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Li Y, Ke S, Xu D, Zhuo H, Liu X, Gao B. Preferential deposition of buoyant small microplastics in surface sediments of the Three Gorges Reservoir, China: Insights from biomineralization. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 468:133693. [PMID: 38367432 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2023] [Revised: 01/25/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
Sediments act as sinks of microplastics (MPs) derived from terrestrial ecosystems. However, the fate and transport of MPs at the zone of sediment-overlying water in reservoir environment are poorly understood. Here, the MPs distribution patterns in surface sediments of the Three Gorges Reservoir (TGR) and dominant mechanisms responsible for the sinking of MPs at the zone of sediment-overlying water were comprehensively investigated. The predominant occurrence of small microplastics (<300 µm, SMPs) in surface sediments of the TGR was found, with buoyant polyethene (PE) was dominant polymer types. Interestingly, the high abundance of SMPs in sediments correlated well with the Ca2+/Mg2+ in overlying water, suggesting that divalent cations in overlying water may enhance the preferential deposition of SMPs. Simulation sinking experiments under the presence of Microcystis aeruginosa and two divalent cations using different-sized PE MPs demonstrated that the greater deposition of SMPs was mainly the result of the formation of biogenic calcite on the surface of MPs rather than magnesium minerals, which provides stronger ballasting effects for SMPs than for large MPs. This study first highlights that the impact of biomineralization on preferential sinking of SMPs and enhances the understanding of the transport behaviour of MPs in aquatic environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China; State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China
| | - Sun Ke
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, 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
| | - Haihua Zhuo
- Changjiang Basin Ecology and Environment Monitoring and Scientific Research Center, Changjiang Basin Ecology and Environment Administration, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Wuhan 430010, China
| | - Xiaobo 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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Kim D, Kim SA, Nam SH, Kwak JI, Kim L, Lee TY, Kim H, An S, An YJ. Microplastic ingestion in aquatic and soil biota: A comprehensive review of laboratory studies on edible size and intake pattern. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 200:116056. [PMID: 38266480 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/12/2024] [Accepted: 01/14/2024] [Indexed: 01/26/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic contamination is ubiquitous and can be transferred through the food chain to humans. However, studies on microplastic size have mainly focused on large animals with a body length >20 mm. To address this gap, we conducted a comprehensive review of 169 laboratory studies to determine the edible size of microplastics for macrofauna and flora in aquatic and soil biota. Our findings indicate that microplastics with a size of <300 μm and 1 μm, respectively, are edible for these organisms, which are positioned at the base of the food chain. We also analyzed intake and depuration patterns and identified factors affecting microplastic ingestion. Our study fills an important knowledge gap by identifying the range of microplastic sizes that can enter the food chain and be transferred to humans. The study findings have strong implications for the ecological risk assessment of microplastics and suggest a starting point for mitigating this threat.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dokyung Kim
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang A Kim
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Sun-Hwa Nam
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Il Kwak
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Lia Kim
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae-Yang Lee
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Haemi Kim
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Sanghee An
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
| | - Youn-Joo An
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea.
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Chen Y, Niu J, Xu D, Zhang M, Sun K, Gao B. Wet Deposition of Globally Transportable Microplastics (<25 μm) Hovering over the Megacity of Beijing. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:11152-11162. [PMID: 37459058 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/02/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics of size <25 μm possess globally transportable features, but the impact of precipitation on their transport remains unclear. Here, microplastics were detected in all 10 studied rainfalls in Beijing, with <25 μm microplastics present in 8 rainfalls. Interestingly, microplastic abundance (7590-136,778 items·m-3) was tentatively linked to maximum rainfall intensity, with <25 μm microplastics making up 39.6 (±27.5)% of the total count. The composition of <25 μm microplastics differed from that of larger microplastics, although both mainly comprised polystyrene, polyethylene, and polypropylene. The microplastic communities differed among rainfalls, suggesting that atmospheric transport is a highly dynamic process. The first rainfall exhibited the highest microplastic abundance and community diversity after long-term exposure to dry atmospheric environment. The deposited microplastics were unstable and highly fragmented according to the conditional fragmentation model. The wet deposition rate of the microplastics was calculated as 2-463 μg·m-2 (146-8629 items·m-2) per rain, amounting to 25.44 tons per annum in Beijing. Although <25 μm microplastics represented a negligible proportion (0.00-1.24%) of the overall mass load of microplastics, their numerical abundance was high. Our results demonstrate that precipitation is an effective mechanism for removing airborne microplastics, which may enter urban soils and waters, exacerbate microplastic burdens in the environment, and cause potential risk for human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yalan Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, China
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Jinqiong Niu
- State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing 100038, 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
| | - Mengyu 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
| | - Ke Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, 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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Zhou A, Zhao Y, Liu M, Suyamud B, Yuan W, Yang Y. Occurrence and risk assessment of microplastics in the Lhasa River-a remote plateau river on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, China. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2023; 195:433. [PMID: 36856933 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-023-11040-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in the aquatic environment and have received widespread attention worldwide as emerging pollutants. Urbanization and anthropogenic activities are the main sources of MPs in rivers; however, the MPs in plateau rivers with less human activities are not well understood. In this study, the pollution of MPs in the surface water and shore sediment of the Lhasa River from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau was investigated, and a risk assessment was conducted. The abundance of MPs in the surface water and shore sediment of Lhasa River were 0.63 n/L and 0.37 n/g, respectively. MPs in surface water were mainly dominated by films (43.23%) and fibers (31.12%) in shape, transparent (54.25%) in color, and 0-0.5 mm (75.83%) in size, while MPs in the shore sediment were mainly fibers (43.69%) and fragments (36.53%), transparent (71.91%), and 0-0.5 mm (60.18%). PP and PE were the predominant polymer types, accounting for 44.55% and 30.79% respectively in the surface water and 32.51% and 36.01% respectively in the shore sediment. More notably, the polymer pollution index (H) of MPs in the Lhasa River was at hazard level III due to the high risk caused by PVC, but the pollution load index (PLI) was low at hazard level I. This study reveals that the remote river in the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau are polluted by MPs, and their potential risks to the vulnerable ecosystem deserve attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amei Zhou
- Research Center for Ecology and Environment of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850000, China
- College of Science, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850000, China
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lumo Road No.1, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430074, China
| | - Yuhong Zhao
- Tibet Agricultural and Animal Husbandry University, Nyingchi, 860000, China
| | - Minxia Liu
- College of Forestry, Shanxi Agricultural University, Taigu County, 030801, China
| | - Bongkotrat Suyamud
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lumo Road No.1, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430074, China
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, 10330, Thailand
| | - Wenke Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lumo Road No.1, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430074, China.
