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Foglia A, Pittura L, Vivani V, Sgroi M, De Simoni L, Eusebi AL, Gorbi S, Regoli F, Fatone F. Microplastics in urban water cycles: Looking for a more scientific approach for sampling and characterization in wastewater and drinking water treatment plants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 952:175919. [PMID: 39226968 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175919] [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: 05/11/2024] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Specific campaigns to detect microplastics (MPs) in the urban water cycle were carried out in three drinking water plants and two wastewater treatment plants. A self-designed sampler for MPs detection in water matrices was in this study preliminary validated and then tested in long term campaigns sampling up to 1000 L. Raw drinking water and wastewater show microplastics (MPs) concentrations of 2-11 and of 480-801 MPs/m3, respectively, and MPs removals of 47-78 % and of 84-98 %, correspondingly. Specific roles of chemical and physical conventional processes in microplastics removals were investigated. Solid-liquid separation, flotation and filtration are the main processes for achieving high microplastics removal. Regarding concentrated matrices, MPs concentrations in sludge samples varied in the range of 5000-500,000 MPs/m3. Finally, shapes, size classes and polymers' typologies were investigated in the extracted MPs. The detected sizes are mainly 0.5-0.1 mm in drinking waters while 5-1 mm in wastewaters. Wastewaters were predominated by synthetic fibers (polyester type), while drinking waters were mainly characterized by fragments and the fibers were mostly of natural origin. Finally, the results of this study supported best practices and guidelines for a representative assessment of MPs in water (sampling methods, extraction procedures, characterization and quantification).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Foglia
- Department of Science and Engineering of Materials, Environment and Urban Planning-SIMAU, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Lucia Pittura
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
| | - Veronica Vivani
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Sgroi
- Department of Science and Engineering of Materials, Environment and Urban Planning-SIMAU, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Lucia De Simoni
- Department of Science and Engineering of Materials, Environment and Urban Planning-SIMAU, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Anna Laura Eusebi
- Department of Science and Engineering of Materials, Environment and Urban Planning-SIMAU, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
| | - Stefania Gorbi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
| | - Francesco Regoli
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesco Fatone
- Department of Science and Engineering of Materials, Environment and Urban Planning-SIMAU, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
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2
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Garai S, Bhattacharjee C, Sarkar S, Moulick D, Dey S, Jana S, Dhar A, Roy A, Mondal K, Mondal M, Mukherjee S, Ghosh S, Singh P, Ramteke P, Manna D, Hazra S, Malakar P, Banerjee H, Brahmachari K, Hossain A. Microplastics in the soil-water-food nexus: Inclusive insight into global research findings. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:173891. [PMID: 38885699 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173891] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Nuisance imposed by biotic and abiotic stressors on diverse agroecosystems remains an area of focus for the scientific fraternity. However, emerging contaminants such as microplastics (MP) have imposed additional dimension (alone or in combinations with other stressors) in agroecosystems and keep escalating the challenges to achieve sustainability. MP are recognized as persistent anthropogenic contaminants, fetch global attention due to their unique chemical features that keeps themselves unresponsive to the decaying process. This review has been theorized to assess the current research trends (along with possible gap areas), widespread use of MP, enhancement of the harshness of heavy metals (HMs), complex interactions with physico-chemical constituents of arable soil, accumulation in the edible parts of field crops, dairy products, and other sources to penetrate the food web. So far, the available review articles are oriented to a certain aspect of MP and lack a totality when considered from in soil-water-food perspective. In short, a comprehensive perspective of the adverse effects of MP on human health has been assessed. Moreover, an agro-techno-socio-health prospective-oriented critical assessment of policies and remedial measures linked with MP has provided an extra edge over other similar articles in influential future courses of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Garai
- Division of Agronomy, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Chandrima Bhattacharjee
- Division of Agronomy, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Sukamal Sarkar
- Division of Agronomy, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
| | - Debojyoti Moulick
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal -741235, India
| | - Saikat Dey
- Division of Agronomy, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Soujanya Jana
- Division of Agronomy, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Anannya Dhar
- Division of Agronomy, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Anirban Roy
- Division of Genetics and Plant Breeding, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Krishnendu Mondal
- Dhaanyaganga Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Sargachhi, West Bengal, India
| | - Mousumi Mondal
- School of Agriculture and Allied Sciences, The Neotia University, Sarisha, West Bengal, India
| | - Siddhartha Mukherjee
- Division of Agriculture, Faculty Centre for Agriculture, Rural and Tribal Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Morabadi, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
| | - Samrat Ghosh
- Emergent Ventures India, Gurugram, Haryana, India
| | - Puja Singh
- Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Natural Resource Management, Horticultural College, Birsa Agricultural University, Khuntpani, Chaibasa, Jharkhand, India
| | - Pratik Ramteke
- Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, MS 444104, India
| | - Dipak Manna
- School of Biological Sciences, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Shreyasee Hazra
- School of Biological Sciences, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Pushkar Malakar
- School of Biological Sciences, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Hirak Banerjee
- Regional Research Station (CSZ), Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kakdwip, West Bengal, India
| | - Koushik Brahmachari
- Department of Agronomy, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Akbar Hossain
- Division of Soil Science, Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute, Dinajpur 5200, Bangladesh
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3
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Zhou Y, Dou M, Zhang Y, Ning K, Li Y. Distribution characteristics of soil microplastics and their impact on soil physicochemical properties in agricultural areas of the North China plain. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2024; 26:1556-1570. [PMID: 39069953 DOI: 10.1039/d4em00242c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic (MPs) pollution has become a global issue, with particular concern regarding MPs in soil. To determine the characteristics of MPs in agricultural production areas and their impact on soil physicochemical properties, soil samples were collected from different land use types in the North China Plain. Layered sampling was conducted and the soil physicochemical properties were determined. A novel image recognition method based on fluorescence staining was proposed for the batch analysis of MPs in the study area. Together with the results of the soil physicochemical properties, the impact of MPs on soil physicochemical properties was analyzed and evaluated. The results showed that the soil MPs abundance in this agricultural area was moderate to low compared to other agricultural areas, with a larger proportion of particle-type and fragment-type MPs smaller than 10 μm. The soil MPs were predominantly composed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polypropylene (PP). MPs abundance was higher in farmland and forest land than in vegetable fields. The impact of MPs on soil physicochemical properties was mainly manifested in the changes in soil structure due to the different MPs characteristics. Apart from abundance, the type of MPs was found to be the main factor affecting soil bulk density, with particle size and shape influencing the soil aggregate structure. MPs may effect the pH values of sandy and loamy soils, primarily by altering the soil porosity and water holding capacity, but also by increasing the area and duration of contact between the soil medium and external water sources. This study revealed the MPs characteristics in agricultural areas as well as the pathways by which they can impact soil physicochemical properties.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuze Zhou
- School of Water Conservancy Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ming Dou
- School of Water Conservancy Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China
- School of Ecology and Environment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
| | - Yan Zhang
- School of Ecology and Environment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
- Farmland Irrigation Research Institute, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Xinxiang, China
| | - Kaizi Ning
- Faculty of Science, Monash University, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Yuxuan Li
- School of Ecology and Environment, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, China.
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4
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Noornama, Abidin MNZ, Abu Bakar NK, Hashim NA. Innovative solutions for the removal of emerging microplastics from water by utilizing advanced techniques. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 206:116752. [PMID: 39053257 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116752] [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: 05/01/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic pollution is one of the most pressing global environmental problems due to its harmful effects on living organisms and ecosystems. To address this issue, researchers have explored several techniques to successfully eliminate microplastics from water sources. Chemical coagulation, electrocoagulation, magnetic extraction, adsorption, photocatalytic degradation, and biodegradation are some of the recognized techniques used for the removal of microplastics from water. In addition, membrane-based techniques encompass processes propelled by pressure or potential, along with sophisticated membrane technologies like the dynamic membrane and the membrane bioreactor. Recently, researchers have been developing advanced membranes composed of metal-organic frameworks, MXene, zeolites, carbon nanomaterials, metals, and metal oxides to remove microplastics. This paper aims to analyze the effectiveness, advantages, and drawbacks of each method to provide insights into their application for reducing microplastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noornama
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Balochistan University of Information Technology, Engineering and Management Sciences, Quetta, Pakistan
| | | | - Nor Kartini Abu Bakar
- Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nur Awanis Hashim
- Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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5
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Cho Y, Jeon HJ, Lee SE, Kim C, Kim G, Kim K, Kim YK, Lee SR. Microplastic accumulation dynamics in Han river headwaters: Sediment interactions and environmental implication. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 472:134445. [PMID: 38701727 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024]
Abstract
The prevalence of microplastic (MP) contamination has become a significant environmental concern due to its pervasive nature and persistent effects. While sediments are considered major repositories for MPs, information on their spatial distribution within these matrices is insufficient. This research examined both the horizontal and vertical presence of MPs in the sediments surrounding Lake Paldang in South Korea, alongside a comprehensive evaluation of the physicochemical characteristics of the samples obtained. The total content of MPs varied from 2.15 to 122.2 particles g-1. The average contents of MPs on surface sediments were 40.47, 34.14, 5.01, and 8.19 particles g-1 in north mainstream (NM), south mainstream (SM), tributary (TB), and Tributary catchment (TC) based on Sonae Island, Gyeongan stream, respectively. The most abundant MP types were polyethylene (PE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), and polypropylene (PP), accounting for more than 70% of the total MPs. The most abundant sizes of MPs were within 45-100 µm. At all sediment depths, polymers were distributed in the order PE, PP, and polyester in NM, SM, and TC, respectively, whereas PTFE mainly occurred in the surface layer. MPs distribution also exhibited seasonal variation as larger inflows and flow rates varied with season.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yunseo Cho
- Aero-Soil Laboratory, Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Dongguk University, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Hwang-Ju Jeon
- Red River Research Station, AgCenter, School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences, Louisiana State University, Bossier City, LA 71112, USA
| | - Sung-Eun Lee
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Chaeeun Kim
- Department of Applied Biosciences, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Gyuwon Kim
- Aero-Soil Laboratory, Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Dongguk University, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyeongnam Kim
- Institute of Quality and Safety Evaluation of Agricultural Products, Kyungpook National University, Daegu 41566, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Kwan Kim
- Sustainable Nanochemistry Laboratory, Department of Chemistry, Dongguk University, Seoul 10326, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang-Ryong Lee
- Aero-Soil Laboratory, Department of Biological and Environmental Science, Dongguk University, Goyang 10326, Republic of Korea.
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6
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Glorio Patrucco S, Rivoira L, Bruzzoniti MC, Barbera S, Tassone S. Development and application of a novel extraction protocol for the monitoring of microplastic contamination in widely consumed ruminant feeds. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 947:174493. [PMID: 38969126 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 07/02/2024] [Indexed: 07/07/2024]
Abstract
Plastics and, in particular, microplastics (MPs) (< 5 mm) are emerging environmental pollutants responsible for interconnected risks to environmental, human, and animal health. The livestock sector is highly affected by these contaminants, with 50-60 % of the foreign bodies found in slaughtered domestic cattle being recognized as plastic-based materials. Additionally, microplastics were recently detected inside ruminant bodies and in their feces. MPs presence in ruminants could be explained by the intensive usage of plastic materials on farms, in particular to store feeds (i.e. to cover horizontal silos and to wrap hay bales). Although feed could be one of the main sources of plastics, especially of microplastics, a specific protocol to detect them in ruminant feeds is not actually present. Hence, the aim of this study was to optimize a specific protocol for the extraction, quantification, and identification of five microplastic polymers (high-density polyethylene, low-density polyethylene, polyamide fibers/particles, polyethylene terephthalate and polystyrene) from feeds typically used in ruminant diets (corn silage, hay, high protein feedstuff and total mixed ration). Several combinations of Fenton reactions and KOH digestion were tested. The final extraction protocol involved a KOH digestion (60 °C for 24 h), followed by two/three cycles of Fenton reactions. The extraction recoveries were of 100 % for high-density, low-density polyethylene, polyamide particles, and polystyrene and higher than 85 % for polyethylene terephthalate and polyamide fibers. Finally, the optimized protocol was successfully applied in the extraction of microplastics from real feed samples. All the feeds contained microplastics, particularly polyethylene, thus confirming the exposure of ruminants to MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Glorio Patrucco
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, Largo P. Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Luca Rivoira
- Department of Chemistry, University of Turin, Via Pietro Giuria 7, 10125 Turin, Italy.
| | | | - Salvatore Barbera
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, Largo P. Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
| | - Sonia Tassone
- Department of Agricultural, Forest and Food Sciences, University of Turin, Largo P. Braccini 2, 10095 Grugliasco, Italy
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7
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Gupta E, Mishra VK, Patel A, Srivastava PK. A modified methodology for extraction and quantification of microplastics in soil. NANOIMPACT 2024; 35:100525. [PMID: 39134304 DOI: 10.1016/j.impact.2024.100525] [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: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 07/18/2024] [Accepted: 08/05/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
The ubiquitousness of microplastics (<5 mm) has become a pressing environmental concern globally due to the extensive use of plastics. Microplastics have been well-studied in aquatic environments but not well-characterized in soils. Present analytical processes to quantify microplastics accurately in soil samples are quite challenging and require improved and validated analytical steps to eliminate the obscurities and biases. We aimed to develop an effective method for the extraction and quantification of microplastics from soil samples. Different ratios of low-(NaCl) and high-density solutions (ZnCl2/ NaBr) were tested to determine the most efficient combination for density-dependent separation of microplastics from soil. The combination of low- (1:6) and high-density (1:3) solutions {as weight of soil(g)/volume of density solution(ml)} accounted for 95% recovery of the spiked microplastic particles from soil samples. Likewise, different soil-to-solution ratios of H2O2 were tested for the removal of soil organic matter with heating and non-heating steps. Prior removal of organic matter from soil samples achieved a clear supernatant that facilitated 99% recovery of microplastic particles. The validation of individually spiked microplastic particles of small (10-100 μm) and large scale (100-5000 μm) resulted in recovery ranging from 88 to 99%. A validated modified method with prior digestion followed by density-dependent separation was further tested using the field samples with microplastic contamination. The microplastics of different shapes, sizes, colours and polymeric compositions were reported efficiently and well characterized in the field-collected soil samples using this method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ekta Gupta
- Environmental Technology Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India; Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Virendra Kumar Mishra
- Institute of Environment and Sustainable Development, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi, India
| | - Anju Patel
- Environmental Technology Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India
| | - Pankaj Kumar Srivastava
- Environmental Technology Division, CSIR-National Botanical Research Institute, Lucknow, India.
