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DeLoid GM, Yang Z, Bazina L, Kharaghani D, Sadrieh F, Demokritou P. Mechanisms of ingested polystyrene micro-nanoplastics (MNPs) uptake and translocation in an in vitro tri-culture small intestinal epithelium. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 473:134706. [PMID: 38795489 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134706] [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: 01/16/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
Micro and nanoplastics (MNPs) are now ubiquitous contaminants of food and water. Many cellular and animal studies have shown that ingested MNPs can breach the intestinal barrier to reach the circulation. To date however, the cellular mechanisms involved in intestinal absorption of MNPs have not been investigated with physiologically relevant models, and thus remain unknown. We employed in vitro simulated digestion, a tri-culture small intestinal epithelium model, and a panel of inhibitors to assess the contributions of the possible mechanisms to absorption of 26 nm carboxylated polystyrene (PS26C) MNPs. Inhibition of ATP synthesis reduced translocation by only 35 %, suggesting uptake by both active endocytic pathways and passive diffusion. Translocation was also decreased by inhibition of dynamin and clathrin, suggesting involvement of clathrin mediated endocytosis (CME) and fast endophilin-mediated endocytosis (FEME). Inhibition of actin polymerization also significantly reduced translocation, suggesting involvement of macropinocytosis or phagocytosis. However, inhibition of the Na+-H+ exchanger had no effect on translocation, thus ruling out macropinocytosis. Together these results suggest uptake by passive diffusion as well as by active phagocytosis, CME, and FEME pathways. Further studies are needed to assess uptake mechanisms for other environmentally relevant MNPs as a function of polymer, surface chemistry, and size.
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Affiliation(s)
- Glen M DeLoid
- Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
| | - Zhenning Yang
- Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; Ernest Mario School of Pharmacy, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Lila Bazina
- Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Davood Kharaghani
- Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Faranguisse Sadrieh
- Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA
| | - Philip Demokritou
- Nanoscience and Advanced Materials Center, Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute (EOHSI), Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA; School of Public Health, Rutgers University, Piscataway, NJ 08854, USA.
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2
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De Michelis S, Pietrelli L, Battisti C, Carosi M. First evidence of plastics in coypu (Myocastor coypus)'s platforms. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024:10.1007/s11356-024-34084-1. [PMID: 38965107 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34084-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
Platforms are structures built by coypus for various purposes, such as reproduction, resting, and thermoregulation. In a coastal wetland of central Italy, during a study aimed at investigating the characteristics of coypu's platforms, it was recorded, for the first time worldwide, the presence of plastic in these structures. Through a transect survey, we censused 83 platforms, among which three (3.61%) were found with presence of macro- and megaplastics (polystyrene, polypropylene, and low-density polyethylene in film form; polyester, polyamide, and expanded polystyrene in fragments). Through the FTIR spectra, it was possible to highlight the degradation of the polymeric materials. To stimulate possible in-depth investigations at the level of the food chain (e.g., coypu predators, including canids) in wet habitats, we discussed possible causes and implications of plastic presence in coypus' nest structures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia De Michelis
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
| | - Loris Pietrelli
- Legambiente, Scientific Committee, Via Salaria 403, 00199, Rome, Italy.
| | - Corrado Battisti
- Protected Areas Service, "Torre Flavia" LTER (Long Term Ecological Research) Station, Città Metropolitana Di Roma, Via G. Ribotta 41, 00144, Rome, Italy
| | - Monica Carosi
- Department of Sciences, Roma Tre University, Viale Guglielmo Marconi 446, 00146, Rome, Italy
- National Biodiversity Future Center, Università Di Palermo, Palermo, Italy
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Ahuja V, Singh PK, Mahata C, Jeon JM, Kumar G, Yang YH, Bhatia SK. A review on microbes mediated resource recovery and bioplastic (polyhydroxyalkanoates) production from wastewater. Microb Cell Fact 2024; 23:187. [PMID: 38951813 PMCID: PMC11218116 DOI: 10.1186/s12934-024-02430-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plastic is widely utilized in packaging, frameworks, and as coverings material. Its overconsumption and slow degradation, pose threats to ecosystems due to its toxic effects. While polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA) offer a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based plastics, their production costs present significant obstacles to global adoption. On the other side, a multitude of household and industrial activities generate substantial volumes of wastewater containing both organic and inorganic contaminants. This not only poses a threat to ecosystems but also presents opportunities to get benefits from the circular economy. Production of bioplastics may be improved by using the nutrients and minerals in wastewater as a feedstock for microbial fermentation. Strategies like feast-famine culture, mixed-consortia culture, and integrated processes have been developed for PHA production from highly polluted wastewater with high organic loads. Various process parameters like organic loading rate, organic content (volatile fatty acids), dissolved oxygen, operating pH, and temperature also have critical roles in PHA accumulation in microbial biomass. Research advances are also going on in downstream and recovery of PHA utilizing a combination of physical and chemical (halogenated solvents, surfactants, green solvents) methods. This review highlights recent developments in upcycling wastewater resources into PHA, encompassing various production strategies, downstream processing methodologies, and techno-economic analyses. SHORT CONCLUSION Organic carbon and nitrogen present in wastewater offer a promising, cost-effective source for producing bioplastic. Previous attempts have focused on enhancing productivity through optimizing culture systems and growth conditions. However, despite technological progress, significant challenges persist, such as low productivity, intricate downstream processing, scalability issues, and the properties of resulting PHA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vishal Ahuja
- Department of Biotechnology, University Centre for Research & Development, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, 140413, India
| | - Pankaj Kumar Singh
- Department of Biotechnology, University Centre for Research & Development, Chandigarh University, Mohali, Punjab, 140413, India
| | - Chandan Mahata
- Department of Agricultural and Biological Engineering, University of Illinois at Urbana- Champaign, 1304 W. Pennsylvania Avenue, Urbana, 61801, USA
| | - Jong-Min Jeon
- Green & Sustainable Materials R&D Department, Research Institute of Clean Manufacturing System, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology (KITECH), Chungnam, 331-825, Republic of Korea
| | - Gopalakrishnan Kumar
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul, 03722, Republic of Korea
- Institute of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Stavanger, Box 8600, Forus, Stavanger, 4036, Norway
| | - Yung-Hun Yang
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
- Institute for Ubiquitous Information Technology and Application, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Shashi Kant Bhatia
- Department of Biological Engineering, College of Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea.
- Institute for Ubiquitous Information Technology and Application, Konkuk University, Seoul, 05029, Republic of Korea.
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Lewin WC, Sühring R, Fries E, Solomon M, Brinkmann M, Weltersbach MS, Strehlow HV, Freese M. Soft plastic fishing lures as a potential source of chemical pollution - Chemical analyses, toxicological relevance, and anglers' perspectives. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:173884. [PMID: 38885719 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 06/03/2024] [Accepted: 06/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Soft plastic lures (SPLs) are commonly used artificial lures in recreational angling. Anglers regularly lose SPLs while fishing and there is little knowledge about the environmental impacts of lost SPLs. As with other plastic items, SPLs contain phthalates and other persistent additives that may leach into water. In this study, 16 randomly chosen SPLs of common models were analyzed for the leaching of persistent, water-soluble plastic additives, including phthalates. The estrogenicity of sample extracts from a subsample of 10 SPLs was assessed using luciferase reporter gene bioassays. Over a period of 61 days, 10 of the 16 SPLs leached the targeted phthalates dimethyl phthalate (DMP), diethyl phthalate (DEP), benzyl butyl phthalate (BBP) and di-n-butyl phthalate (DnBP) at median detectable concentrations ranging from 10 ng/g sample BBP to a median of 1001 ng/g DMP as well as 45 persistent, mobile, and toxic (PMT) plastic additives. DEP was detected most frequently in 8 SPLs, followed by BBP (2 SPLs), DMP (2 SPLs) and DnBP (1 SPL). The extract from one SPL with comparatively low phthalate and PMT plastic additive levels was active in the bioassay, indicating high endocrine-disruptive potential, presumably due to unknown additives that were not among the target substances of the methodology used in this study. The study was supplemented by a mail survey among anglers, in which attitudes of anglers towards SPLs were investigated. The survey indicated that SPL loss is a common event during angling. Most participants were concerned about potential ecological impacts of SPLs, wanted the ingredients of SPLs to be labelled and supported legal restrictions concerning toxic ingredients of SPLs. The study shows that SPLs are a potential source of environmental pollution, may pose human health risks and need further investigation, considering the frequent use of SPLs in recreational angling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wolf-Christian Lewin
- Thünen Institute of Baltic Sea Fisheries, Alter Hafen Süd 2, 18069 Rostock, Germany.
