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Qualhato G, Cirqueira Dias F, Rocha TL. Hazardous effects of plastic microfibres from facial masks to aquatic animal health: Insights from zebrafish model. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 951:175555. [PMID: 39168327 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175555] [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: 06/13/2024] [Revised: 07/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024]
Abstract
Facial masks are a source of plastic microfibres (PMFs) in the aquatic environment, an emerging risk factor for aquatic organisms. However, little is known concerning its impact during the early developmental stages of fish. Thus, the current study aimed to evaluate the potential interaction and developmental toxicity of PMFs derived from leachate of surgical masks (SC-Msk) and N-95 facial masks (N95-Msk) using a multi-biomarker approach in developing zebrafish (Danio rerio). PMFs from both facial masks were obtained and characterized by multiple techniques. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to environmentally relevant concentrations of PMFs from both facial masks (1000, 10,000, and 100,000 particle L-1), and the toxicity was analysed in terms of mortality, hatching rate, neurotoxicity, cardiotoxicity, morphological changes, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, cell viability, and behavioural impairments. The results showed that both facial masks can release PMFs, but the N95-Msk produced a higher concentration of PMFs than SC-Msk. Both PMFs can interact with zebrafish chorion and don't cause effects on embryo mortality and hatching; however, zebrafish embryos showed cardiotoxic effects, and larvae showed increased agitation, average speed, and distance travelled, indicating the behavioural impairments induced by PMFs derived from facial masks. Overall, results showed the risk of PMFs to the health of freshwater fish, indicating the need for greater attention to the disposal and ecotoxicological effects of facial masks on aquatic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Qualhato
- Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil; Department of Morphology, Institute of Biological Sciences, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Felipe Cirqueira Dias
- Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil
| | - Thiago Lopes Rocha
- Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology, Institute of Tropical Pathology and Public Health, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil.
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2
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Rangel-Buitrago N, Galgani F, Nicoll K, Neal WJ. Rethinking geological concepts in the age of plastic pollution. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 950:175366. [PMID: 39127201 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2024] [Revised: 07/25/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/12/2024]
Abstract
This paper attempts to reevaluate traditional geological classifications from sedimentology to stratigraphy as well as the concept of the Holocene/Anthropocene epochs, characterized by the widespread integration of plastics into sedimentary environments. This paper presents a set of novel insights into the interactions between synthetic materials and natural geological processes. We illustrate how plastics not only disrupt sedimentary dynamics and alter the composition of rocks and soils, creating new forms of pollution and also pose escalated threats to marine biodiversity through altered erosion, transport, and deposition patterns. We highlight the emerging role of plastics as distinctive stratigraphic markers, providing a different perspective on human environmental impacts. This analysis challenges the traditional perception of rocks as solely natural, inorganic formations and highlights the critical need for interdisciplinary approaches that meld geology, chemistry, and environmental science. The document calls for intensified research to develop effective strategies for managing these impacts and promotes innovative conservation techniques that address both the symptoms and sources of plastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programa de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia.
| | - Francois Galgani
- Unité Ressources marines en Polynésie Francaise, Institut français de Recherche Pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (Ifremer), BP 49, Vairao, Tahiti, French Polynesia
| | - Kathleen Nicoll
- Department of Geography, The University of Utah, 260 Central Campus Dr #4625, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - William J Neal
- Department of Geology, Grand Valley State University, Seymour K. & Esther R. Padnos Hall of Science 213A, Allendale, MI, USA
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3
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Xia X, Wang L, Pei H, Dong C, Zhang Y, Ding J. Nanoplastics exposure simplifies the network structure of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) gut microbiota and improves cluster randomness. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 360:124663. [PMID: 39097257 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124663] [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: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Nanoplastics (NPs) are abundant in ocean environments, leading to environmental pollution and notable disruptions to the physiological functions of marine animals. To investigate the toxic effects of NPs on echinoderms, specifically sea cucumbers (Apostichopus japonicus), they were exposed to varying concentrations of NPs (0, 102, 104 particles/L) for 14 d. Subsequently, the 102 particles/L exposure group was purified for 35 d to elucidate the impact of both NPs exposure and purification on the intestinal bacteria structure and function. The results showed that the richness and variety of intestinal bacteria in sea cucumbers significantly reduced under NPs exposure, and then they could be restored to the pre-exposure treatment state after 35 d of purification. With the increase of NPs exposure concentration in the environment, the intestinal core bacteria gradually changed from Firmicutes and Proteobacteria to Pseudoalteromonas and Vibrio. The KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway database annotated that the gut microbiota of sea cucumbers was significantly downregulated in the glycosylation, carbohydratic and amino acid metabolic pathways (P < 0. 05), exogenous substance biodegradation and metabolism, DNA replication and repair pathways were significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05) under the exposure of NPs. In addition, nanoplastics exposure simplified the symbiotic network relationships of the gut bacteria, reduced the selective effect of host on the intestinal bacteria, and increased stochasticity. In conclusion, waterborne NPs can adversely affect the structure and function of sea cucumber intestinal bacteria, with these effects persisting for a duration. However, as the purification time lengthens, these adverse effects gradually diminish. This study aims to provide some theoretical basis for the biotoxic effects of NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinglong Xia
- Dalian Ocean University, Key Laboratory of Northern Aquatic Germplasm Resources and Genetic Breeding in Liaoning Province, Dalian, 116023, China; Dalian Ocean University, Liaoning Province Aquatic Germplasm Resources Protection and Utilization Engineering Research Center, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Luo Wang
- Dalian Ocean University, Key Laboratory of Northern Aquatic Germplasm Resources and Genetic Breeding in Liaoning Province, Dalian, 116023, China; Dalian Ocean University, Liaoning Province Aquatic Germplasm Resources Protection and Utilization Engineering Research Center, Dalian, 116023, China; Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China.
| | - Honglin Pei
- Dalian Ocean University, Liaoning Province Aquatic Germplasm Resources Protection and Utilization Engineering Research Center, Dalian, 116023, China; Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Changkun Dong
- Dalian Ocean University, Liaoning Province Aquatic Germplasm Resources Protection and Utilization Engineering Research Center, Dalian, 116023, China; Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- Dalian Ocean University, Key Laboratory of Northern Aquatic Germplasm Resources and Genetic Breeding in Liaoning Province, Dalian, 116023, China; Dalian Ocean University, Liaoning Province Aquatic Germplasm Resources Protection and Utilization Engineering Research Center, Dalian, 116023, China; Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Jun Ding
- Dalian Ocean University, Key Laboratory of Northern Aquatic Germplasm Resources and Genetic Breeding in Liaoning Province, Dalian, 116023, China; Dalian Ocean University, Liaoning Province Aquatic Germplasm Resources Protection and Utilization Engineering Research Center, Dalian, 116023, China; Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China.
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4
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Meizoso-Regueira T, Fuentes J, Cusworth SJ, Rillig MC. Prediction of future microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 359:124587. [PMID: 39038775 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124587] [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: 04/29/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/24/2024]
Abstract
This study shows the general exponential rise in microplastic accumulation in agricultural soils, with fertilizer application speeding up this increase, and future predictions of microplastic concentrations. Utilizing data from the Broadbalk winter wheat experiment at Rothamsted Research, UK, from 1846 to 2022, Poisson regression models were applied to microplastic counts under different soil treatments, including farmyard manure, inorganic fertilizers, and control conditions. A mass conversion factor was applied to obtain the w/w relationship. Results indicated a significant annual increase in microplastic concentrations across all treatments, with fertilized soils showing a notably higher accumulation rate. Our study forecasts that, in 50 and 100 years from now, soils treated with fertilizers are expected to reach microplastic concentrations of 168.9 mg kg-1 (95% CI: 60.32-473.09) and 1159 mg kg-1 (95% CI: 200.49-6699.8) respectively, levels converging on those used in many experiments. This highlights the urgent need for strategies to mitigate microplastic pollution in agricultural fields. The results also help to choose predicted concentrations in global change experiments, as well as to motivate further research to explore the mechanisms of microplastic accumulation and the integration of these insights into broader agricultural and ecological models to guide sustainable practices and environmental conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamara Meizoso-Regueira
- Plant Ecology, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Altensteinstr. 6, 14195, Berlin, Germany
| | - Jose Fuentes
- Galician Research and Development Center in Advanced Telecommunications, Vilar 56-58, 36214, Vigo, Spain
| | - Samuel J Cusworth
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Library Avenue, LA1 4YQ, Lancaster, UK
| | - Matthias C Rillig
- Plant Ecology, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Altensteinstr. 6, 14195, Berlin, Germany; Berlin-Brandenburg Institute of Advanced Biodiversity Research (BBIB), Berlin, Germany.
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5
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Gutsa T, Trois C, de Vries R, Mani T. Wasted shores: Using drones to monitor the spatio-temporal evolution of debris accumulation hotspots on South Africa's Umgeni River. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 955:176791. [PMID: 39389127 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 09/16/2024] [Accepted: 10/05/2024] [Indexed: 10/12/2024]
Abstract
Rivers are major contributors of plastic waste to the oceans. Running through the northern part of the 1.3 million-inhabitants City of Durban, South Africa, the Umgeni River is estimated to flush in the order of tens to hundreds of tonnes of plastic waste into the Indian Ocean every year. The riverbanks are lined with plastic and other macro-waste accumulation zones formed due to direct littering and occasional deposition of river debris loads. This study presents the use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) and hydro-meteorological sensors to (1) identify, quantify and monitor such anthropogenic macro-waste hotspots; and (2) investigate the influence of rainfall, river water level and a major flood event on the spatio-temporal evolution of the hotspots, evidencing the debris' availability to leak into the Indian Ocean. The one-year aerial monitoring (2021-2022) of waste hotspots shows that extreme hydrometeorological events have an immediate but short-term effect on the erosion of debris stocks in riverine systems. We observe that reduction in mean index changes of hotspot surface area after flooding were 2-5 times higher than in non-flood conditions. Despite visual evidence of seasonality in debris erosion between the wet and dry season, only the 'natural' type hotspots showed a significant change. Our findings support reported inconsistencies of macro-debris erosion with hydrological factors. Although the data contributes a baseline for macro-debris erosion in the Umgeni River, future ground truth sampling and finer monitoring scales are important to fully understand debris transfer in river systems. The mapping of waste hotspots and understanding their spatio-temporal transfer dynamics supports policymakers in planning and timing to mitigate environmental pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tadiwanashe Gutsa
- Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
| | - Cristina Trois
- Civil Engineering, School of Engineering, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa; Centre for Renewable and Sustainable Energy Studies, Faculty of Engineering, Stellenbosch University, South Africa
| | | | - Thomas Mani
- The Ocean Cleanup, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
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6
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Omidoyin KC, Jho EH. Environmental occurrence and ecotoxicological risks of plastic leachates in aquatic and terrestrial environments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 954:176728. [PMID: 39383966 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.176728] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2024] [Revised: 09/18/2024] [Accepted: 10/02/2024] [Indexed: 10/11/2024]
Abstract
Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to environmental and human health, with microplastics widely distributed across various ecosystems. Although current ecotoxicological studies have primarily focused on the inherent toxicity of plastics in natural environments, the role of chemical additives leaching from plastics into the environment remains underexplored despite their significant contribution to the overall toxic potential of plastics. Existing systematic studies on plastic leachates have often examined isolated additive compounds, neglecting the ecotoxicological effects of multiple compounds present in plastic leachates. Additionally, most previous research has focused on aquatic environments, overlooking the leaching mechanisms and ecological risks to diverse species with various ecological roles in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. This oversight hinders comprehensive ecological risk assessments. This study addresses these research gaps by reviewing the environmental occurrence of plastic leachates and their ecotoxicological impacts on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Key findings reveal the pervasive presence of plastic leachates in various environments, identifying common additives such as phthalates, polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), bisphenol A (BPA), and nonylphenols (NPs). Ecotoxicologically, chemical additives leaching from plastics under specific environmental conditions can influence their bioavailability and subsequent uptake by organisms. This review proposes a novel ecotoxicity risk assessment framework that integrates chemical analysis, ecotoxicological testing, and exposure assessment, offering a comprehensive approach to evaluating the risks of plastic leachates. This underscores the importance of interdisciplinary research that combines advanced analytical techniques with ecotoxicological studies across diverse species and environmental conditions to enhance the understanding of the complex impacts of plastic leachates and inform future research and regulatory policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kehinde Caleb Omidoyin
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Hea Jho
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea; Department of Agricultural and Biological Chemistry, Chonnam National University, 77 Yongbong-ro, Buk-gu, Gwangju 61186, Republic of Korea; Center of SEBIS (Strategic Solutions for Environmental Blindspots in the Interest of Society), 52 Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea.