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8
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Zheng S, Zhou B, Guo N, Li N, Wu J, Chen Y, Han Z. Optimization and application of pretreatment method of microplastics detection in municipal solid waste landfills. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 183:260-270. [PMID: 38776828 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.05.013] [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: 03/25/2024] [Revised: 05/01/2024] [Accepted: 05/12/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The landfill is one of the most important sources of microplastics (MPs). The pretreatment method is a precondition of microplastics study for the presence of complex substances in landfills. Therefore, it is essential to examine the impact of different pretreatment methods on the microplastics detection. A literature review and a comparison experiment on digestion solutions were performed to establish a comprehensive identification method for MPs in landfills. When exposed to of 30 % H2O2, minimal mass reduction of PE, PP and PET were 4.00 %, 3.00 % and 3.00 % respectively, and the least surface damage was observed in MPs, while exhibiting the most optimal peak value for infrared spectral characteristics. It is demonstrated that the effect of 30 % H2O2 dissolution was superior compared to 10 % KOH and 65 % HNO3. The method was subsequently utilized to investigate the distribution of MPs in a landfill. The dominant MPs were polyethylene (PE, 18.56-23.91 %), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 8.80-18.66 %), polystyrene (PS, 10.31-18.09 %), and polypropylene (PP, 11.60-14.91 %). The comprehensive identification method of "NaCl density separation + 30 % H2O2 digestion + NaI density separation + sampling microscope + Mirco-FTIR" is suitable for the detection of MPs in landfills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saqi Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection (Chengdu University of Technology), Chengdu 610059, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Synergetic Control and Joint Remediation for Soil & Water Pollution (Chengdu University of Technology), Chengdu 610059, China; College of Ecology and Environment, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
| | - Baiyu Zhou
- State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection (Chengdu University of Technology), Chengdu 610059, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Synergetic Control and Joint Remediation for Soil & Water Pollution (Chengdu University of Technology), Chengdu 610059, China; College of Ecology and Environment, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
| | - Nanfei Guo
- College of Ecology and Environment, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China; YangJiang Nuclear Power Co.,Ltd., Yangjiang 529500, China
| | - Naying Li
- State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection (Chengdu University of Technology), Chengdu 610059, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Synergetic Control and Joint Remediation for Soil & Water Pollution (Chengdu University of Technology), Chengdu 610059, China; College of Ecology and Environment, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China
| | - Jialun Wu
- Chengdu Ecological Environment Monitoring Center Station of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Yong Chen
- Chengdu Ecological Environment Monitoring Center Station of Sichuan Province, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Zhiyong Han
- State Key Laboratory of Geohazard Prevention and Geoenvironment Protection (Chengdu University of Technology), Chengdu 610059, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Synergetic Control and Joint Remediation for Soil & Water Pollution (Chengdu University of Technology), Chengdu 610059, China; College of Ecology and Environment, Chengdu University of Technology, Chengdu 610059, China.
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9
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Li G, Pei Z, Li Y, Yang R, Wang P, Liang Y, Zhang J, Zhang Q, Jiang G. A high-precision, effective method for extraction and identification of small-sized microplastics from soil. Talanta 2024; 272:125802. [PMID: 38368834 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.125802] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 02/06/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
A growing evidence showed that the terrestrial ecosystem was a greater sink for microplastics (MPs) compared with ocean. Owing to the limitation of pretreatment methods, there are few reports on the identification of small-sized MPs(<60 μm) in soil currently, which may led to an underestimation of the environmental risk of MPs in soil system. In this study, we established an efficient pretreatment method for MPs in soils by developing a novel device, Plastic Flotation and Separator system (PFSS). The device integrated the suspension, digestion and filtration procedures into one system, reducing the losses of pretreatment process. It was shown that the recovery of MPs with size of 45 μm was 90%, significantly surpassing that of the traditional pretreatment methods in this particle size range. Combined with the SEM-Raman technique, MPs with small size were accurately determined. This work provides an effective method for the extraction and determination of MPs in soils and is of significance for the risk assessment of MPs in soil system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Taishan Institute for Eco-Environment, Jinan, 250100, China
| | - Zhiguo Pei
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Yingming Li
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China
| | - Ruiqiang Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Taishan Institute for Eco-Environment, Jinan, 250100, China
| | - Pu Wang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China
| | - Yong Liang
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China
| | - Jilong Zhang
- State Nuclear Security Technology Center, Beijing, 102445, China
| | - Qinghua Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China; School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China.
| | - Guibin Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China; Hubei Key Laboratory of Environmental and Health Effects of Persistent Toxic Substances, Institute of Environment and Health, Jianghan University, Wuhan, 430056, China; School of Environment, Hangzhou Institute for Advanced Study, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hangzhou, 310024, China
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10
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Huang JN, Xu L, Wen B, Gao JZ, Chen ZZ. Characteristics and risks of microplastic contamination in aquaculture ponds near the Yangtze Estuary, China. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 343:123288. [PMID: 38176640 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123288] [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: 09/04/2023] [Revised: 12/30/2023] [Accepted: 01/01/2024] [Indexed: 01/06/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic pollution has been frequently reported in natural water environments, but studies on the occurrence and characteristics of microplastic in aquaculture environments especially in pond production system are relatively scarce. Herein, we investigated the abundance and characteristics of microplastic pollution in aquaculture ponds that farm different species (fish, prawn and crab) near the Yangtze Estuary, China. The average abundance of microplastic in pond water and sediment was 36.25 ± 6.79 items/L and 271.65 ± 164.83 items/kg, respectively. Compared to fish ponds (208.43 ± 57.82 items/kg), microplastic abundance was significantly higher in sediment of crab and prawn ponds (312.02 ± 38.76 and 248.87 ± 36.51 items/kg respectively). Across all ponds, transparent, white and black microplastic were the common colors. Fiber was the most common type, accounting for 40.9% and 58.6% in pond water and sediment, respectively. The size of microplastic was mainly distributed between 300 and 1000 μm. For microplastic polymer composition, polyethylene (PE) was predominant in pond water, accounting for 55%, followed by polyamide with 15%. The predominant polymer in sediment was PE with 34%, followed by polypropylene with 18%. As for the ecological risk assessment of microplastic, the pollution load index was 7.6 (risk level I) and 8.9 (risk level I) for pond water and sediment, respectively. The polymer hazard index was 85.3 (risk level II) and 12.1 (risk level II) for pond water and sediment, respectively. Taken together, the pollution risk index was rated as high and very high for pond sediment and water, respectively. These results provide a basis for the comprehensive evaluation and developing practical approaches to deal with microplastic in aquaculture pond, which is of great significance to the healthy development of pond aquaculture.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun-Nan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Lei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Bin Wen
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China.
| | - Jian-Zhong Gao
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Zai-Zhong Chen
- Key Laboratory of Freshwater Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Exploration and Utilization of Aquatic Genetic Resources, Ministry of Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; National Demonstration Center for Experimental Fisheries Science Education, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
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11
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Dai Y, Li L, Guo Z, Yang X, Dong D. Emerging isolation and degradation technology of microplastics and nanoplastics in the environment. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 243:117864. [PMID: 38072105 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117864] [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: 10/13/2023] [Revised: 11/18/2023] [Accepted: 12/02/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs, less than 5 mm in size) are widely distributed in surroundings in various forms and ways, and threaten ecosystems security and human health. Its environmental behavior as pollutants carrier and the after-effects exposed to MPs has been extensively exploited; whereas, current knowledge on technologies for the separation and degradation of MPs is relatively limited. It is essential to isolate MPs from surroundings and/or degrade to safe levels. This in-depth review details the origin and distribution of MPs. Provides a comprehensive summary of currently available MPs separation and degradation technologies, and discusses the mechanisms, challenges, and application prospects of these technologies. Comparison of the contribution of various separation methods to the separation of NPs and MPs. Furthermore, the latest research trends and direction in bio-degradation technology are outlooked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaodan Dai
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China; Anhui Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Lele Li
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China; Anhui Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Zhi Guo
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China; Anhui Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China.
| | - Xue Yang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China; Anhui Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
| | - Dazhuang Dong
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China; Anhui Engineering Research Center of Industrial Wastewater Treatment and Resource Recovery, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, 230009, China
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12
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Akca MO, Gündoğdu S, Akca H, Delialioğlu RA, Aksit C, Turgay OC, Harada N. An evaluation on microplastic accumulations in Turkish soils under different land uses. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 911:168609. [PMID: 37984660 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/22/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution is now widely reported in soil ecosystems. However, the level of this pollution in soil ecosystems has not been sufficiently elucidated. Moreover, there is little understanding of how land use conditions affect the occurrence and distribution of MPs in soils. Therefore, this study examined 55 soil samples (44 agricultural and 11 urban) from the Mediterranean, Aegean, and Marmara regions of Türkiye, representing both agricultural and urban land uses. The samples were analyzed for MP distribution characteristics, such as abundance, shape, size, color, and type. Different types of MPs were detected in the soil samples, and their averages in agricultural and urban soils were 192.7 ± 14.2 and 127.3 ± 21.6 particles kg-1, respectively. MP abundance in the soil exhibited variations between different land uses, with agricultural areas showing higher levels compared to urban areas. In agricultural soils, MPs were predominantly blue-colored (44.6 %), in the form of fibers (74.9 %), smaller than 1000 μm (66.1 %), and primarily constituted polyethylene (90.8 %). In urban areas, MPs were also blue-colored (54.7 %), had a fiber shape (64.2 %), smaller than 1000 μm (70.6 %), and mostly belonged to the polyethylene category (78.5 %). A significant difference in MP concentrations was observed between agricultural and urban areas, reflecting the influence of distinct land uses on MP levels. Moreover, Principal Component Analysis (PCA) revealed that soil properties, including pH, electrical conductivity, organic matter, aggregate stability, average weight diameter, sand, clay, and silt, emerged as the primary determinants influencing the abundance and size of MPs within the soil. These findings contribute valuable insights into the origins of soil MPs and the intricate connections between MPs and varying soil characteristics across diverse land use categories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhittin Onur Akca
- Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 06110 Ankara, Türkiye; Institute of Science and Technology, Niigata University, 950-2181 Niigata, Japan.
