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Ding J, Peng Y, Song X, Zhu M, Jiang H, Huang J, Sun T, Yang J, Zou H, Wang Z, Pan G. Impact of COVID-19 pandemic on microplastic occurrence in aquatic environments: A three-year study in Taihu Lake Basin, China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 478:135530. [PMID: 39159580 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135530] [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: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/13/2024] [Indexed: 08/21/2024]
Abstract
The impact of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on microplastic (MP) occurrence in aquatic environments deserves an in-depth study. In this study, the occurrence of MPs and environmental flux of plastics before (2019) and during (2020 and 2021) the pandemic were comparatively investigated in various aquatic compartments in the Taihu Lake Basin in China. The field-based investigations from 2019 to 2021 for Taihu Lake have shown that, at the onset of the outbreak, the MP abundance declined at a rate of 62.3 %, but gradually recovered to the pre-pandemic level. However, the amount of plastics being released into aquatic environments showed a declining trend in 2020 and 2021 compared to those in 2019, with decrease rates of 13.7 % and 15.8 %, respectively. Characterization analysis of MP particles and source apportionment framework implied that while the contributions of tire abrasion and domestic waste to MP occurrence were depleted owing to the reduction in human activity during the pandemic, weathering and fragmentation of retained plastics contributed to the recovery of stored MPs. This study provides insights into the anthropogenic influences on MP occurrence, and supports policymakers in managing and controlling plastic contamination in large freshwater systems in the "new normal" phase.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiannan Ding
- School of Environment & Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Yi Peng
- School of Environment & Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Xiaojun Song
- School of Environment & Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Mingda Zhu
- School of Environment & Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Hang Jiang
- School of Environment & Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Jichao Huang
- School of Environment & Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Tiantian Sun
- School of Environment & Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Jiaxin Yang
- School of Environment & Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China
| | - Hua Zou
- School of Environment & Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Biomass Energy and Biological Carbon Reduction Engineering Center of Jiangsu Province, Wuxi 214122, China.
| | - Zhenyu Wang
- School of Environment & Ecology, Jiangnan University, Wuxi 214122, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Technology and Material of Water Treatment, Suzhou 215009, China
| | - Gang Pan
- School of Humanity, York St John University, Lord Mayor's Walk, York YO31 7EX, UK
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Hu J, Zhang L, Zhang W, Muhammad I, Yin C, Zhu Y, Li C, Zheng L. Significant influence of land use types and anthropogenic activities on the distribution of microplastics in soil: A case from a typical mining-agricultural city. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 477:135253. [PMID: 39032179 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/20/2024] [Revised: 07/12/2024] [Accepted: 07/17/2024] [Indexed: 07/22/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics pollution in soil has become a prominent issue in the field of ecological environment. However, relevant data on the microplastics pollution characteristics in mining industry-agricultural soil ecosystems is still limited. In this study, an extensive investigation on the characteristics of microplastics pollution in typical mining-agricultural city soil was conducted, revealing abundances, features, and influencing factors of microplastics in five land use types including facility farmland (FF), traditional farmland (TF), residential land (RL), industrial land (IL), and grassland (GL). The results showed that the distribution of microplastics abundances exhibits a nonuniform pattern, and the highest microplastics abundance was found in FF (3738 ± 2097 items·kg-1) compared with the other four land use types of this study area. Moreover, the key polymers identified were polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) with a smaller size (<0.01 mm) accounting for the majority at ,45 %, primary colors of microplastics were transparent with the dominant shapes being fibers and fragments. Additionally, principal component analysis and cluster analysis characterized microplastics features across various land use patterns, revealing that agricultural plastic waste, irrigation, and fertilization may be the main the primary sources of agricultural microplastics, while domestic sewage, household waste (include construction waste), and mining transportation activities are the potential urban sources. Correlation analysis indicates a positive relationship between TN, TP, SOC, and the abundances of microplastics (P < 0.05), and a negative relationship between pH and microplastic abundances. Furthermore, Cd, Cu, and As exhibit a significant positive correlation with microplastic characteristics (P < 0.05). Notably, the distribution trends of Cd content and microplastic abundance are similar. Overall, comprehensive analysis of environmental dynamics on microplastics in agricultural soil in coal industrial cities is crucial for developing effective measures to prevent and control microplastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Hu
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Mine Ecological Remediation, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Liqun Zhang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Mine Ecological Remediation, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Wanyu Zhang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Mine Ecological Remediation, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Irfan Muhammad
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Mine Ecological Remediation, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Chuanyou Yin
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Mine Ecological Remediation, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Yixing Zhu
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Mine Ecological Remediation, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Chang Li
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Mine Ecological Remediation, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China
| | - Liugen Zheng
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Anhui University, Anhui Province Engineering Laboratory for Mine Ecological Remediation, Hefei 230601, Anhui, China.
