculty of Fisheries and Wildlife, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Akmal
- Faculty of Agriculture, University of Miyazaki, Miyazaki, Japan
- Department of Fisheries and Aquaculture, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Ali Hussain
- Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
- Institute of Zoology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
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29
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The Occurrence of Microplastics and the Formation of Biofilms by Pathogenic and Opportunistic Bacteria as Threats in Aquaculture. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19138137. [PMID: 35805796 PMCID: PMC9266316 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19138137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Aquaculture is the most rapidly growing branch of animal production. The efficiency and quality of the produced food depends on sustainable management, water quality, feed prices and the incidence of diseases. Micro- (MP < 5 mm) and nanoplastic (NP < 1000 nm) particles are among the current factors causing serious water pollution. This substance comes solely from products manufactured by humans. MP particles migrate from the terrestrial to the aquatic environment and adversely affect, especially, the health of animals and humans by being a favorable habitat and vector for microbial pathogens and opportunists. More than 30 taxa of pathogens of humans, aquacutural animals and plants, along with opportunistic bacteria, have been detected in plastic-covering biofilm to date. The mobility and durability of the substance, combined with the relatively closed conditions in aquacultural habitats and pathogens’ affinity to the material, make plastic particles a microbiological medium threatening the industry of aquaculture. For this reason, in addition to the fact of plastic accumulation in living organisms, urgent measures should be taken to reduce its influx into the environment. The phenomenon and its implications are related to the concept of one health, wherein the environment, animals and humans affect each other’s fitness.
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Trevisan R, Ranasinghe P, Jayasundara N, Di Giulio RT. Nanoplastics in Aquatic Environments: Impacts on Aquatic Species and Interactions with Environmental Factors and Pollutants. TOXICS 2022; 10:toxics10060326. [PMID: 35736934 PMCID: PMC9230143 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10060326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Plastic production began in the early 1900s and it has transformed our way of life. Despite the many advantages of plastics, a massive amount of plastic waste is generated each year, threatening the environment and human health. Because of their pervasiveness and potential for health consequences, small plastic residues produced by the breakdown of larger particles have recently received considerable attention. Plastic particles at the nanometer scale (nanoplastics) are more easily absorbed, ingested, or inhaled and translocated to other tissues and organs than larger particles. Nanoplastics can also be transferred through the food web and between generations, have an influence on cellular function and physiology, and increase infections and disease susceptibility. This review will focus on current research on the toxicity of nanoplastics to aquatic species, taking into account their interactive effects with complex environmental mixtures and multiple stressors. It intends to summarize the cellular and molecular effects of nanoplastics on aquatic species; discuss the carrier effect of nanoplastics in the presence of single or complex environmental pollutants, pathogens, and weathering/aging processes; and include environmental stressors, such as temperature, salinity, pH, organic matter, and food availability, as factors influencing nanoplastic toxicity. Microplastics studies were also included in the discussion when the data with NPs were limited. Finally, this review will address knowledge gaps and critical questions in plastics’ ecotoxicity to contribute to future research in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Trevisan
- Department of Biochemistry, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianópolis 88037-000, Brazil
- Correspondence:
| | - Prabha Ranasinghe
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; (P.R.); (N.J.); (R.T.D.G.)
| | - Nishad Jayasundara
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; (P.R.); (N.J.); (R.T.D.G.)
| | - Richard T. Di Giulio
- Nicholas School of the Environment, Duke University, Durham, NC 27708, USA; (P.R.); (N.J.); (R.T.D.G.)
