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Pérez-Flores J, Borges-Ramírez MM, Vargas-Contreras JA, Osten JRV. Inter-annual variation in the microplastics abundance in feces of the Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii) from the Selva Maya, México. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 941:173659. [PMID: 38839015 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are found in a wide range of ecosystems, from the Arctic to the deep ocean. However, there is no data on their presence in terrestrial mammals that inhabit the Selva Maya. The aim of this study is to detect the presence of MPs in the feces of the Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii) from the region of Calakmul, located in the Yucatan Peninsula, Mexico. We analyzed 129 fecal samples collected during 2017 and 2018, obtaining 57 and 72 samples during the rainy and dry seasons respectively. Sixty-eight percent of the samples contained 743 MPs with a mean of 19.3 ± 28.1 MPs/kg of dry weight (DW) feces in both years. An inter-annual variation in the average abundance of microplastic was observed during the two-year period (2017-2018), with a 72 % increase in these plastic particles in feces. Fourteen polymers were identified, with ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polypropylene (PP) and polyester (PES) being the most abundant during both years. Although the effects of MPs on the health of tapirs are not known, their presence is cause for concern. There is an urgent need for the implementation of appropriate plastic waste management programs in communities of the Selva Maya to diminish the consumption of MPs in species including humans where they pose a significant risk to health. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATIONS: The use of plastics worldwide is increasing every day, so the presence of microplastics is and will continue to be a major environmental problem. It is known that contaminants can adhere to plastics, making them hazardous materials. Microplastics can contaminate remote areas such as Biosphere Reserves. Terrestrial species such as the tapir can ingest microplastics, putting their health at risk. Knowing the dispersion of microplastics is very important in order to manage them properly, taking into account their emission sources and type of polymer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Pérez-Flores
- Consejo Nacional de Humanidades, Ciencia y Tecnología (CONAHCYT), Av. Insurgentes Sur 1582, CP 03940 Ciudad de México, Ciudad de México, Mexico; El Colegio de La Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Unidad de Chetumal, Avenida Centenario Km 5.5, CP 77014 Chetumal, Quintana Roo, Mexico
| | - Merle M Borges-Ramírez
- Instituto de Ecología, Pesquería y Oceanografía del Golfo de México (EPOMEX), Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Campus VI, Av. Héroe de Nacozari 480, CP 24070, Campeche, Campeche, Mexico
| | - Jorge A Vargas-Contreras
- Facultad de Ciencias Químico-Biológicas, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Campus V, Av. Ex Hacienda Kalá S/N, CP 24085 Campeche, Campeche, Mexico
| | - Jaime Rendón-von Osten
- Instituto de Ecología, Pesquería y Oceanografía del Golfo de México (EPOMEX), Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, Campus VI, Av. Héroe de Nacozari 480, CP 24070, Campeche, Campeche, Mexico.
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2
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Yoo JW, Park JS, Lee YH, Choi TJ, Kim CB, Jeong TY, Kim CH, Kim TH, Lee YM. Toxic effects of fragmented polyethylene terephthalate particles on the marine rotifer Brachionus koreanus: Based on ingestion and egestion assay, in vivo toxicity test, and multi-omics analysis. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 472:134448. [PMID: 38728862 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are a major concern in marine ecosystem because MPs are persistent and ubiquitous in oceans and are easily consumed by marine biota. Although many studies have reported the toxicity of MPs to marine biota, the toxicity of environmentally relevant types of MPs is little understood. We investigated the toxic effects of fragmented polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MP, one of the most abundant MPs in the ocean, on the marine rotifer Brachionus koreanus at the individual and molecular level. No significant rotifer mortality was observed after exposure to PET MPs for 24 and 48 h. The ingestion and egestion assays showed that rotifers readily ingested PET MPs in the absence of food but not when food was supplied; thus, there were also no chronic effects of PET MPs. In contrast, intracellular reactive oxygen species levels and glutathione S-transferase activity in rotifers were significantly increased by PET MPs. Transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses revealed that genes and metabolites related to energy metabolism and immune processes were significantly affected by PET MPs in a concentration-dependent manner. Although acute toxicity of PET MPs was not observed, PET MPs are potentially toxic to the antioxidant system, immune system, and energy metabolism in rotifers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Je-Won Yoo
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Convergence Engineering, Sangmyung University, Seoul 03016, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Seok Park
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Convergence Engineering, Sangmyung University, Seoul 03016, Republic of Korea
| | - Youn-Ha Lee
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Convergence Engineering, Sangmyung University, Seoul 03016, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-June Choi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Convergence Engineering, Sangmyung University, Seoul 03016, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Bae Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Convergence Engineering, Sangmyung University, Seoul 03016, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Yong Jeong
- Department of Environmental Science, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, 81 Oedae-ro, Mohyeon-eup, Cheoin-gu, Yongin-si 17035, Republic of Korea
| | - Chae Hwa Kim
- Textile Innovation R&D Department, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Hee Kim
- Textile Innovation R&D Department, Korea Institute of Industrial Technology, Ansan 15588, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Mi Lee
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Convergence Engineering, Sangmyung University, Seoul 03016, Republic of Korea.
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Yang J, Peng Z, Sun J, Chen Z, Niu X, Xu H, Ho KF, Cao J, Shen Z. A review on advancements in atmospheric microplastics research: The pivotal role of machine learning. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 945:173966. [PMID: 38897457 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 05/26/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs), recognized as emerging pollutants, pose significant potential impacts on the environment and human health. The investigation into atmospheric MPs is nascent due to the absence of effective characterization methods, leaving their concentration, distribution, sources, and impacts on human health largely undefined with evidence still emerging. This review compiles the latest literature on the sources, distribution, environmental behaviors, and toxicological effects of atmospheric MPs. It delves into the methodologies for source identification, distribution patterns, and the contemporary approaches to assess the toxicological effects of atmospheric MPs. Significantly, this review emphasizes the role of Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies as novel and promising tools in enhancing the precision and depth of research into atmospheric MPs, including but not limited to the spatiotemporal dynamics, source apportionment, and potential health impacts of atmospheric MPs. The integration of these advanced technologies facilitates a more nuanced understanding of MPs' behavior and effects, marking a pivotal advancement in the field. This review aims to deliver an in-depth view of atmospheric MPs, enhancing knowledge and awareness of their environmental and human health impacts. It calls upon scholars to focus on the research of atmospheric MPs based on new technologies of ML and AI, improving the database as well as offering fresh perspectives on this critical issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaer Yang
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Zezhi Peng
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Jian Sun
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China.
| | - Zhiwen Chen
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Xinyi Niu
- School of Human Settlements and Civil Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Hongmei Xu
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Kin-Fai Ho
- The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China
| | - Junji Cao
- Key Lab of Aerosol Chemistry & Physics, Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xi'an 710049, China
| | - Zhenxing Shen
- Department of Environmental Sciences and Engineering, Xi'an Jiaotong University, Xi'an 710049, China
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4
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Sacco VA, Zuanazzi NR, Selinger A, Alliprandini da Costa JH, Spanhol Lemunie É, Comelli CL, Abilhoa V, Sousa FCD, Fávaro LF, Rios Mendoza LM, de Castilhos Ghisi N, Delariva RL. What are the global patterns of microplastic ingestion by fish? A scientometric review. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 350:123972. [PMID: 38642794 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123972] [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: 12/20/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/22/2024]
Abstract
The billions of tons of plastic released into the environment mostly fragment into smaller particles that reach rivers and oceans, posing toxicity risks to aquatic organisms. As fish serve as excellent environmental indicator organisms, this study aims to comprehensively review and quantify published data regarding the abundance of microplastics (MPs) ingested by fish through scientometric analysis. Systematic analysis reveals that global aquatic ecosystems are contaminated by MPs, with the characteristics of these contaminants stemming from inadequate disposal management practices. The abundance of MPs was recorded in several fish species, notably Cyprinus carpio in natural environments and Danio rerio in controlled environments. According to the surveyed studies, laboratory experiments do not accurately represent the conditions found in natural environments. The results suggest that, in natural environments, the predominant colors of MPs are blue, black, and red. Fibers emerged as the most prevalent type, with polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) being the most frequently identified chemical compositions. On the other hand, laboratory studies showed that the spheres and fragments ingested were predominantly polystyrene (PS) green, followed by the colors blue and red. This discrepancy complicates drawing accurate conclusions regarding the actual effects of plastic particles on aquatic biota. Given the enduring presence of plastic in the environment, it is imperative to consider and implement environmental monitoring for effective, long-term management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vania Aparecida Sacco
- Graduate Program in Comparative Biology, State University of Maringá (UEM), Maringá, Brazil.
| | - Natana Raquel Zuanazzi
- Graduate Program in Comparative Biology, State University of Maringá (UEM), Maringá, Brazil.
| | - Amanda Selinger
- Laboratory of Biology of Marine and Coastal Organisms, Santa Cecília University (UNISANTA), Santos, São Paulo State, Brazil.
| | - João Henrique Alliprandini da Costa
- Laboratory of Ecophysiology and Aquatic Toxicology, São Paulo State University "Júlio de Mesquita Filho" - (UNESP), Campus do Litoral Paulista, 11330-900, São Vicente, SP, Brazil.
| | - Érika Spanhol Lemunie
- Graduate Program in Conservation and Management of Natural Resources, State University of West Paraná (Unioeste), Cascavel, Brazil.
| | - Camila Luiza Comelli
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology - PPGBIOTEC - Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR) Dois Vizinhos, Brazil.
| | - Vinícius Abilhoa
- Laboratório de Ictiologia, Museu de História Natural Capão da Imbuia. Prefeitura Municipal de Curitiba, Secretaria Municipal do Meio Ambiente, Rua Prof. Benedito Conceição, 407 - Capão da Imbuia, CEP 82810080, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
| | - Fernando Carlos de Sousa
- Laboratório de Anatomia Humana, Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR) Dois Vizinhos, Brazil.
| | - Luis Fernando Fávaro
- Departamento de Biologia Celular, Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, Brazil.
| | - Lorena M Rios Mendoza
- Program of Chemistry and Physics, Department of Natural Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Superior, Belknap and Catlin, P.O. Box 2000, Superior, WI, 54880, USA.
| | - Nédia de Castilhos Ghisi
- Graduate Program in Biotechnology - PPGBIOTEC - Universidade Tecnológica Federal do Paraná (UTFPR) Dois Vizinhos, Brazil.
| | - Rosilene Luciana Delariva
- Graduate Program in Comparative Biology, State University of Maringá (UEM), Maringá, Brazil; Laboratory of Ichthyology, Ecology and Biomonitoring, State University of West Paraná (Unioeste), Rua Universitária, University Garden, 1619, Cascavel, PR, Brazil.
