1
|
Athulya PA, Waychal Y, Rodriguez-Seijo A, Devalla S, Doss CGP, Chandrasekaran N. Microplastic interactions in the agroecosystems: methodological advances and limitations in quantifying microplastics from agricultural soil. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2024; 46:85. [PMID: 38367078 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-023-01800-8] [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: 07/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2024]
Abstract
The instantaneous growth of the world population is intensifying the pressure on the agricultural sector. On the other hand, the critical climate changes and increasing load of pollutants in the soil are imposing formidable challenges on agroecosystems, affecting productivity and quality of the crops. Microplastics are among the most prevalent pollutants that have already invaded all terrestrial and aquatic zones. The increasing microplastic concentration in soil critically impacts crop plants growth and yield. The current review elaborates on the behaviors of microplastics in soil and their impact on soil quality and plant growth. The study shows that microplastics alter the soil's biophysical properties, including water-holding capacity, bulk density, aeration, texture, and microbial composition. In addition, microplastics interact with multiple pollutants, such as polyaromatic hydrocarbons and heavy metals, making them more bioavailable to crop plants. The study also provides a detailed insight into the current techniques available for the isolation and identification of soil microplastics, providing solutions to some of the critical challenges faced and highlighting the research gaps. In our study, we have taken a holistic, comprehensive approach by analysing and comparing various interconnected aspects to provide a deeper understanding of all research perspectives on microplastics in agroecosystems.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Yojana Waychal
- Centre for Nanobiotechnology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Andres Rodriguez-Seijo
- Departamento de Bioloxía Vexetal e Ciencias do Solo, Área de Edafoloxía e Química Agrícola, Facultade de Ciencias de Ourense, Universidade de Vigo, As Lagoas S/N, 32004, Ourense, Spain
- Instituto de Agroecoloxía e Alimentación (IAA), Universidade de Vigo-Campus Auga, 32004, Ourense, Spain
| | - Sandhya Devalla
- The James Hutton Institute, Craigiebuckler, Aberdeen, AB15 8QH, Scotland, UK
| | - C George Priya Doss
- Department of Integrative Biology, School of Biosciences and Technology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India
| | - Natarajan Chandrasekaran
- Centre for Nanobiotechnology, Vellore Institute of Technology, Vellore, Tamil Nadu, 632014, India.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Liu Y, Li J, Parakhonskiy BV, Hoogenboom R, Skirtach A, De Neve S. Labelling of micro- and nanoplastics for environmental studies: state-of-the-art and future challenges. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 462:132785. [PMID: 37856963 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2023] [Revised: 10/09/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/21/2023]
Abstract
Studying microplastics and nanoplastics (MNP) in environmental matrices is extremely challenging, and recent developments in labelling techniques may hold much promise to further our knowledge in this field. Here, we reviewed MNP labelling techniques and applications to provide the first systematic and in-depth insight into MNP labelling. We classified all labelling techniques for MNP into four main types (fluorescent, metal, stable isotope and radioisotope) and discussed per type the synthesis methods, detection methods, influencing factors, and the current and future applications and challenges. Direct labelling of environmental MNP with fluorescent dyes and metals enables simple visualisation and selective detection of MNP to improve detection efficiency. However, it is still an open question how to avoid co-labelling of non-plastic (i.e. non-target, matrix) materials. Labelling of MNP that are intentionally added in the environment may allow semi-automatic detection of MNP particles with high accuracy and sensitivity during studies on e.g. transport and degradation. The detection limit of labelled MNP largely depends on particle size and the type of matrix. Fluorescent labelling allows efficient detection of microplastics, whereas metal labelling is preferred for nanoplastics research due to a potentially higher sensitivity. A major challenge for fluorescent and metal labelling is to develop techniques that do not alter the inherent MNP properties or only do so minimally, in particular the surface properties. Stable and radioactive isotope labelling (13C and 14C, but also 15N, 2H) of the polymer itself allows to preserve inherent MNP properties, but have been largely ignored. Overall, labelling of MNP holds great promise for advancing our fundamental understanding of the behaviour of plastics, notably the smallest fractions, in the environment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yin Liu
- Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Jie Li
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Bogdan V Parakhonskiy
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Richard Hoogenboom