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So MWK, Vorsatz LD, Cannicci S, Not C. Fate of plastic in the environment: From macro to nano by macrofauna. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 300:118920. [PMID: 35131331 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118920] [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: 07/15/2021] [Revised: 12/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Plastic ingestion has been widely investigated to understand its adverse harms on fauna, but the role of fauna itself in plastic fragmentation has been rarely addressed. Here, we review and discuss the available experimental results on the role of terrestrial and aquatic macrofauna in plastic biofragmentation and degradation. Recent studies have shown how biting, chewing, and stomach contractions of organisms shatter ingested plastic along their digestive tracts. Gut microbial communities can play a role in biodegradation and their composition can shift according to the type of plastic ingested. Shifts in molecular weights, chemical bond forming and breaking, and changes in thermal modification detected in the plastic debris present in the faeces also suggest active biodegradation. A few studies have also shown interactions other than ingestion, such as burrowing, may actively or passively promote physical plastic fragmentation by fauna. We suggest that further investigations into the role of fauna in physical fragmentation and chemical degradation linked to active ingestion and gut associated microbiota metabolism, respectively, should be conducted to better evaluate the impact of these mechanisms on the release of micro- and nano-plastic in the environment. Knowledge on macrofauna other than marine invertebrates and terrestrial soil dwelling invertebrates is particularly lacking, as well as focus on broader types of plastic polymers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mandy Wing Kwan So
- The Swire Institute of Marine Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Lyle Dennis Vorsatz
- The Swire Institute of Marine Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Area of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
| | - Stefano Cannicci
- The Swire Institute of Marine Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Area of Ecology and Biodiversity, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Biology, University of Florence, Sesto Fiorentino, 50019, Italy
| | - Christelle Not
- The Swire Institute of Marine Sciences, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
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Valentine KL, Boxall ABA. Interactions Between Plastic, Microbial Biofilms and Gammarus pulex: An Initial Investigation. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2022; 108:609-615. [PMID: 34993567 PMCID: PMC8979863 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-021-03448-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/23/2023]
Abstract
There is increasing evidence that microbial biofilms which form on the surface of marine plastics can increase plastics palatability, making it more attractive to organisms. The same information, however, does not exist for freshwater systems. This study observed the response of the freshwater amphipod Gammarus pulex when exposed to 3 cm-diameter discs of biofilm-covered plastic, both alone and when presented alongside its natural food. G. pulex did not fragment or consume the plastic materials, and the presence of colonised plastic in the immediate environment did not alter the amount of time organisms spent interacting with their natural food. This study provides baseline information for virgin and microbially colonised low-density polyethylene and polylactic acid film. Further studies, with other types of plastic possessing different physical properties and with different microbial biofilm compositions are now required to build further understanding of interactions between plastic, microbial biofilms, and freshwater shredding invertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katey L Valentine
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK.
| | - Alistair B A Boxall
- Department of Environment and Geography, University of York, Heslington, York, YO10 5DD, UK
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Yin J, Li JY, Craig NJ, Su L. Microplastic pollution in wild populations of decapod crustaceans: A review. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 291:132985. [PMID: 34801569 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2021] [Revised: 11/01/2021] [Accepted: 11/17/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Along with the increasing amount of plastic production and waste disposal, the presence of microplastics has been confirmed in all compartments of ecosystems. The microplastics in biota is of particular concern due to the potential eco-risks associated with long term exposure and the potential for transportation along food webs. Decapoda represents a diverse taxonomic group within the subphylum Crustacea, and some of which are highly valued in fishery and biological production. The interaction between microplastic pollution and wild populations of decapod crustaceans have been documented less than fish or bivalves but are critical to understand the fates of microplastics in marine eco-systems and enrich the baselines for consumption analyses. Our review systematically summarizes the occurrence, abundance and characteristics of microplastics detected in edible and non-edible sections of decapod crustaceans from field observations. Sub-groups between crabs and shrimps were also included for comparison. The occurrence of microplastics in the edible sections were less than those in non-edible sections, and there are differences between crabs and shrimps. Fibrous microplastics and items with a size category less than 1 mm were dominant pollutants across all available literature. The methodology selection, biological features and uptake pathways play roles in the microplastic body burden in Decapoda. Our work enriches the understanding of microplastic pollution in wild populations of decapod crustaceans but their contribution to the human exposure to microplastics needs to be addressed with more accurate measurements.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yin
- College of Marine Ecology and Environment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Juan-Ying Li
- College of Marine Ecology and Environment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai, 201306, China
| | - Nicholas J Craig
- School of Biosciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, 3010, Victoria, Australia
| | - Lei Su
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200142, China.
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Ghaffar I, Javid A, Mehmood S, Hussain A. Uptake of Cu 2+ by unicellular microalga Chlorella vulgaris from synthetic wastewaters is attenuated by polystyrene microspheres. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 290:133333. [PMID: 34922953 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133333] [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: 10/20/2021] [Revised: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems are receiving micro- and macro-plastic pollutants alarmingly from various anthropogenic activities. The complications caused by microplastics are largely unexplored and need substantial studies. In the current study, we investigated the repressive effects of negatively and positively charged polystyrene microspheres of two variable sizes (0.05 and 0.5 μm) on functioning of unicellular green microalgae. For the purpose, a pollution-resistant microalgal species was isolated and identified by 18 S rRNA gene sequencing as Chlorella vulgaris. The functioning of the pure-cultured microalgal cells was then assessed in terms of their better metal (Cu2+) uptake potential with and without the provision of PS microspheres. The algal cells up took Cu2+ significantly (90% at 75 mg/L) after 15 days of aerobic incubation. However, positively charged polystyrene microspheres remarkably affected the uptake of Cu2+ and it was comparatively reduced to almost 50%, while negatively charged microspheres couldn't influence the Cu2+ uptake potential of C. vulgaris. In addition, size of the microspheres insignificantly affected the metal uptake potential of the microalgae. Unveiled facts of this investigation will be helpful for designing economical and efficient remedial systems based on the in-situ implication of microalgae.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imania Ghaffar
- Applied and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Arshad Javid
- Applied and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Shahid Mehmood
- Department of Poultry Production, Faculty of Animal Production and Technology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Ali Hussain
- Applied and Environmental Microbiology Laboratory, Department of Wildlife and Ecology, University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan.
