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Choi JS, An S, Shin TH, Cho WS, Park JW. Merkel cells and corpuscles of Stannius as putative targets for polyethylene terephthalate microfibers in sheepshead minnow larvae. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 285:117024. [PMID: 39278003 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.117024] [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: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 09/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/17/2024]
Abstract
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fibers are contaminated in wastewater from various primary sources, such as washing textile waters. PET fibers in the environment can be degraded into microfibers because of weathering processes such as sunlight, physical wear, and heat. Although recent studies reported adverse effects of PET microfibers on aquatic organisms, the lack of information on their toxicity and mode of action hampers the risk assessment of PET microfibers. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the biological effects of PET microfibers and their underlying mechanisms in early-staged sheepshead minnows (Cyprinodon variegatus). PET microfibers (about 13 μm diameter × 106 μm length) were prepared by cutting PET threads and treated to sheepshead minnow larvae at 10 and 100 mg/L for 10 days. No acute toxicity was found in the minnow, but PET microfibers significantly produced reactive oxygen species and reduced behavioral responses of traveled distance and maximum velocity. The transcriptomic data suggested that Merkel cells (flow sensors) and corpuscles of Stannius (calcium regulator) are putative targets, which were derived from oxidative stress, sensory neuropathy, cognitive impairment, and movement disorders. These findings underscore that although PET microfibers are not directly lethal to sheepshead minnows, they could impact their survival by damaging swimming-related key genes. This study provides new insights into how PET microfibers are toxic to aquatic organisms and disrupt ecosystems beyond survival and pathological changes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Soo Choi
- Environmental Exposure & Toxicology Research Center, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 17 Jegok-gil, Jinju 52834, Republic of Korea
| | - Soyoung An
- Lab of Toxicology, Department of Health Sciences, The Graduate School of Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Hwan Shin
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea.
| | - Wan-Seob Cho
- Lab of Toxicology, Department of Health Sciences, The Graduate School of Dong-A University, Busan 49315, Republic of Korea.
| | - June-Woo Park
- Environmental Exposure & Toxicology Research Center, Korea Institute of Toxicology, 17 Jegok-gil, Jinju 52834, Republic of Korea; Human and Environmental Toxicology Program, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), 217, Gajeong-ro, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea.
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2
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Lee JY, Chia RW, Veerasingam S, Uddin S, Jeon WH, Moon HS, Cha J, Lee J. A comprehensive review of urban microplastic pollution sources, environment and human health impacts, and regulatory efforts. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174297. [PMID: 38945237 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/02/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution in urban environments is a pervasive and complex problem with significant environmental and human health implications. Although studies have been conducted on MP pollution in urban environments, there are still research gaps in understanding the exact sources, regulation, and impact of urban MP on the environment and public health. Therefore, the goal of this study is to provide a comprehensive overview of the complex pathways, harmful effects, and regulatory efforts of urban MP pollution. It discusses the research challenges and suggests future directions for addressing MPs related to environmental issues in urban settings. In this study, original research papers published from 2010 to 2024 across ten database categories, including PubMed, Google Scholar, Scopus, and Web of Science, were selected and reviewed to improve our understanding of urban MP pollution. The analysis revealed multifaceted sources of MPs, including surface runoff, wastewater discharge, atmospheric deposition, and biological interactions, which contribute to the contamination of aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. MPs pose a threat to marine and terrestrial life, freshwater organisms, soil health, plant communities, and human health through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal exposure. Current regulatory measures for MP pollution include improved waste management, upgraded wastewater treatment, stormwater management, product innovation, public awareness campaigns, and community engagement. Despite these regulatory measures, several challenges such as; the absence of standardized MPs testing methods, MPs enter into the environment through a multitude of sources and pathways, countries struggle in balancing trade interests with environmental concerns have hindered effective policy implementation and enforcement. Addressing MP pollution in urban environments is essential for preserving ecosystems, safeguarding public health, and advancing sustainable development. Interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative research, stringent regulations, and public participation are vital for mitigating this critical issue and ensuring a cleaner and healthier future for urban environments and the planet.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin-Yong Lee
- Department of Geology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea.
| | - Rogers Wainkwa Chia
- Department of Geology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea; Research Institute for Earth Resources, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea.
| | - S Veerasingam
- Environmental Science Center, Qatar University, Doha, P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Saif Uddin
- Environment and Life Sciences Research Centre, Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research, Safat 13109, Kuwait
| | - Woo-Hyun Jeon
- Groundwater Environment Research Center, Climate Change Response Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Daejeon 34132, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee Sun Moon
- Groundwater Environment Research Center, Climate Change Response Division, Korea Institute of Geoscience and Mineral Resources, Daejeon 34132, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihye Cha
- Department of Geology, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea; School of Science and Engineering, University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
| | - Jejung Lee
- School of Science and Engineering, University of Missouri, Kansas City, MO 64110, USA
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3
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Sukmono Y, Hadibarata T, Kristanti RA, Singh A, Al Farraj DA, Elshikh MS. Occurrence and visual characterization of microplastics from Mahakam River at Tenggarong City, Indonesia. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2024; 267:104440. [PMID: 39396457 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2024.104440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 09/19/2024] [Accepted: 10/06/2024] [Indexed: 10/15/2024]
Abstract
Indonesia generates approximately 7.8 million tons of plastic waste annually, which 4.9 million tons is mismanaged. Presently, there is significant concern on microplastics (MPs) pollution in aquatic environment. The research on the prevalence of MPs in river systems are comparatively lower than the studies conducted on marine systems. The primary goal of this research was to look into the prevalence of MPs in the river water of Mahakam of Tenggarong City, Indonesia. To adequately represent this area, a meticulous selection method was used to find five separate sampling locations, with two stations at each location, positioned 200 m apart on opposite sides of the river. According to the study's findings, MPs has been observed in the range of 19.2 ± 1.8 to 58.5 ± 3.5 particles/l. Based on the MPs type, fragments (43.4 %) were the most common type of MPs found in water samples. Furthermore, 44.6 % of the MPs had size smaller than 1000 μm. The prevalent hues observed in the water samples were transparent and black, composing 75.6 % of overall formation. The determination of microplastic polymers employed Attenuated Total Reflection-Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, revealing the presence of various type, such as polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP).
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Affiliation(s)
- Yudi Sukmono
- Industrial Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering, Mulawarman University, Samarinda 75119, Indonesia
| | - Tony Hadibarata
- Environmental Engineering Program, Faculty of Engineering and Science, Curtin University Malaysia, CDT 250, Miri, Malaysia.
| | - Risky Ayu Kristanti
- Research Center for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency, Jakarta 14430, Indonesia.
| | - Abhishek Singh
- Faculty of Biology, Yerevan State University, Yerevan 0025, Armenia
| | - Dunia A Al Farraj
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohamed S Elshikh
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, P.O. 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
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4
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Kteeba SM, Guo L. Photodegradation Processes and Weathering Products of Microfibers in Aquatic Environments. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:16535-16546. [PMID: 39215709 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c03667] [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: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics, particularly microfibers (MFs), pose a significant threat to the environment. Despite their widespread presence, the photochemical reactivity, weathering products, and environmental fate of MFs remain poorly understood. To address this knowledge gap, photodegradation experiments were conducted on three prevalent MFs: polyester (POL), nylon (NYL), and acrylic (ACR), to elucidate their degradation pathways, changes in surface morphology and polymer structure, and chemical and colloidal characterization of weathering products during photochemical degradation of MFs. The results showed that concentrations of dissolved organic carbon, chromophoric dissolved organic matter (DOM), and fluorescent components consistently increased during weathering, exhibiting a continuous release of DOM. Scanning electron microscopy and Raman spectroscopy revealed changes in the surface morphology and polymer spectra of the MFs. During the weathering experiments, DOM aromaticity (SUVA254) decreased, while spectral slope increased, indicating concurrent DOM release and degradation of aromatic components. The released DOM or nanoplastics were negatively charged with sizes between 128 and 374 nm. The production rate constants of DOM or the photochemical reactivity of MFs followed the order ACR > NYL ≥ POL, consistent with their differences in chemical structures. These findings provide an improved understanding of the photochemical reactivity, degradation pathways, weathering products, and environmental fate of microfibers in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shimaa M Kteeba
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin─Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204, United States
- Faculty of Science, Damietta University, New Damietta, Damietta 34511, Egypt
| | - Laodong Guo
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin─Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53204, United States
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5
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Lefebvre C, Cormier B, Le Bihanic F, Rampazzo Magalhães G, Morin B, Lecomte S, Cachot J. Temporal distribution of microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in four marine species from the Atlantic coast (France). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 357:124440. [PMID: 38936792 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/29/2024]
Abstract
The characterization of microplastic (MP) contamination in marine species is increasing as concerns about environmental and food safety are more and more discussed. Here, we reported a quantitative and qualitative assessment of the contamination by anthropogenic particles (from visual sorting; AP) and MP (plastic-made) in the whole soft body or digestive tract of marine species. Four commercial species were studied, namely the Pacific oyster (Magallana gigas), the spiny spider crab (Maja sp.), the common sole (Solea solea) and seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax or punctatus). AP and MP uptake were studied over three to four seasons depending on the species. After tissues digestion, particles were extracted under a stereomicroscope and morphometric characteristics were reported. Then, polymers were identified by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. Seasonal variations were mainly described in the Pacific oyster as AP uptake was lower in autumn and MP uptake was higher in spring. These variations may be linked to the reproduction and growth cycles of this species. Moreover, seabass ingestion was lower in autumn compared to winter. Contamination in spider crabs and soles showed either weak or no seasonal trends, both quantitatively and qualitatively. Overall, AP contamination in all studied species ranged from 1.17 ± 1.89 AP.ind-1 (in sole) to 4.07 ± 6.69 AP.ind-1 (in seabass) while MP contamination ranged from 0.10 ± 0.37 MP.ind-1 (in sole) to 1.09 ± 3.06 MP.ind-1 (in spider crab). Fibers were mostly reported in all species (at least 77.7%), along with cellulosic polymers (at least 43.7%). AP and MP uptake were detected in all species and at almost all seasons, with the only exception of the common sole during autumn. Therefore, this study emphasizes the ubiquity of AP and MP contamination in marine species and provides new knowledges about seasonal uptake by commercial species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Lefebvre
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600, Pessac, France; Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, F-33600, Pessac, France.
| | - Bettie Cormier
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600, Pessac, France
| | - Florane Le Bihanic
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600, Pessac, France
| | | | - Bénédicte Morin
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600, Pessac, France
| | - Sophie Lecomte
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, F-33600, Pessac, France
| | - Jérôme Cachot
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600, Pessac, France.
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6
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Wang MH, Chen CF, Lim YC, Albarico FPJB, Tsai WP, Chen CW, Dong CD. Microplastics and phthalate esters contamination in top oceanic predators: A study on multiple shark species in the Pacific Ocean. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 206:116769. [PMID: 39059223 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024]
Abstract
Marine organisms, especially top predators such as sharks, are susceptible to environmental pollutants like microplastics (MPs) and phthalate esters (PAEs), leading to ecosystem risks. Research on contamination in these apex species is, however, still limited. This study investigated MPs and PAEs in multiple shark species (Isurus oxyrinchus, Alopias superciliosus, Alopias pelagicus, Carcharhinus brevipinna, and Sphyrna zygaena) off Taiwan's eastern coast. Gastric tissue analyses revealed ubiquitous microplastics (2-31 particles), which positively correlated with body lengths and weights for Isurus oxyrinchus. Blue, fiber-shaped (1-2 mm), and rayon-based MPs are likely associated with textile fiber pollution. The PAEs concentration mean was 7035 ± 6829 ng/g, ww, having DEHP and DiNP as primary compounds. This study highlights pervasive contamination in Pacific Ocean sharks, emphasizing anthropogenic impact on top oceanic predators and providing essential insights for food safety and MP accumulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Huang Wang
- Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, College of Hydrosphere Science, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan
| | - Chih-Feng Chen
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan
| | - Yee Cheng Lim
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan
| | - Frank Paolo Jay B Albarico
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Pei Tsai
- Department of Fisheries Production and Management, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung 81157, Taiwan
| | - Chiu-Wen Chen
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan.
| | - Cheng-Di Dong
- Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, College of Hydrosphere Science, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City, Taiwan; Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung City 81157, Taiwan.