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7
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Russo G, Scocca P, Gelosia M, Fabbrizi G, Giannoni T, Urbani S, Esposto S, Nicolini A. Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) production for food packaging from biomass derived carbohydrates by cupriavidus necator DSM 545. Enzyme Microb Technol 2024; 181:110516. [PMID: 39303458 DOI: 10.1016/j.enzmictec.2024.110516] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
The extensive utilization of conventional plastics has resulted in a concerning surge in waste. A potential solution lies in biodegradable polymers mostly derived from renewable sources. Cupriavidus necator DSM 545 is a microorganism capable, under stress conditions, of intracellularly accumulating Poly(3-hydroxybutyrate) (PHB), a bio-polyester. This study aimed to identify optimal conditions to maximize the intracellular accumulation of PHB and its global production using natural media obtained by processing lignocellulosic residues of cardoon, a low-cost feedstock. An intracellular PHB accumulation was observed in all of the tested media, indicating a metabolic stress induced by the lack of macronutrients. Increasing C/N ratios led to a significant decrease in cellular biomass and PHB production. Furthermore C. necator DSM 545 was incapable of consuming more than 25 g/L of supplied monosaccharides. Surprisingly, in the samples supplied with 60 % of the pentose-rich liquid fraction, complete consumption of xylose was observed. This result was also confirmed by subsequent tests using Medium 1 growth media containing xylose as the sole carbon source. Using a diluted medium with a C/N ratio of 5, a PHB production of 5.84 g/L and intracellular PHB accumulation of 77 % w/w were respectively achieved. Finally, comparative shelf-life tests conducted against conventional pre-packaging materials in PP suggested that PHB films performed similarly in preserve ready-to-eat products.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianfrancesco Russo
- CIRIAF, Interuniversity Research Centre on Pollution and Environment "M.Felli", University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 67, Perugia 06125, Italy
| | - Paola Scocca
- University of Perugia, Piazza Università 1, Perugia 06123, Italy
| | - Mattia Gelosia
- CIRIAF, Interuniversity Research Centre on Pollution and Environment "M.Felli", University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 67, Perugia 06125, Italy.
| | - Giacomo Fabbrizi
- CIRIAF, Interuniversity Research Centre on Pollution and Environment "M.Felli", University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 67, Perugia 06125, Italy
| | - Tommaso Giannoni
- CIRIAF, Interuniversity Research Centre on Pollution and Environment "M.Felli", University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 67, Perugia 06125, Italy
| | - Stefania Urbani
- Department of the Science of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Perugia, Via S. Costanzo, Perugia 06126, Italy
| | - Sonia Esposto
- Department of the Science of Agriculture, Food and Environment, University of Perugia, Via S. Costanzo, Perugia 06126, Italy
| | - Andrea Nicolini
- CIRIAF, Interuniversity Research Centre on Pollution and Environment "M.Felli", University of Perugia, Via G. Duranti 67, Perugia 06125, Italy
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8
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Grumelot S, Ashkarran AA, Jiwani Z, Ibrahim R, Mahmoudi M. Identification of Pristine and Protein Corona Coated Micro- and Nanoplastic Particles with a Colorimetric Sensor Array. ACS OMEGA 2024; 9:39188-39194. [PMID: 39310157 PMCID: PMC11411689 DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.4c06166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/03/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
A colorimetric sensor array has been developed to differentiate various micro- and nanoplastic particles (MNPs), both pristine and those coated with a protein corona, in buffered water. This array utilizes five distinct cross-reactive chemo-responsive dyes, which exhibit changes in visible optical absorbance upon interaction with MNPs. Although no single dye responds exclusively to either pristine or protein-corona-coated MNPs, the collective shifts in color across all dyes create a unique molecular fingerprint for each type of MNP. This method demonstrates high sensitivity, capable of detecting MNPs of various sizes (50 nm, 100 nm, and 2 μm) and differentiating them from controls at concentrations as low as 10 ng/mL using standard chemometric techniques, ensuring accurate results without error. Additionally, the method can effectively distinguish between pristine and protein-corona-coated polystyrene MNPs. This colorimetric approach offers a rapid, cost-effective, and accurate method for monitoring MNP pollution and assessing their prior interactions with biological systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaun Grumelot
- Department of Radiology and
Precision Health Program, Michigan State
University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Ali Akbar Ashkarran
- Department of Radiology and
Precision Health Program, Michigan State
University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Zahra Jiwani
- Department of Radiology and
Precision Health Program, Michigan State
University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Rula Ibrahim
- Department of Radiology and
Precision Health Program, Michigan State
University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
| | - Morteza Mahmoudi
- Department of Radiology and
Precision Health Program, Michigan State
University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824, United States
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9
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Ma Y, Zhao Z, Chen J, Chen Y, Wang B, Luo Y. Hydroborative Depolymerization of Polyesters and Polycarbonates to Diols Catalyzed by Heterogeneous Lanthanum Materials La(CH 2C 6H 4NMe 2- o) 3@SBA-15. Inorg Chem 2024. [PMID: 39235131 DOI: 10.1021/acs.inorgchem.4c02202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/06/2024]
Abstract
Chemical recycling is a promising strategy to establish a circular plastic economy, and it is still in an early stage of development. In this work, the reductive depolymerization of polyesters and polycarbonates into their corresponding borylated alcohols promoted by heterogeneous lanthanum materials was described. Grafting the easily accessible lanthanum tris(aminobenzyl) complex La(CH2C6H4NMe2-o)3 (1) onto the partially dehydroxylated silica support SBA-15 (SBA-15500 or SBA-15700) gave the inorganic-organic hybrid materials 1@SBA-15500 and 1@SBA-15700. These hybrid lanthanum materials, in combination with pinacolborane (HBpin), could serve as highly active heterogeneous catalysts for the selective depolymerization of aliphatic and aromatic polyesters, as well as polycarbonates into their corresponding borylated diols through a hydroboration reaction under mild conditions. The lanthanum materials exhibited a practical application in plastic waste recycling for their easy preparation, high catalytic efficiency, and recyclable property.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yansong Ma
- School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, P. R. China
| | - Zheyu Zhao
- School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, P. R. China
| | - Jue Chen
- School of Biological and Chemical Engineering, NingboTech University, Ningbo 315100, P. R. China
| | - Yanjun Chen
- Ningbo Polytechnic, Ningbo 315800, P. R. China
| | - Bin Wang
- Ningbo Tianli Petrochemical Co., Ltd., Ningbo 315200, P. R. China
| | - Yunjie Luo
- School of Materials Science and Chemical Engineering, Ningbo University, Ningbo 315211, P. R. China
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10
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Rangel-Buitrago N, Galgani F, Neal WJ. The geological footprint of plastics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 940:173693. [PMID: 38830417 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/30/2024] [Indexed: 06/05/2024]
Abstract
The significant impact of plastics on Earth's environments has transformed from being a symbol of modern innovation to a major ecological concern. This perspective paper explores the integration of plastics into geological contexts, emphasizing their role in contemporary sedimentary processes. It examines the lifecycle of plastics, from production to disposal, and their subsequent interaction with natural sedimentary cycles. The production and usage of plastics have led to considerable environmental repercussions. One of these, is their incorporation into geological systems and the formation of novel geological materials. Such a phenomenon challenges traditional geological concepts and necessitates a multidisciplinary approach encompassing geology, chemistry, and environmental science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programa de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia.
| | - Francois Galgani
- Unité Ressources marines en Polynésie Francaise, Institut français de recherche pour l'exploitation de la mer (Ifremer), BP 49, Vairao, Tahiti, French Polynesia
| | - William J Neal
- Department of Geology, Grand Valley State University, The Seymour K. & Esther R. Padnos Hall of Science 213A, Allendale, MI, USA
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11
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Vasudeva M, Adarsh UK, Warrier AK, George SD, Unnikrishnan VK. Performance evaluation of a hyphenated laser spectroscopy system with conventional methods for microplastic analysis. Sci Rep 2024; 14:19327. [PMID: 39164370 PMCID: PMC11336231 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-70501-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 08/17/2024] [Indexed: 08/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Microplastics are one of the concerning environmental pollutants because of their ubiquity. Their capability to adsorb other environmental pollutants increases the risk even further. Existing identification approaches for microplastic characterization for polymer class and their surface-adsorbed heavy metal detection require the utilization of multiple resources and expertise. The article discusses the applicability of a custom-made hyphenated Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS)-Raman spectroscopic system in characterizing microplastics by comparing the analytical performance with conventional methods such as Attenuated Total Reflectance- Fourier Transform Infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy, confocal Raman spectroscopy, and Scanning Electron Microscopy-Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS). Raman analysis identified polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastics, which is confirmed by confocal Raman and FTIR study of the same. LIBS study of microplastics detected heavy metals such as Al, Ni, Co, and Zn, along with Ca and Mg trace elements. The cross-examination with EDS validates these trace elements' presence on the microplastics' surface. The results of the reported LIBS-Raman analysis and its validity evaluated using conventional gold-standard methods show the applicability of the proposed methodology in characterizing microplastics from environmental resources with less or no sample preparation in short time.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Vasudeva
- Department of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - U K Adarsh
- Department of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Anish Kumar Warrier
- Department of Civil Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India
- Centre for Climate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India
| | - Sajan D George
- Department of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
- Centre for Applied Nanosciences, Department of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, 576104, India
| | - V K Unnikrishnan
- Department of Atomic and Molecular Physics, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
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12
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Li J, Li X, Luo J, Huang P, Ge C, Yang X, Wang H. Effects of polypropylene films and leached dissolved organic matters on bacterial community structure in mangrove sediments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 939:173516. [PMID: 38802011 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173516] [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: 03/20/2024] [Revised: 05/20/2024] [Accepted: 05/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Over the past decades, the accumulation of plastics in mangrove ecosystems has emerged as a significant environmental concern, primarily due to anthropogenic activities. Polypropylene (PP) films, one of the plastic types with the highest detection rate, tend to undergo intricate aging processes in mangrove ecosystems, leading to the release of dissolved organic matter (DOM) that may further influence the local bacterial communities. Yet, the specific effects of new and weathered (aged) plastic films and the associated leached DOM on bacterial consortia in mangrove sediments remain poorly understood. In this study, an incubation experiment was conducted to elucidate the immediate effects and mechanisms of the new and relatively short-term (45 or 90 days) aged PP films, as well as their leached DOM (PDOM), on characteristics of DOM and the bacterial community structure in mangrove sediments under different tidal conditions. Surface morphology and functional group analyses showed that both new and aged PP films exhibited comparable degradation profiles under different tidal conditions over the incubation period. As compared to the new PP film treatments, the introduction of the short-term aged PP films significantly affected the content of humic-like compounds in sediments, and such effects were partially ascribed to the release of PDOM during the incubation. Although the addition of PP films and PDOM showed minor effects on the overall diversity and composition of bacterial communities in the sediments, the abundance of some dominant phyla exhibited a growth or reduction tendency, possibly changing their ecological functions. This study was an effective attempt to investigate the relationship among plastic surface characteristics, sedimentary physicochemical properties, and bacterial communities in mangrove sediments. It revealed the ecological ramifications of new and short-term plastic pollution and its leachates in mangrove seedtimes, enhancing our understating of their potential impacts on the health of mangrove ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiatong Li
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Xue Li
- School of Life and Health, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology, Hainan University, Ministry of Education, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Jiwei Luo
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Peng Huang
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Chengjun Ge
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China.