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5
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Gao J, Wang L, Wu WM, Luo J, Hou D. Microplastic generation from field-collected plastic gauze: Unveiling the aging processes. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 467:133615. [PMID: 38325096 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133615] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2023] [Revised: 01/20/2024] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Accumulation of plastic debris in the environment is a matter of global concern. As plastic ages, it generates microplastic (MP) particles with high mobility. Understanding how MPs are generated is crucial to controlling this emerging contaminant. In this study, we utilized high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic gauze, collected from urban settings, as a representative example of plastic waste. The plastic gauze was subjected to various aging conditions, including freeze-thaw cycling, mechanical abrasion, and UV irradiation. Following aging, the plastic gauze was rinsed with water, and the number of generated MPs were quantified. It was found that aged plastic gauze generated up to 334 million MP particles per m2 (> 10 µm) during rinsing, a number two orders of magnitude higher than unaged plastic. Fragmentation occurred in two dimensions for bulk MPs of all morphotypes. However, specific aging approaches (i.e., mechanical abrasion and UV irradiation) generated spheres and fibers via pseudo-3D fragmentation. Additionally, changes in molecular weight, size distribution, and surface oxidation characteristics unveiled a complex pattern (i.e., irregular changes with exposure time). This complexity underscores the intricate nature of plastic debris aging processes in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jing Gao
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Liuwei Wang
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China
| | - Wei-Min Wu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, William & Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Center, Stanford University, Stanford, CA 94305-4020, USA
| | - Jian Luo
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA 30332-0355, USA
| | - Deyi Hou
- School of Environment, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
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6
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Shafi M, Lodh A, Khajuria M, Ranjan VP, Gani KM, Chowdhury S, Goel S. Are we underestimating stormwater? Stormwater as a significant source of microplastics in surface waters. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 465:133445. [PMID: 38198866 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 01/01/2024] [Accepted: 01/03/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Stormwater represent a critical pathway for transporting microplastics (MPs) to surface waters. Due to complex dynamics of MPs in stormwater, its dispersion, weathering, risk, and transport are poorly understood. This review bridges those gaps by summarizing the latest findings on sources, abundance, characteristics, and dynamics involved in stormwater MP pollution. Weathering starts before or after MPs enter stormwater and is more pronounced on land due to continuous heat and mechanical stress. Land use patterns, rainfall intensity, MPs size and density, and drainage characteristics influence the transport of MPs in stormwater. Tire and road wear particles (TRWPs), littering, and road dust are major sources of MPs in stormwater. The concentrations of MPs varies from 0.38-197,000 particles/L globally. Further MP concentrations showed regional variations, highlighting the importance of local monitoring efforts needed to understand local pollution sources. We observed unique signatures associated with the shape and color of MPs. Fibers and fragments were widely reported, with transparent and black being the predominant colors. We conclude that the contribution of stormwater to MP pollution in surface waters is significantly greater than wastewater treatment plant effluents and demands immediate attention. Field and lab scale studies are needed to understand its behavior in stormwater and the risk posed to the downstream water bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mozim Shafi
- Environmental Engineering and Management Division, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Ayan Lodh
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Medha Khajuria
- Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190006, India
| | - Ved Prakash Ranjan
- CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), Nehru Marg, Nagpur 440020, India
| | - Khalid Muzamil Gani
- Department of Civil Engineering, National Institute of Technology, Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir 190006, India
| | - Shamik Chowdhury
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India
| | - Sudha Goel
- Environmental Engineering and Management Division, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India; School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur, Kharagpur, West Bengal 721302, India.
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7
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Lu L, Zhang R, Wang K, Tian J, Wu Q, Xu L. Occurrence, influencing factors and sources of atmospheric microplastics in peri-urban farmland ecosystems of Beijing, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168834. [PMID: 38036125 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168834] [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: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/21/2023] [Accepted: 11/22/2023] [Indexed: 12/02/2023]
Abstract
Atmosphere is an important component of the microplastics (MPs) cycle. However, studies on atmospheric MPs in peri-urban farmland ecosystems are limited. Herein, the occurrence, influencing factors and geographic sources of atmospheric MPs in peri-urban farmland ecosystems have been analyzed. The average deposition flux of atmospheric MPs was found to be 167.09 ± 92.03 item·m-2·d-1. Around 68 % MPs had particle size <1000 μm, while the main colors of MPs were black (40.71 %) and blue (20.64 %). Approximately 91 % MPs were fibers, while polyethylene terephthalate (49 %) and rayon (36.93 %) were observed as the major microplastic types. The main factors influencing the atmospheric deposition of MPs were gross domestic product (GDP), population density, air pressure, and wind direction. Deposition fluxes exhibited positive correlations with GDP, population density and air pressure, and negative correlations with wind direction. Combined with the backward trajectory model, MPs were mainly found to be originated from the southeast in September and from the northwest in October-February. The study of atmospheric MPs in farmland ecosystems in peri-urban areas is important for the protection of ecological environment, prevention of human diseases and control of MPs pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luli Lu
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 500025, China; Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Ruixuan Zhang
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Kang Wang
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Jiayu Tian
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Qixin Wu
- College of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Key Laboratory of Karst Georesources and Environment, Ministry of Education, Guizhou University, Guiyang 500025, China.
| | - Li Xu
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China; Beijing Municipal Key Laboratory of Agriculture Environment Monitoring, Beijing 100097, China.
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8
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Papini G, Petrella G, Cicero DO, Boglione C, Rakaj A. Identification and quantification of polystyrene microplastics in marine sediments facing a river mouth through NMR spectroscopy. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 198:115784. [PMID: 38016207 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115784] [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: 12/18/2022] [Revised: 08/13/2023] [Accepted: 11/11/2023] [Indexed: 11/30/2023]
Abstract
Accurate identification and quantification of microplastic pollution in marine sediments are crucial for assessing their ecological impact. In this study, we explored the potential of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy as an analytical tool for the analysis of microplastics in complex environmental matrices such as marine sediments. Two common plastic polymers, polystyrene (PS) and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), were investigated. The marine sediments facing the Tiber River mouth (Italy) were collected according to a bathymetric gradient. Results demonstrated the successful detection and quantification of PS in all sediment samples (within a range of 12.3-64.6 μg/L), while no ABS significant signals were found. An increment trend with depth was observed in the PS signal, relatable to its physicochemical properties and the Tiber River plume hydrodynamic characteristics. The NMR's non-destructive nature and minimal sample preparation represent a promising avenue for standardizing protocols to assess the microplastic distribution and impact in marine sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Papini
- PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Dept. of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Italy; Laboratory of Experimental Ecology and Aquaculture, Dept. of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Italy.
| | - Greta Petrella
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Italy.
