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Jiang J, He L, Liu J, Liu X, Huang J, Rong L. Experimental study of interception effect by submerged dam on microplastics. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 480:135924. [PMID: 39321481 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135924] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2024] [Revised: 08/20/2024] [Accepted: 09/19/2024] [Indexed: 09/27/2024]
Abstract
Submerged dam can alter microplastic (MP) transport, and act as a sink for MPs. In this paper, we investigated the interception rates of Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and Polystyrene (PS) by an artificial submerged dam in a flow flume at first, and found that most of the un-intercepted PVC and PS particles by the dam accumulated behind it under the subcritical (Fr < 1) and turbulent (Re > 500) flows. PVC particles behind the dam mainly concentrated within two dam widths, and the concentration of PS particles decreased with the distance behind the dam lengthening. Then, we performed linear regression fitting and Redundancy Analysis (RDA) between the interception rates collected in 162 experiment tests and environmental factors, including flow velocity, distance to dam and MP concentration. The results showed that the interception rate of PVC and PS particles increased with the distance to dam lengthening, but decreased with the flow velocity and MP concentration heightening. RDA revealed that the interception rate was influenced by flow velocity, distance to dam, and MP concentration from the most to the least. Our findings are believed to contribute to understanding the mechanism of the interception effect of submerged dam on microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jianhao Jiang
- College of Civil Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China
| | - Lulu He
- College of Civil Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Civil Engineering Structures & Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Technology (Zhejiang University of Technology), Hangzhou 310023, China.
| | - Junping Liu
- College of Civil Engineering, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Civil Engineering Structures & Disaster Prevention and Mitigation Technology (Zhejiang University of Technology), Hangzhou 310023, China
| | - Xu Liu
- Zhejiang Institute of Hydraulics and Estuary, Hangzhou 310020, Zhejiang, China
| | - Junbao Huang
- Zhejiang Institute of Hydraulics and Estuary, Hangzhou 310020, Zhejiang, China
| | - Li Rong
- College of Foreign Languages, Zhejiang University of Technology, Hangzhou 310023, Zhejiang, China
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Shokunbi OS, Idowu GA, Davidson CM, Aiyesanmi AF. Investigation of microplastics and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in sediments of two rivers in Southwestern Nigeria. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:947. [PMID: 39289217 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-13090-3] [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: 06/06/2024] [Accepted: 08/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/19/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging and ubiquitous contaminants, known to accumulate in river sediments. In many developing nations, the absence of policies for managing plastic waste puts the inland river ecosystems at risk of excessive abundance of plastics and MPs. However, only limited studies have reported MPs in river environments in these countries. The current study therefore examined the abundance and nature of MPs and potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in the sediments of the Odo-Ona and Ogun Rivers in Southwest Nigeria. MPs were extracted from the sediments using the density separation method and categorized according to their size, colour and shapes. The range of MP abundances found in the Ogun River sediments was 66.6 ± 12.2 to 311 ± 20.8 particles/kg, while that of the Odo-Ona River ranged from 133 ± 50 to 433 ± 100 particles/kg. The MPs polymer analyses revealed the presence of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP) and polyamide (PA) particles in the sediments. PE was most abundant in the two rivers, constituting 72.8% and 59.7% of MPs (with 0.5 - 5 mm size), recovered from the Odo-Ona and Ogun Rivers, respectively. High concentrations of Cr and Pb with ranges of 10.3 - 48.3 and 10.1 - 211 mg/kg, respectively, were detected in the sediments and were associated with anthropogenic effects. This study reveals the impact of indiscriminate waste dumping on the water bodies, and calls for strict enforcement of environmental laws in the country.
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Affiliation(s)
- Oluwatosin Sarah Shokunbi
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, Federal University of Technology Akure, P. M. B. 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G1 1XL, Scotland, UK
- Department of Basic Sciences, Babcock University, P. M. B. 4003, Ilishan Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria
| | - Gideon Aina Idowu
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, Federal University of Technology Akure, P. M. B. 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria.
| | - Christine Margaret Davidson
- Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry, University of Strathclyde, 295 Cathedral Street, Glasgow, G1 1XL, Scotland, UK
| | - Ademola Festus Aiyesanmi
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical Sciences, Federal University of Technology Akure, P. M. B. 704, Akure, Ondo State, Nigeria
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Li M, Xu X, Wang J, Deng L, Wu Z, Yang D, Qian X, Fan Y. Complex microplastics significantly influence the assembly process of lake bacterial communities. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 480:135867. [PMID: 39298943 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135867] [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: 09/09/2024] [Accepted: 09/15/2024] [Indexed: 09/22/2024]
Abstract
Environmental microplastics (MPs) vary in abundance, shape, size, color, and polymer type in freshwater ecosystems, yet their impact on bacterial community assembly in natural lakes is unclear. Here, we examined MPs and bacterial compositions in water and sediments of Taihu Lake, China, to reveal the influence of complex MPs on the bacterial community assembly. The results showed that the complexity index of MPs significantly influenced the turnover and nestedness components of bacterial communities. In the colder season, MP complexity was significantly correlated with the turnover componentin sediments (R2 = 0.19, P < 0.0001), with turnover increasing as MP complexity increased. Conversely, under warmer season, MP complexity was significantly correlated with turnover and nestedness components. Additionally, the interaction effect of environmental and MP factors affected almost all components of beta diversity, particularly in cold water and sediment, with impacts on nestedness of 0.17 and 0.12, respectively, and should thus not be ignored. Our findings indicate for the first time that complex MPs significantly influence the assembly of bacterial communities in lake systems. The impact varies across seasons and future warming may exacerbate this effect, rendering it more uncertain and complex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingjia Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xiaohan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jianjun Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Lake Science and Environment, Nanjing Institute of Geography and Limnology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Nanjing 210008, China
| | - Ligang Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Zeqiang Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Daojun Yang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xin Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China; Jiangsu Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology (CICAEET), Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China.
| | - Yifan Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210023, China.
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Graham PM, Pattinson NB, Bakir A, McGoran AR, Nel HA. Determination of microplastics in sediment, water, and fish across the Orange-Senqu River basin. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 266:122394. [PMID: 39265218 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122394] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2024] [Revised: 08/28/2024] [Accepted: 09/03/2024] [Indexed: 09/14/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics are increasingly recognised as posing a significant environmental threat across systems. Their pervasive presence in freshwater poses a serious concern, given the heavy reliance of both humans and biodiversity on healthy, functioning freshwater ecosystems. Acknowledgment of the potential risks led the transboundary Orange-Senqu River Commission (ORASECOM) to include sampling for microlitter (primarily microplastics) in riverine sediment, surface water, and fishes, across Southern Africa as part of the third Joint Basin Survey (JBS3) in 2021. The aim was to establish a first, basin-wide estimate of microlitter contamination across compartments, setting a baseline for further monitoring. The survey showed that the abundance of microlitter in riverine sediment (0 - 4000 particles.kg-1 dry weight (dw)) and riverine water (1.00 ± 0.71 - 69.75 ± 68.55 SD items.L-1) varied considerably between sample sites, with no correlation between the two. The abundance of microlitter in fishes was low (average of 0.7 ± 0.4 items.individual-1). Course resolution analyses suggested that microlitter concentrations in riverine sediment and riverine water at each site did not correlate with land use directly upstream, though variation in microlitter abundance did isolate some hotspots of contamination. Discharge data collected from nine gauging stations near sampling sites confirmed that low flows prevailed in the system during the study, with high flows occurring approximately 5 months prior during the summer months. There is some variation in river flow across the catchment which is a likely driver of microlitter transport. This was evident in the polymer composition for sediment and water samples. Based on the average discharge at each gauging station and microlitter concentrations measured in riverine water, the estimated microlitter load ranged from ∼889 particles.s-1 to ∼17.9 million particles.s-1, with a substantial amount ending likely up in the mudbelt adjacent to the Orange River mouth. This assessment provides a first insight into the characterisation and distribution of microlitter in multiple compartments across the Orange-Senqu River basin. Overall, the findings highlight the need for continued monitoring across compartments at catchment scales to improve our understanding of microplastic pathways into and within riverine systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- P M Graham
- GroundTruth, Hilton, Kwa-Zulu Natal 3245, South Africa; University of KwaZulu-Natal, Centre for Water Resources Research, Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal 3201, South Africa.