| | - Sedat Gündoğdu
- Çukurova University, Faculty of Fisheries, Department of Basic Sciences, 01330 Adana, Türkiye
| | - Hanife Akca
- Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 06110 Ankara, Türkiye; Institute of Science and Technology, Niigata University, 950-2181 Niigata, Japan
| | | | - Cenk Aksit
- Republic of Türkiye Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry General Directorate of Agricultural Research And Policies, 06800 Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Oguz Can Turgay
- Ankara University, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 06110 Ankara, Türkiye
| | - Naoki Harada
- Institute of Science and Technology, Niigata University, 950-2181 Niigata, Japan
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Amirhosseini K, Haghani Z, Alikhani HA. Microplastics pollution in rice fields: a case study of Pir Bazar rural district of Gilan, Iran. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:1473. [PMID: 37964173 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-12111-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023]
Abstract
Various stressors threaten rice fields' productivity. Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous pollutants that accumulate in agricultural soils, effectively impairing agroecosystem functioning. The study investigates the MPs pollution status of rice fields and compares it with that of non-paddy vegetable farms under contrasting management practices. Possible sources of MPs in the fields are identified. Additionally, the relationships between MPs abundance and soil characteristics are investigated. This provides innovative insights into the possible impact of MPs on soil health and functioning. Density separation using saturated NaCl solution and oxidative organic matter digestion using Fenton's reagent were employed to extract the MPs. The extracted MPs were categorized according to shape, size, and color. The results indicated that the paddies (1952.86±114.36 particles/kg) contained significantly more MPs than did the non-paddies (1134.44±221.52 particles/kg). Beads (53.75%) and fibers (28.46%) were the most common MPs. More than 90% of all MPs recovered from the fields were less than 1 mm in size. Of the 16 color groups identified, the colors silver, white, and black were the most abundant. Sewage sludge application and mulching were recognized as the primary sources of MPs in the paddies, with sludge contributing more than mulching. Microplastics were shown to potentially alter vital soil characteristics. Rice fields are otherwise overlooked reservoirs of MPs. More attention should be paid to raising awareness of their role as MPs accumulation hotspots among governmental bodies, researchers, producers, and citizens. Contributing MPs sources need to be identified, and managerial decisions should consider the polluting capacity of different practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kamyar Amirhosseini
- Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Daneshkadeh ave, Karaj, 77871-31587, Iran.
| | - Zahra Haghani
- Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Daneshkadeh ave, Karaj, 77871-31587, Iran
| | - Hossein Ali Alikhani
- Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of Tehran, Daneshkadeh ave, Karaj, 77871-31587, Iran
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Azeem I, Shakoor N, Chaudhary S, Adeel M, Zain M, Ahmad MA, Li Y, Zhu G, Shah SAA, Khan K, Khan AA, Xu M, Rui Y. Analytical challenges in detecting microplastics and nanoplastics in soil-plant systems. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2023; 204:108132. [PMID: 37918078 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2023.108132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/20/2023] [Indexed: 11/04/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPx) and nanoplastics (NPx) are increasingly accumulating in terrestrial ecosystems, heightening concerns about their potential adverse effects on human health via the food chain. Techniques aimed at recovering the most challenging colloidal fractions of MPx and NPx, especially for analytical purposes, are limited. This systematic review emphasises the absence of a universal, efficient, and cost-effective analytical method as the primary hindrance to studying MPx and NPx in soil and plant samples. The study reveals that several methods, including density separation, organic matter removal, and filtration, are utilized to detect MPx or NPx in soil through vibrational spectroscopy and visual identification. Instruments such as Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (Py-GCMS), Transmission Electron Microscopy (TEM), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectroscopy, and fluorescence microscopy are employed to identify MPx and NPx in plant tissue. In extraction procedures, organic solvents and sonication are used to isolate NPx from plant tissues, while Pyrolysis GC-MS quantifies the plastics. SEM and TEM serve to observe and characterize NPx within plant tissues. Additionally, FTIR and fluorescence microscopy are utilized to identify polymers of MPx and NPx based on their spectral characteristics and fluorescence signals. The findings from this review clarify the identification and quantification methods for MPx and NPx in soil and plant systems and provide a comprehensive methodology for assessing MPx/NPx in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Imran Azeem
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation and College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Noman Shakoor
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation and College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Sadaf Chaudhary
- Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Adeel
- BNU-HKUST Laboratory of Green Innovation, Advanced Institute of Natural Sciences, Beijing Normal University at Zhuhai, 18 Jinfeng Road, Tangjiawan, Zhuhai, Guangdong, PR China.
| | - Muhammad Zain
- Key Laboratory of Crop Genetics and Physiology of Jiangsu Province, Key Laboratory of Crop Cultivation and Physiology of Jiangsu Province, College of Agriculture, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou, 225009, PR China
| | - Muhammad Arslan Ahmad
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresource and Eco-environmental Science, College of Life Sciences and Oceanography, Shenzhen University, Shenzhen, 518060, PR China
| | - Yuanbo Li
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation and College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Guikai Zhu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation and College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Syed Aizaz Ali Shah
- College of Horticulture, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China
| | - Kashif Khan
- College of Harbin, Northeast Forestry University, Harbin, PR China
| | - Adnan Anwar Khan
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, PR China
| | - Ming Xu
- Department of Botany, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan
| | - Yukui Rui
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Farmland Soil Pollution Prevention and Remediation and College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing, 100193, PR China.
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15
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Rajendran D, Chandrasekaran N. Journey of micronanoplastics with blood components. RSC Adv 2023; 13:31435-31459. [PMID: 37901269 PMCID: PMC10603568 DOI: 10.1039/d3ra05620a] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 10/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The entry of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) into the human body is inevitable. They enter blood circulation through ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact by crossing the gut-lung-skin barrier (the epithelium of the digestive tract, the respiratory tract, and the cutaneous layer). There are many reports on their toxicities to organs and tissues. This paper presents the first thorough assessment of MNP-driven bloodstream toxicity and the mechanism of toxicity from the viewpoint of both MNP and environmental co-pollutant complexes. Toxic impacts include plasma protein denaturation, hemolysis, reduced immunity, thrombosis, blood coagulation, and vascular endothelial damage, among others, which can lead to life-threatening diseases. Protein corona formation, oxidative stress, cytokine alterations, inflammation, and cyto- and genotoxicity are the key mechanisms involved in toxicity. MNPs change the secondary structure of plasma proteins, thereby preventing their transport functions (for nutrients, drugs, oxygen, etc.). MNPs inhibit erythropoiesis by influencing hematopoietic stem cell proliferation and differentiation. They cause red blood cell and platelet aggregation, as well as increased adherence to endothelial cells, which can lead to thrombosis and cardiovascular disease. White blood cells and immune cells phagocytose MNPs, provoking inflammation. However, research gaps still exist, including gaps regarding the combined toxicity of MNPs and co-pollutants, toxicological studies in human models, advanced methodologies for toxicity analysis, bioaccumulation studies, inflammation and immunological responses, dose-response relationships of MNPs, and the effect of different physiochemical characteristics of MNPs. Furthermore, most studies have analyzed toxicity using prepared MNPs; hence, studies must be undertaken using true-to-life MNPs to determine the real-world scenario. Additionally, nanoplastics may further degrade into monomers, whose toxic effects have not yet been explored. The research gaps highlighted in this review will inspire future studies on the toxicity of MNPs in the vascular/circulatory systems utilizing in vivo models to enable more reliable health risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Durgalakshmi Rajendran
- Centre for Nanobiotechnology, Vellore Institute of Technology Vellore 632014 Tamil Nadu India +91 416 2243092 +91 416 2202624
| | - Natarajan Chandrasekaran
- Centre for Nanobiotechnology, Vellore Institute of Technology Vellore 632014 Tamil Nadu India +91 416 2243092 +91 416 2202624
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16
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Yan P, Hao X, Zhang S. Extraction and decontamination of microplastics from high organic matter soils: A simple, cost-saving and high efficient method. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 344:118381. [PMID: 37329579 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
This article introduces a simple, cost-saving and high efficient for the extraction and separation of microplastics (MPs) from soil with a high organic matter (SOM) content. In this study, MP with particle sizes of 154-600 μm of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) were artificially added into the five Mollisols with the high SOM. Three flotation solutions were used to extract these MPs from soils, and four digestion solutions were used to digest the SOM. As well, their destruction effects on MPs were also examined. The results showed that the flotation recovery rates of PE, PP, PS, PVC and PET were 96.1%-99.0% by ZnCl2 solution, while were 102.0%-107.2% by rapeseed oil, were 100.0%-104.7% by soybean oil. The digestion rate of SOM was 89.3% by H2SO4:H2O2 (1:40, v:v) at 70 °C for 48 h, and this was higher than by H2O2 (30%), NaOH and Fenton's reagent. However, the digestion rate of PE, PP, PS, PVC and PET were 0.0%-0.54% by H2SO4:H2O2 (1:40, v:v), and this was lower than by H2O2 (30%), NaOH and Fenton's reagent. As well, the factors influencing on MP extraction was also discussed. Generally, the best flotation solution was ZnCl2 (ρ > 1.6 g cm-3) and the best digestion method was H2SO4:H2O2 (1:40, v:v) at 70 °C for 48 h. The optimal extraction and digestion method were verified by the known concentrations of MPs (recovery rate of MPs was 95.7-101.7%), and this method was also used to extract MPs from long-term mulching vegetable fields in Mollisols of Northeast China.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengke Yan
- Northeast Agricultural University, 600 Changjiang Rd, Harbin, 150030, PR China
| | - Xinhua Hao
- Northeast Agricultural University, 600 Changjiang Rd, Harbin, 150030, PR China
| | - Shaoliang Zhang
- Northeast Agricultural University, 600 Changjiang Rd, Harbin, 150030, PR China.
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17
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Rafiq A, Xu JL. Microplastics in waste management systems: A review of analytical methods, challenges and prospects. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 171:54-70. [PMID: 37647726 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.08.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2023] [Revised: 07/10/2023] [Accepted: 08/17/2023] [Indexed: 09/01/2023]
Abstract
Numerous studies have reported the presence of microplastics (MPs) in waste collection and disposal systems. However, current scientific studies on measuring MP occurrence in a waste management context are not comparable due to a lack of standardized methodologies. Consequently, the impact of MPs on ecosystems and human health remains largely unclear. To address the inconsistencies, present in published studies, this review thoroughly examines sample preparation techniques for transfer stations, landfill leachate, recycling, compost, and incineration ash samples. Furthermore, various analytical approaches such as flotation, filtration, and organic matter digestion, as well as morphological categorization, identification, and quantification, are subsequently rigorously assessed. The benefits and limitations of each methodology are evaluated to facilitate the development of accurate and effective methods for detecting and characterizing nanoplastics. Recent research suggests that plastic recycling and composting facilities are the primary environmental sources of microplastic pollution among different waste treatment methods. The most prevalent microplastic types discovered in waste management were polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), with fragment and fiber being the most frequently reported morphologies. The review highlights a number of tactics that could be integrated into the methodology development for detecting microplastics in waste management systems (WMS), ultimately leading to better consistency and reliability of data across different studies. In essence, this will advance our comprehension of potential risks associated with microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adeel Rafiq
- The Joint Graduate School of Energy and Environment, King Mongkut's University of Technology Thonburi, Thailand
| | - Jun-Li Xu
- School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
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18
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Rani M, Ducoli S, Depero LE, Prica M, Tubić A, Ademovic Z, Morrison L, Federici S. A Complete Guide to Extraction Methods of Microplastics from Complex Environmental Matrices. Molecules 2023; 28:5710. [PMID: 37570680 PMCID: PMC10420958 DOI: 10.3390/molecules28155710] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 07/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
Sustainable development is a big global challenge for the 21st century. In recent years, a class of emerging contaminants known as microplastics (MPs) has been identified as a significant pollutant with the potential to harm ecosystems. These small plastic particles have been found in every compartment of the planet, with aquatic habitats serving as the ultimate sink. The challenge to extract MPs from different environmental matrices is a tangible and imperative issue. One of the primary specialties of research in environmental chemistry is the development of simple, rapid, low-cost, sensitive, and selective analytical methods for the extraction and identification of MPs in the environment. The present review describes the developments in MP extraction methods from complex environmental matrices. All existing methodologies (new, old, and proof-of-concept) are discussed and evaluated for their potential usefulness to extract MPs from various biotic and abiotic matrices for the sake of progress and innovation. This study concludes by addressing the current challenges and outlining future research objectives aimed at combating MP pollution. Additionally, a set of recommendations is provided to assist researchers in selecting appropriate analytical techniques for obtaining accurate results. To facilitate this process, a proposed roadmap for MP extraction is presented, considering the specific environmental compartments under investigation. By following this roadmap, researchers can enhance their understanding of MP pollution and contribute to effective mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monika Rani
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia and INSTM Research Unit of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy (S.D.); (L.E.D.)
| | - Serena Ducoli
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia and INSTM Research Unit of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy (S.D.); (L.E.D.)
| | - Laura Eleonora Depero
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia and INSTM Research Unit of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy (S.D.); (L.E.D.)
| | - Miljana Prica
- Faculty of Technical Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia;
| | - Aleksandra Tubić
- Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia;
| | - Zahida Ademovic
- Faculty of Forestry, University of Sarajevo, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina
| | - Liam Morrison
- Earth and Ocean Sciences, School of Natural Sciences and Ryan Institute, University of Galway, H91TK33 Galway, Ireland
| | - Stefania Federici
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia and INSTM Research Unit of Brescia, 25123 Brescia, Italy (S.D.); (L.E.D.)