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7
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Alex RK, Muhammed TM, Kannankai MP, Radhakrishnan A, Borah A, Reghuvaran A, Devipriya SP. Microfiber pollution: Assessment, emission estimation, and time-series-based forecast of microfibers from domestic washing machine laundering and mitigation measures. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2024. [PMID: 39185940 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2024] [Revised: 07/06/2024] [Accepted: 07/16/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Microfibers are thread-like structures shorter than 5 mm and have natural, semisynthetic, or synthetic origins. These micropollutants are ubiquitous and are emerging in the environment, living organisms, and food sources. Textile laundering is a prominent source of microfibers, but limited research has been conducted on microfiber pollution from domestic washing machines in emerging economies such as India, where consumption and production rates are exorbitantly high. This study aimed to assess the abundance and size distribution of microfibers from the effluent of a semiautomatic domestic washing machine using three categories of "not-new" textiles: cotton, blended, and synthetic under "with" and "without" detergent conditions. Although most Indians still rely on hand washing, this study focused on washing machines due to their increasing use in India driven by improving socioeconomic factors. This study also developed annual emission estimation and forecasting models for India to understand pollution trends. The results revealed that microfibers were highly abundant in washing machine effluent, with a mean abundance of cotton, blended, and synthetic in "with detergent" conditions of 6476.67, 3766.67, and 8645/L, respectively, whereas in "without detergent," it was lower. All identified microfibers were divided into five size classes. The study also found that powdered detergent increased the abundance and emission of tiny fibers. The overall annual emissions estimate was 1.23 × 1011 microfibers, with cotton, synthetic, and blended categories accounting for 2.11 × 1010, 1.40 × 1010, and 6.15 × 109 microfibers, respectively. Time-series-based future estimates (autoregressive integrated moving average [ARIMA] and error-trend-seasonality [ETS]) showed an alarming increase in microfiber emissions, with forecasted annual emission reaching 1.90 × 1011 by 2030. Synthetic and cotton textiles are the most significant contributors to microfiber pollution. This study emphasized the urgent need to address the issue of microfiber pollution caused by washing machine laundering in developing countries, such as India, where sociodemographic factors intensify the problem. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;00:1-12. © 2024 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Riya Kumbukattu Alex
- School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, India
| | | | | | - Amal Radhakrishnan
- School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, India
| | - Abhinab Borah
- School of Environmental Studies, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, India
| | - Abesh Reghuvaran
- Centre for Science in Society, Cochin University of Science and Technology, Cochin, India
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8
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Fang J, Sheng Z, Liu J, Li C, Lyu T, Wang Z, Zhang H. Interference of microplastics on autotrophic microbiome in paddy soils: Shifts in carbon fixation rate, structure, abundance, co-occurrence, and assembly process. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 474:134783. [PMID: 38824776 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134783] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Autotrophic microorganisms play a crucial role in soil CO2 assimilation. Although microplastic pollution is recognized as a significant global concern, its precise impact on carbon sequestration by autotrophic microorganisms in agroecosystem soil remains poorly understood. This study conducted microcosm experiments to explore how conventional polystyrene (PS) and biodegradable poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) microplastics affect carbon fixation rates (CFRs) and the community characteristics of soil autotrophic microorganisms in paddy agroecosystems. The results showed that compared with the control groups, 0.5 % and 1 % microplastic treatments significantly reduced soil CFRs by 11.8 - 24.5 % and 18.7 - 32.3 %, respectively. PS microplastics exerted a stronger inhibition effect on CFRs than PHBV microplastics in bulk soil. However, no significant difference was observed in the inhibition of CFRs by both types of microplastics in rhizosphere soils. Additionally, PS and PHBV microplastics altered the structure of autotrophic microbial communities, resulting in more stochastically dominated assembly and looser, more fragile coexistence networks compared to control groups. Moreover, microplastics drove the changes in autotrophic microbial carbon fixation primarily through their direct interference and the indirect effect by increasing soil organic carbon levels. Our findings enhance the understanding and predictive capabilities regarding the impacts of microplastic pollution on carbon sinks in agricultural soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaohui Fang
- School of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273100, China
| | - Zihao Sheng
- School of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273100, China
| | - Jian Liu
- Environment Research Institute, Shandong University, Qingdao 266237, China
| | - Changchao Li
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Tianshu Lyu
- School of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273100, China
| | - Zhenyang Wang
- School of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273100, China
| | - Honghai Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, Qufu Normal University, Qufu 273100, China.
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9
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Lahiri SK, Azimi Dijvejin Z, Gholamreza F, Shabanian S, Khatir B, Wotherspoon L, Golovin K. Liquidlike, Low-Friction Polymer Brushes for Microfibre Release Prevention from Textiles. SMALL (WEINHEIM AN DER BERGSTRASSE, GERMANY) 2024; 20:e2400580. [PMID: 38529758 DOI: 10.1002/smll.202400580] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Indexed: 03/27/2024]
Abstract
During synthetic textile washing, rubbing between fibres or against the washing machine, exacerbated by the elevated temperature, initiates the release of millions of microplastic fibres into the environment. A general tribological strategy is reported that practically eliminates the release of microplastic fibres from laundered apparel. The two-layer fabric finishes combine low-friction, liquidlike polymer brushes with "molecular primers", that is, molecules that durably bond the low-friction layers to the surface of the polyester or nylon fabrics. It is shown that when the coefficient of friction is below a threshold of 0.25, microplastic fibre release is substantially reduced, by up to 96%. The fabric finishes can be water-wicking or water-repellent, and their comfort properties are retained after coating, indicating a tunable and practical strategy toward a sustainable textile industry and plastic-free oceans and marine foodstuffs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sudip Kumar Lahiri
- Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Zahra Azimi Dijvejin
- Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Farzan Gholamreza
- School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Sadaf Shabanian
- Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G8, Canada
- School of Engineering, University of British Columbia, Kelowna, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Behrooz Khatir
- Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Lauren Wotherspoon
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G8, Canada
| | - Kevin Golovin
- Department of Mechanical & Industrial Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G8, Canada
- Department of Materials Science & Engineering, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, M5S 3G8, Canada
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10
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Yan R, Li J, Li J, Liu Y, Xu Z, Ge X, Lu X, Yadav KK, Obaidullah AJ, Tang Y. Deciphering morphology patterns of environmental microfibers: Insights into source apportionment. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 259:121814. [PMID: 38820730 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121814] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Microfibers, a prevalent form of microplastics, undergo diverse environmental interactions resulting in varied morphological changes. These changes can offer insights into their environmental trajectories. Despite its importance, comprehensive studies on microfiber morphology are scarce. This study collected 233 microfibers from the East China Sea and South China Sea. Based on morphological features observed in microscopic images of microfibers, such as curvature, cross-sectional shapes, diameter variations, and crack shapes, we identified a general morphological pattern, classifying the environmental microfibers into three distinct morphological types. Our findings highlight noticeable differences in morphological metrics (e.g., length, diameter, and surface roughness) across three types, especially the diameter. Microfibers of Type I had an average diameter of 19.45 ± 4.93 μm, significantly smaller than Type II (263.00 ± 75.15 μm) and Type III (299.68 ± 85.62 μm). Within the three-dimensional (3D) space fully defined by these quantitative parameters, the clustering results of microfibers are also consistent with the proposed morphology pattern, with each category showing a potential correlation with specific chemical compositions. Type I microfibers correspond to synthetic cellulose, while 94.79 % of Types II and III are composed of polymers. Notably, we also validated the great applicability of the morphology categories to microfibers in diverse environmental compartments, including water and sediments in nearshore and offshore areas. This classification aids in the efficient determination of microfiber sources and the assessment of their ecological risks, marking a significant advancement in microfiber environmental studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruoqun Yan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Jiangpeng Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Jiawei Li
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Yang Liu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Zhe Xu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Xinyu Ge
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Xiao Lu
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, PR China
| | - Krishna Kumar Yadav
- Faculty of Science and Technology, Madhyanchal Professional University, Ratibad, Bhopal, 462044, India; Environmental and Atmospheric Sciences Research Group, Scientific Research Center, Al-Ayen University, Thi-Qar, Nasiriyah 64001, Iraq
| | - Ahmad J Obaidullah
- Department of Pharmaceutical Chemistry, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, P.O. Box 2457, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | - Yuanyuan Tang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, PR China.
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11
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Mahu E, Vanderpuye-Orgle TJ, Boateng CM, Edusei MO, Yeboah GA, Chuku EO, Okpei P, Okyere I, Dodoo-Arhin D, Akintoye EA. Quantification and characterization of microplastics ingested by mangrove oysters across West Africa. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:50283-50296. [PMID: 39088173 PMCID: PMC11364619 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34470-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic ingestion by marine organisms presents a challenge to both ecosystem functioning and human health. We characterized microplastic abundance, shape, size, and polymer types ingested by the West African mangrove oyster, Crassostrea tulipa (Lamarck, 1819) sampled from estuaries and lagoons from the Gambia, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Benin, and Nigeria using optical microscopy and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) techniques. A total of 780 microplastics were isolated in the whole tissues of the 250 oysters (n = 50 oysters per country). The abundance and distribution of microplastics in the oysters followed the pattern: the Gambia > Ghana > Sierra Leone > Nigeria > Benin. The Tanbi wetlands in the Gambia recorded the highest average of 10.50 ± 6.69 per oyster while the Ouidah lagoon in Benin recorded the lowest average of 1.80 ± 1.90 per oyster. Overall, microplastic numbers varied significantly (p < 0.05) among the five countries. Microfibers, particularly those within 1001-5000 μm size, dominated the total microplastic count with a few fragments and films. No spherical microplastics were isolated in the oysters. In the Sierra Leone and Benin oysters, fragments and films were absent in the samples. Microplastic between the 1001 and 5000 μm size class dominated the counts, followed by 501-1000 μm, 101-500 μm, and 51-100 μm. Five polymer groups namely polyethylene, polyester, nylon, polypropylene, and polyamide were identified across the five countries, with polyethylene occurring in oysters from all five countries and polyester occurring in all but the oysters from Nigeria. This diversity of polymers suggests varied sources of microplastics ingested by the studied oysters. The absence of microspheres across the five supports findings from other studies that they are the least ingested and highly egested by the oysters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Edem Mahu
- Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana.
| | | | | | - Maurice Oti Edusei
- Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Ernest Obeng Chuku
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Taroona, 7053, Australia
| | - Paulina Okpei
- University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana
| | - Isaac Okyere
- Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, CANS, University of Cape Coast (UCC), Cape Coast, Ghana
- Centre for Coastal Management, Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience - (ACECoR), UCC, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - David Dodoo-Arhin
- Department of Material Science and Engineering, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
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12
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Gan M, Zhang Y, Shi P, Cui L, Zhang C, Guo J. Occurrence, potential sources, and ecological risk assessment of microplastics in the inland river basins in Northern China. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 205:116656. [PMID: 38950516 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116656] [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: 04/07/2024] [Revised: 06/16/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are the pollutants, found widely across various environmental media. However, studies on the MP pollution in urban rivers and the necessary risk assessments remain limited. In this study, the abundance and characteristics of microplastics in a typical urban river were examined to evaluate their distribution, sources, and ecological risks. It was observed that the abundance of MPs in sediments (220-2840 items·kg-1 dry weight (DW)) was much higher than that in surface water (2.9-10.3 items·L-1), indicating that the sediment is the "sink" of river MPs. Surface water and sediment were dominated by small particle size MPs (< 0.5 mm). Fiber and debris were common shapes of MPs in rivers and sediments. The microplastics in river water and sediments were primarily white and transparent, respectively. Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) were the major polymers found.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mufan Gan
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China
| | - Peng Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China
| | - Lingzhou Cui
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Chengqian Zhang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China
| | - Jiahua Guo
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China
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13
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Parameswarappa Jayalakshmamma M, Na Nagara V, Borgaonkar A, Sarkar D, Obropta C, Boufadel M. Temporal and spatial distribution of microplastics in green infrastructures: Rain gardens. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 362:142543. [PMID: 38866339 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/14/2024]
Abstract
Rain gardens, a type of green infrastructure (GI), have been recognized for mitigating flooding and improving water quality from minor storms by trapping stormwater pollutants. Yet, the capability of these systems to retain microplastics (MPs) from stormwater, especially in size <125 μm, remains inadequately understood. This study investigated the spatial and temporal distributions of MPs in three rain gardens located in Newark, New Jersey, USA. The rain gardens have been in operation for ∼7 years and located in different land uses: low-density residential (Site 1), commercial (Site 2), and high-density residential (Site 3). The sediment samples were collected during May 2022, August 2022, and February 2023 at various soil depths and horizontal distances of rain gardens. The MPs were quantified and characterized using Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer and a Raman microscope. The overall mean concentration varied between sampling sites, with 469 ± 89.8 pkg-1 in Site 1, 604 ± 91.4 pkg-1 in Site 2, and 997 ± 64.3 pkg-1 in Site 3, with Polypropylene as the dominant polymer, followed by nylon and polyethylene. In the vertical direction, larger MPs (250 μm-5 mm) were effectively retained within the top 5 cm and their concentration declined exponentially with the increasing depths. Small-sized MPs (1-250 μm) were prevalent at deeper depths (≥ 10 cm), and no MPs were found below 15 cm. In the horizontal direction, the highest MP concentration was observed near the stormwater inlet, and the concentration decreased away from the inlet. Over the nine-month period, a notable increase in concentration was observed at all sites. These findings contribute valuable knowledge towards developing effective measures for retaining MPs from stormwater and monitoring GIs in urban environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Meghana Parameswarappa Jayalakshmamma
- Center for Natural Resources, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 323 MLK Blvd., Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Viravid Na Nagara
- Center for Natural Resources, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 323 MLK Blvd., Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Ashish Borgaonkar
- School of Applied Engineering and Technology, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 323 MLK Blvd., Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Dibyendu Sarkar
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, 1 Castle Point Terrace, Hoboken, NJ, 07030, USA
| | - Christopher Obropta
- Water Resources Research Institute Environmental Engineering, Rutgers, New Brunswick, NJ, 08854, USA
| | - Michel Boufadel
- Center for Natural Resources, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, New Jersey Institute of Technology, 323 MLK Blvd., Newark, NJ, 07102, USA.
