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Foglia A, Pittura L, Vivani V, Sgroi M, De Simoni L, Eusebi AL, Gorbi S, Regoli F, Fatone F. Microplastics in urban water cycles: Looking for a more scientific approach for sampling and characterization in wastewater and drinking water treatment plants. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 952:175919. [PMID: 39226968 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.175919] [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: 05/11/2024] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 08/29/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
Specific campaigns to detect microplastics (MPs) in the urban water cycle were carried out in three drinking water plants and two wastewater treatment plants. A self-designed sampler for MPs detection in water matrices was in this study preliminary validated and then tested in long term campaigns sampling up to 1000 L. Raw drinking water and wastewater show microplastics (MPs) concentrations of 2-11 and of 480-801 MPs/m3, respectively, and MPs removals of 47-78 % and of 84-98 %, correspondingly. Specific roles of chemical and physical conventional processes in microplastics removals were investigated. Solid-liquid separation, flotation and filtration are the main processes for achieving high microplastics removal. Regarding concentrated matrices, MPs concentrations in sludge samples varied in the range of 5000-500,000 MPs/m3. Finally, shapes, size classes and polymers' typologies were investigated in the extracted MPs. The detected sizes are mainly 0.5-0.1 mm in drinking waters while 5-1 mm in wastewaters. Wastewaters were predominated by synthetic fibers (polyester type), while drinking waters were mainly characterized by fragments and the fibers were mostly of natural origin. Finally, the results of this study supported best practices and guidelines for a representative assessment of MPs in water (sampling methods, extraction procedures, characterization and quantification).
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessia Foglia
- Department of Science and Engineering of Materials, Environment and Urban Planning-SIMAU, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Lucia Pittura
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
| | - Veronica Vivani
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Sgroi
- Department of Science and Engineering of Materials, Environment and Urban Planning-SIMAU, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Lucia De Simoni
- Department of Science and Engineering of Materials, Environment and Urban Planning-SIMAU, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Anna Laura Eusebi
- Department of Science and Engineering of Materials, Environment and Urban Planning-SIMAU, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
| | - Stefania Gorbi
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy.
| | - Francesco Regoli
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesco Fatone
- Department of Science and Engineering of Materials, Environment and Urban Planning-SIMAU, Università Politecnica delle Marche, via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
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2
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Xia X, Wang L, Pei H, Dong C, Zhang Y, Ding J. Nanoplastics exposure simplifies the network structure of sea cucumber (Apostichopus japonicus) gut microbiota and improves cluster randomness. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 360:124663. [PMID: 39097257 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124663] [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: 04/14/2024] [Revised: 07/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/05/2024]
Abstract
Nanoplastics (NPs) are abundant in ocean environments, leading to environmental pollution and notable disruptions to the physiological functions of marine animals. To investigate the toxic effects of NPs on echinoderms, specifically sea cucumbers (Apostichopus japonicus), they were exposed to varying concentrations of NPs (0, 102, 104 particles/L) for 14 d. Subsequently, the 102 particles/L exposure group was purified for 35 d to elucidate the impact of both NPs exposure and purification on the intestinal bacteria structure and function. The results showed that the richness and variety of intestinal bacteria in sea cucumbers significantly reduced under NPs exposure, and then they could be restored to the pre-exposure treatment state after 35 d of purification. With the increase of NPs exposure concentration in the environment, the intestinal core bacteria gradually changed from Firmicutes and Proteobacteria to Pseudoalteromonas and Vibrio. The KEGG (Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes) pathway database annotated that the gut microbiota of sea cucumbers was significantly downregulated in the glycosylation, carbohydratic and amino acid metabolic pathways (P < 0. 05), exogenous substance biodegradation and metabolism, DNA replication and repair pathways were significantly up-regulated (P < 0.05) under the exposure of NPs. In addition, nanoplastics exposure simplified the symbiotic network relationships of the gut bacteria, reduced the selective effect of host on the intestinal bacteria, and increased stochasticity. In conclusion, waterborne NPs can adversely affect the structure and function of sea cucumber intestinal bacteria, with these effects persisting for a duration. However, as the purification time lengthens, these adverse effects gradually diminish. This study aims to provide some theoretical basis for the biotoxic effects of NPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinglong Xia
- Dalian Ocean University, Key Laboratory of Northern Aquatic Germplasm Resources and Genetic Breeding in Liaoning Province, Dalian, 116023, China; Dalian Ocean University, Liaoning Province Aquatic Germplasm Resources Protection and Utilization Engineering Research Center, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Luo Wang
- Dalian Ocean University, Key Laboratory of Northern Aquatic Germplasm Resources and Genetic Breeding in Liaoning Province, Dalian, 116023, China; Dalian Ocean University, Liaoning Province Aquatic Germplasm Resources Protection and Utilization Engineering Research Center, Dalian, 116023, China; Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China.
| | - Honglin Pei
- Dalian Ocean University, Liaoning Province Aquatic Germplasm Resources Protection and Utilization Engineering Research Center, Dalian, 116023, China; Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Changkun Dong
- Dalian Ocean University, Liaoning Province Aquatic Germplasm Resources Protection and Utilization Engineering Research Center, Dalian, 116023, China; Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Yanmin Zhang
- Dalian Ocean University, Key Laboratory of Northern Aquatic Germplasm Resources and Genetic Breeding in Liaoning Province, Dalian, 116023, China; Dalian Ocean University, Liaoning Province Aquatic Germplasm Resources Protection and Utilization Engineering Research Center, Dalian, 116023, China; Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China
| | - Jun Ding
- Dalian Ocean University, Key Laboratory of Northern Aquatic Germplasm Resources and Genetic Breeding in Liaoning Province, Dalian, 116023, China; Dalian Ocean University, Liaoning Province Aquatic Germplasm Resources Protection and Utilization Engineering Research Center, Dalian, 116023, China; Key Laboratory of Mariculture & Stock Enhancement in North China Sea, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Dalian Ocean University, Dalian, 116023, China.
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3
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Tao H, Peng J, Chen Y, Zhou L, Lin T. Migration of natural organic matter and Pseudomonas fluorescens-associated polystyrene on natural substrates in aquatic environments. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 949:174997. [PMID: 39053541 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174997] [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: 05/15/2024] [Revised: 07/10/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated the migration behavior of microplastics (MPs) covered with natural organic matter (NOM) and biofilm on three substrates (silica, Pseudomonas fluorescent and Pseudomonas aeruginosa biofilms) in various ionic strengths, focusing on the alterations in surface properties based on surface energy theory that affected their deposition and release processes. Peptone and Pseudomonas fluorescens were employed to generate NOM-attached and biofilm-coated polystyrene (PS) (NOM-PS and Bio-PS). NOM-PS and Bio-PS both exhibited different surface properties, as increased roughness and particle sizes, more hydrophilic surfaces and altered zeta potentials which increased with ionic strength. Although the deposition of NOM-PS on biofilms were enhanced by higher ionic strengths and the addition of Ca2+, while Bio-PS deposited less on biofilms and more on the silica surface. Both types exhibited diffusion-driven adsorption on the silica surface, with Bio-PS also engaging in synergistic and competitive interactions on biofilm surfaces. Release tests revealed that NOM-PS and Bio-PS were prone to release from silica than from biofilms. The Extended Derjaguin-Landau-Verwey-Overbeek (XDLVO) theory furtherly demonstrated that mid-range electrostatic (EL) repulsion had significantly impacts on NOM-PS deposition, and structural properties of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) and substrate could affect Bio-PS migration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Tao
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China.
| | - Jingtong Peng
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Yiyang Chen
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Lingqin Zhou
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Tao Lin
- Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lakes, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
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4
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Goswami S, Adhikary S, Bhattacharya S, Agarwal R, Ganguly A, Nanda S, Rajak P. The alarming link between environmental microplastics and health hazards with special emphasis on cancer. Life Sci 2024; 355:122937. [PMID: 39103046 DOI: 10.1016/j.lfs.2024.122937] [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: 04/23/2024] [Revised: 07/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/27/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic contamination is a burgeoning environmental issue that poses serious threats to animal and human health. Microplastics enter the human body through nasal, dermal, and oral routes to contaminate multiple organs. Studies have advocated the existence of microplastics in human breast milk, sputum, faeces, and blood. Microplastics can find their ways to the sub-cellular moiety via active and passive approaches. At cellular level, microplastics follow clathrin and caveolae-dependent pathways to invade the sub-cellular environment. These environmental contaminants modulate the epigenetic control of gene expression, status of inflammatory mediators, redox homeostasis, cell-cycle proteins, and mimic the endocrine mediators like estrogen and androgen to fuel carcinogenesis. Furthermore, epidemiological studies have suggested potential links between the exposure to microplastics and the onset of various chronic diseases. Microplastics trigger uncontrolled cell proliferation and ensue tissue growth leading to various cancers affecting the lungs, blood, breasts, prostate, and ovaries. Additionally, such contamination can potentially affect sub-cellular signaling and injure multiple organs. In essence, numerous reports have claimed microplastic-induced toxicity and tumorigenesis in human and model animals. Nonetheless, the underlying molecular mechanism is still elusive and warrants further investigations. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of microplastics, covering their sources, chemistry, human exposure routes, toxicity, and carcinogenic potential at the molecular level.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sohini Goswami
- Department of Animal Science, Kazi Nazrul University, Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal, India
| | - Satadal Adhikary
- Post Graduate Department of Zoology, A.B.N. Seal College, Cooch Behar, West Bengal, India
| | | | - Ruchika Agarwal
- Department of Animal Science, Kazi Nazrul University, Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal, India
| | - Abhratanu Ganguly
- Department of Animal Science, Kazi Nazrul University, Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal, India
| | - Sayantani Nanda
- Department of Animal Science, Kazi Nazrul University, Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal, India
| | - Prem Rajak
- Department of Animal Science, Kazi Nazrul University, Paschim Bardhaman, West Bengal, India.
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5
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Xu J, Zhang Y, Wen K, Wang X, Huang L, Yang Z, Zheng G, Huang Y, Zhang J. Enhanced flotation removal of polystyrene nanoplastics by chitosan modification: Performance and mechanism. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:174254. [PMID: 38925388 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174254] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/28/2024] [Revised: 05/09/2024] [Accepted: 06/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Nanoplastics are difficult to remove from water using conventional flotation processes due to their stability and resistance to biodegradation. Here, polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) were selected as the object of study. In addition, chitosan (CTS), an environmentally friendly natural cationic polymer, was selected to modify the air flotation process to improve the separation of PSNPs using air flotation. Adding chitosan effectively enhanced the removal of PSNPs using air flotation from 3.1 % to 96.7 %. The residual concentration decreased from 9.69 mg/L to 0.33 mg/L. Removal of PSNPs by CTS-modified air flotation was maintained at 92.8 % even when the air flotation time was significantly shortened. The zeta potential alterations demonstrated robust electrostatic attraction within the CTS-modified air flotation process. The contact angle measurements indicated that incorporating CTS could enhance the hydrophobic interaction between bubbles and PSNPs. PSNPs particles around 100 nm agglomerated to form floating flocs with a particle size of more than 4500 nm. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images confirmed the presence of tight adhesion between PSNPs and CTS, indicating the presence of bridging adsorption during the process. The major PSNPs removal mechanisms included electrostatic attraction, enhancement of hydrophobicity, and bridging adsorption. Increasing the aeration volume could improve the removal rate, but this improvement was finite. Weakly acidic and low ionic strength conditions favored PSNPs removal. The CTS-modified air flotation process showed great potential for PSNPs removal from real water bodies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinhui Xu
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China.
| | - Yanting Zhang
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Kecheng Wen
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Xinyu Wang
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Lupeng Huang
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Zhiwei Yang
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Guozhong Zheng
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Yuan Huang
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Jing Zhang
- College of Architecture and Environment, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China; Yibin Ind Technol Res Inst, Sichuan University, Yibin 644000, China.