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19
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Ahmed ASS, Billah MM, Ali MM, Bhuiyan MKA, Guo L, Mohinuzzaman M, Hossain MB, Rahman MS, Islam MS, Yan M, Cai W. Microplastics in aquatic environments: A comprehensive review of toxicity, removal, and remediation strategies. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 876:162414. [PMID: 36868275 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162414] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments has been a global concern because they are toxic and persistent and may serve as a vector for many legacies and emerging pollutants. MPs are discharged to aquatic environments from different sources, especially from wastewater plants (WWPs), causing severe impacts on aquatic organisms. This study mainly aims to review the Toxicity of MPs along with plastic additives in aquatic organisms at various trophic compartments and available remediation methods/strategies for MPs in aquatic environments. Occurrences of oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, and alterations in enzyme activity, growth, and feeding performance were identical in fish due to MPs toxicity. On the other hand, growth inhibition and ROS formation were observed in most of the microalgae species. In zooplankton, potential impacts were acceleration of premature molting, growth retardation, mortality increase, feeding behaviour, lipid accumulation, and decreased reproduction activity. MPs togather with additive contaminants could also exert some toxicological impacts on polychaete, including neurotoxicity, destabilization of the cytoskeleton, reduced feeding rate, growth, survivability and burrowing ability, weight loss, and high rate of mRNA transcription. Among different chemical and biological treatments for MPs, high removal rates have been reported for coagulation and filtration (>86.5 %), electrocoagulation (>90 %), advanced oxidation process (AOPs) (30 % to 95 %), primary sedimentation/Grit chamber (16.5 % to 58.84 %), adsorption removal technique (>95 %), magnetic filtration (78 % to 93 %), oil film extraction (>95 %), and density separation (95 % to 100 %). However, desirable extraction methods are required for large-scale research in MPs removal from aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- A S Shafiuddin Ahmed
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
| | - Md Masum Billah
- Inter-Departmental Research Centre for Environmental Science-CIRSA, University of Bologna, Ravenna Campus, Italy
| | - Mir Mohammad Ali
- Department of Aquaculture, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Khurshid Alam Bhuiyan
- Department of Physical Chemistry, Faculty of Marine and Environmental Sciences, University of Cadiz, Cadiz, Spain
| | - Laodong Guo
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, USA
| | - Mohammad Mohinuzzaman
- Department of Environmental Science and Disaster Management, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur, Bangladesh
| | - M Belal Hossain
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur, Bangladesh; School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia
| | - M Safiur Rahman
- Water Quality Research Laboratory, Chemistry Division, Atomic Energy Center, Atomic Energy Commission, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md Saiful Islam
- Department of Soil Science, Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Patuakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Meng Yan
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
| | - Wenlong Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong; Department of Infectious Diseases and Public Health, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong
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20
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Fu J, Liu N, Peng Y, Wang G, Wang X, Wang Q, Lv M, Chen L. An ultra-light sustainable sponge for elimination of microplastics and nanoplastics. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 456:131685. [PMID: 37257263 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131685] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
The currently established tools and materials for elimination of the emerging contaminants from environmental and food matrices, particularly micro- and nano-scale plastics, have been largely limited by complicated preparation/operation, high cost, and poor degradability. Here we show that, crosslinking naturally occurring corn starch and gelatin produces ultralight porous sponge upon freeze-drying that can be readily enzymatically decomposed to glucose; The sponge affords capture of micro- and nano-scale plastics into its pores by simple pressing in an efficiency up to 90% while preserving excellent mechanical strength. Heterogeneous diffusion was found to play a dominant role in the adsorption of microplastics by the starch-gelatin sponge. Investigations into the performance of the sponge in complex matrices including tap water, sea water, soil surfactant, and take-out dish soup, further reveal a considerably high removal efficiency (60%∼70%) for the microplastics in the real samples. It is also suggested tiny plastics in different sizes be removable using the sponge with controlled pore size. With combined merits of sustainability, cost-effectiveness, and simple operation without the need for professional background for this approach, industrial and even household removal of tiny plastic contaminants from environmental and food samples are within reach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianxin Fu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Nuan Liu
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Yunxi Peng
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Guoqing Wang
- College of Food Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, 5 Yushan Road, Qingdao 266003, China; Laboratory for Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology (Qingdao), Qingdao 266237, China.
| | - Xiaokun Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Biochemical Engineering, College of Marine Science and Biological Engineering, Qingdao University of Science and Technology, Qingdao 266042, China
| | - Qiaoning Wang
- CAS key laboratory of Coastal Environmental Process and Ecological Remediation, Research Center for Coastal Environmental Engineering and Technology, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Min Lv
- CAS key laboratory of Coastal Environmental Process and Ecological Remediation, Research Center for Coastal Environmental Engineering and Technology, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China
| | - Lingxin Chen
- CAS key laboratory of Coastal Environmental Process and Ecological Remediation, Research Center for Coastal Environmental Engineering and Technology, Yantai Institute of Coastal Zone Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Yantai 264003, China; Laboratory for Marine Biology and Biotechnology, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266237, China.
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21
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Zhang S, Li W, Bao A, Jia G, Lin X, Zhang Q. A Low-Cost Approach for Batch Separation, Identification and Quantification of Microplastics in Agriculture Soil. TOXICS 2023; 11:toxics11050461. [PMID: 37235275 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11050461] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 05/04/2023] [Accepted: 05/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
An increasing trend of research on microplastics (MPs) pollution in soil requires plenty of accurate data on MPs occurrence in soil samples. Efficient and economical methods of obtaining MP data are in development, especially for film MPs. We focused on MPs originating from agricultural mulching films (AMF) and presented an approach that can separate MPs in batches and identify them quickly. It mainly includes separation by ultrasonic cleaning and centrifugation, digestion of organic matter, and an AMF-MPs identification model. Adding olive oil or n-hexane to saturated sodium chloride constituted the best combination of separation solutions. Controlled experiments proved that the optimized methods improved the efficiency of this approach. The AMF-MPs identification model provides specific characteristics of MPs and can identify MPs efficiently. Evaluation results showed that the mean MP recovery rate reached 95%. The practical application demonstrated that this approach could conduct MPs analysis in soil samples in batches with less time and low cost.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
- Key Laboratory of GIS & RS Application Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi 830011, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wenfeng Li
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Xinjiang Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Bioremediation, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Anming Bao
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
- Key Laboratory of GIS & RS Application Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi 830011, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Gongxu Jia
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
- Research Center for Ecology and Environment for Central Asia, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
| | - Xiaoli Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Desert and Oasis Ecology, Xinjiang Institute of Ecology and Geography, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Urumqi 830011, China
- Key Laboratory of GIS & RS Application Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Urumqi 830011, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Qingling Zhang
- Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Intelligent Microsatellite Constellation, Shenzhen Campus of Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
- School of Aeronautics and Astronautics, Sun Yat-sen University, Shenzhen 518107, China
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22
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Lee H, Kim S, Sin A, Kim G, Khan S, Nadagouda MN, Sahle-Demessie E, Han C. Pretreatment methods for monitoring microplastics in soil and freshwater sediment samples: A comprehensive review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 871:161718. [PMID: 36709896 PMCID: PMC10245186 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161718] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/11/2022] [Revised: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 01/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/09/2023]
Abstract
This paper reviews the currently used pretreatment methods for microplastics (MPs) analysis in soil and freshwater sediments, primarily sample processing, pretreatment, and characterization methods for MPs analysis. In addition, analytical tools (e.g., lab instruments), MPs characteristics, and MPs quantity, are included in this review. Prior to pretreatment, soil and sediment samples are typically processed using sieving and drying methods, and a sample quantity of <50 g was mostly used for the pretreatment. Density separation was commonly performed before organic matter removal. Sodium chloride (NaCl) and zinc chloride (ZnCl2) were most often used for density separation, and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) oxidation was most frequently used to remove organic matter. Although advantages of each pretreatment method have been investigated, it is still challenging to determine a universal pretreatment method due to sample variability (e.g., sample characteristics). Furthermore, it is highly required to establish standard pretreatment methods that can be used for various environmental matrices, including air, water, and wastes as well as soil and sediment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haesung Lee
- Program in Environmental and Polymer Engineering, Graduate School of INHA University, 100 Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sanghyeon Kim
- Program in Environmental and Polymer Engineering, Graduate School of INHA University, 100 Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea.
| | - Aebin Sin
- Program in Environmental and Polymer Engineering, Graduate School of INHA University, 100 Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea.
| | - Gwangmin Kim
- Program in Environmental and Polymer Engineering, Graduate School of INHA University, 100 Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea.
| | - Sanaullah Khan
- Department of Chemistry, Women University Swabi, Swabi 23430, Pakistan; Department of Biochemistry, Women University Swabi, Swabi 23430, Pakistan.
| | - Mallikarjuna N Nadagouda
- Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 West Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA.
| | - Endalkachew Sahle-Demessie
- Center for Environmental Solutions and Emergency Response, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, 26 West Martin Luther King Drive, Cincinnati, OH 45268, USA.
| | - Changseok Han
- Program in Environmental and Polymer Engineering, Graduate School of INHA University, 100 Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; Department of Environmental Engineering, INHA University, 100 Inha-ro, Michuhol-gu, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea.
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23
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Zhang B, Wu Q, Gao S, Ruan Y, Qi G, Guo K, Zeng J. Distribution and removal mechanism of microplastics in urban wastewater plants systems via different processes. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 320:121076. [PMID: 36641065 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121076] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2022] [Revised: 12/30/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic pollution threatens water systems worldwide. As one of the most important parts of city wastewater treatment, wastewater treatment plants are not only microplastics interception barriers but also emission sources. Water samples were collected from each sewage treatment plant stage and sludge from the sludge dewatering room. Microplastics were extracted using wet peroxide oxidation and flotation, and the abundance, size, shape, and polymer type of microplastics were detected. Basis on the results, the influence of each process on the removal rate and characteristics of microplastics under the same influent source was analysed. The influent microplastic concentration in this study was 32.5 ± 1.0 n/L, which rapidly decreased after treatment. The removal rates of the sequencing batch reactor activated sludge, cyclic activated sludge, and anaerobic anoxic oxic technologies were 73.0%, 75.6%, and 83.9%, respectively. Most microplastics were transported to the sludge, and the concentration of microplastics in dehydrated sludge was 27.2 ± 3.1 n/g. Microplastics removal occurred primarily during the primary and secondary stages. Disposal processes, settling time, and process design affected wastewater treatment plant microplastic removal rates at each stage. Significant differences in microplastic characteristics were observed at each stage, with the most abundant being fragment shaped, particle sizes of 30-100 μm, and black in colour. Sixteen polymer types were identified using a Raman spectrometer. The predominant polymers are polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. This study demonstrates that optimising the process design of existing wastewater treatment plants is crucial for the prevention and control of microplastic pollution. It is suggested that the process settings of contemporary wastewater treatment plants should be studied in depth to develop a scientific foundation for avoiding and managing microplastic pollution in urban areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Borui Zhang
- Key Laboratory of Karst Geological Resources and Environment (Guizhou University), Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou 550000, China
| | - Qixin Wu
- Key Laboratory of Karst Geological Resources and Environment (Guizhou University), Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou 550000, China; College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550000, China.
| | - Shilin Gao
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550000, China
| | - Yunjun Ruan
- Institute of Advanced Optoelectronic Materials and Technology, College of Big Data and Information Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, 550025, China
| | - Guizhi Qi
- Key Laboratory of Karst Geological Resources and Environment (Guizhou University), Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou 550000, China
| | - Ke Guo
- Guiyang Research Academy of Eco-Environmental Science, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550000, China
| | - Jie Zeng
- Key Laboratory of Karst Geological Resources and Environment (Guizhou University), Ministry of Education, Guiyang, Guizhou 550000, China; College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Guizhou University, Guiyang, Guizhou, 550000, China
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24
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Liu Y, Xu F, Ding L, Zhang G, Bai B, Han Y, Xiao L, Song Y, Li Y, Wan S, Li G. Microplastics reduce nitrogen uptake in peanut plants by damaging root cells and impairing soil nitrogen cycling. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 443:130384. [PMID: 36444071 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130384] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/19/2022] [Revised: 10/28/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution severely impairs the sustainable development of modern agriculture. However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of MP contaminants on nutrient cycles in agroecosystems are poorly understood. In this study, we examined the impacts of two types of MPs, polypropylene (PP) and rubber crumb (RC), on nitrogen (N) transformation and N cycling in soil-peanut system. High concentrations of PP (1% w/w) and RC (1% w/w) inhibited vegetative growth and N uptake in peanut plants by damaging root cells and disturbing soil N cycling. These MPs damaged the plasma membranes of root cells and caused oxidative stress, as evidenced by the decreased number of xylem vessels, which in turn inhibited N uptake by roots. Integrated metagenomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that the differential soil metabolite levels in response to MP treatment affected the microbial community structure in the rhizosphere and the expression of key N cycling-related genes, resulting in altered N transformation and the decreased availability of N in rhizosphere soil. These findings provide the first evidence of the effects of MPs on N uptake in peanut plants and shed light on the importance of rational management of MPs for crop growth and yield in agroecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiyang Liu
- Institute of Crop Germplasm Resources, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Fangji Xu
- Institute of Crop Germplasm Resources, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Liping Ding
- Institute of Crop Germplasm Resources, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Guanchu Zhang
- Shandong Peanut Research Institute, No.126, Wannianquan Road, Licang District, Qingdao 266100, China
| | - Bo Bai
- Institute of Crop Germplasm Resources, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Yan Han
- Shandong Academy of Grape, Jinan 250199, China
| | - Lina Xiao
- Institute of Crop Germplasm Resources, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Yan Song
- Institute of Crop Germplasm Resources, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Ying Li
- Institute of Crop Germplasm Resources, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China
| | - Shubo Wan
- Institute of Crop Germplasm Resources, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China.
| | - Guowei Li
- Institute of Crop Germplasm Resources, Shandong Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Jinan 250100, China.