| | - Daniel Oscar Cicero
- Department of Chemical Sciences and Technologies, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Italy
| | - Clara Boglione
- Laboratory of Experimental Ecology and Aquaculture, Dept. of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Italy
| | - Arnold Rakaj
- Laboratory of Experimental Ecology and Aquaculture, Dept. of Biology, University of Rome "Tor Vergata", Italy; National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, CoNISMa, Rome, Italy
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9
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Fernández-Martínez M, Barquín J, Bonada N, Cantonati M, Churro C, Corbera J, Delgado C, Dulsat-Masvidal M, Garcia G, Margalef O, Pascual R, Peñuelas J, Preece C, Sabater F, Seiler H, Zamora-Marín JM, Romero E. Mediterranean springs: Keystone ecosystems and biodiversity refugia threatened by global change. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e16997. [PMID: 37937346 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.16997] [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: 06/02/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/09/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Mediterranean spring ecosystems are unique habitats at the interface between surface water and groundwater. These ecosystems support a remarkable array of biodiversity and provide important ecological functions and ecosystem services. Spring ecosystems are influenced by abiotic, biotic, and anthropogenic factors such as the lithology of their draining aquifers, their climate, and the land use of their recharge area, all of which affect the water chemistry of the aquifer and the spring discharges. One of the most relevant characteristics of spring ecosystems is the temporal stability of environmental conditions, including physicochemical features of the spring water, across seasons and years. This stability allows a wide range of species to benefit from these ecosystems (particularly during dry periods), fostering an unusually high number of endemic species. However, global change poses important threats to these freshwater ecosystems. Changes in temperature, evapotranspiration, and precipitation patterns can alter the water balance and chemistry of spring water. Eutrophication due to agricultural practices and emergent pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, personal care products, and pesticides, is also a growing concern for the preservation of spring biodiversity. Here, we provide a synthesis of the main characteristics and functioning of Mediterranean spring ecosystems. We then describe their ecological value and biodiversity patterns and highlight the main risks these ecosystems face. Moreover, we identify existing knowledge gaps to guide future research in order to fully uncover the hidden biodiversity within these habitats and understand the main drivers that govern them. Finally, we provide a brief summary of recommended actions that should be taken to effectively manage and preserve Mediterranean spring ecosystems for future generations. Even though studies on Mediterranean spring ecosystems are still scarce, our review shows there are sufficient data to conclude that their future viability as functional ecosystems is under severe threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Fernández-Martínez
- CREAF, Campus de Bellaterra (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Delegació de la Serralada Litoral Central - ICHN, Mataró, Spain
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences (BEECA-UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - J Barquín
- Instituto de Hidráulica Ambiental de la Universidad de Cantabria (IHCantabria), Santander, Spain
| | - N Bonada
- Freshwater Ecology, Hydrology and Management Research Group (FEHM), Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
- Institut de Recerca de la Biodiversitat (IRBio), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Cantonati
- BIOME Lab, Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences - BiGeA, Alma Mater Studiorum - University of Bologna, Bologna, Italy
| | - C Churro
- Laboratory of Virology and Molecular Biology and Laboratory of Phytoplankton, Department of the Sea and Marine Resources, Portuguese Institute for the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), Lisbon, Portugal
- Blue Biotechnology and Ecotoxicology (BBE), CIIMAR - Centro Interdisciplinar de Investigação Marinha e Ambiental, Universidade do Porto, Matosinhos, Portugal
| | - J Corbera
- Delegació de la Serralada Litoral Central - ICHN, Mataró, Spain
| | - C Delgado
- Departamento de Ecoloxía e Bioloxía Animal, Facultade de Ciencias, Universidade de Vigo, Vigo, Spain
| | - M Dulsat-Masvidal
- IDAEA-CSIC, Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, Barcelona, Spain
| | - G Garcia
- BioSciCat, The Catalan Society of Sciences for the Conservation of Biodiversity, Tarragona, Spain
| | - O Margalef
- CREAF, Campus de Bellaterra (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Departament de Dinàmica de la Terra i de l'Oceà, GRC RISKNAT, UB-Geomodels, Facultat de Ciències de la Terra, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - R Pascual
- BioSciCat, The Catalan Society of Sciences for the Conservation of Biodiversity, Tarragona, Spain
| | - J Peñuelas
- CREAF, Campus de Bellaterra (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- CSIC, Global Ecology Unit, CREAF-CSIC-UAB, Barcelona, Spain
| | - C Preece
- Institute of Agrifood Research and Technology (IRTA), Sustainability in Biosystems Programme, Barcelona, Spain
| | - F Sabater
- CREAF, Campus de Bellaterra (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Delegació de la Serralada Litoral Central - ICHN, Mataró, Spain
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences (BEECA-UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - H Seiler
- Vegetation Ecology, Institute of Natural Resource Sciences (IUNR), Zurich University of Applied Sciences (ZHAW), Wädenswil, Switzerland
| | - J M Zamora-Marín
- Department of Applied Biology, Centro de Investigación e Innovación Agroalimentaria (CIAGRO-UMH), Miguel Hernández University of Elche, Elche, Spain
| | - E Romero
- CREAF, Campus de Bellaterra (UAB), Cerdanyola del Vallès, Spain
- Department of Evolutionary Biology, Ecology and Environmental Sciences (BEECA-UB), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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10
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Jabeen K, Xu J, Liu K, Zhu L, Li D. Monthly variation and transport of microplastics from the Soan River into the Indus River. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:166877. [PMID: 37689211 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2023] [Revised: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/04/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
The presence of plastic and microplastic pollution in freshwater systems receives extensive concerns for its accumulative trend and potential ecological impacts. This is the first annual study that investigated the monthly profile of plastic pollution in the mouth of the Soan River. Plastic pollutants comprising microplastic content up to 91.7 % were abundantly found during different seasons around the year, ranging from 132.7 items/m3 to 641.3 items/m3. The average abundance of plastics was significantly higher in August (641.3 ± 23.7 items/m3) than in other months. Overall, fibers, large microplastics (L-MPs), and transparent items were dominant by shape (57.7 %), size (61.9 %), and color (24.6 %), respectively. The highest average number of fibers (374.3/m3) and L-MPs (396 items/m3) were recorded during May and remained higher in the surface water from December to May. Fragments (432.3/m3) and S-MPs were observed higher (362.3 items/m3) during the peak rainy month of the summer monsoon season (August). Variations in the abundance and morphotypes were seemingly not only influenced by the seasonal change but also might be due to hydromorphological characteristics of the river, especially riverbed morphology, and the flow of the water. Only 5.2 % of the total items found were identified using μ-FTIR (micro-Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscope) which consisted of 70.7 % plastic items. Spectroscopy revealed that polyethylene terephthalate was an abundantly found polymer that largely prevailed in the form of fibers, followed by polypropylene and polyethylene. Most of the fragments, foams, and films were composed of polypropylene, polystyrene, and rayon respectively. Being an urban river, the polymeric profile demonstrated that anthropogenic activities had a significant impact on polluting the river. These findings are a very important source to understand the profile of plastic pollution in the Soan River and also a significant reference for policy-making in controlling plastic pollution among the riverine networks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khalida Jabeen
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Institute of Plastic Cycle and Innovation, East China Normal University, 200062 Shanghai, China; Regional Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Jiayi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Institute of Plastic Cycle and Innovation, East China Normal University, 200062 Shanghai, China; Regional Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Kai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Institute of Plastic Cycle and Innovation, East China Normal University, 200062 Shanghai, China; Regional Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Lixin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Institute of Plastic Cycle and Innovation, East China Normal University, 200062 Shanghai, China; Regional Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Daoji Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China; Institute of Plastic Cycle and Innovation, East China Normal University, 200062 Shanghai, China; Regional Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, Shanghai 200241, China.
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11
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Lawrence J, Santolini C, Binda G, Carnati S, Boldrocchi G, Pozzi A, Bettinetti R. Freshwater Lacustrine Zooplankton and Microplastic: An Issue to Be Still Explored. TOXICS 2023; 11:1017. [PMID: 38133418 PMCID: PMC10748375 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11121017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Lakes are essentially interlinked to humans as they provide water for drinking, agriculture, industrial and domestic purposes. The upsurge of plastic usage, its persistence, and potential detrimental effects on organisms cause impacts on the trophic food web of freshwater ecosystems; this issue, however, still needs to be explored. Zooplankton worldwide is commonly studied as an indicator of environmental risk in aquatic ecosystems for several pollutants. The aim of the review is to link the existing knowledge of microplastic pollution in zooplankton to assess the potential risks linked to these organisms which are at the first level of the lacustrine trophic web. A database search was conducted through the main databases to gather the relevant literature over the course of time. The sensitivity of zooplankton organisms is evident from laboratory studies, whereas several knowledge gaps exist in the understanding of mechanisms causing toxicity. This review also highlights insufficient data on field studies hampering the understanding of the pollution extent in lakes, as well as unclear trends on ecosystem-level cascading effects of microplastics (MPs) and mechanisms of toxicity (especially in combination with other pollutants). Therefore, this review provides insight into understanding the overlooked issues of microplastic in lake ecosystems to gain an accurate ecological risk assessment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jassica Lawrence
- DISAT Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como, Italy; (J.L.); (C.S.); (S.C.); (A.P.)
| | - Carlotta Santolini
- DISAT Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como, Italy; (J.L.); (C.S.); (S.C.); (A.P.)
- University School for Advanced Studies IUSS, 27100 Pavia, Italy
| | - Gilberto Binda
- DISAT Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como, Italy; (J.L.); (C.S.); (S.C.); (A.P.)