- Supramolecular Chemistry Group, Centre of Macromolecular Chemistry (CMaC), Department of Organic and Macromolecular Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 S4, 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Andre Skirtach
- Department of Biotechnology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent Belgium
| | - Stefaan De Neve
- Department of Environment, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Cao Y, Sathish CI, Guan X, Wang S, Palanisami T, Vinu A, Yi J. Advances in magnetic materials for microplastic separation and degradation. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 461:132537. [PMID: 37716264 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2023] [Revised: 09/08/2023] [Accepted: 09/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/18/2023]
Abstract
The widespread use of plastics in modern human society has led to severe environmental pollution with microplastics (MP/MPs). The rising consumption of plastics raises the omnipresence of microplastics in aquatic environments, which carry toxic organic matter, transport toxic chemicals, and spread through the food chain, seriously threatening marine life and human health. In this context, several advanced strategies for separating and degrading MPs from water have been developed recently, and magnetic materials and their nanostructures have emerged as promising materials for targeting, adsorbing, transporting, and degrading MPs. However, a comprehensive review of MP remediation using magnetic materials and their nanostructures is currently lacking. The present work provides a critical review of the recent advances in MP removal/degradation using magnetic materials. The focus is on the comparison and analysis of the MP's removal efficiencies of different magnetic materials, including iron/ferrite nanoparticles, magnetic nanocomposites, and micromotors, aiming to unravel the underlying roles of magnetic materials in different types of MP degradation and present the general strategies for designing them with optimal performance. Finally, the review outlines the forthcoming challenges and perspectives in the development of magnetic nanomaterials for MP remediation.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yitong Cao
- Global Innovative Center of Advanced Nanomaterials, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, NSW, Australia
| | - C I Sathish
- Global Innovative Center of Advanced Nanomaterials, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, NSW, Australia.
| | - Xinwei Guan
- Global Innovative Center of Advanced Nanomaterials, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, NSW, Australia
| | - Shaobin Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Thava Palanisami
- Global Innovative Center of Advanced Nanomaterials, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, NSW, Australia
| | - Ajayan Vinu
- Global Innovative Center of Advanced Nanomaterials, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, NSW, Australia
| | - Jiabao Yi
- Global Innovative Center of Advanced Nanomaterials, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, University of Newcastle, Callaghan 2308, NSW, Australia.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Rede D, Delerue-Matos C, Fernandes VC. The Microplastics Iceberg: Filling Gaps in Our Understanding. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:3356. [PMID: 37631413 PMCID: PMC10459591 DOI: 10.3390/polym15163356] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2023] [Revised: 08/03/2023] [Accepted: 08/07/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Plastic is an indispensable material in modern society; however, high production rates combined with inadequate waste management and disposal have resulted in enormous stress on ecosystems. In addition, plastics can become smaller particles known as microplastics (MPs) due to physical, chemical, and biological drivers. MP pollution has become a significant environmental problem affecting terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Although the topic is not entirely new, it is of great importance to the field of polymers, drawing attention to specific gaps in the existing literature, identifying future areas of research, and improving the understanding of MP pollution and its environmental impacts. Despite progress in this field, problems remain. The lack of standardized methods for MP sampling, separation, extraction, and detection makes it difficult to collect information and establish links between studies. In addition, the distribution and pathways of MPs in ecosystems remain unknown because of their heterogeneous nature and the complex matrices in which they occur. Second, toxicological tests showed that MPs can be ingested by a wide range of organisms, such as Danio rerio and Eisenia fetida, resulting in gut obstruction, physical damage, histological changes, and oxidative stress. The uptake of MP and their toxicological effects depend on their shape, size, concentration, and polymer composition. Furthermore, MPs can enter the food chain, raising concerns regarding potential contaminations for human and environmental health. This review paper sheds light on the pressing issue of MP pollution and highlights the need for interdisciplinary collaboration between scientists, policymakers, and industry leaders.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Diana Rede
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal; (D.R.); (C.D.-M.)
