1
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McDonough K, Hall MJ, Wilcox A, Menzies J, Brill J, Morris B, Connors K. Application of standardized methods to evaluate the environmental safety of polyvinyl alcohol disposed of down the drain. INTEGRATED ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT AND MANAGEMENT 2024; 20:1693-1705. [PMID: 38597774 DOI: 10.1002/ieam.4929] [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: 10/06/2023] [Revised: 02/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024]
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to use polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) 18-88 as a case study to evaluate the environmental fate, ecotoxicity, and overall safety profile of water-soluble, nonmodified PVOH polymers used in detergent films. An OECD 303A Wastewater Treatment Plant Simulation Study was conducted with dissolved organic carbon as the analytical endpoint to evaluate the removal of PVOH 18-88 during wastewater treatment. During the plateau phase, high levels of removal due to biodegradation were observed (average 97.4 ± 7.1, range: 88%-116%). The OECD 303A study quantitatively verified that surface water is the dominant receiving compartment for PVOH 18-88 post wastewater treatment. Acute algae, invertebrate, and fish embryo (fish embryo acute toxicity test [FET]) ecotoxicity studies quanitified the 50% lethal/effect concentration (L/EC50) for PVOH 18-88. Due to the potential for the chorion to impact PVOH 18-88 bioavailability, both chorionated and dechorionated FET tests were conducted. L/EC50 > 1000 mg/L for FET (chorionated and dechorionated), invertebrate, and algae were observed. The Sustainable Futures (US) and REACH (EU) frameworks were used to evaluate environmental risk. For the US assessment, the Exposure and Fate Assessment Screening Tool was used to predict the single day lowest flow over a 10-year period (1Q10) surface water concentration and the seven consecutive days of lowest flow over a 10-year period (7Q10) surface water concentration and compared with acute and chronic concentrations of concern. For the EU assessment, the European Union System for the Evaluation of Substances was used to predict local and regional exposure concentrations and compared to the predicted no effect concentration. For both regulatory assessments, the exposure concentrations were >2 orders of magnitude below the effect concentrations. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2024;20:1693-1705. © 2024 The Authors. Integrated Environmental Assessment and Management published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of Society of Environmental Toxicology & Chemistry (SETAC).
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Maura J Hall
- The Procter and Gamble Company, Mason Business Center, Mason, Ohio, USA
| | - Ashley Wilcox
- The Procter and Gamble Company, Mason Business Center, Mason, Ohio, USA
| | - Jennifer Menzies
- The Procter and Gamble Company, Mason Business Center, Mason, Ohio, USA
| | - Jessica Brill
- The Procter and Gamble Company, Mason Business Center, Mason, Ohio, USA
| | - Brian Morris
- The Procter and Gamble Company, Mason Business Center, Mason, Ohio, USA
| | - Kristin Connors
- The Procter and Gamble Company, Mason Business Center, Mason, Ohio, USA
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2
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Tarring E, Robison-Smith C, Cable J, Durance I, Harbottle M, Ward BD. Detection of polyvinylpyrrolidone in Daphnia magna: Development of a refractive index quantification method for water-soluble polymers in aquatic organisms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 935:173428. [PMID: 38777065 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173428] [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: 02/28/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The water-soluble polymer polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) is an established ingredient in pharmaceutical and personal care product (PPCP) formulations. Due to its high usage and lack of biodegradability, it has been detected up to 7.0 mg L-1 in wastewater and 0.1 mg L-1 in the receiving freshwaters, with several studies showing detrimental sublethal effects in a range of aquatic species. A lack of simple analytical methods to detect and quantify PVP currently impacts further investigation into the cause of these sublethal effects. In this paper we propose a refractive index gel-permeation chromatography (GPC) method to quantify PVP, which includes the processing of raw chromatograms using line deconvolution to calculate peak area. The method was then applied to Daphnia magna exposed to PVP for 48 h. A limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.05 and 0.2 mg mL-1 respectively was determined, with a recovery of 78 % from spiked Daphnia magna. PVP was detected in the samples above the LOD but below the LOQ. This suggests PVP is ingested by Daphnia magna, which warrants further investigation into whether bioaccumulation of PVP could be causing the sublethal effects seen in other studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eve Tarring
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, United Kingdom
| | | | - Jo Cable
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, United Kingdom
| | - Isabelle Durance
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, United Kingdom
| | - Michael Harbottle
- School of Engineering, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF24 3AA, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin D Ward
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AT, United Kingdom.