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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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36
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Rozman U, Kalčíková G. Seeking for a perfect (non-spherical) microplastic particle - The most comprehensive review on microplastic laboratory research. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127529. [PMID: 34736190 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/07/2021] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 10/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
In recent decades, much attention has been paid to microplastic pollution, and research on microplastics has begun to grow exponentially. However, microplastics research still suffers from the lack of standardized protocols and methods for investigation of microplastics under laboratory conditions. Therefore, in this review, we summarize and critically discuss the results of 715 laboratory studies published on microplastics in the last five years to provide recommendations for future laboratory research. Analysis of the data revealed that the majority of microplastic particles used in laboratory studies are manufactured spheres of polystyrene ranging in size from 1 to 50 µm, that half of the studies did not characterize the particles used, and that a minority of studies used aged particles, investigated leaching of chemicals from microplastics, or used natural particles as a control. There is a large discrepancy between microplastics used in laboratory research and those found in the environment, and many laboratory studies suffer from a lack of environmental relevance and provide incomplete information on the microplastics used. We have summarized and discussed these issues and provided recommendations for future laboratory research on microplastics focusing on (i) microplastic selection, (ii) microplastic characterization, and (iii) test design of laboratory research on microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ula Rozman
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, 113 Večna pot, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Gabriela Kalčíková
- University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Chemistry and Chemical Technology, 113 Večna pot, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
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37
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Helmberger MS, Miesel JR, Tiemann LK, Grieshop MJ. Soil Invertebrates Generate Microplastics From Polystyrene Foam Debris. JOURNAL OF INSECT SCIENCE (ONLINE) 2022; 22:6528469. [PMID: 35157762 PMCID: PMC8843084 DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/ieac005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
To fully understand microplastics' impact on soil ecosystems, one must recognize soil organisms as not just passively enduring their negative effects, but potentially contributing to microplastics' formation, distribution, and dynamics in soil. We investigated the ability of four soil invertebrates, the cricket Acheta domesticus L. (Orthoptera: Gryllidae), the isopod Oniscus asellus L. (Isopoda: Oniscidae), larvae of the beetle Zophobas morio Fabricius (Coleoptera: Tenebrionidae), and the snail Cornu aspersum Müller (Stylommatophora: Helicidae) to fragment macroscopic pieces of weathered or pristine polystyrene (PS) foam. We placed invertebrates into arenas with single PS foam pieces for 24 h, then collected and assessed the microplastic content of each invertebrate's fecal material, its cadaver, and the sand substrate of its arena via hydrogen peroxide digestion, filtration, and fluorescent staining. All taxa excreted PS particles, though snails only to a tiny extent. Beetle larvae produced significantly more microplastics than snails, and crickets and isopods fragmented the weathered PS foam pieces more than the pristine pieces, which they left untouched. A follow-up experiment with pristine PS foam assessed the effect of different treatments mimicking exposure to the elements on fragmentation by isopods. PS foam pieces soaked in a soil suspension were significantly more fragmented than untreated pieces or pieces exposed to UV light alone. These findings indicate that soil invertebrates may represent a source of microplastics to the environment in places polluted with PS foam trash, and that the condition of macroplastic debris likely affects its palatability to these organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jessica R Miesel
- Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
- Program in Ecology, Evolution, and Behavior, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Lisa K Tiemann
- Department of Plant, Soil, and Microbial Sciences, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
| | - Matthew J Grieshop
- Department of Entomology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, USA
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38
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Mai L, Zeng E, Zeng EY. Dog poop bags: A non-negligible source of plastic pollution. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 292:118355. [PMID: 34648841 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Revised: 10/02/2021] [Accepted: 10/09/2021] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution derived from the disposal of plastic bags in the environment is clearly evidenced. However, little attention has been directed towards plastic waste derived from plastic dog poop bags (DPBs), which are widely used and can never be recycled. Herein, we raise concerns about the contribution of DPBs to plastic pollution in the environment. Combining the weight of each DPB, the number of bags daily used for a dog, and the number of pet dogs around the world, we estimated the number of annual consumed and disposed DPBs at more than 415 billion, or equivalently 0.76-1.23 million tons of plastics based on various weights of different DPBs. Although plastic waste produced by DPBs only accounts for a small fraction (0.6%) of the total plastic waste generation, the extremely short life cycle of DPBs has made them a non-negligible source of plastic pollution in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lei Mai
- Center for Environmental Microplastics Studies, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China
| | - Elaine Zeng
- University High School, 4771 Campus Drive, Irvine, CA, 92612, USA
| | - Eddy Y Zeng
- Center for Environmental Microplastics Studies, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 511443, China.