| | - Xing Yang
- Key Laboratory of Agro-Forestry Environmental Processes and Ecological Regulation of Hainan Province, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Hailong Wang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Foshan University, Foshan 528000, China; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Integrated Agro-environmental Pollution Control and Management, Institute of Eco-environmental and Soil Sciences, Guangdong Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510650, China
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13
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He W, Liu R, Fei F, Xi S, Du Z, Luan Z, Sun C, Zhang X. In situ real-time pathway to study the polyethylene long-term degradation process by a marine fungus through confocal Raman quantitative imaging. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 939:173582. [PMID: 38810744 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173582] [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: 03/12/2024] [Revised: 05/11/2024] [Accepted: 05/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/31/2024]
Abstract
Since plastic waste has become a worldwide pollution problem, studying the ability of marine microorganisms to degrade plastic waste is important. However, conventional methods are unable to in situ real-time study the ability of microorganisms to biodegrade plastics. In recent years, Raman spectroscopy has been widely used in the characterization of plastics as well as in the study of biological metabolism due to its low cost, rapidity, label-free, non-destructive, and water-independent features, which provides us with new ideas to address the above limitations. Here, we have established a method to study the degradation ability of microorganisms on plastics using confocal Raman imaging. Alternaria alternata FB1, a recently reported polyethylene (PE) degrading marine fungus, is used as a model to perform a long-term (up to 274 days) in situ real-time nondestructive inspection of its degradation process. We can prove the degradation of PE plastics from the following two aspects, visualization and analysis of the degradation process based on depth imaging and quantification of the degradation rate by crystallinity calculations. The findings also reveal unprecedented degradation details. The method is important for realizing high-throughput screening of microorganisms with potential to degrade plastics and studying the degradation process of plastics in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanying He
- Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Geology and Environment & Center of Deep Sea Research, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Rui Liu
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology & Center of Deep Sea Research, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, China
| | - Fan Fei
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology & Center of Deep Sea Research, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, China
| | - Shichuan Xi
- Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Geology and Environment & Center of Deep Sea Research, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Zengfeng Du
- Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Geology and Environment & Center of Deep Sea Research, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China
| | - Zhendong Luan
- Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Geology and Environment & Center of Deep Sea Research, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Chaomin Sun
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Experimental Marine Biology & Center of Deep Sea Research, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Qingdao Marine Science and Technology Center, Qingdao, China.
| | - Xin Zhang
- Laoshan Laboratory, Qingdao, China; CAS Key Laboratory of Marine Geology and Environment & Center of Deep Sea Research, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China.
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14
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Ben-Haddad M, Abelouah MR, Hajji S, Abou Oualid J, Ait Alla A, Rangel-Buitrago N. Scenic degradation and visual pollution along the Agadir coastline (Morocco): Analysis and management. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 205:116629. [PMID: 38917496 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116629] [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: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 06/16/2024] [Indexed: 06/27/2024]
Abstract
Visual pollution refers to the degradation of landscape aesthetics, manifesting as visible deterioration. On the Agadir coast in Morocco, factors such as urbanization, erosion, marine wracking, litter, sewage, beach driving, and animal waste contribute to this issue, which detracts from coastal scenery. This study employs the coastal scenery evaluation system (CSES) to conduct a scenic assessment of 40 coastal sites, aiming to describe the current state of visual pollution and inform management interventions. The CSES utilizes a checklist comprising 18 physical and 8 human parameters to calculate a scenic evaluation index (D value), which categorizes coastal sites into five classes. These range from Class I - typically undisturbed natural areas with pristine scenic qualities - to Class V - which are degraded natural areas significantly impacted by human activities. The scenic evaluation classified these sites into three classes. Four sites (10 %) were classified as Class III, fifteen (37.5 %) as Class IV, and twenty-one (52.5 %) as Class V. No sites were classified as Classes I or II. The assessments presented here offer a comprehensive overview of the Agadir coastal scenery and establish a baseline for developing strategies to address visual pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Ben-Haddad
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco.
| | - Mohamed Rida Abelouah
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco.
| | - Sara Hajji
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco.
| | - Jaouad Abou Oualid
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco.
| | - Aicha Ait Alla
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco.
| | - Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programa de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Basicas, Universidad del Atlantico, Barranquilla, Atlantico, Colombia.
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15
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Rangel-Buitrago N, González-Fernández D, Defeo O, Neal W, Galgani F. Rethinking plastic entrapment: Misconceptions and implications for ecosystem services in coastal habitats. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 205:116665. [PMID: 38981194 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116665] [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: 04/16/2024] [Revised: 07/01/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
This study addresses the pressing issue of plastic pollution in coastal and marine ecosystems, challenging the misconception that the entrapment of plastics can be considered as an ecosystem service. We differentiate between essential natural processes that sustain ecological balance and biodiversity and the detrimental accumulation of synthetic polymers. The pathways through which plastics enter these environments-from terrestrial to maritime sources-are examined, alongside their pervasive impacts on crucial ecosystem services such as habitat quality, the vitality of marine species, and nutrient cycling. Our findings highlight the paradox of resilience and vulnerability in these ecosystems: while capable of accumulating substantial amounts of plastic debris, they suffer long-lasting ecological, socio-economic, and health repercussions. We argue for a paradigm shift in management strategies aimed at reducing plastic production at the source, improving waste management practices, conducting targeted cleanup operations, and rehabilitating impacted ecosystems. Emphasizing a comprehensive understanding of plastic pollution is vital for framing effective solutions and necessitates a reevaluation of societal, industrial, and regulatory frameworks. This shift is imperative not only to address current pollution levels but also to safeguard and sustain the functionality of coastal ecosystems, ensuring their ability to continue providing essential services and supporting biodiversity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programa de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia.
| | - Daniel González-Fernández
- Department of Biology, University Marine Research Institute INMAR, University of Cádiz and European University of the Seas SEA-EU, Puerto Real, Spain
| | - Omar Defeo
- Marine Science Laboratory (UNDECIMAR), Faculty of Sciences, University of the Republic, Montevideo, Uruguay
| | - William Neal
- Department of Geology, Grand Valley State University, The Seymour K. & Esther R. Padnos Hall of Science 213A, Allendale, MI, USA
| | - Francois Galgani
- Unité Ressources marines en Polynésie Francaise, Institut français de recherche pour l'exploitation de la mer (Ifremer), BP 49, Vairao, Tahiti, French Polynesia
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16
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Cao Y, Bi L, Chen Q, Liu Y, Zhao H, Jin L, Peng R. Understanding the links between micro/nanoplastics-induced gut microbes dysbiosis and potential diseases in fish: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 352:124103. [PMID: 38734053 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124103] [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: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
At present, the quantity of micro/nano plastics in the environment is steadily rising, and their pollution has emerged as a global environmental issue. The tendency of their bioaccumulation in aquatic organisms (especially fish) has intensified people's attention to their persistent ecotoxicology. This review critically studies the accumulation of fish in the intestines of fish through active or passive intake of micro/nano plastics, resulting in their accumulation in intestinal organs and subsequent disturbance of intestinal microflora. The key lies in the complex toxic effect on the host after the disturbance of fish intestinal microflora. In addition, this review pointed out the characteristics of micro/nano plastics and the effects of their combined toxicity with adsorbed pollutants on fish intestinal microorganisms, in order to fully understand the characteristics of micro/nano plastics and emphasize the complex interaction between MNPs and other pollutants. We have an in-depth understanding of MNPs-induced intestinal flora disorders and intestinal dysfunction, affecting the host's systemic system, including immune system, nervous system, and reproductive system. The review also underscores the imperative for future research to investigate the toxic effects of prolonged exposure to MNPs, which are crucial for evaluating the ecological risks posed by MNPs and devising strategies to safeguard aquatic organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Cao
- Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedicine Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang province, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Liuliu Bi
- Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedicine Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang province, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Qianqian Chen
- Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedicine Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang province, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Yinai Liu
- Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedicine Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang province, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Haiyang Zhao
- Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedicine Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang province, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Libo Jin
- Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedicine Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang province, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Renyi Peng
- Institute of Life Sciences & Biomedicine Collaborative Innovation Center of Zhejiang province, College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
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17
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Morgan SE, Romanick SS, DeLouise L, McGrath J, Elder A. Understanding Human Health Impacts Following Microplastic Exposure Necessitates Standardized Protocols. Curr Protoc 2024; 4:e1104. [PMID: 39018010 PMCID: PMC11451905 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.1104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs; 1 µm to 5 mm) are a persistent and pervasive environmental pollutant of emergent and increasing concern. Human exposure to MPs through food, water, and air has been documented and thus motivates the need for a better understanding of the biological implications of MP exposure. These impacts are dependent on the properties of MPs, including size, morphology, and chemistry, as well as the dose and route of exposure. This overview offers a perspective on the current methods used to assess the bioactivity of MPs. First, we discuss methods associated with MP bioactivity research with an emphasis on the variety of assays, exposure conditions, and reference MP particles that have been used. Next, we review the challenges presented by common instrumentation and laboratory materials, the lack of standardized reference materials, and the limited understanding of MP dosimetry. Finally, we propose solutions that can help increase the applicability and impact of future studies while reducing redundancy in the field. The excellent protocols published in this issue are intended to contribute toward standardizing the field so that the MP knowledge base grows from a reliable foundation. © 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E Morgan
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, New York, United States
| | - Samantha S Romanick
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, 480 Intercampus Drive, Rochester, New York
| | - Lisa DeLouise
- Department of Dermatology, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, New York
| | - James McGrath
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Rochester, 480 Intercampus Drive, Rochester, New York
| | - Alison Elder
- Department of Environmental Medicine, University of Rochester Medical Center, 601 Elmwood Avenue, Rochester, New York, United States
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18
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Shaker M, Hamdani SS, Muzata TS, Rabnawaz M. Driving selective upcycling of mixed polyethylene waste with table salt. Sci Rep 2024; 14:14371. [PMID: 38909060 PMCID: PMC11193746 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-63482-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Advanced recycling offers a unique opportunity for the circular economy, especially for mixed and contaminated plastics that are difficult to recycle mechanically. However, advanced recycling has barriers such as poor selectivity, contaminant sensitivity, and the need for expensive catalysts. Reported herein is a simple yet scalable methodology for converting mixed polyethylene (high-density and low-density polyethylene recycled polyethylene) into upcycled waxes with up to 94% yield. This high yield was possible by performing the reaction at a mild temperature and was enabled by using inexpensive and reusable table salt. Without table salt, in otherwise identical conditions, the plastic remained essentially undegraded. These upcycled waxes were used as prototypes for applications such as water- and oil-resistant paper, as well as rheology modifiers for plastics. Their performance is similar to that of commercial wax as well as rheology modifiers. A preliminary economic analysis shows that the upcycled waxes obtained by this table salt-catalyzed approach offer three times more revenue than those reported in the literature. This pioneering discovery opens the door for a circular economy of plastics in general and polyolefins in particular.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Shaker
- School of Packaging, Michigan State University, 448 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824-1223, USA
| | - Syeda Shamila Hamdani
- School of Packaging, Michigan State University, 448 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824-1223, USA
| | - Tanyaradzwa S Muzata
- School of Packaging, Michigan State University, 448 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824-1223, USA
| | - Muhammad Rabnawaz
- School of Packaging, Michigan State University, 448 Wilson Road, East Lansing, MI, 48824-1223, USA.