| | - Roxana Sühring
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, 350 Victoria St, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Eric Fries
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, 350 Victoria St, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Melissa Solomon
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, 350 Victoria St, Toronto, ON M5B 2K3, Canada
| | - Markus Brinkmann
- Toxicology Centre, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada; School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada; Global Institute for Water Security, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada
| | | | - Harry V Strehlow
- Thünen Institute of Baltic Sea Fisheries, Alter Hafen Süd 2, 18069 Rostock, Germany
| | - Marko Freese
- Thünen Institute of Fisheries Ecology, Herwigstraße 31, 27572 Bremerhaven, Germany
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Mennekes D, Mellink YAM, Schreyers LJ, van Emmerik THM, Nowack B. Macroplastic Fate and Transport Modeling: Freshwaters Act as Main Reservoirs. ACS ES&T WATER 2024; 4:2470-2481. [PMID: 38903198 PMCID: PMC11186010 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.3c00817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2024] [Accepted: 05/02/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024]
Abstract
Macroplastic fate and transport in the freshwater environment are of great concern due to the potentially harmful effects of macroplastic on plants, animals, and humans. Here, we present a modeling approach to simulate macroplastic fate and transport at the country scale based on an existing plastic release model. The fate model was parametrized through available monitoring data and results from field experiments and applied to Swiss rivers and lakes. We found that almost all (98%) macroplastic emissions into freshwater remain within Switzerland. After exploring the influences of weirs, retention in rivers, and retention in lakes through a sensitivity analysis, we found a high retention variability across different catchments and within rivers. In all 22 analyzed scenarios for continuous retention along each river bank (i.e., beaching), we found that at least 70% of input emissions into the water bodies would be retained long-term in the catchments (about 200 g per river km and year). Across all catchments, we found a dominance of "continuous retention" through beaching along the entire river length compared with "point retention" at weirs or lakes. Thus, by modeling macroplastic fate and transport on a country level for the first time, we were able to confirm the concept of "rivers as plastic reservoirs" through modeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Mennekes
- Technology
and Society Laboratory, Empa—Swiss
Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland
| | - Yvette A. M. Mellink
- Hydrology and Environmental
Hydraulics Group, Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality
Management Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Louise J. Schreyers
- Hydrology and Environmental
Hydraulics Group, Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality
Management Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Tim H. M. van Emmerik
- Hydrology and Environmental
Hydraulics Group, Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality
Management Group, Wageningen University, Droevendaalsesteeg 3, 6708 PB Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bernd Nowack
- Technology
and Society Laboratory, Empa—Swiss
Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology, Lerchenfeldstrasse 5, 9014 St. Gallen, Switzerland
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Pia RA, Nicolas G, Florencia E, Elie A, Daiana P, Luis Alberto E, Joaquina R, Camila C, Cesar Maria BM. Mini-Open Dumps in the Paraná River Floodplain: Local Problems with Global Effects. BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY 2024; 112:81. [PMID: 38822856 DOI: 10.1007/s00128-024-03905-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
The growing production of urban solid waste is a structural problem faced by most cities around the world. The proliferation of mini-open dumps (MOD; small spontaneous open-air waste dumps formed in urban and peri-urban areas) on the banks of the Paraná River is particularly evident. During the historical drought (June-December 2021), we carried out sampling campaigns identifying MODs of the Santa Fe River, a secondary channel of the Paraná River. MOD were geolocated, measured, described and classified by origin. The distance to the river and other sensitive places was considered (houses-schools-health facilities). Our results suggested a serious environmental issue associated with poor waste management. MOD were extremely abundant in the study area, being mostly composed of domestic litter. Plastics clearly dominated the MOD composition. Burning was frequently observed as a method to reduce the volume of MOD. We concluded that the proliferation of MOD is a multi-causal problem associated with a failure of public policies and a lack of environmental education.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rabuffetti Ana Pia
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI, CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina.
| | - Garello Nicolas
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI, CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Eurich Florencia
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI, CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Abrial Elie
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI, CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Pascuale Daiana
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI, CONICET-UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | | | - Romero Joaquina
- Facultad de Humanidades y Ciencias, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (FHUC, UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Costa Camila
- Facultad de arquitectura, diseño y urbanismo, Universidad Nacional del Litoral (FADU, UNL), Santa Fe, Argentina
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7
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Tariq A, Ahmad SR, Qadir A. Nesting material adaptation of native bird species with anthropogenic litter along an urbanization gradient in Pakistan. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 249:118435. [PMID: 38350545 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.118435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2023] [Revised: 02/03/2024] [Accepted: 02/05/2024] [Indexed: 02/15/2024]
Abstract
Rapid urbanization and associated waste generation have become a mounting ecological concern for wildlife, especially avian communities. Research has primarily focused on investigating the impacts of human activities on marine birds with comparatively less focus on terrestrial species that live in far more anthropized environments and are at significant risk. Our study has explored the abundance and characteristics of anthropogenic litter in 70 nests of four generalist bird species: Bank Myna (Acridotheres ginginianus), Common Myna (Acridotheres tristis), Black Kite (Milvus migrans) and House Crow (Corvus splendens), within the city of Lahore (Pakistan) and its surroundings, by determining and following an urbanization gradient. The overall frequency of litter occurrence (FLO%) for all the sampled nests was 89%. Over 80% of the recorded litter items consisted of plastic materials, primarily dominated by sheet-like plastics. There was a strong association between fabric and Black Kite nests, and metal and House Crow nests. Litter incorporation increased across the gradient from rural to urban habitats. The highest FLO% was found in nests sampled from waste dumping sites and urban sites (95%-100%), where anthropogenic influence was more intense. The high level of litter incorporation is potentially indicative of a species' adaptive response to urbanization, associated with the decline in natural nesting material and availability of anthropogenic litter. These findings highlight the need for strengthening the existing global database for terrestrial litter and its effect on wildlife and devising policy actions for better waste management and conservation of natural ecosystem balance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anum Tariq
- College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
| | - Sajid Rashid Ahmad
- College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Abdul Qadir
- College of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
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8
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Schutten K, Chandrashekar A, Dougherty L, Stevens B, Parmley EJ, Pearl D, Provencher JF, Jardine CM. How do life history and behaviour influence plastic ingestion risk in Canadian freshwater and terrestrial birds? ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 347:123777. [PMID: 38490523 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123777] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 02/26/2024] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 03/17/2024]
Abstract
Plastic ingestion presents many potential avenues of risk for wildlife. Understanding which species and environments are most exposed to plastic pollution is a critical first step in investigating the One Health implications of plastic exposure. The objectives of this study were the following: 1) Utilize necropsy as part of ongoing passive disease surveillance to investigate ingested mesoplastics in birds collected in Ontario and Nunavut, and examine the relationships between bird-level factors and ingested debris; 2) evaluate microplastic ingestion compared to ingested mesodebris in raptors; and 3) identify potential sentinel species for plastic pollution monitoring in understudied freshwater and terrestrial (inland) environments. Between 2020 and 2022, 457 free-ranging birds across 52 species were received for postmortem examination. The upper gastrointestinal tracts were examined for mesoplastics and other debris (>2 mm) using standard techniques. Twenty-four individuals (5.3%) retained mesodebris and prevalence varied across species, with foraging technique, food type, and foraging substrate all associated with different metrics of debris ingestion. The odds of ingesting any type of anthropogenic mesodebris was nine times higher for non-raptorial species than for raptors. For a subset of raptors (N = 54) across 14 species, the terminal portion of the distal intestinal tract was digested with potassium hydroxide and microparticles were assessed using stereo-microscopy. Although only one of 54 (1.9%) raptors included in both analyses retained mesodebris in the upper gastrointestinal tract, 24 (44.4%) contained microparticles in the distal intestine. This study demonstrates that a variety of Canadian bird species ingest anthropogenic debris in inland systems, and suggests that life history and behaviour are associated with ingestion risk. For raptors, the mechanisms governing exposure and ingestion of mesoplastics appear to be different than those that govern microplastics. Herring gulls (Larus argentatus) and ring-billed gulls (Larus delawarensis) are proposed as ideal sentinels for plastic pollution monitoring in inland systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kerry Schutten
- University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E., Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada.