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research, Økernveien 94, 0579 Oslo, Norway
| | - Stefano Carnati
- DISAT Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como, Italy; (J.L.); (C.S.); (S.C.); (A.P.)
| | - Ginevra Boldrocchi
- DiSUIT Department of Human Science and Innovation for the Territory, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como, Italy;
| | - Andrea Pozzi
- DISAT Department of Science and High Technology, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como, Italy; (J.L.); (C.S.); (S.C.); (A.P.)
| | - Roberta Bettinetti
- DiSUIT Department of Human Science and Innovation for the Territory, University of Insubria, Via Valleggio 11, 22100 Como, Italy;
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12
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Liu Z, Bacha AUR, Yang L. Control strategies for microplastic pollution in groundwater. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 335:122323. [PMID: 37544400 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122323] [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: 06/23/2023] [Revised: 07/21/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 08/08/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater is the primary source of water that occurs below the earth's surface. However, the advancement in technology and the increasing population, which lead to the discharge of contaminants such as microplastics (MPs), have an adverse impact on the quality of groundwater. MPs are ubiquitous pollutants that are widely found throughout the world. The maximum abundance of MPs is 4 items/L and 15.2 items/L in groundwater at the specific location of China and USA. Various factors can affect the migration of MPs from soil to groundwater. The occurrence of MPs in water causes serious health issues. Therefore, taking appropriate strategies to control MP contamination in groundwater is urgent and important. This review summarizes the current literature on the migration process of MPs from soil to groundwater along with possible methods for the remediation of MP-polluted groundwater. The main objective of the review is to summarize the technical parameters, process, mechanism, and characteristics of various remediation methods and to analyze strategies for controlling MP pollution in groundwater, providing a reference for future research. Possible control strategies for MP pollution in groundwater include two aspects: i) prevention of MPs from entering groundwater; ii) remediation of polluted groundwater with MPs (ectopic remediation and in-situ remediation). Formulating legislative measures, strengthening public awareness and producing more environment-friendly alternatives can be helpful to reduce the production of MPs from the source. Manage plastic waste reasonably is also a good strategy and the most important part of the management is recycling. The shortcomings of the current study and the direction of future research are also highlighted in the review.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhongchuang Liu
- Green Intelligence Environmental School, Yangtze Normal University, No. 16, Juxian Avenue, Fuling District, Chongqing, China; Chongqing Multiple-source Technology Engineering Research Center for Ecological Environment Monitoring, Yangtze Normal University, No. 16, Juxian Avenue, Fuling District, Chongqing, China.
| | - Aziz-Ur-Rahim Bacha
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Prevention and Control, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
| | - Lei Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Shenzhen Key Laboratory of Organic Pollution Prevention and Control, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology Shenzhen, Shenzhen, 518055, China
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13
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Gholizadeh M, Shadi A, Abadi A, Nemati M, Senapathi V, Karthikeyan S. Abundance and characteristics of microplastic in some commercial species from the Persian Gulf, Iran. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 344:118386. [PMID: 37352628 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/20/2023] [Revised: 05/02/2023] [Accepted: 06/11/2023] [Indexed: 06/25/2023]
Abstract
Global production of plastics has increased dramatically in recent decades and is considered a major threat to marine life and human health due to their stability, persistence, and potential to move through food chains. The study was conducted to detect, identify and quantify microplastics (MP) in the gastrointestinal tract (GI) of some commercial fish species in the North Persian Gulf in Bushehr Province: Psettodes erumei, Sphyraena jello, Sillago sihama, Metapenaeus affinis and Portunus segnis. A total of 216 plastic particles were collected from 102 individuals (72.68% of all sampled individuals; MP prevalence of 85.1% for M. affinis, 80% for P. segnis, 70% for P.erumei, 60.3% for S.sihama, 45.2% for S.jello). The average number of microplastics per organism was 2.26 ± 0.38 MP/ind (considering only species that ingested plastic, n = 102) and 1.51 ± 0.40 pieces/ind (considering all species studied, n = 140). Microfibers accounted for 58.49% of the total microplastics, followed by fragments (33.02%) and pellets (8.49%). The most common color of microplastic was black (52.83%), followed by blue (22.64%) and transparent (15.09%). The length of microplastic ranged from 100 to 5000 μm with an average of 854 ± 312 μm. Microplastics were significantly (p < 0.05) abundant in two shrimp studied: M. affinis and P. segnis (plastic in 80% of individuals studied) and to a lesser extent in the pelagic barracuda fish S. jello (plastic in 45% of individuals studied). The main synthetic polymers identified by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) were polyethylene (38%), polypropylene (24%), polystyrene (17%), polyethylene terephthalate (11%) and polyamide (10%). The pollutant load index and lifetime accumulation index were calculated to identify the most polluted species and their toxicity to human health. The white shrimp M. affinis was identified as the most polluted and toxic species for MP based on PLI. The present study can provide valuable data for further research and a background for the control and monitoring of this pollutant in the coastal environment of Bushehr province.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Gholizadeh
- Department of Fisheries, Faculty of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Gonbad Kavous University, Gonbad Kavous, Iran.
| | - Ahmad Shadi
- Department of Biological Sciences and Technology, Faculty of Nano and Biological Sciences and Technology, Persian Gulf University, Bushehr, Iran
| | | | - Mahnaz Nemati
- Food Technology Division, School of Industrial Technology, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Malaysia
| | - Venkatramanan Senapathi
- Department of Disaster Management, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, 630003, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Sivakumar Karthikeyan
- Department of Geology, Faculty of Science, Alagappa University, Karaikudi, Tamil Nadu, India
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14
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Yoo JW, Choi TJ, Park JS, Kim J, Han S, Kim CB, Lee YM. Pathway-dependent toxic interaction between polystyrene microbeads and methylmercury on the brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis: Based on mercury bioaccumulation, cytotoxicity, and transcriptomic analysis. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 459:132055. [PMID: 37480609 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2023] [Revised: 07/03/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Given their worldwide distribution and toxicity to aquatic organisms, methylmercury (MeHg) and microplastics (MP) are major pollutants in marine ecosystems. Although they commonly co-exist in the ocean, information on their toxicological interactions is limited. Therefore, to understand the toxicological interactions between MeHg and MP (6-μm polystyrene), we investigated the bioaccumulation of MeHg, its cytotoxicity, and transcriptomic modulation in the brackish water flea Diaphanosoma celebensis following single and combined exposure to MeHg and MP. After single exposure to MeHg for 48-h, D. celebensis showed high Hg accumulation (34.83 ± 0.40 μg/g dw biota) and cytotoxicity, which was reduced upon co-exposure to MP. After transcriptomic analysis, 2, 253, and 159 differentially expressed genes were detected in the groups exposed to MP, MeHg, and MeHg+MP, respectively. Genes related to metabolic pathways and the immune system were significantly affected after MeHg exposure, but the effect of MeHg on these pathways was alleviated by MP co-exposure. However, MeHg and MP exhibited synergistic effects on the expression of gene related to DNA replication. These findings suggest that MP can reduce the toxicity of MeHg but that their toxicological interactions differ depending on the molecular pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Je-Won Yoo
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Convergence Engineering, Sangmyung University, Seoul 03016, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-June Choi
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Convergence Engineering, Sangmyung University, Seoul 03016, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Seok Park
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Convergence Engineering, Sangmyung University, Seoul 03016, Republic of Korea
| | - Jihee Kim
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Seunghee Han
- School of Earth Sciences and Environmental Engineering, Gwangju Institute of Science and Technology (GIST), Gwangju 61005, Republic of Korea
| | - Chang-Bae Kim
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Convergence Engineering, Sangmyung University, Seoul 03016, Republic of Korea
| | - Young-Mi Lee
- Department of Biotechnology, College of Convergence Engineering, Sangmyung University, Seoul 03016, Republic of Korea.
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15
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Wang T, Qu L, Luo D, Ji X, Ma Z, Wang Z, Dahlgren RA, Zhang M, Shang X. Microplastic pollution characteristics and its future perspectives in the Tibetan Plateau. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 457:131711. [PMID: 37257387 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131711] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 05/09/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are an emerging and persistent pollutant due to their threat to global ecological systems and human health. Recent studies showed that microplastics have infiltrated the remote Third Pole - the Tibetan Plateau. Here, we summarize the current evidence for microplastic pollution in the different environments (rivers/lakes, sediment, soil, ice/snow and atmosphere) of the Tibetan Plateau. We assess the spatial distribution, source, fate, and potential ecological effects of microplastics in this broad plateau. The integrated results show that microplastics were pervasive in biotic and abiotic components of the Tibetan Plateau, even at the global highest-altitude, Mt. Everest. Although the concentration of microplastics in the Tibetan Plateau was far below that found in the densely populated lowlands, it showed a higher concentration than that in the ocean system. Tourist populations are identified as a substantial source of anthropogenic plastic input rather than local residents due to the rapid development of the tourism industry. In the sparsely inhabited remote area of the Tibetan Plateau, long-range atmospheric transport facilitates allochthonous microplastic diffusion. Robust solar radiation in the Tibetan Plateau might enhanced production of secondary microplastics by weathering (UV-photooxidation) of abandoned plastic waste. A rough estimation showed that the microplastic export flux from melting glaciers was higher than that measured in most of the world's largest rivers, which affects local and downstream areas. Since the Tibetan Plateau is vital for Asian water supply and numerous endangered wildlife, the potential human and ecological risk of microplastics to these fragile ecosystems needs to be fully evaluated within the context of climate-change impacts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ting Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Institute of Eco-Environmental Sciences, Wenzhou Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Wenzhou 325006, Zhejiang, China
| | - Liyin Qu
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Ecological Treatment Technology for Urban Water Pollution, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab for Subtropical Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
| | - Dehua Luo
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Xiaoliang Ji
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zengling Ma
- National and Local Joint Engineering Research Center of Ecological Treatment Technology for Urban Water Pollution, Zhejiang Provincial Key Lab for Subtropical Water Environment and Marine Biological Resources Protection, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
| | - Zhonggen Wang
- Key Laboratory of Water Cycle and Related Land Surface Processes, Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Randy A Dahlgren
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Minghua Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China; Department of Land, Air and Water Resources, University of California, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Xu Shang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Watershed Sciences and Health, School of Public Health and Management, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325035, China.