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25
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Mamun AA, Prasetya TAE, Dewi IR, Ahmad M. Microplastics in human food chains: Food becoming a threat to health safety. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159834. [PMID: 36461575 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159834] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 89.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2022] [Revised: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
While versatile application of plastics has generated huge benefits in our life, the 'plastic end-of-life' comes with downsides of emerging concern is plastic particles within all parts of environments. Plastics are highly resistant to degradation and sustain in the environment for a prolonged period resulting in easy access of microplastics into human food chain. Microplastic exposure to humans is caused by foods of both animal and plant origin, food additives, drinks, and plastic food packaging. Living organisms can accumulate microplastics in cells and tissues which results in threats of chronic biological effects and potential health hazards for humans including body gastrointestinal disorders, immunity, respiratory problem, cancer, infertility, and alteration in chromosomes. Because of the threat of microplastics on human health, it is essential to ensure food safety as well as control plastic use with strict regulation of proper management. This study aims to enlighten future research into the core component of microplastics, their exposure to human food, prevention to human food chain, and biological reactions in human body. Finally, it is recommended to consider the presence of microplastics in different foods, as most of the existing research mainly focused on sea foods. And it is important to study the mechanism of toxicity with pathways in the human body based on the different types, shapes, and sizes of plastic particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdullah Al Mamun
- Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Airlangga, Campus C, Surabaya 60115, East Java, Indonesia.
| | - Tofan Agung Eka Prasetya
- Health Department, Faculty of Vocational Studies, Universitas Airlangga, Campus B, Surabaya 60286, East Java, Indonesia.
| | - Indiah Ratna Dewi
- Centre for Leather, Rubber and Plastics, Yogyakarta 55166, Indonesia.
| | - Monsur Ahmad
- Department of Applied Chemistry and Chemical Technology, Chattogram Veterinary and Animal Sciences University, Chittagong 4225, Bangladesh
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26
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Schütze B, Thomas D, Kraft M, Brunotte J, Kreuzig R. Comparison of different salt solutions for density separation of conventional and biodegradable microplastic from solid sample matrices. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:81452-81467. [PMID: 35731432 PMCID: PMC9606070 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-21474-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are the new emerging pollutants ubiquitously detectable in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Fate and behavior, as well as ecotoxicity, are of increasing environmental concern, particularly in sediments and soils as natural sinks. For a global environmental risk assessment, reliable and easy to apply analytical methods are mandatory to obtain comparable data. This is based on the isolation of microplastics out of the solid sample matrices prior to instrumental detection. Thus, this study provides an easy to apply approach for density separation. The technique emerged from a comparative study using different salt solutions to isolate conventional, and for the first time biodegradable, microplastics from different solid sample matrices, i.e., sand, artificial soil, and compost. Four solutions (water, sodium chloride, sodium hexametaphosphate, and sodium bromide) of different densities were applied followed by oxidizing digestion. Finally, the impact of the procedures on size and surface properties of microplastics was tested. Dependent on the sample matrix, the highest recovery rates of 87.3-100.3% for conventional polymers, and 38.2-78.2% for biodegradable polymers, were determined with sodium bromide. It could be shown that the type of solid sample matrix influences the recovery rates and has to be considered when choosing a sample preparation technique.
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Affiliation(s)
- Berit Schütze
- Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Thünen Institute, Bundesallee 47, 38116, Brunswick, Germany
- Institute of Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry, Technical University of Braunschweig, 38106, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Daniela Thomas
- Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Thünen Institute, Bundesallee 47, 38116, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Martin Kraft
- Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Thünen Institute, Bundesallee 47, 38116, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Joachim Brunotte
- Federal Research Institute for Rural Areas, Forestry and Fisheries, Institute of Agricultural Technology, Thünen Institute, Bundesallee 47, 38116, Brunswick, Germany
| | - Robert Kreuzig
- Institute of Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry, Technical University of Braunschweig, 38106, Brunswick, Germany
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27
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Assessment of microplastic as contaminants in the coal mine area of an industrial region, Barapukuria, Bangladesh. Heliyon 2022; 8:e11666. [DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e11666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
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28
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Tophinke AH, Joshi A, Baier U, Hufenus R, Mitrano DM. Systematic development of extraction methods for quantitative microplastics analysis in soils using metal-doped plastics. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 311:119933. [PMID: 35970349 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119933] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The inconsistency of available methods and the lack of harmonization in current microplastics (MPs) analysis in soils demand approaches for extraction and quantification which can be utilized across a wide variety of soil types. To enable robust and accurate assessment of extraction workflows, PET MPs with an inorganic tracer (Indium, 0.2% wt) were spiked into individual soil subgroups and standard soils with varying compositions. Due to the selectivity of the metal tracer, MPs recovery rates could be quickly and quantitatively assessed using ICP-MS. The evaluation of different methods specifically adapted to the soil properties were assessed by isolating MPs from complex soil matrices by systematically investigating specific subgroups (sand, silt, clay, non-lignified and lignified organic matter) before applying the workflow to standard soils. Removal of recalcitrant organic matter is one of the major hurdles in isolating MPs for further size and chemical characterization, requiring novel approaches to remove lignocellulosic structures. Therefore, a new biotechnological method (3-F-Ultra) was developed which mimics natural degradation processes occurring in aerobic (Fenton) and anaerobic fungi (CAZymes). Finally, a Nile Red staining protocol was developed to evaluate the suitability of the workflow for non-metal-doped MPs, which requires a filter with minimal background residues for further chemical identification, e.g. by μFTIR spectroscopy. Image analysis was performed using a Deep Learning tool, allowing for discrimination between the number of residues in bright-field and MPs counted in fluorescence mode to calculate a Filter Clearness Index (FCI). To validate the workflow, three well-characterized standard soils were analyzed applying the final method, with recoveries of 88% for MPs fragments and 74% for MPs fibers with an average FCI of 0.75. Collectively, this workflow improves our current understanding of how to adapt extraction protocols according to the target soil composition, allowing for improved MPs analysis in environmental sampling campaigns.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alissa H Tophinke
- ETH Zurich, Department of Environmental Systems Science, Universitätstrasse 16, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland; Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Life Sciences and Facility Management, Einsiedlerstrasse 31, 8820, Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - Akshay Joshi
- Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Life Sciences and Facility Management, Einsiedlerstrasse 31, 8820, Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - Urs Baier
- Zurich University of Applied Sciences, Life Sciences and Facility Management, Einsiedlerstrasse 31, 8820, Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - Rudolf Hufenus
- Empa, Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014, St.Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Denise M Mitrano
- ETH Zurich, Department of Environmental Systems Science, Universitätstrasse 16, 8092, Zurich, Switzerland.
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29
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Yang H, Yumeng Y, Yu Y, Yinglin H, Fu B, Wang J. Distribution, sources, migration, influence and analytical methods of microplastics in soil ecosystems. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 243:114009. [PMID: 36030682 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.114009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2022] [Revised: 07/19/2022] [Accepted: 08/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are ubiquitous in soil ecosystems all over the world through source and migration. It is even estimated that the content of microplastics in terrestrial ecosystems exceeds the number of microplastics entering sea ecosystems. However, compared with the research on microplastics in marine ecosystems, the research and discussion on microplastics in soil ecosystems are still less. Transportation, film mulching and sewage sludge are three main sources of soil microplastics. The abundance, polymer type, size and shape of the microplastics are related to the source and they help to clarify the source. The characteristics of microplastics, farming measures, soil animal activities and other factors promote the migration of microplastics, which bring new challenges to the soil ecosystems and humans. This article summarizes the latest research findings on the effects of soil microplasticity on soil properties, plants, animals and microorganisms. The analysis methods of microplastics in soil can refer to the analysis methods of microplastics of aquatic sediments, because soil and aquatic sediments are similar, both of which are complex solid substrates. At present, the development of analytical methods is limited due to the complex matrix of soil and the small volume of microplastics, which requires continuous development and innovation. Through the summary and analysis of related articles, this article reviews the distribution, sources, migration, influence and analysis methods of soil microplastics. This article also critically analyzes the deficiencies in the studies of microplastics in the soil ecosystems, and made some suggestions for future work. The microplastics in soil ecosystems need further research and summary, which will help people further understand the potential hazards of microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huirong Yang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Zhongshan Innovation Center of South China Agricultural University, Zhongshan 528400, China
| | - Yan Yumeng
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Youkai Yu
- Institute for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, Loughborough University, London E20 3BS, UK
| | - He Yinglin
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Bing Fu
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China
| | - Jun Wang
- College of Marine Sciences, South China Agricultural University, Guangzhou 510642, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Zhuhai 528478, China; Institute of Eco-Environmental Research, Guangxi Academy of Sciences, Nanning 530007, China.
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30
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Abel SM, Primpke S, Wu F, Brandt A, Gerdts G. Human footprints at hadal depths: interlayer and intralayer comparison of sediment cores from the Kuril Kamchatka trench. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156035. [PMID: 35598673 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution affects almost all ecosystems on Earth. Given the increasing plastic production worldwide and the durability of these polymers, concerns arise about the fate of this material in the environment. A candidate to consider as a depositional final sink of MP is the sea floor and its deepest representatives, hadal trenches, as ultimate sinks. In this study, 13 sediment samples were collected with a multiple-corer at depths between 5740 and 9450 m from the Kuril Kamchatka trench (KKT), in the Northwest (NW) Pacific Ocean. These samples were analysed for MP presence in the upper sediment layer, by slicing the first 5 cm of sediment cores into 1 cm horizontal layers. These were compared against each other and between the sampling areas, in order to achieve a detailed picture of the depositional system of the trench and small-scale perturbations such as bioturbation. The analyses revealed the presence of 215 to 1596 MP particles per kg -1 sediment (dry weight), with a polymer composition represented by 14 polymer types and the prevalence of particles smaller than 25 μm. A heterogeneous microplastic distribution through the sediment column and different microplastic concentration and polymer types among sampling stations located in different areas of the trench reflects the dynamics of this environment and the numerous forces that drive the deposition processes and the in situ recast of this pollutant at the trench floor.