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Weig AR, Löder MGJ, Ramsperger AFRM, Laforsch C. In situ Prokaryotic and Eukaryotic Communities on Microplastic Particles in a Small Headwater Stream in Germany. Front Microbiol 2021; 12:660024. [PMID: 34912303 PMCID: PMC8667586 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.660024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 11/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitous use of plastic products in our daily life is often accompanied by improper disposal. The first interactions of plastics with organisms in the environment occur by overgrowth or biofilm formation on the particle surface, which can facilitate the ingestion by animals. In order to elucidate the colonization of plastic particles by prokaryotic and eukaryotic microorganisms in situ, we investigated microbial communities in biofilms on four different polymer types and on mineral particles in a small headwater stream 500 m downstream of a wastewater treatment plant in Germany. Microplastic and mineral particles were exposed to the free-flowing water for 4 weeks in spring and in summer. The microbial composition of the developing biofilm was analyzed by 16S and 18S amplicon sequencing. Despite the expected seasonal differences in the microbial composition of pro- and eukaryotic communities, we repeatedly observed polymer type-specific differentiation in both seasons. The order of polymer type-specific prokaryotic and eukaryotic community distances calculated by Robust Aitchison principal component analysis (PCA) was the same in spring and summer samples. However, the magnitude of the distance differed considerably between polymer types. Prokaryotic communities on polyethylene particles exhibited the most considerable difference to other particles in summer, while eukaryotic communities on polypropylene particles showed the most considerable difference to other spring samples. The most contributing bacterial taxa to the polyethylene-specific differentiation belong to the Planctomycetales, Saccharimonadales, Bryobacterales, uncultured Acidiomicrobia, and Gemmatimonadales. The most remarkable differences in eukaryotic microorganism abundances could be observed in several distinct groups of Ciliophora (ciliates) and Chlorophytes (green algae). Prediction of community functions from taxonomic abundances revealed differences between spring and summer, and – to a lesser extent – also between polymer types and mineral surfaces. Our results show that different microplastic particles were colonized by different biofilm communities. These findings may be used for advanced experimental designs to investigate the role of microorganisms on the fate of microplastic particles in freshwater ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alfons R Weig
- Genomics and Bioinformatics, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Martin G J Löder
- Animal Ecology, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Anja F R M Ramsperger
- Animal Ecology, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany.,Biological Physics, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Christian Laforsch
- Animal Ecology, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research, University of Bayreuth, Bayreuth, Germany
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40
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Paterson HL, Stead JL, Crutchett T, Hovey RK, Ford BM, Speldewinde P, Zapata-Restrepo LM, Yanfang L, Zhang X, Cundy AB. Battling the known unknowns: a synoptic review of aquatic plastics research from Australia, the United Kingdom and China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2021; 23:1663-1680. [PMID: 34697621 DOI: 10.1039/d1em00175b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is a global environmental and human health issue, with plastics now ubiquitous in the environment and biota. Despite extensive international research, key knowledge gaps ("known unknowns") remain around ecosystem-scale and human health impacts of plastics in the environment, particularly in limnetic, coastal and marine systems. Here we review aquatic plastics research in three contrasting geographic and cultural settings, selected to present a gradient of heavily urbanised (and high population density) to less urbanised (and low population density) areas: China, the United Kingdom (UK), and Australia. Research from each country has varying environmental focus (for example, biota-focussed studies in Australia target various bird, fish, turtle and seal species, while UK and China-based studies focus on commercially important organisms such as bivalves, fish and decapods), and uses varying methods and reporting units (e.g. mean, median or range). This has resulted in aquatic plastics datasets that are hard to compare directly, supporting the need to converge on standardised sampling methods, and bioindicator species. While all the study nations show plastics contamination, often at high levels, datasets are variable and do not clearly demonstrate pollution gradients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Harriet L Paterson
- School of Agriculture and the Environment, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
| | - Jessica L Stead
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre (Southampton), University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK.