| | | | - Laura Dougherty
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E., Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Brian Stevens
- Canadian Wildlife Health Cooperative, University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E., Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - E Jane Parmley
- University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E., Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - David Pearl
- University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E., Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
| | - Jennifer F Provencher
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON, K1A 0H3, Canada
| | - Claire M Jardine
- University of Guelph, 50 Stone Rd E., Guelph, Ontario, N1G 2W1, Canada
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Martín-Vélez V, Cano-Povedano J, Cañuelo-Jurado B, López-Calderón C, Céspedes V, Ros M, Sánchez MI, Shamoun-Baranes J, Müller W, Thaxter CB, Camphuysen CJ, Cózar A, Green AJ. Leakage of plastics and other debris from landfills to a highly protected lake by wintering gulls. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2024; 177:13-23. [PMID: 38281470 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2024.01.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2023] [Revised: 01/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/30/2024]
Abstract
GENERAL CONTEXT Gulls ingest plastic and other litter while foraging in open landfills, because organic matter is mixed with other debris. Therefore, gulls are potential biovectors of plastic pollution into natural habitats, especially when they concentrate in wetlands for roosting. NOVELTY We quantified, for the first time, the flow of plastic and other anthropogenic debris from open landfills to a natural lake via the movement of gulls. We focused on Fuente de Piedra, an inland closed-basin lake in Spain that is internationally important for biodiversity. METHODOLOGY In 2022, we sampled gull pellets regurgitated in the lake by lesser black-backed gulls Larus fuscus that feed on landfills, as well as their faeces, then characterized and quantified debris particles of ≥0.5 mm. By combining GPS and census data from 2010 to 2022, together with plastic quantification based on FTIR-ATR analysis, we estimated the average annual deposition of plastic and other debris by the wintering gull population into the lake. MAIN RESULTS 86 % of pellets contained plastics, and 94 % contained other debris such as glass and textiles. Polyethylene (54 %), polypropylene (11.5 %) and polystyrene (11.5 %) were the main plastic polymers. An estimated annual mean of 400 kg of plastics were moved by gulls into the lake. Only 1 % of plastic mass was imported in faeces. DISCUSSION Incorporating the biovectoring role of birds can provide a more holistic view of the plastic cycle and waste management. Biovectoring is predictable in sites worldwide where gulls and other waterbirds feed in landfills and roost in wetlands. We discuss bird deterrence and other ways of mitigating debris leakage into aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Víctor Martín-Vélez
- Institut de Ciències del Mar (ICM), CSIC, Passeig Marítim de la Barceloneta, Barcelona 37-49 08003, Spain; Department of Conservation Biology and Global Change, Estación Biológica de Doñana CSIC, Américo Vespucio 26, Sevilla 41092, Spain.
| | - Julián Cano-Povedano
- Department of Conservation Biology and Global Change, Estación Biológica de Doñana CSIC, Américo Vespucio 26, Sevilla 41092, Spain
| | - Belén Cañuelo-Jurado
- Department of Conservation Biology and Global Change, Estación Biológica de Doñana CSIC, Américo Vespucio 26, Sevilla 41092, Spain
| | - Cosme López-Calderón
- Department of Conservation Biology and Global Change, Estación Biológica de Doñana CSIC, Américo Vespucio 26, Sevilla 41092, Spain; Grupo de Investigación en Conservación. Biodiversidad y Cambio Global, Universidad de Extremadura, Badajoz, Spain
| | - Vanessa Céspedes
- Department of Conservation Biology and Global Change, Estación Biológica de Doñana CSIC, Américo Vespucio 26, Sevilla 41092, Spain
| | - Macarena Ros
- Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Av. Reina Mercedes 6, Sevilla 41012, Spain
| | - Marta I Sánchez
- Department of Conservation Biology and Global Change, Estación Biológica de Doñana CSIC, Américo Vespucio 26, Sevilla 41092, Spain
| | - Judy Shamoun-Baranes
- Theoretical and Computational Ecology, Institute for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Dynamics (IBED), University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam 1090 GE, The Netherlands
| | - Wendt Müller
- Department of Biology, Behavioural Ecology and Ecophysiology Group, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, Wilrijk, Antwerp 2610, Belgium
| | - Chris B Thaxter
- British Trust for Ornithology, The Nunnery, Thetford, Norfolk IP24 2PU, UK
| | - Cornelis J Camphuysen
- COS Department, Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, P.O. Box 59, 1790 AB Den Burg, Texel, The Netherlands
| | - Andrés Cózar
- Department of Biology, Institute of Marine Research (INMAR), University of Cadiz and European University of the Seas (SEA-EU), Puerto Real 11510, Spain
| | - Andy J Green
- Department of Conservation Biology and Global Change, Estación Biológica de Doñana CSIC, Américo Vespucio 26, Sevilla 41092, Spain
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10
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Jagiello Z, Dylewski Ł, Szulkin M. The plastic homes of hermit crabs in the Anthropocene. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 913:168959. [PMID: 38185570 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2023] [Revised: 11/22/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Plastic is the most pervasive element of marine waste, with harmful impact on wildlife. By using iEcology (i.e., internet Ecology, use of online data sources as a new tool in ecological research), we report on the emergence of a novel behaviour in hermit crabs related to the use of plastic or other anthropogenic materials as protective shells. We analysed images posted on social media to identify 386 individuals with artificial shells - mainly plastic caps (85 %). We report that 10 of the world's 16 terrestrial hermit crabs use artificial shells, a behaviour observed on all of the Earth's tropical coasts. Four non-exclusive mechanisms may drive individual choice for artificial shells: sexual signaling, lightness of artificial shells, odour cues, and camouflage in a polluted environment. Further research is needed to determine the impact of this behaviour on hermit crab evolutionary trajectories.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna Jagiello
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland; Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland.
| | - Łukasz Dylewski
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Poznań, Poland
| | - Marta Szulkin
- Institute of Evolutionary Biology, Faculty of Biology, Biological and Chemical Research Centre, University of Warsaw, Warsaw, Poland
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11
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Taurozzi D, Cesarini G, Scalici M. Diatom and macroinvertebrate communities dynamic: A co-occurrence pattern analysis on plastic substrates. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169071. [PMID: 38049005 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169071] [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: 10/12/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/06/2023]
Abstract
Wetlands are habitats that provide numerous ecosystem services, but are often understudied and threatened by anthropogenic pollution, particularly plastic pollution. Macroplastics are a significant component of plastic litter that have high biological impacts but are often understudied. Previous studies have highlighted negative impacts on biota, but there is a lack of information about the communities of micro and macro organisms that settle on macroplastic litter. In this context, we investigated the colonization patterns and community structures of diatoms and macroinvertebrates on virgin substrates composed of two different plastic polymers, polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate, located at two different depths in a protected wetland in Central Italy over a period of 10 months. The results show that diatom community is not highly structured by competitive forces and aggregation patterns emerges. In contrast, macroinvertebrate community appears to be randomly structured, without the presence of patterns following specific assembly rules. Randomness in macroinvertebrates assemblages could highlight the presence of different niches available for settlement of different taxa. Combined matrix analyses show that diatoms and macroinvertebrates co-occur, and their community assemblages are sometimes structured, while they appeared to be randomly assembled at other times. Whenever non-randomness of diatoms and macroinvertebrates co-occurrences was detected, it suggested aggregation. Moreover, the possible predatory relationship between different macroinvertebrates taxa should be investigated, as it could reveal important scenarios in the establishment of macroinvertebrate structured communities on plastic litter, including taxa that exploit different ecological niches. This could lead to an enrichment of the biological community within areas impacted by plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Davide Taurozzi
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Giulia Cesarini
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy; National Research Council - Water Research Institute (CNR-IRSA), Corso Tonolli 50, 28922 Verbania, Italy.
| | - Massimiliano Scalici
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy; National Biodiversity Future Center (NBFC), Università di Palermo, Piazza Marina 61, 90133 Palermo, Italy
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12
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Bottari T, Houssa R, Brundo MV, Mghili B, Maaghloud H, Mancuso M. Plastic litter colonization in a brackish water environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169177. [PMID: 38072276 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169177] [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: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 11/24/2023] [Accepted: 12/05/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Transitional waters, including coastal ponds, represent unique environments. These distinct ecosystems are often among the most severely polluted systems due to intensive human activities. Our study marks the first evaluation of aquatic invertebrates associated with plastic litter in two brackish ponds. We collected 43 items of plastic litter (including bottles and disposable plastics) during the winter and spring of 2022. Most of plastic litter (76.8 %) was colonized by aquatic invertebrates. A total of 495 individuals were observed on the plastic litter, with the number of individuals ranging from 1 to 54 (average = 13.4). The most abundant taxa were from the families Gammaridae, Serpulidae, and Sphaeromatidae. Invertebrates colonized both the external and internal surfaces of the plastic bottles. Plastic bottles trapped 25 % of the total biota. The internal entrapped taxa were mainly represented by gammarids, molluscs egg mass, and sphaeromatids. Open bottles could potentially serve as temporary or permanent traps for invertebrates colonizing their internal surfaces. We argue that the dispersal of species driven by plastics is possible but limited, just as water exchanges with the seas are limited. These brackish lakes could be transit areas, but more importantly, they could be hotspots for plastic litter.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Bottari
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM) - CNR, Messina, Italy.