| | - N B Pattinson
- GroundTruth, Hilton, Kwa-Zulu Natal 3245, South Africa
| | - A Bakir
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Rd, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - A R McGoran
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Rd, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
| | - H A Nel
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Rd, Lowestoft NR33 0HT, UK
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Wei Y, Chen Y, Cao X, Yeh TCJ, Zhang J, Zhan Z, Cui Y, Li H. Modeling of Microplastics Migration in Soil and Groundwater: Insights into Dispersion and Particle Property Effects. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 39090056 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c05202] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/04/2024]
Abstract
Migration of microplastics (MPs) in soil-groundwater systems plays a pivotal role in determining its concentration in aquifers and future threats to the terrestrial environment, including human health. However, existing models employing an advection-dispersion equation are insufficient to incorporate the holistic mechanism of MP migration. Therefore, to bridge the gap associated with MP migration in soil-groundwater systems, a dispersion-drag force coupled model incorporating a drag force on MPs along with dispersion is developed and validated through existing laboratory and field-scale experiments. The inclusion of the MP dispersion notably increased the global maximum particle velocity (vmaxp) of MPs, resulting in a higher concentration of MPs in the aquifer, which is also established by sensitivity analysis of MP dispersion. Additionally, increasing irrigation flux and irrigation areas significantly accelerates MP migration downward from soil to deep saturated aquifers. Intriguingly, vmaxp of MPs exhibited a nonlinear relationship with MPs' sizes smaller than 20 μm reaching the highest value (=1.64 × 10-5 m/s) at a particle size of 8 μm, while a decreasing trend was identified for particle sizes ranging from 20 to 100 μm because of the hindered effect by porous media and the weaker effect of the drag force. Moreover, distinct behaviors were observed among different plastic types, with poly(vinyl chloride), characterized by the highest density, displaying the lowest vmaxp and minimal flux entering groundwater. Furthermore, the presence of a heterogeneous structure with lower hydraulic conductivity facilitated MP dispersion and promoted their migration in saturated aquifers. The findings shed light on effective strategies to mitigate the impact of MPs in aquifers, contributing valuable insights to the broader scientific fraternity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yaqiang Wei
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yuling Chen
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Xinde Cao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Tian-Chyi Jim Yeh
- Department of Hydrology and Atmospheric Science, University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona 85721, United States
| | - Jiao Zhang
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Zi Zhan
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
| | - Yuedong Cui
- Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, University of California, Los Angeles, California 90095, United States
| | - Hui Li
- School of Environmental and Chemical Engineering, Shanghai University, Shanghai 200444, China
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Frank YA, Sotnikova YS, Tsygankov VY, Rednikin AR, Donets MM, Karpova EV, Belanov MA, Rakhmatullina S, Borovkova AD, Polovyanenko DN, Vorobiev DS. Pollution of Beach Sands of the Ob River (Western Siberia) with Microplastics and Persistent Organic Pollutants. J Xenobiot 2024; 14:989-1002. [PMID: 39189170 PMCID: PMC11348125 DOI: 10.3390/jox14030055] [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: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments can be associated with various substances, including persistent organic pollutants, which add to the problem of plastic ecotoxicity. The abundance of 1-5 mm microplastics and concentrations of particle-adsorbed organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sandy sediments from three beaches in recreational areas along the upper Ob River in Western Siberia were assessed. MP pollution levels in the Ob River beach sands ranged from 24 ± 20.7 to 104 ± 46.2 items m-2 or, in terms of mass concentration, from 0.26 ± 0.21 to 1.22 ± 0.39 mg m-2. The average abundance of MP particles reached 0.67 ± 0.58 items kg-1 or 8.22 ± 6.13 μg kg-1 in the studied sediments. MP concentrations were significantly higher in number (p < 0.05) and mass (p < 0.01) at the riverbank site downstream of the Novosibirsk wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) outfall compared to these at the upstream and more distant beaches. Most MPs (70-100%) were represented by irregularly shaped fragments. The polymer composition of MPs varied between sites, with a general predominance of polyethylene (PE). The study revealed associations of MPs with PCBs and OCPs not previously detected in the riverbed and beach sediments, suggesting that these substances are circulating in the Ob River basin. Although MP concentrations were higher downstream of the WWTP, the maximum levels of particle-associated OCPs were observed in the beach sands of the site farthest from the urban agglomeration. The pesticides γ-HCH, 4,4-DDT, and 4,4-DDE were detected on MPs at relatively low concentrations. PCBs were more abundant in the studied samples, including 118 dioxin-like congener. The results obtained indicate that the Ob River is susceptible to plastic and persistent organic pollutant (POP) contamination and serve as a starting point for further studies and practical solutions to the problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia A. Frank
- Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, 36 Lenin Ave., 634050 Tomsk, Russia (D.S.V.)
| | - Yulia S. Sotnikova
- N.N. Vorozhtsov Institute, Organic Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), 9 Acad. Lavrentiev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (Y.S.S.); (E.V.K.); (D.N.P.)
| | - Vasiliy Yu. Tsygankov
- Pacific Geographical Institute, Far-Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (FEB RAS), 7 Radio Street, 690041 Vladivostok, Russia; (V.Y.T.)
| | - Aleksey R. Rednikin
- Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, 36 Lenin Ave., 634050 Tomsk, Russia (D.S.V.)
| | - Maksim M. Donets
- Pacific Geographical Institute, Far-Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (FEB RAS), 7 Radio Street, 690041 Vladivostok, Russia; (V.Y.T.)
| | - Elena V. Karpova
- N.N. Vorozhtsov Institute, Organic Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), 9 Acad. Lavrentiev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (Y.S.S.); (E.V.K.); (D.N.P.)
| | - Maksim A. Belanov
- Pacific Geographical Institute, Far-Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (FEB RAS), 7 Radio Street, 690041 Vladivostok, Russia; (V.Y.T.)
| | - Svetlana Rakhmatullina
- Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, 36 Lenin Ave., 634050 Tomsk, Russia (D.S.V.)
| | - Aleksandra D. Borovkova
- Pacific Geographical Institute, Far-Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (FEB RAS), 7 Radio Street, 690041 Vladivostok, Russia; (V.Y.T.)
| | - Dmitriy N. Polovyanenko
- N.N. Vorozhtsov Institute, Organic Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), 9 Acad. Lavrentiev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (Y.S.S.); (E.V.K.); (D.N.P.)
| | - Danil S. Vorobiev
- Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, 36 Lenin Ave., 634050 Tomsk, Russia (D.S.V.)
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Chen H, Huang D, Zhou W, Deng R, Yin L, Xiao R, Li S, Li F, Lei Y. Hotspots lurking underwater: Insights into the contamination characteristics, environmental fates and impacts on biogeochemical cycling of microplastics in freshwater sediments. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 476:135132. [PMID: 39002483 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135132] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2024] [Revised: 06/19/2024] [Accepted: 07/05/2024] [Indexed: 07/15/2024]
Abstract
The widespread presence of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments has become a significant concern, with freshwater sediments acting as terminal sinks, rapidly picking up these emerging anthropogenic particles. However, the accumulation, transport, degradation and biochemical impacts of MPs in freshwater sediments remain unresolved issues compared to other environmental compartments. Therefore, this paper systematically revealed the spatial distribution and characterization information of MPs in freshwater (rivers, lakes, and estuaries) sediments, in which small-size (<1 mm), fibers, transparent, polyethylene (PE), and polypropylene (PP) predominate, and the average abundance of MPs in river sediments displayed significant heterogeneity compared to other matrices. Next, the transport kinetics and drivers of MPs in sediments are summarized, MPs transport is controlled by the particle diversity and surrounding environmental variability, leading to different migration behaviors and transport efficiencies. Also emphasized the spatio-temporal evolution of MPs degradation processes and biodegradation mechanisms in sediments, different microorganisms can depolymerize high molecular weight polymers into low molecular weight biodegradation by-products via secreting hydrolytic enzymes or redox enzymes. Finally, discussed the ecological impacts of MPs on microbial-nutrient coupling in sediments, MPs can interfere with the ecological balance of microbially mediated nutrient cycling by altering community networks and structures, enzyme activities, and nutrient-related functional gene expressions. This work aims to elucidate the plasticity characteristics, fate processes, and potential ecological impact mechanisms of MPs in freshwater sediments, facilitating a better understanding of environmental risks of MPs in freshwater sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Haojie Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Danlian Huang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China; Greater Bay Area Institute for Innovation, Hunan University, Guangzhou 511300, Guangdong, PR China.
| | - Wei Zhou
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Rui Deng
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Hefei University of Technology, Hefei, Anhui 230009, PR China
| | - Lingshi Yin
- College of Water Resources & Civil Engineering, Hunan Agricultural University, Changsha 410128, PR China
| | - Ruihao Xiao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Sai Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Fei Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
| | - Yang Lei
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, PR China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control, Hunan University, Ministry of Education, Changsha 410082, PR China
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Chen C, Pagsuyoin SA, van Emmerik THM, Xu YY, He YQ, Guo ZF, Liu D, Xu YY. Significant regional disparities in riverine microplastics. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 472:134571. [PMID: 38743976 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/08/2024] [Revised: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/16/2024]
Abstract
Research on riverine microplastics has gradually increased, highlighting an area for further exploration: the lack of extensive, large-scale regional variations analysis due to methodological and spatiotemporal limitations. Herein, we constructed and applied a comprehensive framework for synthesizing and analyzing literature data on riverine microplastics to enable comparative research on the regional variations on a large scale. Research results showed that in 76 rivers primarily located in Asia, Europe, and North America, the microplastic abundance of surface water in Asian rivers was three times higher than that in Euro-America rivers, while sediment in Euro-American rivers was five times more microplastics than Asia rivers, indicating significant regional variations (p < 0.001). Additionally, based on the income levels of countries, rivers in lower-middle and upper-middle income countries had significantly (p < 0.001) higher abundance of microplastics in surface water compared to high-income countries, while the opposite was true for sediment. This phenomenon was preliminarily attributed to varying levels of urbanization across countries. Our proposed framework for synthesizing and analyzing microplastic literature data provides a holistic understanding of microplastic disparities in the environment, and can facilitate broader discussions on management and mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cai Chen
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | | | - Tim H M van Emmerik
- Hydrology and Environmental Hydraulics Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen 6700 AA, Netherlands
| | - Yu-Yao Xu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, PR China
| | - Yu-Qin He
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, PR China
| | - Zhao-Feng Guo
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, PR China
| | - Dong Liu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, PR China
| | - Yao-Yang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, PR China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, PR China.