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6
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Garai S, Bhattacharjee C, Sarkar S, Moulick D, Dey S, Jana S, Dhar A, Roy A, Mondal K, Mondal M, Mukherjee S, Ghosh S, Singh P, Ramteke P, Manna D, Hazra S, Malakar P, Banerjee H, Brahmachari K, Hossain A. Microplastics in the soil-water-food nexus: Inclusive insight into global research findings. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:173891. [PMID: 38885699 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173891] [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: 04/12/2024] [Revised: 06/01/2024] [Accepted: 06/08/2024] [Indexed: 06/20/2024]
Abstract
Nuisance imposed by biotic and abiotic stressors on diverse agroecosystems remains an area of focus for the scientific fraternity. However, emerging contaminants such as microplastics (MP) have imposed additional dimension (alone or in combinations with other stressors) in agroecosystems and keep escalating the challenges to achieve sustainability. MP are recognized as persistent anthropogenic contaminants, fetch global attention due to their unique chemical features that keeps themselves unresponsive to the decaying process. This review has been theorized to assess the current research trends (along with possible gap areas), widespread use of MP, enhancement of the harshness of heavy metals (HMs), complex interactions with physico-chemical constituents of arable soil, accumulation in the edible parts of field crops, dairy products, and other sources to penetrate the food web. So far, the available review articles are oriented to a certain aspect of MP and lack a totality when considered from in soil-water-food perspective. In short, a comprehensive perspective of the adverse effects of MP on human health has been assessed. Moreover, an agro-techno-socio-health prospective-oriented critical assessment of policies and remedial measures linked with MP has provided an extra edge over other similar articles in influential future courses of research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sourav Garai
- Division of Agronomy, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Chandrima Bhattacharjee
- Division of Agronomy, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Sukamal Sarkar
- Division of Agronomy, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India.
| | - Debojyoti Moulick
- Department of Environmental Science, University of Kalyani, Nadia, West Bengal -741235, India
| | - Saikat Dey
- Division of Agronomy, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Soujanya Jana
- Division of Agronomy, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Anannya Dhar
- Division of Agronomy, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Anirban Roy
- Division of Genetics and Plant Breeding, School of Agriculture and Rural Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Krishnendu Mondal
- Dhaanyaganga Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Sargachhi, West Bengal, India
| | - Mousumi Mondal
- School of Agriculture and Allied Sciences, The Neotia University, Sarisha, West Bengal, India
| | - Siddhartha Mukherjee
- Division of Agriculture, Faculty Centre for Agriculture, Rural and Tribal Development, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Morabadi, Ranchi, Jharkhand, India
| | - Samrat Ghosh
- Emergent Ventures India, Gurugram, Haryana, India
| | - Puja Singh
- Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Natural Resource Management, Horticultural College, Birsa Agricultural University, Khuntpani, Chaibasa, Jharkhand, India
| | - Pratik Ramteke
- Dr. Panjabrao Deshmukh Krishi Vidyapeeth, Akola, MS 444104, India
| | - Dipak Manna
- School of Biological Sciences, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Shreyasee Hazra
- School of Biological Sciences, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Pushkar Malakar
- School of Biological Sciences, Ramakrishna Mission Vivekananda Educational and Research Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, India
| | - Hirak Banerjee
- Regional Research Station (CSZ), Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Kakdwip, West Bengal, India
| | - Koushik Brahmachari
- Department of Agronomy, Bidhan Chandra Krishi Viswavidyalaya, Mohanpur, West Bengal, India
| | - Akbar Hossain
- Division of Soil Science, Bangladesh Wheat and Maize Research Institute, Dinajpur 5200, Bangladesh
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7
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Du H, Chen P, Lin X, Zheng J, Liu H, Wang X. Adsorption of metals on aged microplastics in intensive mariculture areas: Aggravating the potential ecological risks to marine organisms. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 946:173964. [PMID: 38876355 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173964] [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: 02/01/2024] [Revised: 06/07/2024] [Accepted: 06/11/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Field determination of the metal adsorption capacity of microplastics (MPs) by using a passive sampler had been done in typical subtropical mariculture area in China. The adsorption of eight metals (Fe, Mn, Cu, Zn, As, Pb, Cr and Cd) by five types of MPs (low-density polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, poly(ethylene terephthalate) and poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) was compared, including metal types, mariculture types (cage and longline culture), metal residue content in ambient environment, polymer types and particle sizes of MPs. The results showed that Cu, Zn, As, Cd, Pb and Cr in the mariculture environment were contaminated compared with the quality criteria. The concentrations of these six metals adsorbed on five MPs increased linearly with those in seawater. More enriched Cu and As in MPs in marine cage culture than in longline culture, due to the obvious endogenous pollution emissions for the artificial diets, fish medicine and disinfectants. Aged PVC with more cracks and pores showed higher metal adsorption capacity than any other polymers. MPs with a smaller size range of 50-74 μm tended to accumulate higher amounts of metals than those with a larger size range of 74-178 μm, consisting with the surface characteristics of MPs. The significant positive relationship between the concentrations of nutrients in seawater and the adsorption amounts of Cu, Zn and As on MPs implies that the eutrophication would promote their pollution. Based on the ecological risk assessment, the occurrence of MPs could aggravate the potential risk of metals to marine organisms in intensive mariculture areas. This is the first time to reveal the impacts of the adsorption of metals on aged MPs on the potential ecological risks of metals to organisms under the realistic environmental condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huihong Du
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Pengyu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center for Marine Bio-resources Sustainable Utilization, College of Oceanography, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, China
| | - Xiaoping Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jingyi Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Huatai Liu
- College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Xinhong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China; College of the Environment and Ecology, Xiamen University, Xiamen 361102, China.
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8
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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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9
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Hu T, Lü F, Zhang H, Yuan Z, He P. Wet oxidation technology can significantly reduce both microplastics and nanoplastics. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 263:122177. [PMID: 39111211 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122177] [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: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 07/05/2024] [Accepted: 07/28/2024] [Indexed: 08/26/2024]
Abstract
For the resource recovery of biomass waste, it is a challenge to simultaneously remove micro-/nano-plastics pollution but preserve organic resources. Wet oxidation is a promising technology for valorization of organic wastes through thermal hydrolysis and oxidation. This might in turn result in the degradation of microplastics in the presence of oxygen and high temperatures. Based on this hypothesis, this study quantified both microplastics and nanoplastics in an industrial-scale wet oxidation reactor from a full-size coverage perspective. Wet oxidation significantly reduced the size and mass of individual microplastics, and decreased total mass concentration of microplastics and nanoplastics by 94.8 % to 98.6 %. This technology also reduced the micro- and nanoplastic shapes and polymer types, resulting in a complete removal of fibers, clusters, polypropylene (PP) and poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA). The present study confirms that wet oxidation technology is effective in removing microplastics and nanoplastics while recovering organic waste.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tian Hu
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Fan Lü
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Hua Zhang
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China
| | - Zhiwen Yuan
- Ningbo Kaseen Ecology Technology Co., Ltd., Ningbo 315000, PR China
| | - Pinjing He
- Institute of Waste Treatment and Reclamation, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, PR China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, PR China.
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10
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Zhang Y, Shi P, Cui L. Microplastics in riverine systems: Recommendations for standardized sampling, separation, digestion and characterization. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 207:116950. [PMID: 39243470 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116950] [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: 06/12/2024] [Revised: 09/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/04/2024] [Indexed: 09/09/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution has emerged as a global concern, prompting numerous studies on MP detection. Due to the remaining methodological challenges, it affects the accuracy and reliability of MP's impact assessment on river systems. To address this, the establishment of standardized operating protocols is crucial, encompassing sampling, separation, digestion, and characterization methods. This study evaluates the current tools used for identifying and quantifying MPs in riverine ecosystems, aiming to offer harmonized guidelines for future protocols. Recommendations include adopting a consistent format for reporting MP concentrations and providing improved information on sampling, separation, and digestion for enhanced cross-study comparisons. The importance of quality assurance and quality control is also discussed. Furthermore, we highlight unresolved issues, proposing avenues for further investigation. Suggestions encompass standardizing river sampling methods, optimizing technical steps and analysis processes, and enhancing the accuracy, reliability, and comparability of detection data to advance our understanding of MPs in river environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Zhang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, China
| | - Peng Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Eco-hydraulics in Northwest Arid Region, Xi'an University of Technology, Xi'an 710048, China.
| | - Lingzhou Cui
- College of Life and Environmental Science, Wenzhou University, Wenzhou 325035, China
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11
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Ermolin MS, Savonina EY, Katasonova ON, Ivaneev AI, Maryutina TA, Fedotov PS. Continuous-flow separation and preconcentration of microplastics from natural waters using countercurrent chromatography. Talanta 2024; 278:126504. [PMID: 38986309 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2024] [Revised: 06/18/2024] [Accepted: 07/01/2024] [Indexed: 07/12/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics is known to be ubiquitous in aquatic environment. Quantification of microplastics in natural waters is an important problem of analytical chemistry, the solution of which is needed for the assessment of water quality and potential risks for water inhabitants and consumers. Separation methods play a key role in the correct quantification of microplastics in natural waters. In the present study the applicability of countercurrent chromatography to the continuous-flow separation and preconcentration of microplastics from water samples in rotating coiled column (RCC) using water-oil systems has been demonstrated for the first time. The effect of column rotation speed and mobile phase (water) flow rate on the retention of the stationary (oil) phase in RCC is studied. The retention parameters of 10 vegetable and 2 synthetic oils are determined. Castor, olive, rapeseed, soybean, linseed, sesame, and sunflower oils are found to be applicable to the separation of microplastics from water samples using RCC. Taking as example polyethylene microparticles of different size (40-63, 63-100, and 100-250 μm), the high recovery of microplastics (about 100 %) from aqueous phase into castor and rapeseed oils is shown. The method has been proven to be efficient for the separation of microplastics from simulated fresh and sea natural waters. It may be perspective not only for the quantification of microplastics in natural waters but as well as for the purification of wastewaters containing microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mikhail S Ermolin
- Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 19 Kosygin Street, 119991 Moscow, Russia.
| | - Elena Yu Savonina
- Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 19 Kosygin Street, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Olesya N Katasonova
- Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 19 Kosygin Street, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexandr I Ivaneev
- Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 19 Kosygin Street, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Tatiana A Maryutina
- Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 19 Kosygin Street, 119991 Moscow, Russia
| | - Petr S Fedotov
- Vernadsky Institute of Geochemistry and Analytical Chemistry, Russian Academy of Sciences, 19 Kosygin Street, 119991 Moscow, Russia
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12
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Sezer M, Topkaya E, Aksan S, Veli S, Arslan A. Optimizing microplastic treatment in the effluent of biological nutrient removal processes using electrocoagulation: Taguchi experimental design. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 369:122413. [PMID: 39236617 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.122413] [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: 07/03/2024] [Revised: 08/15/2024] [Accepted: 08/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have become one of the most critical environmental pollution problems in recent years. Due to the growing abundance of MPs in aquatic environments, extensive research has been conducted and continues to be ongoing to develop effective treatment methods. In this study, the removal of MPs in the effluent of biological wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) was investigated by electrocoagulation (EC) process with aluminum electrodes. Using Taguchi design, the importance of process variables such as pH, current density, and reaction time were evaluated by Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Statistically, according to F and p values, the most effective parameter for microplastic (MP) removal was current density, followed by pH and reaction time. The R2 value of the created model was found to be above 98%. According to Taguchi results, the optimum process conditions were determined as pH 9, current density 1.905 mA/cm2, and reaction time 15 min and 99% MP removal efficiency was obtained. Under these optimum conditions, the process cost was calculated as 0.049 $/m3 wastewater, considering energy and electrode consumption. As a result of visual analyses, fiber, film, pellet, amorphous, and undefined forms were dominant in WWTP effluent, while only fiber structures were observed after treatment with EC. In this study, it was concluded that the EC process is an alternative treatment method that can be integrated into wastewater treatment plant effluent to achieve MP removal at very low cost and high efficiency. In addition, as a result of this study, it was observed that the EC process can also be used in MP removal by applying it to real wastewater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mesut Sezer
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kocaeli University, 41000, Kocaeli, Turkey.
| | - Eylem Topkaya
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kocaeli University, 41000, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Serdar Aksan
- Department of Biology, Kocaeli University, 41000, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Sevil Veli
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kocaeli University, 41000, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Ayla Arslan
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Kocaeli University, 41000, Kocaeli, Turkey
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13
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Wen L, Man X, Luan J, Zhang S, Zhao C, Bao Y, Liu C, Feng X. Early-life exposure to five biodegradable plastics impairs eye development and visually-mediated behavior through disturbing hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid (HPT) axis in zebrafish larvae. Comp Biochem Physiol C Toxicol Pharmacol 2024; 284:109981. [PMID: 39033795 DOI: 10.1016/j.cbpc.2024.109981] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/26/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 07/18/2024] [Indexed: 07/23/2024]
Abstract
Biodegradable plastics have been commonly developed and applied as an alternative to traditional plastics, which cause environmental plastic pollution. However, biodegradable plastics still present limitations such as stringent degradation conditions and slow degradation rate, and may cause harm to the environment and organisms. Consequently, in this study, zebrafish was used to evaluate the effects of five biodegradable microplastics (MPs), polyglycolic acid (PGA), polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) exposure on the early development, retina morphology, visually-mediated behavior, and thyroid signaling at concentrations of 1 mg/L and 100 mg/L. The results indicated that all MPs induced decreased survival rate, reduced body length, smaller eyes, and smaller heads, affecting the early development of zebrafish larvae. Moreover, the thickness of retinal layers, including inner plexiform layer (IPL), outer nuclear layer (ONL), and retinal ganglion layer (RGL) was decreased, and the expression of key genes related to eye and retinal development was abnormally altered after all MPs exposure. Exposure to PBS and PBAT led to abnormal visually-mediated behavior, indicating likely affected the visual function. All MPs could also cause thyroid system disorders, among which alterations in the thyroid hormone receptors (TRs) genes could affect the retinal development of zebrafish larvae. In summary, biodegradable MPs exhibited eye developmental toxicity and likely impaired the visual function in zebrafish larvae. This provided new evidence for revealing the effects of biodegradable plastics on aquatic organism development and environmental risks to aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liang Wen
- China Shenhua Coal to Liquid and Chemical CO., LTD. of China Energy, Beijing 100011, China
| | - Xiaoting Man
- College of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Jialu Luan
- College of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Shuhui Zhang
- College of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Chengtian Zhao
- College of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Yehua Bao
- College of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China
| | - Congzhi Liu
- China Shenhua Coal to Liquid and Chemical CO., LTD. of China Energy, Beijing 100011, China.
| | - Xizeng Feng
- College of Life Science, State Key Laboratory of Medicinal Chemical Biology, The Key Laboratory of Bioactive Materials, Ministry of Education, Nankai University, Tianjin 300071, China.
