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Zala H, Rabari V, Patel K, Patel H, Yadav VK, Patel A, Sahoo DK, Trivedi J. Microplastic from beach sediment to tissue: a case study on burrowing crab Dotilla blanfordi. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17738. [PMID: 39011379 PMCID: PMC11249004 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/23/2024] [Indexed: 07/17/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive pollutants in the marine environment, exhibiting persistence in coastal sediment over extended periods. However, the mechanism of their uptake by marine organisms and distribution in habitat is less understood. The objective of the present study was to investigate the presence of MP contamination in burrow sediment, feeding pellets, and tissue of Dotilla blanfordi in the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat State. Methods A total of 500 g of burrow sediment, 100 g of feeding pellets, and body tissue of 10 resident D. blanfordi were pooled as one replica. Such seven replicas from each site were analyzed for MP extraction from three sites, including Asharmata, Mandvi, and Serena, located in the Gulf of Kachchh. The standard protocol was used during the analysis of the collected samples in order to isolate MPs. Results The abundance of MP was found higher in burrow sediment, feeding pellets and tissue of D. blanfordi at study site Mandvi, followed by Serena and Asharmata. The abundance of MP was found higher in D. blanfordi tissue, followed by burrow sediment and feeding pellet. A significant variation was observed in MP abundance among burrow sediment, feeding pellets, and tissue. MPs with various shapes (fiber, film, and fragment), sizes (1-2, 2-3, 3-4, and 4-5 mm), and colors (blue, green, black, pink, purple, red transparent) were recorded from all the study sites. Polyurethane and polyvinyl chloride were recognized as the chemical profile of the extracted MPs. The current investigation revealed greater accumulation of MPs in D. blanfordi's tissues compared to sediment and pellets, suggesting a risk of MP contamination in marine benthic fauna with a greater rate of bioaccumulation. D. blanfordi plays a significant role as a structuring agent for MP distribution in the intertidal flat through burrowing activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hiralba Zala
- Department of Life Sciences, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan, Gujarat, India
| | - Vasantkumar Rabari
- Department of Life Sciences, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan, Gujarat, India
| | - Krupal 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
| | - Virendra Kumar Yadav
- Department of Life Sciences, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan, Gujarat, India
| | - Ashish Patel
- Department of Life Sciences, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan, Gujarat, India
| | - Dipak Kumar Sahoo
- Department of Veterinary Clinical Sciences, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, United States
| | - Jigneshkumar Trivedi
- Department of Life Sciences, Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan, Gujarat, India
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2
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Zhao W, Jiang J, Liu M, Tu T, Wang L, Zhang S. Exploring correlations between microplastics, microorganisms, and water quality in an urban drinking water source. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 275:116249. [PMID: 38522286 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116249] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2023] [Revised: 03/02/2024] [Accepted: 03/20/2024] [Indexed: 03/26/2024]
Abstract
The microplastic pollution in freshwater system is gradually becoming more severe, which has led to increasing attention on the distribution and potential harmful effects of microplastics. Moreover, microplastics may have an impact on river ecology and pose risks to ecosystems. Therefore, it is important to reveal this process. This study aimed to explore correlations between microplastics and free-living microorganisms in an urban drinking water source of Xiangjiang River by using multivariate statistical analysis. The results indicated that the abundance of microplastics (size 50 μm to 5 mm) in surface water and sediments ranged from 0.72 to 18.6 (mean ± SD: 7.32 ± 2.36) items L-1 and 26.3-302 (150 ± 75.6) items kg-1 dry weight (dw), respectively, suggesting potential microplastic pollution despite the protected status as a drinking water source. Higher microplastic abundances were observed in urban areas and the downstream of wastewater plants, with mostly granular shape, transparent and black color as well as 50-100 μm in size. The multivariate statistical analysis presented that the abundance of microplastics is not significantly correlated with water indicators, due to the complexity of the abundance data. The water indicators showed an obvious correlation with microplastics in colors of transparent and black, and smaller sizes of 50-100 μm. This is also true for microplastics and microorganisms in water and sediment. Proteobacteria was the main prokaryote in water and sediments, being positively correlated with 50-100 μm microplastics; while Chloroplastida was the dominated eukaryotes, presenting a weak correlation with smaller-size microplastics. Overall, when considering the properties of microplastics such as shape, color and size, the potential correlations with water indicators and microorganisms were more evident than abundance. This study provides new insights into the multivariate statistical analysis, explaining the potential correlations among microplastic properties, microorganisms and environmental factors in a river system.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyu Zhao
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha 410114, China; Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province, Changsha 410004, China.