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14
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Li M, Wang Z, Zhu L, Zhu Y, Yi J, Fu X. Research advances on microplastics contamination in terrestrial geoenvironment: A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 935:173259. [PMID: 38761947 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/13/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
The contamination of microplastics in terrestrial geoenvironment (CMTG) is widespread and severe and has, received considerable attention. However, studies on CMTG are in their initial stages. The literature on CMTG published in the past decade was analyzed through bibliometric analysis, such as the annual publications, countries with the highest contributions, prolific authors, and author keywords. The sources, compositions, migrations and environmental impacts of CMTG are summarized, and possible future directions are proposed. This study analyzed the annual publications, countries with the highest contributions, prolific authors, and author keywords related to microplastics. The results demonstrated that 15,306 articles were published between 2014 and 2023. China is the leading country in terms of the total number of publications. The main sources of CMTG include landfills, agricultural non-point sources, sewage treatment systems and transportation systems. The composition of the CMTG exhibits significantly temporal and spatial variability from different sources. The migration paths of the CMTG were within the soil, groundwater seepage and wind transportation of suspended particles. Microplastics increase soil cohesion, decrease porosity, reduce pore scale, decrease air circulation, and increase water retention capacity, and the exudation of highly water-soluble additives in microplastics can cause secondary contamination of geological entities. Microplastics have an adverse effect on plant growth, animal digestion, microbial activity, energy and lipid metabolism, oxidative stress, and respiratory diseases in humans. It is recommended to develop more efficient and convenient quantitative testing methods for microplastics, formulate globally harmonized testing and evaluation standards, include microplastic testing in testing programs for contaminated soils, and develop efficient methods for the remediation of microplastic contaminated geological bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingdong Li
- School of Civil and Architectural Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China; State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China.
| | - Zhicheng Wang
- School of Civil and Architectural Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Liping Zhu
- School of Water Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China; State Key Laboratory of Nuclear Resources and Environment, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Yating Zhu
- School of Civil and Architectural Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Jinxiang Yi
- School of Civil and Architectural Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
| | - Xiaojie Fu
- School of Civil and Architectural Engineering, East China University of Technology, Nanchang 330013, China
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15
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Sudarsan JS, Dogra K, Kumar R, Raval NP, Leifels M, Mukherjee S, Trivedi MH, Jain MS, Zang J, Barceló D, Mahlknecht J, Kumar M. Tricks and tracks of prevalence, occurrences, treatment technologies, and challenges of mixtures of emerging contaminants in the environment: With special emphasis on microplastic. JOURNAL OF CONTAMINANT HYDROLOGY 2024; 265:104389. [PMID: 38941876 DOI: 10.1016/j.jconhyd.2024.104389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/21/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
This paper aims to emphasize the occurrence of various emerging contaminant (EC) mixtures in natural ecosystems and highlights the primary concern arising from the unregulated release into soil and water, along with their impacts on human health. Emerging contaminant mixtures, including pharmaceuticals, personal care products, dioxins, polychlorinated biphenyls, pesticides, antibiotics, biocides, surfactants, phthalates, enteric viruses, and microplastics (MPs), are considered toxic contaminants with grave implications. MPs play a crucial role in transporting pollutants to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems as they interact with the various components of the soil and water environments. This review summarizes that major emerging contaminants (ECs), like trimethoprim, diclofenac, sulfamethoxazole, and 17α-Ethinylestradiol, pose serious threats to public health and contribute to antimicrobial resistance. In addressing human health concerns and remediation techniques, this review critically evaluates conventional methods for removing ECs from complex matrices. The diverse physiochemical properties of surrounding environments facilitate the partitioning of ECs into sediments and other organic phases, resulting in carcinogenic, teratogenic, and estrogenic effects through active catalytic interactions and mechanisms mediated by aryl hydrocarbon receptors. The proactive toxicity of ECs mixture complexation and, in part, the yet-to-be-identified environmental mixtures of ECs represent a blind spot in current literature, necessitating conceptual frameworks for assessing the toxicity and risks with individual components and mixtures. Lastly, this review concludes with an in-depth exploration of future scopes, knowledge gaps, and challenges, emphasizing the need for a concerted effort in managing ECs and other organic pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayaraman Sethuraman Sudarsan
- School of Energy and Environment, NICMAR (National Institute of Construction Management and Research) University, Pune 411045, India
| | - Kanika Dogra
- School of Advanced Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India
| | - Rakesh Kumar
- Department of Biosystems Engineering, Auburn University, Auburn, AL 36849, USA
| | - Nirav P Raval
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Engineering and Sciences, SRM University-AP, Andhra Pradesh 522 240, India
| | - Mats Leifels
- Division Water Quality and Health, Karl Landsteiner University for Health Sciences, Dr.-Karl-Dorrek-Strasse 30, 3500 Krems an der Donau, Austria
| | - Santanu Mukherjee
- School of Agriculture, Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Solan 173229, India.
| | - Mrugesh H Trivedi
- Department of Earth and Environmental Science, KSKV Kachchh University, Bhuj-Kachchh, Gujarat 370001, India
| | - Mayur Shirish Jain
- Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Indore, Simrol, 453552, India
| | - Jian Zang
- School of Civil Engineering, Chongqing University, Chongqing, China
| | - Damià Barceló
- School of Advanced Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India; Chemistry and Physics Department, University of Almeria, Ctra Sacramento s/n, 04120, Almería, Spain
| | - Jürgen Mahlknecht
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterey, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon 64849, Mexico
| | - Manish Kumar
- School of Advanced Engineering, UPES, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248007, India; Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterey, Monterrey, Nuevo Leon 64849, Mexico.
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16
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Saleem J, Moghal ZKB, Hafeez A, Sajjad S, Shoaib M, Alahmad J, McKay G. Stretch-Induced Spin-Cast Membranes Based on Semi-Crystalline Polymers for Efficient Microfiltration. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1799. [PMID: 39000655 PMCID: PMC11243820 DOI: 10.3390/polym16131799] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Microfiltration membranes derived from semi-crystalline polymers face various challenges when synthesized through the extrusion-casting technique, including the use of large quantities of polymer, long casting times, and the generation of substantial waste. This study focuses on synthesizing these membranes using spin-casting, followed by stretch-induced pore formation. Recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and virgin polyethylene powder, combined with a calcium carbonate filler, were used as the source materials for the membranes. The influence of the polymer-filler ratio with and without stretching on the morphology, tensile strength, and water flow rate was investigated. Optimal conditions were determined, emphasizing a balance between pore structure and mechanical integrity. The permeable membrane exhibited a water flow rate of 19 mL/min, a tensile strength of 32 MPa, and a water contact angle of 126°. These membranes effectively eliminated suspended particles from water, with their performance evaluated against that of commercially available membranes. This research, carried out utilizing the spin-casting technique, outlines a synthesis route for microfiltration membranes tailored to semi-crystalline polymers and their plastic forms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junaid Saleem
- Division of Sustainable Development, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha P.O. Box 5825, Qatar
| | | | - Ahsan Hafeez
- Center for Advanced Materials, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Samra Sajjad
- Center for Advanced Materials, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Mohammad Shoaib
- Center for Advanced Materials, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Johaina Alahmad
- Center for Advanced Materials, Qatar University, Doha P.O. Box 2713, Qatar
| | - Gordon McKay
- Division of Sustainable Development, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha P.O. Box 5825, Qatar
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17
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Saleem J, Moghal ZKB, McKay G. Prolonged Lifespan of Superhydrophobic Thin Films and Coatings Using Recycled Polyethylene. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1791. [PMID: 39000647 PMCID: PMC11244483 DOI: 10.3390/polym16131791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2024] [Revised: 06/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
High-density polyethylene (HDPE) waste poses a significant environmental challenge due to its non-biodegradable nature and the vast quantities generated annually. However, conventional recycling methods are energy-intensive and often yield low-quality products. Herein, HDPE waste is upcycled into anti-aging, superhydrophobic thin films suitable for outdoor applications. A two-layer spin-casting method combined with heating-induced crosslinking is utilized to produce an exceptionally rough superhydrophobic surface, featuring a root mean square (RMS) roughness of 50 nm, an average crest height of 222 nm, an average trough depth of -264 nm, and a contact angle (CA) of 148°. To assess durability, weathering tests were conducted, revealing the films' susceptibility to degradation under harsh conditions. The films' resistance to environmental factors is improved by incorporating a UV absorber, maintaining their hydrophobic properties and mechanical strength. Our research demonstrates a sustainable method for upcycling waste into high-performance, weather-resistant, superhydrophobic films.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junaid Saleem
- Division of Sustainable Development, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha 5825, Qatar
| | | | - Gordon McKay
- Division of Sustainable Development, College of Science and Engineering, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Qatar Foundation, Doha 5825, Qatar
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18
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Ziembowicz S, Kida M. The effect of water ozonation in the presence of microplastics on water quality and microplastics degradation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 929:172595. [PMID: 38642756 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/17/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
The occurrence of microplastics in water treatment plants poses a concern for the quality of treated water. When microplastics pass through water treatment plants, they can be oxidized, changing their surface characteristics and the quality of the treated water. This work aimed to investigate the impact of ozone and the association of ozone and hydrogen peroxide on five different microplastic particles that are commonly detected in water samples. The changes in the concentration of total organic carbon and the change in the pH of the water, the leaching of phthalic acid esters, as well as the changes in size and chemical changes in the structure of the tested microplastics were evaluated. The influence of ozonation time, water pH, and type of microplastics, as well as the influence of the addition of hydrogen peroxide, was analyzed. The effect of ozonation was an increase in DOC values ranging from 0.8 to 28 mg/L. The eluting substances included phthalic acid esters, plasticizers with a proven negative impact on organisms. The percentage loss of the surface area of the microplastic was in the range of 1.3 to 26.7 %. PE was more susceptible to degradation. LDIR analyzes were carried out to investigate the effect of O3 and O3/H2O2 treatments on the surface of MPs. This study demonstrated that MPs could change their physical and chemical characteristics if they are subjected to oxidation processes used in water treatment plants. The parameters of purified water change to unfavorable ones due to the leaching of additives. Although much research has been conducted on the occurrence of microplastics in treated water, awareness needs to be raised about the interactions between plastic particles and water treatment technology processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina Ziembowicz
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, Rzeszów University of Technology, 35-959 Rzeszów, al. Powstańców Warszawy 6, Poland.
| | - Małgorzata Kida
- Department of Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Architecture, Rzeszów University of Technology, 35-959 Rzeszów, al. Powstańców Warszawy 6, Poland
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19
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Yang Z, Li Y, Zhang G. Degradation of microplastic in water by advanced oxidation processes. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 357:141939. [PMID: 38621489 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141939] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 03/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Plastic products have gained global popularity due to their lightweight, excellent ductility, high durability, and portability. However, out of the 8.3 billion tons of plastic waste generated by human activities, 80% of plastic waste is discarded due to improper disposal, and then transformed into microplastic pollution under the combined influence of environmental factors and microorganisms. In this comprehensive study, we present a thorough review of recent advancements in research on the source, distribution, and effect of microplastics. More importantly, we conducted deep research on the catalytic degradation technologies of microplastics in water, including advanced oxidation and photocatalytic technologies, and elaborated on the mechanisms of microplastics degradation in water. Besides, various strategies for mitigating microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems are discussed, ranging from policy interventions, the initiative for plastic recycling, the development of efficient catalytic materials, and the integration of multiple technological approaches. This review serves as a valuable resource for addressing the challenge of removing microplastic contaminants from water bodies, offering insights into effective and sustainable solutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhixiong Yang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Mineral Resources Processing and Environment, Key Laboratory of Green Utilization of Critical Non-metallic Mineral Resources, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology, 122 Luoshi Road, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Mineral Resources Processing and Environment, Key Laboratory of Green Utilization of Critical Non-metallic Mineral Resources, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology, 122 Luoshi Road, Wuhan, 430070, China
| | - Gaoke Zhang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Mineral Resources Processing and Environment, Key Laboratory of Green Utilization of Critical Non-metallic Mineral Resources, Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Silicate Materials for Architectures, Wuhan University of Technology, 122 Luoshi Road, Wuhan, 430070, China.