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16
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Alvarado-Zambrano D, Rivera-Hernández JR, Green-Ruiz C. First insight into microplastic groundwater pollution in Latin America: the case of a coastal aquifer in Northwest Mexico. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-27461-9. [PMID: 37188938 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27461-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics have been studied on biota and other environmental domains, such as soils. Despite the importance of groundwater as a resource for millions of people worldwide as drinking water and personal hygiene, domestic, agricultural, mining, and industrial purposes, there are very few studies concerning microplastics in this domain around the world. We present the first study in Latin America addressing this topic. Six capped boreholes were analyzed in terms of abundance, concentration, and chemical characterization, at three different depths, from a coastal aquifer in Northwest Mexico. This aquifer is highly permeable and affected by anthropogenic activities. A total of 330 microplastics were found in the eighteen samples. In terms of concentration, the interval ranged from 10 to 34 particles/L, with an average of 18.3 particles/L. Four synthetic polymers were identified: isotactic polypropylene (iPP), hydroxyethylcellulose (HEC), carboxylated polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and low-density polyethylene (LDPE); with iPP being the most abundant (55.8%) in each borehole. Agriculture activities and septic outflows are considered the potential regional sources of these contaminants into the aquifer. Three possible transport pathways to the aquifer are suggested: (1) marine intrusion, (2) marsh intrusion, and (3) infiltration through the soil. More research about the occurrence, concentration, and distribution of the different kinds of microplastics in groundwater is needed to have a better understanding of the behavior and health risks to organisms, including human beings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela Alvarado-Zambrano
- Universidad Politécnica de Sinaloa, Unidad Académica de Ingeniería en Tecnología Ambiental, Km 3, Carretera Municipal Libre Mazatlán Higueras, 82199, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México
| | - José R Rivera-Hernández
- Universidad Politécnica de Sinaloa, Unidad Académica de Ingeniería en Tecnología Ambiental, Km 3, Carretera Municipal Libre Mazatlán Higueras, 82199, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México
- Unidad Académica Mazatlán, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar Y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Joel Montes Camarena S/N, Col. Playa Sur, 82040, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México
| | - Carlos Green-Ruiz
- Unidad Académica Mazatlán, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar Y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Av. Joel Montes Camarena S/N, Col. Playa Sur, 82040, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México.
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17
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Wang B, Chen X, Xiong X, Wu W, He Q, Hu H, Wu C. Spatial analysis of the influence on "microplastic communities" in the water at a medium scale. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 885:163788. [PMID: 37149188 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163788] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 04/20/2023] [Accepted: 04/23/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
The issue of microplastics in freshwater has been growing in concern. Besides their abundance, the characteristics of microplastics are also important issues. The concept of "microplastic communities" has been utilized to assess differences in microplastic characteristics. In this study, we utilized the "microplastic community" approach to evaluate the impact of land use on microplastic characteristics in water at a provincial scale in China. The abundance of microplastics in water bodies in Hubei Province varied between 0.33 items/L and 5.40 items/L, with an average of 1.74 items/L. Microplastics were significantly more abundant in rivers than in lakes and reservoirs, and their abundance was negatively correlated with the distance from the nearest residential district of sampling sites. Similarities of microplastic communities were significantly different in mountainous and plain areas. Anthropogenic surfaces increased microplastic abundance and tended to decrease the size of microplastics, whereas natural vegetation had the opposite effect. The effect of land use on microplastic community similarity was greater than that of geographic distance. However, spatial scale limits the effect of various factors on microplastic community similarity. This study revealed the comprehensive influence of land use on microplastic characteristics in water and emphasized the importance of spatial scale in the study of microplastic characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Biao Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China; College of Advanced Agricultural Sciences, University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Xiaofei Chen
- Hubei Academy of Environmental Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Xiong Xiong
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China.
| | - Weiju Wu
- Hubei Academy of Environmental Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Qiankun He
- Hubei Academy of Environmental Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Hongjuan Hu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
| | - Chenxi Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Freshwater Ecology and Biotechnology, Institute of Hydrobiology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430072, China
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18
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Zhang R, Jia X, Wang K, Lu L, Li F, Li J, Xu L. Characteristics, sources and influencing factors of atmospheric deposition of microplastics in three different ecosystems of Beijing, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 883:163567. [PMID: 37094671 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
As the research on microplastics (MPs) has intensified, more attention has been paid to MPs deposition in the atmosphere. This study further explores and compares the characteristics, the possible sources and influencing factors of deposition of MPs in three different ecosystems: forest, agricultural and residential area in Beijing. It was found that the deposited plastics were mostly white or black fibres, with PET and RY as the main MPs types. The range of deposition fluxes was 67.06-461.02 item·m-2·d-1, with highest deposition in residential area and lowest in forest, significant differences in MPs characteristics between environments. Based on MPs composition and shape, combined with backward trajectory analysis, the main sources of MPs were found to be textiles. Deposition of MPs was found to be influenced by environmental and meteorological factors. Factors such as gross domestic product and population density had a significant impact on the deposition flux, while wind played a diluting role for atmospheric MPs. The study investigated the characteristics of MPs in different ecosystems which may help to understand the transport patterns of MPs and is of great importance for the management of MPs pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixuan Zhang
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Xiaoxu Jia
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and `, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Kang Wang
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Luli Lu
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Fang Li
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Jing Li
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and `, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Li Xu
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China; Risk Assessment Lab for Agro-products (Beijing), Ministry of Agriculture, China.
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19
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Silori R, Shrivastava V, Mazumder P, Mootapally C, Pandey A, Kumar M. Understanding the underestimated: Occurrence, distribution, and interactions of microplastics in the sediment and soil of China, India, and Japan. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 320:120978. [PMID: 36586556 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120978] [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: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 12/26/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are non-biodegradable substances that can sustain our environment for up to a century. What is more worrying is the incapability of modern technologies to annihilate MPs from om environment. One ramification of MPs is their impact on every kind of life form on this planet, which has been discussed ahead; that is why these substances are surfacing in everyday discussions of scholars and researchers. This paper discusses the overview of the global occurrence, abundance, analysis, and remediation techniques of MPs in the environment. This paper primarily reviews the event and abundance of MPs in coastal sediments and agricultural soil of three major Asian countries, India, China, and Japan. A significant concentration of MPs has been recorded from these countries, which affirms its strong presence and subsequent environmental impacts. Concentrations such as 73,100 MPs/kg in Indian coastal sediments and 42,960 particles/kg in the agricultural soil of China is a solid testimony to prove their massive outbreak in our environment and require urgent attention towards this issue. Conclusions show that human activities, rivers, and plastic mulching on agricultural fields have majorly acted as carriers of MPs towards coastal and terrestrial soil and sediments. Later, based on recorded concentrations and gaps, future research studies are recommended in the concerned domain; a dearth of studies on MPs influencing Indian agricultural soil make a whole sector and its consumer vulnerable to the adverse effects of this emerging contaminant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rahul Silori
- School of Engineering, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248007, India
| | - Vikalp Shrivastava
- School of Engineering, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248007, India
| | - Payal Mazumder
- School of Engineering, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248007, India
| | - Chandrashekar Mootapally
- School of Applied Sciences & Technology (SAST), Gujarat Technological University (GTU), Ahmedabad, Gujarat, India
| | - Ashok Pandey
- School of Engineering, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248007, India; Centre for Innovation and Translational Research, CSIR-Indian Institute of Toxicology Research, Lucknow, 226 001, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- School of Engineering, University of Petroleum & Energy Studies, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, 248007, India; Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Eugenio Garza Sada 2501 Sur, Monterrey, 64849, Mexico.
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20
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Angnunavuri PN, Attiogbe F, Mensah B. Particulate plastics in drinking water and potential human health effects: Current knowledge for management of freshwater plastic materials in Africa. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 316:120714. [PMID: 36423889 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120714] [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: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Plastic materials have contributed to the release of environmentally relevant particulate plastics which can be found almost everywhere and may be present in drinking water. Human exposure to these materials is diverse and our understanding of their internalization in the human body is incipient. This review discusses the state of knowledge of particulate plastics exposure in drinking water and the potential risks of adverse health in the human body. Particulate plastics have problematized water systems worldwide, and about 4,000,000 fine plastics may be ingested from drinking water annually by an individual. Testing methods for these materials in environmental media are presently inconsistent and standard protocols do not exist. Their potential ecotoxicological consequences are recognised to be linked to their physicochemical diversity, biological transpositions, and cytological tolerance in living organisms. It is observed that toxicological endpoints are varied and lack properly defined modes of action. In particular, fine particulate plastics have been observed to translocate into body tissues and cells where they are capable of provoking endocrine disruption, genetic mutations, and cancer responses. We propose a reclassification of particulate plastics to cater for their biological deposition and attributable risks of adverse health. Environmental management of particulate plastics in many developing countries is weak and their potential releases into drinking water have received limited research. Given that large populations are exposed to fresh surface water and plastic packaged drinking water worldwide, and that the risk assessment pathways are unvalidated at the moment, we argue for developing countries to increase their capacity for the environmental monitoring and circular management of plastic materials. Large-scale epidemiological cohort studies and surrogate assessment pathways are also recommended to provide a better understanding of the hazard characterization of particulate plastics exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prosper Naah Angnunavuri
- School of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana.