| | - Rachida Houssa
- Institut National de Recherche Halieutique (INRH), Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Maria Violetta Brundo
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, University of Catania, Via Androne 81, 95124 Catania, Italy
| | - Bilal Mghili
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N° 18, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Faculty of Sciences, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Hind Maaghloud
- Department of Biology, Health Environment laboratory, Hassan II University, Faculty of Science - AInchock, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Monique Mancuso
- Institute for Marine Biological Resources and Biotechnology (IRBIM) - CNR, Messina, Italy
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13
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Ramon-Gomez K, Ron SR, Deem SL, Pike KN, Stevens C, Izurieta JC, Nieto-Claudin A. Plastic ingestion in giant tortoises: An example of a novel anthropogenic impact for Galapagos wildlife. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 340:122780. [PMID: 37863249 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122780] [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: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 10/15/2023] [Accepted: 10/17/2023] [Indexed: 10/22/2023]
Abstract
The human population of Galapagos has rapidly increased in the last decades accelerating the anthropogenic pressures on the archipelago's natural resources. The growing human footprint, including inadequate management of garbage, may lead to conservation conflicts. Here, we assessed the ingestion of debris by Western Santa Cruz giant tortoises (Chelonoidis porteri) within human-modified and protected areas. Additionally, we characterized environmental debris and quantified tortoise abundance together with tortoise fecal samples. We processed a total of 6629 fecal samples along a gradient of anthropogenic disturbance based on human debris presence. We found 590 pieces of debris in samples within human-modified areas (mean of 3.97 items/kg of feces) and only two pieces in the protected area (mean of 0.08 items/kg of feces). Plastic waste was the predominant category in feces within the anthropic area (86.3%; n = 511), followed by cloth, metal, paper, synthetic rubber, construction materials, and glass. On average, the proportion of plastic was higher in feces (84%) than it was in environmental debris (67%), denoting that plastics are more readily ingested than other types of debris. We also found that green, white, and light blue plastics were consumed more often than their prevalence in the environment, suggesting color discrimination. Tortoise abundance was higher in the protected area when compared to the human-modified area; however, recapture rates were higher in anthropized landscapes which increases tortoise exposure to plastics and other human associated threats. Our results indicate that plastics are frequently consumed by tortoises in the polluted anthropic areas of western Santa Cruz, but scarce in protected areas. More research is needed to understand the negative impacts associated with plastics for Galapagos terrestrial species. We encourage local stakeholders to implement current policies limiting expansion of urban areas, plastic use, and improving waste management systems to minimize threats to human and animal health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karina Ramon-Gomez
- Charles Darwin Foundation, Charles Darwin Avenue, Santa Cruz, 200350, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador; Museo de Zoología, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Santiago R Ron
- Museo de Zoología, Escuela de Biología, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas y Naturales, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador, Quito, Ecuador
| | - Sharon L Deem
- Charles Darwin Foundation, Charles Darwin Avenue, Santa Cruz, 200350, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador; Saint Louis Zoo Institute for Conservation Medicine, One Government Drive, Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Kyana N Pike
- College of Science and Engineering, James Cook University, Townsville, 4810, Australia
| | - Colton Stevens
- Charles Darwin Foundation, Charles Darwin Avenue, Santa Cruz, 200350, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
| | - Juan Carlos Izurieta
- Charles Darwin Foundation, Charles Darwin Avenue, Santa Cruz, 200350, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
| | - Ainoa Nieto-Claudin
- Charles Darwin Foundation, Charles Darwin Avenue, Santa Cruz, 200350, Galapagos Islands, Ecuador; Saint Louis Zoo Institute for Conservation Medicine, One Government Drive, Saint Louis, MO, 63110, USA; Complutense University of Madrid, Veterinary Faculty, Puerta de Hierro Av, Madrid, 28040, Spain.
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14
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Thrift E, Nouvellet P, Mathews F. Plastic Entanglement Poses a Potential Hazard to European Hedgehogs Erinaceus europaeus in Great Britain. Animals (Basel) 2023; 13:2448. [PMID: 37570257 PMCID: PMC10417105 DOI: 10.3390/ani13152448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2023] [Revised: 07/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/28/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
A questionnaire to gather evidence on the plastic entanglement of the European hedgehog (Erinaceus europaeus) was sent to 160 wildlife rehabilitation centres in Great Britain. Fifty-four responses were received, and 184 individual admissions owing to plastic entanglement were reported. Death was the outcome for 46% (n = 86) of these cases. A high proportion of Britain's hedgehogs enter rehabilitation centres annually (approximately 5% of the national population and potentially 10% of the urban population), providing a robust basis for assessing the minimum impacts at a national level. We estimate that 4000-7000 hedgehog deaths per year are attributable to plastic, with the true rate likely being higher, since many entangled hedgehogs-in contrast to those involved in road traffic accidents-will not be found. Population modelling indicates that this excess mortality is sufficient to cause population declines. Although the scale of the impact is much lower than that attributable to traffic, it is nevertheless an additional pressure on a species that is already in decline and presents a significant welfare issue to a large number of individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fiona Mathews
- School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex, Brighton BN1 9RH, UK; (E.T.); (P.N.)
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15
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Gallitelli L, Cesarini G, Sodo A, Cera A, Scalici M. Life on bottles: Colonisation of macroplastics by freshwater biota. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 873:162349. [PMID: 36813195 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2023] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
While rivers are known to be the main vectors of plastics to the sea, it seems surprising that studies on interactions (e.g. colonisation/entrapment and drift) between macroplastics and biota continue to remain largely neglected, notwithstanding they represent unexpected threats to freshwater biota and riverine habitats. To fill these gaps, here we focused on the colonisation of plastic bottles by freshwater biota. To do so, we collected 100 plastic bottles from the River Tiber in summer 2021. Overall, 95 bottles were colonised externally and 23 internally. Specifically, biota mainly occurred within and outside the bottles rather than plastic pieces and organic debris. Moreover, while bottles were externally covered mainly by vegetal organisms (i.e. macrophytes), they internally entrapped more animal organisms (i.e. invertebrates). The taxa most occurring within and outside the bottles belonged to pool and low water quality-associated taxa (e.g. Lemna sp., Gastropoda, and Diptera). In addition to biota and organic debris, plastic particles also occurred on bottles reporting the first observation of 'metaplastics' (i.e. plastics encrusted on bottles). Furthermore, we observed a significant positive correlation between the colonising taxa abundance and the bottle degree degradation. In this regard, we discussed how bottle buoyancy may change due to the organic matter on the bottle, affecting bottle sinking and transport along rivers. Our findings might be crucial for understanding the underrepresented topic of riverine plastics and their colonisation by biota, given that these plastics may act as vectors and cause biogeographical, environmental, and conservation issues to freshwater habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Gallitelli
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - G Cesarini
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - A Sodo
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - A Cera
- Institute of Freshwater Biology, Nagano University, 1088 Komaki, Ueda, Nagano 386-0031, Japan
| | - M Scalici
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
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16
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Rüthi J, Cerri M, Brunner I, Stierli B, Sander M, Frey B. Discovery of plastic-degrading microbial strains isolated from the alpine and Arctic terrestrial plastisphere. Front Microbiol 2023; 14:1178474. [PMID: 37234546 PMCID: PMC10206078 DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1178474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Increasing plastic production and the release of some plastic in to the environment highlight the need for circular plastic economy. Microorganisms have a great potential to enable a more sustainable plastic economy by biodegradation and enzymatic recycling of polymers. Temperature is a crucial parameter affecting biodegradation rates, but so far microbial plastic degradation has mostly been studied at temperatures above 20°C. Here, we isolated 34 cold-adapted microbial strains from the plastisphere using plastics buried in alpine and Arctic soils during laboratory incubations as well as plastics collected directly from Arctic terrestrial environments. We tested their ability to degrade, at 15°C, conventional polyethylene (PE) and the biodegradable plastics polyester-polyurethane (PUR; Impranil®); ecovio® and BI-OPL, two commercial plastic films made of polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT) and polylactic acid (PLA); pure PBAT; and pure PLA. Agar clearing tests indicated that 19 strains had the ability to degrade the dispersed PUR. Weight-loss analysis showed degradation of the polyester plastic films ecovio® and BI-OPL by 12 and 5 strains, respectively, whereas no strain was able to break down PE. NMR analysis revealed significant mass reduction of the PBAT and PLA components in the biodegradable plastic films by 8 and 7 strains, respectively. Co-hydrolysis experiments with a polymer-embedded fluorogenic probe revealed the potential of many strains to depolymerize PBAT. Neodevriesia and Lachnellula strains were able to degrade all the tested biodegradable plastic materials, making these strains especially promising for future applications. Further, the composition of the culturing medium strongly affected the microbial plastic degradation, with different strains having different optimal conditions. In our study we discovered many novel microbial taxa with the ability to break down biodegradable plastic films, dispersed PUR, and PBAT, providing a strong foundation to underline the role of biodegradable polymers in a circular plastic economy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joel Rüthi
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Mattia Cerri
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Ivano Brunner
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Beat Stierli
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
| | - Michael Sander
- Institute of Biogeochemistry and Pollutant Dynamics, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology ETH, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Beat Frey
- Swiss Federal Institute for Forest, Snow and Landscape Research WSL, Birmensdorf, Switzerland
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17
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Jagiello Z, Dylewski Ł, Aguirre JI, Białas JT, Dylik A, López-García A, Kaługa I, Olszewski A, Siekiera J, Tobółka M. The prevalence of anthropogenic nest materials differs between two distinct populations of migratory birds in Europe. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:69703-69710. [PMID: 37129807 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27156-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
A major impact of human development is the transformation of natural habitats into farming lands and the expansion of built-up areas. Also, plastic pollution is affecting wildlife on a global scale. Discarded plastic is ubiquitous and accessible for birds, which can incorporate them into the nest structure. Here, we describe the differences in type, prevalence, and the amount of anthropogenic nest materials between two populations of terrestrial, mainly farmland bird, the white stork Ciconia ciconia, on a broad geographical scale, from two migratory divides-eastern in Poland and western in Spain (in total 303 nests). In the two populations, we detected significant differences in the incorporation of anthropogenic nest material, as measured by the Human Footprint Index (HFI) and the Impervious Surface Areas (ISA). We found that ISA was positively related to anthropogenic nest material incorporation in the Spanish population, and HFI was positively related to anthropogenic nest material, in contrast to the Polish population, in which the relationships were not significant. Moreover, we showed that the prevalence of nests with anthropogenic nest material was two times higher in Spanish than in the Polish white stork population. This study demonstrates that the behavior of incorporation of the anthropogenic nest material differs between two distinct populations of a single bird species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zuzanna Jagiello
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznań, Poland.