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20
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Courville JM, Borkowski R, Sonnenberg L, Bielmyer-Fraser GK. A Quantitative Analysis of Microplastics in the Gastrointestinal Tracts of Odontocetes in the Southeast Region of the United States. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:1260-1273. [PMID: 38546224 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5854] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 01/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/04/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (<5 mm in diameter) are ubiquitous in the oceanic environment, yet microplastic accumulation in marine mammals is vastly understudied. In recent years, efforts have been made to document microplastic profiles in odontocetes. The objective of the present study was to describe and quantify microplastics in the gastrointestinal (GI) tracts of deceased odontocetes that stranded in the southeastern United States. Our study included 24 bottlenose dolphins (Tursiops truncatus), two pygmy sperm whales (Kogia breviceps), one pantropical spotted dolphin (Stenella attenuata), one short-snouted spinner dolphin (Stenella clymene), one Risso's dolphin (Grampus griseus), and one dwarf sperm whale (Kogia sima) obtained from stranding networks in Texas, Alabama, Florida, and Puerto Rico. Contents found in the GI tracts, namely, the stomach and portions of the intestinal tract, were subjected to a laboratory procedure to isolate microplastics. The physical characteristics of microparticles were analyzed with a stereomicroscope, and microplastics were classified by polymer type via Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. There was an average of 47.6 ± 41.4 microparticles, ranging from 1 to 193 items per stomach. More specifically, there was an average of 5.6 ± 4.7 microplastics per stomach. The predominant morphologies, colors, and polymer types were fibers, white-colored items, and polyester, respectively. This research contributes to the current knowledge of microplastic exposure in top marine mammal predators and sets the stage for further exploration into the associated risks of microplastics in odontocetes within the United States and worldwide. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1260-1273. © 2024 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia M Courville
- Marine Science, Millar Wilson Laboratory, Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Rose Borkowski
- Marine Science, Millar Wilson Laboratory, Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
| | - Lucy Sonnenberg
- Marine Science, Millar Wilson Laboratory, Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, Florida, USA
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21
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Jitrapat H, Sivaipram I, Piumsomboon A, Suttiruengwong S, Xu J, Vo TLT, Li D. Ingestion and adherence of microplastics by estuarine mysid shrimp. MARINE ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 197:106455. [PMID: 38507983 DOI: 10.1016/j.marenvres.2024.106455] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 03/14/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics have been reported to be present in zooplankton, yet questions persist regarding their fate and dynamics within biota. We selected the commercial mysid shrimp, Mesopodopsis orientalis, as the focal zooplankton for this study due to their crucial role in our study area, the Inner Gulf of Thailand in January 2022. We investigated the presence of microplastics in mysid bodies and fecal pellets, examining both attached microplastics on external body parts and those ingested. In addition, we conducted microplastic feeding experiments, exposing mysids to various treatments of microplastics. The results of the field investigation indicate that mysids exhibited an average of 0.12 ± 0.03 microplastic items/mysid from whole-body samples. The shape, type, and color of microplastics found in mysids were similar to those present in seawater, with blue PET microfibers being the most prevalent. Our observations on live mysids revealed that microplastics were acquired through ingestion and adherence to appendages and exoskeletons. Microplastics were observed in mysid's fecal pellets at 0.09 ± 0.03 items/mysid, while microplastics adhering to the mysid's body and appendages were observed at 0.10 ± 0.04 items/mysid. The sizes of microplastics extracted from preserved mysids ranged from 58 μm to 4669 μm, with median of 507 μm. The laboratory experiments revealed that the presence of microalgae enhanced microplastic ingestion in mysids; microplastics incubated with a cyanobacterium, Oscillatoria sp., and diatom Navicula sp. significantly increased the number of microplastic particles ingested by mysids. This study showed that microplastics can be more ingested in mysids, especially when food items are present. Microplastic fate in these animals may involve expulsion into the environment or adherence, potentially facilitating their transfer up the marine food web.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hattaya Jitrapat
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China; Hainan Institute, East China Normal University, Sanya, 572025, China; Plastic Marine Debris Research Center, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China; Regional Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, Shanghai, 200241, China
| | - Itchika Sivaipram
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand.
| | - Ajcharaporn Piumsomboon
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Supakij Suttiruengwong
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Faculty of Engineering and Industrial Technology, Silpakorn University, Nakhon Pathom, 73000, Thailand
| | - Jiayi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China; Hainan Institute, East China Normal University, Sanya, 572025, China; Plastic Marine Debris Research Center, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China; Regional Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, Shanghai, 200241, China.
| | - Tuan Linh Tran Vo
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China; Hainan Institute, East China Normal University, Sanya, 572025, China; Plastic Marine Debris Research Center, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China; Regional Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, Shanghai, 200241, China; Institute of Oceanography, Viet Nam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST), 1 Cau Da Street, Nha Trang, Khanh Hoa, 650000, Viet Nam
| | - Daoji Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062, China; Hainan Institute, East China Normal University, Sanya, 572025, China; Plastic Marine Debris Research Center, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200241, China; Regional Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, Shanghai, 200241, China.
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22
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Tao M, Li W, Zhou X, Li Y, Song H, Wu F. Effects of microplastics on the structure and function of bacterial communities in sediments of a freshwater lake. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 356:141880. [PMID: 38570049 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.141880] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/31/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024]
Abstract
As an emerging pollutant, microplastics (MPs) cause widespread concern around the world owing to the serious threat they pose to ecosystems. In particular, sediments are thought to be the long-term sink for the continual accumulation of MPs in freshwater ecosystems. Polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) have been frequently detected with large concentration variations in freshwater sediments from the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, one of the most economically developed regions in China, characterized by accelerated urbanization and industrialization, high population density and high plastics consumption. However, the impact of PE and PET on the sedimental bacterial community composition and its function has not been well reported for this specific region. Herein, PE and PET particles were added to freshwater sediments to assess the effects of different MP types on the bacterial community and its function, using three concentrations (500, 1500 and 2500 items/kg) per MP and incubations of 35, 105 and 175 days, respectively. This study identified a total of 68 phyla, 211 classes, 518 orders, 853 families and 1745 genera. Specifically, Proteobacteria, Chloroflexi, Acidobacteriota, Actinobacteriota and Firmicutes were the top five phyla. A higher bacterial diversity was obtained in control sediments than in the MP-treated sediments. The presence of MPs, whether PET or PE, had significant impact on the bacterial diversity, community structure and community composition. PICRUSt2 and FAPOTAX predictions demonstrated that MPs could potentially affect the metabolic pathways and ecologically functional groups of bacteria in the sediment. Besides the MP-related factors, such as the type, concentration and incubation time, the physicochemical parameters had an effect on the structure and function of the bacterial community in the freshwater sediment. Taken together, this study provides useful information for further understanding how MPs affect bacterial communities in the freshwater sediment of the lower reaches of the Yangtze River, China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miaomiao Tao
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Weibin Li
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Xiaohong Zhou
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China.
| | - Yanan Li
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Haiya Song
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Fan Wu
- School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
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23
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Ahmad MF, Fauzi MA, Ahmad MH, Wider W, Lee CK. Are we eating plastic? Science mapping of microplastic pollution in the aquatic food chain. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2024. [PMID: 38593234 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4930] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
This study evaluates the knowledge structure of microplastic pollution and its effects on the aquatic food chain. The presence of microplastics has seriously harmed the ecosystem. Through bibliometric analysis, 216 journal publications were retrieved from the Web of Science (WoS) from 2008 to 2023 (April), with no restriction in the time frame. Applying bibliographic coupling and co-word analysis, the emerging, current, and future themes of microplastic pollution are presented. Three research streams are derived from bibliographic coupling, centralized on the source of microplastic pollution and its impact. At the same time, research streams from co-word analysis are associated with overcoming the issue of microplastics in the ecosystem. This study's implications suggest three main principles to mitigate microplastic issues: (1) educating the public on the impact of microplastic pollution, (2) implementing holistic regulations and policies, and (3) developing treatment strategies through conventional, innovative, and hybrid approaches. Microplastic pollution is a global concern, requiring a holistic and comprehensive approach to overcome it. This review is the first to present a scientific mapping of the microplastics literature, which is a fundamental basis for future research on microplastic pollution and its impact on the ecosystem. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;00:1-12. © 2024 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Faizal Ahmad
- Faculty of Industrial Management, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Kuantan, Malaysia
| | - Muhammad Ashraf Fauzi
- Faculty of Industrial Management, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Kuantan, Malaysia
| | - Mohd Hanafiah Ahmad
- Faculty of Industrial Management, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Kuantan, Malaysia
| | - Walton Wider
- Faculty of Business and Communications, INTI International University, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia
| | - Chia Kuang Lee
- Faculty of Industrial Management, Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah, Kuantan, Malaysia
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24
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Rodrigues F, Faria M, Mendonça I, Sousa E, Ferreira A, Cordeiro N. Efficacy of bacterial cellulose hydrogel in microfiber removal from contaminated waters: A sustainable approach to wastewater treatment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 919:170846. [PMID: 38342467 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170846] [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: 11/10/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
Microfibers (MFs), the dominant form of microplastics in ecosystems, pose a significant environmental risk due to the inadequacy of existing wastewater treatments to remove them. Recognising the need to develop sustainable solutions to tackle this environmental challenge, this research aimed to find an eco-friendly solution to the pervasive problem of MFs contaminating water bodies. Unused remnants of bacterial cellulose (BC) were ground to form a hydrogel-form of bacterial cellulose (BCH) and used as a potential bioflocculant for polyacrylonitrile MFs. The flocculation efficiency was evaluated across various operational and environmental factors, employing response surface methodology computational modelling to elucidate and model their impact on the process. The results revealed that the BCH:MFs ratio and mixing intensity were key factors in flocculation efficiency, with BCH resilient across a range of environmental conditions, achieving a 93.6 % average removal rate. The BCH's strong retention of MFs released only 8.3 % of the MFs, after a 24-hour wash, and the flocculation tests in contaminated wastewater and chlorinated water yielded 89.3 % and 86.1 % efficiency, respectively. Therefore, BCH presents a viable, sustainable, and effective approach for removing MFs from MFs-contaminated water, exhibiting exceptional flocculation performance and adaptability. This pioneer study using BCH as a bioflocculant for MFs removal sets a new standard in sustainable wastewater treatment, catalysing research on fibrous pollutant mitigation for environmental protection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Filipa Rodrigues
- LB3-Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal; CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Marisa Faria
- LB3-Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal; CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Ivana Mendonça
- LB3-Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal; CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Portugal
| | - Edward Sousa
- LB3-Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal
| | - Artur Ferreira
- CICECO-Aveiro Institute of Materials and Águeda School of Technology and Management, University of Aveiro, Águeda, Portugal
| | - Nereida Cordeiro
- LB3-Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Madeira, Funchal, Portugal; CIIMAR-Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research, University of Porto, Portugal.
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25
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Hongsawat P, Thinjong W, Chouychai B, Punyapalakul P, Prarat P. Microplastics in retail shellfish from a seafood market in eastern Thailand: Occurrence and risks to human food safety. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 201:116228. [PMID: 38467085 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116228] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2023] [Revised: 03/03/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/13/2024]
Abstract
This study aimed to investigate the presence of microplastics in three economically essential shellfish species: green mussels, cockles and spotted babylon. The average abundance of microplastics ranged from 2.41 to 2.84 particles/g wet weight. The predominant shape was fiber, with colors ranging from black-grey to transparent. The size of the microplastics discovered was <1.0 mm. Polystyrene and polyethylene were the most detected types in mussels and cockles, while linen was the predominant type in spotted babylon. The Thai population's estimated annual intake (EAI) of microplastics through shellfish consumption ranged from 20.23 to 1178.42 particles/person/year. The potential human health risks were evaluated using the polymer hazard index (PHI), which led to risk categories III-IV. These findings, along with others from the literature, indicate that shellfish consumption may pose risks to human health, depending on the species consumed and the origin of the specimens.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parnuch Hongsawat
- Faculty of Science, Energy and Environment, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Rayong Campus, Rayong 21120, Thailand
| | - Waleerat Thinjong
- Faculty of Science, Energy and Environment, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Rayong Campus, Rayong 21120, Thailand
| | - Bopit Chouychai
- Faculty of Engineering and Technology, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Rayong Campus, Rayong 21120, Thailand
| | - Patiparn Punyapalakul
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Center of Excellence on Hazardous Substance Management, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Research unit Control of Emerging Micropollutants in Environment, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Panida Prarat
- Faculty of Science, Energy and Environment, King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok, Rayong Campus, Rayong 21120, Thailand.
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26
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Haque A, Holsen TM, Baki ABM. Distribution and risk assessment of microplastic pollution in a rural river system near a wastewater treatment plant, hydro-dam, and river confluence. Sci Rep 2024; 14:6006. [PMID: 38472411 PMCID: PMC10933406 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-56730-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Rivers are the natural drainage system, transporting anthropogenic wastes and pollution, including microplastics (plastic < 5 mm). In a riverine system, microplastics can enter from different sources, and have spatial variance in concentration, physical and chemical properties, and imposed risk to the ecosystem. This pilot study presents an examination of microplastics in water and sediment samples using a single sample collection from the rural Raquette River, NY to evaluate a hypothesis that distinct locations of the river, such as downstream of a wastewater treatment plant, upstream of a hydro-dam, and river confluence, may be locations of higher microplastics concentration. In general, our results revealed the presence of high microplastic concentrations downstream of the wastewater treatment plant (in sediments), upstream of the hydro dam (both water and sediment), and in the river confluence (water sample), compared to other study sites. Moreover, the risk assessment indicates that even in a rural river with most of its drainage basin comprising forested and agricultural land, water, and sediment samples at all three locations are polluted with microplastics (pollution load index, PLI > 1; PLIzone = 1.87 and 1.68 for water and sediment samples respectively), with risk categories between Levels I and IV ("minor" to "danger"). Overall, the river stands in a "considerable" risk category (PRIzone = 134 and 113 for water and sediment samples respectively). The overall objective of this pilot study was to evaluate our hypothesis and advance our understanding of microplastic dynamics in rural river systems, elucidating their introduction from a point source (wastewater treatment plant), transit through an impediment (hydro-dam), and release into a vital transboundary river (confluence of Raquette-St. Lawrence Rivers).