- Departamento de Química, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade do Porto, rua do Campo Alegre s/n, 4169-007 Porto, Portugal
| | - Cristina Delerue-Matos
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal; (D.R.); (C.D.-M.)
| | - Virgínia Cruz Fernandes
- REQUIMTE/LAQV, Instituto Superior de Engenharia do Porto, Instituto Politécnico do Porto, Rua Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 431, 4249-015 Porto, Portugal; (D.R.); (C.D.-M.)
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Li Y, Li S, Pan X, Zhao X, Guo P. Eco-friendly strategy for preparation of high-purity silica from high-silica IOTs using S-HGMS coupling with ultrasound-assisted fluorine-free acid leaching technology. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 339:117932. [PMID: 37058924 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.117932] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2023] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Iron ore tailings (IOTs), a typical hazardous solid waste, seriously threaten human health and the ecological environment. However, the abundance of quartz, particularly in high-silica IOTs, renders them useful. Yet, state-of-the-art technologies have rarely reported the preparation of high-purity silica from high-silicon IOTs. Thus, this study proposed an eco-friendly technology for producing high-purity silica from high-silica IOTs through the coupling of superconducting high gradient magnetic separation (S-HGMS) preconcentration with leaching followed by the use of ultrasound-assisted fluorine-free acid solution. Following an analysis of the separation index and chemical composition, the optimum conditions for the quartz preconcentration were determined as a magnetic flow ratio of 0.068 T s/m, a slurry flow velocity of 500 mL/min, and a pulp concentration of 40 g/L. Consequently, the SiO2 grade increased from 69.32% in the raw sample to 93.12% in quartz concentrate following the application of S-HGMS, with the recovery reaching 45.24%. X-ray diffraction, vibrating sample magnetometer, and scanning electron microscope analyses indicated that quartz was effectively preconcentrated from the tailings by S-HGMS. Subsequently, employing the "ultrasound-assisted fluorine-free acid leaching process," impurity elements were removed and high-purity silica was produced. Under optimal leaching conditions, the SiO2 purity of silica sand increased to 97.42%. Following a three-stage acid leaching process with 4 mol/LHCl +2 mol/LH2C2O4, the removal efficiency of Al, Ca, Fe, and Mg exceeded 97% for all cases, and the SiO2 purity in high-purity silica reached 99.93%. Thus, this study proposes a new strategy for the preparation of high-purity quartz from IOTs, which facilitated the effective realization of the high-value utility of the tailings. Furthermore, it provides a theoretical basis for the industrial application of IOTs, which is of great scientific significance and practical application value.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Yongkui Li
- School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Suqin Li
- School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China.