| | - Jinfeng Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Mengyue Liu
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha 410114, China
| | - Tianzi Tu
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha 410114, China.
| | - Lijun Wang
- Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, School of Geography and Tourism, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'an 710119, China
| | - Shengwei Zhang
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha 410114, China; State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China.
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Sultan MB, Anik AH, Rahman MM. Emerging contaminants and their potential impacts on estuarine ecosystems: Are we aware of it? MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 199:115982. [PMID: 38181468 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115982] [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: 09/18/2023] [Revised: 12/21/2023] [Accepted: 12/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/07/2024]
Abstract
Emerging contaminants (ECs) are becoming more prevalent in estuaries and constitute a danger to both human health and ecosystems. These pollutants can infiltrate the ecosystem and spread throughout the food chain. Because of the diversified sources and extensive human activities, estuaries are particularly susceptible to increased pollution levels. A thorough review on recent ECs (platinum group elements, pharmaceuticals and personal care products, pesticides, siloxanes, liquid crystal monomers, cationic surfactant, antibiotic resistance genes, and microplastics) in estuaries, including their incidence, detection levels, and toxic effects, was performed. The inclusion of studies from different regions highlights the global nature of this issue, with each location having its unique set of contaminants. The diverse range of contaminants detected in estuary samples worldwide underscores the intricacy of ECs. A significant drawback is the scarcity of research on the toxic mechanisms of ECs on estuarine organisms, the prospect of unidentified ECs, warrant research scopes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maisha Binte Sultan
- Laboratory of Environmental Health and Ecotoxicology, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh; Department of Environmental Science, Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh
| | - Amit Hasan Anik
- Department of Environmental Science, Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh
| | - Md Mostafizur Rahman
- Laboratory of Environmental Health and Ecotoxicology, Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh; Department of Environmental Science, Bangladesh University of Professionals (BUP), Dhaka-1216, Bangladesh; Department of Environmental Sciences, Jahangirnagar University, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh.
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Zhao W, Li J, Liu M, Wang R, Zhang B, Meng XZ, Zhang S. Seasonal variations of microplastics in surface water and sediment in an inland river drinking water source in southern China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168241. [PMID: 37914114 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168241] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 10/28/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine microplastic (size distribution of 0.05-5 mm) occurrence and distribution in drinking water source of XJ River during both flooding and dry periods. Surface water and sediment samples were collected from the CS City section of the river in August and December 2020. During the flooding period, microplastic abundances were observed at 0.72-18.6 (7.32 ± 2.36) items L-1 in surface water and 26.3-302 (150 ± 75.6) items kg-1 dry weight (dw) in sediment. In the dry period, abundances were slightly higher at 2.88-17.7 (11.0 ± 3.08) items L-1 and 27.0-651 (249 ± 182) items kg-1 dw, respectively. Microplastics were found in higher concentrations in urban areas and downstream of wastewater treatment plants, suggesting anthropogenic sources. The diversity in shapes, colors, and types of microplastics in surface waters and sediments indicates specialized enrichment processes and persistent sources of microplastic pollution. Approximately 60 % of the microplastic particles identified fall within the 50-100 μm range. Furthermore, a significant correlation was observed between these smaller-sized particles and the overall prevalence of microplastics. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy indicated that the microplastics had been subjected to weathering in the environment, contributing to the production of oxygen-containing functional groups and surface cleavage features. The utilization of energy dispersive spectroscopy revealed the presence of microplastics associated with various heavy metals, highlighting the intricate nature of microplastic pollution. Moreover, the high abundance of microplastics may pose a potential ecological risk to the aquatic environment of the XJ River. The results of this study demonstrate concerning levels of microplastics in the XJ River, despite its status as a high-quality water source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenyu Zhao
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha 410114,China; Key Laboratory of Dongting Lake Aquatic Eco-Environmental Control and Restoration of Hunan Province, School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science and Technology, Changsha 410004, China
| | - Jing Li
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Mengyue Liu
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha 410114,China
| | - Rui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China
| | - Boxuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiang-Zhou Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Shengwei Zhang
- School of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Changsha University of Science & Technology, Changsha 410114,China; State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing, 100875, China.