| | - Francis Attiogbe
- School of Engineering, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Energy and Natural Resources, Sunyani, Ghana
| | - Bismark Mensah
- School of Engineering, Department of Materials Engineering, University of Ghana, Legon, Ghana
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21
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Ujjaman Nur AA, Hossain MB, Banik P, Choudhury TR, Liba SI, Umamaheswari S, Albeshr MF, Senapathi V, Arai T, Yu J. Microplastic contamination in processed and unprocessed sea salts from a developing country and potential risk assessment. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 308:136395. [PMID: 36096307 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2022] [Revised: 08/17/2022] [Accepted: 09/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
In aquatic environments, microplastics (MPs) are pervasive which could have a considerable negative impact on the environment, organisms and pose a risk to human health. However, knowledge about the exposure and ecological risk of MPs in the coastal ecosystems of developing countries is limited. In this study, we analyzed salt samples from five commonly consumed processed and unprocessed sea salts of different commercial brands originated from 15 salt pans in Bangladesh to assess the abundance, characteristics and potential risks of MPs. The quantities of MPs in unprocessed salts (average 195 ± 56 item/kg) were higher than those in the processed salts (average 157 ± 34 item/kg). One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed significant (p < 0.05) differences among the average numbers of MPs in both processed and unprocessed salts. MP levels in this study were 2-3 times higher than those reported from some other countries. Fiber-shaped and transparent MPs were dominant in both cases. MPs less than 0.5 mm in size were the most abundant in both unprocessed (58.2%) and processed (62.2%) salts. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis confirmed five types of polymers, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET-35%), polypropylene (PP-27.5%), polyethylene (PE-25%), polystyrene (PS-10%), and Nylon (2.5%) in the studied salts. The sea salts were classified as potential hazard index (PHI) levels IV to V, indicating serious MP contamination, whereas potential ecological risk factor (Ei), potential ecological risk index (RI), and pollutant load index (PLI) indicated moderate levels of pollution of MPs. Domestic and municipal wastewater effluents to Bay of Bengal and fishing activities may attributed to presence of MPs in the sea salt. These findings can be used by consumers, salt industries and policy makers to reduce MPs levels during consumption, production and policymaking.
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Affiliation(s)
- As-Ad Ujjaman Nur
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur, Bangladesh
| | - M Belal Hossain
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur, Bangladesh; School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia.
| | - Partho Banik
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur, Bangladesh
| | - Tasrina Rabia Choudhury
- Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, Chemistry Division, Atomic Energy Centre Dhaka, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Samia Islam Liba
- Materials Science Division, Atomic Energy Centre Dhaka, Bangladesh Atomic Energy Commission, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - S Umamaheswari
- Department of Zoology, Thanthai Periyar Government Arts and Science College, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Mohammed Fahad Albeshr
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, PO Box 2455, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Takaomi Arai
- Environmental and Life Sciences Programme, Faculty of Science, University Brunei Darussalam, Jala Tungku Link, Gadong BE, 1410, Brunei Darussalam
| | - Jimmy Yu
- School of Engineering and Built Environment, Griffith University, Brisbane, QLD, Australia
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22
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Jia Q, Duan Y, Han X, Sun X, Munyaneza J, Ma J, Xiu G. Atmospheric deposition of microplastics in the megalopolis (Shanghai) during rainy season: Characteristics, influence factors, and source. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 847:157609. [PMID: 35901891 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Revised: 07/03/2022] [Accepted: 07/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Urban areas are the hardest hit by microplastic pollution, and deposition is an important part of microplastic migration and transport in the atmosphere, therefore, the study of microplastics in an urban atmospheric deposition is of great significance. This study aims to investigate the deposition characteristics of atmospheric microplastics in megapolis, to clarify the influence of meteorological and anthropogenic factors, and to analyze the sources of atmospheric microplastics. Six sampling sites in Shanghai were selected to collect atmospheric deposition samples during the rainy season. The mean deposition flux of microplastics was 3261.22 ± 2847.99 P·m-2·d-1 (median: 2559.70 P·m-2·d-1), and the types were mainly polyamide (PA, 27.79 %), polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 27.29 %), polypropylene (PP, 16.95 %), and polyvinyl fluoride (PVF, 12.88 %). The microplastic with the particle size of <1000 μm accounted for 88.23 %, and the shape was mainly fiber (73.55 %). The results of correlation analysis and variance analysis of microplastic characteristics with meteorological and anthropogenic factors (land-use, atmospheric pollutants, and urban indicators) showed that wind and precipitation had effects on deposition flux, size and shape, and were more significant at small scales (individual cities), while at large scales, the population was the main influence of microplastics. Atmospheric microplastics in Shanghai may be dominated by exogenous sources, through a combination of microplastic characteristics, wind and backward trajectories. This study further reveals the fate of urban atmospheric microplastics, which has implications for the study of global microplastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qilong Jia
- Shanghai Environmental Protection Key Laboratory for Environmental Standard and Risk Management of Chemical Pollutants, School of Resources & Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, PR China; State Environmental Protection Key Lab of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Processes, School of Resources & Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, PR China; Australia-China Center for Air Quality Science and Management, PR China
| | - Yusen Duan
- Shanghai Environmental Monitoring Centre, Shanghai 200235, PR China
| | - Xiaolin Han
- Shanghai Environmental Protection Key Laboratory for Environmental Standard and Risk Management of Chemical Pollutants, School of Resources & Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, PR China; State Environmental Protection Key Lab of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Processes, School of Resources & Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, PR China; Australia-China Center for Air Quality Science and Management, PR China
| | - Xiaodong Sun
- Shanghai Environmental Protection Key Laboratory for Environmental Standard and Risk Management of Chemical Pollutants, School of Resources & Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, PR China; State Environmental Protection Key Lab of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Processes, School of Resources & Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, PR China; Australia-China Center for Air Quality Science and Management, PR China
| | - Janvier Munyaneza
- Shanghai Environmental Protection Key Laboratory for Environmental Standard and Risk Management of Chemical Pollutants, School of Resources & Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, PR China; State Environmental Protection Key Lab of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Processes, School of Resources & Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, PR China; Australia-China Center for Air Quality Science and Management, PR China
| | - Jianli Ma
- Baoshan Environmental Monitoring Station, Shanghai 201901, PR China
| | - Guangli Xiu
- Shanghai Environmental Protection Key Laboratory for Environmental Standard and Risk Management of Chemical Pollutants, School of Resources & Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, PR China; State Environmental Protection Key Lab of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Processes, School of Resources & Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science & Technology, Shanghai 200237, PR China; Australia-China Center for Air Quality Science and Management, PR China.
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23
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Gao Z, Wontor K, Cizdziel JV. Labeling Microplastics with Fluorescent Dyes for Detection, Recovery, and Degradation Experiments. Molecules 2022; 27:7415. [PMID: 36364240 PMCID: PMC9653731 DOI: 10.3390/molecules27217415] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 10/22/2022] [Accepted: 10/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Staining microplastics (MPs) for fluorescence detection has been widely applied in MP analyses. However, there is a lack of standardized staining procedures and conditions, with different researchers using different dye concentrations, solvents, incubation times, and staining temperatures. Moreover, with the limited types and morphologies of commercially available MPs, a simple and optimized approach to making fluorescent MPs is needed. In this study, 4 different textile dyes, along with Nile red dye for comparison, are used to stain 17 different polymers under various conditions to optimize the staining procedure. The MPs included both virgin and naturally weathered polymers with different sizes and shapes (e.g., fragments, fibers, foams, pellets, beads). We show that the strongest fluorescence intensity occurred with aqueous staining at 70 °C for 3 h with a dye concentration of 5 mg/mL, 55 mg/mL, and 2 µg/mL for iDye dyes, Rit dyes, and Nile red, respectively. Red fluorescent signals are stronger and thus preferred over green ones. The staining procedure did not significantly alter the surface, mass, and chemical characteristics of the particles, based on FTIR and stereomicroscopy. Stained MPs were spiked into freshwater, saltwater, a sediment slurry, and wastewater-activated sludge; even after several days, the recovered particles are still strongly fluoresced. The approach described herein for producing customized fluorescent MPs and quantifying MPs in laboratory-controlled experiments is both straightforward and simple.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - James V. Cizdziel
- Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, University of Mississippi, University, MS 38677, USA
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24
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Falsini S, Colzi I, Chelazzi D, Dainelli M, Schiff S, Papini A, Coppi A, Gonnelli C, Ristori S. Plastic is in the air: Impact of micro-nanoplastics from airborne pollution on Tillandsia usneoides (L.) L. (Bromeliaceae) as a possible green sensor. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 437:129314. [PMID: 35728311 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129314] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2022] [Revised: 05/30/2022] [Accepted: 06/04/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Due to the increasing evidence of widespread plastic pollution in the air, the impact on plants of airborne particles of polycarbonate (PC), polyethyleneterephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE), and polyvinylchloride (PVC) was tested by administering pristine and aged airborne micro-nanoplastics (MNPs) to Tillandsia usneoides for two weeks. Here we showed that exposure to pristine MNPs, significantly reduced plant growth with respect to controls. Particularly, PVC almost halved plant development at the end of the treatment, while the other plastics exerted negative effects on growth only at the beginning of the exposure, with final stages comparable to those of controls. Plants exposed to aged MNPs showed significantly decreased growth at early stages with PC, later in the growth with PE, and even later with PET. Aged PVC did not exert a toxic effect on plants. When present, the plastic-mediated reduction in plant growth was coupled with a decrease in photosynthetic activity and alterations in the plant concentration of macro- and micronutrients. The plastic particles were showed to adhere to the plant surface and, preferentially, on the trichome wings. Our results reported, for the first time, evidence of negative effects of airborne plastic pollution on plant health, thus raising concerns for related environmental risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Falsini
- 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.