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Affiliation(s)
- Serena M Abel
- Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Department of Marine Zoology, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Department of Microbial Ecology, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Kurpromenade 201, 27498 Helgoland, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute for Ecology, Diversity and Evolution, Max-von-Laue-Straße 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
| | - Sebastian Primpke
- Department of Microbial Ecology, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Kurpromenade 201, 27498 Helgoland, Germany
| | - Fangzhu Wu
- Department of Microbial Ecology, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Kurpromenade 201, 27498 Helgoland, Germany
| | - Angelika Brandt
- Senckenberg Research Institute and Natural History Museum, Department of Marine Zoology, Senckenberganlage 25, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany; Goethe University Frankfurt, Institute for Ecology, Diversity and Evolution, Max-von-Laue-Straße 13, 60438 Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Gunnar Gerdts
- Department of Microbial Ecology, Biologische Anstalt Helgoland, Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, Kurpromenade 201, 27498 Helgoland, Germany
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Thomas J, Moosavian SK, Cutright T, Pugh C, Soucek MD. Method Development for Separation and Analysis of Tire and Road Wear Particles from Roadside Soil Samples. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:11910-11921. [PMID: 35980850 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c03695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A comprehensive understanding of tire and road wear particles (TRWPs) and their detection and quantification in soils is still challenged by the lack of well-set standardized methods, inherent technological inconsistencies, and generalized protocols. Our protocol includes soil sampling, size separation, and organic matter removal by using hydrogen peroxide followed by density separation and analysis. In this context, roadside soil samples from different sites in Kansas and Ohio, USA, were collected and analyzed. Tire cryogrinds analogous to TRWPs were used to evaluate various density separation media, and collected particles more than 1 mm in size were then subjected to infrared spectroscopy (IR), thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM-EDX) to confirm TRWP presence. Particles smaller than 1 mm were Soxhlet extracted, followed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) to validate the presence of tire-related intermediates. SEM-EDX validated the presence of elemental combinations (S + Zn/Na) ± (Al, Ca, Mg, K, Si) attributed to tires. Ketones, carboxylic acids, epoxies, cyclohexane, and benzothiazole sulfenamide (BTS) intermediates were the most probable tire-related intermediates observed in the roadside soil samples. Thus, this simple, widely applicable, cost-effective sample preparation protocol for TRWP analysis can assist TRWP research advancement in terrestrial environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jomin Thomas
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Seyed Kasra Moosavian
- Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Polymer Science, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Teresa Cutright
- Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Polymer Science, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
| | - Coleen Pugh
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas 67260, United States
| | - Mark D Soucek
- School of Polymer Science and Polymer Engineering, University of Akron, Akron, Ohio 44325, United States
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Maisto M, Ranauda MA, Zuzolo D, Tartaglia M, Postiglione A, Prigioniero A, Falzarano A, Scarano P, Sciarrillo R, Guarino C. Influence of sediment texture on HDPE microplastics recovery by density separation. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2022; 317:115363. [PMID: 35642821 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2022.115363] [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: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 05/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging environmental pollutant, threatening marine and terrestrial ecosystems. Because of their properties and their widely varying size (5mm-0.1 μm), it is still difficult to define a valid and efficient method for extracting MPs from solid matrices. Among the several methods proposed, density separation is the most practical and cost-effective one. Progress is still ongoing towards a deeper understanding of the advantages and limitations related to the application of density separation for MPs extraction, the recovery yields and the factors that may influence it. In this context, we introduce the following work, which provides an early-stage insight into how the sediment texture may influence the efficiency of this extraction method, and how parameters, such as sedimentation time and extraction cycles, can be modified to always achieve the best recovery. Our focus has been directed on evaluating the extraction efficiency of HDPE MPs by density separation using NaCl, from three types of sediment: sandy (SS), sandy loam (SLS) and sandy-clay loam (SCLS). We investigated the impact of sedimentation time (1, 6, 12, 24 h) and extraction cycles (3 cycles for each sedimentation time) on MPs recovery. Finally, we determined the minimum amount of MPs (MPs g/g sediment) below which it is not possible to quantify MPs with the method used. The results have shown that the recovery efficiency of MPs from sediment is structure dependent. The highest recoveries are reached after a settling time of 1 and 6 h. Furthermore, for samples with minimum clay content (SS), only one extraction cycle is needed, whereas two extraction cycles are required for SLS and SCLS. The outcomes about the detection limit (LOD) of the method, showed the existence of an interaction MPs-clay/sediment, which allowed us to understand how far this extraction method is suitable in field, thus defining the minimum grade of MPs pollution (MPs g/g sediment) below which this method is no longer capable to extract MPs from contaminated samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Maisto
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Maria Antonietta Ranauda
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Daniela Zuzolo
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy.
| | - Maria Tartaglia
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Alessia Postiglione
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Antonello Prigioniero
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Alessandra Falzarano
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Pierpaolo Scarano
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Rosaria Sciarrillo
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
| | - Carmine Guarino
- Department of Science and Technology, University of Sannio, Via de Sanctis Snc, 82100, Benevento, Italy
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Yuan M, Zhang Y, Guo W, Chen S, Qiu Y, Zhang P. A rapid staged protocol for efficient recovery of microplastics from soil and sediment matrices based on hydrophobic separation. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 182:113978. [PMID: 35914434 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Revised: 07/20/2022] [Accepted: 07/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) in soil and sediment (SS) matrices are emerging pollution hazards to ecosystems and humans. To mitigate MP pollution, suitable extractors and associated extracting solutions are required to efficiently separate MPs from SS matrices. In this study, we introduced a four-stage microplastic extractor (ME) device and investigated the fractional separation efficiencies of three extracting solutions (ultrapure water, saturated NaCl, and corn oil-in-NaCl) plus aeration, magnetic stirring, and electric stirring for three kinds of SS matrices (loam soil, sandy sediment, and muddy sediment) with four types of virgin MP pellets (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polycarbonate (PC), polypropylene, and polystyrene). In addition, fragments of these four types of post-consumer MPs were also tested by the ME device. The mean recovery efficiencies of these MPs in the three SS matrices were 88.3 %-100 %. Oil-in-NaCl further improved the recovery efficiencies for the denser ABS and PC up to 40 % based on NaCl extraction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhe Yuan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau 999078, China; Centre of Reproduction, Development and Aging (CRDA), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau 999078, China
| | - Yuning Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau 999078, China
| | - Weihao Guo
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau 999078, China
| | - Shan Chen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau 999078, China.
| | - Ye Qiu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau 999078, China
| | - Ping Zhang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Macau, Taipa, Macau 999078, China.
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Yaseen A, Assad I, Sofi MS, Hashmi MZ, Bhat SU. A global review of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants: Understanding their occurrence, fate and impact. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113258. [PMID: 35430276 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2021] [Revised: 04/02/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging as a serious environmental concern, with wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) acting as the main entry routes for MPs into aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. On a global scale, our literature review found that MP research in WWTPs has only been conducted on 121 WWTPs in 17 countries, with the majority of the work being done in Europe (53%), followed by the United States of America and Canada (24%), Asia (18%), and Australia (5%) in recent years. MPs in WWTPs are primarily derived from Personal Care and Cosmetic Products (PCCPs), which are primarily composed of polyethylene (PE) derivatives. Based on the studies, microfibers (57%) and fragments (47%) are observed to be the most common MP forms in influents and effluents of WWTPs. The chemical characterization of MPs detected in WWTPs, showed the occurrence of polyethylene (PE) (22%), polystyrene (PS) (21%), and polypropylene (13%). Although MP retention/removal efficiencies of different treatment technologies vary from medium to high, deliberations on sludge disposal on agricultural soils containing MPs and MP intrusion into groundwater are required to sustainably regulate MP contaminant transport. Thus, the development of efficient detection methods and understanding their fate are of immense significance for the management of MPs. Despite the fact that ongoing research in MPs and WWTPs has unquestionably improved our understanding, many questions and concerns remain unanswered. In this review, the current status of the detection, occurrence, and impact of MPs in WWTPs across the world are systematically reviewed to prioritize policy-making to recognize the WWTPs as global conduits of MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarif Yaseen
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Irfana Assad
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Kashmir, 190006, India
| | - Mohd Sharjeel Sofi
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Kashmir, 190006, India
| | | | - Sami Ullah Bhat
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Kashmir, 190006, India.
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Zhou Y, Wang J, Zou M, Yin Q, Qiu Y, Li C, Ye B, Guo T, Jia Z, Li Y, Wang C, Zhou S. Microplastics in urban soils of Nanjing in eastern China: Occurrence, relationships, and sources. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 303:134999. [PMID: 35595105 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134999] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2022] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 05/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Although microplastic (MP) pollution has been defined as a new global challenge by the United Nations Environment Programme, their abundance and composition has only been studied in-depth within farmland soil, while minimal attention has been placed on urban soil contamination. Accordingly, within the current study, MP abundance and composition is investigated within urban soil from green spaces in Nanjing, eastern China. The average MP abundance in soil was 461 ± 222 items/kg and primarily comprised fibers (39.1%) and fragments (37.7%). MPs <1000 μm in size accounted for 83.7% of the total content and white MPs were the most abundant (26.5%). The dominant polymers were polyethylene glycol terephthalate (32.0%) and polypropylene (20.5%). Moreover, relationship network analysis generated three distinct MP modules based on community similarity. Indeed, the degree of similarity increased by ∼26.8% per kilometer. Furthermore, application of a forward selective optimal multiple regression model identified clay, sand, longitude, and points of interest for recycling bins (RecyclePOI) as the primary spatial and soil environmental factors affecting MP abundance and composition. Additionally, five potential sources of MPs were identified based on the MP diversity integrated index fitting results, and point of interest density (MDII-POI) source analysis (R2 = 0.21-0.62; P < 0.05). In particular, the point of interest of express delivery points (ExpressPOI) were important sources of plastic emissions as they are widely distributed throughout urban and fringe areas. Collectively, the findings of this study provide novel insights regarding quantitative source appointment and regional ecological control of MPs in urban soil.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Zhou
- School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210046, China; Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Exploitation and Protection, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing, 210024, China
| | - Junxiao Wang
- School of Public Administration, Nanjing University of Finance & Economics, Nanjing, 210023, China
| | - Mengmeng Zou
- School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210046, China; Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Exploitation and Protection, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing, 210024, China
| | - Qiqi Yin
- School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210046, China; Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Exploitation and Protection, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing, 210024, China
| | - Yifei Qiu
- School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210046, China; Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Exploitation and Protection, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing, 210024, China
| | - Chengqiang Li
- School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210046, China; Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Exploitation and Protection, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing, 210024, China
| | - Bei Ye
- School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210046, China; Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Exploitation and Protection, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing, 210024, China
| | - Tianwei Guo
- School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210046, China; Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Exploitation and Protection, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing, 210024, China
| | - Zhenyi Jia
- College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua, 321004, China
| | - Yan Li
- College of Forestry, Nanjing Forestry University, Nanjing, 210037, China
| | - Chunhui Wang
- College of Materials and Environmental Engineering, Hangzhou Dianzi University, Hangzhou, 310018, China
| | - Shenglu Zhou
- School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210046, China; Key Laboratory of Coastal Zone Exploitation and Protection, Ministry of Natural Resources, Nanjing, 210024, China.
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Liu X, He S, Tong Y, Liu Z, Li W, Xiayihazi N, Lu J. Microplastic pollution in urban green-belt soil in Shihezi City, China. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:59403-59413. [PMID: 35384536 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-20083-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The problems are associated with microplastic (MP) pollution of global concern. However, little is known about the pollution characteristics and sources of MPs in urban green-belt soils. Therefore, this study investigated MP pollution in 11 sampling sites (22 green belts) in Shihezi City. The results showed that the abundance of MPs (0.02-5.00 mm) ranged from 287 ± 100 items/kg dw to 3227 ± 155 items/kg dw (mean + SD). Fibers (69.9%) accounted for the majority of MPs, and the MPs were mainly black (36.7%) and 0.02-0.5 mm (64.8%). The main types of MPs were polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE). Compared with agricultural soil, the color and composition of green-belt soil MPs are diverse, which means that the source of green-belt soil MPs is more diverse. In different types of green-belt soil, MP pollution of industrial green land is more serious. Through cluster analysis and spatial distribution, fragments and fibers were found to have similar sources, mainly originating from food and textile industrial activities. This study provides important information for revealing MP pollutions in urban green-belt soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Xinjiang, 832003, China
| | - Shaohua He
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Xinjiang, 832003, China
| | - Yanbin Tong
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Xinjiang, 832003, China
| | - Zilong Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Xinjiang, 832003, China
| | - Weijun Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Xinjiang, 832003, China
- Ecological Environmental Protection Monitoring Station of Shihezi, Xinjiang, 832000, China
| | - Nuerguli Xiayihazi
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Xinjiang, 832003, China
| | - Jianjiang Lu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Xinjiang, 832003, China.
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Zhang Z, Zhao S, Chen L, Duan C, Zhang X, Fang L. A review of microplastics in soil: Occurrence, analytical methods, combined contamination and risks. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 306:119374. [PMID: 35490998 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119374] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Revised: 03/29/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) pollution is becoming a serious environmental issue of global concern. Currently, the effects of MPs on aquatic ecosystems have been studied in detail and in depth from species to communities. However, soils, the largest reservoir of MPs, have been less studied, and little is known about the occurrence, environmental fate and ecological impacts of MPs. Therefore, based on the existing knowledge, this paper firstly focused specifically on the main sources of soil MPs pollution and explored the main reasons for their strong heterogeneity in spatial distribution. Secondly, as a primary prerequisite for evaluating MPs contamination, we systematically summarized the analytical methods for soil MPs and critically compared the advantages and disadvantages of the different methods in the various operational steps. Furthermore, this review highlighted the combined contamination of MPs with complex chemical contaminants, the sorption mechanisms and the associated factors in the soil. Finally, the risks posed by MPs to soil, plants, the food chain and even humans were outlined, and future directions for soil MPs research were proposed, while the urgent need for a unified approach to MPs extraction and identification was emphasized. This study provides a theoretical reference for a comprehensive understanding of the separation of soil MPs and their ecological risk as carriers of pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhiqin Zhang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Shuling Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Li Chen
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Chengjiao Duan
- State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Xingchang Zhang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China
| | - Linchuan Fang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; State Key Laboratory of Soil Erosion and Dryland Farming on the Loess Plateau, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi, 712100, China; CAS Center for Excellence in Quaternary Science and Global Change, Xi'an, 710061, China.