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Akinwole PO, Shaffer NG, Zabot Pasini C, Carr KM, Brown KL, Owojori OJ. Ecotoxicity evaluation using the avoidance response of the oribatid mite Oppia nitens (Acari: Oribatida) in bioplastics, microplastics, and contaminated Superfund field sites. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 359:142301. [PMID: 38740337 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142301] [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: 01/19/2024] [Revised: 05/03/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Bioplastics are considered sustainable alternatives to conventional microplastics which are recognized as a threat to terrestrial ecosystems. However, little is known about the potential ecotoxicological effects of bioplastics on soil fauna and ecosystems. The present study assessed the toxicity of microplastics [Polystyrene (PS), Polyethylene (PE)] and bioplastics [Polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), Sodium polyacrylate (NaPa) on a key soil fauna Oppia nitens, a soil oribatid mite, and investigated the ecological relevance of O. nitens avoidance response as a valuable tool for the risk assessment of contaminated soils such as the Superfund sites. Findings showed that the mites' net response indicated avoidance behavior such that in most cases as concentrations of micro- and bioplastics increased, so did the avoidance responses. The avoidance EC50 endpoints showed PS < PE < PVA < NaPa, indicating higher deleterious effects of microplastics. High toxicity of PS in soils to O. nitens at EC50 of 165 (±25) mg/kg compared to bioplastics and other known contaminants poses an enormous threat to soil. For bioplastics in this study, there were no significant avoidances at concentrations up to 16,200 mg/kg compared to PS and PE which showed avoidance responses at 300 and 9000 mg/kg respectively, implying that bioplastics might be relatively safer to soil mites compared to conventional microplastics. Also, results indicated that long-term heavy metal pollution such as in contaminated Superfund sites decreased microbial biomass; a useful bioindicator of soil pollution. Furthermore, O. nitens avoidance of heavy metals contaminated sites demonstrated the ecological relevance of avoidance response test when assessing the habitat integrity of contaminated soil. The present study further supports the inclusion of the oribatid mite, O. nitens in the ecological risk assessment of contaminants in soil.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Nina G Shaffer
- Biology Department, DePauw University, Greencastle, IN, USA
| | | | - Kaija M Carr
- Biology Department, DePauw University, Greencastle, IN, USA
| | - Kenneth L Brown
- Department of Geology and Environmental Science, DePauw University, Greencastle, IN, USA
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Guo P, Wang Y, Moghaddamfard P, Meng W, Wu S, Bao Y. Artificial intelligence-empowered collection and characterization of microplastics: A review. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 471:134405. [PMID: 38678715 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/22/2024] [Revised: 04/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics have been detected from water and soil systems extensively, with increasing evidence indicating their detrimental impacts on human and animal health. Concerns surrounding microplastic pollution have spurred the development of advanced collection and characterization methods for studying the size, abundance, distribution, chemical composition, and environmental impacts. This paper offers a comprehensive review of artificial intelligence (AI)-empowered technologies for the collection and characterization of microplastics. A framework is presented to streamline efforts in utilizing emerging robotics and machine learning technologies for collecting, processing, and characterizing microplastics. The review encompasses a range of AI technologies, delineating their principles, strengths, limitations, representative applications, and technology readiness levels, facilitating the selection of suitable AI technologies for mitigating microplastic pollution. New opportunities for future research and development on integrating robots and machine learning technologies are discussed to facilitate future efforts for mitigating microplastic pollution and advancing AI technologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pengwei Guo
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, United States
| | - Yuhuan Wang
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, United States
| | - Parastoo Moghaddamfard
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, United States
| | - Weina Meng
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, United States
| | - Shenghua Wu
- Department of Civil, Coastal, and Environmental Engineering, University of South Alabama, Mobile, AL 36688, United States
| | - Yi Bao
- Department of Civil, Environmental and Ocean Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 07030, United States.