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China.
- Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430074, China.
| | - Yuyi Yang
- Research Center for Ecology and Environment of Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850000, China
- College of Science, Tibet University, Lhasa, 850000, China
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Lumo Road No.1, Wuchang District, Wuhan, 430074, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
- Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, the Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan, 430074, China
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Huang Q, Liu M, Cao X, Liu Z. Occurrence of microplastics pollution in the Yangtze River: Distinct characteristics of spatial distribution and basin-wide ecological risk assessment. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 229:119431. [PMID: 36527870 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The widespread presence of microplastics (MPs) in the Yangtze River, the third longest river in the world, has drawn increasing attention. Although numerous studies have been conducted recently to investigate and analyze the MPs exposure to the surface water of the river, most merely focus on a certain part of the Yangtze River, and knowledge of MPs based on the basin-wide is still scattered. This article reveals the spatial distribution characteristics of MPs in the Yangtze River from the whole watershed scale. Among the five areas in the basin, the upstream and the midstream were demonstrated to contain more MPs (3598.6 particles/m3 and 3226.8 particles/m3). The obtained results suggested the MP presented in the entire watersheds was uneven and the 'hotspots' occurred, where the MPs concentrations were relatively higher than the surrounding. The discharging of the wastewater treatment plants along the river, the locations of dams, and the stability and fragment of MPs, were demonstrated to be the important driving factors in the spatial distribution of MPs and leading to the appearance of the MP 'hotspots' in the Yangtze River, but were previously overlooked. It is the first study to evaluate the ecological risk of MPs exposure to the surface water of the Yangtze River with multiple assessment methods, taking not only abundance but also morphological characteristics, polymer composition and toxic effect into account. More importantly, based on the multiple individual MPs risk assessment methods, we developed the BetaMP method which achieves a comprehensive assessment of MP risk in basin-wide by taking multiple MP characteristics into account for the first time. This is conducive to better understanding the environmental impacts of MPs pollution in the different regions of the river.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qian'en Huang
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Taicheng Road 3, Yangling, Shannxi 712100, China
| | - Mengge Liu
- School of Design, Shanghai Jiaotong University, 800 Dongchuan RD.Minhang District, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Xuewen Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Resource Utilization in South China Sea, Hainan University, Haikou 570228, China
| | - Ze Liu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Taicheng Road 3, Yangling, Shannxi 712100, China.
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Wei Y, Dou P, Xu D, Zhang Y, Gao B. Microplastic reorganization in urban river before and after rainfall. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 314:120326. [PMID: 36195193 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120326] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 08/30/2022] [Accepted: 09/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) present in non-negligible amounts in urban environments, where urban rivers serve as important transport channels for MPs. However, the footprint of MPs in urban rivers under the influence of natural and anthropogenic factors is poorly understood. This study investigated the MPs organization, stability and pollution risk before and after rainfall in the Qing River, Beijing. Rainfall potentially diluted the MPs abundance, attributed to opening of barrages and increase of flow velocity. The proportion of small-sized MPs (SMPs, 48-300 μm) decreased slightly, whereas that of normal-sized MPs (NMPs, 300-1000 μm) and large-sized MPs (LMPs, > 1000 μm) increased. However, SMPs dominantly presented in the Qing River before and after rainfall. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polystyrene (PS) were main polymers observed in the Qing River. The proportions of PET and PS decreased, while PP and PE increased after rainfall. The main types of MPs introduced by stormwater were PP and PE. The elevated MP diversity integrated index after rain suggested that rainfall enriched the local sources of MPs. Rainfall reduced the stability and fragmentation of MPs owing to the introduction of large debris. NMPs and LMPs were susceptible to further fragmentation and downsizing, implying that MPs abundance in the Qing River tended to rise and SMPs might enriched. In addition, alteration of MPs fragmentation and stability reflected that the likely input source was wastewater treatment plant and atmospheric deposition before rainfall, whereas soil and road dust were possible sources after rainfall. The pollution risk assessment defined the MPs pollution risk of Qing River as low level and decreased after rainfall. This study demonstrated that rainfall substantially influences MPs organization in urban river and provided empirical support for MPs environmental behavior under influence of natural and anthropogenic factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yiting Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Simulation and Regulation of Water Cycle in River Basin, China Institute of Water Resources and Hydropower Research, Beijing, 100038, China
| | - Peng Dou
- Beijing Water Science and Technology Institute, Beijing, 100048, 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
| | | | - 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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