- Department of Zoology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Granada, 18071, Granada, Spain.
| | - Łukasz Dylewski
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznań, Poland
| | - José I Aguirre
- Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Complutense University of Madrid, José Antonio Novais, 12, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | - Joanna T Białas
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznań, Poland
| | - Andrzej Dylik
- Kuyavian Ornithological Region, Kotwicowa 15, 85-435, Bydgoszcz, Poland
| | - Alejandro López-García
- Department of Biodiversity, Ecology and Evolution, Complutense University of Madrid, José Antonio Novais, 12, 28040, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Adam Olszewski
- Kampinos National Park, Tetmajera 38, 05-080, Izabelin, Poland
| | | | - Marcin Tobółka
- Department of Zoology, Poznań University of Life Sciences, Wojska Polskiego 71C, 60-625, Poznań, Poland
- Konrad Lorenz Institute of Ethology, University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna, Savoyenstraβe 1a, 1160, Vienna, Austria
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18
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Ferri V, Crescia P, Battisti C. Discarded bottles entrap endemic small mammals species in a large Mediterranean island. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:57164-57173. [PMID: 36864338 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26133-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
We examined the entrapment effect of discarded bottles on small mammals, along a road network located in North-Western Sardinia (Italy). On 162 bottles, 49 (> 30%) contained at least one animal specimen (invertebrate or vertebrate) and 26 (16%) entrapped 151 small mammals: insectivorous shrews (Soricomorpha) were more frequently recorded. Larger bottles (66 cl.) showed a higher number of entrapped mammals, but difference was not significant when compared to smaller bottles (33 cl.). Our data highlighted as abandoned bottles represent a threatening factor for small mammals on a large Mediterranean island with over-represented endemic shrews (predators of high trophic level) attracted by insects entrapped in bottles. Correspondence analysis suggest a weak segregation between bottles of different size, related to the abundance of the most entrapped species, the Mediterranean shrew (Crocidura pachyura). This still neglected type of litter, reducing number and biomass of insectivorous mammals of high trophic level and high ecological value may affect the food web in terrestrial insular communities, yet impoverished for biogeographical reasons. However, discarded bottles may represent as low-cost surrogate pitfall traps useful to improve knowledge in poor studied areas. Following the DPSIR (Driving force, Pressure, State, Impact, Response) approach as a framework to select indicator, we suggest as the effectiveness of removal clean-ups could be monitored using both the density of discarded bottles (as indicator of threat pressure) and the abundance of entrapped animals (as indicator of impact on small mammals).
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Affiliation(s)
- Vincenzo Ferri
- GNML Gruppo Naturalistico della Maremma Laziale, Local. Lido Dei Pini S.N.C., 01016, Tarquinia, Italy
| | - Paolo Crescia
- GNML Gruppo Naturalistico della Maremma Laziale, Local. Lido Dei Pini S.N.C., 01016, Tarquinia, Italy
| | - Corrado Battisti
- Torre Flavia' LTER (Long Term Ecological Research) Station, Città Metropolitana di Roma, Protected Areas Service, Via G. Ribotta 41, 00144, Rome, Italy.
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19
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Ayala F, Zeta-Flores M, Ramos-Baldárrago S, Tume-Ruiz J, Rangel-Vega A, Reyes E, Quinde E, De-la-Torre GE, Lajo-Salazar L, Cárdenas-Alayza S. Terrestrial mammals of the Americas and their interactions with plastic waste. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:57759-57770. [PMID: 36971935 PMCID: PMC10040927 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26617-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Plastics have brought many benefits to society, but their mismanagement has turned them into a serious environmental problem. Today, the effects of plastic waste on wildlife are becoming increasingly evident. Since studies on plastic pollution have focused on species in marine ecosystems, here we review current knowledge on interactions between terrestrial mammals and plastic waste in the countries of the Americas, which is a global hotspot of mammalian biodiversity and in turn has, among its member countries, nations with high per capita generations of plastic waste globally. We identified 46 scientific articles documenting plastic ingestion in 37 species and four species that used plastic waste for nest or burrow construction. Of the 46 investigations, seven focused on plastic contamination, while the others reported on the presence of plastics in wildlife, even though this was not the primary focus of the research. However, these publications lack analytical methods commonly used in plastic studies, and only one study applied a standardized methodology for plastic detection. Therefore, in general, plastic pollution research on terrestrial mammals is limited. We extend several recommendations such as designing methodologies that are adapted to terrestrial mammals for the identification of plastics in fecal matter or gastrointestinal contents, carrying out species-specific analyzes on the impacts of plastics in nests or burrows, and giving further attention to this understudied issue and taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Félix Ayala
- Centro para la Sostenibilidad Ambiental, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
- Subgerencia de Salud y Medio Ambiente, Municipalidad Provincial de Sechura, Piura, Peru.