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5
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Lu H, Ou Y, Zhao M, Ni Z. Microplastic enrichment capacity of Ctenochaetus striatus from the habitat environment - An example in Xisha, South China Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 197:115756. [PMID: 37976586 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115756] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/19/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic pollution is a widespread concern in the global marine environment. In this study, microplastic pollution status in Xisha waters was investigated. Microplastics were found in all seawater samples, and 90.76 % of C. striatus samples were detected with microplastics. The average abundance of microplastics in seawater samples was 0.64 ± 0.39 items/L, and the abundance of microplastics in the gills and gastrointestinal tracts (GITs)of C. striatus was 1.14 ± 0.41 items/L and 1.80 ± 0.49 items/L, respectively. Shapes of microplastics in the seawater and in the gills and GITs of C. striatus were mainly fibers and films, and the majority of the particle sizes being <1 mm, and the polymers were mainly PET. In addition, the abundance of microplastics in the gills and GITs of C. striatus was positively correlated with that in the seawater, and the correlation was higher in the gills than in the GITs, which means that the accumulation of microplastics in the gills was more closely related to their habitats. The positive correlation between microplastic abundance in the gills and GITs of C. striatus and its body size may be due to the fact that larger individuals have greater energetic demands, require more energy requirements, consume more food, and thus increase the chances of ingesting microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huajie Lu
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Ecological Monitoring and Restoration Technologies, MNRs, Shanghai 201306, China; National Distant-water Fisheries Engineering Research Center, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China.
| | - Yuzhe Ou
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Maolin Zhao
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Zhenyu Ni
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
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Priya AK, Muruganandam M, Imran M, Gill R, Vasudeva Reddy MR, Shkir M, Sayed MA, AlAbdulaal TH, Algarni H, Arif M, Jha NK, Sehgal SS. A study on managing plastic waste to tackle the worldwide plastic contamination and environmental remediation. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 341:139979. [PMID: 37659517 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139979] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 08/12/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/04/2023]
Abstract
Over the past 50 years, the emergence of plastic waste as one of the most urgent environmental problems in the world has given rise to several proposals to address the rising levels of contaminants associated with plastic debris. Worldwide plastic production has increased significantly over the last 70 years, reaching a record high of 359 million tonnes in 2020. China is currently the world's largest plastic producer, with a share of 17.5%. Of the total marine waste, microplastics account for 75%, while land-based pollution accounts for responsible for 80-90%, and ocean-based pollution 10-20% only in overall pollution problems. Even at small dosages (10 μg/mL), microplastics have been found to cause toxic effects on human and animal health. This review examines the sources of microplastic contamination, the prevalent reaches of microplastics, their impacts, and the remediation methods for microplastic contamination. This review explains the relationship between the community composition and the presence of microplastic particulate matter in aquatic ecosystems. The interaction between microplastics and emerging pollutants, including heavy metals, has been linked to enhanced toxicity. The review article provided a comprehensive overview of microplastic, including its fate, environmental toxicity, and possible remediation strategies. The results of our study are of great value as they illustrate a current perspective and provide an in-depth analysis of the current status of microplastics in development, their test requirements, and remediation technologies suitable for various environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- A K Priya
- Department of Chemical Engineering, KPR Institute of Engineering and Technology, Tamilnadu, India; Project Prioritization, Monitoring & Evaluation and Knowledge Management Unit, ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil & Water Conservation (ICAR-IISWC), Dehradun, India.