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Affiliation(s)
- Addrita Haque
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, 13699, USA
| | - Thomas M Holsen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, 13699, USA
| | - Abul B M Baki
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Clarkson University, Potsdam, NY, 13699, USA.
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27
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Amenábar M, Aguilera MA, Gallardo C, Moore C, De Vine R, Lattin G, Gamba A, Luna-Acosta A, Thiel M. Spatial distribution of microplastics in a coastal upwelling region: Offshore dispersal from urban sources in the Humboldt Current System. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 343:123157. [PMID: 38142808 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123157] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 12/11/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023]
Abstract
In coastal waters, higher concentrations of microplastics (MPs) are generally related to densely populated and industrialized areas, but intense upwelling and offshore transport in the Eastern Boundary Upwelling Systems (EBUS) may influence this pattern. The Humboldt Current System (HCS) along the coast of northern-central Chile represents a perfect model to test whether the abundance of MP at the sea surface decreases with distance from land-based sources, e.g., river mouths, harbors, and submarine wastewater outfalls. The sea surface was sampled with a manta trawl to examine the abundance, composition, and distribution of floating MPs, and Generalized Additive Mixed Models (GAMMs) were performed to examine the relationship between MP abundance (particles km-2) and the distance to putative sources. MPs were found in all 57 net tows, with an average of ⁓120,000 MP km-2 and maximum values of ⁓1,500,000 MP km-2. The composition of MPs was dominated by fragments (>50% of the total count) and over 80% of all MPs were ≥1 mm. The combined effect of the various sources, spatially concentrated in urban areas, makes it difficult to distinguish their relative contributions, but the MP composition suggested that rivers are more important sources, followed by submarine wastewater outfalls and then harbors. A significant and steep negative relationship with the "distance to source" explained 15.2% of the variance of "MP abundance", suggesting rapid offshore displacement within the HCS. This is the first study to report this pattern along the edges of the South Pacific Subtropical Gyre (SPSG), revealing that continuous offshore transport of microplastic from land-based sources is occurring over large scales and contributing to the accumulation of microplastics in the center of the SPSG. However, the findings additionally suggested that processes at meso- and submeso-spatial scales (driven by geographic and seasonal variables) are disrupting the general pattern.
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Affiliation(s)
- María Amenábar
- Facultad Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, 1781421, Chile
| | - Moisés A Aguilera
- Departamento de Ciencias, Facultad de Artes Liberales, Universidad Adolfo Ibáñez, Diagonal Las Torres, 2640, Peñalolén, Santiago, Chile
| | - Camila Gallardo
- Facultad Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, 1781421, Chile; Center of Ecology and Sustainable Management of Oceanic Islands (ESMOI), Coquimbo, Chile
| | - Charles Moore
- Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research, Long Beach, CA, USA; Algalita Marine Research and Education, Long Beach, CA, USA
| | - Raquelle De Vine
- Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research, Long Beach, CA, USA; Algalita Marine Research and Education, Long Beach, CA, USA
| | - Gwen Lattin
- Moore Institute for Plastic Pollution Research, Long Beach, CA, USA; Algalita Marine Research and Education, Long Beach, CA, USA
| | - Angela Gamba
- Departamento de Ecología y Territorio, Facultad de Estudios Ambientales y Rurales, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Andrea Luna-Acosta
- Departamento de Ecología y Territorio, Facultad de Estudios Ambientales y Rurales, Pontificia Universidad Javeriana, Bogotá, Colombia
| | - Martin Thiel
- Facultad Ciencias del Mar, Universidad Católica del Norte, Larrondo 1281, Coquimbo, 1781421, Chile; Center of Ecology and Sustainable Management of Oceanic Islands (ESMOI), Coquimbo, Chile; MarineGEO Program, Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, Edgewater, MD, USA.
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28
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Kaing V, Guo Z, Sok T, Kodikara D, Breider F, Yoshimura C. Photodegradation of biodegradable plastics in aquatic environments: Current understanding and challenges. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 911:168539. [PMID: 37981156 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168539] [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: 08/25/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 11/21/2023]
Abstract
Direct and indirect photolysis are important abiotic processes in aquatic environments through which plastics can be transformed physically and chemically. Transport of biodegradable plastics in water is influenced by vertical mixing and turbulent flow, which make biodegradable plastics remain susceptible to sunlight and photolysis despite their high density. In general, biodegradable plastics are composed of ester containing polymers (e.g., poly(butylene succinate), polyhydroxyalkanoate, and polylactic acid), whereas non-biodegradable plastics are composed of long chains of saturated aliphatic hydrocarbons in their backbones (e.g., polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene). Based on the reviewed knowledge and discussion, we may hypothesize that 1) direct photolysis is more pronounced for non-biodegradation than for biodegradable plastics, 2) smaller plastics such as micro/nano-plastics are more prone to photodegradation and photo-transformation by direct and indirect photolysis, 3) the production rate of reactive oxygen species (ROS) on the surface of biodegradable plastics is higher than that of non-biodegradable plastics, 4) the photodegradation of biodegradable plastics may be promoted by ROS produced from biodegradable plastics themselves, and 5) the subsequent reactions of ROS are more active on biodegradable plastics than non-biodegradable plastics. Moreover, micro/nanoplastics derived from biodegradable plastics serve as more effective carriers of organic pollutants than those from non-biodegradable plastics and thus biodegradable plastics may not necessarily be more ecofriendly than non-biodegradable plastics. However, biodegradable plastics have been largely unexplored from the viewpoint of direct or indirect photolysis. Roles of reactive oxygen species originating from biodegradable plastics should be further explored for comprehensively understanding the photodegradation of biodegradable plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vinhteang Kaing
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-M1-4 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan; Faculty of Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering, Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Russian Federation Blvd., P.O. Box 86, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Zhongyu Guo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-M1-4 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Ty Sok
- Faculty of Hydrology and Water Resources Engineering, Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Russian Federation Blvd., P.O. Box 86, Phnom Penh, Cambodia; Research and Innovation Center, Institute of Technology of Cambodia, Phnom Penh, Cambodia
| | - Dilini Kodikara
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-M1-4 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Florian Breider
- EPFL - Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne, Central Environmental Laboratory, Institute of Environmental Engineering, ENAC, station 2, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Chihiro Yoshimura
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-M1-4 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.
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29
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Cheng S, Jessica, Yoshikawa K, Cross JS. Influence of synthetic and natural microfibers on the growth, substance exchange, energy accumulation, and oxidative stress of field-collected microalgae compared with microplastic fragment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:167936. [PMID: 37875192 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2023] [Revised: 09/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/26/2023]
Abstract
Synthetic microfibers (MFs), which are Microplastics (MPs), have not received attention commensurate with their abundance in the environment. Currently, limited studies on MFs have focused on their effects on marine organisms. It is therefore necessary to conduct exposure experiments of MFs on freshwater organisms to provide reference data for the ecological risk assessment of MFs. As a primary producer in freshwater ecosystems, microalgae have an ecological niche that is highly overlapping with that of MFs. In this study, we examined the effects of MFs on the growth of Chlorella and indicators of oxidative stress to examine their potential risk on the microalgae population. The results showed that inhibition rate of microalgae increased with MF concentration in the range of 0.01-100 mg/L. Compared with natural fibers such as cotton and wool, PET and PP fibers showed significant growth inhibition, but less so when in fragment form with the same material and concentration. PP and PET particles, whether fibers or fragments, increased the total antioxidant capacity of microalgal cells and caused oxidative damage. To determine the influence of MFs on the interaction of cells in the environment, the exchanged substances and accumulated energy of microalgae cells were also detected. The results indicated that PP and PET fibers, as well as fragments, increased the diameter and membrane permeability of microalgae cell, thus interfering with the cell division and substance exchange processes. PET fibers and fragments showed different interactions at the level of individual cells and populations. This suggests that the evaluation of MPs should consider examinations from cells to population and even community levels in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shuo Cheng
- Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan.
| | - Jessica
- Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kunio Yoshikawa
- Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Jeffrey S Cross
- Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, Tokyo, Japan
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30
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Dai C, Yuan F, Wang D, Yang X, Du J, Yu W, Zhang C. Settling velocity of submillimeter microplastic fibers in still water. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:168054. [PMID: 37898197 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/21/2023] [Indexed: 10/30/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic fibers (MPFs) are one of the most important MP contaminants of aquatic environments. However, little research has been conducted on the movement of submillimeter MPFs in water. Herein, the settling of 519 submillimeter MPFs in still water was measured and the settling velocity was analyzed. Observations of the settling velocity of MPFs with lengths of 300, 500, and 600 μm showed that most MPFs settled individually or in pairs. The sedimentation of a single fiber could be divided into three patterns, that is, horizontal, inclined, and vertical. The average settling velocity increased with an increase in the MPFs length and orientation angle. As the MPFs length increased, the probability of inclined settlement decreased but that of horizontal settlement increased. The horizontal velocity of single fibers also was investigated, and the horizontal and vertical settling of MPFs exhibited minimal horizontal velocity. Because of the considerable difference between the calculated drag coefficients from existing drag coefficient models and experimental values, a drag coefficient model was developed with a deviation of <3 %. Four settling patterns were identified for two fibers, that is, X shaped, inverted-T shaped, cross shaped, and overlapping. The average velocity of the overlapping settlement of two fibers was considerably higher than that of the other three settling patterns. The average settling velocity of 600-μm two fibers was 1.47 times that of single fibers, indicating that their corresponding drag coefficient was ~46 % that of a single fiber.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenlong Dai
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Food Manufacturing Equipment & Technology, Wuxi 214122, China; School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Fangyang Yuan
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Food Manufacturing Equipment & Technology, Wuxi 214122, China; School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
| | - Dongxiang Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Food Manufacturing Equipment & Technology, Wuxi 214122, China; School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
| | - Xinjun Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Food Manufacturing Equipment & Technology, Wuxi 214122, China; School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Jiyun Du
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Food Manufacturing Equipment & Technology, Wuxi 214122, China; School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Wei Yu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Advanced Food Manufacturing Equipment & Technology, Wuxi 214122, China; School of Mechanical Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Cheng Zhang
- School of Environment and Civil Engineering, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
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31
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Martynova A, Genchi L, Laptenok SP, Cusack M, Stenchikov GL, Liberale C, Duarte CM. Atmospheric microfibrous deposition over the Eastern Red Sea coast. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:167902. [PMID: 37858811 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167902] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
The transport of microplastics through the atmosphere has been acknowledged as a significant route for their dispersion across different environments. Microplastics of fibrous shape often prevail in environmental samples, although their composition identification might be challenging and lead to an overestimation of plastic microfibers (MFs). Conversely, MFs of natural origin are rarely reported in microplastics studies despite the lack of consensus on the risks they may pose to the environment. In this study, airborne MFs collected in a sparsely populated residential area on the shore of the Eastern Red Sea were analyzed to investigate their abundance and polymer composition and assess their potential transport and deposition rates. The length of observed fibers ranged from 183 μm to 11,877 μm, with 3 % of fibers being >5 mm. The average length of MFs (< 5 mm) was 1378 ± 934 μm. Plastic MFs comprised 10 % of all identified MFs, with polyester being the most common plastic polymer (81.25 %). The mean abundance of airborne MFs was 0.9 ± 0.8 × 10-2 MFs m-3. The estimated mean atmospheric microfibrous deposition was 70 MFs m-2 d-1, with a component of 8 plastic MFs m-2 d-1. Based on the HYSPLIT backward trajectory analysis, fibers of local origin (estimated to travel approximately 25 km before sampling) were deposited at the sampling location. Air masses of northwestern origin traveling along the coast of the Eastern Red Sea dominated, potentially reducing the abundance of airborne MFs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anastasiia Martynova
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; KAUST Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia; KAUST Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Luca Genchi
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Sergey P Laptenok
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Michael Cusack
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia
| | - Georgiy L Stenchikov
- Physical Sciences and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia
| | - Carlo Liberale
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Computer, Electrical and Mathematical Sciences and Engineering, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia
| | - Carlos M Duarte
- Biological and Environmental Science and Engineering Division, King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; KAUST Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia; KAUST Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology, Saudi Arabia
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Wang Y, Zhong Z, Chen X, Sokolova I, Ma L, Yang Q, Qiu K, Khan FU, Tu Z, Guo B, Huang W. Microplastic pollution and ecological risk assessment of Yueqing Bay affected by intensive human activities. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 461:132603. [PMID: 37778312 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2023] [Revised: 09/18/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are a widespread environmental problem posing ecological risks in the ocean. We investigated the abundance, spatial distribution, characteristics and ecological risks of MPs in surface seawater, sediments and organisms in Yueqing Bay, China. MPs were detected in both environmental media and organisms. The overall abundance (0.24 items/m3 seawater, 6.13 items/kg dry sediment, 0.77 items/individual in organisms) was low to medium compared with other coastal areas. The MPs were mainly derived from the high-intensity mariculture and shipping in the bay, as well as industrial and human activities along the surrounding coast. The abundance of MPs in water of the left (western) bay (0.39 items/m3) was considerably higher than that of the right (north-eastern) bay (0.07 items/m3) due to the different levels of population and economic development on the left and right coasts. The ecological risk assessment showed generally low to medium risk from MPs pollution in Yueqing Bay, with higher ecological risk index (H) and potential ecological hazards (RI) of MPs polymers in water samples. These data emphasize the need for timely and effective action to reduce the contribution of intensive human activities to MPs pollution and provide information for further ecotoxicological studies, pollution control, and policy development of MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youji Wang
- Key Laboratory of Ocean Space Resource Management Technology, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China; Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Zhen Zhong
- Key Laboratory of Ocean Space Resource Management Technology, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China; Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China; International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Xi Chen
- Bureau of Hydrology (Information Center) of Huaihe River Commission, Ministry of Water Resources, Bengbu 233001, China
| | - Inna Sokolova
- Department of Marine Biology, Institute for Biological Sciences, University of Rostock, Rostock, Germany
| | - Lukuo Ma
- Key Laboratory of Ocean Space Resource Management Technology, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China; Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Qikun Yang
- Key Laboratory of Ocean Space Resource Management Technology, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China; Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Kecheng Qiu
- Key Laboratory of Ocean Space Resource Management Technology, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China; Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China
| | - Fahim Ullah Khan
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Zhihan Tu
- International Research Center for Marine Biosciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Ministry of Science and Technology, College of Fisheries and Life Science, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Baoying Guo
- National Engineering Research Center for Marine Aquaculture, Marine Science and Technology College, Zhejiang Ocean University, Zhoushan 316022, China
| | - Wei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Ocean Space Resource Management Technology, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China; Key Laboratory of Satellite Ocean Environment Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, China.