| | - David Chelazzi
- Department of Chemistry and CSGI, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3-13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
| | - Marco Dainelli
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Firenze, via Micheli 1, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Silvia Schiff
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Firenze, via Micheli 1, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Alessio Papini
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Firenze, via Micheli 1, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Andrea Coppi
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Firenze, via Micheli 1, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Cristina Gonnelli
- Department of Biology, Università degli Studi di Firenze, via Micheli 1, 50121 Florence, Italy
| | - Sandra Ristori
- Department of Chemistry and CSGI, Università degli Studi di Firenze, Via della Lastruccia 3-13, 50019 Sesto Fiorentino, Italy
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25
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Saad D, Chauke P, Cukrowska E, Richards H, Nikiema J, Chimuka L, Tutu H. First biomonitoring of microplastic pollution in the Vaal river using Carp fish (Cyprinus carpio) "as a bio-indicator". THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 836:155623. [PMID: 35508237 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 04/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Fish inhabiting freshwater environments are susceptible to the ingestion of microplastics (MPs). Knowledge regarding MPs in freshwater fish in South Africa is very limited. In this study, the uptake of MPs by common carp (Cyprinus carpio) in the Vaal River in South Africa was assessed. MPs were detected in all of the twenty-six fish examined, 682 particles of MPs were recovered from the gastrointestinal tracts of the fish with an average of 26.23 ± 12.57 particles/fish, and an average abundance of 41.18 ± 52.81 particles/kg. The examination of the physical properties of MPs revealed a predominance on fibers (69%), small-sized particles of less than 0.5 mm (48%), as well as prevelance of coloured MPs (94%), mostly green, blue, and black. Using Raman Spectroscopy, the following plastic polymers were identified: high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). To the best of our knowledge, this study, is the first to report MPs uptake by freshwater biota in the Vaal River using common carp as a target organism. It provided evidence of MP contamination in the Vaal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dalia Saad
- School of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
| | - Patricia Chauke
- School of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Ewa Cukrowska
- School of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Heidi Richards
- School of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | | | - Luke Chimuka
- School of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Hlanganani Tutu
- School of Chemistry, Molecular Sciences Institute, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
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26
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De-la-Torre GE, Pizarro-Ortega CI, Dioses-Salinas DC, Rakib MRJ, Ramos W, Pretell V, Ribeiro VV, Castro ÍB, Dobaradaran S. First record of plastiglomerates, pyroplastics, and plasticrusts in South America. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 833:155179. [PMID: 35421485 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155179] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2021] [Revised: 04/06/2022] [Accepted: 04/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Beaches in the Anthropocene carry the heavy burden of human-derived pollution, like that induced by plastic litter. For decades, plastic debris has been classified based on its source or physical size. In recent years, studies described and documented new forms of plastic formations, including plastiglomerates, plasticrusts, and pyroplastics. However, reports of these newly described formations are substantially lacking. Therefore, in the present study, we reported the first evidence of plasticrusts (plastic encrusting rock surfaces), plastiglomerates (organic/inorganic composite materials in a plastic matrix), and pyroplastics (burned and weathered plastics) in Peru. The plastic pollutants were recovered from the field through marine litter surveys on four beaches where illegal litter burning and campfires take place. All the suspected plastic formations were analyzed and confirmed using Fourier transformed infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and one of each type was analyzed by X-Ray fluorescence (EDX) spectrometry. Plastiglomerates consisted of a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) or polypropylene (PP) matrix with rock and sand inclusions. Pyroplastics were found in various stages of weathering and consisted of various polymers, including HDPE, PP, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyamide (PA). Interestingly, our field observations suggest a new plasticrust formation pathway based on plastic burning and filling of rock crevices with molten plastic. The latter was identified as either PP or HDPE. Elements typically found in the sand and seawater (e.g., Na, Cl, Ca, Si, Fe) were identified on the surface of the plastic formations, as well as others that could potentially be associated with the leaching of additives (e.g., Ti, Br). Although the present study contributed to the knowledge concerning the occurrence of the new types of plastic formations, as well as possible formation pathways, there are still many questions to answer. Hence, we encourage future studies to focus on the toxicity that new plastic formations may induce in contrast with conventional plastics, the release of secondary contaminants (e.g., microplastics, additives), and their degradation in the environment. Lastly, standardized sampling and data treatment protocols are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación de Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Sociedad, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru.
| | | | | | - Md Refat Jahan Rakib
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Williams Ramos
- Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Av. Túpac Amaru 210, Lima 25, Lima, Peru
| | - Victor Pretell
- Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería, Av. Túpac Amaru 210, Lima 25, Lima, Peru
| | | | | | - Sina Dobaradaran
- Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; Instrumental Analytical Chemistry and Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 5, Essen, Germany
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27
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Zhang B, Xu D, Wan X, Wu Y, Liu X, Gao B. Comparative analysis of microplastic organization and pollution risk before and after thawing in an urban river in Beijing, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 828:154268. [PMID: 35247407 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/20/2021] [Revised: 01/29/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Urban rivers are potential sinks for microplastic (MP) contamination in the environment. However, the footprint of MPs in urban rivers is not well understood because it is influenced by natural and anthropogenic factors. This study focused on the occurrence, pollution risk, and potential sources of MPs in surface water and sediments before and after thawing in Shahe River, Beijing. The size distribution, morphological characteristics and polymer types of MPs were analyzed using a micro-Raman spectroscopy. The results showed that the average abundance of MP obviously increased after river thawing, from 1772 ± 1668 items·m-3 to 3877 ± 2517 items·m-3 in surface water and 4776 ± 4817 items·kg-1 to 14,004 ± 5371 items·kg-1 in sediments. The MP polymer types were more diverse after thawing. The main MP type in surface water changed from polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to polypropylene (PP). Moreover, PP was the most common type in sediments. Small-sized MPs (SMPs, 10-300 μm) were dominant in Shahe River, with the proportion increasing from 48.5% to 83.3% in surface water and from 84.3% to 94.4% in sediments after thawing. Although the MP pollution risk increased after thawing, it was still low in the Shahe River. Unfortunately, changes in polymer types caused by thawing and the emergence of toxic polymers increased the ecological risk in the urban river. These results revealed the information of MP contamination before and after thawing, and highlighted the barrier influence of river icing on the migration of MPs. Overall, the results presented a new perspective on the environmental behavior of microplastics in urban rivers, suggesting that the occurrence and dominance of SMPs and the emergence of toxic polymers in urban environmental media require close attention in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baohao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China; School of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454000, China
| | - Dongyu Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Xiaohong Wan
- State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Yazun Wu
- School of Resources and Environment, Henan Polytechnic University, Jiaozuo 454000, China
| | - Xiaoru Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Bo Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China.
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28
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Xu A, Shi M, Xing X, Su Y, Li X, Liu W, Mao Y, Hu T, Qi S. Status and prospects of atmospheric microplastics: A review of methods, occurrence, composition, source and health risks. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 303:119173. [PMID: 35306093 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
The global pollution of microplastics (MPs) has attracted widespread attention, and the atmosphere was an indispensable media for the global transmission of MPs. With the growing awareness of MPs, atmospheric microplastics (AMPs) have been proposed as a new topic in recent years. Compared with the extensive studies on MPs in Marine and terrestrial environments, the studies of AMPs remain limited. In this study, sampling and analysis methods, occurrence, source analysis and health risk of AMPs were summarized and discussed. According to the different sampling methods, AMPs can be divided into suspension microplastics (SAMPs) and deposition microplastics (DAMPs). Previous studies have shown that SAMPs and DAMPs differ in composition and abundance, with SAMPs generally having a higher fraction of fragments. The mechanism of the migration of AMPs between different media was not clear yet. We further collated global data on the composition characteristics of MPs in soil and fresh water, which showed that the fragment MPs in soil and fresh water was higher than that in the atmosphere. Polymers in soil and fresh water were mainly PP and PE, while AMPs in the atmosphere were mainly PET. The shape composition of the MPs in both atmospheric and freshwater systems suggests that there may be the same dominant factor. The transport of AMPs and source apportionment were the important issues of current research, but both of them were at the initial stage. Therefore, AMPs needs to be further studied, especially for the source and fate, which would be conducive to understand the global distribution of AMPs. Furthermore, a standardized manual on sampling and processing of AMPs was also necessary to facilitate the comparative analysis of data between different studies and the construction of global models.