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19
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de Deus BCT, Costa TC, Altomari LN, Brovini EM, de Brito PSD, Cardoso SJ. Coastal plastic pollution: A global perspective. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 203:116478. [PMID: 38735173 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116478] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/14/2024]
Abstract
Coastal ecosystems have ecological importance worldwide and require control and prevention measures to mitigate human pollution. The objective of this study was to perform a systematic review to provide a comprehensive overview of the global issue of coastal plastic pollution. 689 articles were eligible for qualitative synthesis and 31 were considered for quantitative analysis. There was an exponential increase in articles addressing coastal plastic pollution over the past 50 years. Studies were mainly carried out on beaches, and plastic bottles were the most found item, followed by cigarette butts. Polyethylene was the predominant plastic polymer, and white microplastic fragments stood out. China published most articles on the topic and Brazil had the highest number of sites sampled. Meta-analysis had significant effect sizes based on the reported data. These findings carry significant implications for environmental policies, waste management practices, and targeted awareness campaigns aimed at mitigating plastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatriz Corrêa Thomé de Deus
- Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, 36036-900, São Pedro, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Thaiane Cantarino Costa
- Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, 36036-900, São Pedro, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Leslie Nascimento Altomari
- Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, 36036-900, São Pedro, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Emília Marques Brovini
- Postgraduate Program in Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Ouro Preto, Campus Universitário, Morro do Cruzeiro, 35400-000 Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Paulo Sérgio Duque de Brito
- VALORIZA Research Centre, Polytechnic Institute of Portalegre, Campus Politécnico, 10, 7300-555 Portalegre, Portalegre, Portugal
| | - Simone Jaqueline Cardoso
- Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, 36036-900, São Pedro, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil; Department of Zoology, Institute of Biology, Federal University of Juiz de Fora, Rua José Lourenço Kelmer, 36036-900, São Pedro, Juiz de Fora, Minas Gerais, Brazil.
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20
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Savage J, Chamberlain A, Fellows M, Jones R, Letessier TB, Llewellyn F, Morritt D, Rowcliffe M, Koldewey H. Big brands impact small islands: Sources of plastic pollution in a remote and protected archipelago. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 203:116476. [PMID: 38781799 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116476] [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: 03/11/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/06/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
Remote islands are disproportionately affected by plastic pollution, often originating from elsewhere, so it is important to understand its origins, to stop debris entering the ocean at their source. We investigated the origins of beached plastic drink bottles in the Chagos Archipelago, a large remote Marine Protected Area (MPA) in the Indian Ocean. We recorded the brands, countries of manufacture, types of drink, and ages of plastic bottles and their lids. The prevalent type of drink was water, with items mostly manufactured in Indonesia, China, and the Maldives. The main brands were Danone and the Coca-Cola Company. We deduced that 10 % of the items originated from ships passing the archipelago, including all the items manufactured in China. The identification of the brands creating plastic pollution in remote MPAs with high biodiversity supports extended producer responsibility, one of the proposed policy development areas of the Global Plastics Treaty.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Savage
- Conservation and Policy, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom; Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom; Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham Hill, Egham TW20 0EX, United Kingdom.
| | - A Chamberlain
- Conservation and Policy, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | - M Fellows
- British Indian Ocean Territory Administration, Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, King Charles Street, SW1A 2AH, United Kingdom
| | - R Jones
- Conservation and Policy, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | - T B Letessier
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | - F Llewellyn
- Conservation and Policy, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | - D Morritt
- Department of Biological Sciences, Royal Holloway University of London, Egham Hill, Egham TW20 0EX, United Kingdom
| | - M Rowcliffe
- Institute of Zoology, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom
| | - H Koldewey
- Conservation and Policy, Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, United Kingdom; Centre of Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, United Kingdom
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21
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Galgani F, Rangel-Buitrago N. White tides: The plastic nurdles problem. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 470:134250. [PMID: 38613955 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
The proliferation of plastic pollution, particularly from nurdles (small plastic pellets used in manufacturing), poses significant environmental and ecological risks. Originating with the invention of Bakelite in 1907 and escalating post-World War II with advanced petrochemical technologies, nurdles are the second largest source of primary microplastic pollution globally. Each year an estimated 445,970 tonnes of nurdles enter the environment worldwide. Nurdle spills, such as those along Spain's Galician coast and other global incidents, underline the need for improved spill response, preventive measures, and international regulatory coordination. The environmental impact of nurdles, compared to more visible oil spills, is insidious and long-lasting due to their persistence and widespread dispersion. Current regulations, like the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) guidelines, reveal gaps in enforcement and fail to fully address the long-term consequences of spills. Recent technological innovations and policy interventions aim to mitigate risks, but there's an urgent need for coordinated global action, stricter controls, and investment in biodegradable alternatives to safeguard marine environments and ensure ecological sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francois Galgani
- Unité Ressources Marines en Polynésie Francaise, Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (Ifremer), BP 49, Vairao, Tahiti, French Polynesia
| | - Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programade Física, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia.
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22
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Gracia C A, Neal WJ, Rangel-Buitrago N. Emerging from lockdown: Medical and sanitary waste on a Colombian beach during the first holiday season after COVID pandemic. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 202:116355. [PMID: 38615518 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116355] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/06/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Affiliation(s)
- Adriana Gracia C
- Programa de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Puerto Colombia, Atlántico, Colombia.
| | - William J Neal
- Department of Geology, Grand Valley State University, The Seymour K. & Esther R. Padnos Hall of Science 213A, Allendale, MI, USA
| | - Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programa de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Puerto Colombia, Atlántico, Colombia.
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23
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Taurozzi D, Gallitelli L, Cesarini G, Romano S, Orsini M, Scalici M. Passive biomonitoring of airborne microplastics using lichens: A comparison between urban, natural and protected environments. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 187:108707. [PMID: 38692149 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108707] [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: 12/08/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/03/2024]
Abstract
Currently, natural and urban ecosystems are affected by different types of atmospheric deposition, which can compromise the balance of the environment. Plastic pollution represents one of the major threats for biota, including lichens. Epiphytic lichens have value as bioindicators of environmental pollution, climate change, and anthropic impacts. In this study, we aim to investigate the lichen bioaccumulation of airborne microplastics along an anthropogenic pollution gradient. We sampled lichens from the Genera Cladonia and Xanthoria to highlight the effectiveness of lichens as tools for passive biomonitoring of microplastics. We chose three sites, a "natural site" in Altipiani di Arcinazzo, a "protected site" in Castelporziano Presidential estate and an "urban site" in the centre of Rome. Overall, we sampled 90 lichens, observed for external plastic entrapment, melt in oxygen peroxide and analysed for plastic entrapment. To validate the method, we calculated recovery rates of microplastics in lichen. Particularly, 253 MPs particles were detected across the 90 lichen samples: 97 % were fibers, and 3 % were fragments. A gradient in the number of microplastic fibers across the sites emerged, with increasing accumulation of microplastics from the natural site (n = 58) to the urban site (n = 116), with a direct relationship between the length and abundance of airborne microplastic fibers. Moreover, we detected the first evidences of airborne mesoplastics entrapped by lichens. On average, the natural site experienced the shortest fibre length and the centre of Rome the longest. No differences in microplastics accumulation emerged from the two genera. Our results indicated that lichens can effectively be used for passive biomonitoring of microplastic deposition. In this scenario, the role of lichens in entrapping microplastics and protecting pristine areas must be investigated. Furthermore, considering the impact that airborne microplastics can have on human health and the effectiveness of lichens as airborne microplastic bioindicators, their use is encouraged.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Taurozzi
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Gallitelli
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Giulia Cesarini
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy; National Research Council - Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), Corso Tonolli 50, 28922 Verbania, Italy
| | - Susanna Romano
- Department of Industrial, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, Roma Tre University, Via Vito Volterra 62, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Orsini
- Department of Industrial, Electronic and Mechanical Engineering, Roma Tre University, Via Vito Volterra 62, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Scalici
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Università di Palermo, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
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24
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Dang X, Du Y, Wang X. Engineering eco-friendly and biodegradable biomass-based multifunctional antibacterial packaging films for sustainable food preservation. Food Chem 2024; 439:138119. [PMID: 38061301 DOI: 10.1016/j.foodchem.2023.138119] [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] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 11/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 01/10/2024]
Abstract
The study presents a new class of eco-friendly and biodegradable biomass-based multifunctional antibacterial packaging films (G-OCSI) based on oxidized corn starch-based nonionic biopolymer (OCSI) and gelatin (Gel), and investigates the effects of different OCSI contents on the properties of G-OCSI. The results demonstrated that G-OCSI 0.25 had good water vapor barrier properties, antioxidant activity (DPPH RSA: 85.84 %), UV resistance (UV blocking > 99.9 %), water resistance (WCA: 122.30°), and tensile properties. Based on the disk diffusion experiment, G-OCSI exhibited significant bactericidal and antibacterial effects against S. aureus and E. coli. Moreover, G-OCSI had good biodegradability in natural environments, and could obviously accelerate the crops growth. Finally, a banana preservation experiment confirmed that G-OCSI could significantly extend the shelf life of bananas at room temperature at least 3 days. The biodegradable packaging films not only realizes the sustainable utilization of biomass resources but also has the potential to replace traditional petroleum-based plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xugang Dang
- Institute of Biomass and Function Materials & National Demonstration Centre for Experimental Light Chemistry Engineering Education, College of Bioresources Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710021, PR China; Hubei Provincial Engineering Laboratory for Clean Production and High Value Utilization of Bio-Based Textile Materials, Wuhan Textile University, Wuhan 430200, PR China.
| | - Yongmei Du
- Institute of Biomass and Function Materials & National Demonstration Centre for Experimental Light Chemistry Engineering Education, College of Bioresources Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710021, PR China
| | - Xuechuan Wang
- Institute of Biomass and Function Materials & National Demonstration Centre for Experimental Light Chemistry Engineering Education, College of Bioresources Chemistry and Materials Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, Xi'an 710021, PR China
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25
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Elkaliny NE, Alzamel NM, Moussa SH, Elodamy NI, Madkor EA, Ibrahim EM, Elshobary ME, Ismail GA. Macroalgae Bioplastics: A Sustainable Shift to Mitigate the Ecological Impact of Petroleum-Based Plastics. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1246. [PMID: 38732716 PMCID: PMC11085313 DOI: 10.3390/polym16091246] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
The surge in global utilization of petroleum-based plastics, which notably heightened during the COVID-19 pandemic, has substantially increased its harm to ecosystems. Considering the escalating environmental impact, a pivotal shift towards bioplastics usage is imperative. Exploring and implementing bioplastics as a viable alternative could mitigate the ecological burden posed by traditional plastics. Macroalgae is a potential feedstock for the production of bioplastics due to its abundance, fast growth, and high cellulose and sugar content. Researchers have recently explored various methods for extracting and converting macroalgae into bioplastic. Some of the key challenges in the production of macroalgae bioplastics are the high costs of large-scale production and the need to optimize the extraction and conversion processes to obtain high-quality bioplastics. However, the potential benefits of using macroalgae for bioplastic production include reducing plastic waste and greenhouse gas emissions, using healthier materials in various life practices, and developing a promising area for future research and development. Also, bioplastic provides job opportunities in free enterprise and contributes to various applications such as packaging, medical devices, electronics, textiles, and cosmetics. The presented review aims to discuss the problem of petroleum-based plastic, bioplastic extraction from macroalgae, bioplastic properties, biodegradability, its various applications, and its production challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nehal E. Elkaliny
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Nurah M. Alzamel
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Humanities, Shaqra University, Shaqra 11961, Saudi Arabia
| | - Shaaban H. Moussa
- Department of Biology, College of Science and Humanities, Shaqra University, Shaqra 11961, Saudi Arabia
| | - Nour I. Elodamy
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Engy A. Madkor
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Esraa M. Ibrahim
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Mostafa E. Elshobary
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
| | - Gehan A. Ismail
- Botany and Microbiology Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt
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26
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Martinez-Hernandez U, West G, Assaf T. Low-Cost Recognition of Plastic Waste Using Deep Learning and a Multi-Spectral Near-Infrared Sensor. SENSORS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2024; 24:2821. [PMID: 38732925 PMCID: PMC11086069 DOI: 10.3390/s24092821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
This work presents an approach for the recognition of plastics using a low-cost spectroscopy sensor module together with a set of machine learning methods. The sensor is a multi-spectral module capable of measuring 18 wavelengths from the visible to the near-infrared. Data processing and analysis are performed using a set of ten machine learning methods (Random Forest, Support Vector Machines, Multi-Layer Perceptron, Convolutional Neural Networks, Decision Trees, Logistic Regression, Naive Bayes, k-Nearest Neighbour, AdaBoost, Linear Discriminant Analysis). An experimental setup is designed for systematic data collection from six plastic types including PET, HDPE, PVC, LDPE, PP and PS household waste. The set of computational methods is implemented in a generalised pipeline for the validation of the proposed approach for the recognition of plastics. The results show that Convolutional Neural Networks and Multi-Layer Perceptron can recognise plastics with a mean accuracy of 72.50% and 70.25%, respectively, with the largest accuracy of 83.5% for PS plastic and the smallest accuracy of 66% for PET plastic. The results demonstrate that this low-cost near-infrared sensor with machine learning methods can recognise plastics effectively, making it an affordable and portable approach that contributes to the development of sustainable systems with potential for applications in other fields such as agriculture, e-waste recycling, healthcare and manufacturing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Uriel Martinez-Hernandez
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
- Multimodal Interaction and Robot Active Perception (Inte-R-Action) Lab, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Gregory West
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
- Multimodal Interaction and Robot Active Perception (Inte-R-Action) Lab, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
| | - Tareq Assaf
- Department of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Bath, Bath BA2 7AY, UK
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27
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Rangel-Buitrago N, Galgani F, Neal WJ. Navigating between socio-economic viability and environmental impacts: The sachets and sticks paradox. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 920:171022. [PMID: 38367726 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2023] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Sachets and plastic sticks, single-use packaging primarily constructed from polyethylene terephthalate (PET), have proliferated globally for their convenience and multilayered construction that ensures product integrity. Especially prominent in emerging markets and amplified by pandemic-driven demand for hygiene products, these formats contribute significantly to fossil fuel industry revenue, aligning closely with petrochemical infrastructure developments such as fracking. While providing producers risk mitigation and cost-effective branding opportunities, these packaging types impose significant environmental tolls. The multimaterial layered composition of these materials hampers recycling efforts, and incineration releases toxins, exacerbating pollution. The plastics industry thus becomes an economic support for fossil fuel sectors facing declining oil demand. The growth of this sachet-stick economy represents a precarious balance between immediate economic benefits and long-term environmental ramifications. As global attention increasingly turns toward sustainability and pollution reduction, it becomes crucial to analyze the true environmental and socioeconomic costs of sachet and stick packaging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programa de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia.