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Harikrishnan T, Sivakumar P, Sivakumar S, Arumugam S, Raman T, Singaram G, Thangavelu M, Kim W, Muthusamy G. Effect of microfibers induced toxicity in marine sedentary polychaete Hydroides elegans: Insight from embryogenesis axis. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167579. [PMID: 37797759 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167579] [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: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 10/07/2023]
Abstract
Presence of surgical face masks in the environment are more than ever before after the COVID-19 pandemic, and it poses a newer threat to aquatic habitats around the world due to microfibers (MFs) and other contaminants that get discharged when these masks deteriorate. The mechanism behind the developmental toxicity of MFs, especially released from surgical masks, on the early life stages of aquatic organisms are not well understood. Toxicity test were developed to examine the effects of MFs released from surgical facemask upon deterioration using the early gametes and early life stages of marine sedentary polychaete Hydroides elegans. For MFs release, cut pieces of face masks were allowed to degrade in seawater for different time points (1 day, 30 days and 120 days) after which the fibers were obtained for further toxicity studies. The gametes of H. elegans were exposed to the MFs (length < 20 μm) separately for 20 min at a concentration of 50 MFs/ml before fertilization. In addition, we also analyzed the experimental samples for heavy metals and organic substances released from face masks. Our findings demonstrated that gametes exposed to MFs affected the percentage of successful development, considerably slowed down the mitotic cell division and significantly postponed the time of larval hatching and also produced an adverse effect during embryogenesis. When the sperm were exposed fertilization rate was decreased drastically, whereas when the eggs were exposed to MFs fertilization was not inhibited but a delay in early embryonic development observed. In addition the release of heavy metals and other volatile organics from the degrading face masks could also contribute to overall toxicity of these materials in environment. Our study thus shows that inappropriately discarded face masks and MFs and other pollutants released from such face masks could pose long-term hazard to coastal ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thilagam Harikrishnan
- Postgraduate and Research Department of Zoology, Pachaiyappa's College for Men, Chennai 600 030, India.
| | - Priya Sivakumar
- Postgraduate and Research Department of Zoology, Pachaiyappa's College for Men, Chennai 600 030, India
| | - Swetha Sivakumar
- Department of Biotechnology, Prince Venkateswara Arts and Science College, Chennai 600 073, India
| | - Sriramajayam Arumugam
- Postgraduate and Research Department of Zoology, Pachaiyappa's College for Men, Chennai 600 030, India
| | - Thiagarajan Raman
- Department of Zoology, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda College (Autonomous), Chennai 600 004, India
| | - Gopalakrishnan Singaram
- Department of Biotechnology, Dwaraka Doss Goverdhan Doss Vaishnav College, Chennai 600106, India
| | - Muthukumar Thangavelu
- Dept BIN Convergence Tech, Dept PolymerNano Sci & Tech, Jeonbuk National University, 567 Baekje-dearo, Deokjin, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Woong Kim
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, South Korea
| | - Govarthanan Muthusamy
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kyungpook National University, Daehak-ro, Buk-gu, Daegu 41566, South Korea; Department of Biomaterials, Saveetha Dental College and Hospital, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Saveetha University, Chennai 600 077, India.
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Wang M, Yang J, Zheng S, Jia L, Yong ZY, Yong EL, See HH, Li J, Lv Y, Fei X, Fang M. Unveiling the Microfiber Release Footprint: Guiding Control Strategies in the Textile Production Industry. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:21038-21049. [PMID: 38064758 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c06210] [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: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic fibers from textiles have been known to significantly contribute to marine microplastic pollution. However, little is known about the microfiber formation and discharge during textile production. In this study, we have quantified microfiber emissions from one large and representative textile factory during different stages, spanning seven different materials, including cotton, polyester, and blended fabrics, to further guide control strategies. Wet-processing steps released up to 25 times more microfibers than home laundering, with dyeing contributing to 95.0% of the total emissions. Microfiber release could be reduced by using white coloring, a lower dyeing temperature, and a shorter dyeing duration. Thinner, denser yarns increased microfiber pollution, whereas using tightly twisted fibers mitigated release. Globally, wet textile processing potentially produced 6.4 kt of microfibers in 2020, with China, India, and the US as significant contributors. The study underlined the environmental impact of textile production and the need for mitigation strategies, particularly in dyeing processes and fiber choice. In addition, no significant difference was observed between the virgin polyesters and the used ones. Replacing virgin fibers with recycled fibers in polyester fabrics, due to their increasing consumption, might offer another potential solution. The findings highlighted the substantial impact of textile production on microfiber released into the environment, and optimization of material selection, knitting technologies, production processing, and recycled materials could be effective mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjing Wang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Junjie Yang
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Siwen Zheng
- School of Energy and Environment and State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Kowloon, Hong Kong 999077, China
| | - Linran Jia
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Zhi Yuan Yong
- Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Water Security (IPASA), Research Institute for Sustainable Environment (RISE), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UTM, Johor Bahru 81310, Malaysia
- Department of Water and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UTM, Johor Bahru 81310, Malaysia
| | - Ee Ling Yong
- Centre for Environmental Sustainability and Water Security (IPASA), Research Institute for Sustainable Environment (RISE), Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UTM, Johor Bahru 81310, Malaysia
- Department of Water and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Civil Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UTM, Johor Bahru 81310, Malaysia
| | - Hong Heng See
- Centre for Sustainable Nanomaterials, Ibnu Sina Institute for Scientific and Industrial Research, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, UTM, Johor Bahru 81310, Malaysia
| | - Jiuwei Li
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Yunbo Lv
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Xunchang Fei
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
| | - Mingliang Fang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Fudan University, Shanghai 200433, China
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 639798, Singapore
- Institute of Eco-Chongming, Shanghai 200241, China
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35
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Mallick K, Sahu A, Dubey NK, Das AP. Harvesting marine plastic pollutants-derived renewable energy: A comprehensive review on applied energy and sustainable approach. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 348:119371. [PMID: 37925980 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.119371] [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: 05/24/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
The inevitable use of plastics in the existing standard of life makes its way to ecosystems, predominantly into the marine ecosystem. Recent research on energy recycling from marine discarded plastics through biological, chemical, and thermal processes is summarized, which degrade plastic debris and transform it into energy-efficient products. In a system-oriented approach, different boundaries like carbon efficiency, global warming potential, cumulative energy demand, and cost of the product have been evaluated. Even these technologies may successfully reduce the yearly volume of marine plastics by up to 89% while reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30%. Conversely, recycling a ton of marine discarded plastics may save 915 cubic feet of landfill space, 6500 kWh of energy, and barrels of oil. Energy may be recovered up to 79% from waste plastics using various techniques. Up to 84% liquid fuel had been generated, with a maximum calorific power of 45 MJ/kg. It has been shown that in Asian countries, the power generation capacity of throw-away facemask wastes regularly varies from 2256 kWh/day to 18.52 million kWh/day. Hence, the conversion of marine plastics into biofuel, syngas, biochar, hydrocarbons, electricity, and value-added functional materials by various biotechnological and chemical processes like biodegradation, pyrolysis, gasification, methanolysis, and hydrolysis should be improvised as a source of alternative energy in the immediate future. Our review signifies the potential benefits of energy harvesting technologies from marine plastics pollutants to overcome the growing challenge of energy demands and provide a long-term solution to underdeveloped and developing countries as a sustainable source of energy. Endorsing current strategies to harvest energy from marine plastic wastes that enhance power generation technologies will help in building a more sustainable and greener environment that imparts a healthy and circular economy while shielding natural resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krishnamayee Mallick
- Department of Life Sciences, Rama Devi Women's University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Aishwarya Sahu
- Department of Life Sciences, Rama Devi Women's University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | | | - Alok Prasad Das
- Department of Life Sciences, Rama Devi Women's University, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
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Mishra S, Ghosh S, van Hullebusch ED, Singh S, Das AP. A Critical Review on the Recovery of Base and Critical Elements from Electronic Waste-Contaminated Streams Using Microbial Biotechnology. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2023; 195:7859-7888. [PMID: 36988841 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-023-04440-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 03/30/2023]
Abstract
Pollution by end-of-life electronics is a rapid ever-increasing threat and is a universal concern with production of million metric tons of these wastes per annum. Electronic wastes (E-waste) are rejected electric or electronic equipment which have no other applications. The aggrandized unproper land filling of E-waste may generate hazardous effects on living organisms and ecosystem. At present, millions of tons of E-waste await the advancement of more efficient and worthwhile recycling techniques. Recovery of base and critical elements from electronic scraps will not only reduce the mining of these elements from natural resources but also reduces the contamination caused by the hazardous chemicals (mostly organic micropollutants) released from these wastes when unproperly disposed of. Bioleaching is reported to be the most eco-friendly process for metal recycling from spent electronic goods. A detailed investigation of microbial biodiversity and a molecular understanding of the metabolic pathways of bioleaching microorganisms will play a vital function in extraction of valuable minerals from the end-of-life scraps. Bioleaching technique as an economic and green technology costs around 7 USD per kg for effective reusing of E-waste as compared to other physical and chemical techniques. This review provides a summary of worldwide scenario of electronic pollutants; generation, composition and hazardous components of electronic waste; recycling of valuable elements through bioleaching; mechanism of bioleaching; microorganisms involved in base and critical element recovery from E-waste; commercial bioleaching operations; and upcoming aspects of this eco-friendly technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sunanda Mishra
- Department of Botany, College of Basic Science and Humanities, Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology, Bhubaneswar, 751003, Odisha, India
| | | | - Eric D van Hullebusch
- Université Paris Cité, Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, CNRS, 75005, Paris, France
| | - Shikha Singh
- Department of Life Sciences, Rama Devi Women's University, 751022, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India
| | - Alok Prasad Das
- Department of Life Sciences, Rama Devi Women's University, 751022, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India.
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Sol D, Solís-Balbín C, Laca A, Laca A, Díaz M. A standard analytical approach and establishing criteria for microplastic concentrations in wastewater, drinking water and tap water. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 899:165356. [PMID: 37422236 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165356] [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: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) in natural water bodies reflects the global issue regarding these micropollutants. The main problem of MPs lies on the difficulty of removing these particles from water during wastewater and drinking water treatments. The release of MPs to the environment in treated wastewater contributed to the dispersion of these micropollutants, which enhances the harmful effect of MPs on fauna and flora. In addition, their presence in tap water entails a potential risk to human health since MPs can be directly consumed. The first step is being able to quantify and characterise these microparticles accurately. In this work, a comprehensive analysis on the presence of MPs in wastewater, drinking water and tap water has been conducted with emphasis on sampling methods, pre-treatment, MP size and analytical methods. Based on literature data, a standard experimental procedure has been proposed with the objective of recommending a methodology that allows the homogenisation of MP analysis in water samples. Finally, reported MP concentrations for influents and effluents of drinking and wastewater treatment plants and tap water have been analysed, in terms of abundance, ranges and average values, and a tentative classification of different waters based on their MP concentrations is proposed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Sol
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, C/ Julián Clavería s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Carmen Solís-Balbín
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, C/ Julián Clavería s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Amanda Laca
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, C/ Julián Clavería s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Adriana Laca
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, C/ Julián Clavería s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain
| | - Mario Díaz
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, University of Oviedo, C/ Julián Clavería s/n, 33006 Oviedo, Spain.