| | - M Muruganandam
- Project Prioritization, Monitoring & Evaluation and Knowledge Management Unit, ICAR-Indian Institute of Soil & Water Conservation (ICAR-IISWC), Dehradun, India
| | - Muhammad Imran
- Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (SABIC) Technology and Innovation Center, Riyadh 11551, Saudi Arabia
| | - Rana Gill
- University Centre for Research & Development, Electronics & Communication Department Chandigarh University Gharuan, Mohali, Punjab, India
| | | | - Mohd Shkir
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, 61413, Saudi Arabia.
| | - M A Sayed
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, 61413, Saudi Arabia
| | - T H AlAbdulaal
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, 61413, Saudi Arabia
| | - H Algarni
- Department of Physics, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, 61413, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohd Arif
- Applied Science and Humanities Section, University Polytechnic, Faculty of Engineering and Technology, Jamia Millia Islamia, New Delhi-110025, India
| | - Niraj Kumar Jha
- Department of Biotechnology, School of Engineering and Technology, Sharda University, Greater Noida 201310, India.
| | - Satbir S Sehgal
- Division of Research Innovation, Uttaranchal University, Dehradun, India
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Cole DL, Ruiz-Mercado GJ, Zavala VM. A graph-based modeling framework for tracing hydrological pollutant transport in surface waters. Comput Chem Eng 2023; 179:1-12. [PMID: 38264312 PMCID: PMC10805248 DOI: 10.1016/j.compchemeng.2023.108457] [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] [Indexed: 01/25/2024]
Abstract
Anthropogenic pollution of hydrological systems affects diverse communities and ecosystems around the world. Data analytics and modeling tools play a key role in fighting this challenge, as they can help identify key sources as well as trace transport and quantify impact within complex hydrological systems. Several tools exist for simulating and tracing pollutant transport throughout surface waters using detailed physical models; these tools are powerful, but can be computationally intensive, require significant amounts of data to be developed, and require expert knowledge for their use (ultimately limiting application scope). In this work, we present a graph modeling framework - which we call HydroGraphs - for understanding pollutant transport and fate across waterbodies, rivers, and watersheds. This framework uses a simplified representation of hydrological systems that can be constructed based purely on open-source data (National Hydrography Dataset and Watershed Boundary Dataset). The graph representation provides a flexible intuitive approach for capturing connectivity and for identifying upstream pollutant sources and for tracing downstream impacts within small and large hydrological systems. Moreover, the graph representation can facilitate the use of advanced algorithms and tools of graph theory, topology, optimization, and machine learning to aid data analytics and decision-making. We demonstrate the capabilities of our framework by using case studies in the State of Wisconsin; here, we aim to identify upstream nutrient pollutant sources that arise from agricultural practices and trace downstream impacts to waterbodies, rivers, and streams. Our tool ultimately seeks to help stakeholders design effective pollution prevention/mitigation practices and evaluate how surface waters respond to such practices.
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Affiliation(s)
- David L. Cole
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, United States of America
| | - Gerardo J. Ruiz-Mercado
- Office of Research and Development, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Cincinnati, OH 45268, United States of America
- Chemical Engineering Graduate Program, Universidad del Atlántico, Puerto Colombia 080007, Colombia
| | - Victor M. Zavala
- Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53706, United States of America
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Hansen J, Hildebrandt L, Zimmermann T, El Gareb F, Fischer EK, Pröfrock D. Quantification and characterization of microplastics in surface water samples from the Northeast Atlantic Ocean using laser direct infrared imaging. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 190:114880. [PMID: 37031558 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114880] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2023] [Revised: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 03/23/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
15 filtration samples were collected at eight locations onboard the RV Sonne (cruise SO279 in 2020) from 6 m water depth using a fractionated stainless-steel filtration unit. The size fraction > 300 μm was visually examined and potential microplastic particles were analyzed by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. The treatment of size class 20 μm < d < 300 μm was based on enzymatic-oxidative microwave-assisted "one-pot" matrix digestion in conjunction with analysis of the microplastics by time-efficient LDIR imaging. Total number concentrations ranged from 47 to 2154 microplastic particles per m3 (average for all stations: 500 ± 700 microplastic particles m-3 (1 SD; n = 8)). In total, 20 polymer types were identified. The most common polymer types were polyethylene terephthalate (20 %) and acrylates/polyurethane/varnish (15 %). 93 % of the detected microplastics were smaller than 100 μm in length. Analysis of sample replicates indicates high spatio-temporal variations in microplastic pollution within the investigated region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jeannette Hansen
- Department for Inorganic Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany; Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability, Universität Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Lars Hildebrandt
- Department for Inorganic Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Tristan Zimmermann
- Department for Inorganic Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany
| | - Fadi El Gareb
- Department for Inorganic Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany; Department of Earth System Sciences, Institute for Geology, Universität Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Elke Kerstin Fischer
- Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability, Universität Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, 20146 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Pröfrock
- Department for Inorganic Environmental Chemistry, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Max-Planck-Straße 1, 21502 Geesthacht, Germany.