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Wu S, Chen Z, Zhou M, Shao Y, Jin C, Tang J, Fang F, Guo J, Stibany F, Schäffer A. Freeze-thaw alternations accelerate plasticizers release and pose a risk for exposed organisms. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2022; 241:113742. [PMID: 35679726 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2022.113742] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/18/2022] [Revised: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The application of plastic mulch films brings convenience to agricultural production, but also causes plastic waste that can be degraded into microplastics (MPs). However, little is known about the fate of plastic waste in agricultural ecosystem under freeze-thaw alternation in middle and high latitudes, as well as in highlands around the world. Whether the release of plasticizers, i.e. phthalate esters (PAEs), under such conditions would pose a potential risk to exposed organisms due to bioaccumulation is also unknown. To fill these data gaps, the agricultural fields in Liaoning of China with typical freeze-thaw alternation was selected as the study area. The transformation of plastic film was demonstrated by simulation freeze-thaw alternating from -30 to 20 ℃. Soil samples were collected to investigate the patterns of MP composition, abundance, and distribution. Concurrently, the concentrations of two PAEs including bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and diethyl phthalate (DEP) in soils were analyzed to provide information on the correlation between MPs abundance and PAEs concentrations as well as potential risks. The results showed that freeze-thaw alternating can accelerate the formation of MPs and release of PAEs from plastic waste. The abundance of MPs was positively correlated with the concentration of PAEs. Soil PAEs ranged from 3268 ± 213-6351 ± 110 μg/kg, indicating that over 40 % of the PAEs were transferred from plastic films to soils. Such residual amounts could pose risk for exposed organisms. Hence, the current study suggested that special concerns should be given to the release plasticizers in plastic waste of agricultural soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siqi Wu
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for the Ecological Environment of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Zhongli Chen
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for the Ecological Environment of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Min Zhou
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for the Ecological Environment of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Ying Shao
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for the Ecological Environment of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China.
| | - Chao Jin
- Chongqing Beibei District Ecological Environment Bureau, Chongqing City, Chongqing 400700, China
| | - Jinjing Tang
- Analytical and Testing Center of Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Fang Fang
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for the Ecological Environment of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Jinsong Guo
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for the Ecological Environment of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
| | - Felix Stibany
- Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52074, Germany
| | - Andreas Schäffer
- Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for the Ecological Environment of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China; Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52074, Germany; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
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Ramage SJFF, Pagaling E, Haghi RK, Dawson LA, Yates K, Prabhu R, Hillier S, Devalla S. Rapid extraction of high- and low-density microplastics from soil using high-gradient magnetic separation. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 831:154912. [PMID: 35364148 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 03/25/2022] [Accepted: 03/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are present in all environments, and concerns over their possible detrimental effects on flora and fauna have arisen. Density separation (DS) is commonly used to separate MPs from soils to allow MP quantification; however, it frequently fails to extract high-density MPs sufficiently, resulting in under-estimation of MP abundances. In this proof-of-concept study, a novel three-stage extraction method was developed, involving high-gradient magnetic separation and removal of magnetic soil (Stage 1), magnetic tagging of MPs using surface modified iron nanoparticles (Stage 2), and high-gradient magnetic recovery of surface-modified MPs (Stage 3). The method was optimised for four different soil types (loam, high‑carbon loamy sand, sandy loam and high-clay sandy loam) spiked with different MP types (polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polytetrafluoroethylene) of different particle sizes (63 μm to 2 mm) as well as polyethylene fibres (2-4 mm). The optimised method achieved average recoveries of 96% for fibres and 92% for particles in loam, 91% for fibres and 87% for particles in high‑carbon loamy sand, 96% for fibres and 89% for particles in sandy loam, and 97% for fibres and 94% for particles in high-clay sandy loam. These were significantly higher than recoveries achieved by DS, particularly for fibres and high-density MPs (p < 0.05). To demonstrate the practical application of the HGMS method, it was applied to a farm soil sample, and high-density MP particles were only recovered by HGMS. Furthermore, this study showed that HGMS can recover fibre-aggregate complexes. This improved extraction method will provide better estimates of MP quantities in future studies focused on monitoring the prevalence of MPs in soils.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stuart J F F Ramage
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler Aberdeen AB15 8QH, United Kingdom; Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7GJ, United Kingdom.
| | - Eulyn Pagaling
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler Aberdeen AB15 8QH, United Kingdom.
| | - Reza K Haghi
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler Aberdeen AB15 8QH, United Kingdom.
| | - Lorna A Dawson
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler Aberdeen AB15 8QH, United Kingdom; Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7GJ, United Kingdom.
| | - Kyari Yates
- Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen AB10 7GJ, United Kingdom.
| | | | - Stephen Hillier
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler Aberdeen AB15 8QH, United Kingdom; Department of Soil and Environment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (SLU), SE-75007 Uppsala, Sweden.
| | - Sandhya Devalla
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler Aberdeen AB15 8QH, United Kingdom.
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40
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Liu H, Wang X, Shi Q, Liu Y, Lei H, Chen Y. Microplastics in arid soils: Impact of different cropping systems (Altay, Xinjiang). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 303:119162. [PMID: 35307499 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119162] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2021] [Revised: 03/12/2022] [Accepted: 03/14/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Although microplastic pollution in the soil environment is currently an important research topic, few studies have focused on farmland soil in arid regions. This study investigated the abundances, sizes, polymer compositions, and forms of microplastics across nine agricultural plots cultivated with maize, sunflower, and potato (three of each crop) plants to determine the influences of different cropping characteristics and agricultural practices. The study area was within the arid region of the Ulungur River basin in Qinghe County, Altay, Xinjiang, China. The main forms of microplastics were fragments and fibers, and polyethylene was the dominant polymer (91.6%). The microplastic abundance ranged from 11 347 items/kgdw to 78 061 items/kgdw (mean of 52 081.7 items/kgdw). The abundance and proportion of microplastics with a diameter of <0.2 mm were significantly higher in the sunflower and maize plots (i.e., tall crops) than in the potato plots (i.e., short crops) (p < 0.05). This is due to straw residues affecting the migration and recovery of the mulch. The abundance and fragmentation of microplastics were significantly higher in the sunflower and maize plots where plastic mulch was extensively used because these tall crops anchored the mulch near their stem-root systems. The mulch was then slowly aged (e.g., via wind erosion) before being fragmented due to agricultural practices (e.g., mechanical plowing and residue retention). Although microplastics sourced from mulch are probably immobilized by straw residues in the short term, fragile and easily broken pieces of mulch are eventually released into the soil due to agricultural practices. The findings suggest that different cropping characteristics can affect the abundance and fragmentation of microplastics in agricultural soils, even within the same region, and thus the level and type of microplastic pollution. Traditional plastic mulch should be replaced with biodegradable mulch to reduce microplastic pollution in agricultural fields.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hao Liu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China; Institute of Arid Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China.
| | - Xiyuan Wang
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China; Institute of Arid Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China.
| | - Qingdong Shi
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China; Institute of Arid Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China
| | - Yuying Liu
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China; Institute of Arid Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China
| | - Haifeng Lei
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China; Institute of Arid Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China
| | - Yutong Chen
- College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China; Institute of Arid Ecology and Environment, Xinjiang University, Urumqi, 830046, China
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41
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Hu K, Yang Y, Zuo J, Tian W, Wang Y, Duan X, Wang S. Emerging microplastics in the environment: Properties, distributions, and impacts. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 297:134118. [PMID: 35227746 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging and recalcitrant micropollutants in the environment, which have attracted soaring interests from a wide range of research disciplines. To this end, numerous technologies have been devised to understand the properties, environmental behaviors, and potential impacts/hazards of MPs. Herein, we present a review on the properties, environmental distribution and possible impacts. In this review, a comprehensive introduction of the most universal types of MPs, their shapes and characters will be first presented. Then the distributions of MPs in the environment and the impacts on microbe, plants, and human will be reported. Finally, major challenges and directions will be discussed to provide some clues to the better understanding, control and migration of MPs pollution in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kunsheng Hu
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Yangyang Yang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Jian Zuo
- School of Architecture and Built Environment, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Wenjie Tian
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia
| | - Yuxian Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Heavy Oil Processing, State Key Laboratory of Petroleum Pollution Control, China University of Petroleum-Beijing, Beijing, 102249, China
| | - Xiaoguang Duan
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.
| | - Shaobin Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Materials, The University of Adelaide, North Terrace, Adelaide, SA, 5005, Australia.
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42
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Shanmugam SD, Praveena SM, Sarkar B. Quality assessment of research studies on microplastics in soils: A methodological perspective. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 296:134026. [PMID: 35189192 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134026] [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: 09/17/2021] [Revised: 01/21/2022] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics have become a global concern, and soil acts as a major sink for plastic pollution. Due to rapid development of soil microplastics research, various analysis methods have been developed, but require proper consistency and standard procedures. The objective of this study was to appraise a quality assessment concerning soil microplastics from a methodological perspective. Nine studies were selected for the quality assessment exercise based on methodological investigations on soil microplastics and were evaluated based on the adapted Criteria for Reporting and Evaluating Ecotoxicity Data (CRED) method. The highest score obtained by an individual study was 21 while the lowest was 14, leaving a wide score gap which indicated inconsistency amongst the studies. Criterion with the highest average score of 2.0 was obtained for sample size and data reporting. The lowest average score of 0.89 was for the negative control. In conclusion, the total average scores for all eleven criteria were 1.56. Current quality assessment perceived that there was room for improvement and betterment of quality assurance for studies on microplastics and a form of guideline on methodological aspects of soil microplastics studies. It was suggested that future microplastics studies should methodically include quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) protocols in every process to ensure that good quality data is produced and applied in the risk assessment process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyamala Devi Shanmugam
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Sarva Mangala Praveena
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia; Department of Environmental Health, Faculty of Public Health, Universitas Airlangga, Jawa Timur, Indonesia.
| | - Binoy Sarkar
- Lancaster Environment Centre, Lancaster University, Lancaster, LA1 4YQ, United Kingdom
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43
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Liu X, Lu J, He S, Tong Y, Liu Z, Li W, Xiayihazi N. Evaluation of microplastic pollution in Shihezi city, China, using pine needles as a biological passive sampler. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 821:153181. [PMID: 35051458 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153181] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution has attracted much attention. To understand the characteristics of atmospheric MP pollution in Shihezi, Northwest China, this study used pine needles from trees in Shihezi City as passive samplers. MP contamination was found in all pine needle samples, with an average concentration of 16.52 ± 3.76 items/g. MPs were mainly in the shape of fragments (<0.05 mm). Differences in MP pollution were observed in different functional areas. The abundance of MPs in pine needles was the highest on the main traffic road (19.02 ± 2.52 items/g). Spectral analysis showed that the main polymer of MPs was polyethylene (17.2%), followed by polystyrene (15.5%) and polypropylene (13.8%). By analyzing the principal components and spatial distribution, fragments and pellets were found to have similar sources (mainly industrial activities), whereas films and fibers were influenced by traffic flow. The source of films was related to the packaging industry. The purpose of this study was to provide a reference for the future use of pine needles as atmospheric MP passive samplers, for the traceability and prevention of urban atmospheric MP pollution and for the formulation of national atmospheric MP environmental standards.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaodong Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Xinjiang 832003, China
| | - Jianjiang Lu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Xinjiang 832003, China.
| | - Shaohua He
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Xinjiang 832003, China
| | - Yanbin Tong
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Xinjiang 832003, China
| | - Zilong Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Xinjiang 832003, China
| | - Weijun Li
- Ecological Environmental Protection Monitoring Station of Shihezi, Xinjiang 832000, China
| | - Nuerguli Xiayihazi
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shihezi University, Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Pollutant Control of Xinjiang Bingtuan, Xinjiang 832003, China
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44
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Li C, Cui Q, Li Y, Zhang K, Lu X, Zhang Y. Effect of LDPE and biodegradable PBAT primary microplastics on bacterial community after four months of soil incubation. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 429:128353. [PMID: 35123132 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 81] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2021] [Revised: 12/03/2021] [Accepted: 01/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Biodegradable plastics would be gradually degraded by microbes after being used and discarded, forming biodegradable microplastics (BMPs). It is however not clear if it, like conventional microplastics, can affect the original soil ecological balance. In this study, the non-degradable LDPE (low density polyethylene) was used as the reference primary microplastic, and the BMP PBAT (polyadipate/butylene terephthalate) was used as the test object. The effects of the amount of PBAT on soil physical-chemical properties, bacterial community were investigated using high throughput sequencing. The results showed that when the highest amount of PBAT applied was up to 250 times higher than the normal application amount, resulted in a certain dose-effect, and a higher amount of PBAT would reduce the content of NO3--N and TP. The lower amount of PBAT relatively increased the diversity of soil bacterial communities, and the relative abundance of the unique Azotobacter increased with increasing PBAT amount. The abundance of bacterial community in soil with different PBAT amounts was significantly correlated with the soil's physical-chemical properties. In addition, Mesorhizobium, TM7a and Azotobacter were observed to be highly tolerant bacteria in PBAT containing soil which can be actively explored to study the biodegradation of BMPs PBAT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chengtao Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, China.
| | - Qian Cui
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shaanxi University of Science & Technology, Xi'an 710021, China
| | - Yan Li
- Research Institute of Oil and Gas Technology, PetroChina Changqing Oilfield Branch, Xi'an 710200, China
| | - Kai Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Pollution, City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Xueqiang Lu
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Yong Zhang
- College of Resources and Environment, Southwest University, Chongqing, China.