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Lefebvre C, Le Bihanic F, Jalón-Rojas I, Dusacre E, Chassaigne-Viscaïno L, Bichon J, Clérandeau C, Morin B, Lecomte S, Cachot J. Spatial distribution of anthropogenic particles and microplastics in a meso-tidal lagoon (Arcachon Bay, France): A multi-compartment approach. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 898:165460. [PMID: 37454851 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Assessment of microplastic (MP) contamination is still needed to evaluate this threat correctly and tackle this issue. Here, MP contamination was assessed for a meso-tidal lagoon of the Atlantic coast (Arcachon Bay, France). Sea surface, water column, intertidal sediments and wild oysters were sampled. Five different stations were studied to assess the spatial distribution of the contamination. Two were outside of the bay and three were inside the bay (from the inlet to the back). A distinction was made between all anthropogenic particles (AP, i.e. visually sorted) and MP (i.e. plastic polymer confirmed by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy). The length of particles recovered in this study ranged between 17 μm and 5 mm. Concentration and composition in sea surface and water column samples showed spatial variations while sediment and oyster samples did not. At outside stations, the sea surface and the water column presented a blended composition regarding shapes and polymers and low to high concentrations (e.g. 0.16 ± 0.08 MP.m-3 and 561.7 ± 68.5 MP.m-3, respectively for sea surface and water column), which can be due to coastal processes and nearby input sources. The inlet station displayed a well-marked pattern only at the sea surface. High AP and MP concentrations were recorded, and fragments along with polyethylene overwhelmed (respectively 76.0 % and 73.2 %). Higher surface currents could explain this pattern. At the bay back, AP and MP concentrations were lower and fibers were mainly recorded. Weaker hydrodynamics in this area was suspected to drive this contamination profile. Overall, fragments and buoyant particles were mainly detected at the sea surface while fibers and negatively buoyant particles prevailed in other compartments. Most of the studied samples presented an important contribution of fiber-shaped particles (from 31.5 % to 94.2 %). Finally, contamination was ubiquitous as AP and MP were found at all stations in all sample types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Lefebvre
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France; Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, F-33600 Pessac, France.
| | - Florane Le Bihanic
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Isabel Jalón-Rojas
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Edgar Dusacre
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | | | - Jeyan Bichon
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | | | - Bénédicte Morin
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Sophie Lecomte
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Jérôme Cachot
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France.
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Liu H, Wu Y, Wang Z. Long-term exposure to polystyrene nanoparticles at environmentally relevant concentration causes suppression in heme homeostasis signal associated with transgenerational toxicity induction in Caenorhabditis elegans. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 459:132124. [PMID: 37499489 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132124] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 07/12/2023] [Accepted: 07/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
Heme homeostasis related signaling participates in inducing a protective response when controlling nanopolystyrene toxic effects in parental generation. However, whether the heme homeostasis signal is involved in regulation of transgenerational toxicity of nanopolystyrene toxicity is still unclear. Herein, with the model organism of Caenorhabditis elegans, 0.1-10 μg/L nanopolystyrene particles (PS-NPs) at 20-nm treatment downregulated glb-18, and the decrease was also discovered in the offspring following PS-NPs exposure. Germline glb-18 RNAi induced susceptive property to transgenerational PS-NPs toxicity, suggesting that a decreased GLB-18 level mediated induction of transgenerational toxicity. Importantly, germline GLB-18 transgenerationally activated the function of intestinal HRG-4 in controlling transgenerational PS-NPs toxicity. In transgenerational toxicity control, HRG-1/ATFS-1/HSP-6 was recognized to be the downstream pathway of HRG-4. Briefly, germline GLB-18 in P0 generation can transgenerationally activate the downstream intestinal HRG-4/HRG-1/ATFS-1/HSP-6 pathway among offspring for controlling the transgenerational toxicity of PS-NPs. Findings in the present work strengthens the possible association of heme homeostasis signal changes with transgenerational nanoplastic toxicity within the organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huanliang Liu
- Environment and Health Research Division, Public Health Research Center, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, China; Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Yu Wu
- Environment and Health Research Division, Public Health Research Center, Wuxi School of Medicine, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, Jiangsu, China
| | - Zhenyu Wang
- Institute of Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, School of Environmental and Civil Engineering, Jiangsu Engineering Laboratory for Biomass Energy and Carbon Reduction Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Anaerobic Biotechnology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China.
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Nuamah F, Tulashie SK, Debrah JS, Pèlèbè ROE. Microplastics in the Gulf of Guinea: An analysis of concentrations and distribution in sediments, gills, and guts of fish collected off the coast of Ghana. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 234:116567. [PMID: 37422113 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) accumulate in marine environments, impacting marine organism health. This study examined MPs in sediment and two pelagic fish species (S. maderensis and I. africana) in Ghana's Gulf of Guinea. The study found an average concentration of 0.144 ± 0.061 items/g (dry weight) in the sediment, with pellets and transparent particles being the most common types. The concentration of MPs in contaminated fish ranged from 8.35 to 20.95, with fibers and pellets being the most abundant plastic-type in fish. Individual organ concentrations of MPs varied. In fish gills, concentrations ranged from 1 to 26 MPs/individual for I. africana and 1-22 MPs/individual for S. maderensis. Concentrations in the fish guts ranged from 1 to 29 MPs/individual for I. africana and 2-24 MPs/individual for S. maderensis. Results from the study highlight the importance of both gills and guts as important organs in terms of microplastic contamination and emphasize the significance of monitoring microplastic contamination in fish gills and guts. This offers valuable insight into the impact of MPs on the marine environment and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francis Nuamah
- Centre for Coastal Management (Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience, ACECoR), University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Cape Coast, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, School of Physical Sciences, Chemistry Department, Industrial Chemistry Unit, Cape Coast, Ghana
| | - Samuel Kofi Tulashie
- Centre for Coastal Management (Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience, ACECoR), University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana; University of Cape Coast, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, School of Physical Sciences, Chemistry Department, Industrial Chemistry Unit, Cape Coast, Ghana.
| | - Joseph Sefah Debrah
- University of Cape Coast, College of Agriculture and Natural Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Department of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences, Ghana
| | - Rodrigue Orobiyi Edéya Pèlèbè
- Centre for Coastal Management (Africa Centre of Excellence in Coastal Resilience, ACECoR), University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast, Ghana; Research Laboratory in Aquaculture and Aquatic Ecotoxicology (LaRAEAq), Faculty of Agronomy, University of Parakou, Parakou, Benin
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Jessica, Cheng S, Cross JS. Effects of virgin and BaP-adsorbed microplastics ingestion by Manila clams (Ruditapes philippinarum). ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2023; 103:104259. [PMID: 37660959 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2023.104259] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Revised: 08/26/2023] [Accepted: 08/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2023]
Abstract
Numerous microplastic-related studies have investigated the impact of plastic materials on the marine food chain. In this study, Manila clams were exposed to microplastic (MP) of various polymer types, shapes, and concentrations to determine the ingestion selectivity and adverse effects caused. Benzo[a]pyrene was introduced as the second stressor to investigate the role of MP as a vector of contaminant. The result of a 2-day acute exposure showed that clams are more likely to ingest those in sphere shapes due to their similarity to microalgae. The feeding rate continuously declined when clams were exposed to at least 2to/L particles. Additionally, co-exposure of MP and B[a]P resulted in higher DNA fragmentation but lower catalase activity compared to single exposure to MP. Our study revealed that the uptake of MP by clams is not only determined by its shape and concentration but also by the presence of existing contaminants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica
- Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 I4-13 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Shuo Cheng
- Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 I4-13 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan.
| | - Jeffrey Scott Cross
- Department of Transdisciplinary Science and Engineering, School of Environment and Society, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1 I4-13 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
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Das AP, Mohanty AK, van Hullebusch ED, Figueiredo G. Bioremediation as an emerging technology for the removal of synthetic microplastic pollutants from marine ecosystem. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 194:115297. [PMID: 37487338 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/26/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Alok Prasad Das
- Department of Life Sciences, Rama Devi Women's University, Odisha, India.
| | - Amar K Mohanty
- Department of Plant Agriculture and School of Engineering, Bioproducts Discovery & Development Centre (BDDC), University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada
| | | | - Gisela Figueiredo
- Department of Marine Biology, Federal University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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Thrift E, Nouvellet P, Mathews F. Plastic Entanglement Poses a Potential Hazard to European Hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus in Great Britain. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2448. [PMID: 37570257 PMCID: PMC10417105 DOI: 10.3390/ani13152448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
A questionnaire to gather evidence on the plastic entanglement of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) was sent to 160 wildlife rehabilitation centres in Great Britain. Fifty-four responses were received, and 184 individual admissions owing to plastic entanglement were reported. Death was the outcome for 46% (n = 86) of these cases. A high proportion of Britain's hedgehogs enter rehabilitation centres annually (approximately 5% of the national population and potentially 10% of the urban population), providing a robust basis for assessing the minimum impacts at a national level. We estimate that 4000-7000 hedgehog deaths per year are attributable to plastic, with the true rate likely being higher, since many entangled hedgehogs-in contrast to those involved in road traffic accidents-will not be found. Population modelling indicates that this excess mortality is sufficient to cause population declines. Although the scale of the impact is much lower than that attributable to traffic, it is nevertheless an additional pressure on a species that is already in decline and presents a significant welfare issue to a large number of individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fiona Mathews
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RH, UK; (E.T.); (P.N.)
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Qiu SQ, Huang GY, Li XP, Lei DQ, Wang CS, Ying GG. Endocrine disruptor responses in the embryos of marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) after exposure to aged plastic leachates. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 261:106635. [PMID: 37478585 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2023] [Revised: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/12/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
The issue of the additives leached from plastics has attracted widespread attention. More crucially, endocrine disruptor status for several leached additives has been established. However, little is known about the overall endocrine disrupting effects of aged plastic leachates. Therefore, the transcriptional responses of endocrine-related genes were assessed in the embryos of marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma), which were exposed to the leachates from aged plastics that were immersed into the simulated seawater (SW) or fish digest (FD). The results revealed that there was a great difference between the SW and FD leachates in the transcripts of endocrine-related genes. With the exception of cyp1a, all target genes had their transcripts potentially down-regulated by the FD leachates. Chgl (a biomarker for estrogens), pparβ (related to lipid metabolism), and cyp19a (related to sexual differentiation and reproduction) transcripts tended to be repressed by the SW leachates, while pparα, pparγ and cyp1a (mediating metabolism of xenobiotics) transcripts were stimulated. In addition, a redundancy analysis was carried out to determine the relationship between the leached additives and the transcriptional changes. However, the additives only partially explained the variation in the transcripts of endocrine-related genes (24.8%), indicating that other leached additives may have an impact on target gene transcription. This study provided molecular evidence of the aged plastic leachates' endocrine disrupting effects. Exploring the primary factors that affect the transcriptional alterations would require more research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shu-Qing Qiu
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, University Town, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guo-Yong Huang
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, University Town, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
| | - Xiao-Pei Li
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, University Town, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Dong-Qiao Lei
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, University Town, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chen-Si Wang
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, University Town, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Guang-Guo Ying
- SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, University Town, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China
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Yadav S, Kataria N, Khyalia P, Rose PK, Mukherjee S, Sabherwal H, Chai WS, Rajendran S, Jiang JJ, Khoo KS. Recent analytical techniques, and potential eco-toxicological impacts of textile fibrous microplastics (FMPs) and associated contaminates: A review. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 326:138495. [PMID: 36963588 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138495] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 03/05/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Despite of our growing understanding of microplastic's implications, research on the effects of fibrous microplastic (FMPs) on the environment is still in its infancy. Some scientists have hypothesized the possibility of natural textile fibres, which may act as one of the emerging environmental pollutants prevalent among microplastic pollutants in the environment. Therefore, this review aims to critically evaluate the toxic effects of emerging FMPs, the presence, and sources of FMPs in the environment, identification and analytical techniques, and the potential impact or toxicity of the FMPs on the environment and human health. About175 publications (2011-2023) based on FMPs were identified and critically reviewed for transportation, analysis and ecotoxicological behaviours of FMPs in the environment. Textile industries, wastewater treatment plants, and household washing of clothes are significant sources of FMPs. In addition, various characterization techniques (e.g., FTIR, SEM, RAMAN, TGA, microscope, and X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy) commonly used for the identification and analysis of FMPs are also discussed, which justifies the novelty aspects of this review. FMPs are pollutants of emerging concern due to their prevalence and persistence in the environment. FMPs are also found in the food chain, which is an alarming situation for living organisms, including effects on the nervous system, digestive system, circulatory system, and genetic alteration. This review will provide readers with a comparison of different analytical techniques, which will be helpful for researchers to select the appropriate analytical techniques for their study and enhance their knowledge about the harmful effects of FMPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sangita Yadav
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guru Jambheswar University of Science &Technology, Hisar, 125001, Haryana, India
| | - Navish Kataria
- Department of Environmental Sciences, J. C. Bose University of Science and Technology, YMCA, Faridabad, 121006, Haryana, India.