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3
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Langlet R, Valentin R, Morard M, Raynaud CD. Transitioning to Microplastic-Free Seed Coatings: Challenges and Solutions. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:1969. [PMID: 39065285 PMCID: PMC11280678 DOI: 10.3390/polym16141969] [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: 06/10/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/28/2024] Open
Abstract
This review addresses the issue of replacing manufactured microplastics in seed coatings used in agriculture. Firstly, it focuses on the policy and regulatory actions taken on microplastics at a global level. There is no consensus within the scientific community on the definition of a microplastic and, more generally, on the classification of plastic debris. Nevertheless, several decision schemes have been proposed in an attempt to define the notion of microplastics. The different criteria relevant to this definition, such as the size, physical state, chemical structure, origin, and persistence of microplastics, are discussed, with a comparison being made between the REACH regulation and the scientific literature. Seed production and processing are also discussed, with the functions of seed coatings being explained in order to gain a better understanding of the properties to be considered in a substitution strategy for currently used microplastics. The main challenges are multiple; substitutes must provide the same performance as microplastics: (i) improving the adherence of the treatment to the seed, (ii) distributing the treatment more evenly over the seed, (iii) reducing the amount of dust-off when handling treated seed, and (iv) improving the seed flowability, which is particularly important during the sowing stage, all while preserving the physiological properties of the seed. Substitute polymers are proposed according to the desired performance and functional properties: two main chemical families of biopolymers were identified in the literature: polysaccharides and proteins. Among them, 13 and 6 polymers, respectively, complied with REACH regulation, demonstrating adhesion, dust reduction performances, and preservation of seed physiological quality in particular. This work aims to guide future studies on microplastic substitution in seed coatings, and to highlight research needs in this area. It is based on an analysis and discussion of the literature, identifying and listing potential substitutes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rozenn Langlet
- Laboratoire de Chimie Agro-Industrielle (LCA), Univeristé de Toulouse, INRAE, Toulouse INP, 31030 Toulouse, France; (R.L.); (R.V.)
- Bois Valor, OLMIX, 13 rue Jean Mermoz, 81160 Saint-Juéry, France;
| | - Romain Valentin
- Laboratoire de Chimie Agro-Industrielle (LCA), Univeristé de Toulouse, INRAE, Toulouse INP, 31030 Toulouse, France; (R.L.); (R.V.)
| | - Marie Morard
- Bois Valor, OLMIX, 13 rue Jean Mermoz, 81160 Saint-Juéry, France;
| | - Christine Delgado Raynaud
- Laboratoire de Chimie Agro-Industrielle (LCA), Univeristé de Toulouse, INRAE, Toulouse INP, 31030 Toulouse, France; (R.L.); (R.V.)
- Centre d’Application et de Traitement des Agro-Ressources (CATAR), Toulouse INP, 31030 Toulouse, France
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4
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Bachvarova-Nedelcheva A, Kostova Y, Yordanova L, Nenova E, Shestakova P, Ivanova I, Pavlova E. Sol-Gel Synthesis of Silica-Poly (Vinylpyrrolidone) Hybrids with Prooxidant Activity and Antibacterial Properties. Molecules 2024; 29:2675. [PMID: 38893548 PMCID: PMC11173412 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29112675] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/03/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024] Open
Abstract
The present work deals with the sol-gel synthesis of silica-poly (vinylpyrrolidone) hybrid materials. The nanohybrids (Si-PVP) have been prepared using an acidic catalyst at ambient temperature. Tetramethyl ortosilane (TMOS) was used as a silica precursor. Poly (vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) was introduced into the reaction mixture as a solution in ethanol with a concentration of 20%. The XRD established that the as-prepared material is amorphous. The IR and 29Si MAS NMR spectra proved the formation of a polymerized silica network as well as the hydrogen bonding interactions between the silica matrix and OH hydrogens of the silanol groups. The TEM showed spherical particle formation along with increased agglomeration tendency. The efficacy of SiO2/PVP nanoparticles as a potential antimicrobial agent against a wide range of bacteria was evaluated as bacteriostatic, using agar diffusion and spot tests. Combined effects of hybrid nanomaterial and antibiotics could significantly reduce the bactericidal concentrations of both the antibiotic and the particles, and they could also eliminate the antibiotic resistance of the pathogen. The registered prooxidant activity of the newly synthesized material was confirmative and explicatory for the antibacterial properties of the tested substance and its synergetic combination with antibiotics. The effect of new hybrid material on Crustacea Daphnia magna was also estimated as harmless under concentration of 0.1 mg/mL.