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Pittroff M, Loui C, Oswald SE, Bochow M, Kamp J, Dierkes G, Lensing HJ, Munz M. Riverbed depth-specific microplastics distribution and potential use as process marker. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2024; 31:45326-45340. [PMID: 38963618 PMCID: PMC11255049 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-34094-z] [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: 02/15/2024] [Accepted: 06/19/2024] [Indexed: 07/05/2024]
Abstract
Riverbed sediments have been identified as temporary and long-term accumulation sites for microplastic particles (MPs), but the relocation and retention mechanisms in riverbeds still need to be better understood. In this study, we investigated the depth-specific occurrence and distribution (abundance, type, and size) of MPs in river sediments down to a depth of 100 cm, which had not been previously investigated in riverbeds. In four sediment freeze cores taken for the Main River (Germany), MPs (≥ 100 µm) were detected using two complementary analytical approaches (spectroscopy and thermoanalytical) over the entire depth with an average of 21.7 ± 21.4 MP/kg or 31.5 ± 28.0 mg/kg. Three vertical trends for MP abundance could be derived, fairly constant in top layers (0-30 cm), a decrease in middle layers (30-60 cm), and a strong increase in deep layers (60-100 cm). The dominant polymer types were polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS). Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and PP were also found in deep layers, albeit with the youngest age of earliest possible occurrence (EPO age of 1973 and 1954). The fraction of smaller-sized MPs (100-500 µm) increased with depth in shallow layers, but the largest MPs (> 1 mm) were detected in deep layers. Based on these findings, we elucidate the relationship between the depth-specific MP distribution and the prevailing processes of MP retention and sediment dynamics in the riverbed. We propose some implications and offer an initial conceptual approach, suggesting the use of microplastics as a potential environmental process tracer for driving riverbed sediment dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Pittroff
- Department Geotechnical Engineering, Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW), Kußmaulstraße 17, 76187, Karlsruhe, Germany.
- Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany.
| | - Constantin Loui
- Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Sascha E Oswald
- Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Mathias Bochow
- Helmholtz Centre Potsdam, GFZ German Research Centre for Geosciences, Section 1.4 Remote Sensing, Telegrafenberg, 14473, Potsdam, Germany
| | - Jan Kamp
- German Federal Institute of Hydrology, Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Georg Dierkes
- German Federal Institute of Hydrology, Am Mainzer Tor 1, 56068, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Hermann-Josef Lensing
- Department Geotechnical Engineering, Federal Waterways Engineering and Research Institute (BAW), Kußmaulstraße 17, 76187, Karlsruhe, Germany
| | - Matthias Munz
- Institute of Environmental Science and Geography, University of Potsdam, Karl-Liebknecht-Str. 24-25, 14476, Potsdam, Germany
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10
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Ganie ZA, Mandal A, Arya L, T S, Talib M, Darbha GK. Assessment and accumulation of microplastics in the Indian riverine systems: Risk assessment and implications of translocation across the water-to-fish continuum. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2024; 272:106944. [PMID: 38823071 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2024.106944] [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: 05/07/2024] [Accepted: 05/07/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution has engulfed global aquatic systems, and the concerns about microplastic translocation and bioaccumulation in fish and other aquatic organisms are now an unpleasant truth. In the past few years, MP pollution in freshwater systems, particularly rivers and subsequently in freshwater organisms, especially in fish, has caught the attention of researchers. Rivers provide livelihood to approximately 40 % of the global population through food and potable water. Hence, assessment of emerging contaminants like microplastics in rivers and the associated fauna is crucial. This study assessed microplastics (MPs) in fish, sediment and freshwater samples across the third largest riverine system of peninsular India, the Mahanadi River. The number concentrations of MPs measured in water, sediment and fish ranged from 337.5 ± 54.4-1333.3 ± 557.2 MPs/m3, 14.7 ± 3.7-69.3 ± 10.1 MPs/kg. Dry weight and 0.4-3.2 MPs/Fish, respectively. Surprisingly, MPs were found in every second fish sample, with a higher MP number in the gut than in the gills. Black and blue coloured filaments with <0.5 mm size were the dominant MPs with polypropylene and polyethylene polymers in abundance. The Polymer Hazard Index (PHI) and the Potential Ecological Risk Index (PERI) studies revealed that the majority of the sampling sites fell in Risk category V (dangerous category). An irregular trend in the MP concentration was observed downstream of the river, though relatively elevated MP concentrations in water and fish samples were observed downstream of the river. t-Distributed Stochastic Neighbour Embedding (t-SNE) unveiled distinct patterns in MP distribution with a higher similarity exhibited in the MPs found in fish gill and gut samples, unlike water and sediment, which shared certain characteristics. The findings in the current study contribute to filling the knowledge gap of MP assessment and accumulation in global freshwater systems and highlight the microplastic contamination and accumulation in fish with its potential implications on human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahid Ahmad Ganie
- Environmental Nanoscience Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research- Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal, 741246, India
| | - Abhishek Mandal
- Environmental Nanoscience Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research- Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal, 741246, India
| | - Lavish Arya
- Environmental Nanoscience Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research- Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal, 741246, India
| | - Sangeetha T
- Environmental Nanoscience Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research- Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal, 741246, India
| | - Mohmmed Talib
- Environmental Nanoscience Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research- Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal, 741246, India
| | - Gopala Krishna Darbha
- Environmental Nanoscience Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research- Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal, 741246, India; Centre for Climate and Environmental Studies, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur, West Bengal, 741246, India.
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11
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He YQ, McDonough LK, Zainab SM, Guo ZF, Chen C, Xu YY. Microplastic accumulation in groundwater: Data-scaled insights and future research. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 258:121808. [PMID: 38796912 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121808] [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: 03/03/2024] [Revised: 05/10/2024] [Accepted: 05/19/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
Given that microplastics (MPs) in groundwater have been concerned for risks to humans and ecosystems with increased publications, a Contrasting Analysis of Scales (CAS) approach is developed by this study to synthesize all existing data into a hierarchical understanding of MP accumulation in groundwater. Within the full data of 386 compiled samples, the median abundance of MPs in Open Groundwater (OG) and Closed Groundwater (CG) were 4.4 and 2.5 items/L respectively, with OG exhibiting a greater diversity of MP colors and larger particle sizes. The different pathways of MP entry (i.e., surface runoff and rock interstices) into OG and CG led to this difference. At the regional scale, median MP abundance in nature reserves and landfills were 17.5 and 13.4 items/L, respectively, all the sampling points showed high pollution load risk. MPs in agricultural areas exhibited a high coefficient of variation (716.7%), and a median abundance of 1.0 items/L. Anthropogenic activities at the regional scale are the drivers behind the differentiation in the morphological characteristics of MPs, where groundwater in residential areas with highly toxic polymers (e.g., polyvinylchloride) deserves prolonged attention. At the local scale, the transport of MPs is controlled by groundwater flow paths, with a higher abundance of MP particles downstream than upstream, and MPs with regular surfaces and lower resistance (e.g., pellets) are more likely to be transported over long distances. From the data-scaled insight this study provides on the accumulation of MPs, future research should be directed towards network-based observation for groundwater-rich regions covered with landfills, residences, and agricultural land.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu-Qin He
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Liza K McDonough
- Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (ANSTO), New Illawarra Rd, Lucas Heights, NSW 2234, Australia
| | - Syeda Maria Zainab
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, China
| | - Zhao-Feng Guo
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, China
| | - Cai Chen
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yao-Yang Xu
- Key Laboratory of Urban Environment and Health, Ningbo Observation and Research Station, Institute of Urban Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Xiamen 361021, China; Zhejiang Key Laboratory of Urban Environmental Processes and Pollution Control, CAS Haixi Industrial Technology Innovation Center in Beilun, Ningbo 315830, China.
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12
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Wang Y, Jing S, Hou P, Ni R, Niu L, Wanger TC, Liu W, Liu K. Soil erosion is a major drive for nano & micro-plastics to enter riverine systems from cultivated land. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 256:121597. [PMID: 38614030 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.121597] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
Nano and micro-plastics (NMPs, particles diameter <5 mm), as emerging contaminants, have become a major concern in the aquatic environment because of their adverse consequences to aquatic life and potentially human health. Implementing mitigation strategies requires quantifying NMPs mass emissions and understanding their sources and transport pathways from land to riverine systems. Herein, to access NMPs mass input from agricultural soil to riverine system via water-driven soil erosion, we have collected soil samples from 120 cultivated land in nine drainage basins across China in 2021 and quantified the residues of six common types of plastic, including polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), polycarbonate (PC), and polystyrene (PS). NMPs (Σ6plastics) were detected in all samples at concentrations between 3.6 and 816.6 μg/g dry weight (median, 63.3 μg/g) by thermal desorption/pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Then, based on the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation model, we estimated that about 22,700 tonnes of NMPs may enter the Chinese riverine system in 2020 due to agricultural water-driven soil erosion, which occurs primarily from May to September. Our result suggested that over 90% of the riverine NMPs related to agricultural soil erosion in China are attributed to 36.5% of the country's total cultivated land, mainly distributed in the Yangtze River Basin, Southwest Basin, and Pearl River Basin. The migration of NMPs due to water-driven soil erosion cannot be ignored, and erosion management strategies may contribute to alleviating plastic pollution issues in aquatic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanting Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, Institute of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Siyuan Jing
- Sustainable Agricultural Systems & Engineering Laboratory, School of Engineering, Westlake University, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
| | - Peiyu Hou
- Division of Environment and Resources, College of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China
| | - Rui Ni
- MOE Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Ecosystem Health, Institute of Environmental Health, College of Environmental and Resource Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou 310058, China
| | - Lili Niu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Interdisciplinary Research Academy, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 312028, China
| | - Thomas Cherico Wanger
- Sustainable Agricultural Systems & Engineering Laboratory, School of Engineering, Westlake University, 18 Shilongshan Road, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China; ChinaRiceNetwork.org, Hangzhou 310024, China
| | - Weiping Liu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Exposure and Health Intervention of Zhejiang Province, Interdisciplinary Research Academy, Zhejiang Shuren University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 312028, China
| | - Kai Liu
- Division of Environment and Resources, College of Engineering, Westlake University, Hangzhou, Zhejiang 310024, China.