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14
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Karki A, Thaiba BM, Shishir Acharya KC, Sedai T, Kandel B, Paudyal H, Sharma KR, Giri B, Neupane BB. Smartphone microscopic method for imaging and quantification of microplastics in drinking water. Microsc Res Tech 2024; 87:2266-2274. [PMID: 38733288 DOI: 10.1002/jemt.24596] [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: 10/09/2023] [Revised: 04/14/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Analysis of microplastics in drinking water is often challenging due to smaller particle size and low particle count. In this study, we used a low cost and an easy to assemble smartphone microscopic system for imaging and quantitating microplastic particles as small as 20 μm. The system consisted of a spherical sapphire ball lens of 4 mm diameter attached to a smartphone camera as a major imaging component. It also involved pre-concentration of the sample using ZnCl2 solution. The spike recovery and limit of detection of the method in filtered distilled and deionized water samples (n = 9) were 55.6% ± 9.7% and 34 particles/L, respectively. Imaging performance of the microscopic system was similar to a commercial bright field microscopic system. The method was further implemented to examine microplastic particles in commercial bottled and jar water samples (n = 20). The particles count in bottled and jar water samples ranged from 0-91 particles/L to 0-130 particles/L, respectively. In both sample types, particles of diverse shape and size were observed. The particles collected from water samples were further confirmed by FTIR spectra (n = 36), which found 97% of the particles tested were made of plastic material. These findings suggested that the smartphone microscopic system can be implemented as a low-cost alternative for preliminary screening of microplastic in drinking water samples. RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS: Ball lens based smartphone microscopic method was used for microplastic analysis. Particles of diverse shape and size were found in bottle and jar water samples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asmita Karki
- Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Bishan Man Thaiba
- Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | | | - Thakur Sedai
- Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Baburam Kandel
- Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Hari Paudyal
- Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Khaga Raj Sharma
- Central Department of Chemistry, Tribhuvan University, Kathmandu, Nepal
| | - Basant Giri
- Center for Analytical Sciences, Kathmandu Institute of Applied Sciences, Kathmandu, Nepal
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15
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Cadondon J, Vallar E, Shiina T, Galvez MC. Experimental detection of marine plastic litter in surface waters by 405 nm LD-based fluorescence lidar. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 207:116842. [PMID: 39173473 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116842] [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: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 08/07/2024] [Accepted: 08/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Plastic pollution has become a global challenge, affecting water quality and health. Plastics including polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and high-density polyethylene (HDPE), are significant contributors to environmental pollution. With the growing need for investigation and detection of plastics found in natural waters, we propose the use of a portable laser diode (LD)-based fluorescence lidar system for in-situ detection of plastic litters in surface waters based on excitation-emission fluorescence spectroscopic data. The experiments were carried out in a controlled environment using a fluorescence lidar system with 405 nm excitation wavelength to determine the fluorescence signals of several plastics at 470 nm emission wavelength. Simultaneous detection of PET plastic and Chlorella vulgaris were also observed to determine the fluorescence influence of chlorophyll in surface waters. Attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) spectroscopy was employed to study the chemical composition of the plastics used before and after being submerged in the water. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and high-resolution camera microscopy were used to analyze the morphology of the submerged PET samples. This study provides a basis for a new in-situ technique using a fluorescence lidar system for submerged or transparent plastics in surface waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jumar Cadondon
- Environment And RemoTe sensing researcH (EARTH) Laboratory, Department of Physics, College of Science, De La Salle University Manila 0922, Philippines; Division of Physical Sciences and Mathematics, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the Philippines Visayas, Miagao 5023, Iloilo, Philippines.
| | - Edgar Vallar
- Environment And RemoTe sensing researcH (EARTH) Laboratory, Department of Physics, College of Science, De La Salle University Manila 0922, Philippines
| | - Tatsuo Shiina
- Graduate School of Science and Engineering, Chiba University, Chiba-Shi, Chiba 263-8522, Japan
| | - Maria Cecilia Galvez
- Environment And RemoTe sensing researcH (EARTH) Laboratory, Department of Physics, College of Science, De La Salle University Manila 0922, Philippines
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16
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Al-Zawaidah H, Kooi M, Hoitink T, Vermeulen B, Waldschläger K. Mapping Microplastic Movement: A Phase Diagram to Predict Nonbuoyant Microplastic Modes of Transport at the Particle Scale. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39340446 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c08128] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/30/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics pose numerous threats to aquatic environments, yet understanding their transport mechanisms remains limited. Drawing from natural sediment research provides valuable insights to address this knowledge gap. One key dimensionless number used to describe sediment transport is the transport stage, referring to the ratio between the flow shear velocity and the particle settling velocity. However, variations in physical properties, such as shape and density, raise concerns about the applicability of existing sediment transport theories to microplastics. To address this challenge, we employed a physical modeling approach, examining 24 different nonbuoyant microplastic particles in a turbulent open channel flow. Utilizing 3D particle tracking, a total of 720 trajectories were recorded and analyzed. Microplastic particles exhibited transport modes akin to natural sediments, including rolling/sliding, saltation, and suspension. The transport stage strongly correlated with these modes, as well as with the mean forward velocity and mean position in the water column. Notably, particle shape emerged as a critical factor influencing transport dynamics. Due to their lower settling velocity, fibers tended to stay closer to the water surface with lower forward velocities compared to spheres. Based on the laboratory results, a new phase diagram for microplastics is introduced analogous to an existing diagram for sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hadeel Al-Zawaidah
- Hydrology and Environmental Hydraulics Group, Wageningen University and Research, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Merel Kooi
- Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen University and Research, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ton Hoitink
- Hydrology and Environmental Hydraulics Group, Wageningen University and Research, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Bart Vermeulen
- Hydrology and Environmental Hydraulics Group, Wageningen University and Research, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Kryss Waldschläger
- Hydrology and Environmental Hydraulics Group, Wageningen University and Research, 6700 AA Wageningen, The Netherlands
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17
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Deng C, Zhu J, Fang Z, Yang Y, Zhao Q, Zhang Z, Jin Z, Jiang H. Identification and analysis of microplastics in para-tumor and tumor of human prostate. EBioMedicine 2024; 108:105360. [PMID: 39341155 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2024.105360] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2024] [Revised: 09/06/2024] [Accepted: 09/09/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND While microplastics are widely found in various human organs and tissues, the relationship between microplastics and human health, especially prostate health, remains unclear. This study aims to identify and quantify the properties, types, and abundance of microplastics in paired para-tumor and tumor tissues of human prostate. Additionally, the potential correlation between microplastics abundance and prostate cancer are investigated. METHODS Paired para-tumor and tumor samples of the prostate were collected from 22 patients who underwent robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. A combination of laser direct infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy and pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was utilized to analyse the properties, type and abundance of microplastics. Correlations between microplastics abundance, demographic characteristics and clinical features of patients were also examined. FINDINGS Laser direct infrared analysis revealed the presence of microplastics, including polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyvinyl chloride, in both para-tumor and tumor tissues of human prostate. However, polystyrene was exclusively detected in tumor tissues. The particle size distribution in the prostate tissue mainly ranged from 20 to 100 μm. Approximately 31.58% of para-tumor samples exhibited sizes between 20 and 30 μm, while 35.21% of tumor samples displayed sizes between 50 and 100 μm. The shapes of these microplastics varied considerably with irregular forms being predominant. Additionally, microplastics were detected by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry in 20 paired prostate tissues. The mean abundance of microplastics was found to be 181.0 μg/g and 290.3 μg/g in para-tumor and tumor of human prostate samples, respectively. Among the 11 target types microplastics polymers, only polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride were detected. Notably, polystyrene, polyethylene, and polyvinyl chloride, except for polypropylene, demonstrated significantly higher abundance in tumor tissues compared to their respective paired para-tumor. Furthermore, a positive correlation was observed between polystyrene abundance in the tumor samples of human prostate and frequency of take-out food consumption. INTERPRETATION This research provides both qualitative and quantitative evidence of the microplastics presence as well as their properties, types, and abundance in paired para-tumor and tumor samples of human prostate. Correlations between microplastics abundance, demographics, and clinical characteristics of patients need to be further validated in future studies with a larger sample size. FUNDING This work was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (2022YFC2702600) and the National Natural Science Foundation of China (Grant No. 82071698, No. 82101676, and No. 82271630).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenyao Deng
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China; The Institution of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, 100034, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Urogenital Diseases (Male) Molecular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Beijing, 100034, China; National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Jun Zhu
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China; The Institution of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, 100034, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Urogenital Diseases (Male) Molecular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Beijing, 100034, China; National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Zishui Fang
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China; The Institution of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, 100034, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Urogenital Diseases (Male) Molecular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Beijing, 100034, China; National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Yuzhuo Yang
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Qiancheng Zhao
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China; The Institution of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, 100034, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Urogenital Diseases (Male) Molecular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Beijing, 100034, China; National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing, 100034, China
| | - Zhe Zhang
- Department of Urology, Center for Reproductive Medicine, Peking University Third Hospital, Beijing, 100191, China
| | - Zirun Jin
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China; The Institution of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, 100034, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Urogenital Diseases (Male) Molecular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Beijing, 100034, China; National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing, 100034, China.
| | - Hui Jiang
- Department of Urology, Peking University First Hospital, Beijing, 100034, China; The Institution of Urology, Peking University, Beijing, 100034, China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Urogenital Diseases (Male) Molecular Diagnosis and Treatment Center, Beijing, 100034, China; National Urological Cancer Center, Beijing, 100034, China.
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18
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Gong K, Hu S, Zhang W, Peng C, Tan J. Topic modeling discovers trending topics in global research on the ecosystem impacts of microplastics. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2024; 46:425. [PMID: 39316202 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-024-02218-6] [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: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
The ecological threats of microplastics (MPs) have sparked research worldwide. However, changes in the topics of MP research over time and space have not been evaluated quantitatively, making it difficult to identify the next frontiers. Here, we apply topic modeling to assess global spatiotemporal dynamics of MP research. We identified nine leading topics in current MP research. Over time, MP research topics have switched from aquatic to terrestrial ecosystems, from distribution to fate, from ingestion to toxicology, and from physiological toxicity to cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. In most of the nine leading topics, a disproportionate amount of independent and collaborative research activity was conducted in and between a few developed countries which is detrimental to understanding the environmental fates of MPs in a global context. This review recognizes the urgent need for more attention to emerging topics in MP research, particularly in regions that are heavily impacted but currently overlooked.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kailin Gong
- School of Resource and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Shuangqing Hu
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai, 200233, China
| | - Wei Zhang
- School of Resource and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China
| | - Cheng Peng
- School of Resource and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200237, China.
- State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Health Impact Assessment of Emerging Contaminants, Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai, 200233, China.
- Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Jiaqi Tan
- Department of Biological Sciences, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, 70803, USA.
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19
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Pierdomenico M, Morgana S, Chiocci FL. First report of microplastics in water and sediments of the alkaline Bagno dell'Acqua Lake (Pantelleria Island, southern Italy). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 362:124962. [PMID: 39306072 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124962] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2024] [Revised: 09/11/2024] [Accepted: 09/13/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics are ubiquitous in aquatic ecosystems and lakes are considered important sinks for this contaminant. In this study, we assessed for the first time the occurrence and spatial distribution of microplastics in surficial waters and sediment of a small alkaline lake located in the National Park of Pantelleria Island (Central Mediterranean Sea). The island is small, scarcely populated, not industrialized and ∼70 km far from the southern European and northern African shores. Water samples were collected in triplicates in different sectors of the lake using a 10 L metal bucket, while sediment sampling was carried out at seven stations along the lake shoreline, plus one station at 3.6 m depth. Results show a homogeneous distribution of microplastic in surface waters, dominated by fibers (∼90%), with a mean concentration of 0.13 ± 0.04 MP/L, which is lower than most of the lakes worldwide. Conversely, microplastics in sediment had a higher proportion of fragments and films (50%) and their concentrations range from 0 to 540 MP/kg. The highest abundance was recorded in the western sector, where most of touristic activities concentrate, and at the 3.6 m depth station, thus suggesting that the deeper parts of the lake may retain the majority of microplastics entering the system. This study shows that even in small lakes far from major anthropic pressures, sediment may contain microplastics in striking abundances, pointing out the need to assess rural and remote lakes, at present much understudied compared to lakes in highly populated regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina Pierdomenico
- Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering, Italian National Research Council (IGAG-CNR), Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Morgana
- Institute for the Study of Anthropic Impact and Sustainability in the Marine Environment, Italian National Research Council (IAS-CNR), Rome, Italy.