| | - Martín Zeta-Flores
- Facultad de Ingeniería de Minas, Universidad Nacional de Piura, Piura, Peru
| | | | - Juan Tume-Ruiz
- Facultad de Ingeniería Pesquera, Universidad Nacional de Piura, Piura, Peru
| | - Antia Rangel-Vega
- Facultad de Ingeniería Pesquera, Universidad Nacional de Piura, Piura, Peru
| | - Eddy Reyes
- Facultad de Ingeniería Pesquera, Universidad Nacional de Piura, Piura, Peru
| | - Edgardo Quinde
- Facultad de Ingeniería Pesquera, Universidad Nacional de Piura, Piura, Peru
| | - Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación de Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Sociedad, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru
| | - Leticia Lajo-Salazar
- División de Mastozoología, Centro de Ornitología y Biodiversidad (CORBIDI), Lima, Peru
| | - Susana Cárdenas-Alayza
- Centro para la Sostenibilidad Ambiental, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
- Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas y Fisiológicas, Facultad de Ciencias y Filosofía, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru
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20
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Li Z, Yang Y, Chen X, He Y, Bolan N, Rinklebe J, Lam SS, Peng W, Sonne C. A discussion of microplastics in soil and risks for ecosystems and food chains. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 313:137637. [PMID: 36572363 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.137637] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are among the major contaminations in terrestrial and marine environments worldwide. These persistent organic contaminants composed of tiny particles are of concern due to their potential hazards to ecosystem and human health. Microplastics accumulates in the ocean and in terrestrial ecosystems, exerting effects on living organisms including microbiomes, fish and plants. While the accumulation and fate of microplastics in marine ecosystems is thoroughly studied, the distribution and biological effects in terrestrial soil call for more research. Here, we review the sources of microplastics and its effects on soil physical and chemical properties, including water holding capacity, bulk density, pH value as well as the potential effects to microorganisms and animals. In addition, we discuss the effects of microplastics in combination with other toxic environmental contaminants including heavy metals and antibiotics on plant growth and physiology, as well as human health and possible degradation and remediation methods. This reflect is an urgent need for monitoring projects that assess the toxicity of microplastics in soil and plants in various soil environments. The prospect of these future research activities should prioritize microplastics in agro-ecosystems, focusing on microbial degradation for remediation purposes of microplastics in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhaolin Li
- Henan Province International Collaboration Lab of Forest Resources Utilization, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Yafeng Yang
- Henan Province International Collaboration Lab of Forest Resources Utilization, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Xiangmeng Chen
- Henan Province International Collaboration Lab of Forest Resources Utilization, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Yifeng He
- Henan Province International Collaboration Lab of Forest Resources Utilization, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China
| | - Nanthi Bolan
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The UWA Institute of Agriculture, M079, Perth, WA, 6009, Australia
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- University of Wuppertal, Faculty of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Soil Engineering, Waste- and Water Science, Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285, Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Su Shiung Lam
- Higher Institution Centre of Excellence (HICoE), Institute of Tropical Aquaculture and Fisheries (AKUATROP), Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, 21030, Terengganu, Malaysia; Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248007, India; University Centre for Research and Development, Department of Chemistry, Chandigarh University, Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | - Wanxi Peng
- Henan Province International Collaboration Lab of Forest Resources Utilization, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China.
| | - Christian Sonne
- Henan Province International Collaboration Lab of Forest Resources Utilization, School of Forestry, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou, 450002, China; Sustainability Cluster, School of Engineering, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248007, India; Department of Ecoscience, Arctic Research Centre (ARC), Aarhus University, Frederiksborgvej 399, PO Box 358, DK-4000, Roskilde, Denmark.
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21
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Cesarini G, Crosti R, Secco S, Gallitelli L, Scalici M. From city to sea: Spatiotemporal dynamics of floating macrolitter in the Tiber River. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159713. [PMID: 36302425 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Rivers are undoubtedly the main pathway of waste dispersed in the environment that from land reaches oceans and seas increasing the amount of marine litter. Major cities are a great source of riverine litter as large urbanization can originate pressure on the integrated waste management resulting in litter entering the rivers. Within this study, we aim to investigate the dynamic of floating riverine macrolitter (items >2.5 cm) in the city of Rome before it reaches the sea by assessing the composition, amount, and seasonal trends of litter transported from the urban centre to the main river mouth of Tiber River. Visual surveys for a whole year (March 2021-February 2022) were conducted from two bridges, Scienza Bridge (in the city) and Scafa Bridge (at the main river mouth) and followed JRC/RIMMEL protocol for riverine litter monitoring. Overall, similar litter composition was observed from the city centre to the mouth with a prevalence of plastic material, mainly related to fragmentation process (i.e. plastic pieces) and single use items, mainly in food and beverage sectors. An extrapolated annual loading of 4 × 105 items/year was estimated at the main mouth of Tiber River. The litter flux seems to be influenced by the seasonal variability and hydrometeorological parameters. The frequency of size classes decreases with increasing size in both sites, and more than half of the recorded items were below 10 cm. Specific categories belonging to "other plastics" have been reported related to anti-Covid-19 behaviour such as face masks and beverage sector, e.g. bottle lids and rings. The main colour of plastics was white, suggesting weathering process of floating riverine litter. This study contributes to increasing knowledge of the origin, composition and spatiotemporal dynamics of riverine floating litter from the city and entering the sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Cesarini
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Roberto Crosti
- ISPRA, Dipartimento BIO, Via Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Secco
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Gallitelli
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Scalici
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
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22
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Battisti C, Gallitelli L, Vanadia S, Scalici M. General macro-litter as a proxy for fishing lines, hooks and nets entrapping beach-nesting birds: Implications for clean-ups. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 186:114502. [PMID: 36563602 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Fishing lines, hooks and nets represent a sub-category of macro-litter potentially entrapping plover birds nesting on sandy beaches. Here, during a winter period, the accumulation pattern of both general beach litter and fishing lines, hooks and nets was analysed on four central Italy beaches. Despite the active monthly litter removal by clean-ups, there was not a decrease in its density during the winter period, due to the continuous accumulation by frequent winter storms. However, the entrapping litter was very low (<2.5 % of the general litter) and appeared directly correlated to the general litter density. Following a DPSIR approach, the general litter can act as an indirect pressure indicator (proxy) of the amount of entrapping litter. Therefore, an increase in general macro-litter should alarm those involved in the conservation of entanglement-sensitive bird species, such as plovers, suggesting that they should implement high-frequency clean-up activities aimed at removing it.
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Affiliation(s)
- Corrado Battisti
- "Torre Flavia" LTER (Long Term Ecological Research) Station, Città Metropolitana di Roma Capitale, Servizio Aree Protette, Via G. Ribotta, 41, 00144 Roma, Italy
| | - Luca Gallitelli
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Sharon Vanadia
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Scalici
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, Viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
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23
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Velimirovic M, Teunkens B, Ghorbanfekr H, Buelens B, Hermans T, Van Damme S, Tirez K, Vanhaecke F. What can we learn from studying plastic debris in the Sea Scheldt estuary? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 851:158226. [PMID: 35998716 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158226] [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: 05/11/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The Sea Scheldt estuary has been suggested to be a significant pathway for transfer of plastic debris to the North Sea. We have studied 12,801 plastic items that were collected in the Sea Scheldt estuary (Belgium) during 3 sampling campaigns (in spring, summer, and autumn) using a technique called anchor netting. The investigation results indicated that the abundance of plastic debris in the Scheldt River was on average 1.6 × 10-3 items per m3 with an average weight of 0.38 × 10-3 g per m3. Foils were the most abundant form, accounting for >88 % of the samples, followed by fragments for 11 % of the samples and filaments, making up for <1 % of the plastic debris. FTIR spectroscopy of 7 % of the total number of plastic debris items collected in the Sea Scheldt estuary (n = 883) revealed that polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polystyrene (PS) originating from disposable packaging materials were the most abundant types of polymers. A limited number of plastic debris items (n = 100) were selected for non-destructive screening of their mineral element composition using micro-X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (μXRF). The corresponding results revealed that S, Ca, Si, P, Al, and Fe were the predominant mineral elements. These elements originate from flame retardants, mineral fillers, and commonly used catalysts for plastic production. Finally, machine learning algorithms were deployed to test a new concept for forensic identification of the different plastic entities based on the most important elements present using a limited subset of PP (n = 36) and PE (n = 35) plastic entities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Milica Velimirovic
- Atomic & Mass Spectrometry-A&MS Research Group, Department of Chemistry, Ghent University, Campus Sterre, Krijgslaan 281-S12, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Bert Teunkens
- Ecosystem Management Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Hossein Ghorbanfekr
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Bart Buelens
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Tom Hermans
- Faculty of Technology, UC Leuven-Limburg, Campus Diepenbeek, Agoralaan, gebouw B/1, 3590 Diepenbeek, Belgium
| | - Stefan Van Damme
- Ecosystem Management Research Group, Department of Biology, University of Antwerp, Universiteitsplein 1, 2610 Wilrijk, Belgium
| | - Kristof Tirez
- Flemish Institute for Technological Research (VITO), Boeretang 200, 2400 Mol, Belgium
| | - Frank Vanhaecke
- Atomic & Mass Spectrometry-A&MS Research Group, Department of Chemistry, Ghent University, Campus Sterre, Krijgslaan 281-S12, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
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24
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Menezes M, Dias JD, Longo GO. Plastic debris decrease fish feeding pressure on tropical reefs. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 185:114330. [PMID: 36351353 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114330] [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: 07/27/2022] [Revised: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 10/29/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Fish feeding on the benthos mediate important ecological processes in reef ecosystems that are threatened by several anthropogenic activities, including plastic pollution. The impacts of plastic pollution on reef ecological processes, such as herbivory, is still unclear. We experimentally tested in the field how the presence of plastic on the benthos affects fish feeding by using a blocked design to compare fish feeding within 1m2 plastic-free areas and areas with either clean plastic or plastic colonized with biofilm in reefs of NE Brazil. Each area was videoed for 10 min, through which we identified fish species, estimated sizes and quantified the number of bites and feeding frequency. The presence of plastic reduced fish feeding on the benthos, regardless of the biofilm presence, and fish barely interacted with plastic debris. Our results demonstrate that the impact of plastic goes beyond entanglement and ingestion, affecting species behavior and ecological role.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maiara Menezes
- Departamento de Oceanografia e Limnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil.