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13
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Wazne M, Mermillod-Blondin F, Vallier M, Krause S, Barthélémy N, Simon L. Optimization of glass separating funnels to facilitate microplastic extraction from sediments. MethodsX 2024; 12:102540. [PMID: 38268517 PMCID: PMC10805656 DOI: 10.1016/j.mex.2023.102540] [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: 11/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/26/2023] [Indexed: 01/26/2024] Open
Abstract
Recent studies on the distribution of microplastics in aquatic sediments have deployed different methods and devices for density separation of microplastics from sediments. However, instrument specific limitations have been noted, including their high cost, difficulty in handling, or/and the potential for elevated contamination risk due to their plastic composition. This study improves existing sediment microplastic separation techniques by modifying the commonly used conical shape glass separating funnels. The modification consists in connecting a silicone tube at the base of the funnel, whose opening and closure was manually controlled by a Mohr clamp. This adjustment made to the funnels have effectively mitigated critical clogging problems frequently encountered in density separation units. An experiment was conducted using sand-based sediment spiked with polyamide fragments to validate this method modification. Following a complete extraction protocol with the modification of separating funnels, the microplastic extraction efficiency from sediments was high with a 90% recovery rate. Based on these promising results, future studies should consider naturally diverse substrates, as recovery efficiency may be sediment-dependent. Two key adjustments to the glass separation funnels:•Removal of stopcocks•Use of silicone tubes and Mohr clamps to control sediment release.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Wazne
- CNRS, ENTPE, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UMR 5023 LEHNA, Villeurbanne F 69622, France
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | | | - Manon Vallier
- CNRS, ENTPE, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UMR 5023 LEHNA, Villeurbanne F 69622, France
| | - Stefan Krause
- CNRS, ENTPE, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UMR 5023 LEHNA, Villeurbanne F 69622, France
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, UK
| | - Nans Barthélémy
- CNRS, ENTPE, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UMR 5023 LEHNA, Villeurbanne F 69622, France
| | - Laurent Simon
- CNRS, ENTPE, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, UMR 5023 LEHNA, Villeurbanne F 69622, France
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14
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Kukkola A, Schneidewind U, Haverson L, Kelleher L, Drummond JD, Sambrook Smith G, Lynch I, Krause S. Snapshot Sampling May Not Be Enough to Obtain Robust Estimates for Riverine Microplastic Loads. ACS ES&T WATER 2024; 4:2309-2319. [PMID: 38752202 PMCID: PMC11091885 DOI: 10.1021/acsestwater.4c00176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/29/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
Wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) have been described as key contributors of microplastics (MPs) to aquatic systems, yet temporal fluctuations in MP concentrations and loads downstream are underexplored. This study investigated how different sampling frequencies (hourly, weekly, and monthly) affect MP estimates in a stream linked to a single WWTP. Utilizing fluorescence microscopy and Raman spectroscopy, considerable hourly variations in MP concentrations were discovered, while the polymer composition remained consistent. This temporal variability in MP loads was influenced by MP concentration, discharge rates, or a mix of both. These results show a high uncertainty, as relying on sparse snapshot samples combined with annual discharge data led to significant uncertainties in MP load estimates (over- and/or underestimation of emissions by 3.8 billion MPs annually at this site). Our findings stress the necessity of higher-frequency sampling for better comprehending the hydrodynamic factors influencing MP transport. This improved understanding enables a more accurate quantification of MP dynamics, crucial for downstream impact assessments. Therefore, preliminary reconnaissance campaigns are essential for designing extended, representative site-monitoring programs and ensuring more precise trend predictions on a larger scale.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kukkola
- School
of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United
Kingdom
| | - Uwe Schneidewind
- School
of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United
Kingdom
| | - Lee Haverson
- School
of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United
Kingdom
| | - Liam Kelleher
- School
of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United
Kingdom
- Institute
of Global Innovation, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2SA, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer D. Drummond
- School
of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United
Kingdom
| | - Gregory Sambrook Smith
- School
of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United
Kingdom
| | - Iseult Lynch
- School
of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United
Kingdom
- Institute
of Global Innovation, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2SA, United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Krause
- School
of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United
Kingdom
- LEHNA
- Laboratoire d’ecologie des hydrosystemes naturels et anthropises, University of Lyon, Darwin C & Forel, 3-6 Rue Raphaël Dubois, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
- Institute
of Global Innovation, University of Birmingham, Birmingham B15 2SA, United Kingdom
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15
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Hassan MA, Shammi M, Tareq SM. The deciphering of microplastics-derived fluorescent dissolved organic matter in urban lakes, canals, and rivers using parallel factor analysis modeling and mimic experiment. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2024; 96:e11041. [PMID: 38797514 DOI: 10.1002/wer.11041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2024] [Revised: 04/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/04/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024]
Abstract
The aim of the study is to investigate the leaching of fluorescent dissolved organic matter (fDOM) from microplastics. In addition, this study identifies the connection between fDOM and microplastics in the aquatic environment. Three-dimensional excitation-emission matrix identified five fluorophores, that is, peak A, M, T, Tuv, and Wuv, and the parallel factor analysis modeling identified five components, that is, tryptophan-like, p-hydroxy acetophenone, humic acid (C-like), detergent-like, and fulvic acid (M-like) in the urban surface water. Mimic experiments using commonly used synthetic plastic (like microplastics) in Mili-Q water under solar radiation and dark environments demonstrate the release of fDOM from plastic. Two fluorophore peaks were observed at Ex/Em = 250/302 nm and Ex/Em = 260/333 nm for the expanded polystyrene plastic polymer and one fluorophore peak at Ex/Em = 260/333 nm for the low-density polyethylene. Fluorophore and component intensity exhibited notable associations with microplastics in the aquatic environment. These findings indicated that the characteristics and dynamics of fDOM in urban surface water are influenced by microplastics. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Fluorescent dissolved organic matters were identified in urban surface waters. Expanded polystyrene (EPS) had shown two fluorophores at Em/Ex = 250/302 and Em/Ex = 260/333. Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) had one fluorophore at Em/Ex = 260/333. Fluorophore and component intensity in the aquatic settings exhibited associations with microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Anamul Hassan
- 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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16
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Merbt SN, Kroll A, Sgier L, Tlili A, Schirmer K, Behra R. Fate and effects of microplastic particles in a periphyton-grazer system. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 347:123798. [PMID: 38492748 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123798] [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: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/13/2024] [Indexed: 03/18/2024]
Abstract
In the aquatic environment, microplastic particles (MP) can accumulate in microbial communities that cover submerged substrata, i.e. in periphyton. Despite periphyton being the essential food source for grazers in the benthic zones, MP transfer from periphyton to benthic biota and its ecotoxicological consequences are unknown. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the effects of 1) MP on embryonal development of freshwater gastropod Physa acuta embryos, 2) MP on adult Physa acuta individuals through dietary exposure and 3) on the MP surface properties. Embryonal development tests were carried out with spherical polyethylene MP in the size of 1-4 μm (MP). Over a period of 28 days, embryonal development and hatching rate were calculated. In the feeding experiments, periphyton was grown in the presence and absence of MP and was then offered to the adult Physa acuta for 42-152 h. The snails readily ingested and subsequently egested MP, together with the periphyton as shown by MP quantification in periphyton, snail soft body tissue and feces. No selective feeding behavior upon MP exposure was detected. The ingestion of MP had no effect on mortality, feeding and defecation rate. Yet, the reproductive output of snails, measured as the number of egg clutches and numbers of eggs per clutch, decreased after the ingestion of MPs, while the hatching success of snail embryos those parents were exposed remained unaffected. In contrast, hatching rate of snail embryos was significantly reduced upon direct MP exposure. MP optical properties were changed upon the incorporation into the periphyton and the passage through the digestive tract. Our results indicate that MP incorporated in periphyton are bioavailable to aquatic grazers, facilitating the introduction of MP into the food chain and having direct adverse effects on the grazers' reproductive fitness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie N Merbt
- Eawag - Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland; Ceab.CSIC Centre D'Estudis Avançats de Blanes (CEAB-CSIC), Access a La Cala St, Francesc 14, 17300, Blanes, Spain.
| | - Alexandra Kroll
- Swiss Centre for Applied Ecotoxicology, Ueberlandstrasse 133, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Linn Sgier
- Eawag - Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Ahmed Tlili
- Eawag - Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland
| | - Kristin Schirmer
- Eawag - Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland; EPF Lausanne, School of Architecture, Civil and Environmental Engineering, 1015, Lausanne, Switzerland; ETH Zürich, Department of Environmental Systems Science, 8092, Zürich, Switzerland.