| | - Pradeep Khyalia
- Department of Environmental Science, Maharshi Dayanand University, Rohtak, 124001, Haryana, India
| | - Pawan Kumar Rose
- Department of Energy and Environmental Sciences, Chaudhary Devi Lal University, Sirsa, 125055, Haryana, India
| | - Santanu Mukherjee
- Shoolini University of Biotechnology and Management Sciences, Sultanpur, Solan, Himachal Pradesh, 173229, India
| | - Himani Sabherwal
- Department of Environmental Sciences, J. C. Bose University of Science and Technology, YMCA, Faridabad, 121006, Haryana, India
| | - Wai Siong Chai
- Department of Mechanical and Electro-Mechanical Engineering, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan
| | - Saravanan Rajendran
- Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Tarapaca, Avda. General Velasquez, 1775, Arica, Chile
| | - Jheng-Jie Jiang
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, 320314, Taiwan; Centre for Environment Risk Management (CERM), Chung Yuan Christian University, Taoyuan, 320314, Taiwan
| | - Kuan Shiong Khoo
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Yuan Ze University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Biotechnology, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences, Chennai, 602105, India; Centre for Research and Graduate Studies, University of Cyberjaya, Persiaran Bestari, 63000, Cyberjaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
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Rashid ME, Haque RU, Khan MR, Uddin MB, Khan ZI, Islam MA, Kanon TA, Tonmoy MW. Implementation of jute-based nose holder in surgical masks to reduce plastic contamination. Heliyon 2023; 9:e16434. [PMID: 37260882 PMCID: PMC10210824 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e16434] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2022] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Plastic, in all its forms, always harms the environment, humans, and other living organisms. The coronavirus situation exacerbates the use of plastic products more than at any other time, of which surgical masks contribute to plastic pollution the most. These masks spread to terrestrial and aquatic environments, where they break down into even more noxious microplastics. These microplastics enter the human food chain through water and fish, causing severe damage to the lungs, kidneys, and intestines and even causing death. In this paper, a jute nose holder mask was prepared as an alternative to typical masks to reduce plastic pollution. The jute nose holder was produced with a modified jute flyer-spinning frame machine, where jute was used as the sheath and metal wire was applied as the core component. The nose holder was later coated with starch-based natural gum. Then, the non-woven fabric of 75 grams per square meter (GSM), and the jute nose holder were used to produce the alternative, environmentally friendly mask, which might reduce the 773 tons of plastic waste generated daily from the nose holder of the mask. This alternative mask was then distributed to 900 people for a survey to find out their opinion. From the results of the survey, it is seen that 82.6% of people felt no problem in the nose when they put on the given mask. 85.6% considered the mask more comfortable than the traditional mask, and it was rated above average by 79.8% of the surveyors. So, this study suggests that the given mask can be a sustainable alternative to traditional masks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md. Ehsanur Rashid
- Department of Yarn Engineering, Bangladesh University of Textiles, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Raihan Ul Haque
- Department of Yarn Engineering, Bangladesh University of Textiles, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Rubel Khan
- Department of Yarn Engineering, Bangladesh University of Textiles, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Bashar Uddin
- Department of Yarn Engineering, Bangladesh University of Textiles, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Zahidul Islam Khan
- Department of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, East West University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Atikul Islam
- Department of Yarn Engineering, Bangladesh University of Textiles, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Towfik Aziz Kanon
- Department of Yarn Engineering, Bangladesh University of Textiles, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Washique Tonmoy
- Department of Apparel Engineering, Bangladesh University of Textiles, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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47
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Concato M, Panti C, Baini M, Galli M, Giani D, Fossi MC. Detection of anthropogenic fibres in marine organisms: Knowledge gaps and methodological issues. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 191:114949. [PMID: 37119585 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2022] [Revised: 04/03/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
Most studies examining the occurrence of plastics and microplastics in marine organisms have identified anthropogenic fibres, of natural and synthetic origin, as the most commonly occurring category. Anthropogenic fibres may have been chemically treated with additives making them more persistent and a potential threat to marine organisms. However, fibres have often been excluded from analytical data for the difficulties related to the sampling and analytical procedures, including potential overestimation of the results due to airborne contamination. This review aimed to collect and analyse all studies focusing on the interaction between anthropogenic fibres and marine organisms worldwide, highlighting critical issues that need to be overcome for the analysis fibres on marine organisms. Furthermore, emphasis was placed on the species studied in the Mediterranean Sea, which is particularly affected by this type of pollution. Overall, this review shows that fibre pollution is an underestimated threat to marine organisms and that a specific, harmonised protocol for the analysis of different anthropogenic fibres needs to be developed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margherita Concato
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Cristina Panti
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy.
| | - Matteo Baini
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Matteo Galli
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Dario Giani
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Fossi
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, Via P.A. Mattioli, 4, 53100 Siena, Italy
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48
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Devereux R, Ayati B, Westhead EK, Jayaratne R, Newport D. "The great source" microplastic abundance and characteristics along the river Thames. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 191:114965. [PMID: 37119584 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2022] [Revised: 04/05/2023] [Accepted: 04/15/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
This study focused on quantifying the abundance of microplastics within the surface water of the River Thames, UK. Ten sites in eight areas were sampled within the tidal Thames, starting from Teddington and ending at Southend-on-Sea. Three litres of water was collected monthly at high tide from land-based structures from each site from May 2019 to May 2021. Samples underwent visual analysis for microplastics categorised based on type, colour and size. 1041 pieces were tested using Fourier transform spectroscopy to identify chemical composition and polymer type. 6401 pieces of MP were found during sampling with an average MP of 12.27 pieces L-1 along the river Thames. Results from this study show that microplastic abundance does not increase along the river.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ria Devereux
- Sustainability Research Institute (SRI), University of East London, Knowledge Dock, Docklands Campus, 4-6 University Way, London E16 2RD, United Kingdom.
| | - Bamdad Ayati
- Sustainability Research Institute (SRI), University of East London, Knowledge Dock, Docklands Campus, 4-6 University Way, London E16 2RD, United Kingdom
| | | | - Ravindra Jayaratne
- Department of Engineering & Construction, University of East London, Docklands Campus, 4-6 University Way, London E16 2RD, United Kingdom
| | - Darryl Newport
- Suffolk Sustainability Research Institute (SSI), University of Suffolk, Waterfront Building, Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 1QJ, United Kingdom
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Détrée C, Labbé C, Paul-Pont I, Prado E, El Rawke M, Thomas L, Delorme N, Le Goic N, Huvet A. On the horns of a dilemma: Evaluation of synthetic and natural textile microfibre effects on the physiology of the pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023:121861. [PMID: 37245792 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Abstract
Fast fashion and our daily use of fibrous materials cause a massive release of microfibres (MF) into the oceans. Although MF pollution is commonly linked to plastics, the vast majority of collected MF are made from natural materials (e.g. cellulose). We investigated the effects of 96-h exposure to natural (wool, cotton, organic cotton) and synthetic (acrylic, nylon, polyester) textile MF and their associated chemical additives on the capacity of Pacific oysters Crassostrea gigas to ingest MF and the effects of MF and their leachates on key molecular and cellular endpoints. Digestive and glycolytic enzyme activities and immune and detoxification responses were determined at cellular (haemocyte viability, ROS production, ABC pump activity) and molecular (Ikb1, Ikb2, caspase 1 and EcSOD expression) levels, considering environmentally relevant (10 MF L-1) and worst-case scenarios (10 000 MF L-1). Ingestion of natural MF perturbed oyster digestive and immune functions, but synthetic MF had few effects, supposedly related with fibers weaving rather than the material itself. No concentration effects were found, suggesting that an environmental dose of MF is sufficient to trigger these responses. Leachate exposure had minimal effects on oyster physiology. These results suggest that the manufacture of the fibres and their characteristics could be the major factors of MF toxicity and stress the need to consider both natural and synthetic particles and their leachates to thoroughly evaluate the impact of anthropogenic debris. Environmental Implication. Microfibres (MF) are omnipresent in the world oceans with around 2 million tons released every year, resulting in their ingestion by a wide array of marine organisms. In the ocean, a domination of natural MF- representing more than 80% of collected fibres-over synthetic ones was observed. Despite MF pervasiveness, research on their impact on marine organisms, is still in its infancy. The current study aims to investigate the effects of environmental concentrations of both synthetic and natural textile MF and their associated leachates on a model filter feeder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Camille Détrée
- Laboratoire des Sciences de L'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), UBO, CNRS, IFREMER, IRD, ZI de La Pointe Du Diable, CS 10070, 29280, Plouzané, France.
| | - Clémentine Labbé
- Laboratoire des Sciences de L'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), UBO, CNRS, IFREMER, IRD, ZI de La Pointe Du Diable, CS 10070, 29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Ika Paul-Pont
- Laboratoire des Sciences de L'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), UBO, CNRS, IFREMER, IRD, ZI de La Pointe Du Diable, CS 10070, 29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Enora Prado
- Ifremer, Laboratoire Détection, Capteurs et Mesures (LDCM), Centre Bretagne, ZI de La Pointe Du Diable, CS 10070, 29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Maria El Rawke
- Ifremer, Laboratoire Détection, Capteurs et Mesures (LDCM), Centre Bretagne, ZI de La Pointe Du Diable, CS 10070, 29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Lena Thomas
- Laboratoire des Sciences de L'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), UBO, CNRS, IFREMER, IRD, ZI de La Pointe Du Diable, CS 10070, 29280, Plouzané, France; Ifremer, Laboratoire Détection, Capteurs et Mesures (LDCM), Centre Bretagne, ZI de La Pointe Du Diable, CS 10070, 29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Nicolas Delorme
- Institut des Molécules et Matériaux Du Mans, UMR,, CNRS-Le Mans Université, Av. O. Messiaen, 72085, 6283, Le Mans, Cedex 9, France
| | - Nelly Le Goic
- Laboratoire des Sciences de L'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), UBO, CNRS, IFREMER, IRD, ZI de La Pointe Du Diable, CS 10070, 29280, Plouzané, France
| | - Arnaud Huvet
- Laboratoire des Sciences de L'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), UBO, CNRS, IFREMER, IRD, ZI de La Pointe Du Diable, CS 10070, 29280, Plouzané, France
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50
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Cummins AM, Malekpour AK, Smith AJ, Lonsdale S, Dean JR, Lant NJ. Impact of vented and condenser tumble dryers on waterborne and airborne microfiber pollution. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0285548. [PMID: 37224145 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0285548] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 04/25/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Laundering of textiles is a significant source of waterborne microfiber pollution, and solutions are now being sought to mitigate this issue including improvements in clothing technology and integration of filtration systems into washing machines. Vented tumble dryers are a potential source of airborne microfiber pollution, as their built-in lint filtration systems have been found to be inefficient with significant quantities of textile microfibers being released to the external environment through their exhaust air ducts. The present study is the first to evaluate the impact of condenser dryers, finding that they are significant contributors to waterborne microfiber pollution from the lint filter (if users clean this with water), the condenser and the condensed water. Microfiber release from drying of real consumer loads in condenser and vented tumble dryers was compared, finding that real loads release surprisingly high levels of microfibers (total 341.5 ± 126.0 ppm for those dried in a condenser dryer and 256.0 ± 74.2 ppm for those dried in a vented dryer), similar in quantity to microfibers produced during the first highly-shedding drying cycle of a new T-shirt load (total 321.4 ± 11.2 ppm) in a condenser dryer. Vented dryers were found to be significant contributors to waterborne microfiber pollution if consumers clean the lint filter with water in accordance with some published appliance usage instructions, as most (86.1 ± 5.5% for the real consumer loads tested) of the microfibers generated during vented tumble drying were collected on the lint filter. Therefore, tumble dryers are a significant source of waterborne and (for vented dryers) airborne microfiber pollution. While reducing the pore size of tumble dryer lint filters and instructing consumers to dispose of fibers collected on lint filters as municipal solid waste could help reduce the issue, more sophisticated engineering solutions will likely be required to achieve a more comprehensive solution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amber M Cummins
- Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Adam K Malekpour
- Procter & Gamble, Newcastle Innovation Center, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Andrew J Smith
- Procter & Gamble, Newcastle Innovation Center, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Suzanne Lonsdale
- Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - John R Dean
- Department of Applied Sciences, Northumbria University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Neil J Lant
- Procter & Gamble, Newcastle Innovation Center, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| |
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