| | - Francois Galgani
- Unité Ressources marines en Polynésie Francaise, Institut français de recherche pour l'exploitation de la mer (IFREMER), BP 49, Vairao, Tahiti, French Polynesia
| | - William J Neal
- Department of Geology, Grand Valley State University, The Seymour K. & Esther R. Padnos Hall of Science 213A, Allendale, MI, USA
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28
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Gao B, Wang Y, Long C, Long L, Yang F. Microplastics inhibit the growth of endosymbiotic Symbiodinium tridacnidorum by altering photosynthesis and bacterial community. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 346:123603. [PMID: 38373622 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123603] [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: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 02/16/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics, ubiquitous anthropogenic marine pollutants, represent potential threats to coral-Symbiodiniaceae relationships in global reef ecosystems. However, the mechanism underlying the impacts of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on Symbiodiniaceae remains poorly understood. In this study, the cytological, physiological, and microbial responses of Symbiodinium tridacnidorum, a representative Symbiodiniaceae species, to varying concentrations of PS-MPs (0, 5, 50, 100, and 200 mg L-1) were investigated. The results revealed that microplastic exposure inhibited cell division, resulting in reduced cell density compared to control group. Furthermore, algal photosynthetic activity, as indicated by chlorophyll content, Fv/Fm, and net photosynthetic rate, declined with increasing microplastic concentration up to 50 mg L-1. Notably, elevated levels of microplastics (100 and 200 mg L-1) prompted a significant increase in cell size in S. tridacnidorum. Transmission electron microscopy and fluorescence microscopy indicated that hetero-aggregation was formed between high levels of PS-MPs and algal cells, ultimately causing damage to S. tridacnidorum. Moreover, the impact of PS-MPs exposure on the bacterial community associated with S. tridacnidorum was investigated. The results showed a reduction in alpha diversity of the bacterial community in groups exposed to 50, 100, and 200 mg L-1 of microplastics compared to those treated with 0 and 5 mg L-1. Additionally, the relative abundance of Marinobacter, Marivita, and Filomicrobium significantly increased, while Algiphilus and norank Nannocystaceae declined after microplastic exposure. These findings suggest that MPs can inhibit the growth of S. tridacnidorum and alter the associated bacterial community, posing a potential serious threat to coral symbiosis involving S. tridacnidorum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bohai Gao
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Yuqing Wang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Chao Long
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, PR China
| | - Lijuan Long
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, PR China; Guangdong Provincial Observation and Research Station for Coastal Upwelling Ecosystem, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shantou, 515041, PR China
| | - Fangfang Yang
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510301, PR China.
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29
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Efimov M, Vasilev A, Muratov D, Panin A, Malozovskaya M, Karpacheva G. Application of Infrared Pyrolysis and Chemical Post-Activation in the Conversion of Polyethylene Terephthalate Waste into Porous Carbons for Water Purification. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:891. [PMID: 38611149 PMCID: PMC11013903 DOI: 10.3390/polym16070891] [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: 02/26/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/22/2024] [Indexed: 04/14/2024] Open
Abstract
In this study, we compared the conversion of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) into porous carbons for water purification using pyrolysis and post-activation with KOH. Pyrolysis was conducted at 400-850 °C, followed by KOH activation at 850 °C for samples pyrolyzed at 400, 650, and 850 °C. Both pyrolyzed and post-activated carbons showed high specific surface areas, up to 504.2 and 617.7 m2 g-1, respectively. As the pyrolysis temperature increases, the crystallite size of the graphite phase rises simultaneously with a decrease in specific surface area. This phenomenon significantly influences the final specific surface area values of the activated samples. Despite their relatively high specific surface areas, pyrolyzed PET-derived carbons prove unsuitable as adsorbents for purifying aqueous media from methylene blue dye. A sample pyrolyzed at 650 °C, with a surface area of 504.2 m2 g-1, exhibited a maximum adsorption value of only 20.4 mg g-1. We propose that the pyrolyzed samples have a surface coating of amorphous carbon poor in oxygen groups, impeding the diffusion of dye molecules. Conversely, post-activated samples emerge as promising adsorbents, exhibiting a maximum adsorption capacity of up to 127.7 mg g-1. This suggests their potential for efficient dye removal in water purification applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail Efimov
- A.V. Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis RAS, Leninskiy Prospekt 29, 119991 Moscow, Russia (G.K.)
| | - Andrey Vasilev
- A.V. Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis RAS, Leninskiy Prospekt 29, 119991 Moscow, Russia (G.K.)
- Department of Functional Nanosystems and High-Temperature Materials, National University of Science and Technology “MISiS”, Leninskiy Prospekt 4, 119049 Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitriy Muratov
- Department of Electronics Materials Technology, National University of Science and Technology “MISiS”, Leninskiy Prospekt 4, 119049 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexander Panin
- A.V. Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis RAS, Leninskiy Prospekt 29, 119991 Moscow, Russia (G.K.)
| | - Maria Malozovskaya
- National Research Center “Kurchatov Institute”, Academic Kurchatov Sq. 1, 123182 Moscow, Russia
| | - Galina Karpacheva
- A.V. Topchiev Institute of Petrochemical Synthesis RAS, Leninskiy Prospekt 29, 119991 Moscow, Russia (G.K.)
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30
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Duncan TV, Khan SA, Patri AK, Wiggins S. Regulatory Science Perspective on the Analysis of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Human Food. Anal Chem 2024; 96:4343-4358. [PMID: 38452774 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c05408] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics are increasingly reported, not only in the environment but also in a wide range of food commodities. While studies on microplastics in food abound, the current state of science is limited in its application to regulatory risk assessment by a continued lack of standardized definitions, reference materials, sample collection and preparation procedures, fit-for purpose analytical methods for real-world and environmentally relevant plastic mixtures, and appropriate quality controls. This is particularly the case for nanoplastics. These methodological challenges hinder robust, quantitative exposure assessments of microplastic and nanoplastic mixtures from food consumption. Furthermore, limited toxicological studies on whether microplastics and nanoplastics adversely impact human health are also impeded by methodology challenges. Food safety regulatory agencies must consider both the exposure and the risk of contaminants of emerging concern to ascertain potential harm. Foundational to this effort is access to and application of analytical methods with the capability to quantify and characterize micro- and nanoscale sized polymers in complex food matrices. However, the early stages of method development and application of early stage methods to study the distribution and potential health effects of microplastics and nanoplastics in food have largely been done without consideration of the stringent requirements of methods to inform regulatory activities. We provide regulatory science perspectives on the state of knowledge regarding the occurrence of microplastics and nanoplastics in food and present our general approach for developing, validating, and implementing analytical methods for regulatory purposes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Timothy V Duncan
- Division of Food Processing Science and Technology, Office of Food Safety, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, United States Food and Drug Administration, Bedford Park, Illinois 60501, United States
| | - Sadia Afrin Khan
- Division of Analytical Chemistry, Office of Regulatory Science, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, United States Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland 20740, United States
| | - Anil K Patri
- Nanotechnology Core Facility, Office of Scientific Coordination, National Center for Toxicological Research, United States Food and Drug Administration, Jefferson, Arkansas 72029, United States
| | - Stacey Wiggins
- Division of Seafood Safety, Office of Food Safety, Center for Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, United States Food and Drug Administration, College Park, Maryland 20740, United States
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31
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Albergamo V, Wohlleben W, Plata DL. Tracking Dynamic Chemical Reactivity Networks with High-Resolution Mass Spectrometry: A Case of Microplastic-Derived Dissolved Organic Carbon. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:4314-4325. [PMID: 38373233 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08134] [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: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Chemical degradation testing often involves monitoring the loss of a chemical or the evolution of a single diagnostic product through time. Here, we demonstrate a novel approach to tracing complex degradation networks using mass-spectrometry-based methods and open cheminformatics tools. Ester- and ether-based thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU_Ester and TPU_Ether) microplastics (350 μm) and microplastics-derived dissolved organic carbon (MP-DOC) were photoweathered in a simulated marine environment and subsequently analyzed by liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry. We formula-annotated 1342 and 2344 unique features in the MP-DOC of TPU_Ester and TPU_Ether, respectively. From these, we extracted 199 and 568 plausible parent-transformation product pairs via matching of features (a) with complementary increasing and decreasing trends (Spearman's correlation coefficient between normalized intensity and time), (b) spectral similarities of at least three accurate mass MS2 fragments, and (c) at least 3 ppm agreement between the theoretical and measured change in m/z between the parent-transformation product formula. Molecular network analysis revealed that both chain scission and cross-linking reactions occur dynamically rather than degradation proceeding in a monotonic progression to smaller or more oxygenated structures. Network nodes with the highest degree of centrality were tentatively identified using in silico fragmentation and can be prioritized for toxicity screening or other physicochemical properties of interest. This work has important implications for chemical transformation tracking in complex mixtures and may someday enable improved elucidation of environmental transformation rules (i.e., structure-reactivity relationships) and fate modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vittorio Albergamo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Wendel Wohlleben
- Department of Analytical and Material Science, BASF SE, 67056 Ludwigshafen, Germany
| | - Desirée L Plata
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
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32
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Nguyen HT, Ho TTQ, Hoang BL, Le TCT. Impacts of education and perception on Vietnamese high school students' behaviors regarding plastic waste: the mediating role of attitude. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:19543-19555. [PMID: 38358623 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-32384-0] [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: 05/25/2023] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
This study analyzed the impact of educational, perception, and attitudinal factors on the plastic waste behavior of high school students in Vietnam. A cross-sectional research design and questionnaire survey method were used to collect data from 573 high school students. All the statistical analyses and hypothesis tests were performed using SPSS 26 and AmoS 20 software. Research results show that perception does not directly affect students' behavior toward the plastic waste problem (B = 0.051, p = 0.201 > 0.05, CI = [- 0.027; 0.130]) but has an indirect impact through attitude mediation, with an impact coefficient of B = 0.107 (p = 0.016 < 0.05, CI = [0.042; 0.177]). Educational factors positively impact students' behavior toward plastic waste through both direct effects, with an impact coefficient of B = 0.546 (p = 0.00 < 0.05, CI = [0.473; 0.620], and indirect effects, mediated by attitude, with an impact coefficient of B = 0.017 (p = 0.007 < 0.05, CI = [0.003; 0.037]). These findings are new compared to previous studies, contributing to enriching theories related to behavior toward the plastic waste problem and bringing practical significance to Vietnam. The findings of this study provide the basis for proposing measures to improve plastic waste behaviors for Vietnamese high school students.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hien Thi Nguyen
- Department of Geography, University of Education, Hue University, 34 Le Loi, Hue City, Vietnam.