| | - Francesco Latino Chiocci
- Institute of Environmental Geology and Geoengineering, Italian National Research Council (IGAG-CNR), Rome, Italy; Department of Earth Sciences, Sapienza University, Rome, Italy
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20
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Cordeiro RDM, Cardoso VV, Carneiro RN, Almeida CMM. Profile and Different Approaches for Size Characterization of Microplastics in Drinking Water from the Lisbon Water Supply System. Molecules 2024; 29:4426. [PMID: 39339420 PMCID: PMC11434258 DOI: 10.3390/molecules29184426] [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: 07/19/2024] [Revised: 09/09/2024] [Accepted: 09/14/2024] [Indexed: 09/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) contribute to the overall pollution of water sources, affecting not only aquatic ecosystems but also water for human consumption (WHC). Currently, there needs to be a global consensus on safe levels of microplastics in WHC, which will allow regulatory efforts and risk assessments to be carried out. Therefore, this study aims to characterize MP particles in WHC of the Lisbon water supply system (LWSS) and compare two approaches to quantify these particles (length and width of the particles, and the area equivalent diameter (AED) of the particles). The quantification of MP particles was made via micro-FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) on transmission mode after water filtration on 5 µm silicon filters. Thirty-eight WHC samples from the LWSS showed MPs up to 836 MPs/L, with an average value of 196 MPs/L. The most representative polymer was polyethylene (PE, 77.2%). The other eight polymers were also quantified. The length and width of MPs ranged between 84 µm and 41 µm, respectively. The AED of MPs ranged between 24 µm and 405 µm. The MP dimensions of both approaches can differ significantly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rodrigo D M Cordeiro
- Direção de Laboratórios, Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres, S.A.-EPAL, 1250-144 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Vitor V Cardoso
- Direção de Laboratórios, Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres, S.A.-EPAL, 1250-144 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Rui N Carneiro
- Direção de Laboratórios, Empresa Portuguesa das Águas Livres, S.A.-EPAL, 1250-144 Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Cristina M M Almeida
- Laboratório de Bromatologia e Qualidade da Água, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
- iMed. UL, Faculdade de Farmácia da Universidade de Lisboa, 1649-003 Lisboa, Portugal
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Pokar K, Rabari V, Duggal R, Patel A, Patel H, Patel K, Yadav VK, Al Obaid S, Ansari MJ, Trivedi J. The estuarine plastics menace: Insights into prevalence, characterization and polymeric risk assessment of microplastics in the Mahi River Estuary, Gujarat, India. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 208:116936. [PMID: 39293367 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2024] [Revised: 08/03/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/20/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic contamination (MP) has created havoc in all eco-systems especially the estuarine environment. The current investigation focused on assessing MP contamination along the Mahi River Estuary in Gujarat. Thirty sampling sites were selected along the estuary, spanning from Khambhat to Kamboi. Sediment samples were collected, processed, and analyzed for MPs. A total of 1371 MP particles were found, with an average abundance of 0.76 ± 0.25 MPs/g dry weight. The MP abundance was recorded at its highest and lowest at Chokari and Umraya, respectively. The MP abundance varied significantly between study sites. Fibers were reported dominantly, followed by fragments, films, and foam. Size-wise, 1-2 mm and <1 mm-sized MPs were prevalent. Various colours of MPs were also recorded. Polyethylene tetraphene, polyethylene, and polypropylene are the most abundant. Tourism, fishing activities, and a lack of waste management practices can be the possible reasons for MPs input in to estuarine habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krunal Pokar
- Department of Zoology, K. J. Somaiya College of Science and Commerce, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
| | - Vasantkumar Rabari
- Department of Life Sciences, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan, Gujarat, India
| | - Rishiraj Duggal
- Department of Zoology, K. J. Somaiya College of Science and Commerce, Mumbai, Maharashtra, India.
| | - Ashish Patel
- Department of Life Sciences, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan, Gujarat, India
| | - Heris Patel
- Department of Life Sciences, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan, Gujarat, India
| | - Krupal Patel
- Department of Life Sciences, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan, Gujarat, India
| | - Virendra Kumar Yadav
- Department of Life Sciences, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan, Gujarat, India
| | - Sami Al Obaid
- Department of Botany and Microbiology, College of Science, King Saud University, PO Box - 2455, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mohammad Javed Ansari
- Department of Botany, Hindu College Moradabad, Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh 244001, India
| | - Jigneshkumar Trivedi
- Department of Life Sciences, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan, Gujarat, India.
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22
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Vasantha Raman N, Gebreyohanes Belay BM, South J, Botha TL, Pegg J, Khosa D, Mofu L, Walsh G, Jordaan MS, Koelmans AA, Teurlincx S, Helmsing NR, de Jong N, van Donk E, Lürling M, Wepener V, Fernandes TV, de Senerpont Domis LN. Effect of an antidepressant on aquatic ecosystems in the presence of microplastics: A mesocosm study. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 357:124439. [PMID: 38942279 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/07/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/24/2024] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Emerging pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals and microplastics have become a pressing concern due to their widespread presence and potential impacts on ecological systems. To assess the ecosystem-level effects of these pollutants within a multi-stressor context, we simulated real-world conditions by exposing a near-natural multi-trophic aquatic food web to a gradient of environmentally relevant concentrations of fluoxetine and microplastics in large mesocosms over a period of more than three months. We measured the biomass and abundance of different trophic groups, as well as ecological functions such as nutrient availability and decomposition rate. To explore the mechanisms underlying potential community and ecosystem-level effects, we also performed behavioral assays focusing on locomotion parameters as a response variable in three species: Daphnia magna (zooplankton prey), Chaoborus flavicans larvae (invertebrate pelagic predator of zooplankton) and Asellus aquaticus (benthic macroinvertebrate), using water from the mesocosms. Our mesocosm results demonstrate that presence of microplastics governs the response in phytoplankton biomass, with a weak non-monotonic dose-response relationship due to the interaction between microplastics and fluoxetine. However, exposure to fluoxetine evoked a strong non-monotonic dose-response in zooplankton abundance and microbial decomposition rate of plant material. In the behavioral assays, the locomotion of zooplankton prey D. magna showed a similar non-monotonic response primarily induced by fluoxetine. Its predator C. flavicans, however, showed a significant non-monotonic response governed by both microplastics and fluoxetine. The behavior of the decomposer A. aquaticus significantly decreased at higher fluoxetine concentrations, potentially leading to reduced decomposition rates near the sediment. Our study demonstrates that effects observed upon short-term exposure result in more pronounced ecosystem-level effects following chronic exposure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nandini Vasantha Raman
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands; Department of Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 47, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Berte M Gebreyohanes Belay
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands; Department of Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 47, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands.
| | - Josie South
- School of Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK; South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), Makhanda, 6140, South Africa
| | - Tarryn L Botha
- Department of Zoology, University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Johannesburg, 2006, South Africa
| | - Josephine Pegg
- Department of Ichthyology and Fisheries Science, Rhodes University, Makhanda, EC, South Africa; South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), Makhanda, 6140, South Africa
| | - Dumisani Khosa
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), Makhanda, 6140, South Africa; Scientific Services, South African National Parks, Private Bag X402, Skukuza, 1350, South Africa
| | - Lubabalo Mofu
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), Makhanda, 6140, South Africa
| | - Gina Walsh
- School of Animal, Plant and Environmental Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Wits, 2050, South Africa
| | - Martine S Jordaan
- South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity (SAIAB), Makhanda, 6140, South Africa; CapeNature Scientific Services, Stellenbosch, South Africa
| | - Albert A Koelmans
- Department of Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 47, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Sven Teurlincx
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Nico R Helmsing
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Nina de Jong
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Ellen van Donk
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands; Ecology and Biodiversity Research Group, University of Utrecht, Utrecht, the Netherlands
| | - Miquel Lürling
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands; Department of Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 47, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Victor Wepener
- Water Research Group, Unit for Environmental Sciences and Management, North-West University, Private Bag X6001, Potchefstroom, 2520, South Africa
| | - Tânia V Fernandes
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Lisette N de Senerpont Domis
- Department of Aquatic Ecology, Netherlands Institute of Ecology (NIOO-KNAW), Droevendaalsesteeg 10, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands; Department of Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 47, 6708 PB, Wageningen, the Netherlands; Department of Pervasive Systems, EEMCS, University of Twente & Department of Water Resources, ITC, University of Twente, the Netherlands
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Duan Q, Zhai B, Zhao C, Liu K, Yang X, Zhang H, Yan P, Huang L, Lee J, Wu W, Zhou C, Quan X, Kang W. Nationwide meta-analysis of microplastic distribution and risk assessment in China's aquatic ecosystems, soils, and sediments. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 477:135331. [PMID: 39067288 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 07/30/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) accumulation has recently become a pressing global environmental challenge. As a major producer and consumer of plastic products, China's MP pollution has garnered significant attention from researchers. However, accurate and comprehensive investigations of national-level MP pollution are still lacking. In this study, we systematically collated a national MP pollution dataset consisting of 7766 water, soil, and sediment sampling sites from 544 publicly published studies, revealing the spatiotemporal distribution and potential risks of MP pollution in China. The results indicate that MP distribution is influenced by various regional factors, including economic development level, population distribution, and geographical environment, exhibiting considerable range and complexity. MP concentrations are generally higher in economically prosperous areas, but the degree of pollution varies significantly across different environmental media. Given the uncertainty and lack of standardized data in traditional microplastic risk assessment methods, this article highlights the urgency of developing a comprehensive big data and artificial intelligence (AI)-based regulatory framework. This work provides a substantial amount of accurate MP pollution data and offers a fresh perspective on leveraging AI for microplastic pollution regulation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiannan Duan
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, PR China
| | - Baoxin Zhai
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, PR China
| | - Chen Zhao
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, PR China
| | - Kangping Liu
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, PR China
| | - Xiangyi Yang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, PR China
| | - Hailong Zhang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, PR China
| | - Pengwei Yan
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Earth Surface System and Environmental Carrying Capacity, College of Urban and Environmental Sciences, Northwest University, Xi'an 710127, PR China
| | - Lei Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, PR China.
| | - Jianchao Lee
- Department of Environment Science, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, PR China.
| | - Weidong Wu
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Forewarning of Trace Pollutants, Xi'an 710005, PR China
| | - Chi Zhou
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Forewarning of Trace Pollutants, Xi'an 710005, PR China
| | - Xudong Quan
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Forewarning of Trace Pollutants, Xi'an 710005, PR China
| | - Wei Kang
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Monitoring and Forewarning of Trace Pollutants, Xi'an 710005, PR China
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24
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Zhao B, Richardson RE, You F. Microplastics monitoring in freshwater systems: A review of global efforts, knowledge gaps, and research priorities. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 477:135329. [PMID: 39088945 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135329] [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: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Abstract
The escalating production of synthetic plastics and inadequate waste management have led to pervasive microplastic (MP) contamination in aquatic ecosystems. MPs, typically defined as particles smaller than 5 mm, have become an emerging pollutant in freshwater environments. While significant concern about MPs has risen since 2014, research has predominantly concentrated on marine settings, there is an urgent need for a more in-depth critical review to systematically summarize the current global efforts, knowledge gaps, and research priorities for MP monitoring in freshwater systems. This review evaluates the current understanding of MP monitoring in freshwater environments by examining the distribution, characteristics, and sources of MPs, alongside the progression of analytical methods with quantitative evidence. Our findings suggest that MPs are widely distributed in global freshwater systems, with higher abundances found in areas with intense human economic activities, such as the United States, Europe, and China. MP abundance distributions vary across different water bodies (e.g., rivers, lakes, estuaries, and wetlands), with sampling methods and size range selections significantly influencing reported MP abundances. Despite great global efforts, there is still a lack of harmonized analyzing framework and understanding of MP pollution in specific regions and facilities. Future research should prioritize the development of standardized analysis protocols and open-source MP datasets to facilitate data comparison. Additionally, exploring the potential of state-of-the-art artificial intelligence for rapid, accurate, and large-scale modeling and characterization of MPs is crucial to inform effective strategies for managing MP pollution in freshwater ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bu Zhao
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Ruth E Richardson
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Fengqi You
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Systems Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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Cui T, Liu K, Zhu L, Wang X, Dong X, Jabeen K, Zong C, Wang X, Wei N, He Y, Li Q, Jiao M, Lu J, Bu X, Li D. Is intravenous infusion an unrecognized route for internal microplastic human exposure? A general assessment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 480:135769. [PMID: 39288522 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135769] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/17/2024] [Revised: 08/29/2024] [Accepted: 09/05/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
As newly recognized environmental pollutants, microplastics (MPs, ≤5 mm in length) have been reported in various human tissues and fluids, including the spleen, liver, heart, blood and blood clots, raising global concerns about their impact on human health. This study investigated the characteristics of MPs in intravenous infusion and the removal of MPs from infusion products by infusion sets fitted with different filters using micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy. MPs were detected in infusion products, with an average abundance of 1.24 ± 1.44 items/unit (2.91 ± 3.91 items/L). The primary types of MPs identified were fragmented particles of polyethene and polypropylene, ranging in size from 15-100 µm. Internal filters in infusion sets played a crucial role in removing MPs, particularly fibrous ones, resulting in a reduction in both abundance and particle size of MPs in the human body. Moreover, this study conducted a general assessment of intravenous microplastic exposure among hospital patients and estimated the global per-person input of MPs via intravenous administration. It is an opportunity for us to gain a deeper understanding of MPs in intravenous infusion and provides guides selecting infusion devices, increasing awareness of associated health risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiefeng Cui
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200062, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China; Hainan Research Institute of East China Normal University, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Kai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200062, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China; Hainan Research Institute of East China Normal University, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Lixin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200062, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China; Hainan Research Institute of East China Normal University, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Xiaohui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200062, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China; Hainan Research Institute of East China Normal University, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Xuri Dong
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200062, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China; Hainan Research Institute of East China Normal University, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Khalida Jabeen
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200062, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China; Hainan Research Institute of East China Normal University, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Changxing Zong
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200062, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China; Hainan Research Institute of East China Normal University, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Xinghuo Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200062, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China; Hainan Research Institute of East China Normal University, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Nian Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200062, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China; Hainan Research Institute of East China Normal University, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Yinan He
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200062, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China; Hainan Research Institute of East China Normal University, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Qingqing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200062, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China; Hainan Research Institute of East China Normal University, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Meng Jiao
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200062, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China; Hainan Research Institute of East China Normal University, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Jungang Lu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200062, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China; Hainan Research Institute of East China Normal University, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Xinyu Bu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200062, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China; Hainan Research Institute of East China Normal University, Sanya 572025, China
| | - Daoji Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200062, China; Region Training and Research Center on Plastic Marine Debris and Microplastics, IOC-UNESCO, 200241, China; Hainan Research Institute of East China Normal University, Sanya 572025, China.