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Malli A, Shehayeb A, Yehya A. Occurrence and risks of microplastics in the ecosystems of the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:64800-64826. [PMID: 37086319 PMCID: PMC10122206 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27029-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous nature of microplastics (MPs) in nature and the risks they pose on the environment and human health have led to an increased research interest in the topic. Despite being an area of high plastic production and consumption, studies on MPs in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region have been limited. However, the region witnessed a research surge in 2021 attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic. In this review, a total of 97 studies were analyzed based on their environmental compartments (marine, freshwater, air, and terrestrial) and matrices (sediments, water columns, biota, soil, etc.). Then, the MP concentrations and polymer types were utilized to conduct a risk assessment to provide a critical analysis of the data. The highest MP concentrations recorded in the marine water column and sediments were in the Mediterranean Sea in Tunisia with 400 items/m3 and 7960 items/kg of sediments, respectively. The number of MPs in biota ranged between 0 and 7525 per individual across all the aquatic compartments. For the air compartment, a school classroom had 56,000 items/g of dust in Iran due to the confined space. Very high risks in the sediment samples (Eri > 1500) were recorded in the Caspian Sea and Arab/Persian Gulf due to their closed or semi-closed nature that promotes sedimentation. The risk factors obtained are sensitive to the reference concentration which calls for the development of more reliable risk assessment approaches. Finally, more studies are needed in understudied MENA environmental compartments such as groundwater, deserts, and estuaries.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Malli
- Baha and Walid Bassatne Department of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Energy, Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon.
- Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Tandon School of Engineering, New York University, Brooklyn, NY, 11201, USA.
| | - Ameed Shehayeb
- Baha and Walid Bassatne Department of Chemical Engineering and Advanced Energy, Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- CIRAIG, Department of Chemical Engineering, Polytechnique Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Alissar Yehya
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Maroun Semaan Faculty of Engineering and Architecture, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
- Harvard John A. Paulson School of Engineering and Applied Sciences, Harvard University, MA, Cambridge, USA
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Hu J, Xu X, Song Y, Liu W, Zhu J, Jin H, Meng Z. Microplastics in Widely Used Polypropylene-Made Food Containers. TOXICS 2022; 10:762. [PMID: 36548595 PMCID: PMC9786867 DOI: 10.3390/toxics10120762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
As a potential threat to human health, ingestion of microplastics (MPs) has become of concern. Limited studies have carefully characterized the occurrence of MPs in polypropylene-made takeout food containers (TOFCs), which have been widely used in China. In this study, TOFC samples (n = 210) were collected from seven Chinese cities (Hangzhou, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Xining, Chengdu, Qingdao, and Dalian) and analyzed for MPs. All the TOFC samples contained MPs, with an abundance of 3−43 items/TOFC. The TOFCs from Chengdu (25 items/TOFC) contained the highest mean abundance of MPs, which is significantly (p < 0.01) higher than that from Shanghai (8.7 items/TOFC). Fiber accounted for 66−87% of the total for the shape of the MPs in the TOFCs from the different Chinese cities. Most of the MPs in the TOFCs from the different cities had a size of 201−500 μm and accounted for a mean 34−42% of the total MPs in the TOFCs. The major color type of the MPs in the TOFCs was transparent, accounting for a mean 39 (Qingdao)−73% (Hangzhou) of the total MPs. Polymer compositions of the MPs in the TOFCs were consistently dominated by polypropylene, which represented a mean 56−73% of the total MPs. The estimated daily intake of MPs for the general Chinese population through using TOFCs was in the range of 0.042−0.14 items/kg bw/day. To our knowledge, this is the most comprehensive study investigating the occurrence of MPs in TOFCs from China, which contributes to a better understanding of the sources of human oral exposure to MPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Hu
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
- Innovation Research Center of Advanced Environmental Technology, Eco-Industrial Innovation Institute ZJUT, Quzhou 324018, China
| | - Xin Xu
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Ying Song
- Quzhou Municipal Bureau of Ecology and Environment, Quzhou 324007, China
| | - Wenqi Liu
- Hangzhou Branch, Shaoxing Industrial Science Design Research Institute Co., Ltd., Hangzhou 310052, China
| | - Jianqiang Zhu
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Hangbiao Jin
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
| | - Zhu Meng
- College of Environment, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310032, China