| | - Renata Behra
- Eawag - Swiss Federal Institute of Aquatic Science and Technology, 8600, Dübendorf, Switzerland; Aegetswil 4, 8492, Wila, Switzerland
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17
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Xu J, Wang Z. Intelligent classification and pollution characteristics analysis of microplastics in urban surface waters using YNet. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 467:133694. [PMID: 38330648 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/31/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs, ≤ 5 mm in size) are hazardous contaminants that pose threats to ecosystems and human health. YNet was developed to analyze MPs abundance and shape to gain insights into MPs pollution characteristics in urban surface waters. The study found that YNet achieved an accurate identification and intelligent classification performance, with a dice similarity coefficient (DSC) of 90.78%, precision of 94.17%, and recall of 89.14%. Analysis of initial MPs levels in wetlands and reservoirs revealed 127.3 items/L and 56.0 items/L. Additionally, the MPs in effluents were 27.0 items/L and 26.3 items/L, indicating the ability of wetlands and reservoirs to retain MPs. The concentration of MPs in the lower reaches of the river was higher (45.6 items/L) compared to the upper reaches (22.0 items/L). The majority of MPs detected in this study were fragments, accounting for 51.63%, 54.94%, and 74.74% in the river, wetland, and reservoir. Conversely, granules accounted for the smallest proportion of MPs in the river, wetland, and reservoir, representing only 11.43%, 10.38%, and 6.5%. The study proves that the trained YNet accurately identify and intelligently classify MPs. This tool is essential in comprehending the distribution of MPs in urban surface waters and researching their sources and fate.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiongji Xu
- School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building and Urban Science, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China.
| | - Zhaoli Wang
- School of Civil Engineering and Transportation, State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Building and Urban Science, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510641, China; Pazhou Lab, Guangzhou 510335, China.
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18
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Sebteoui K, Milošević D, Stanković J, Baranov V, Jovanović B, Krause S, Csabai Z. Beneath the surface: Decoding the impact of Chironomus riparius bioturbation on microplastic dispersion in sedimentary matrix. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 919:170844. [PMID: 38342470 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170844] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Revised: 02/04/2024] [Accepted: 02/07/2024] [Indexed: 02/13/2024]
Abstract
A detailed understanding of microplastics (MPs) behaviour in freshwater ecosystems is crucial for a proper ecological assessment. This includes the identification of significant transport pathways and net accumulation zones, considering their inherent, and already proven influence on aquatic ecosystems. Bioavailability of toxic agents is significantly influenced by macroinvertebrates' behaviour, such as bioturbation and burrowing, and their prior exposure history. This study investigates the effect of bioturbation activity of Chironomus riparius Meigen, 1804 on the vertical transfer of polyethylene MPs ex-situ. The experimental setup exposes larvae to a scenario of 10× the environmentally relevant high concentration of MPs (80 g m-2). Bioturbation activity was estimated using sediment profile imaging with luminophore tracers. This study demonstrated that spherical MPs are vertically transferred in the sediment due to the bioturbation activity of C. riparius larvae and that their presence influences the intensity of the bioturbation activity over time. The present findings provide a noteworthy contribution to the understanding of the relationship between ecosystem engineers and the dispersion and accumulation of MPs within freshwater ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Khouloud Sebteoui
- Department of Hydrobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Hungary.
| | - Djuradj Milošević
- Department of Biology and Ecology, Faculty of Sciences and Mathematics, University of Niš, Serbia
| | - Jelena Stanković
- Department of Hydrobiology and Water Protection, Institute for Biological Research "Siniša Stanković" National Institute of Republic of Serbia, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Viktor Baranov
- Estación Biológica de Doñana-CSIC / Doñana Biological Station-CSIC, Spain
| | - Boris Jovanović
- Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA
| | - Stefan Krause
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom; LEHNA- Laboratoire d'ecologie des hydrosystemes naturels et anthropises, University of Lyon, Darwin C & Forel, 3-6 Rue Raphaël Dubois, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Zoltán Csabai
- Department of Hydrobiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Pécs, Hungary; Balaton Limnological Research Institute, Tihany, Hungary
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19
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Berg EM, Dila DK, Schaul O, Eros A, McLellan SL, Newton RJ, Hoellein TJ, Kelly JJ. Anthropogenic particle concentrations and fluxes in an urban river are temporally variable and impacted by storm events. WATER ENVIRONMENT RESEARCH : A RESEARCH PUBLICATION OF THE WATER ENVIRONMENT FEDERATION 2024; 96:e11021. [PMID: 38605502 DOI: 10.1002/wer.11021] [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: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 03/14/2024] [Accepted: 03/23/2024] [Indexed: 04/13/2024]
Abstract
Anthropogenic particles (AP), which include microplastics and other synthetic, semisynthetic, and anthropogenically modified materials, are pollutants of concern in aquatic ecosystems worldwide. Rivers are important conduits and retention sites for AP, and time series data on the movement of these particles in lotic ecosystems are needed to assess the role of rivers in the global AP cycle. Much research assessing AP pollution extrapolates stream loads based on single time point measurements, but lotic ecosystems are highly variable over time (e.g., seasonality and storm events). The accuracy of models describing AP dynamics in rivers is constrained by the limited studies that examine how frequent changes in discharge drive particle retention and transport. This study addressed this knowledge gap by using automated, high-resolution sampling to track AP concentrations and fluxes during multiple storm events in an urban river (Milwaukee River) and comparing these measurements to commonly monitored water quality metrics. AP concentrations and fluxes varied significantly across four storm events, highlighting the temporal variability of AP dynamics. When data from the sampling periods were pooled, there were increases in particle concentration and flux during the early phases of the storms, suggesting that floods may flush AP into the river and/or resuspend particles from the benthic zone. AP flux was closely linked to river discharge, suggesting large loads of AP are delivered downstream during storms. Unexpectedly, AP concentrations were not correlated with other simultaneously measured water quality metrics, including total suspended solids, fecal coliforms, chloride, nitrate, and sulfate, indicating that these metrics cannot be used to estimate AP. These data will contribute to more accurate models of particle dynamics in rivers and global plastic export to oceans. PRACTITIONER POINTS: Anthropogenic particle (AP) concentrations and fluxes in an urban river varied across four storm events. AP concentrations and fluxes were the highest during the early phases of the storms. Storms increased AP transport downstream compared with baseflow. AP concentrations did not correlate with other water quality metrics during storms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Berg
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Deborah K Dila
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Olivia Schaul
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Audrey Eros
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - Sandra L McLellan
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Ryan J Newton
- School of Freshwater Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA
| | - Timothy J Hoellein
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
| | - John J Kelly
- Department of Biology, Loyola University Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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20
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Imbulana S, Tanaka S, Moriya A, Oluwoye I. Inter-event and intra-event dynamics of microplastic emissions in an urban river during rainfall episodes. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 243:117882. [PMID: 38070853 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117882] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 02/06/2024]
Abstract
Urban rivers represent the major conduits for land-sourced microplastics in the global oceans, yet the real-time dynamics of their emissions in rivers during rainfall (and runoff) events are poorly understood. Herein, we report the results of high-frequency sampling of microplastic particles (MPs) and fibers (MPFs) in the surface water of an urban river in Japan over the course of three rainfall events (i.e., light, moderate, and heavy rainfalls). The event mean concentrations (EMCs) of MPs amounted to 35,000 items/m3, 929,000 items/m3, and 331,000 items/m3; and the corresponding total loads were 0.5 kg, 19.8 kg, and 35.0 kg for light, moderate and heavy rainfalls, respectively. The inter-event total loads of MPs correlate well with the total rainfall, while the concentrations were linked with the number of antecedent dry days. The dynamic trends show that <2000 μm MPs displayed first flush effects during light to moderate rainfall events (>50% mass discharged with the initial 20-40% of flow). Small-sized MPs (10-40 μm) mobilized rapidly at lower rainfall intensities, whereas MPs over 2000 μm discharged immediately after the peak rainfall intensity. Moreover, <70 μm MPs depicted a surge following heavy rainfall events due to turbulent flow conditions reverting the deposited MPs into suspension. Overall, the three events increased the loads by 4-110 folds, and EMCs by 10-350 folds compared to the concentrations during dry weather while portraying a significant impact on 300-1000 μm MPs. The dynamics of MPs were correlated with those of suspended solids in river water, and the characteristics were comparable to the same of road dust sampled in Japan. Although the dynamic trends between MPs and MPFs in river water were comparable, MPFs were relatively less impacted by rain, likely due to the intervention of separate sewer systems in the study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sachithra Imbulana
- Environmentally-friendly Industries for Sustainable Development Laboratory, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan.
| | - Shuhei Tanaka
- Environmentally-friendly Industries for Sustainable Development Laboratory, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Asami Moriya
- Environmentally-friendly Industries for Sustainable Development Laboratory, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan
| | - Ibukun Oluwoye
- Environmentally-friendly Industries for Sustainable Development Laboratory, Graduate School of Global Environmental Studies, Kyoto University, Yoshida-Honmachi, Sakyo-ku, Kyoto, 606-8501, Japan; Curtin Corrosion Centre, Curtin University, GPO Box U1987, Perth, WA, 6845, Australia
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21
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Peleg E, Teitelbaum Y, Arnon S. Exploring the influence of sediment motion on microplastic deposition in streambeds. WATER RESEARCH 2024; 249:120952. [PMID: 38101045 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120952] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/29/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MP) of all sizes and densities have been found deposited in streambeds. Several delivery processes were proposed to explain these observations. However, none of the previous studies explored these processes systematically, especially in cases of streambeds made of fine sediments that are regularly in motion. In this study, we quantified the effect of streambed motion on the deposition and accumulation of MP in streambed sediments using particle tracking simulations in a numerical flow and transport model. The model was run for streamwater velocities of 0.1-0.5 m s-1 and median grain sizes of 0.15-0.6 mm. Streambed morphodynamics were estimated from these input parameters using empirical relationships. MP propensity to become trapped in porous media was simulated using a filtration coefficient. For each grain size and streamwater velocity, a wide variety of filtration coefficients was used in simulations in order to predict the fate of particles in the sediment. We found that exchange due to sediment turnover leads to burial and long-term deposition of MP that originally were not expected to enter the bed due to size exclusion. The results also show that in streambeds with fine sediments, localized deposits of MP are expected to occur as a horizontal layer below the moving fraction of the bed (upper layer). However, increasing celerity reduces the depth of MP deposition in the streambed. We conclude that models that do not include the effect of bed motion on MP deposition are likely miscalculating the deposition, retention, resuspensions and long-term accumulation of MP in streambed sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eshel Peleg
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
| | - Yoni Teitelbaum
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel
| | - Shai Arnon
- Zuckerberg Institute for Water Research, The Jacob Blaustein Institutes for Desert Research, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Israel.