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Bruno A, Dovizio M, Milillo C, Aruffo E, Pesce M, Gatta M, Chiacchiaretta P, Di Carlo P, Ballerini P. Orally Ingested Micro- and Nano-Plastics: A Hidden Driver of Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Colorectal Cancer. Cancers (Basel) 2024; 16:3079. [PMID: 39272937 PMCID: PMC11393928 DOI: 10.3390/cancers16173079] [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: 06/28/2024] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 09/02/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Micro- and nano-plastics (MNPLs) can move along the food chain to higher-level organisms including humans. Three significant routes for MNPLs have been reported: ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. Accumulating evidence supports the intestinal toxicity of ingested MNPLs and their role as drivers for increased incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in high-risk populations such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. However, the mechanisms are largely unknown. In this review, by using the leading scientific publication databases (Web of Science, Google Scholar, Scopus, PubMed, and ScienceDirect), we explored the possible effects and related mechanisms of MNPL exposure on the gut epithelium in healthy conditions and IBD patients. The summarized evidence supports the idea that oral MNPL exposure may contribute to intestinal epithelial damage, thus promoting and sustaining the chronic development of intestinal inflammation, mainly in high-risk populations such as IBD patients. Colonic mucus layer disruption may further facilitate MNPL passage into the bloodstream, thus contributing to the toxic effects of MNPLs on different organ systems and platelet activation, which may, in turn, contribute to the chronic development of inflammation and CRC development. Further exploration of this threat to human health is warranted to reduce potential adverse effects and CRC risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annalisa Bruno
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine & Dentistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Melania Dovizio
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine & Dentistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Cristina Milillo
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine & Dentistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Eleonora Aruffo
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine & Dentistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Mirko Pesce
- Department of Medicine and Aging Sciences, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- UdA-TechLab, Research Center, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66110 Chieti, Italy
| | - Marco Gatta
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine & Dentistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Piero Chiacchiaretta
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine & Dentistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Piero Di Carlo
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine & Dentistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
| | - Patrizia Ballerini
- Department of Innovative Technologies in Medicine & Dentistry, "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
- Center for Advanced Studies and Technology (CAST), "G. d'Annunzio" University of Chieti-Pescara, 66100 Chieti, Italy
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Bhagat K, Doussiemo DRB, Mushro N, Rajwade K, Kumar A, Apul O, Perreault F. Effect of Biofouling on the Sorption of Organic Contaminants by Microplastics. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:1973-1981. [PMID: 38924544 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5938] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics in the aquatic environment are susceptible to colonization by surrounding microorganisms, which form biofilms over the microplastic's surface. These biofilm-laden microplastics can then interact with a diverse array of contaminants. In the present study, biofilms were grown on microplastics in a laboratory setting using Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a model biofilm-forming bacterium for periods of 5 to 15 days. The sorption of three organic compounds representing different levels of hydrophobicity, namely methylene blue (MB), phenanthrol, and phenanthrene, was used to evaluate the effect of biofilm biomass on the adsorption of organic contaminants to microplastics. The sorption of MB and phenanthrol was found to increase with biofouling time, indicating affinity between these contaminants and the biofilm biomass on the particle. However, the presence of a biofilm did not influence the sorption of phenanthrene on the microplastics. These results suggest that the hydrophobicity of organic contaminants plays a major role in how biofouling of microplastics will influence contaminant sorption by microplastics. For some contaminants, biofilm can enhance the role of microplastics as contaminant vectors. These findings emphasize the need to understand the biomass load on environmental microplastics and the contaminants that associate with it for an accurate representation of the risk associated with microplastics in the environment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1973-1981. © 2024 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kartik Bhagat
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Noelle Mushro
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Kimya Rajwade
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Abhishek Kumar
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Onur Apul
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA
| | - François Perreault
- Department of Chemistry, University of Quebec in Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Zhai Z, Yang Y, Chen S, Wu Z. Long-Term Exposure to Polystyrene Microspheres and High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity in Mice: Evaluating a Role for Microbiota Dysbiosis. ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH PERSPECTIVES 2024; 132:97002. [PMID: 39226184 PMCID: PMC11370995 DOI: 10.1289/ehp13913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2023] [Revised: 07/23/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Microplastics (MPs) have become a global environmental problem, emerging as contaminants with potentially alarming consequences. However, long-term exposure to polystyrene microspheres (PS-MS) and its effects on diet-induced obesity are not yet fully understood. OBJECTIVES We aimed to investigate the effect of PS-MS exposure on high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obesity and underlying mechanisms. METHODS In the present study, C57BL/6J mice were fed a normal diet (ND) or a HFD in the absence or presence of PS-MS via oral administration for 8 wk. Antibiotic depletion of the microbiota and fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) were performed to assess the influence of PS-MS on intestinal microbial ecology. We performed 16S rRNA sequencing to dissect microbial discrepancies and investigated the dysbiosis-associated intestinal integrity and inflammation in serum. RESULTS Compared with HFD mice, mice fed the HFD with PS-MS exhibited higher body weight, liver weight, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) activity scores, and mass of white adipose tissue, as well as higher blood glucose and serum lipid concentrations. Furthermore, 16S rRNA sequencing of the fecal microbiota revealed that mice fed the HFD with PS-MS had greater α -diversity and greater relative abundances of Lachnospiraceae, Oscillospiraceae, Bacteroidaceae, Akkermansiaceae, Marinifilaceae, Deferribacteres, and Desulfovibrio, but lower relative abundances of Atopobiaceae, Bifidobacterium, and Parabacteroides. Mice fed the HFD with PS-MS exhibited lower expression of MUC2 mucin and higher levels of lipopolysaccharide and inflammatory cytokines [tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α ), interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1β , and IL-17A] in serum. Correlation analyses revealed that differences in the microbial flora of mice exposed to PS-MS were associated with obesity. Interestingly, microbiota-depleted mice did not show the same PS-MS-associated differences in Muc2 and Tjp1 expression in the distal colon, expression of inflammatory cytokines in serum, or obesity outcomes between HFD and HFD + PS-MS. Importantly, transplantation of feces from HFD + PS-MS mice to microbiota-depleted HFD-fed mice resulted in a lower expression of mucus proteins, higher expression of inflammatory cytokines, and obesity outcomes, similar to the findings in HFD + PS-MS mice. CONCLUSIONS Our findings provide a new gut microbiota-driven mechanism for PS-MS-induced obesity in HFD-fed mice, suggesting the need to reevaluate the adverse health effects of MPs commonly found in daily life, particularly in susceptible populations. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13913.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhian Zhai
- Department of Companion Animal Science, State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Ying Yang
- Department of Companion Animal Science, State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
| | - Sheng Chen
- State Key Lab of Chemical Biology and Drug Discovery, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
- Department of Food Science and Nutrition, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Zhenlong Wu
- Department of Companion Animal Science, State Key Laboratory of Animal Nutrition and Feeding, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
- Beijing Advanced Innovation Center for Food Nutrition and Human Health, China Agricultural University, Beijing, China
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de Moraes NG, Olivatto GP, Lourenço FMDO, Lourenço ALA, Garcia GM, Pimpinato RF, Tornisielo VL. Contamination by microplastics and sorbed organic pollutants in the surface waters of the Tietê River, São Paulo-SP, Brazil. Heliyon 2024; 10:e36047. [PMID: 39224265 PMCID: PMC11367139 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e36047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are particles between 1 μm and 5 mm in size, originating mainly from poor solid waste and effluent management, that can reach water bodies from various sources. In freshwater environments, the occurrence, distribution, and characterization of this new class of pollutants are still little explored, especially in Brazil. The aim of this study was to assess the occurrence of MPs, as well as the presence and concentration of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) sorbed to these particles in the surface waters of the Tietê River - SP. Surface water samples were collected in duplicate during the dry and wet seasons. The identification and characterization of the MPs was carried out through visual inspection and the chemical identity of the particles was verified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with attenuated total reflectance (FTIR-ATR). For the analysis of PCBs adsorbed to the MPs, the sample extracts were analyzed by gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The MPs were found in concentrations ranging from 6.67 to 1530 particles m-3, with a predominance of the polymers polyethylene (PE, with 58.17 %) and polypropylene (PP, with 23.53 %). The main morphological categories identified were fragments (56.63 %), fibers (28.42 %), and transparent films (13.06 %). Higher abundances of PCBs were observed in the lower size range, between 0.106 and 0.35 mm. The total concentrations of PCBs in MPs ranged from 20.53 to 133.12 ng g-1. The results obtained here are relevant for understanding the dynamics and level of contamination of MPs and organic pollutants sorbed to these particles in the Tietê River, as well as helping with mitigation measures for the restoration and preservation of this ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicoli Gomes de Moraes
- University of São Paulo (USP), Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture and the Environment (CENA), Ecotoxicology Laboratory, CEP, 13400-970, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Glaucia Peregrina Olivatto
- University of São Paulo (USP), Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture and the Environment (CENA), Ecotoxicology Laboratory, CEP, 13400-970, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Felipe Machado de Oliveira Lourenço
- University of São Paulo (USP), Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture and the Environment (CENA), Ecotoxicology Laboratory, CEP, 13400-970, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | | | - Gustavo Munhoz Garcia
- University of São Paulo (USP), Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture and the Environment (CENA), Ecotoxicology Laboratory, CEP, 13400-970, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Rodrigo Floriano Pimpinato
- University of São Paulo (USP), Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture and the Environment (CENA), Ecotoxicology Laboratory, CEP, 13400-970, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
| | - Valdemar Luiz Tornisielo
- University of São Paulo (USP), Center for Nuclear Energy in Agriculture and the Environment (CENA), Ecotoxicology Laboratory, CEP, 13400-970, Piracicaba, SP, Brazil
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Kuo DTF, Shih YH. How effective is score-based data quality assessment? An illustration with fish BCF data. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 262:119880. [PMID: 39214491 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2024.119880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2024] [Revised: 08/26/2024] [Accepted: 08/28/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024]
Abstract
Increasingly rigorous data quality (DQ) evaluations and/or screening practices are being applied to environmental and ecotoxicological datasets. DQ is predominantly evaluated by scoring given data against preselected criteria. This study provides the first examination on the effectiveness of score-based DQ evaluation in providing statistically meaningful differentiation of measurements using fish bioconcentration factor (BCF) dataset as an illustration. This is achieved by inspecting how log BCF differs with the built-in overall-DQ and specific-DQ evaluations, and how it is influenced by interactive effects and hierarchy of DQ criteria. Approximately 80-90% of analyzable chemicals show no statistical difference in log BCF between low-quality (LQ) and high-quality (HQ) measurements in overall evaluation (n = 183) or in individual evaluation of 6 DQ criteria (n = 53 to 101). Further examination shows that log BCF may/may not change with different combinations or total number of criteria violations. Tree analysis and nodal structures of deviation in log BCF also reveal the absence of common structural dependence on the criteria violated. Finally, simple averaging of all measurements without DQ differentiation yields comparable log BCFs as those derived using strictly HQ data with ≤0.5 log unit difference in over 93% of the chemicals (n = 158) and no dependence on number of measurements, fraction of LQ measurements, or bioaccumulation potential of the chemicals. For accurate log BCF, DQ appears no more important than having more independent measurements irrespective of their individual DQ statuses. This work concludes by calling for: (i) re-documentation of experimental details in legacy environmental and ecotoxicological datasets, (ii) examination of other DQ-categorized datasets using the tests and tools applied here, and (ii) a thorough and systematic reflection on how DQ should be assessed for modeling, benchmarking, and other data-based analyses or applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dave T F Kuo
- Graduate Institute of Environmental Engineering, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan.
| | - Yang-Hsin Shih
- Department of Agricultural Chemistry, National Taiwan University, Taipei City, Taiwan
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31
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Rahman RR, Baqee A, Alam M, Khan MW, Muhib MI, Kabir A. Organ-specific bioaccumulation of microplastics in market fish of Dhaka and size-dependent impacts of PVC microplastics on growth of Anabustestudineus. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 361:124807. [PMID: 39182814 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124807] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2024] [Revised: 08/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/27/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs), a growing environmental concern with potential ecotoxicological risks, are ubiquitous in aquatic environment. This study investigated the organ-specific distribution and variation of MPs in commercially caught fishes (7 species, 140 individuals) collected from Dhaka's two main fish distribution hubs (Uttara and Jatrabari). Additionally, the impact of different-sized MPs on fish growth (Anabas testudineus) was examined in a control experiment. Results revealed that kidneys of market fish bioaccumulated the highest concentration of MPs (average, 59.1 MPs/g), followed by liver (24.6 MPs/g) and intestine (18.6 MPs/g). On average, fish from Uttara had a higher MPs concentration (36 MPs/g) compared to Jatrabari (25 MPs/g). Among fish species, Glossogobius giuris showed the highest MPs bioaccumulation due to its feeding habits and morphology. Fiber-shaped MPs were most prevalent in all fishes (79-93%) except Glossogobius giuris (fragments, 51%). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis identified 19 different polymer types, with high density polyethylene (HDPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and polyamide (PA) being commonly found in all organs. The experimental study confirmed that large-sized PVC MPs (1.18 mm-300 μm) had a greater negative impact on fish growth (length) and caused more physical deformities (particularly intestinal injuries) compared to small-sized PVC MPs (150 μm-75 μm). Moreover, fish exposed to larger diameter MPs experienced highest physical weight and depth loss among exposed groups. Large-sized PVC MPs bioaccumulated highest in fish compared to small-sized PVC MPs. Similar to market fish, kidney in the experimental fish had the highest MPs bioaccumulation (6.5 MPs/g), followed by liver (5.2 MPs/g) and intestine (4.8 MPs/g), with a dominance of fibers despite the presence of high concentration of fragments in the food source. Statistical analysis also supported a clear correlation between increasing MPs size and adverse effects on fish growth and health. Urgent action is needed to curb microplastic pollution and protect ecosystems and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- R-Rafiul Rahman
- Department of Environmental Science, Bangladesh University of Professional, Dhaka, 1216, Bangladesh
| | - Abdul Baqee
- University of Global Village, Barishal, 8200, Bangladesh
| | - Mahbub Alam
- Department of Environmental Science, Bangladesh University of Professional, Dhaka, 1216, Bangladesh; Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Arnold School of Public Health, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC, 29208, United States
| | - Mohammad Wahidur Khan
- Department of Biological, Geological, and Environmental Sciences, Cleveland State University, Ohio, United States
| | - Md Iftakharul Muhib
- Department of General Education Department, City University, Dhaka, 1340, Bangladesh
| | - Alamgir Kabir
- Department of Environmental Science, Bangladesh University of Professional, Dhaka, 1216, Bangladesh.