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Affiliation(s)
- Albena Bachvarova-Nedelcheva
- Institute of General and Inorganic Chemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl. 11, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria
| | - Yoanna Kostova
- Institute of Metal Science, Equipment and Technologies with Hydro- and Aerodynamics Centre “Acad. A. Balevski”, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Shipchenski Prohod Str., 67, 1574 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Lilia Yordanova
- Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 8 Dragan Tsankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.Y.); (E.N.); (I.I.)
| | - Elena Nenova
- Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 8 Dragan Tsankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.Y.); (E.N.); (I.I.)
| | - Pavletta Shestakova
- Institute of Organic Chemistry with Centre of Phytochemistry, Bulgarian Academy of Sciences, Acad. G. Bonchev Str., Bl. 9, 1113 Sofia, Bulgaria;
| | - Iliana Ivanova
- Faculty of Biology, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 8 Dragan Tsankov Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria; (L.Y.); (E.N.); (I.I.)
| | - Elitsa Pavlova
- Faculty of Physics, Sofia University “St. Kliment Ohridski”, 5 James Boucher Blvd., 1164 Sofia, Bulgaria;
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Nigro L, Magni S, Ortenzi MA, Gazzotti S, Della Torre C, Signorini SG, Sbarberi R, Binelli A. Unveiling the multilevel impact of four water-soluble polymers on Daphnia magna: From proteome to behaviour (a case study). JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 469:134000. [PMID: 38508107 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134000] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/08/2024] [Indexed: 03/22/2024]
Abstract
The ubiquitous presence of water-soluble polymers (WSPs) in freshwater environments raises concerns regarding potential threats to aquatic organisms. This study investigated, for the first time, the effects of widely used WSPs -polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), polyacrylic acid (PAA), and polyethylene glycol (PEG)- using a multi-level approach in the freshwater biological model Daphnia magna. This integrated assessment employed a suite of biomarkers, evaluation of swimming behaviour, and proteomic analysis to investigate the effects of three environmentally relevant concentrations (0.001, 0.5, and 1 mg/L) of the tested WSPs from molecular to organismal levels, assessing both acute and chronic effects. Our findings reveal that exposure to different WSPs induces specific responses at each biological level, with PEG being the only WSP inducing lethal effects at 0.5 mg/L. At the physiological level, although all WSPs impacted both swimming performance and heart rate of D. magna specimens, PAA exhibited the greatest effects on the measured behavioural parameters. Furthermore, proteomic analyses demonstrated altered protein profiles following exposure to all WSPs, with PVA emerging as the most effective.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lara Nigro
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Stefano Magni
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, Milan 20133, Italy.