| | - Juliana Déo Dias
- Departamento de Oceanografia e Limnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil
| | - Guilherme O Longo
- Departamento de Oceanografia e Limnologia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Norte (UFRN), Natal, RN, Brazil
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25
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Digit Entrapment Due to Plastic Waste in a Verreaux’s Eagle Owl (Bubo lacteus). JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGICAL AND BOTANICAL GARDENS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/jzbg3030033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Plastic waste has become a hot topic in sustainability and conservation, helped in part by popular documentaries which have highlighted the issue to the general public. Much of the current literature focuses on the effect of microplastics in the marine environment, with very little information on macroplastic interactions or the terrestrial environment. In this report, the management of digit constriction due to macroplastic debris in a Verreaux’s eagle owl (Bubo lacteus) is presented, and the role of zoos in decreasing littering behaviour both within the collection and in the wider global context is discussed.
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26
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Karalija E, Carbó M, Coppi A, Colzi I, Dainelli M, Gašparović M, Grebenc T, Gonnelli C, Papadakis V, Pilić S, Šibanc N, Valledor L, Poma A, Martinelli F. Interplay of plastic pollution with algae and plants: hidden danger or a blessing? JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 438:129450. [PMID: 35999715 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129450] [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: 04/15/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In the era of plastic pollution, plants have been discarded as a system that is not affected by micro and nanoplastics, but contrary to beliefs that plants cannot absorb plastic particles, recent research proved otherwise. The presented review gives insight into known aspects of plants' interplay with plastics and how plants' ability to absorb plastic particles can be utilized to remove plastics from water and soil systems. Microplastics usually cannot be absorbed by plant root systems due to their size, but some reports indicate they might enter plant tissues through stomata. On the other hand, nanoparticles can enter plant root systems, and reports of their transport via xylem to upper plant parts have been recorded. Bioaccumulation of nanoplastics in upper plant parts is still not confirmed. The prospects of using biosystems for the remediation of soils contaminated with plastics are still unknown. However, algae could be used to degrade plastic particles in water systems through enzyme facilitated degradation processes. Considering the amount of plastic pollution, especially in the oceans, further research is necessary on the utilization of algae in plastic degradation. Special attention should be given to the research concerning utilization of algae with restricted algal growth, ensuring that a different problem is not induced, "sea blooming", during the degradation of plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erna Karalija
- Laboratory for Plant Physiology, Department for Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 33-35, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
| | - María Carbó
- Plant Physiology, Department of Organisms and Systems Biology and University Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias (IUBA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.
| | - Andrea Coppi
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Firenze, via Micheli 1, 50121 Florence, Italy.
| | - Ilaria Colzi
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Firenze, via Micheli 1, 50121 Florence, Italy.
| | - Marco Dainelli
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Firenze, via Micheli 1, 50121 Florence, Italy.
| | - Mateo Gašparović
- Chair of Photogrammetry and Remote Sensing, Faculty of Geodesy, University of Zagreb, Kačićeva 26, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia.
| | - Tine Grebenc
- Department of Forest Physiology and Genetics, Slovenian Forestry Institute, Večna pot 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Cristina Gonnelli
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Firenze, via Micheli 1, 50121 Florence, Italy.
| | - Vassilis Papadakis
- Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology, Foundation for Research and Technology - Hellas, N. Plastira 100, GR-70013 Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
| | - Selma Pilić
- Laboratory for Plant Physiology, Department for Biology, Faculty of Science, University of Sarajevo, Zmaja od Bosne 33-35, 71000 Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
| | - Nataša Šibanc
- Department of Forest Physiology and Genetics, Slovenian Forestry Institute, Večna pot 2, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia.
| | - Luis Valledor
- Plant Physiology, Department of Organisms and Systems Biology and University Institute of Biotechnology of Asturias (IUBA), University of Oviedo, Oviedo, Spain.
| | - Anna Poma
- Department of Life, Health and Environmental Sciences, Università degli Studi dell'Aquila, Laboratory of Genetics and Mutagenesis, via Vetoio 1, 67100 L'Aquila, Italy.
| | - Federico Martinelli
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Firenze, via Micheli 1, 50121 Florence, Italy.
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27
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Menicagli V, Castiglione MR, Balestri E, Giorgetti L, Bottega S, Sorce C, Spanò C, Lardicci C. Early evidence of the impacts of microplastic and nanoplastic pollution on the growth and physiology of the seagrass Cymodocea nodosa. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156514. [PMID: 35679937 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156514] [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: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/02/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are ubiquitous in natural habitats and the risks their presence poses to marine environments and organisms are of increasing concern. There is evidence that seagrass meadows are particularly prone to accumulate plastic debris, including polystyrene particles, but the impacts of this pollutant on seagrass performance are currently unknown. This is a relevant knowledge gap as seagrasses provide multiple ecosystem services and are declining globally due to anthropogenic impact and climate-change-related stressors. Here, we explored the potential effects of a 12 day-exposure of seagrasses to one concentration (68 μg/L) of polystyrene MPs and NPs on the growth, oxidative status, and photosynthetic efficiency of plants using the foundation species Cymodocea nodosa as a model. Among plant organs, adventitious roots were particularly affected by MPs and NPs showing complete degeneration. The number of leaves per shoot was lower in MPs- and NPs-treated plants compared to control plants, and leaf loss exceeded new leaf production in MPs-treated plants. MPs also reduced photochemical efficiency and increased pigment content compared to control plants. Shoots of NPs-treated plants showed a greater oxidative damage and phenol content than those of control plants and MPs-treated plants. Biochemical data about oxidative stress markers were consistent with histochemical results. The effects of MPs on C. nodosa could be related to their adhesion to plant surface while those of NPs to entering tissues. Our study provides the first experimental evidence of the potential harmful effects of MPs/NPs on seagrass development. It also suggests that the exposure of seagrasses to MPs/NPs in natural environments could have negative consequences on the functioning of seagrass ecosystems. This stresses the importance of implementing cleaning programs to remove all plastics already present in marine habitats as well as of undertaking specific actions to prevent the introduction of these pollutants within seagrass meadows.
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Affiliation(s)
- Virginia Menicagli
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP), University of Pisa, via S. Maria 53, Pisa, Italy
| | - Monica Ruffini Castiglione
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via L. Ghini 13, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Center for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, Pisa, Italy
| | - Elena Balestri
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via Derna 1, 56126 Pisa, Italy.
| | - Lucia Giorgetti
- Institute of Agricultural Biology and Biotechnology (IBBA-CNR), Pisa, Italy
| | - Stefania Bottega
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via L. Ghini 13, 56126 Pisa, Italy
| | - Carlo Sorce
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via L. Ghini 13, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Center for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, Pisa, Italy
| | - Carmelina Spanò
- Department of Biology, University of Pisa, via L. Ghini 13, 56126 Pisa, Italy; Center for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, Pisa, Italy
| | - Claudio Lardicci
- Center for Instrument Sharing University of Pisa (CISUP), University of Pisa, via S. Maria 53, Pisa, Italy; Center for Climate Change Impact, University of Pisa, Via Del Borghetto 80, Pisa, Italy; Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, via S. Maria 53, Pisa, Italy
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28
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Liro M, Mikuś P, Wyżga B. First insight into the macroplastic storage in a mountain river: The role of in-river vegetation cover, wood jams and channel morphology. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156354. [PMID: 35640751 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156354] [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: 03/16/2022] [Revised: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 05/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Macroplastic storage in mountain rivers remains unexplored and it is unknown how river morphology and different surface types of river areas modulate this process. Therefore, we sampled macroplastic debris stored on the surface of emergent river areas with different vegetation cover and on wood jams in a channelized, single-thread reach and an unmanaged, multi-thread reach of the Dunajec River in the Polish Carpathians. Total amounts of macroplastic debris retained in these reaches were then estimated on the basis of mean mass of macroplastic deposited on unit area of each surface type and the area of this surface type in a given reach. Exposed river sediments and areas covered with herbaceous vegetation stored significantly lower amounts of macroplastic debris (0.6 and 0.9 g per 1 m2 on average) than wooded islands and wood jams (respectively 6 g and 113 g per 1 m2). The amounts of macroplastic debris stored on wood jams exceeded 19, 129 and 180 times those found on wooded islands, areas covered with herbaceous vegetation and exposed river sediments. Wooded islands and wood jams covering 16.7% and 1.5% of the multi-thread reach stored 43.8% and 41.1%, respectively, of the total amount of macroplastic stored in that reach, whereas these surface types were practically absent in the channelized reach. Consequently, the unmanaged, multi-thread reach, 2.4 times wider than the neighbouring channelized reach, stored 36 times greater amount of macroplastic per 1 km of river length. Our study demonstrated that the storage of macroplastic debris in a mountain river is controlled by channel management style and resultant river morphology, which modulate river hydrodynamics and a longitudinal pattern of the zones of transport and retention of macroplastic conveyed by river flow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Liro
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Mickiewicza 33, 31-120 Kraków, Poland.