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Dalmau-Soler J, Boleda MR, Lacorte S. Routine method for the analysis of microplastics in natural and drinking water by pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr A 2024; 1730:465153. [PMID: 39018737 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2024.465153] [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: 05/08/2024] [Revised: 07/02/2024] [Accepted: 07/08/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
The presence of microplastics (MPs) in water intended for human consumption represents a growing concern due to their ubiquity in the aquatic environments and the potential adverse effects on human health. In this context, validated and standardized analytical methods are required to minimize uncertainties associated with the determination of MPs in water, especially during the drinking water treatment process. In this study, a simple water sampling and extraction procedure and analysis using pyrolysis with gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) was developed to determine 7 types of polymers in water. Quality parameters associated with the method were evaluated, including limits of detection (MDL) and quantitation (MQL), linearity, precision, accuracy, and extended uncertainty. The developed methodology was validated by participating in the EUROQCHARM interlaboratory exercise, and the Z-scores were within the acceptable range for 4 of the 5 polymers tested. Finally, MPs were determined in river water, reclaimed water, and drinking water from the urban area of Barcelona and total concentrations ranged from 11.3 µg/L to 77.1 µg/L. The proposed methodology allows for simple (direct filtration of 100-500 mL of water with a 13 mm glass fiber filter), quantitative (µg/L), and rapid (with a total analysis time of 20 min per sample, including both pyrolysis and GC-MS) analysis of MPs in water intended for drinking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Dalmau-Soler
- Aigües de Barcelona, Empresa Metropolitana de Gestió del Cicle Integral de l'Aigua, S.A., General Batet 1-7, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - M Rosa Boleda
- Aigües de Barcelona, Empresa Metropolitana de Gestió del Cicle Integral de l'Aigua, S.A., General Batet 1-7, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Silvia Lacorte
- Department of Environmental Chemistry, IDAEA-CSIC, Jordi Girona 18-26, Barcelona 08034, Spain.
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Chang M, Sun P, Zhang L, Liu Y, Chen L, Ren H, Wu B. Changes in characteristics and risk of freshwater microplastics under global warming. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 260:121960. [PMID: 38908311 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2024] [Revised: 05/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/17/2024] [Indexed: 06/24/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics present a significant threat to freshwater ecosystems. However, the impact of global warming on their characteristics and associated risks remains uncertain. This study collected 2793 sample sites from literature and datasets to create a new risk assessment and rank methodology, known as the Multi-characteristics Potential Ecological Risk Index (MPERI), which incorporates various microplastic characteristics, such as concentration, size distribution, color, shape, and polymer diversity. Using regression random forest models (RRF), this study predicted that a 10 °C increase would raise microplastic concentration from 12,465.34 ± 68,603.87 to 13,387.17 ± 60,692.96 particles/m3. The percentage of small-size microplastics initially decreased (from 69.10 % to 68.72 %) and then increased (from 68.72 % to 68.78 %), while the diversity of color, shape, and polymer decreased by 0.29 %, 3.24 %, and 0.17 %, respectively. Furthermore, global warming could increase the rank of microplastic risks from high (405.25 ± 528.9) to dangerous (535.37 ± 582.03) based on the MPERI method. Most countries would experience an increase in risk values, with Indonesia and Vietnam transitioning from low to medium risk, and China and Malaysia transitioning from high to dangerous risk. The feature importance assessment of the RRF model indicated that concentration was the most influential variable in determining the change in risk values. While other microplastic characteristics had a lesser impact compared to concentration, they still influenced the risk ranking. This study highlights the role of global warming in shaping microplastic risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengjie Chang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Peipei Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Linyu Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Yuxuan Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ling Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Hongqiang Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Bing Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
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Jiménez-Contreras J, Fernández-Medina RI, Fernández-Araiza MA. Microplastics pollution in tropical lakes: water, zooplankton, and fish in Central Mexico. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:813. [PMID: 39145782 PMCID: PMC11327201 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12978-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 08/08/2024] [Indexed: 08/16/2024]
Abstract
The presence of microplastics in freshwater systems can have harmful effects on the food chain. Zooplankton, especially suspension and filter feeders, can ingest microplastics, which can cause adverse effects and transfer them to higher trophic levels. Here, we analyze the presence, abundance, and distribution of microplastics in surface water, zooplankton, and fish in two tropical lakes in central Mexico. We collected water samples in triplicate at three sites in each lake and 120 fish of the genus Chirostoma. From each water sample, 300 rotifers and 150 microcrustaceans were randomly isolated and processed independently. Of the particles found in the water, zooplankton, and fish from both lakes, the fragments were the predominant ones. The total abundance of microplastics in the water column of both lakes varied between 1.2 and 17.0 items L-1. In zooplankton, fragments were found predominantly with up to 0.1 items ind-1, while in fish, up to 4.5 items ind-1 was recorded. Our results confirm the presence of microplastics in different compartments of the food webs of freshwater bodies, water column, zooplankton, and fish. Further work is required on the possible effects of these stressors at the different trophic levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jorge Jiménez-Contreras
- Laboratorio de Producción Acuícola, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus IztacalaLos Reyes Iztacala, CP 54090, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, México.
| | - Raquel I Fernández-Medina
- Laboratorio de Producción Acuícola, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus IztacalaLos Reyes Iztacala, CP 54090, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, México
| | - Mario A Fernández-Araiza
- Laboratorio de Producción Acuícola, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Campus IztacalaLos Reyes Iztacala, CP 54090, Tlalnepantla, Estado de México, México
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Snekkevik VK, Cole M, Gomiero A, Haave M, Khan FR, Lusher AL. Beyond the food on your plate: Investigating sources of microplastic contamination in home kitchens. Heliyon 2024; 10:e35022. [PMID: 39170486 PMCID: PMC11336334 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e35022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2024] [Revised: 07/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Given that a substantial amount of time is spent in kitchens preparing food, the kitchen equipment used may be relevant in determining the composition and amount of microplastics ending up on our dinner plate. While previous research has predominantly focused on foodstuffs as a source of microplastics, we emphasise that micro- and nanoplastics are ubiquitous and likely originate from diverse sources. To address the existing knowledge gap regarding additional sources contributing to microplastics on our dinner plates, this review investigates various kitchen processes, utensils and equipment (excluding single-use items and foodstuffs) to get a better understanding of potential microplastic sources within a home kitchen. Conducting a narrative literature review using terms related to kitchenware and kitchen-affiliated equipment and processes, this study underscores that the selection of preparation tools, storage, serving, cooking, and cleaning procedures in our kitchens may have a significant impact on microplastic exposure. Mechanical, physical, and chemical processes occurring during food preparation contribute to the release of microplastic particles, challenging the assumption that exposure to microplastics in food is solely tied to food products or packaging. This review highlights diverse sources of microplastics in home kitchens, posing concerns for food safety and human health.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Matthew Cole
- Marine Ecology & Biodiversity, Plymouth Marine Laboratory (PML), Plymouth, PL1 3DH, UK
| | - Alessio Gomiero
- Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE), Department of Climate & Environment, Mekjarvik 12, 4072, Randaberg, Norway
| | - Marte Haave
- SALT Lofoten AS, Pb. 91, Fiskergata 23, 8301, Svolvær, Norway
- Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE), Department of Climate & Environment, Nygårdsgt 112, 5008, Bergen, Norway
| | - Farhan R. Khan
- Norwegian Research Centre (NORCE), Department of Climate & Environment, Nygårdsgt 112, 5008, Bergen, Norway
| | - Amy L. Lusher
- Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA), Oslo, Norway
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Rostampour S, Cook R, Jhang SS, Li Y, Fan C, Sung LP. Changes in the Chemical Composition of Polyethylene Terephthalate under UV Radiation in Various Environmental Conditions. Polymers (Basel) 2024; 16:2249. [PMID: 39204469 PMCID: PMC11358994 DOI: 10.3390/polym16162249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Polyethylene terephthalate has been widely used in the packaging industry. Degraded PET micro(nano)plastics could pose public health concerns following release into various environments. This study focuses on PET degradation under ultraviolet radiation using the NIST SPHERE facility at the National Institute of Standards and Technology in saturated humidity (i.e., ≥95% relative humidity) and dry conditions (i.e., ≤5% relative humidity) with varying temperatures (30 °C, 40 °C, and 50 °C) for up 20 days. ATR-FTIR was used to characterize the chemical composition change of degraded PET as a function of UV exposure time. The results showed that the cleavage of the ester bond at peak 1713 cm-1 and the formation of the carboxylic acid at peak 1685 cm-1 were significantly influenced by UV radiation. Furthermore, the formation of carboxylic acid was considerably higher at saturated humidity and 50 °C conditions compared with dry conditions. The ester bond cleavage was also more pronounced in saturated humidity conditions. The novelty of this study is to provide insights into the chemical degradation of PET under environmental conditions, including UV radiation, humidity, and temperature. The results can be used to develop strategies to reduce the environmental impact of plastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sara Rostampour
- PREP Associate, Infrastructure Materials Group, Materials and Structural Systems Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA
- Bio Environmental Science Program, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA; (Y.L.); (C.F.)
| | - Rachel Cook
- Infrastructure Materials Group, Materials and Structural Systems Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA;
| | - Song-Syun Jhang
- Department of Materials Science and Engineering, National Cheng Kung University, No. 1, University Rd., Tainan 701, Taiwan;
| | - Yuejin Li
- Bio Environmental Science Program, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA; (Y.L.); (C.F.)
| | - Chunlei Fan
- Bio Environmental Science Program, Morgan State University, Baltimore, MD 21251, USA; (Y.L.); (C.F.)
| | - Li-Piin Sung
- Infrastructure Materials Group, Materials and Structural Systems Division, National Institute of Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899, USA;
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Thi Nguyen H, Choi W, Jeong S, Bae H, Oh S, Cho K. Comprehensive assessment of chlorination disinfection on microplastic-associated biofilms. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 474:134751. [PMID: 38820748 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134751] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2024] [Revised: 05/14/2024] [Accepted: 05/27/2024] [Indexed: 06/02/2024]
Abstract
Chlorination on microplastic (MP) biofilms was comprehensively investigated with respect to disinfection efficiency, morphology, and core microbiome. The experiments were performed under various conditions: i) MP particles; polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS), ii) MP biofilms; Escherichia coli for single-species and river water microorganisms for multiple-species, iii) different chlorine concentrations, and iv) different chlorine exposure periods. As a result, chlorination effectively inactivated the MP biofilm microorganisms. The disinfection efficiency increased with increasing the free chlorination concentration and exposure periods for both single- and multiple-species MP biofilms. The multiple-species MP biofilms were inactivated 1.3-6.0 times less than single-species MP biofilms. In addition, the PP-MP biofilms were more vulnerable to chlorination than the PS-MP biofilms. Morphology analysis verified that chlorination detached most MP biofilms, while a small part still remained. Interestingly, chlorination strongly changed the biofilm microbiome on MPs; the relative abundance of some microbes increased after the chlorination, suggesting they could be regarded as chlorine-resistant bacteria. Some potential pathogens were also remained on the MP particles after the chlorination. Notably, chlorination was effective in inactivating the MP biofilms. Further research should be performed to evaluate the impacts of residual MP biofilms on the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hien Thi Nguyen
- Center for Water Cycle Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Faculty of Environment and Labour Safety, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
| | - Woodan Choi
- Center for Water Cycle Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Division of Energy & Environment Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Seongpil Jeong
- Center for Water Cycle Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Division of Energy & Environment Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyokwan Bae
- Department of Civil, Urban, Earth and Environmental Engineering, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, 50 UNIST-gil, Eonyang-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea; Graduate School of Carbon Neutrality, Ulsan National Institute of Science and Technology, 50 UNIST-gil, Eonyang-eup, Ulju-gun, Ulsan 44919, Republic of Korea
| | - Seungdae Oh
- Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering, Kyung Hee University, Yongin, Republic of Korea; KHU-KIST Department of Converging Science and Technology, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungjin Cho
- Center for Water Cycle Research, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; Division of Energy & Environment Technology, KIST School, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), Seoul 02792, Republic of Korea; KHU-KIST Department of Converging Science and Technology, Kyung Hee University, 26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Republic of Korea.