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Capparelli MV, Gómez-Ponce MA, Borges-Ramírez MM, Osten JRV, Celis-Hernández O, Briceño-Vera AE, Ávila E, Moulatlet GM. Ecological traits influence the bioaccumulation of microplastics in commercially important estuarine crabs from the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 183:114088. [PMID: 36063667 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2022] [Revised: 08/22/2022] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We assessed microplastics (MPs) contamination in water, sediments, and tissues (gills, digestive tract, and muscle) of two intertidal crab species with different ecological traits and commercial importance (Menippe mercenaria and Callinectes sapidus), from a coastal lagoon in the southeastern Gulf of Mexico. There were significant differences between MP abundances in the abiotic matrices and between crab species. The burrower, sedentary and carnivorous M. mercenaria bioaccumulates 50 % more MPs than the free-swimming, omnivorous C. sapidus. However, no differences were observed between species' tissues. Fragments were the predominant shape in the tissues of both species, with the exception in the digestive tract of M. mercenaria. We identified polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate in water samples and Silopren® in sediment. In both crab species, Silopren and polyethylene predominated. Differences in ecological traits resulted in different bioaccumulation patterns in intertidal crabs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana V Capparelli
- Estación El Carmen, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Carretera Carmen-Puerto Real km 9.5, C. P 24157 Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico.
| | - Mario A Gómez-Ponce
- Estación El Carmen, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Carretera Carmen-Puerto Real km 9.5, C. P 24157 Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico
| | - Merle M Borges-Ramírez
- El Colegio de la Frontera Sur (ECOSUR), Avenida Rancho, Polígono 2-A, Ciudad Industrial Lerma, CP 24500 Campeche, Campeche, Mexico
| | - Jaime Rendón-von Osten
- Instituto de Ecología, Pesquería y Oceanografía del Golfo de México (EPOMEX), Campus VI, Av. Héroe de Nacozari 480, Universidad Autónoma de Campeche, 24070 Campeche, Mexico
| | - Omar Celis-Hernández
- Estación El Carmen, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Carretera Carmen-Puerto Real km 9.5, C. P 24157 Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico; Dirección de Cátedras CONACYT, Av. Insurgentes Sur 1582, Alcaldía Benito Juárez, 03940 Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Antony E Briceño-Vera
- Estación El Carmen, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Carretera Carmen-Puerto Real km 9.5, C. P 24157 Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico
| | - Enrique Ávila
- Estación El Carmen, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Carretera Carmen-Puerto Real km 9.5, C. P 24157 Ciudad del Carmen, Campeche, Mexico
| | - Gabriel M Moulatlet
- Red de Biología Evolutiva, Instituto de Ecología, A.C., Xalapa, Veracruz, Mexico
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12
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Wang J, Liu Q, Zhang C, Wang Y, Yang F, Zhao Y, Jiang Y. Microplastics shift macrobenthic community structures near a coastal nuclear power plant under construction in North East China. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 437:129335. [PMID: 35714540 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129335] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Revised: 06/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Coastal sediments are considered to be a potential sink for microplastics, which mainly derived from the land-based sources. This study investigated microplastic pollution in the sediments of 20 stations near a nuclear power plant under construction in North East China and analyzed its impacts on macrobenthic communities. The average abundance of microplastics in three stations close to the nuclear power plant was 0.33 items/g, which was approximately 10 times higher than those in the distant stations. The clustering of microplastic characteristics (sizes, shapes, and colors) showed that the three stations near the plant were in one group, and the distant stations were in another group. A total of 105 macroinvertebrate species belonging to 7 phyla were identified in all stations, and the dominant phyla were Annelida and Arthropoda. Spearman rank correlation showed that rare taxa (83 species with a contribution <1 %) were positively correlated with microplastics and As, and redundancy analysis demonstrated that the distribution patterns of macrobenthic communities were similar to those of microplastics. Moreover, co-occurrence networks showed that the rare taxa were positively correlated with microplastics. Therefore, microplastics released from the nuclear power plant under construction might shift the structure of macrobenthic communities, especially the rare taxa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jun Wang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, and Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Qian Liu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Chemistry Theory and Technology, Frontiers Science Center for Deep Ocean Multispheres and Earth System, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, China.