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Liu Y, Zhao S, Wang D, Wang S, Ding X, Han K, Wang R, Kou Y, Zhou G, Shen W. Environmental fate of microplastics in alpine and canyon-type river-cascade reservoir systems: Large-scale investigation of the Yalong River in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 916:170300. [PMID: 38272090 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170300] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2023] [Revised: 01/13/2024] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
Reservoirs are regarded as potential collection sites for microplastics (MPs), and ample water resources in plateau regions provide favorable natural conditions for hydroelectric power generation. However, research on the impact of cascade reservoir construction in the plateau region on the fate of MPs within the watershed is limited. In this study, the Yalong River, an alpine canyon river in the eastern Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, was selected as the research area. This study explored the distribution of MPs at various depths in water, sediment, and riverbank soil as well as the formation of "MP communities" within the river-cascade reservoir system. Furthermore, the effects of dam construction on MPs' migration in different environments were analyzed. The results revealed that the abundance of MPs in the water and sediment within the cascade reservoir area (CRA) was significantly higher than that in the river area (RA) (P < 0.001). Additionally, the trend of increasing MPs in water with decreasing altitude was notably slower in CRA. Regarding shape, the proportion of fibers in the water within the CRA was significantly lower than that in the RA, with a smaller vertical migration rate in the water than in the sediment. The proportion of MPs < 500 μm in the water within the CRA was significantly higher than that in the RA. High-density MPs were notably deposited in the reservoir sediments. The analysis of the MP communities revealed that the construction of cascade dams led to relative geographical isolation between different sampling sites, reducing the similarity of MP communities in the CRA. This study established a theoretical foundation for understanding the impact of cascade dam construction on the fate characteristics of MPs and their potential risks in plateau areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixuan Liu
- College of Soil and Water Conservation Science and Engineering (Institute of Soil and Water Conservation), Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China; College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Shaoting Zhao
- Agricultural Technology Promotion Center of Xi'an, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710000, PR China
| | - Dongzhi Wang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, PR China
| | - Shichen Wang
- College of Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Xiaofan Ding
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, University of Jinan, Jinan 250022, PR China
| | - Kaiyang Han
- College of Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Ruiying Wang
- Xi'an Institute of Environmental Hygiene Sciences, Xi'an, Shaanxi 710075, PR China
| | - Yuyang Kou
- College of Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Guangqian Zhou
- College of Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China
| | - Weibo Shen
- College of Soil and Water Conservation Science and Engineering (Institute of Soil and Water Conservation), Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China; College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China; College of Science, Northwest A&F University, Yangling, Shaanxi 712100, PR China.
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Zhang Y, Song M, Zhu Y, Li H, Zhang Y, Wang G, Chen X, Zhang W, Wang H, Wang Y, Shao R, Guo J, Yang Q. Impact of microplastic particle size on physiological and biochemical properties and rhizosphere metabolism of Zea mays L.: Comparison in different soil types. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168219. [PMID: 37924875 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168219] [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: 09/03/2023] [Revised: 10/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/28/2023] [Indexed: 11/06/2023]
Abstract
The effect of microplastics (MPs) on plant growth has received increasing attention. However, whether soil texture and MPs size influence the toxicological effects of MPs on plants is unknown. To address this knowledge gap, two soils with different physical structures (lime concretion black and silty loam soils) were selected to explore the potential toxicity of MPs of different particle sizes to maize growth. The results showed that, in both soils, the harm caused by small MPs on maize growth was greater than that caused by large MPs. Low MPs concentrations had no significant effect on maize growth between two soil types; however, when exposed to a concentration of 1 % large MPs, the dry biomass of maize was promoted in lime concretion black soil but inhibited in silty loam soil. All MPs-exposed treatments resulted in a high level of superoxide anions in maize roots, resulting in an increase in the root aerenchyma area and reducing the metabolic activity of maize roots. Metabolomics showed that MPs exposure affected multiple amino acid metabolic pathways, including phenylalanine and tyrosine metabolism, and inhibited lignin biosynthesis in roots. This study provides a theoretical basis for a more comprehensive assessment of the effect of MPs pollution on agricultural production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yihan Zhang
- College of Agronomy, Collaborative Innovation of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Miaomiao Song
- College of Agronomy, Collaborative Innovation of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Yiming Zhu
- College of Agronomy, Collaborative Innovation of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Huan Li
- College of Agronomy, Collaborative Innovation of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Yinglei Zhang
- College of Agronomy, Collaborative Innovation of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Gaofeng Wang
- College of Agronomy, Collaborative Innovation of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Xinping Chen
- College of Resources and Environment and Academy of Agricultural Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400700, China
| | - Wushuai Zhang
- College of Resources and Environment and Academy of Agricultural Science, Southwest University, Chongqing 400700, China
| | - Hao Wang
- College of Agronomy, Collaborative Innovation of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; College of Agronomy, State Key laboratory of Regulating and Controlling Crop Growth and Development Ministry of Education, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Yongchao Wang
- College of Agronomy, Collaborative Innovation of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; College of Agronomy, State Key laboratory of Regulating and Controlling Crop Growth and Development Ministry of Education, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Ruixin Shao
- College of Agronomy, Collaborative Innovation of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; College of Agronomy, State Key laboratory of Regulating and Controlling Crop Growth and Development Ministry of Education, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
| | - Jiameng Guo
- College of Agronomy, Collaborative Innovation of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; College of Agronomy, State Key laboratory of Regulating and Controlling Crop Growth and Development Ministry of Education, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China..
| | - Qinghua Yang
- College of Agronomy, Collaborative Innovation of Henan Grain Crops, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China; College of Agronomy, State Key laboratory of Regulating and Controlling Crop Growth and Development Ministry of Education, Henan Agricultural University, Zhengzhou 450046, China
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