| | - Thi Truc Quynh Ho
- Department of Psychology-Education, University of Education, Hue University, 34 Le Loi, Hue City, Vietnam
| | - Ba Loc Hoang
- Department of Foreign Languages and Tourism, Phu Xuan University, 176 Tran Phu Str, Hue City, Vietnam
| | - Thi Cam Tu Le
- Department of Physics, University of Education, Hue University, 34 Le Loi, Hue City, Vietnam
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33
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de Mello AFM, Vandenberghe LPDS, Machado CMB, Brehmer MS, de Oliveira PZ, Binod P, Sindhu R, Soccol CR. Polyhydroxyalkanoates production in biorefineries: A review on current status, challenges and opportunities. BIORESOURCE TECHNOLOGY 2024; 393:130078. [PMID: 37993072 DOI: 10.1016/j.biortech.2023.130078] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/24/2023]
Abstract
The need for a sustainable and circular bioeconomy model is imperative due to petroleum non-renewability, scarcity and environmental impacts. Biorefineries systems explore biomass to its maximum, being an important pillar for the development of circular bioeconomy. Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) can take advantage of biorefineries, as they can be produced using renewable feedstocks, and are potential substitutes for petrochemical plastics. The present work aims to evaluate the current status of the industrial development of PHAs production in biorefineries and PHAs contributions to the bioeconomy, along with future development points. Advancements are noticed when PHA production is coupled in wastewater treatment systems, when residues are used as substrate, and also when analytical methodologies are applied to evaluate the production process, such as the Life Cycle and Techno-Economic Analysis. For the commercial success of PHAs, it is established the need for dedicated investment and policies, in addition to proper collaboration of different society actors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ariane Fátima Murawski de Mello
- Federal University of Paraná, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Centro Politécnico, 81531-980, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Luciana Porto de Souza Vandenberghe
- Federal University of Paraná, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Centro Politécnico, 81531-980, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil.
| | - Clara Matte Borges Machado
- Federal University of Paraná, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Centro Politécnico, 81531-980, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | - Mateus Seleme Brehmer
- Federal University of Paraná, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Centro Politécnico, 81531-980, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
| | | | - Parameswaran Binod
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Trivandrum 695 019, Kerala, India
| | - Raveendran Sindhu
- Department of Food Technology, TKM Institute of Technology, Kollam 691 505, Kerala, India
| | - Carlos Ricardo Soccol
- Federal University of Paraná, Department of Bioprocess Engineering and Biotechnology, Centro Politécnico, 81531-980, Curitiba, Paraná, Brazil
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Jiao H, Ali SS, Alsharbaty MHM, Elsamahy T, Abdelkarim E, Schagerl M, Al-Tohamy R, Sun J. A critical review on plastic waste life cycle assessment and management: Challenges, research gaps, and future perspectives. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 271:115942. [PMID: 38218104 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.115942] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
The global production and consumption of plastics, as well as their deposition in the environment, are experiencing exponential growth. In addition, mismanaged plastic waste (PW) losses into drainage channels are a growing source of microplastic (MP) pollution concern. However, the complete understanding of their environmental implications throughout their life cycle is yet to be fully understood. Determining the potential extent to which MPs contribute to overall ecotoxicity is possible through the monitoring of PW release and MP removal during remediation. Life cycle assessments (LCAs) have been extensively utilized in many comparative analyses, such as comparing petroleum-based plastics with biomass and single-use plastics with multi-use alternatives. These assessments typically yield unexpected or paradoxical results. Nevertheless, there is still a paucity of reliable data and tools for conducting LCAs on plastics. On the other hand, the release and impact of MP have so far not been considered in LCA studies. This is due to the absence of inventory-related data regarding MP releases and the characterization factors necessary to quantify the effects of MP. Therefore, this review paper conducts a comprehensive literature review in order to assess the current state of knowledge and data regarding the environmental impacts that occur throughout the life cycle of plastics, along with strategies for plastic management through LCA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haixin Jiao
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Sameh S Ali
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China; Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta 31527, Egypt.
| | - Mohammed Husssein M Alsharbaty
- Department of Prosthodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Baghdad, Baghdad, Iraq; Branch of Prosthodontics, College of Dentistry, University of Al-Ameed, Karbala, Iraq.
| | - Tamer Elsamahy
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Esraa Abdelkarim
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Michael Schagerl
- Department of Functional and Evolutionary Ecology, University of Vienna, Djerassiplatz 1, Vienna A-1030, Austria.
| | - Rania Al-Tohamy
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China
| | - Jianzhong Sun
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang 212013, China.
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Zhu X, Hoffman MJ, Rochman CM. A City-Wide Emissions Inventory of Plastic Pollution. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38301607 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c04348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
A global agreement on plastic should have quantitative reduction targets for the emissions of plastic pollution and regular measurements to track success. Here, we present a framework for measuring plastic emissions, akin to greenhouse gas emissions, and demonstrate its utility by calculating a baseline measurement for the City of Toronto in Ontario, Canada. We identify relevant sources of plastic pollution in the city, calculate emissions for each source by multiplying activity data by emission factors for each source, and sum the emissions to obtain the total annual emissions of plastic pollution generated. Using Monte Carlo simulations, we estimate that 3,531 to 3,852 tonnes (T) of plastic pollution were emitted from Toronto in 2020. Littering is the largest source overall (3,099 T), and artificial turf is the largest source of microplastic (237 T). Quantifying source emissions can inform the most effective mitigation strategies to achieve reduction targets. We recommend this framework be scaled up and replicated in cities, states, provinces, and countries around the world to inform global reduction targets and measure progress toward reducing plastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xia Zhu
- Department of Physical and Environmental Sciences, University of Toronto Scarborough, 1265 Military Trail, Scarborough, Ontario M1C 1A4, Canada
| | - Matthew J Hoffman
- School of Mathematics and Statistics, Rochester Institute of Technology, 85 Lomb Memorial Dr., Rochester, New York 14623, United States
| | - Chelsea M Rochman
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks St, Toronto, Ontario M5S 3B2, Canada
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Zuri G, Karanasiou A, Lacorte S. Human biomonitoring of microplastics and health implications: A review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 237:116966. [PMID: 37634692 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 08/04/2023] [Accepted: 08/22/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microplastics (MPs) are plastic particles (<5 mm) ubiquitous in water, soil, and air, indicating that humans can be exposed to MPs through ingestion of water and food, and inhalation. OBJECTIVE This review provides an overview of the current human biomonitoring data available to evaluate human exposure and health impact of MPs. METHOD We compiled 91 relevant studies on MPs in human matrices and MPs toxicological endpoints to provide evidence on MPs distribution in the different tissues and the implications this can have from a health perspective. RESULTS Human exposure to MPs has been corroborated by the detection of MPs in different human biological samples including blood, urine, stool, lung tissue, breast milk, semen and placenta. Although humans have clearance mechanisms protecting them from potentially harmful substances, health risks associated to MPs exposure include the onset of inflammation, oxidative stress, and DNA damage, potentially leading to cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as cancer, as suggested by in vitro and in vivo studies. CONCLUSION Based on compiled data, MPs have been recurrently identified in different human tissues and fluids, suggesting that humans are exposed to MPs through inhalation and ingestion. Despite differences in MPs concentrations appear in exposed and non-exposed people, accumulation and distribution pathways and potential human health hazards is still at an infant stage. Human biomonitoring data enables the assessment of human exposure to MPs and associated risks, and this information can contribute to draw management actions and guidelines to minimize MP release to the environment, and thus, reduce human uptake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppina Zuri
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research of the Spanish Research Council (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Angeliki Karanasiou
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research of the Spanish Research Council (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Sílvia Lacorte
- Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research of the Spanish Research Council (IDAEA-CSIC), Jordi Girona 18-26, 08034, Barcelona, Spain.
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37
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Seyyedi SR, Kowsari E, Ramakrishna S, Gheibi M, Chinnappan A. Marine plastics, circular economy, and artificial intelligence: A comprehensive review of challenges, solutions, and policies. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 345:118591. [PMID: 37423188 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118591] [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: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 06/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/03/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2023]
Abstract
Global plastic production is rapidly increasing, resulting in significant amounts of plastic entering the marine environment. This makes marine litter one of the most critical environmental concerns. Determining the effects of this waste on marine animals, particularly endangered organisms, and the health of the oceans is now one of the top environmental priorities. This article reviews the sources of plastic production, its entry into the oceans and the food chain, the potential threat to aquatic animals and humans, the challenges of plastic waste in the oceans, the existing laws and regulations in this field, and strategies. Using conceptual models, this study looks at a circular economy framework for energy recovery from ocean plastic wastes. It does this by drawing on debates about AI-based systems for smart management. In the last sections of the present research, a novel soft sensor is designed for the prediction of accumulated ocean plastic waste based on social development features and the application of machine learning computations. Plus, the best scenario of ocean plastic waste management with a concentration on both energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions is discussed using USEPA-WARM modeling. Finally, a circular economy concept and ocean plastic waste management policies are modeled based on the strategies of different countries. We deal with green chemistry and the replacement of plastics derived from fossil sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seyed Reza Seyyedi
- Department of Chemistry, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Hafez St., Tehran 15875-4413, Iran
| | - Elaheh Kowsari
- Department of Chemistry, Amirkabir University of Technology (Tehran Polytechnic), Hafez St., Tehran 15875-4413, Iran.
| | - Seeram Ramakrishna
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Center for Nanofibers and Nanotechnology, National University of Singapore, 119260, Singapore.
| | - Mohammad Gheibi
- Department of Civil Engineering, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
| | - Amutha Chinnappan
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Center for Nanofibers and Nanotechnology, National University of Singapore, 119260, Singapore
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Wang J, Dong J, Tang M, Yao J, Li X, Kong D, Zhao K. Identification and detection of microplastic particles in marine environment by using improved faster R-CNN model. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 345:118802. [PMID: 37591094 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118802] [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: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 08/09/2023] [Accepted: 08/10/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics refer to plastic particles measuring less than 5 mm, which has led to serious environmental problem and the detection of these tiny particles is crucial for understanding the corresponding distribution and impact on the marine environment. In this paper, an improved faster region-based convolutional neural network (R-CNN) model was developed for the identification and detection of microplastic particles. In the proposed model, the residual network-50 (ResNet-50) is employed as the backbone with the replacement of the traditional one to enhance the feature extraction capability and the feature pyramid networks (FPN) module is introduced together for solving the multi-scale target detection. By using the improved Faster R-CNN model, the network model performance is enhanced where the average confidence of detecting unique microplastic particles in the marine environment reaches as high as 99%. Moreover, the microparticles mixture was bounded precisely via the predicted bounding boxes without missing detection and wrong detection. In this way, the successful identification of polystyrene microplastic particles from the particles suspension with similar shapes but various conditions of backgrounds, brightness, distributions and object sizes, was achieved by employing the proposed improved Faster R-CNN model, enabling the accurate detection of microplastic particles in marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junsheng Wang
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Sensing and Intelligent Detection, Dalian Maritime University, 116026, Dalian, China; Department of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, 116026, Dalian, China
| | - Jianhong Dong
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Sensing and Intelligent Detection, Dalian Maritime University, 116026, Dalian, China; Department of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, 116026, Dalian, China
| | - Mengrao Tang
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Sensing and Intelligent Detection, Dalian Maritime University, 116026, Dalian, China; Department of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, 116026, Dalian, China
| | - Junzhu Yao
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Sensing and Intelligent Detection, Dalian Maritime University, 116026, Dalian, China; Department of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, 116026, Dalian, China
| | - Xuan Li
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Sensing and Intelligent Detection, Dalian Maritime University, 116026, Dalian, China; Department of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, 116026, Dalian, China
| | - Dejian Kong
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Sensing and Intelligent Detection, Dalian Maritime University, 116026, Dalian, China; Department of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, 116026, Dalian, China
| | - Kai Zhao
- Liaoning Key Laboratory of Marine Sensing and Intelligent Detection, Dalian Maritime University, 116026, Dalian, China; Department of Information Science and Technology, Dalian Maritime University, 116026, Dalian, China.