| | - Chenru Zhang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, and Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Yaxin Wang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, and Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Fan Yang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, and Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Yanan Zhao
- College of Marine Life Sciences, and Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China
| | - Yong Jiang
- College of Marine Life Sciences, and Institute of Evolution & Marine Biodiversity, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266003, China.
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13
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Abelouah MR, Ben-Haddad M, Hajji S, De-la-Torre GE, Aziz T, Oualid JA, Banni M, Ait Alla A. Floating microplastics pollution in the Central Atlantic Ocean of Morocco: Insights into the occurrence, characterization, and fate. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 182:113969. [PMID: 35905704 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 05/25/2023]
Abstract
This work presents preliminary results about abundance, distribution, characteristics, sources, and fate of microplastics (MPs) in the Central Atlantic Ocean (CAO) of Morocco. The investigation was conducted into three subsections, each characterized by different types of human activities and covering rural, village, and urban areas. MPs were detected in 100 % of the sampling sites. The abundances varied from 0.048 to 3.305 items/m3, with a mean abundance of 0.987 ± 1.081 items/m3. MPs abundance was higher in surface seawater linked to urban areas compared to village and rural areas. The dominant polymer type was polyester (PET-53.8 %) followed by polypropylene (PP-24.36 %), polyamide (PA-7.56 %), polystyrene (PS-6.88 %), polyvinyl chloride (PVC-2.64 %), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA-2.60 %), polyetherurethane (PUR-1.36 %), and acrylic (AC-0.8 %). Fibers were the most dominant shapes accounting for over 50 %. MPs were mainly smaller than 2 mm in size (71 %) and characterized by colorful aspects. These findings suggested that wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents and anthropogenic activities (industry, tourism, sanitation, and fishing) are the major pollution sources of MPs in the study area. SEM/EDX micrographs showed different weathering degrees and chemical elements adhered to the MPs surface.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Rida Abelouah
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Ben-Haddad
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Sara Hajji
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | | | - Taoufyq Aziz
- Laboratoire Matériaux et Environnement (LME), Faculté des Sciences d'Agadir, Maroc, Morocco
| | - Jaouad Abou Oualid
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco
| | - Mohamed Banni
- Laboratory of Biochemistry and Environmental Toxicology, Higher Institute of Agronomy, University of Sousse, Tunisia; University of Monastir, Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Aicha Ait Alla
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir, Morocco.