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Affiliation(s)
- An Xu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Basin Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Mingming Shi
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Basin Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Xinli Xing
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Basin Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Yewang Su
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Basin Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Xingyu Li
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Basin Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Weijie Liu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Basin Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Yao Mao
- State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Tianpeng Hu
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Basin Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Shihua Qi
- Hubei Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Basin Environmental Aquatic Science, School of Environmental Studies, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China; State Key Laboratory of Biogeology and Environmental Geology, China University of Geosciences, Wuhan, 430074, China
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Viaroli S, Lancia M, Re V. Microplastics contamination of groundwater: Current evidence and future perspectives. A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 824:153851. [PMID: 35176372 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153851] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 01/13/2022] [Accepted: 02/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Groundwater is a primary water source which supplies more than 2 billion people. The increasing population and urbanization of rural areas stresses and depletes the groundwater systems, reducing the groundwater quality. Among the emerging contaminants, microplastics (MPs) are becoming an important issue due to their persistency in the environment. Seepage through the pores and fractures as well as the interaction with colloidal aggregates can partially affect the MPs dynamics in the subsoil, making the detection of the MPs in the groundwater systems challenging. Based on literature, a critical analysis of MPs in groundwater is presented from a hydrogeological point of view. In addition, a review of the MPs data potentially affecting the groundwater systems are included. MPs in groundwater may have several sources, including the atmosphere, the interaction with surface water bodies, urban infrastructures, or agricultural soils. The characterization of both the groundwater dynamics and the heterogeneity of MPs is suggested, proposing a new framework named "Hydrogeoplastic Model". MPs detection methods aimed at characterizing the smaller fragments are necessary to clarify the fate of these contaminants in the aquifers. This review also aims to support future research on MP contamination in groundwater, pointing out the current knowledge and the future risks which could affect groundwater resources worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stefano Viaroli
- Sciences Department, Roma Tre University, Largo S. L. Murialdo 1, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Michele Lancia
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Soil and Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Xueyuan Road, 1088, Shenzhen, China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Integrated Surface Water-Groundwater Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Southern University of Science and Technology, Xueyuan Road, 1088, Shenzhen, China
| | - Viviana Re
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Pisa, Via S. Maria 53, 56126 Pisa, Italy
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Sridharan S, Kumar M, Saha M, Kirkham MB, Singh L, Bolan NS. The polymers and their additives in particulate plastics: What makes them hazardous to the fauna? THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 824:153828. [PMID: 35157873 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153828] [Citation(s) in RCA: 74] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2022] [Accepted: 02/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Due to the increasing concerns on global ecosystems and human health, the environmental risks posed by microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) have become an important topic of research. Their ecological impacts on various faunal species have been extensively researched and reviewed. However, the majority of those studies perceive these micro(nano)-plastics (MNPs) as a single entity rather than a collective term for a group of chemically distinct polymeric particulates. Each of the plastic polymers can possess unique physical and chemical behavior, which, in turn, can determine the possible environmental impacts. Furthermore, many studies explore the adsorption, absorption, and release of other environmental pollutants by MNPs. But only a handful of them explore the leaching of additives possessed by these polymers. Data on the environmental behavior and toxicity of individual additives associated with different polymer particulates are scarce. Knowledge about the leachability and ecotoxicity of the additives associated with environmental MNPs (unlike large plastic particles) remains limited. The ecological impacts of different MNPs together with their additives and the basis of their toxicity have not been explored yet. The present review systematically explores the potential implications of environmentally predominant polymers and their associated additives and discusses their physicochemical characteristics. The review ultimately aims to provide novel insights on what components precisely make MNPs hazardous to the fauna. The paper also discusses the major challenges proposed in the available literature along with recommendations for future research to throw light on possible solutions to overcome the hazards of MNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Srinidhi Sridharan
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India; CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur 440020, Maharashtra, India
| | - Manish Kumar
- CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur 440020, Maharashtra, India
| | - Mahua Saha
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India; CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula 403004, Goa, India
| | - M B Kirkham
- Department of Agronomy, Kansas State University, Manhattan, KS, United States of America
| | - Lal Singh
- Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, Uttar Pradesh, India; CSIR-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur 440020, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Nanthi S Bolan
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The UWA Institute of Agriculture, M079, Perth, WA 6009, Australia.
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Zhao M, Cao Y, Chen T, Li H, Tong Y, Fan W, Xie Y, Tao Y, Zhou J. Characteristics and source-pathway of microplastics in freshwater system of China: A review. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 297:134192. [PMID: 35257703 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2021] [Revised: 02/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
China plays a key role in global plastic production, consumption and disposal, which arouses growing concern about microplastics (MPs) contamination in Chinese freshwater systems. However, few reviews have discussed the characteristics of MP pollution in whole freshwater systems at a national scale. In this review, we summarized the characteristics, sources and transport pathways of MPs in Chinese freshwater systems including surface water and sediment. Results showed that current research mainly focused on the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and its tributaries, as well as lakes and reservoirs along the Yangtze River. Large-scale reservoirs, rivers and lakes located in densely populated areas usually showed higher abundances of MPs. The majority of MPs in Chinese surface water and sediment mainly consisted of polyethylene and polypropylene, and the most common morphologies were fibers and fragments. To identify the sources and pathways, we introduced the source-sink-pathway model, and found that sewage system, farmland and aquaculture area were the three most prevalent sinks in freshwater systems in China. The source-sink-pathway model will help to further identify the migration of MPs from sources to freshwater systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjie Zhao
- Research Center for Environment and Health, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China; School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China
| | - Yanxiao Cao
- Research Center for Environment and Health, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China; School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China.
| | - Tiantian Chen
- Research Center for Environment and Health, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China; School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China
| | - Honghu Li
- Research Center for Environment and Health, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China; School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China
| | - Yifei Tong
- Wuhan Ecologic Environmental Carbon Technology Co., Ltd, Wuhan, 430073, China
| | - Wenbo Fan
- Research Center for Environment and Health, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China; School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China
| | - Yuwei Xie
- Research Center for Environment and Health, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China; School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China
| | - Ye Tao
- Research Center for Environment and Health, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China; School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China
| | - Jingcheng Zhou
- Research Center for Environment and Health, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China; School of Information and Safety Engineering, Zhongnan University of Economics and Law, Wuhan, 430073, China.
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32
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Microplastics in Freshwater Environment in Asia: A Systematic Scientific Review. WATER 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/w14111737] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging pollutant in the aquatic environment, and this has gradually been recognized in the Asian region. This systematic review study, using the Scopus database, provides an insightful understanding of the spatial distribution of scientific studies on MPs in freshwater conducted across the Asian region, utilized sampling methods, and a detailed assessment of the effects of MPs on different biotic components in freshwater ecosystems, with special focus on its potential risks on human health. The results of this review indicate that research on microplastics in Asia has gained attention since 2014, with a significant increase in the number of studies in 2018, and the number of scientific studies quadrupled in 2021 compared to 2018. Results indicated that despite a significant amount of research has been conducted in many Asian countries, they were not distributed evenly, as multiple studies selected specific rivers and lakes. Additionally, around two-thirds of all the papers focused their studies in China, followed by India and South Korea. It was also found that most of the studies focused primarily on reporting the occurrence levels of MPs in freshwater systems, such as water and sediments, and aquatic organisms, with a lack of studies investigating the human intake of MPs and their potential risks to human health. Notably, comparing the results is a challenge because diverse sampling, separation, and identification methods were applied to estimate MPs. This review study suggests that further research on the dynamics and transport of microplastics in biota and humans is needed, as Asia is a major consumer of seafood products and contributes significantly to the generation of plastic litter in the marine environment. Moreover, this review study revealed that only a few studies extended their discussions to policies and governance aspects of MPs. This implies the need for further research on policy and governance frameworks to address this emerging water pollutant more holistically.
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Rakib MRJ, Al Nahian S, Alfonso MB, Khandaker MU, Enyoh CE, Hamid FS, Alsubaie A, Almalki ASA, Bradley DA, Mohafez H, Islam MA. Microplastics pollution in salt pans from the Maheshkhali Channel, Bangladesh. Sci Rep 2021; 11:23187. [PMID: 34848770 PMCID: PMC8632905 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-02457-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/10/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Microplastics (MP) were recognized as an emergent pollution problem due to their ubiquitous nature and bioaccumulative potential. Those present in salt for consumption could represent a human exposure route through dietary uptake. The current study, conducted in Bangladesh, reports microplastics contamination in coarse salt prepared for human consumption. Sea salt samples were collected from eight representative salt pans located in the country's largest salt farming area, in the Maheshkhali Channel, along the Bay of Bengal. Microplastics were detected in all samples, with mean concentrations ranging from 78 ± 9.33 to 137 ± 21.70 particles kg-1, mostly white and ranging in size from 500-1000 µm. The prevalent types were: fragments (48%) > films (22%) > fibers (15%) > granules and lines (both 9%). Fourier transform mid-IR and near-IR spectra (FT-MIR-NIR) analysis registered terephthalate (48%), polypropylene (20%), polyethylene (17%), and polystyrene (15%) in all samples. These results contribute to the MP's pollution knowledge in sea salts to understand and reduce this significant human exposure route and environmental pollution source in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Refat Jahan Rakib
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Noakhali, Bangladesh.
| | - Sultan Al Nahian
- Bangladesh Oceanographic Research Institute, Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh
| | - María B Alfonso
- Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (IADO-CONICET-UNS), Florida 8000, B8000BFW, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - Mayeen Uddin Khandaker
- Centre for Applied Physics and Radiation Technologies, School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Christian Ebere Enyoh
- Group Research in Analytical Chemistry, Environment and Climate Change (GRACE & CC), Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Imo State University Owerri, P. M. B 2000, Imo State, Nigeria
| | - Fauziah Shahul Hamid
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.,Center for Research in Waste Management, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Abdullah Alsubaie
- Department of Physics, College of Khurma, Taif University, P.O. Box 11099, Taif, 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - D A Bradley
- Centre for Applied Physics and Radiation Technologies, School of Engineering and Technology, Sunway University, 47500, Bandar Sunway, Selangor, Malaysia.,Department of Physics, University of Surrey, Guildford, GU2 7XH, UK
| | - Hamidreza Mohafez
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
| | - Mohammad Aminul Islam
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, 50603, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
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