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45
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Forster NA, Wilson SC, Tighe MK. Examining sampling protocols for microplastics on recreational trails. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 818:151813. [PMID: 34813817 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.151813] [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: 02/09/2021] [Revised: 11/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/15/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Hiking and trail running are increasingly popular and could present a significant source of microplastics on recreational trails in nature reserves, wilderness areas and conservation areas. Deposition may be concentrated on trail surfaces, however sampling techniques for microplastics on soil or rock surfaces have not yet been developed. In this study, sampling strategies were evaluated for microplastics on three types of recreational trail surfaces - asphalt, compacted soil, and a loose overlay of soil. We spiked trail surfaces with pink rubber microplastics and collected samples using a handheld vacuum, manual sweeping, and gel lifter tape. Spiked and in situ microplastics were extracted from soil samples using density separation (NaI, ρ = 1.6 g cm-3) with organic matter digestion (30% H2O2), then visualised and counted using stereomicroscopy. The gel lifter tape yielded the highest recovery of spiked and counts of in situ microplastics on asphalt (118% ± 15%, 3183 ± 830 microplastics per 40 cm2) and compacted soil (127% ± 7%, 333 ± 106 microplastics per 40 cm2). Sweeping produced quantitative recovery for spiked microplastics on compacted soil (88% ± 13%) but yielded significantly fewer in situ microplastics (148 ± 40 microplastics per 40 cm2) than the tape. Sweeping was the only technique to achieve quantitative recovery of spiked microplastics in the loose overlay of soil (110% ± 14%) when soil carbon was 0.8% ± 0.3%, however increasing soil carbon was associated with reduced microplastic recovery. Preliminary assessment indicated quantification of microplastics smaller than 100 μm was not possible with any of the methods tested. Sweeping and the gel lifter tape were both effective for evaluating microplastic deposition and spatial distribution on recreational trails, depending on the properties of the trail.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola A Forster
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia.
| | - Susan C Wilson
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia.
| | - Matthew K Tighe
- School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale, New South Wales 2351, Australia.
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46
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Zhang X, Chen Y, Li X, Zhang Y, Gao W, Jiang J, Mo A, He D. Size/shape-dependent migration of microplastics in agricultural soil under simulative and natural rainfall. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 815:152507. [PMID: 34968597 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2021] [Revised: 12/12/2021] [Accepted: 12/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Agricultural soil is a sink of microplastics (MPs) in the environment. MPs in topsoil can be transferred deeply or into surrounding water by rainfall. However, little is known about rainfall-induced migration pattern of different MPs in agricultural soil. In this study, soil leaching experiments of 21 d were performed on Nile red-stained size-different polyethylene terephthalate (PET) particles, and shape-different polyethylene (PE) MPs under simulated or natural rainfall. Results showed that simulated rainfall of 5-25 mm/d caused intensity-dependent migration of MPs in horizontal and vertical directions. Maximum migration depth of MP particles arrived up to 4-7 cm. Rise of soil slopes could significantly increase horizontal mobility of MPs. Comparatively, natural rainfall of similar intensity caused relatively high mobility of MPs. Moreover, under both simulative and natural rainfall, mobility of MPs presented size/shape-different characteristics. Comparatively, small-size MPs (especially <1 mm) showed relatively high mobility in horizontal or vertical direction, and had high-frequency presence in runoff water. Of four MPs' shapes, fiber and film had relatively high mobility in comparison to particles. These results indicate that rainfall can cause size/shape-dependent migration of MPs in agricultural soil. It suggests size/shape-different environment fate of MPs, and provides a reference for MP control.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaoting Zhang
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yingxin Chen
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yalin Zhang
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Wei Gao
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jie Jiang
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Aoyun Mo
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Defu He
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China; Technology Innovation Center for Land Spatial Eco-restoration in Metropolitan Area, Ministry of Natural Resources, Shanghai 200062, China.
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47
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Foetisch A, Filella M, Watts B, Vinot LH, Bigalke M. Identification and characterisation of individual nanoplastics by scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM). JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 426:127804. [PMID: 34836690 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127804] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 11/08/2021] [Accepted: 11/11/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Nanoplastics (NP) are of environmental and human health concern. We tested a novel NP extraction method and scanning transmission X-ray spectro-microscopy (STXM) in combination with near-edge X-ray absorption fine-structure spectroscopy (NEXAFS) to image and identify individual NP in environmental and food matrices. We (1) discussed the potential of STXM compared to other methods potentially suitable for NP analysis, (2) applied the method on NP suspensions of eight of the most common polymers, (3) analyzed environmental water and soil samples spiked with NP and (4) characterized NP in tea water infused in plastic teabags and unspiked soil samples. Here we show that STXM has methodological advantages and that polymers give characteristic spectra, which allows NP identification in environmental and food matrices. For soils we deliver a visual and spectroscopic characterization of NP, proving their presence and highlighting their diversity. Thus, STXM, can be used for the detection and characterisation of NP in different types of matrices.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Foetisch
- Institute of Geography, University of Bern, Hallerstrasse 12, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Montserrat Filella
- Department F.-A. Forel, University of Geneva, Boulevard Carl-Vogt 66, CH-1205 Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Benjamin Watts
- Paul Scherrer Institute, Forschungsstrasse 111, 5232 Villigen, Switzerland
| | - Laure-Hélène Vinot
- Institute of Geography, University of Bern, Hallerstrasse 12, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
| | - Moritz Bigalke
- Institute of Geography, University of Bern, Hallerstrasse 12, 3012 Bern, Switzerland.
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48
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Hu J, He D, Zhang X, Li X, Chen Y, Wei G, Zhang Y, Ok YS, Luo Y. National-scale distribution of micro(meso)plastics in farmland soils across China: Implications for environmental impacts. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 424:127283. [PMID: 34564045 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127283] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 09/11/2021] [Accepted: 09/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) pollution is increasingly appreciated as a significant environmental issue, however, the large-scale pattern of MPs in farmland soils and its associated environmental impacts are unknown. This study investigated a national-scale distribution of micro(meso)plastics (MMPs) in the soil of 30 farmlands across China. The abundance of MMPs in soils was 25.56-2067.78 items kg-1, with a mean of 358.37 items kg-1, i.e. 6.79 mg kg-1 or 0.0007% after mass conversion. MPs accounted for 93.1% of MMPs, the abundance varied greatly among different regions, high in arid or semi-arid north but relatively low in mild southwest regions. Major MPs included polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyester, tending to decrease in abundance from surface to deeper soil layers. Further, meta-analysis revealed that MPs exposure influenced bulk density, soil enzymes including fluorescein diacetate hydrolase (FDAse) and urease, and crop biomass, and minimum effective concentrations (MEC) were in the range of 0.0040-10%. We found that actual abundance in the national-scale soils was lower than MEC, but partly overlapped or close, which implies various degrees of environmental impacts. These findings disclose the national-scale pollution pattern of MPs in farmlands and its latent risks to soil environments and crop growth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiani Hu
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, East China Normal University, 500# DongChuan RD, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Defu He
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, East China Normal University, 500# DongChuan RD, Shanghai 200241, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China.
| | - Xiaoting Zhang
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, East China Normal University, 500# DongChuan RD, Shanghai 200241, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Xinyu Li
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, East China Normal University, 500# DongChuan RD, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yingxin Chen
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, East China Normal University, 500# DongChuan RD, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Gao Wei
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, East China Normal University, 500# DongChuan RD, Shanghai 200241, China; Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Biotransformation of Organic Solid Waste, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yalin Zhang
- School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, East China Normal University, 500# DongChuan RD, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Yong Sik Ok
- Korea Biochar Research Center, APRU Sustainable Waste Management Program & Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul 02841, South Korea
| | - Yongming Luo
- Key Laboratory of Soil Environment and Pollution Remediation, Institute of Soil Science, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
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49
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Way C, Hudson MD, Williams ID, Langley GJ, Marsh R. Assessing the effectiveness of microplastic extraction methods on fishmeal with different properties. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2022; 14:606-619. [PMID: 35060984 DOI: 10.1039/d1ay02154k] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic presence in fishmeal is an emerging research area because of its potential to enter food chains, and the importance of fishmeal within global food security. However, fishmeal is a complex medium dependant on fish composition. This study measured properties (organics, carbonates, protein and density) of five fishmeal types (trimmings, sardine and anchovy, krill, tuna and salmon), sourced from locations worldwide (Norway, South America, Antarctica, Spain and Scotland). Microplastic recovery rates were compared for existing methodologies using sodium chloride overflows and potassium hydroxide digestions and then compared to newly developed methods. These methods included dispersants and calcium chloride density separations which were developed and designed to be environmentally conscious and affordable, which we argue should become an international standard approach for researchers. A calcium chloride overflow with dispersant and potassium hydroxide digestion provided the highest recovery rate in sardine and anchovy fishmeal (66.3%). Positive correlations with recovery rate were found with protein content, and negative correlations with organic content. Low recovery rates found here suggest microplastics in fishmeal reported in the literature are underestimated. With complex media such as fishmeal, attention must be paid to variation between types and composition when choosing methods and interpreting results.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chloe Way
- Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, University Road, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.
| | - Malcolm D Hudson
- Faculty of Environmental and Life Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, University Road, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK.
| | - Ian D Williams
- Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, University Road, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - G John Langley
- School of Chemistry, University of Southampton, Highfield Campus, University Road, Southampton SO17 1BJ, UK
| | - Robert Marsh
- Faculty of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton, SO14 3ZH, UK
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Amobonye A, Bhagwat P, Raveendran S, Singh S, Pillai S. Environmental Impacts of Microplastics and Nanoplastics: A Current Overview. Front Microbiol 2022; 12:768297. [PMID: 34975796 PMCID: PMC8714882 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2021.768297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing distribution of miniaturized plastic particles, viz. microplastics (100 nm–5 mm) and nanoplastics (less than 100 nm), across the various ecosystems is currently a subject of major environmental concern. Exacerbating these concerns is the fact that microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) display different properties from their corresponding bulk materials; thus, not much is understood about their full biological and ecological implications. Currently, there is evidence to prove that these miniaturized plastic particles release toxic plastic additives and can adsorb various chemicals, thereby serving as sinks for various poisonous compounds, enhancing their bioavailability, toxicity, and transportation. Furthermore, there is a potential danger for the trophic transfer of MNPs to humans and other higher animals, after being ingested by lower organisms. Thus, this paper critically analyzes our current knowledge with regard to the environmental impacts of MNPs. In this regard, the properties, sources, and damaging effects of MNPs on different habitats, particularly on the biotic components, were elucidated. Similarly, the consequent detrimental effects of these particles on humans as well as the current and future efforts at mitigating these detrimental effects were discussed. Finally, the self-cleaning efforts of the planet via a range of saprophytic organisms on these synthetic particles were also highlighted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayodeji Amobonye
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Prashant Bhagwat
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Sindhu Raveendran
- Microbial Processes and Technology Division, CSIR-National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology (CSIR-NIIST), Trivandrum, India
| | - Suren Singh
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
| | - Santhosh Pillai
- Department of Biotechnology and Food Science, Faculty of Applied Sciences, Durban University of Technology, Durban, South Africa
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