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22
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Wang T, Li B, Shi H, Ding Y, Chen H, Yuan F, Liu R, Zou X. The processes and transport fluxes of land-based macroplastics and microplastics entering the ocean via rivers. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 466:133623. [PMID: 38301445 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133623] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2023] [Revised: 01/23/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Approximately 80% of marine plastic waste originates from land-based sources and enters oceans through rivers. Hence, to create effective regulations, it is crucial to thoroughly examine the processes by which land-based plastic waste flows into marine environments. To this end, this review covers the complete journey of macro- and microplastics from their initial input into rivers to their ultimate release into oceans. Here, we also discuss the primary influencing factors and current popular research topics. Additionally, the principles, applicability, accuracy, uncertainty, and potential improvement of the standard methods used for flux estimation at each stage are outlined. Emission estimates of land-based macro- and microplastics are typically assessed using the emission factor approach, coefficient accounting approach, or material flow analysis. Accurately estimating mismanaged plastic waste is crucial for reducing uncertainty in the macroplastic emission inventory. In our review of the processes by which land-originating plastics enter rivers, we categorized them into two major types: point-source and diffuse-source pollution. Land surface hydrological models simulate transport from diffuse sources to rivers, necessitating further research. Riverine (micro)plastic flux to the ocean is often estimated using monitoring statistics and watershed hydrological models at the watershed scale; however, standardized monitoring methods have not yet been established. At the global scale, algorithms based on river datasets are often used, which require further improvements in river data selection and microplastic number-mass conversion factors. Furthermore, the article summarizes the accuracy and sources of uncertainty of various methods. Future research efforts should focus on quantifying and mitigating uncertainties in resultant projections. Overall, this review deepens our understanding of the processes by which land-based plastic waste enters the ocean and helps scholars efficiently select or improve relevant methods when studying land-ocean transport fluxes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Hazards Forecasting, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, China; Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center for Marine Bio-resources Sustainable Utilization & Nanjing Outskirts Sea-Atmosphere Interface Field Scientific Observation Research Station & College of Oceanography, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, China.
| | - Baojie Li
- Collaborative Innovation Center of Atmospheric Environment and Equipment Technology, Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Atmospheric Environment Monitoring and Pollution Control, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Huahong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Yongcheng Ding
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Hongyu Chen
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Feng Yuan
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Rongze Liu
- Jiangsu Province Engineering Research Center for Marine Bio-resources Sustainable Utilization & Nanjing Outskirts Sea-Atmosphere Interface Field Scientific Observation Research Station & College of Oceanography, Hohai University, Nanjing 210024, China
| | - Xinqing Zou
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
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23
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Yang H, Foroutan H. Effects of near-bed turbulence on microplastics fate and transport in streams. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 905:167173. [PMID: 37730059 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Revised: 09/06/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 09/22/2023]
Abstract
Quantifying the impact of hyporheic exchange is crucial for understanding the transport and fate of microplastics in streams. In this study, we conducted several Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations to investigate near-bed turbulence and analyze vertical hyporheic exchange. Different arranged spheres were used to represent rough and permeable sediment beds in natural rivers. The velocities associated with vertical hyporheic flux and the gravitational force were compared to quantify the susceptibility of microplastics to hyporheic exchange. Four scenario cases representing different channel characteristics were studied and their effects on microplastics movements through hyporheic exchange were quantitatively studied. Results show that hyporheic exchange flow can significantly influence the fate and transport of microplastics of small and light-weighted microplastics. Under certain conditions, hyporheic exchange flow can dominate the behavior of microplastics with sizes up to around 800 μm. This dominance is particularly evident near the sediment-water interface, especially at the top layer of sediments. Higher bed porosity enhances the exchange of microplastics between water and sediment, while increased flow conditions extend the vertical exchange zone into deeper layers of the bed. Changes in the bedform lead to the most pronounced vertical hyporheic exchange, emphasizing the control of morphological features on microplastics transport. Furthermore, it is found that sweep-ejection events are prevailing near the bed surface, serving as a mechanism for microplastics transport in rivers. As moving from the water column to deeper layers in the sediment bed, there's a shift from sweeps dominance to ejections dominance, indicating changes of direction in microplastics movement at different locations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Huan Yang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States
| | - Hosein Foroutan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA 24061, United States.
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24
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Yuan B, Gan W, Sun J, Lin B, Chen Z. Depth profiles of microplastics in sediments from inland water to coast and their influential factors. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 903:166151. [PMID: 37562610 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics, plastic particles with a size smaller than 5 mm, are widely observed in the global environments and pose a growing threat as they accumulate and affect the environments in numerous ways. These particles can be transported from inland water to coast and disperse from surface water to deep sediments, especially the latter, while knowledge of the hidden microplastics in sediment layers is still lacking. Understanding the characteristics and behavior of microplastics in deep sediments from inland water to coast is crucial for estimating the present and future global plastic budget from land to seas. Herein, present knowledge of microplastic sedimentation from inland water to coast is reviewed, with a focus on the physical characteristics of microplastics and environmental factors that affect sedimentation. The abundance, shape, composition, and timeline of microplastics in sediment layers in rivers, floodplains, lakes, estuaries and coastal wetlands are presented. The abundance of microplastics in sediment layers varies across sites and may exhibit opposite trends along depth, and generally the proportion of relatively small microplastics increases with depth, while less is known about the vertical trends in the shape and composition of microplastics. Timeline of microplastics is generally linked to the sedimentation rate, which varies from millimeters to centimeters per year in the reviewed studies. The spatiotemporal characteristics of microplastic sedimentation depend on the settling and erosion of microplastics, which are determined by two aspects, microplastic characteristics and environmental factors. The former aspect includes size, shape and density influenced by aggregation and biofouling, and the latter includes dynamic forces, topographic features, bioturbation and human activities. The comprehensive review of these factors highlights the needs to further quantify the characteristics of microplastic sedimentation and explore the role of these factors in microplastic sedimentation on various spatiotemporal scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bing Yuan
- School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, 519082 Zhuhai, China; State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Tsinghua University, 100084 Beijing, China
| | - Wenhui Gan
- School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, 519082 Zhuhai, China
| | - Jian Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Tsinghua University, 100084 Beijing, China.
| | - Binliang Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Tsinghua University, 100084 Beijing, China
| | - Zhihe Chen
- School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, 519082 Zhuhai, China.
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25
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Wang D, Jiang SY, Fan C, Fu L, Ruan HD. Occurrence and correlation of microplastics and dibutyl phthalate in rivers from Pearl River Delta, China. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 197:115759. [PMID: 37988965 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115759] [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: 06/21/2023] [Revised: 10/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/04/2023] [Indexed: 11/23/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics have been identified as the novel contaminants in various environments. Phthalates would be released from plasticized microplastics into a riverine environment while transporting to a marine region, but data on their relationship in rivers have been scarce. In this study, the occurrence, distribution and correlation of microplastics and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) in two rivers from the Pearl River Estuary were investigated. The elevated level of DBP in the Qianshan River (2.70 ± 0.20 μg/L) was in alignment with the presence of highest microplastic concentration at the same sampling site (15.8 ± 9.8 items/L). A positive correlation was observed between microplastics and DBP in all sampling sites (p < 0.05). The results showed that UV irradiation from sunlight was a majorly inducing factor of DBP leaching from polyethylene microplastics. The concentrations of chemical additives in some degrees reflect the microplastic pollution, but environmental factors and multidimensionality of microplastics such as residence times and types may cause spatial differences of chemical additives in aquatic systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Duojia Wang
- Environmental Science Program, Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519087, PR China
| | - Sabrina Yanan Jiang
- National Observation and Research Station of Coastal Ecological Environments in Macao, Macao Environmental Research Institute, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa 999078, Macao.
| | - Changchang Fan
- Environmental Science Program, Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519087, PR China
| | - Longshan Fu
- Environmental Science Program, Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519087, PR China; National Observation and Research Station of Coastal Ecological Environments in Macao, Macao Environmental Research Institute, Macau University of Science and Technology, Taipa 999078, Macao
| | - Huada Daniel Ruan
- Environmental Science Program, Department of Life Science, Faculty of Science and Technology, Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College, Zhuhai, Guangdong Province 519087, PR China.