| | - Marco Aldo Ortenzi
- Department of Chemistry, University of Milan, Via Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Stefano Gazzotti
- Department of Chemistry, University of Milan, Via Golgi 19, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Camilla Della Torre
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, Milan 20133, Italy
| | | | - Riccardo Sbarberi
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, Milan 20133, Italy
| | - Andrea Binelli
- Department of Biosciences, University of Milan, Via Celoria 26, Milan 20133, Italy
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Vidović N, Antić V, Schwarzbauer J. Simultaneous identification and quantification of three water-soluble polymers (PVP, PNVCL and PEI) in wastewater samples by continuous-flow off-line pyrolysis GC/MS. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 916:170320. [PMID: 38278278 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170320] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/28/2024]
Abstract
In environmental analysis, the detection of water-soluble synthetic polymers (WSSP) presents considerable challenges. Thus, a precise and reproducible analytical method was developed using continuous-flow off-line pyrolysis with gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (GC/MS) to simultaneously identify multiple water-soluble polymers from a single environmental sample. WSSP are widely used in multiple industries as hydrogels due to their hydrophilic character and potential biocompatibility. This adaptability of hydrogels is reflected in their ability to provide customized formulations for specific needs, such as in the development of personal care products, medicine, and pharmaceuticals. Specifically, polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP), poly(N-vinylcaprolactam) (PNVCL), and polyethyleneimine (PEI) were targeted for analysis in wastewater, employing unique pyrolysis products for identification. These polymers require careful assessment in wastewater to evaluate potential environmental risks associated with their release. PVP and PNVCL were identified through two pyrolysis products, while six pyrolysis products were utilized for the identification of PEI. The validated method demonstrated very good linearity and reproducibility, with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.94 to 0.99 and relative standard deviation (RSD) values between 3 % and 36 % for the targeted compounds. The limit of quantification (LOQ) for the three polymers ranged from 1 to 10 μg L-1. Moreover, the average recovery rates for these polymers, determined from artificial water samples, were approx. 85 %. Utilizing the validated method, water samples from seven wastewater treatment plants in Germany were successfully analyzed, confirming the presence of these polymers at elevated concentrations in the μg L-1 range. Notably, untreated influent waters exhibited higher polymer levels compared to treated influents and effluents, underscoring their significant contribution to overall polymer content. The developed analytical method provides an efficient tool for the simultaneous identification and quantification of PVP, PNVCL, and PEI in wastewater samples. The results highlighted the prevalent presence of PVP, PNVCL, and PEI in the tested wastewater samples, indicating their significant abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nada Vidović
- Institute for Geology and Geochemistry of Petroleum and Coal, RWTH, Lochnerstr. 4-20, Aachen, Germany
| | - Vesna Antić
- University of Belgrade, Faculty of Agriculture, Nemanjina 6, 11080 Zemun-Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Jan Schwarzbauer
- Institute for Geology and Geochemistry of Petroleum and Coal, RWTH, Lochnerstr. 4-20, Aachen, Germany.
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7
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Robison-Smith C, Masud N, Tarring EC, Ward BD, Cable J. A class of their own? Water-soluble polymer pollution impacting a freshwater host-pathogen system. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 907:168086. [PMID: 37890633 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Revised: 09/29/2023] [Accepted: 10/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
While the inclusion of synthetic polymers such as primary microplastics within personal care products have been widely restricted under EU/UK Law, water-soluble polymers (WSPs) have so far slipped the net of global chemical regulation despite evidence that these could be polluting wastewater effluents at concentrations greatly exceeding those of microplastics. Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) represent WSPs with common industry and household uses, down-the-drain disposal and a direct route to wastewater treatment plants, conveying high risk of environmental leaching into freshwater ecosystems. The current study is the first investigating the impacts of predicted environmental concentrations of these WSPs on life-history traits of two freshwater species also constituting a disease model (fish - Poecilia reticulata and parasite - Gyrodactylus turnbulli). Single effects of WSPs on fish as well as their interactive effects with infection of the ectoparasite were determined over a 45-day exposure. Generally, WSPs reduced fish growth and increased routine metabolic rate of fish implying a depleted energetic budget, however these effects were dose, exposure time and polymer dependent. Parasitic infection alone caused a significant reduction in fish growth and enhanced fish routine metabolic rate. In contrast, a non-additive effect on metabolic rate was evident in fish experiencing simultaneous infection and WSP exposure, suggesting a protective effect of the two WSPs for fish also exposed to a metazoan ectoparasite. Off-host parasite survival was significantly lowered by both WSPs; however, parasite counts of infected fish also exposed to WSP were not significantly different from the control, implying more complex mechanisms may underpin this stressor interaction. Distinct detrimental impacts were inflicted on both organisms implying environmental leaching of WSPs may be causing significant disruption to interspecies interactions within freshwater ecosystems. Additionally, these results could contribute to sustainable development in industry, as we conclude PVA represents a less harmful alternative to PVP.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Numair Masud