| | - Thomas Crutchett
- Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
| | - Renae K Hovey
- Oceans Institute and School of Biological Sciences, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
| | - Benjamin M Ford
- School of Agriculture and the Environment, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
| | - Peter Speldewinde
- School of Agriculture and the Environment, University of Western Australia, Crawley, Western Australia 6009, Australia.
| | - Lina M Zapata-Restrepo
- Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, University Road, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.
| | - Lu Yanfang
- Key Laboratory of Geoscience Big Data and Deep Resource of Zhejiang Province, School of Earth Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Xiaoyu Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Geoscience Big Data and Deep Resource of Zhejiang Province, School of Earth Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310027, China.
| | - Andrew B Cundy
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre (Southampton), University of Southampton, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK.
- Hong Kong Branch of Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, China
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41
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Rodrigues SM, Elliott M, Almeida CMR, Ramos S. Microplastics and plankton: Knowledge from laboratory and field studies to distinguish contamination from pollution. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 417:126057. [PMID: 34004578 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.126057] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2020] [Revised: 04/30/2021] [Accepted: 05/04/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Due to their ubiquitous presence, size and characteristics as ability to adsorb pollutants, microplastics are hypothesized as causing a major impact on smaller organisms, such as plankton. Despite this, there is a need to determine whether these impacts just relate to the environmental presence of the materials or their effects on biological processes. Therefore, we aimed to 1) review current research on plankton and microplastics; 2) compare field and laboratory experimental findings, and 3) identify knowledge gaps. The systematic review showed that 70% of the 147 relevant scientific publications were from laboratory studies and microplastics interactions with plankton were recorded in 88 taxa. Field study publications were relatively scarce and the characteristics of microplastics collected in the field were very different from those used in laboratory experiments thereby limiting the comparison between studies. Our systematic review highlighted knowledge gaps in: 1) the number of field studies; 2) the non-comparability between laboratory and field conditions, and 3) the low diversity of plankton species studied. Furthermore, this review indicated that while there are many studies on contamination by microplastics, the effects of this contamination (i.e., pollution per se) have been less well-studied, especially in the field at population, community, and ecosystem levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabrina M Rodrigues
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research - Porto University, Porto, Portugal; ICBAS - Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar - Porto University, Porto, Portugal.
| | - Michael Elliott
- Department of Biological & Marine Sciences, University of Hull, HU6 7RX, UK; International Estuarine & Coastal Specialists Ltd, Leven HU17 5LQ, UK
| | - C Marisa R Almeida
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research - Porto University, Porto, Portugal
| | - Sandra Ramos
- CIIMAR - Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research - Porto University, Porto, Portugal
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42
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Vaid M, Sarma K, Gupta A. Microplastic pollution in aquatic environments with special emphasis on riverine systems: Current understanding and way forward. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2021; 293:112860. [PMID: 34089959 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.112860] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/19/2021] [Revised: 05/16/2021] [Accepted: 05/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging as a severe threat in our environment. Their diverse existence in marine environments is being researched globally and thus a widely known fact; however, their presence in the freshwater counterpart has gained attention lately only. Riverine systems, the most critical freshwater resources serve as an essential link between terrestrial and marine environments and their contamination with MPs is going to create severe environmental issues. Because of their small size and unique morphology, these polymers can exhibit variable toxicity to the interacting biota and alter their habitat properties; thus, causing serious impacts on the environment and health of living beings, including humans. These microplastics can also interact with pollutants like heavy metals and organic pollutants, which further augment their harming potential. Inefficient and poor plastic waste disposal practices play an important role in the generation of microplastic pollutants. In the present COVID 19 pandemics, the excessive use of plastic to contain the spread of infection has further added the plastic load in the environment which will eventually lead to the generation of microplastic particles. Also, a significant amount of microplastic pollutants in riverine systems are delivered through wastewater treatment plant effluents. These trade-offs create a distress situation in the environment. The present study connects these key issues for a better understanding of the diverse existence of microplastic pollutants, their sources, and fate, with a special emphasis on riverine systems. A critical appraisal of the knowledge gaps and proposal of suitable solutions through this review might open up avenues for further research and effective management of the microplastics in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mansi Vaid
- University School of Environment Management, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Sector-16C, Dwarka, New Delhi, 110078, India
| | - Kiranmay Sarma
- University School of Environment Management, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Sector-16C, Dwarka, New Delhi, 110078, India
| | - Anshu Gupta
- University School of Environment Management, Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Sector-16C, Dwarka, New Delhi, 110078, India.