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Adamu H, Haruna A, Zango ZU, Garba ZN, Musa SG, Yahaya SM, IbrahimTafida U, Bello U, Danmallam UN, Akinpelu AA, Ibrahim AS, Sabo A, Aljunid Merican ZM, Qamar M. Microplastics and Co-pollutants in soil and marine environments: Sorption and desorption dynamics in unveiling invisible danger and key to ecotoxicological risk assessment. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 362:142630. [PMID: 38897321 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142630] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Accepted: 06/14/2024] [Indexed: 06/21/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and their co-pollutants pose significant threats to soil and marine environments, necessitating understanding of their colonization processes to combat the plastic pandemic and protect ecosystems. MPs can act as invisible carriers, concentrating and transporting pollutants, leading to a more widespread and potentially toxic impact than the presence of either MPs or the pollutants alone. Analyzing the sorption and desorption dynamics of MPs is crucial for understanding pollutants amplification and predicting the fate and transport of pollutants in soil and marine environments. This review provides an in-depth analysis of the sorption and desorption dynamics of MPs, highlighting the importance of considering these dynamics in ecotoxicological risk assessment of MPs pollution. The review identifies limitations of current frameworks that neglect these interactions and proposes incorporating sorption and desorption data into robust frameworks to improve the ability to predict ecological risks posed by MPs and co-pollutants in soil and marine environments. However, failure to address the interplay between sorption and desorption can result in underestimation of the true impact of MPs and co-pollutants, affecting livelihoods and agro-employments, and exacerbate poverty and community disputes (SDGs 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 16). It can also affect food production and security (SDG 2), life below water and life on land (DSGs 14 and 15), cultural practices, and natural heritage (SDG 11.4). Hence, it is necessary to develop new approaches to ecotoxicological risk assessment that consider sorption and desorption processes in the interactions between the components in the framework to address the identified limitations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haruna Adamu
- Department of Environmental Management Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Yalwa Campus, 740272, Bauchi, Nigeria; Department of Chemistry, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Gubi Campus, 740102, Bauchi, Nigeria.
| | - Abdurrashid Haruna
- Department of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia; Department of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, 810107, Zaria, Nigeria; Institute of Contaminant Management, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia
| | | | - Zaharadden N Garba
- Department of Chemistry, Ahmadu Bello University, 810107, Zaria, Nigeria
| | - Suleiman Gani Musa
- Department of Chemistry, Al-Qalam University, 2137, Katsina, Nigeria; Institute of Contaminant Management, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia
| | | | - Usman IbrahimTafida
- Department of Chemistry, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Gubi Campus, 740102, Bauchi, Nigeria
| | - Usman Bello
- Department of Chemistry, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Gubi Campus, 740102, Bauchi, Nigeria; Biofuel and Biochemical Research Group, Department of Chemical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi, PETRONAS, Seri Iskandar, 32610, Malaysia
| | | | - Adeola Akeem Akinpelu
- Center of Environment and Marine Studies, King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia
| | - Abubakar Sadiq Ibrahim
- Department of Environmental Management Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Yalwa Campus, 740272, Bauchi, Nigeria
| | - Ahmed Sabo
- Department of Environmental Management Technology, Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University, Yalwa Campus, 740272, Bauchi, Nigeria
| | - Zulkifli Merican Aljunid Merican
- Department of Fundamental and Applied Sciences, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia; Institute of Contaminant Management, Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS, 32610 Seri Iskandar, Perak Darul Ridzuan, Malaysia
| | - Mohammad Qamar
- Interdisciplinary Research Center for Hydrogen Technologies and Carbon Management (IRC-HTCM), King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals, Dhahran, 31261, Saudi Arabia
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Gunasekaran K, Mghili B, De-la-Torre GE, Sompongchaiyakul P, Rangel-Buitrago N, Wang X, Charoenpong C. First record of plastiglomerates, pyroplastics and plasticrusts along the beaches of Tamilnadu, Southeast coast of India. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 205:116594. [PMID: 38875967 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116594] [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: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Plastic litter affects coastal and marine ecosystems globally. This study represents the first record of pyroplastics and plasticrust in the beaches of Tamil Nadu, India. All samples were FTIR spectroscopically examined to confirm the polymer composition of the suspected plastics. The 16 plastic formations were found in TamilNadu, including six plastiglomerates nine pyroplastics and one plasticrust. Five types of polymers (PET, PP, PVC, PA, and PE) were found on the plastic matrices. The study also revealed that pyroplastics and plasticrust formed by degradation of plastics through weathering in the coastal environment. The present study also found that four types of marine fouling organisms such as oyster larvae, bryozoan, barnacle and polychaete worm were encrusted on the two pyroplastics. The emergence of these new forms of plastic raises concerns about their interactions with the environment and biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kannan Gunasekaran
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Bilal Mghili
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N 18, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Faculty of Sciences, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación de Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Sociedad, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru
| | - Penjai Sompongchaiyakul
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programade Fisica, Facultad de Ciencias Basicas, Universidad del Atlantico, Barranquilla, Atlantico, Colombia
| | - Xianfeng Wang
- Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Chawalit Charoenpong
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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40
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Bai CL, Wang D, Luan YL, Huang SN, Liu LY, Guo Y. A review on micro- and nanoplastics in humans: Implication for their translocation of barriers and potential health effects. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 361:142424. [PMID: 38795915 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.142424] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2023] [Revised: 05/21/2024] [Accepted: 05/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/28/2024]
Abstract
As emerging contaminants, micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) can absorb and leach various toxic chemicals and ultimately endanger the health of the ecological environment and humans. With extensive research on MNPs, knowledge about MNPs in humans, especially their translocation of barriers and potential health effects, is of utmost importance. In this review, we collected literature published from 2000 to 2023, focusing on MNPs on their occurrence in humans, penetrating characteristics in the placental, blood-brain, and blood-testis barriers, and exposure effects on mammalian health. The characteristics and distributions of MNPs in human samples were analyzed, and the results demonstrated that MNPs were ubiquitous in most human samples, except for kidneys and cerebrospinal fluid. In addition, the phenomenon of MNPs crossing barriers and their underlying mechanisms were discussed. We also summarized the potential factors that may affect the barrier crossing and health effects of MNPs, including characteristics of MNPs, exposure doses, administration routes, exposure durations, co-exposure to other pollutants, and genetic predisposition. Exposure to MNPs may cause cytotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and developmental and reproductive toxicity in mammals. People are encouraged to reduce their exposure to MNPs to prevent these adverse health effects. Finally, we discussed the shortcomings of current research on MNPs in humans, providing a valuable reference for understanding and evaluating the potential health risks from MNP exposure in mammals, including humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cui-Lan Bai
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Dan Wang
- Hainan Branch, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Sanya, 572022, China
| | - Yu-Ling Luan
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Si-Nan Huang
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Liang-Ying Liu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Ying Guo
- Guangdong Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution and Health, School of Environment, Jinan University, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
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41
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Luo W, Fu H, Lu Q, Li B, Cao X, Chen S, Liu R, Tang B, Yan X, Zheng J. Microplastic pollution differences in freshwater river according to stream order: Insights from spatial distribution, annual load, and ecological assessment. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2024; 366:121836. [PMID: 39018841 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2024.121836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2024] [Revised: 06/25/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 07/19/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution has become a pressing concern in global freshwater ecosystems because rivers serve as essential channels for the transport of terrestrial debris to the ocean. The current researches mostly focus on the large catchments, but the impact on the small catchments remains underexplored. In this study, we employed Strahler's stream order classification to delineate the catchment structure of the Beijiang River in South China. The distribution pattern of MP contamination and the factors influencing the distribution pattern, were assessed across the streams at different orders. We found that the Beijiang River was moderately polluted compare to other rivers in China, with an average MP abundance of 2.15 ± 1.65 items/L. MP abundance ranged from 3.17 to 1.45 items/L in the streams at different orders, and significantly decreased with increasing stream order (R2 = 0.93). This highlights the key role of small rivers as the channels for the transport of MPs from watersheds to main streams. The high abundance of PP and PE fibers, the high correlation between the stream order and the resin proportion (R2 = 0.89), and the significant correlation between MP abundance and proximity to urban centers (P = 0.02), indicated that MP pollution across the streams at different orders was predominantly influenced by anthropogenic activities, rather than natural environmental factors. By integrating MP data with hydrographic information, the annual MP loads for the streams at Orders 1 to Order 5 were estimated to be 4.63, 39.38, 204.63, 503.06, and 1137.88 tons/yr, respectively. Additionally, an ecological risk assessment indicates that MP pollution led to a low risk in the Beijiang River. Our findings deepen the understanding of MP pollution within freshwater river networks, and emphasize the crucial role of tributary systems in transporting MPs to main river channels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weikeng Luo
- Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510640, PR China; Center of Emerging Contaminants, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510530, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, PR China
| | - Hongyu Fu
- Center of Emerging Contaminants, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510530, PR China
| | - Qiyuan Lu
- Center of Emerging Contaminants, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510530, PR China.
| | - Bowen Li
- Center of Emerging Contaminants, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510530, PR China.
| | - Xue Cao
- Center of Emerging Contaminants, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510530, PR China
| | - Sifan Chen
- Center of Emerging Contaminants, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510530, PR China
| | - Ruijuan Liu
- Center of Emerging Contaminants, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510530, PR China
| | - Bin Tang
- Center of Emerging Contaminants, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510530, PR China
| | - Xiao Yan
- Center of Emerging Contaminants, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510530, PR China
| | - Jing Zheng
- Center of Emerging Contaminants, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510530, PR China; State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Health Risk Assessment, South China Institute of Environmental Sciences, Ministry of Ecology and Environment, Guangzhou, 510530, PR China
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42
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Landebrit L, Sanchez R, Soccalingame L, Palazot M, Kedzierski M, Bruzeau S, Albignac M, Ludwig W, Ghiglione JF, Ter Halle A. Small microplastics have much higher mass concentrations than large microplastics at the surface of nine major European rivers. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024:10.1007/s11356-024-34486-1. [PMID: 39090295 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34486-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 07/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Understanding the fates and impacts of microplastics requires information on their sizes, polymer types, concentrations, and spatial and temporal distributions. Here, we focused on large (LMPs, 500 µm to 5 mm) and small (SMPs, 25 to 500 µm) microplastics sampled with the exact same protocol in nine of the major European rivers during the seven months of the Tara Microplastic Expedition. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) and pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography and mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) analyses were used to determine the microplastics contents by number and mass. The median LMP concentration was 6.7 particles m-3, which was lower than those in other regions of the world (America and Asia). The SMP mass concentration was much higher to the LMP concentrations, with SMP/LMP ratios up to 1000 in some rivers. We did not observe a systematic positive effect of urban areas for the two size classes or polymers; this could be explained by the fact that the transport of microplastic is highly heterogeneous in rivers. We believe that this study has important implications for predictive models of plastics distribution and fate in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Louisa Landebrit
- Laboratoire Softmat, Université de Toulouse, CNRS UMR 5623, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Rémi Sanchez
- Laboratoire Softmat, Université de Toulouse, CNRS UMR 5623, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Lata Soccalingame
- Institut de Recherche Dupuy de Lôme (IRDL), UMR6027, CNRS, Université Bretagne Sud, Lorient, France
| | - Maialen Palazot
- Institut de Recherche Dupuy de Lôme (IRDL), UMR6027, CNRS, Université Bretagne Sud, Lorient, France
| | - Mikael Kedzierski
- Institut de Recherche Dupuy de Lôme (IRDL), UMR6027, CNRS, Université Bretagne Sud, Lorient, France
| | - Stephane Bruzeau
- Institut de Recherche Dupuy de Lôme (IRDL), UMR6027, CNRS, Université Bretagne Sud, Lorient, France
| | - Magali Albignac
- Laboratoire Softmat, Université de Toulouse, CNRS UMR 5623, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
| | - Wolfgang Ludwig
- CEFREM, UMR 5110, University of Perpignan - CNRS, 66860, Perpignan Cedex, France
| | - Jean François Ghiglione
- Laboratoire d'Océanographie Microbienne (LOMIC), UMR 7621, CNRS, Sorbonne Université, Banyuls Sur Mer, France.
| | - Alexandra Ter Halle
- Laboratoire Softmat, Université de Toulouse, CNRS UMR 5623, Université Toulouse III - Paul Sabatier, Toulouse, France
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Hassan MA, Shetu MH, Miah O, Parvin F, Shammi M, Tareq SM. The seasonal variation and ecological risk of microplastics in the Lower Ganges River, Bangladesh. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2024; 96:e11103. [PMID: 39155052 DOI: 10.1002/wer.11103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2024] [Revised: 07/29/2024] [Accepted: 07/30/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution has gained considerable attention in various ecosystems; however, it has received relatively less attention in freshwater-riverine environments than in other ecosystems. The Ganges River Delta, one of the world's most densely populated areas, is a potential source of MP pollution in the freshwater ecosystem. MPs were identified throughout the year in the lower Ganges River water. Seasonally, the highest abundance was observed during the monsoon (14.66 ± 2.06 MPs/L), followed by the pre-monsoon (13.46 ± 1.75 MPs/L) and post-monsoon (11.50 ± 0.40 MPs/L). Throughout the year, MP discharge was estimated at 4.12 × 1012 to 2.17 × 1013 MPs/year. Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy identified plastic polymers in the water, like ethylene vinyl acetate, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene, and nylon. Moderate contamination by MPs was assessed throughout the year. Significant correlations between MP abundance and both rainfall and discharge were observed. It is essential to implement preventative measures in the Ganges River Basin to mitigate MP pollution before the situation worsens. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Throughout the year, MP concentration ranged from 10.67 to 20.33 MPs/L The highest MP occurrence was observed in the monsoon season (14.66 ± 2.06 MPs/L) The lowest abundance was detected in the post-monsoon period (11.50 ± 0.40 MPs/L) There was a moderate level of MP contamination in the lower Ganges River water It was shown that discharge and rainfall were correlated with MP abundance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Anamul Hassan
- Hydrobiogeochemistry and Pollution Control Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mabia Hossain Shetu
- Hydrobiogeochemistry and Pollution Control Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Osman Miah
- Hydrobiogeochemistry and Pollution Control Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Fahmida Parvin
- Hydrobiogeochemistry and Pollution Control Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Mashura Shammi
- Hydrobiogeochemistry and Pollution Control Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Shafi M Tareq
- Hydrobiogeochemistry and Pollution Control Laboratory, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
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Xiong L, Duan S, Wang W, Yao Y, Zhang H, Liu B, Lin W, Liu H, Wu J, Lu L, Zhang X. ZIF-8 functionalized S-tapered fiber-optic sensor for polystyrene nanoplastics detection by electrostatic adsorption. Talanta 2024; 275:126168. [PMID: 38678924 DOI: 10.1016/j.talanta.2024.126168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2024] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) residues in marine have become an increasingly serious environmental pollution issue, and in recent years the detection of MPs in marine started to attract worldwide research interests. Optical-fiber-based environmental sensors have been extensively employed for their several merits such as high sensitivity, pressure resistance, compactness and ease of constructing communication networks. However, fiber-optic refractive index sensors are not specifically developed for distinguishing MPs from other inorganic particles suspended in water. In this paper, an metal-organic framework (MOF) ZIF-8 functionalized S-tapered fiber (STF) sensor is proposed for specific detection of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) in aqueous environment. ZIF-8 coordination nanoporous polymers with different film thickness were immobilized over the surface of the fabricated STF structure based on self-growth technique and yielding a large surface area over the sensor surface. High sensitivity detection can be achieved by converting the concentration perturbation of PSNPs into evanescent waves over the ZIF-8 functionalized STF surface through the strong electrostatic adsorption effect and π-π stacking, while the fabricated sensor is insensitive to gravels with silica as the primary component in water. It is found that the proposed detector with 18 film layers achieves a sensitivity up to 114.1353nm/%(w/v) for the PSNPs concentration range of 0.01 %(w/v) to 0.08 %(w/v).