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, CF10 3AX, UK
| | - Eve C Tarring
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, CF10 3AT, UK
| | | | - Jo Cable
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, CF10 3AX, UK
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8
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Binelli A, Nigro L, Sbarberi R, Della Torre C, Magni S. To be or not to be plastics? Protein modulation and biochemical effects in zebrafish embryos exposed to three water-soluble polymers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 906:167699. [PMID: 37832656 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167699] [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: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/07/2023] [Indexed: 10/15/2023]
Abstract
Water-soluble polymers (WSPs) are a particular category of polymers that, due to their capability to be soluble in water, come out of the classic definition of plastic and therefore also from its regulation and control, representing a possible new environmental problem considering the number of consumer products in which they are contained. For this reason, the aim of this study was to evaluate the possible adverse effects of three of the most used WSPs (polyacrylic acid - PAA, polyethylene glycol - PEG, polyvinylpyrrolidone - PVP), administered at relevant environmental concentrations (0.001, 0.5 and 1 mg/L) to Danio rerio (zebrafish) embryos up to 120 h post fertilization. To assess the WSP toxicity at the molecular, cellular and organism level we used an integrated ecotoxicological approach of both biomarkers and high-throughput technology based on gel-free proteomics. The main results showed how all the three WSPs up-regulated many proteins (up to 74 in specimens exposed to 1 mg/L PVP) with a wide range of molecular functions and involved in numerous cellular pathways of exposed specimens. On the other hand, the measurement of biomarkers showed how PAA and PVP were able to activate the antioxidant machinery following an over-production of reactive oxygen species, while PEG produced no significant changes in the biomarkers measured. Based on the obtained results, the use and application of WSPs should be revised and regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea Binelli
- University of Milan, Department of Biosciences, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Lara Nigro
- University of Milan, Department of Biosciences, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy.
| | - Riccardo Sbarberi
- University of Milan, Department of Biosciences, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Camilla Della Torre
- University of Milan, Department of Biosciences, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
| | - Stefano Magni
- University of Milan, Department of Biosciences, Via Celoria 26, 20133 Milan, Italy
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9
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Tarring EC, Durance I, Harbottle MJ, Lucas R, Read DS, Ward BD. Water-soluble polymers: Emerging contaminants detected, separated and quantified by a novel GPC/MALDI-TOF method. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 340:122888. [PMID: 37940017 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122888] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2023] [Revised: 09/04/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Water-soluble polymers (WSPs) are additives used as thickeners, stabilisers and flocculants in industry and in household products, including personal care products. Given their widespread use, it is likely WSPs enter the environment, particularly through wastewaters. This is of concern as there is little ecotoxicological research on their fate and behaviour once in the environment, which means their risk to aquatic life is not understood. The lack of suitable analytical techniques to detect, characterise and quantify WSPs hinders research on the potential impact of these polymers. A novel method has been developed that identifies polymers within a sample and separates them using gel-permeation chromatography (GPC). This is coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), to quantify the polymer fractions using molecular weight information. This process has been carried out on a range of aqueous media. Polyethylene glycol (PEG) ingredients were successfully separated from non-polymeric material in a commercial shaving gel personal care product (PCP), before being quantified at 1.62 wt%. This method was applied to a spiked wastewater influent sample to demonstrate the extraction and separation of PEG from organic constituents such as dissolved organic matter (DOM). This highlighted the additional challenges of analysing WSPs in the environment, as factors such as sorption and biodegradation affected the total recovery of PEG, with an extraction efficiency of 53%. Overall, this method was applied for the extraction of PEG from a PCP with accurate quantification, before a proof-of-concept extraction from wastewater demonstrated the difficulties associated with WSP analysis in environmental samples. This method provides opportunities to use tandem GPC/MALDI-TOF MS to quantify WSPs in a broad array of environmental samples. Additional studies could include its application to wastewater or freshwater monitoring.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eve C Tarring
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | - Isabelle Durance
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom
| | | | | | - Daniel S Read
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, United Kingdom
| | - Benjamin D Ward
- School of Chemistry, Cardiff University, Cardiff, United Kingdom.