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43
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Microplastic and Organic Fibres in Feeding, Growth and Mortality of Gammarus pulex. ENVIRONMENTS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/environments8080074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Microplastic fibres (MPFs) are a major source of microplastic pollution, most are released during domestic washing of synthetic clothing. Organic microfibres (OMF) are also released into the environment by the same means, with cotton and wool being the most common in the UK. There is little empirical evidence to demonstrate that plastic fibres are more harmful than organic fibres if ingested by freshwater animals such as Gammarus pulex. Using our method of feeding Gammarus MPFs embedded in algal wafers, we compared the ingestion, feeding behaviour and growth of Gammarus exposed to 70 µm sheep wool, 20 µm cotton, 30 µm acrylic wool, and 50 µm or 100 µm human hair, and 30 µm cat hair at a concentration of 3% fibre by mass. Gammarus would not ingest wafers containing human hair, or sheep wool fibres. Given the choice between control wafers and those contaminated with MPF, cat hair or cotton, Gammarus spent less time feeding on MPF but there was no difference in the time spent feeding on OMFs compared to the control. Given a choice between contaminated wafers, Gammarus preferred the OMF to the MPF. There were no significant differences in growth or mortality among any of the treatments. These results conclude that MPFs are less likely to be ingested by Gammarus if alternative food is available and are not more harmful than OMFs.
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44
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Long Term Exposure to Virgin and Recycled LDPE Microplastics Induced Minor Effects in the Freshwater and Terrestrial Crustaceans Daphnia magna and Porcellio scaber. Polymers (Basel) 2021; 13:polym13050771. [PMID: 33801531 PMCID: PMC7958955 DOI: 10.3390/polym13050771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 02/22/2021] [Accepted: 02/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The effects of microplastics (MP) are extensively studied, yet hazard data from long-term exposure studies are scarce. Moreover, for sustainable circular use in the future, knowledge on the biological impact of recycled plastics is essential. The aim of this study was to provide long-term toxicity data of virgin vs recycled (mechanical recycling) low density polyethylene (LDPE) for two commonly used ecotoxicity models, the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna and the terrestrial crustacean Porcellio scaber. LDPE MP was tested as fragments of 39.8 ± 8.82 µm (virgin) and 205 ± 144 µm (recycled) at chronic exposure levels of 1–100 mg LDPE/L (D. magna) and 0.2–15 g LDPE/kg soil (P. scaber). Mortality, reproduction, body length, total lipid content, feeding and immune response were evaluated. With the exception of very low inconsistent offspring mortality at 10 mg/L and 100 mg/L of recycled LDPE, no MP exposure-related adverse effects were recorded for D. magna. For P. scaber, increased feeding on non-contaminated leaves was observed for virgin LDPE at 5 g/kg and 15 g/kg. In addition, both LDPE induced a slight immune response at 5 g/kg and 15 g/kg with more parameters altered for virgin LDPE. Our results indicated different sublethal responses upon exposure to recycled compared to virgin LDPE MP.
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45
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Structural Diversity in Early-Stage Biofilm Formation on Microplastics Depends on Environmental Medium and Polymer Properties. WATER 2020. [DOI: 10.3390/w12113216] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Plastics entering the environment can not only undergo physical degradation and fragmentation processes, but they also tend to be colonized by microorganisms. Microbial colonization and the subsequent biofilm formation on plastics can alter their palatability to organisms and result in a higher ingestion as compared to pristine plastics. To date, the early stage of biofilm formation on plastic materials has not been investigated in context of the environmental medium and polymer properties. We explored the early-stage biofilm formation on polyamide (PA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) after incubation in freshwater and artificial seawater and categorized the structural diversity on images obtained via scanning electron microscopy. Furthermore, by the measurement of the initial ζ-potential of the plastic materials, we found that PA with the highest negative ζ-potential tended to have the highest structural diversity, followed by PET and PVC after incubation in freshwater. However, PVC with the lowest negative ζ-potential showed the highest structural diversity after incubation in seawater, indicating that the structural diversity is additionally dependent on the incubation medium. Our results give insights into how the incubation medium and polymer properties can influence the early-stage biofilm formation of just recently environmentally exposed microplastics. These differences are responsible for whether organisms may ingest microplastic particles with their food or not.