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Affiliation(s)
- Lingyi Xiong
- Institute of Modern Optics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Sensor and Sensing Network Technology, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Shaoxiang Duan
- Institute of Modern Optics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Zhuhai, 519000, China.
| | - Wenyu Wang
- Institute of Modern Optics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Sensor and Sensing Network Technology, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Yuan Yao
- Institute of Modern Optics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Sensor and Sensing Network Technology, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Zhuhai, 519000, China
| | - Hao Zhang
- Institute of Modern Optics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Sensor and Sensing Network Technology, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Bo Liu
- Institute of Modern Optics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Sensor and Sensing Network Technology, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory, Zhuhai, 519000, China
| | - Wei Lin
- Institute of Modern Optics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Haifeng Liu
- Institute of Modern Optics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Micro-scale Optical Information Science and Technology, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
| | - Jixuan Wu
- Tianjin Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Detection Technology and Systems, School of Electronics and Information Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin, 300387, China
| | - Lan Lu
- Center for Policy & Project Research, Sansha, 570100, China
| | - Xu Zhang
- Institute of Modern Optics, Tianjin Key Laboratory of Optoelectronic Sensor and Sensing Network Technology, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, China
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45
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Collins SF, Norton A. Prevailing wind patterns influence the distribution of plastics in small urban lakes. Sci Rep 2024; 14:17741. [PMID: 39085467 PMCID: PMC11291907 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-68516-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/02/2024] Open
Abstract
Cities generate large amounts of plastic waste and thus are often major sources of plastic pollution. Microplastics (particles < 5 mm) are a growing ecological concern as they are readily transported through the environment by wind, flowing water, and other transport processes. Here, we report the findings of an intensive field study that tested associations between prevailing winds and the distribution of plastic pollution around urban lakes (n = 20 lakes) in offshore sediments, shoreline sediments, and surface waters. We tested and found support for the hypothesis that prevailing winds influence the distribution of plastics around lakes. Overall, lakes had greater proportions of macroplastics (i.e., large plastic trash) and microplastics in sediments collected along northern lake shorelines. Notably, we found that macroplastic trash and total microplastics were, respectively, 1.7 and 3 times more abundant in sediments sampled along northern shorelines. Contrary to our expectation, we also found that microplastics in offshore sediments were in greater proportions along western lake shorelines, indicating that wind-driven processes might not explain the distribution of plastics in all lake zones. Furthermore, we observed no discernable patterns within lake surface waters and only captured a handful of suspended microplastic fragments and films from the water column. Overall, our findings revealed that the heterogeneous accumulation of plastic pollution at a lake is influenced, in part, by wind-driven processes. Moreover, these patterns extend across a network of lakes that were distributed across an urbanized landscape.
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Affiliation(s)
- Scott F Collins
- Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA.
| | - Andrea Norton
- Department of Natural Resources Management, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX, 79409, USA
- Woodwell Climate Research Center, Falmouth, MA, 02540, USA
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46
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Anju Abraham P, Gokul V, Swapna MNS, Sankararaman SI. Thermal lens technique's surrogacy unveiled: A novel tool for microplastic detection and quantification in water. Heliyon 2024; 10:e34532. [PMID: 39104487 PMCID: PMC11298906 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e34532] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2024] [Revised: 07/07/2024] [Accepted: 07/10/2024] [Indexed: 08/07/2024] Open
Abstract
The escalating usage of paper cups and packaging materials with plastic coatings has evolved into a substantial environmental and health concern, evidenced by the report of microplastics in human blood. This research introduces an innovative laser-assisted thermal lens (TL) technique for the precise detection and measurement of microplastics, specifically those leaching from the inner plastic coatings of paper cups. Employing a multipronged approach encompassing scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, UV-visible, and Raman spectroscopy, a comprehensive investigation is conducted into the leaching of microplastics into hot water from paper cups. The thermal diffusivity (D) of water samples containing microplastics is determined using the TL technique based on 120 observations for each temperature conducted using paper cups from three distinct manufacturers. The observation of a strong correlation between the number of microplastic particles (N) and D of the water sample enabled the setting of a linear empirical relation that can be used for computing the microplastics in water at a particular temperature. The study thus proposes a surrogate method for quantifying microplastics in water using the sensitive and non-destructive TL technique.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vijayakumar Gokul
- Department of Optoelectronics, University of Kerala, Trivandrum, 695581, India
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47
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Li Y, Ding BH, Geng X. Effect of biochar on microplastics penetration treatment within soil porous medium under the wetting-drying cycles and optimisation of soil-biochar mixing format. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 935:173194. [PMID: 38744391 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173194] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2024] [Revised: 04/30/2024] [Accepted: 05/11/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Plant-based biochar was demonstrated promising capability in adsorbing microplastic particles (MPs) within soil porous mediums. However, biochar's function in mitigating MPs' vertical penetration during wetting-drying cycles, typical of seasonal precipitation and evaporation, remains uncertain. Furthermore, few studies have investigated the structures of how biochar combines with soil. This study conducted column tests to assess the MPs retention capabilities of soil-biochar porous media under saturated and wetting-drying conditions. The water retention and hydrophilic properties were investigated to elucidate the impact of wetting-drying cycles. Additionally, different biochar-soil structures were compared to optimise the structural design. Without biochar, wetting-drying cycles resulted in 8.74 % more MPs escaping from samples. However, incorporating 15 % biochar led to only around 2 % more MPs in effluent. Biochar significantly enhanced soil's MP absorption capacity and mitigated the negative effects of wetting-drying cycles. Biochar's alveolate morphology provides ample adsorption sites and creates complex flow paths. The hydrophilic groups of biochar and capillarity by micropores facilitated slower water release during drying, preventing crack propagation and flush on MP particles. This effect was more pronounced with higher biochar content and lower porosity. Moreover, layer structure was found to improve MPs removal, benefiting the long-term performance and management of the biochar functional layer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yixin Li
- School of Engineering, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL Coventry, UK
| | | | - Xueyu Geng
- School of Engineering, University of Warwick, CV4 7AL Coventry, UK.
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48
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Chowdhury OS, Schmidt PJ, Anderson WB, Emelko MB. Advancing Evaluation of Microplastics Thresholds to Inform Water Treatment Needs and Risks. ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH (WASHINGTON, D.C.) 2024; 2:441-452. [PMID: 39049895 PMCID: PMC11264269 DOI: 10.1021/envhealth.3c00174] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2023] [Revised: 02/12/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024]
Abstract
Although human health impacts of microplastics are not well understood, concern regarding chemical contaminants retained on or within them is growing. Drinking water providers are increasingly asked about these risks, but strategies for evaluating them and the extent of treatment needed to manage them are currently lacking. Microplastics can potentially induce health effects if the concentration of contaminants adsorbed to them exceeds predetermined drinking water guidelines (e.g., Maximum Contaminant Levels). The risk posed by microplastics due to adsorbed contaminants is difficult to determine, but a worst-case scenario can be evaluated by using adsorption capacity. Here, a "Threshold Microplastics Concentration" (TMC) framework is developed to evaluate whether waterborne microplastic concentrations can potentially result in the intake of regulated contaminants on/in microplastics at levels of human health concern and identify treatment targets for managing associated health risk. Exceeding the TMC does not indicate an immediate health risk; it informs the need for detailed risk assessment or further treatment evaluation to ensure particle removal targets are achieved. Thus, the TMC concept and framework provide an updateable, science-based screening tool to determine if there is a need for detailed risk assessment or treatment modification due to waterborne microplastics in supplies used for potable water production.
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Affiliation(s)
- Omar S. Chowdhury
- Department of Civil and Environmental
Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L
3G1, Canada
| | - Philip J. Schmidt
- Department of Civil and Environmental
Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L
3G1, Canada
| | - William B. Anderson
- Department of Civil and Environmental
Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L
3G1, Canada
| | - Monica B. Emelko
- Department of Civil and Environmental
Engineering, University of Waterloo, 200 University Avenue West, Waterloo, ON N2L
3G1, Canada
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49
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Wang L, Huang J, Chen M, Jin H, Wu Y, Chen X. Investigation of microplastics in urban rivers of Eastern China in summer: abundance, characteristics and ecological risk assessment. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2024; 26:1245-1256. [PMID: 38910540 DOI: 10.1039/d4em00153b] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/25/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly becoming recognized as worldwide environmental contaminants, exerting a substantial impact on the safety of city rivers. This study explored the abundance and characteristics of MPs in summer 2023, including June and August, representing plum rain and typhoon rain seasons. The Qinhuai River exhibits more spatial fluctuations in six sampling sites with average concentrations of 470 ± 119.56 items per L, and the abundance increases with the water flows in the river. Downstream had the highest MP abundance of 484 ± 121.34 items per L, which were positive with the concentration of suspended solids (SS). Transparent and green MPs were more even in the sampling sites, and the shapes of fragments were predominant in the summer. Interestingly, the proportion of fiber and small-sized (38-75 μm) microplastics was predominant in the plum rain seasons, while the percentage of large-sized (270-5000 μm) and polymers of PE occurred in the typhoon rain seasons. The index of hazard scores of plastic polymers (H) revealed that the studied river had a severe pollution level (IV), which was highly influenced by PVC and PC. Besides, the pollution load index PLI value of different rain seasons was slightly polluted (I), while the PLI in autumn rain seasons was relatively higher than that in other seasons due to the higher variance of MPs. Therefore, the ecological risk of microplastics of PVC and PC in the Qinhuai River during varying seasons should be seriously considered. Our research is expected to provide valuable assistance in improving the management of urban rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luming Wang
- Department of Municipal Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China.
| | - Juan Huang
- Department of Municipal Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China.
| | - Ming Chen
- Nanjing Research Institute of Environmental Protection, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Hui Jin
- Nanjing Research Institute of Environmental Protection, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Yufeng Wu
- Department of Municipal Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China.
| | - Xuan Chen
- Department of Municipal Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, 210096, China.
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50
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Jiang W, Liu Y, Wu Y, Zhang L, Zhang B, Zhou S, Zhang P, Xu T, Wu M, Lv S. Polystyrene nanoplastics of different particle sizes regulate the polarization of pro-inflammatory macrophages. Sci Rep 2024; 14:16329. [PMID: 39009713 PMCID: PMC11251024 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-67289-y] [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: 03/13/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are defined as plastic particles smaller than 5 mm in size, and nanoplastics (NPs) are those MPs with a particle size of less than 1000 nm or 100 nm. The prevalence of MPs in the environment and human tissues has raised concerns about their potential negative effects on human health. Macrophages are the major defence against foreign substances in the intestine, and can be polarized into two types: the M1 phenotype and the M2 phenotype. However, the effect of NPs on the polarization of macrophages remains unclear. Herein, we selected polystyrene, one of the most plastics in the environment and controlled the particle sizes at 50 nm and 500 nm respectively to study the effects on the polarization of macrophages. We used mouse RAW264.7 cell line models in this macrophage-associated study. Experiments on cell absorption showed that macrophages could quickly ingest polystyrene nanoplastics of both diameters with time-dependent uptake. Compared to the untreated group and 10 μg/mL treatment group, macrophages exposed to 50 μg/mL groups (50 nm and 500 nm) had considerably higher levels of CD86, iNOS, and TNF-α, but decreased levels of aCD206, IL-10, and Arg-1. According to these findings, macrophage M1 and M2 polarization can both be induced and inhibited by 50 μg/mL 50 nm and 500 nm polystyrene nanoplastics. This work provided the first evidence of a possible MPs mode of action with appropriate concentration and size through the production of polarized M1, providing dietary and environmental recommendations for people, particularly those with autoimmune and autoinflammatory illnesses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanlan Jiang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou (The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University), Changzhou, 213003, China
| | - Yilin Liu
- School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, China
| | - Yuqi Wu
- School of Medicine, Nantong University, Nantong, 226001, China
| | - Lu Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou (The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University), Changzhou, 213003, China
| | - Biqing Zhang
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou (The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University), Changzhou, 213003, China
| | - Shiliang Zhou
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou (The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University), Changzhou, 213003, China
| | - Peng Zhang
- School of Materials Science and Engineering, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, China
| | - Ting Xu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou (The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University), Changzhou, 213003, China
| | - Min Wu
- Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, The First People's Hospital of Changzhou (The Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University), Changzhou, 213003, China.
| | - Songwei Lv
- School of Pharmacy, Changzhou University, Changzhou, 213164, China.
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