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10
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Hasegawa S, Sawada T, Serizawa T. Identification of Water-Soluble Polymers through Machine Learning of Fluorescence Signals from Multiple Peptide Sensors. ACS APPLIED BIO MATERIALS 2023; 6:4598-4602. [PMID: 37889623 PMCID: PMC10664068 DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.3c00736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023]
Abstract
Recently, there has been growing concern about the discharge of water-soluble polymers (especially synthetic polymers) into the environment. Therefore, the identification of water-soluble polymers in water samples is becoming increasingly crucial. In this study, a chemical tongue system to simply and precisely identify water-soluble polymers using multiple fluorescently responsive peptide sensors was demonstrated. Fluorescence spectra obtained from the mixture of each peptide sensor and water-soluble polymer were changed depending on the combination of the polymer species and peptide sensors. Water-soluble polymers were successfully identified through the supervised or unsupervised machine learning of multidimensional fluorescence signals from the peptide sensors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shion Hasegawa
- Department of Chemical Science and
Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-H121 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Toshiki Sawada
- Department of Chemical Science and
Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-H121 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
| | - Takeshi Serizawa
- Department of Chemical Science and
Engineering, School of Materials and Chemical Technology, Tokyo Institute of Technology, 2-12-1-H121 Ookayama, Meguro-ku, Tokyo 152-8550, Japan
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11
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Sainju D, Lucas R, Le Gresley A. Evaluation of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for characterisation and quantitation of water-soluble polymers in river water. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 245:120650. [PMID: 37742403 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120650] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
Water-soluble polymers (WSPs) are commonly used in industrial, commercial, agricultural and pharmaceutical products and their molecular weights and concentrations vary considerably. Methods commonly used in the analysis of WSPs are often for pure products or formulations with only a few other high MW constituents. These methods, like size exclusion chromatography (SEC) or Gel Permeation Chromatography coupled with Mass Spectrometry (MS) can be frustrated by the impact of the necessary separation steps prior to identification and the limitations of MS when identifying and quantifying polymers. To that end, the employment of a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) method to identify, characterize and quantify WSPs in the real-world is reported for the first time. Samples were taken from fourteen UK inland river sites, concentrated via air-drying, freeze-drying or vacuum-drying and analyzed using 1D 1H NMR and 2D 1H Diffusion Ordered Spectroscopy (DOSY) NMR analysis. Seven of the river sites showed the presence of polyethylene glycol (PEG) with a range of molecular weights, evidencing the application of these techniques in analysis of WSPs. Soil percolation models evidenced the proof of principle that these techniques can also be used for the detection of polyacrylamide (PAM) and polyacrylic acid (PAA). This work should better enable the evaluation of the biological impact of WSPs on aquatic organisms in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Drishna Sainju
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, HSSCE Faculty, Kingston University, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey KT1 2EE, UK
| | - Robert Lucas
- Consumer Healthcare, Haleon PLC, Weybridge, Surrey, UK
| | - Adam Le Gresley
- Department of Chemistry and Pharmaceutical Sciences, HSSCE Faculty, Kingston University, Kingston-upon-Thames, Surrey KT1 2EE, UK.
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Pauelsen F, Huppertsberg S, Knepper TP, Zahn D. Narrowing the analytical gap for water-soluble polymers: A novel trace-analytical method and first quantitative occurrence data for polyethylene oxide in surface and wastewater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 882:163563. [PMID: 37084914 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163563] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2023] [Revised: 04/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/13/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Water-soluble polymers (WSPs) like polyethylene oxide (PEO) have annual production volumes ranging from thousands to millions of tonnes and are used in a wide variety of applications that enable a release into the aquatic environment. Despite these facts, a lack of quantitative trace-analytical methods for WSPs prevents the comprehensive study of their environmental occurrence. Here, size exclusion chromatography was hyphenated with electrospray ionization high-resolution mass spectrometry. An all-ion fragmentation approach for the formation of diagnostic fragments independent of molecular weight, charge state, and ion species was used to quantify PEO and its derivatives in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) and surface water samples. Despite its inherent biodegradability, PEO concentrations found in the samples analysed ranged from <LOD-11 μg/L for surface waters (11/18 samples >1 μg/L) and reached up to 20 μg/L (effluent) and 400 μg/L (influent) for WWTPs. A substantial shift in molecular weight ranges was observed between influent and effluent, pointing towards a molecular weight fraction between 1.3 and 4 kDa being dominant in the effluent. Due to an assumed size exclusion during sample enrichment, information on the MW-distribution of PEO is limited to MW < 55 kDa. The high concentrations widely detected for a readily biodegradable WSP such as PEO, raise strong concerns about the occurrence and fate of recalcitrant WSPs in the aquatic environment. The method presented herein may provide the tools necessary to assess the burden of these high production volume chemicals and the risk they may pose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frances Pauelsen
- Hochschule Fresenius gem. GmbH, Institute for Analytical Research, Idstein, Germany
| | - Sven Huppertsberg
- Hochschule Fresenius gem. GmbH, Institute for Analytical Research, Idstein, Germany
| | - Thomas P Knepper
- Hochschule Fresenius gem. GmbH, Institute for Analytical Research, Idstein, Germany
| | - Daniel Zahn
- Hochschule Fresenius gem. GmbH, Institute for Analytical Research, Idstein, Germany.