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Xu D, He S, Leng W, Chen Y, Wu Z. Replacing Plastic with Bamboo: A Review of the Properties and Green Applications of Bamboo-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Composites. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:4276. [PMID: 37959955 PMCID: PMC10647463 DOI: 10.3390/polym15214276] [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: 09/14/2023] [Revised: 10/13/2023] [Accepted: 10/18/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Natural fiber composites are receiving more and more attention because of their greenness and low cost. Among natural fibers, bamboo is characterized by fast growth, a short cultivation period, high strength and good toughness, and is one of the strongest natural fibers in the world. A bamboo-fiber-reinforced polymer composite (BFRPC) has the characteristics of high mechanical strength, low density, degradability, etc. It has the industrial applicability comparable to metal materials, the same strong corrosion resistance as composites such as glass and carbon fibers, and the same immunity to electromagnetic interference and low thermal conductivity as natural materials. Its unidirectional specific strength and unidirectional specific modulus is higher than that of glass fiber, second only to the extremely high price of carbon fiber, which is playing an increasingly important role in the field of composite materials, and can be widely used in the fields of wind power, construction, aviation, automotive, medical care and so on. At present, it has been initially used in packaging, automotive and transportation fields, and is expected to replace petroleum-based plastics in various fields. In addition to their environmental protection and green production, they have excellent physical properties. This paper provides an overview of the mechanical properties of bamboo-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites and thermoset composites that have been developed so far, such as tensile strength, flexural properties and impact strength. In addition, the prospects of bamboo-fiber-reinforced thermoplastic composites for automotive, packaging and agricultural applications are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dandan Xu
- China National Bamboo Research Center, Key Laboratory of Bamboo High Efficient Processing of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310012, China; (D.X.); (Y.C.); (Z.W.)
| | - Sheng He
- China National Bamboo Research Center, Key Laboratory of Bamboo High Efficient Processing of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310012, China; (D.X.); (Y.C.); (Z.W.)
| | - Weiqi Leng
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing 210037, China
| | - Yuhe Chen
- China National Bamboo Research Center, Key Laboratory of Bamboo High Efficient Processing of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310012, China; (D.X.); (Y.C.); (Z.W.)
| | - Zaixing Wu
- China National Bamboo Research Center, Key Laboratory of Bamboo High Efficient Processing of Zhejiang Province, Hangzhou 310012, China; (D.X.); (Y.C.); (Z.W.)
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40
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Elsamahy T, Al-Tohamy R, Abdelkarim EA, Zhu D, El-Sheekh M, Sun J, Ali SS. Strategies for efficient management of microplastics to achieve life cycle assessment and circular economy. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:1361. [PMID: 37870605 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11955-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 10/05/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
The anticipated increase in the influx of plastic waste into aquatic environments has propelled the identification and elimination of plastic waste into the global agenda. The plastics sector generates a significant volume of materials, which, due to their extended durability, accumulate rapidly in natural ecosystems. Consequently, this indiscriminate utilization, along with the deposition of plastic waste (PW) in landfills and inadequate recycling practices, leads to diverse economic, social, and environmental consequences. Microplastics (MPs) are a type of PW that has been fragmented into particles measuring less than 5 mm. These particles have been found in several environments, including the air, soil, freshwater, and ocean ecosystems, where they accumulate in large quantities. In order to gain insight into the ecological risks and resource implications associated with a plastic product, it is strongly advised to conduct life cycle and sustainability analyses. Therefore, this paper examines various strategies aimed at achieving effective management of MP waste in order to develop a conceptual framework for MPs in circular economy and life cycle assessment (LCA). The findings of this study provides a new avenue for future research and contribution to manage MP waste as well as reduce their environmentally hazardous impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tamer Elsamahy
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Rania Al-Tohamy
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Esraa A Abdelkarim
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Daochen Zhu
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China
| | - Mostafa El-Sheekh
- Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt
| | - Jianzhong Sun
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China.
| | - Sameh S Ali
- Biofuels Institute, School of the Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, China.
- Botany Department, Faculty of Science, Tanta University, Tanta, 31527, Egypt.
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41
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Liu H, Jiao Q, Pan T, Liu W, Li S, Zhu X, Zhang T. Aging behavior of biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics accelerated by UV/H 2O 2 processes. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 337:139360. [PMID: 37392793 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/26/2023] [Indexed: 07/03/2023]
Abstract
The usage of biodegradable plastics is expanding annually due to worldwide plastic limits, resulting in a substantial number of microplastics (MPs) particles formed from biodegradable plastic products entering the aquatic environment. Until now, the environmental behaviors of these plastic product-derived MPs (PPDMPs) have remained unclear. In this work, commercially available polylactic acid (PLA) straws and PLA food bags were used to evaluate the dynamic aging process and environmental behavior of PLA PPDMPs under UV/H2O2 conditions. By combining scanning electron microscopy, two-dimensional (2D) Fourier transform infrared correlation spectroscopy (COS) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, it was determined that the aging process of the PLA PPDMPs was slower than that of pure MPs. The 2D-COS analysis revealed that the response orders for the functional groups on the PLA MPs differed during the aging process. The results demonstrated that the oxygen-containing functional groups of the PLA PPDMPs were the first to react. Subsequently, the -C-H and -C-C- structural responses began, and the polymer backbone was ruptured by the aging process. However, the aging of the pure-PLA MPs started with a brief oxidation process and then breakage of the polymer backbones, followed by continuous oxidation. Moreover, compared to the PLA PPDMPs, the pure-PLA MPs exhibited a greater adsorption capacity, which was increased by 88% after aging, whereas those of the two PPDMPs only increased by 64% and 56%, respectively. This work provides new insights into the behaviors of biodegradable PLA MPs in aquatic environments, which is critical for assessing the environmental risks and management policies for degradable MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hang Liu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Resource and Environment, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Qingxin Jiao
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Resource and Environment, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Ting Pan
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Resource and Environment, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiyi Liu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Resource and Environment, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Shangyi Li
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Resource and Environment, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaobiao Zhu
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Resource and Environment, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China.
| | - Tingting Zhang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Research Centre for Resource and Environment, Beijing University of Chemical Technology, Beijing, 100029, People's Republic of China.
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42
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Rangel-Buitrago N, Neal WJ, Galgani F. Plastics in the Anthropocene: A multifaceted approach to marine pollution management. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 194:115359. [PMID: 37544065 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115359] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/19/2023] [Revised: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
The Anthropocene, defined by human-induced environmental transformations, presents a critical challenge: plastic pollution. This complex problem, particularly prominent in coastal and marine environments, requires integrated and adaptive responses. This opinion paper examines global efforts across policy interventions, scientific innovations, and public education, highlighting both advancements and hurdles in managing this problem. These include enforcement limitations in policy implementation, scalability and cost issues in scientific innovations, and challenges in effecting large-scale behavioral change through public education. The complexities inherent in managing plastic litter in coastal and marine environments are further discussed, emphasizing the necessity for an integrated approach. This approach involves interdisciplinary collaboration, adaptive management, stakeholder engagement, policy integration, sustainable financing, resilience building, capacity enhancement, technological innovation, policy reform, ecosystem-based management, disaster risk reduction, and advocacy. The management of plastic pollution in the Anthropocene requires strategic planning, innovative thinking, and unified global efforts, ultimately providing an opportunity to redefine our relationship with the planet and steer toward a more sustainable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programa de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia.
| | - William J Neal
- Department of Geology, Grand Valley State University, The Seymour K. & Esther R. Padnos Hall of Science 213A, Allendale, MI, USA
| | - Francois Galgani
- Unité Ressources marines en Polynésie Francaise, Institut français de recherche pour l'exploitation de la mer (Ifremer), BP 49, Vairao, Tahiti, French Polynesia
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Siddiqui SA, Sundarsingh A, Bahmid NA, Nirmal N, Denayer JFM, Karimi K. A critical review on biodegradable food packaging for meat: Materials, sustainability, regulations, and perspectives in the EU. Compr Rev Food Sci Food Saf 2023; 22:4147-4185. [PMID: 37350102 DOI: 10.1111/1541-4337.13202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 05/22/2023] [Accepted: 06/04/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023]
Abstract
The development of biodegradable packaging is a challenge, as conventional plastics have many advantages in terms of high flexibility, transparency, low cost, strong mechanical characteristics, and high resistance to heat compared with most biodegradable plastics. The quality of biodegradable materials and the research needed for their improvement for meat packaging were critically evaluated in this study. In terms of sustainability, biodegradable packagings are more sustainable than conventional plastics; however, most of them contain unsustainable chemical additives. Cellulose showed a high potential for meat preservation due to high moisture control. Polyhydroxyalkanoates and polylactic acid (PLA) are renewable materials that have been recently introduced to the market, but their application in meat products is still limited. To be classified as an edible film, the mechanical properties and acceptable control over gas and moisture exchange need to be improved. PLA and cellulose-based films possess the advantage of protection against oxygen and water permeation; however, the addition of functional substances plays an important role in their effects on the foods. Furthermore, the use of packaging materials is increasing due to consumer demand for natural high-quality food packaging that serves functions such as extended shelf-life and contamination protection. To support the importance moving toward biodegradable packaging for meat, this review presented novel perspectives regarding ecological impacts, commercial status, and consumer perspectives. Those aspects are then evaluated with the specific consideration of regulations and perspective in the European Union (EU) for employing renewable and ecological meat packaging materials. This review also helps to highlight the situation regarding biodegradable food packaging for meat in the EU specifically.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shahida Anusha Siddiqui
- Technical University of Munich, Department for Biotechnology and Sustainability, Straubing, Germany
- German Institute of Food Technologies (DIL e.V.), Quakenbrück, Germany
| | | | - Nur Alim Bahmid
- Research Center for Food Technology and Processing, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Yogyakarta, Indonesia
| | - Nilesh Nirmal
- Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University, Salaya, Nakhon Pathom, Thailand
| | - Joeri F M Denayer
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Keikhosro Karimi
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Isfahan University of Technology, Isfahan, Iran
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Rashidi H, Shafiee O, Higgins DA. Fluorescence Correlation Spectroscopy Studies of Dye Diffusion on Fresh and Aged Polyethylene Terephthalate. Anal Chem 2023; 95:11849-11853. [PMID: 37531092 DOI: 10.1021/acs.analchem.3c02283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/03/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics accumulate a wide variety of organic pollutants and thus may serve as efficient vectors for the transport of toxic substances. Much remains to be learned about how organic molecules interact with the surfaces of plastics and how these properties evolve as the microplastics are weathered. In this Letter, we report, for the first time, the application of confocal fluorescence correlation spectroscopy (FCS) to studies of organic molecules adsorbed from aqueous solution onto the surfaces of synthetic secondary microplastics. Both fresh and artificially aged poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) plastics are employed. The plastics are artificially aged in a UV-ozone chamber. Raman and infrared spectra confirm the composition of the PET microplastics. Water contact angle and surface roughness measurements reveal, respectively, an increase in wettability and a change in the nature of roughness with aging, consistent with surface oxidation. Rhodamine B (RhB) dye is used as a fluorescent probe in FCS studies and serves as an analogue for organic pollutants commonly found on microplastics. The FCS results reveal the accumulation of dye on the PET surfaces as they age. Dye motion is significantly slower on the plastics than in bulk aqueous solution and occurs by anomalous subdiffusion. The rate of diffusion becomes dramatically slower and more anomalous as the plastics are aged. Surface diffusion is likely slowed by either ionic interactions or hydrogen bonding between the dye and plastic. These results provide new insights critical to the understanding of how microplastics accumulate and transport organic pollutants as they weather in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamid Rashidi
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, 213 CBC Building, Manhattan, Kansas 66506-0401, United States
| | - Omid Shafiee
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, 213 CBC Building, Manhattan, Kansas 66506-0401, United States
| | - Daniel A Higgins
- Department of Chemistry, Kansas State University, 213 CBC Building, Manhattan, Kansas 66506-0401, United States
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Khaleel R, Valsan G, Rangel-Buitrago N, Warrier AK. Microplastics in the marine environment of St. Mary's Island: implications for human health and conservation. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:1034. [PMID: 37568065 PMCID: PMC10421776 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11651-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 07/29/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics have now been identified as a class of emerging pollutants and is considered as a threat to aquatic organisms. This baseline paper investigated the distribution, composition, and potential ecological risks of microplastic (MP) pollution on St. Mary's Island, revealing an average abundance of 0.218 particles/L in water samples. Blue fibres and white foams were the primary MPs identified, and fishing activities and packaging were the main sources of pollution. Six types of polymers were identified: low-density polyethylene (LDPE), polystyrene (PS), polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). The Polymer Hazard Index (PHI) and Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI) indicated a medium environmental risk for the island. Additionally, it was discovered that MPs' surfaces contained dangerous substances that could endanger aquatic life. The research emphasizes the significance of implementing measures such as responsible disposal, management, elimination, regulatory policies, and local administration techniques to mitigate the impact of MP pollution on the island's shores and marine biota. This research provides a baseline for monitoring MP contamination and underscores the need for continuous investigation to assess their impacts on marine life.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rizwan Khaleel
- Department of Sciences, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Gokul Valsan
- Department of Civil Engineering, Manipal Institute of Technology, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India
| | - Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programa de Física, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Puerto Colombia, Atlántico, Colombia
| | - Anish Kumar Warrier
- Centre for Climate Studies, Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Manipal, Karnataka, 576104, India.