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46
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Pereira JM, Rodríguez Y, Blasco-Monleon S, Porter A, Lewis C, Pham CK. Microplastic in the stomachs of open-ocean and deep-sea fishes of the North-East Atlantic. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 265:115060. [PMID: 32806421 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.115060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 44] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Revised: 06/16/2020] [Accepted: 06/16/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The presence of microplastic in marine fishes has been well documented but few studies have directly examined differences between fishes occupying contrasting environmental compartments. In the present study, we investigated the gut contents of 390 fishes belonging to three pelagic (blue jack mackerel, chub mackerel, skipjack tuna) and two deep-sea species (blackbelly rosefish, blackspot seabream) from the Azores archipelago, North-East Atlantic for microplastic contamination. Our results revealed that pelagic species had significantly more microplastic than the deep-water species. In all of the species studied, fragments were the most common plastic shape recovered and we found a significant difference in the type of polymer between the pelagic and deep-water species. In deep-sea fish we found almost exclusively polypropylene, whereas in the pelagic fish, polyethylene was the most abundant polymer type. Overall, the proportion of fish containing plastic items varied across our study species from 3.7% to 16.7% of individuals sampled, and the average abundance of plastic items ranged from 0.04 to 0.22 per individual (the maximum was 4 items recovered in one stomach). Despite the proximity of the Azores archipelago to the North Atlantic subtropical gyre, a region of elevated plastic abundance, the proportion of individuals containing plastic (9.49%) were comparable with data reported elsewhere.
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Affiliation(s)
- João M Pereira
- OKEANOS/IMAR, University of the Azores, 9900-862, Horta, Portugal
| | | | | | - Adam Porter
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences: Biosciences, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
| | - Ceri Lewis
- College of Life and Environmental Sciences: Biosciences, Geoffrey Pope Building, University of Exeter, Stocker Road, Exeter, EX4 4QD, United Kingdom
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Sun X, Chen B, Xia B, Li Q, Zhu L, Zhao X, Gao Y, Qu K. Impact of mariculture-derived microplastics on bacterial biofilm formation and their potential threat to mariculture: A case in situ study on the Sungo Bay, China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2020; 262:114336. [PMID: 32443196 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2020.114336] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2019] [Revised: 02/26/2020] [Accepted: 03/04/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) pollution in the marine environment has attracted considerable global attention. However, the colonization of microorganisms on mariculture-derived MPs and their effects on mariculture remain poorly understood. In this study, the MPs (fishing nets, foams and floats) and a natural substrate, within size ranges (1-4 mm), were then incubated for 21 days in Sungo Bay (China), and the composition and diversity of bacterial communities attached on all substrates were investigated. Results showed that bacterial communities on MPs mainly originated from their surrounding seawater and sediment, with an average contribution on total MPs adherent population of 47.91% and 37.33%, respectively. Principle coordinate analysis showed that community similarity between MPs and surrounding seawater decreased with exposure time. In addition, lower average bacterial community diversity and higher relative abundances of bacteria from the genera Vibrio, Pseudoalteromonas and Alteromonas on MPs than those in their surrounding seawater and sediments indicated that MPs might enrich potential pathogens and bacteria related with carbohydrate metabolism. They are responsible for the significant differences in KEGG Orthology pathways (infectious disease and carbohydrate metabolism) between MPs and seawater. The KO pathway (Infectious Diseases) associated with MPs was also significantly higher than those with feathers in the nearshore area. MPs might be vectors for enrichment of potentially pathogenic Vibrio, and enhance the ecological risk of MPs to mariculture industry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuemei Sun
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Bijuan Chen
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Bin Xia
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266071, China.