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Nguyen NT, Nhon NTT, Hai HTN, Chi NDT, Hien TT. Characteristics of Microplastics and Their Affiliated PAHs in Surface Water in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14122450. [PMID: 35746030 PMCID: PMC9230152 DOI: 10.3390/polym14122450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/06/2022] [Accepted: 06/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Microplastic pollution has become a worldwide concern. However, studies on the distribution of microplastics (MPs) from inland water to the ocean and their affiliated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are still limited in Vietnam. In this study, we investigated the distribution of MPs and PAHs associated with MPs in canals, Saigon River, and Can Gio Sea. MPs were found at all sites, with the highest average abundance of MPs being 104.17 ± 162.44 pieces/m3 in canals, followed by 2.08 ± 2.22 pieces/m3 in the sea, and 0.60 ± 0.38 pieces/m3 in the river. Fragment, fiber, and granule were three common shapes, and each shape was dominant in one sampling area. White was the most common MP color at all sites. A total of 13 polymers and co-polymers were confirmed, and polyethylene, polypropylene, and ethylene-vinyl acetate were the three dominant polymers. The total concentration of MPs-affiliated PAHs ranged from 232.71 to 6448.66, from 30.94 to 8940.99, and from 432.95 to 3267.88 ng/g in Can Gio sea, canals, and Saigon River, respectively. Petrogenic sources were suggested as a major source of PAHs associated with MPs in Can Gio Sea, whereas those found in Saigon River and canals were from both petrogenic and pyrogenic sources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nguyen Thao Nguyen
- Faculty of Environment, University of Science, 227 Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (N.T.N.); (N.T.T.N.); (H.T.N.H.); (N.D.T.C.)
- Faculty of Environment, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Thi Thanh Nhon
- Faculty of Environment, University of Science, 227 Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (N.T.N.); (N.T.T.N.); (H.T.N.H.); (N.D.T.C.)
- Faculty of Environment, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| | - Ho Truong Nam Hai
- Faculty of Environment, University of Science, 227 Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (N.T.N.); (N.T.T.N.); (H.T.N.H.); (N.D.T.C.)
- Faculty of Environment, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| | - Nguyen Doan Thien Chi
- Faculty of Environment, University of Science, 227 Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (N.T.N.); (N.T.T.N.); (H.T.N.H.); (N.D.T.C.)
- Faculty of Environment, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
| | - To Thi Hien
- Faculty of Environment, University of Science, 227 Nguyen Van Cu Street, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam; (N.T.N.); (N.T.T.N.); (H.T.N.H.); (N.D.T.C.)
- Faculty of Environment, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +84-976000621
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Haddad MB, De-la-Torre GE, Abelouah MR, Hajji S, Alla AA. Personal protective equipment (PPE) pollution associated with the COVID-19 pandemic along the coastline of Agadir, Morocco. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 798:149282. [PMID: 34332387 PMCID: PMC8313889 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.149282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2021] [Revised: 07/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/22/2021] [Indexed: 05/19/2023]
Abstract
The increasing use of personal protective equipment (PPE) as a sanitary measure against the new coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) has become a significant source of many environmental risks. The majority of the governments enforce the use of PPE in public areas, such as beaches. Thus, the use and disposal of PPE have compromised most solid waste management strategies, ultimately leading to the occurrence of PPE polluting the marine environment. The present study aimed to monitor the PPE pollution associated with COVID-19 along the coastline of Agadir, Morocco. In parallel, the influence of the activities carried out in each sampled beach before and after the lockdown break was reported. Overall, a total number of 689 PPE items were identified, with a mean density of 1.13 × 10-5 PPE m-2 (0-1.21 × 10-4 PPE m-2). The majority of the PPE items found were face masks (96.81%), out of which 98.4% were surgical masks and 1.6% were reusable cloth masks. The most polluted sites were the beaches with recreational activities, followed by surfing, and fishing as the main activity. Importantly, PPE density increased significantly after lockdown measures. Additionally, the discarded PPE sampled in the supralittoral zone was higher than PPE recorded in the intertidal zone. This confirms that PPE items are driven by the beachgoers during their visit. PPE items are a source of microplastic and chemical pollutants, a substrate to invasive species colonization, and a potential threat of entanglement, ingestion, and/or infection among apex predators. In the specific case of Agadir beaches, significant efforts are required to work on the lack of environmental awareness and education. It is recommended to improve beach cleaning strategies and to penalize incorrect PPE disposal. Additional alternatives may be adopted, as the involvement of biodegradable materials in PPE manufacturing, recycling through pyrolysis, and encouraging reusable and washable masks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohamed Ben Haddad
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Morocco
| | | | - Mohamed Rida Abelouah
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Morocco
| | - Sara Hajji
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Morocco
| | - Aicha Ait Alla
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems: Marine and Continental Environments, Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Morocco
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