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Frank C, Emmerstorfer-Augustin A, Rath T, Trimmel G, Nachtnebel M, Stelzer F. Bio-Polyester/Rubber Compounds: Fabrication, Characterization, and Biodegradation. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:2593. [PMID: 37376240 DOI: 10.3390/polym15122593] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Revised: 05/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Biobased and biodegradable polymers (BBDs) such as poly(3-hydroxy-butyrate), PHB, and poly(3-hydroxybutyrate-co-3-hydroxyvalerate) (PHBV) are considered attractive alternatives to fossil-based plastic materials since they are more environmentally friendly. One major problem with these compounds is their high crystallinity and brittleness. In order to generate softer materials without using fossil-based plasticizers, the suitability of natural rubber (NR) as an impact modifier was investigated in PHBV blends. Mixtures with varying proportions of NR and PHBV were generated, and samples were prepared by mechanical mixing (roll mixer and/or internal mixer) and cured by radical C-C crosslinking. The obtained specimens were investigated with respect to their chemical and physical characteristics, applying a variety of different methods such as size exclusion chromatography, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), thermal analysis, XRD, and mechanical testing. Our results clearly indicate that NR-PHBV blends exhibit excellent material characteristics including high elasticity and durability. Additionally, biodegradability was tested by applying heterologously produced and purified depolymerases. pH shift assays and morphology analyses of the surface of depolymerase-treated NR-PHBV through electron scanning microscopy confirmed the enzymatic degradation of PHBV. Altogether, we prove that NR is highly suitable to substitute fossil-based plasticizers; NR-PHBV blends are biodegradable and, hence, should be considered as interesting materials for a great number of applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina Frank
- Acib-GmbH, Krenngasse 32, A-8010 Graz, Austria
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Anita Emmerstorfer-Augustin
- Acib-GmbH, Krenngasse 32, A-8010 Graz, Austria
- Institute for Molecular Biotechnology, Graz University of Technology, NAWI Graz, BioTechMed-Graz, Petersgasse 14, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Thomas Rath
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Gregor Trimmel
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Manfred Nachtnebel
- Graz Centre for Electron Microscopy, Steyrergasse 17, A-8010 Graz, Austria
| | - Franz Stelzer
- Acib-GmbH, Krenngasse 32, A-8010 Graz, Austria
- Institute for Chemistry and Technology of Materials, Graz University of Technology, Stremayrgasse 9, A-8010 Graz, Austria
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Ragusa A, De Luca C, Zucchelli E, Rinaldo D, Svelato A. Plastic, microplastic, and the inconsistency of human thought. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1145240. [PMID: 37342277 PMCID: PMC10277741 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1145240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/22/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
- Antonio Ragusa
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Campus Bio-Medico University Hospital Foundation Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Caterina De Luca
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fatebenefratelli Gemelli Hospital, Isola Tiberina, Rome, Italy
| | - Emma Zucchelli
- Instituto de Salud Global, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Denise Rinaldo
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Azienda Socio Sanitaria Territoriale (ASST) Bergamo Est, Bolognini Hospital, Seriate, Italy
| | - Alessandro Svelato
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Fatebenefratelli Gemelli Hospital, Isola Tiberina, Rome, Italy
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Akhtar S, Pranay K, Kumari K. Personal protective equipment and micro-nano plastics: A review of an unavoidable interrelation for a global well-being hazard. HYGIENE AND ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH ADVANCES 2023; 6:100055. [PMID: 37102160 PMCID: PMC10089666 DOI: 10.1016/j.heha.2023.100055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2022] [Revised: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 04/10/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
The usage and the demand for personal protective equipments (PPEs) for our day-to-day survival in this pandemic period of COVID-19 have seen a steep rise which has consequently led to improper disposal and littering. Fragmentation of these PPE units has eventually given way to micro-nano plastics (MNPs) emission in the various environmental matrices and exposure of living organisms to these MNPs has proven to be severely toxic. Numerous factors contribute to the toxicity imparted by these MNPs that mainly include their shape, size, functional groups and their chemical diversity. Even though multiple studies on the impacts of MNPs toxicity are available for other organisms, human cell line studies for various plastic polymers, other than the most common ones namely polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS) and polypropylene (PP), are still at their nascent stage and need to be explored more. In this article, we cover a concise review of the literature on the impact of these MNPs in biotic and human systems focusing on the constituents of the PPE units and the additives that are essentially used for their manufacturing. This review will subsequently identify the need to gather scientific evidence at the smaller level to help combat this microplastic pollution and induce a more in-depth understanding of its adverse effect on our existence.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaheen Akhtar
- Kolkata Zonal Centre, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Kolkata 700107, West Bengal, India
| | - Kumar Pranay
- Department of Biochemistry, Indira Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences (IGIMS), Patna 800014, Bihar, India
| | - Kanchan Kumari
- Kolkata Zonal Centre, CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI), Kolkata 700107, West Bengal, India
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Zhang C, Li F, Liu X, Xie L, Zhang YT, Mu J. Polylactic acid (PLA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polystyrene (PS) microplastics differently affect the gut microbiota of marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) after individual and combined exposure with sulfamethazine. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 259:106522. [PMID: 37061421 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2022] [Revised: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics and the antibiotic sulfamethazine (SMZ) are two prevalent pollutants in regions with high human activity, particularly in coastal marine environments. In this study, the individual and joint effects of microplastics (i.e., the bio-based microplastics polylactic acid (PLA), the petroleum-based microplastics polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and the petroleum-based microplastics polystyrene (PS) at 0.5 and 5 mg/g) and sulfamethazine (SMZ, at 5 mg/g) on the gut microbiota of marine medaka (Oryzias melastigma) via dietary route were investigated. For the individual microplastics exposure, two petroleum-based microplastics PET and PS significantly decreased the alpha diversity and the complexity of co-occurrence networks of gut microbiota. Differently, the adverse effects caused by the bio-based microplastic PLA were more modest, suggesting that PLA was less hazardous than PET and PS. For the combined exposure, SMZ alone dramatically impaired the homeostasis of gut microbiota by decreasing the alpha diversity and the complexity of co-occurrence networks, while the presence of PLA or PET alleviated these adverse effects caused by SMZ. Interestingly, such an alleviation effect was not observed in the SMZ + PS groups, suggesting that different types of microplastics might exhibit distinct joint effects with SMZ. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of the ecological risk of different types of microplastics to marine ecosystems, especially in a scenario of combined pollution with antibiotics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chaoyue Zhang
- Fujian Key Laboratory on Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Marine Biodiversity, College of Geography and Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Faguang Li
- Fujian Key Laboratory on Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Marine Biodiversity, College of Geography and Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Xiaofan Liu
- Fujian Key Laboratory on Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Marine Biodiversity, College of Geography and Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Lingtian Xie
- 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, South China Normal University, University Town, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Yu Ting Zhang
- Fujian Key Laboratory on Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Marine Biodiversity, College of Geography and Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China.
| | - Jingli Mu
- Fujian Key Laboratory on Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Marine Biodiversity, College of Geography and Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China.
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Ge JC, Lee ES, Kim DJ, Kang JH, Im IT, Choi NJ. Preparation of Waste PP/Fly Ash/Waste Stone Powder Composites and Evaluation of Their Mechanical Properties. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:ma16103687. [PMID: 37241314 DOI: 10.3390/ma16103687] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2023] [Revised: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 05/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The research was carried out to analyze the combined and mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP)/fly ash (FA)/waste stone powder (WSP) composite materials. PP, FA and WSP were mixed and prepared into PP100 (pure PP), PP90 (90 wt% PP + 5 wt% FA + 5 wt% WSP), PP80 (80 wt% PP + 10 wt% FA + 10 wt% WSP), PP70 (70 wt% PP + 15 wt% FA + 15 wt% WSP), PP60 (60 wt% PP + 20 wt% FA + 20 wt% WSP) and PP50 (50 wt% PP + 25 wt% FA + 25 wt% WSP) composite materials using an injection molding machine. The research results indicate that all PP/FA/WSP composite materials can be prepared through the injection molding process and there are no cracks or fractures found on the surface of the composite materials. The research results of thermogravimetric analysis are consistent with expectations, indicating that the preparation method of the composite materials in this study is reliable. Although the addition of FA and WSP powder cannot increase the tensile strength, it is very helpful to improve the bending strength and notched impact energy. Especially for notched impact energy, the addition of FA and WSP results in an increase in the notched impact energy of all PP/FA/WSP composite materials by 14.58-22.22%. This study provides a new direction for the reuse of various waste resources. Moreover, based on the excellent bending strength and notched impact energy, the PP/FA/WSP composite materials have great application potential in the composite plastic industry, artificial stone, floor tiles and other industries in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Cong Ge
- Division of Mechanical Design Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju-si 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Seo Lee
- Art Stone Co., Ltd., 64, Howondae 3-gil, Impi-myeon, Gunsan-si 54058, Republic of Korea
| | - Deuk Ju Kim
- Art Stone Co., Ltd., 64, Howondae 3-gil, Impi-myeon, Gunsan-si 54058, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji Ho Kang
- Art Stone Co., Ltd., 64, Howondae 3-gil, Impi-myeon, Gunsan-si 54058, Republic of Korea
| | - Ik Tae Im
- Division of Mechanical Design Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju-si 54896, Republic of Korea
| | - Nag Jung Choi
- Division of Mechanical Design Engineering, Jeonbuk National University, Jeonju-si 54896, Republic of Korea
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