| | - Xiaodong Pan
- School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Xin Zhao
- School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| | - Penghui Guo
- School of Metallurgical and Ecological Engineering, University of Science and Technology Beijing, Beijing, 100083, China
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Jiang H, Bu J, Bian K, Su J, Wang Z, Sun H, Wang H, Zhang Y, Wang C. Surface change of microplastics in aquatic environment and the removal by froth flotation assisted with cationic and anionic surfactants. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 233:119794. [PMID: 36868113 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 01/29/2023] [Accepted: 02/21/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly released into the environment due to the widespread usage and improper management of plastics. Considerable research efforts have been devoted to the remediation of MPs. Froth flotation has been demonstrated as an effective method to remove MPs in water and sediment. However, there is a lack of knowledge on the regulation of the hydrophobicity/hydrophilicity of MPs surfaces. We found that exposure to the natural environment resulted in the increased hydrophilicity of MPs. The flotation efficiencies of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene glycol terephthalate (PET) MPs decreased to zero after six months of natural incubation in rivers. According to various characterizations, the hydrophilization mechanism is mainly correlated with surface oxidation and the deposition of clay minerals. Inspired by surface wettability conversion, we applied surfactants (collectors) to enhance MPs hydrophobicity and flotation efficiency. Anionic sodium oleate (NaOL) and cationic dodecyl trimethyl ammonium chloride (DTAC) were used to regulate surface hydrophobicity. The effects of collector concentration, pH, conditioning time, and metal ions on MPs flotation were thoroughly elucidated. Characterizations and adsorption experiments were performed to describe the heterogeneous adsorption of surfactants on MPs surfaces. The interaction between surfactants and MPs was explained through density functional theory (DFT) simulations. The dispersion energy between hydrophobic hydrocarbon chains attracts collectors on the MPs surface, and the collector molecules wrap and laminate to MPs surfaces. Flotation using NaOL exhibited a higher removal efficiency, and NaOL was environmentally friendly. Subsequently, we investigated the activation of Ca2+, Fe3+, and Al3+ to further improve the collecting efficiency of NaOL. Under the optimized conditions, MPs in natural rivers could be removed by froth flotation. This study shows the great promise of froth flotation for the application of MPs removal.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hongru Jiang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083 Hunan, PR China
| | - Jiaqi Bu
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083 Hunan, PR China
| | - Kai Bian
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083 Hunan, PR China
| | - Jiming Su
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083 Hunan, PR China
| | - Zhiyi Wang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083 Hunan, PR China
| | - Han Sun
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083 Hunan, PR China
| | - Hui Wang
- College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha, 410083 Hunan, PR China.
| | - Yingshuang Zhang
- School of Chemical Engineering and Technology, Xinjiang University, 830017 Urumqi, Xinjiang, PR China.
| | - Chongqing Wang
- School of Chemical Engineering, Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou 450001, PR China
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Budhiraja V, Mušič B, Krzan A. Magnetic Extraction of Weathered Tire Wear Particles and Polyethylene Microplastics. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:5189. [PMID: 36501583 PMCID: PMC9740573 DOI: 10.3390/polym14235189] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2022] [Revised: 11/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
Magnetic extraction offers a rapid and low-cost solution to microplastic (MP) separation, in which we magnetize the hydrophobic surface of MPs to separate them from complex environmental matrices using magnets. We synthesized a hydrophobic Fe-silane based nanocomposite (Fe@SiO2/MDOS) to separate MPs from freshwater. Pristine and weathered, polyethylene (PE) and tire wear particles (TWP) of different sizes were used in the study. The weathering of MPs was performed in an accelerated weathering chamber according to ISO 4892-2:2013 standards that mimic natural weathering conditions. The chemical properties and morphology of the Fe@SiO2/MDOS, PE and TWP were confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and Scanning electron microscopy, respectively. The thermal properties of PE and TWP were evaluated by Thermogravimetric analysis. Using 1.00 mg of Fe@SiO2/MDOS nanocomposite, 2.00 mg of pristine and weathered PE were extracted from freshwater; whereas, using the same amount of the nanocomposite, 7.92 mg of pristine TWP and 6.87 mg of weathered TWP were extracted. The retrieval of weathered TWP was 13% less than that of pristine TWP, which can be attributed to the increasing hydrophilicity of weathered TWP. The results reveal that the effectiveness of the magnetic separation technique varies among different polymer types and their sizes; the weathering of MPs also influences the magnetic separation efficiency.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Vaibhav Budhiraja
- Department of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Branka Mušič
- Slovenian National Building and Civil Engineering Institute, Dimičeva ulica 12, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| | - Andrej Krzan
- Department of Polymer Chemistry and Technology, National Institute of Chemistry, Hajdrihova 19, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
| |
Collapse
|