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26
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Zhou Y, Jia Z, Zheng G, Chen L, Zhang Q, Su B, Zhou S. Microplastics in agricultural soils on the coastal plain: Spatial characteristics, influencing factors and sources. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 901:165948. [PMID: 37532042 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165948] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/30/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023]
Abstract
Farmland is a major sink for microplastics (MPs), but research on MPs in coastal plain soil, particularly their occurrence in agricultural areas with changing coastlines, is limited. Here, we investigated the distribution, influencing factors and sources of MPs in a typical agricultural county near the southeast coast of China considering different human activities and soil property changes. The average MP concentration in farmland soils was 314 items/kg, ranging from 70.2 to 851.3 items/kg. MPs increased first and then decreased from inland to the coast, and this trend was greatly affected by coastline expansion. Bulk density, clay and textile points of interest (POIs) are the major factors affecting MPs in farmland. Network analysis was used to divide the whole MP community into two modules, and the average similarity between each MP community and the other 25.5 MP communities was >0.5. Overall, the similarity of the MP community tended to decrease with increasing geographical distance (P < 0.01). In the soil environmental factors group, bulk density and clay affected the total MP abundance, accounting for 14.7 % and 9.4 % of MPs, respectively. After fitting 8 types of POIs and the total MP diversity integrated index (MDII) of farmland, washing POIs (R2 = 0.65, P < 0.01) displayed the greatest and most significant fit with MDII, followed by clothing POIs (R2 = 0.29, P < 0.01). The MDII-POI results showed that the major POI sources of soil MPs were clothing manufacturing and washing POIs. Unlike in urban areas, automobile service POIs, packaging POIs and textile POIs had no significant relationship with the MDII, which may be related to the population and economic development scale. The results emphasize the importance of investigating MP occurrence and sources in coastal agricultural areas to promote the effective management of MPs and plastic emissions in land-sea transition zones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yujie Zhou
- School of Geographic Sciences, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China; School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Zhenyi Jia
- College of Geography and Environmental Sciences, Zhejiang Normal University, Jinhua 321004, China
| | - Gunghui Zheng
- School of Geographic Sciences, Nanjing University of Information Science & Technology, Nanjing 210044, China
| | - Long Chen
- School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Qi Zhang
- School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Bo Su
- School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, China
| | - Shenglu Zhou
- School of Geographic and Oceanographic Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210046, China.
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27
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Xia F, Tan Q, Qin H, Wang D, Cai Y, Zhang J. Sequestration and export of microplastics in urban river sediments. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 181:108265. [PMID: 37866239 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.108265] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 10/12/2023] [Indexed: 10/24/2023]
Abstract
In rivers, riverbeds are considered to have dual properties as a short-term sink and a source of further mobilization for microplastics. To better understand the sources, storage, and fate of microplastics in river systems, this study quantified the formation of microplastic hotspots in riverbeds and seasonal variations in microplastic inventories in riverbeds, especially for small-sized microplastics (<330 µm), with a fluorescence-based protocol. This study provides first-hand measured evidence for the sequestration of microplastics in the riverbed under low-flow conditions and its export from the riverbed under high-flow conditions. The results show that riverbeds in urban areas are still hotspots for microplastic pollution and that high inputs of urban microplastics control microplastic load in its downstream areas. Seasonal rainfall exported 34.86 % (equivalent to 4.34 × 1011 items/8.57 t) of microplastic pollution from the riverbed, and its removal capacity may be related to the rainfall intensity. Wider riverbeds are conducive to the formation of microplastic hotspots due to the flow slow down. Most importantly, rainfall-driven scouring of the riverbed can enhance the pollution of small-sized microplastics in the riverbed, especially the smallest-size microplastics (<100 µm). Therefore, this study not only contributes reliable information about the sequestration and export of microplastics in the riverbed, but also provides a possible mechanism to explain the lack of small-sized microplastics (<330 µm) in the ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiyang Xia
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watershed, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
| | - Qian Tan
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watershed, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
| | - Haiguang Qin
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watershed, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China
| | - Dunqiu Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China
| | - Yanpeng Cai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watershed, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China.
| | - Jun Zhang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin 541004, China.
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28
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Drummond JD, Gonçalves J, Aquino T, Bernal S, Gacia E, Gutierrez-Aguirre I, Turk V, Ravnikar M, Krause S, Martí E. Benthic sediment as stores and sources of bacteria and viruses in streams: A comparison of baseflow vs. stormflow longitudinal transport and residence times. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 245:120637. [PMID: 37776590 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120637] [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: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/15/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
The presence of bacteria and viruses in freshwater represents a global health risk. The substantial spatial and temporal variability of microbes leads to difficulties in quantifying the risks associated with their presence in freshwater. Fine particles, including bacteria and viruses are transported and accumulated into shallow streambed (i.e., benthic) sediment, delaying the downstream transmission during baseflow conditions but contributing to their resuspension and transport downstream during stormflow events. Direct measurements of pathogen accumulation in benthic sediments are rare. Until now, the dynamic role of benthic sediment as both a store and source of microbes, has not been quantified. In this study, we analyze microbial abundance in benthic sediment along a 1 km reach of an intermittent Mediterranean stream receiving inputs from the effluent of a wastewater treatment plant, a known point source of microbes in streams. We sampled benthic sediment during a summer drought when the wastewater effluent constituted 100 % of the stream flow, and thus, large accumulation and persistence of pathogens along the streambed was expected. We measured the abundance of total bacteria, Escherichia coli (as a fecal indicator), and presence of enteric rotavirus (RoV) and norovirus (NoV). The abundance of E. coli, based on qPCR detection, was high (4.99∙102 gc /cm2) along the first 100 m downstream of the wastewater effluent input and in general decreased with distance from the source, with presence of RoV and NoV along the study reach. A particle tracking model was applied, that uses stream water velocity as an input, and accounts for microbial exchange into, immobilization, degradation, and resuspension out of benthic sediment during baseflow and stormflow. Rates of exchange into benthic sediment were 3 orders of magnitude higher during stormflow, but residence times were proportionately lower, resulting in increased longitudinal connectivity from up to downstream during stormflow. Model simulations demonstrated mechanistically how the rates of exchange into and out of the benthic sediment resulted in benthic sediment to act as a store during baseflow and a source during stormflow.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jennifer D Drummond
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston B15 2TT, UK; Integrative Freshwater Ecology Group, Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB- CSIC), Girona 17300, Spain.
| | - José Gonçalves
- Institute of Sustainable Processes, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina s/n., Valladolid 47011, Spain; Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technology, University of Valladolid, Dr. Mergelina, Valladolid 47011, Spain
| | - Tomás Aquino
- Université de Rennes, CNRS, Géosciences Rennes, Rennes UMR 6118, France
| | - Susana Bernal
- Integrative Freshwater Ecology Group, Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB- CSIC), Girona 17300, Spain
| | - Esperança Gacia
- Integrative Freshwater Ecology Group, Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB- CSIC), Girona 17300, Spain
| | - Ion Gutierrez-Aguirre
- Marine Biology Station and Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, National Institute of Biology, Vecna Pot 111, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Valentina Turk
- Marine Biology Station and Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, National Institute of Biology, Vecna Pot 111, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Maja Ravnikar
- Marine Biology Station and Department of Biotechnology and Systems Biology, National Institute of Biology, Vecna Pot 111, Ljubljana 1000, Slovenia
| | - Stefan Krause
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston B15 2TT, UK
| | - Eugènia Martí
- Integrative Freshwater Ecology Group, Centre for Advanced Studies of Blanes (CEAB- CSIC), Girona 17300, Spain
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Zhao J, Miao L, Yao Y, Adyel TM, Cheng H, Liu S, Liu Y, Hou J. Surface modification significantly changed the effects of nano-polystyrene on sediment microbial communities and nitrogen metabolism. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 460:132409. [PMID: 37643574 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132409] [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: 06/13/2023] [Revised: 07/31/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/31/2023]
Abstract
Nanoplastics are ubiquitous in the natural environment, and their ecological risks have received considerable attention. Surface modification is common for nanoplastics and an essential factor affecting their toxicity. However, studies on the potential effects of nanoplastics and their surface-modified forms on functional communities in aquatic systems are still scarce. This study investigated the effects of nano-polystyrene (nPS), amino-modified nPS (nPS-NH2), and carboxylated nPS (nPS-COOH) particles on sediment bacterial and fungal communities and their functions over a 60-day incubation period. The results showed that the fungal community was significantly inhibited by nPS-NH2 exposure, while the bacterial community diversity remained relatively stable in all nPS treatments. Proteobacteria and Ascomycota were the dominant phyla for the bacterial and fungal communities, respectively. Nitrification was inhibited in all nPS treatments, while denitrification was enhanced for nPS-NH2 and nPS-COOH treatments. The activity of four key denitrification enzymes (NAR, NIR, NOR, and NOS) was also significantly improved by nPS, resulting in increased nitrogen and nitrous oxide gas production, and decreased nitrate concentrations in the overlying water. This showed the total increased effect of nPS on the activity of denitrifiers. Our results suggest that surface modification significantly affects the effects of nPS on microbial communities and functions. The potential impacts of nPS on ecological functions should be elucidated with more attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaqi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resources Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China; The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science, Columbia University, 500 W. 120th Street, New York, NY 10027, USA
| | - Lingzhan Miao
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resources Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China
| | - Yu Yao
- School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Tanveer M Adyel
- STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes Campus, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
| | - Haomiao Cheng
- School of Hydraulic Science and Engineering, Yangzhou University, Yangzhou 225127, Jiangsu, China
| | - Songqi Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Suzhou University of Science and Technology, Suzhou 215009, China.