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Svigruha R, Prikler B, Farkas A, Ács A, Fodor I, Tapolczai K, Schmidt J, Bordós G, Háhn J, Harkai P, Kaszab E, Szoboszlay S, Pirger Z. Presence, variation, and potential ecological impact of microplastics in the largest shallow lake of Central Europe. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 883:163537. [PMID: 37075990 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163537] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 04/12/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The presence of microplastics (MPs) in the global ecosystem has generated a rapidly growing concern worldwide. Although their presence in the marine environment has been well-studied, much less data are available on their abundance in freshwaters. MPs alone and in combination with different chemicals has been shown to cause acute and chronic effects on algae and aquatic invertebrate and vertebrate species at different biological levels. However, the combined ecotoxicological effects of MPs with different chemicals on aquatic organisms are still understudied in many species and the reported data are often controversial. In the present study, we investigated, for the first time, the presence of MPs in Lake Balaton, which is the largest shallow lake of Central Europe and an important summer holiday destination. Moreover, we exposed neonates of the well-established ecotoxicological model organism Daphnia magna to different MPs (polystyrene [3 μm] or polyethylene [≤ 100 μm]) alone and in combination with three progestogen compounds (progesterone, drospirenone, levonorgestrel) at an environmentally relevant concentration (10 ng L-1) for 21 days. The presence of 7 polymer types of MPs in the size range of 50-100 μm was detected in Lake Balaton. Similarly to the global trends, polypropylene and polyethylene MPs were the most common types of polymer. The calculated polymer-independent average particle number was 5.5 particles m-3 (size range: 50 μm - 100 μm) which represents the values detected in other European lakes. Our ecotoxicological experiments confirmed that MPs and progestogens can affect D. magna at the behavioral (body size and reproduction) and biochemical (detoxification-related enzyme activity) levels. The joint effects were negligible. The presence of MPs may lead to reduced fitness in the aquatic biota in freshwaters such as Lake Balaton, however, the potential threat of MPs as vectors for progestogens may be limited.
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Affiliation(s)
- Réka Svigruha
- Ecophysiological and Environmental Toxicological Research Group, Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), 8237 Tihany, Hungary
| | - Bence Prikler
- Eurofins-Wessling Hungary Ltd, 1045 Budapest, Hungary; Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Anna Farkas
- Ecophysiological and Environmental Toxicological Research Group, Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), 8237 Tihany, Hungary
| | - András Ács
- Ecophysiological and Environmental Toxicological Research Group, Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), 8237 Tihany, Hungary
| | - István Fodor
- Ecophysiological and Environmental Toxicological Research Group, Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), 8237 Tihany, Hungary
| | - Kálmán Tapolczai
- Aquatic Botany and Microbial Ecology Research Group, Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), 8237 Tihany, Hungary
| | - János Schmidt
- Institute of Biochemistry and Medical Chemistry, Medical School, University of Pécs, 7624 Pécs, Hungary
| | - Gábor Bordós
- Eurofins-Wessling Hungary Ltd, 1045 Budapest, Hungary
| | - Judit Háhn
- Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Péter Harkai
- Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Edit Kaszab
- Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Sándor Szoboszlay
- Institute of Aquaculture and Environmental Safety, Hungarian University of Agriculture and Life Sciences, 2100 Gödöllő, Hungary
| | - Zsolt Pirger
- Ecophysiological and Environmental Toxicological Research Group, Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Eötvös Loránd Research Network (ELKH), 8237 Tihany, Hungary.
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