| | - Qiufen Li
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Lin Zhu
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Xinguo Zhao
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Qingdao National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Yaping Gao
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
| | - Keming Qu
- Yellow Sea Fisheries Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Fishery Sciences, Qingdao, 266071, China
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48
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Lacerda ALDF, Proietti MC, Secchi ER, Taylor JD. Diverse groups of fungi are associated with plastics in the surface waters of the Western South Atlantic and the Antarctic Peninsula. Mol Ecol 2020; 29:1903-1918. [DOI: 10.1111/mec.15444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2019] [Revised: 03/30/2020] [Accepted: 04/02/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ana L. d. F. Lacerda
- Instituto de Oceanografia Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG Rio Grande Brazil
| | - Maíra C. Proietti
- Instituto de Oceanografia Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG Rio Grande Brazil
| | - Eduardo R. Secchi
- Instituto de Oceanografia Universidade Federal do Rio Grande-FURG Rio Grande Brazil
| | - Joe D. Taylor
- School of Science, Engineering and Environment University of Salford Manchester UK
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49
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Dantas NCFM, Duarte OS, Ferreira WC, Ayala AP, Rezende CF, Feitosa CV. Plastic intake does not depend on fish eating habits: Identification of microplastics in the stomach contents of fish on an urban beach in Brazil. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2020; 153:110959. [PMID: 32275522 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.110959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2019] [Revised: 02/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/03/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study aims to identify, classify, quantify the ingested microplastic by marine teleost fish, in order to analyze the relationship between microplastic and trophic guilds. Food items of 214 individuals of Opisthonema oglinum, Bagre marinus, Cathorops spixii, Sciades herzbergii, Chloroscombrus chrysurus, Conodon nobilis, Haemulopsis corvinaeformis were analyzed. The species were classified according to their trophic guilds (zoobenthivorous or opportunistic/omnivorous). All species ingested microplastic and contamination occurred independently of the trophic guild. Of the sampled fish, 55% were contaminated by microplastic. The most consumed categories were blue (28%) and transparent filaments (20%). Raman spectroscopy measurements detected that most sampled filament corresponds to blue synthetic fiber (polyester). This study can contribute by filling gaps in knowledge regarding sandy beach impacts, which are environments so highly threatened by human activities around the world and are neglected in terms of use and conservation plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natália C F M Dantas
- Laboratory of Population Dynamics and Marine Fish Ecology, Marine Sciences Institute, Federal University of Ceará, Av. Da Abolição, 3207, Meireles, CEP 60165-081 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
| | - Oscar S Duarte
- Laboratory of Population Dynamics and Marine Fish Ecology, Marine Sciences Institute, Federal University of Ceará, Av. Da Abolição, 3207, Meireles, CEP 60165-081 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
| | - Wellington C Ferreira
- Laboratory of Structural Crystallography, Physics Department, Federal University of Ceará, Street Cinco, 100, Presidente Kennedy, Campus do Pici, Bloco 922, CEP 60355-636 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
| | - Alejandro P Ayala
- Laboratory of Structural Crystallography, Physics Department, Federal University of Ceará, Street Cinco, 100, Presidente Kennedy, Campus do Pici, Bloco 922, CEP 60355-636 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
| | - Carla F Rezende
- Biology Department, Ecology and Natural Resources Pos-Graduate Program, Federal University of Ceará, Av. Mister Hull n/n, CEP 60455-760 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
| | - Caroline V Feitosa
- Laboratory of Population Dynamics and Marine Fish Ecology, Marine Sciences Institute, Federal University of Ceará, Av. Da Abolição, 3207, Meireles, CEP 60165-081 Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
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50
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Oberbeckmann S, Labrenz M. Marine Microbial Assemblages on Microplastics: Diversity, Adaptation, and Role in Degradation. ANNUAL REVIEW OF MARINE SCIENCE 2020; 12:209-232. [PMID: 31226027 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-marine-010419-010633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 168] [Impact Index Per Article: 42.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2023]
Abstract
We have known for more than 45 years that microplastics in the ocean are carriers of microbially dominated assemblages. However, only recently has the role of microbial interactions with microplastics in marine ecosystems been investigated in detail. Research in this field has focused on three main areas: (a) the establishment of plastic-specific biofilms (the so-called plastisphere); (b) enrichment of pathogenic bacteria, particularly members of the genus Vibrio, coupled to a vector function of microplastics; and (c) the microbial degradation of microplastics in the marine environment. Nevertheless, the relationships between marine microorganisms and microplastics remain unclear. In this review, we deduce from the current literature, new comparative analyses, and considerations of microbial adaptation concerning plastic degradation that interactions between microorganisms and microplastic particles should have rather limited effects on the ocean ecosystems. The majority of microorganisms growing on microplastics seem to belong to opportunistic colonists that do not distinguish between natural and artificial surfaces. Thus, microplastics do not pose a higher risk than natural particles to higher life forms by potentially harboring pathogenic bacteria. On the other hand, microplastics in the ocean represent recalcitrant substances for microorganisms that are insufficient to support prokaryotic metabolism and will probably not be microbially degraded in any period of time relevant to human society. Because we cannot remove microplastics from the ocean, proactive action regarding research on plastic alternatives and strategies to prevent plastic entering the environment should be taken promptly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sonja Oberbeckmann
- Department of Biological Oceanography, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW), D-18119 Rostock, Germany;
| | - Matthias Labrenz
- Department of Biological Oceanography, Leibniz Institute for Baltic Sea Research Warnemünde (IOW), D-18119 Rostock, Germany;
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