| | - Paweł Mikuś
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Mickiewicza 33, 31-120 Kraków, Poland
| | - Bartłomiej Wyżga
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Mickiewicza 33, 31-120 Kraków, Poland
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29
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Kolenda K, Kuśmierek N, Kujawa K, Smolis A, Wiśniewski K, Salata S, Maltz TK, Stachowiak M, Kadej M. Bottled & canned - Anthropogenic debris as an understudied ecological trap for small animals. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 837:155616. [PMID: 35504387 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155616] [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: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Nowadays, littering is one of the biggest challenges that environmental conservation is facing. Although beverage containers, such as bottles and cans, belong to the most common threats in this context, their effect on animals has been poorly studied. The aim of this study was to assess the diversity and mortality level of the animal taxa entering discarded containers and to investigate which container features influence the number and functional composition of the trapped animals. The study was conducted in 10 urban woodlands in the city of Wrocław, Poland. In total, 939 open containers were collected. In 56% of them, a total number of 10,162 dead individuals (10,139 invertebrates and 23 vertebrates) was found. The most common amongst them were insects (orders: Coleoptera, Diptera, Hymenoptera), malacostracans (Isopoda), arachnids (Opiliones, Sarcoptiformes) and gastropods (Stylommatophora). The number of dead animals was affected positively by the container capacity and was significantly higher in glass and plastic bottles when compared to aluminium cans. At the same time, the presence of a neck negatively affected the number of dead animals. Container capacity was also positively correlated with the abundance of the most common functional groups: predators, phytophages and saprophages. Moreover, colourless and green, but not brown, containers were a significant predictor for the abundance of the latter two groups. Our study revealed that discarded containers constitute an ecological trap for many groups of animals. There is an urgent need to reduce the amount of rubbish in the environment by, for example, the implementation of regional and international regulations addressing the problem of littering, or organising repeated clean-up and educational activities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Kolenda
- Department of Evolutionary Biology and Conservation of Vertebrates, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, Sienkiewicza 21, PL-50-335 Wrocław, Poland.
| | - Natalia Kuśmierek
- Department of Parasitology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, Przybyszewskiego 63, PL-51-148 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Krzysztof Kujawa
- Statistical Analysis Centre, Wrocław Medical University, Marcinkowskiego 2-6, PL-50-368 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Adrian Smolis
- Department of Invertebrate Biology, Evolution and Conservation, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, Przybyszewskiego 65, PL-51-148 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Konrad Wiśniewski
- Department of Zoology and Animal Physiology, Institute of Biology and Earth Sciences, Pomeranian University in Słupsk, Arciszewskiego 22a, PL-76-200 Słupsk, Poland
| | - Sebastian Salata
- Department of Biodiversity and Evolutionary Taxonomy, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, Przybyszewskiego 65, PL-51-148 Wrocław, Poland
| | - Tomasz K Maltz
- Museum of Natural History, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, Sienkiewicza 21, PL-50-335 Wrocław, Poland
| | | | - Marcin Kadej
- Department of Invertebrate Biology, Evolution and Conservation, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Wrocław, Przybyszewskiego 65, PL-51-148 Wrocław, Poland
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30
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Melchor-Martínez EM, Macías-Garbett R, Alvarado-Ramírez L, Araújo RG, Sosa-Hernández JE, Ramírez-Gamboa D, Parra-Arroyo L, Alvarez AG, Monteverde RPB, Cazares KAS, Reyes-Mayer A, Yáñez Lino M, Iqbal HMN, Parra-Saldívar R. Towards a Circular Economy of Plastics: An Evaluation of the Systematic Transition to a New Generation of Bioplastics. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14061203. [PMID: 35335534 PMCID: PMC8955033 DOI: 10.3390/polym14061203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Plastics have become an essential part of the modern world thanks to their appealing physical and chemical properties as well as their low production cost. The most common type of polymers used for plastic account for 90% of the total production and are made from petroleum-based nonrenewable resources. Concerns over the sustainability of the current production model and the environmental implications of traditional plastics have fueled the demand for greener formulations and alternatives. In the last decade, new plastics manufactured from renewable sources and biological processes have emerged from research and have been established as a commercially viable solution with less adverse effects. Nevertheless, economic and legislative challenges for biobased plastics hinder their widespread implementation. This review summarizes the history of plastics over the last century, including the most relevant bioplastics and production methods, the environmental impact and mitigation of the adverse effects of conventional and emerging plastics, and the regulatory landscape that renewable and recyclable bioplastics face to reach a sustainable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elda M. Melchor-Martínez
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; (E.M.M.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.-R.); (R.G.A.); (J.E.S.-H.); (D.R.-G.); (L.P.-A.)
| | - Rodrigo Macías-Garbett
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; (E.M.M.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.-R.); (R.G.A.); (J.E.S.-H.); (D.R.-G.); (L.P.-A.)
| | - Lynette Alvarado-Ramírez
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; (E.M.M.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.-R.); (R.G.A.); (J.E.S.-H.); (D.R.-G.); (L.P.-A.)
| | - Rafael G. Araújo
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; (E.M.M.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.-R.); (R.G.A.); (J.E.S.-H.); (D.R.-G.); (L.P.-A.)
| | - Juan Eduardo Sosa-Hernández
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; (E.M.M.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.-R.); (R.G.A.); (J.E.S.-H.); (D.R.-G.); (L.P.-A.)
| | - Diana Ramírez-Gamboa
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; (E.M.M.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.-R.); (R.G.A.); (J.E.S.-H.); (D.R.-G.); (L.P.-A.)
| | - Lizeth Parra-Arroyo
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; (E.M.M.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.-R.); (R.G.A.); (J.E.S.-H.); (D.R.-G.); (L.P.-A.)
| | - Abraham Garza Alvarez
- Cadena Comercial OXXO S.A de C.V., Monterrey 64480, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; (A.G.A.); (R.P.B.M.); (K.A.S.C.)
| | | | | | - Adriana Reyes-Mayer
- Centro de Caracterización e Investigación en Materiales S.A. de C.V., Jiutepec 62578, Morelos, Mexico;
| | - Mauricio Yáñez Lino
- Polymer Solutions & Innovation S.A. de C.V., Jiutepec 62578, Morelos, Mexico;
| | - Hafiz M. N. Iqbal
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; (E.M.M.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.-R.); (R.G.A.); (J.E.S.-H.); (D.R.-G.); (L.P.-A.)
- Correspondence: (H.M.N.I.); (R.P.-S.)
| | - Roberto Parra-Saldívar
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; (E.M.M.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.-R.); (R.G.A.); (J.E.S.-H.); (D.R.-G.); (L.P.-A.)
- Correspondence: (H.M.N.I.); (R.P.-S.)
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Environmental and Economic Impacts of Mismanaged Plastics and Measures for Mitigation. ENVIRONMENTS 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/environments9020015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The mismanagement of plastic materials has grown to become a mounting global pollution concern that is closely implicated in unsustainable production and consumption paradigms. The ecological, social, and economic impacts of plastic waste mismanagement are currently transboundary in nature and have necessitated numerous methods of government intervention in order to address and mitigate the globalized and multifaceted dilemmas posed by high rates and volumes of plastic waste generation. This review examines the current landscape of a plastics economy which has operated with a linear momentum, employing large quantities of primary resources and disincentivizing the functioning of a robust recycling market for collecting plastic waste and reintegrating it into the consumer market. This contextualizes an increasing plastic pollution crisis that has required global efforts to address and mitigate the ecological risks and socio-economic challenges of mismanaged plastic waste. A timeline of government interventions regarding plastic pollution is described, including numerous international, regional, and local actions to combat plastic waste, and this is followed by an examination of the relevance of the extended producer responsibility principle to improve plastic waste management and obligate industry to assume responsibility in waste collection and recycling.
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