| | - Yang Liu
- Jiangsu Environmental Engineering Technology Co., Ltd., Nanjing 210036, China
| | - Jun Hou
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resources Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, People's Republic of China
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30
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Li C, Shi Y, Luo D, Kang M, Li Y, Huang Y, Bai X. Interventions of river network structures on urban aquatic microplastic footprint from a connectivity perspective. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 243:120418. [PMID: 37536245 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120418] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Revised: 07/02/2023] [Accepted: 07/23/2023] [Indexed: 08/05/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic footprint in urban river networks can be disturbed by multiple urbanization features, and regional river structures are generally overlooked. In this research, we analyzed the distribution of microplastics and potential impact pattern of river structures on it in a typical urban river network in Nanjing, China. Surface waters of the river network were jointly detected by multiple methods, and the Renkonen similarity index was used to study spatial variabilities of microplastics characteristics. Microplastics were ubiquitous and abundant, showing five (>50 μm) and six (20∼50 μm) hotspots, and heterogeneities in the shape and type of microplastics larger than 100 μm were prominent, presumably influenced by river network scale and connectivity. River structure parameters associated with network connectivity were obtained by combining graph theory and an entropy-based set-pair analysis model. Aiming at the action pathway of river structures, by using correlation and partial least squares regression analysis, we found that river node (confluences and sluices) ratio, river frequency, river network density, and water system circularity were significantly positively correlated with microplastic abundance, and confluences with poor connectivity had a greater indirect intervention intensity on the microplastic distribution. The land use characteristics dominated the fitting of microplastic abundance, which was about 1.2 times better than river structures, and the comprehensive land use intensity and river network connectivity were the critical factors, respectively. Potential ecological risks of microplastics were evaluated, resulting in relatively severe levels. This study proposed targeted measures to control urban microplastic pollution by combining the perspective of river network characteristics. To summarize, our exploration of microplastic footprint based on urban river network structures from the perspective of river network connectivity provides new insights into microplastic management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chang Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Yi Shi
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Dan Luo
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Meng'en Kang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Yujian Li
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Yue Huang
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China
| | - Xue Bai
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resource Development on Shallow Lake of Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China; Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, PR China.
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31
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Dichgans F, Boos JP, Ahmadi P, Frei S, Fleckenstein JH. Integrated numerical modeling to quantify transport and fate of microplastics in the hyporheic zone. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 243:120349. [PMID: 37482004 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120349] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2023] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/25/2023]
Abstract
Despite the significance of rivers and streams as pathways for microplastics (MP) entering the marine environment, limited research has been conducted on the behavior of MP within fluvial systems. Specifically, there is a lack of understanding regarding the infiltration and transport dynamics of MP across the streambed interface and within the hyporheic sediments. In this study, transport and retention of MP are investigated using a new numerical modeling approach. The model is built as a digital twin of accompanying flume experiments, which are used to validate the simulation results. The model accurately represents particle transport in turbulent water flow and within the hyporheic zone (HZ). Simulations for transport and infiltration of 1 µm MP particles into a sandy streambed demonstrate that the advection-dispersion equation can be used to adequately represent particle transport for pore-scale sized MP within the HZ. To assess the applicability of the modeling framework for larger MP, the experiment was repeated using 10 µm particles. The larger particles exhibited delayed infiltration and transport behavior, and while the model successfully represented the spatial extent of particle transport through the HZ, it was unable to fully replicate hyporheic transit times. This study is the first to combine explicit validation against experimental data, encompassing qualitative observations of MP concentration patterns and quantification of fluxes. By that, it significantly contributes to our understanding of MP transport processes in fluvial systems. The study also highlights the advantages and limitations of employing a fully integrated modeling approach to investigate the transport and retention behavior of MP in rivers and streams.
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Affiliation(s)
- Franz Dichgans
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department Hydrogeology, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany.
| | - Jan-Pascal Boos
- Department of Hydrology, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Pouyan Ahmadi
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department Hydrogeology, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Sven Frei
- Department of Hydrology, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
| | - Jan H Fleckenstein
- Helmholtz Centre for Environmental Research - UFZ, Department Hydrogeology, Permoserstr. 15, 04318 Leipzig, Germany; Hydrologic Modeling Unit, Bayreuth Center of Ecology and Environmental Research (BayCEER), University of Bayreuth, 95440 Bayreuth, Germany
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32
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Huang Q, Yang C, Cheng Z, Wang H, Mojiri A, Zhu N, Qian X, Shen Y, Wu S, Lou Z. Exploring into a light-avoided environment: Mechanical-thermal coupled conditions responsible for the aging behavior of plastic waste in landfills. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 242:120162. [PMID: 37307685 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120162] [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: 03/22/2023] [Revised: 05/17/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Plastics in landfills undergo a unique micronization process due to multi-factor and light-avoided conditions, but their aging process in such a typical environment remains unexplored. This study investigated the aging behavior of polyethylene plastics, representative of landfills, under simulated dynamic mechanical forces and high temperature-two prevalent environmental factors in landfills. The study explored the individual and combined contributions of these factors to the aging process. Results indicated that high temperature played a primary role in aging plastics by depolymerization and degradation through ·OH production, while mechanical forces contributed mainly to surface structure breakdown. The combined effect leads to more serious surface damage, creating holes, cracks, and scratches that provide access for free radical reactions to plastic bulk, thereby accelerating the aging and micronization process. The resulting microplastics were found to be 14.25 ± 0.53 μg L-1. Aged plastics exhibit a rapid aging rate of depolymerization and oxidation compared to virgin plastics due to their weak properties, suggesting a higher potential risk of microplastic generation. This study fills a knowledge gap regarding the aging behavior of plastics under complex and light-avoided landfill conditions, emphasizing the need for increased attention to the evolution process of microplastics from aged plastic waste in landfills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qiujie Huang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Changfu Yang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Zhaowen Cheng
- School of Resource Environment and Safety Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
| | - Hui Wang
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Amin Mojiri
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Nanwen Zhu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China
| | - Xiaoyong Qian
- Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Yilong Shen
- Shanghai Solid Waste Management Center, Shanghai 200235, China
| | - Shaolin Wu
- Shanghai Solid Waste Management Center, Shanghai 200235, China
| | - Ziyang Lou
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Solid Waste Treatment and Resource, School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China.
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Baraza T, Hasenmueller EA. Floods enhance the abundance and diversity of anthropogenic microparticles (including microplastics and treated cellulose) transported through karst systems. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 242:120204. [PMID: 37356161 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120204] [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: 03/08/2023] [Revised: 06/03/2023] [Accepted: 06/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/27/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (plastics <5 mm) are emerging contaminants that have been detected in virtually all environments. While microplastic research in terrestrial surface waters has been proliferating, microplastic contamination in subsurface environments remains understudied. Karst terrains may be particularly susceptible to microplastic pollution because the presence of large dissolution openings allows fast transport of water through these systems, facilitating the introduction of surface contaminants into subsurface habitats. Furthermore, few studies address the prevalence and movement of microparticles composed of semisynthetic and modified natural materials, despite their known ecotoxicity. Our study therefore aims to identify anthropogenic (i.e., synthetic, semisynthetic, and treated natural) microparticle extent, sourcing, and transport in subsurface karst environments. To do so, we examined a cave spring under variable flow conditions, finding that anthropogenic microparticles were present in all samples and were most frequently fibrous and clear. The mean anthropogenic microparticle concentration during baseflow was 9.2 counts/L but increased up to 81.3 counts/L during floods, indicating their enhanced mobilization when relatively dilute, acidic, and sediment-rich event water entered the cave. These results suggest that anthropogenic microparticles may originate from surface recharge or sediment resuspension within the cave. When we analyzed a subset of microparticles with Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), we found that cellulose of known (i.e., dyed) and suspected (i.e., clear) anthropogenic origin was the most abundant material type. We nevertheless confirmed the presence of microplastics in the cave stream under all flow conditions, with the most common polymer being polyethylene. Both the concentrations and relative fractions of microplastics were higher during floods compared to baseflow, indicating their increased transport during high flow events. We also observed that microplastic polymer types diversified as discharge increased. Our study gives new insight into how anthropogenic microparticle contamination is transported through karst landscapes that can help inform debris mitigation strategies to protect ecosystems and water resources.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa Baraza
- WATER Institute, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63103, United States; Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63108, United States.
| | - Elizabeth A Hasenmueller
- WATER Institute, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63103, United States; Department of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, Saint Louis University, St. Louis, MO 63108, United States
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34
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Zhang ZA, Qin X, Zhang Y. Using Data-Driven Methods and Aging Information to Quantitatively Identify Microplastic Environmental Sources and Establish a Comprehensive Discrimination Index. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023. [PMID: 37465930 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/20/2023]
Abstract
The global distribution of microplastics (MPs) across various environmental compartments has garnered significant attention. However, the differences in the characteristics of MPs in different environments remain unclear, and there is still a lack of quantitative analysis of their environmental sources. In addition, the inclusion of aging in source apportionment is a novel approach that has not been widely explored. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis of the literature from the past 10 years and extracted conventional and aging characteristic data of MPs from 321 sampling points across 7 environmental compartments worldwide. We established a data-driven analysis framework using these data sets to identify different MP communities across environmental compartments, screen key MP features, and develop an environmental source analysis model for MPs. Our results indicate significant differences in the characteristics of MP communities across environments. The key features of differentiation were identified using the LEfSe method and include the carbonyl index, hydroxyl index, fouling index, proportions of polypropylene, white, black/gray, and film/sheet. These features were screened for each environmental compartment. An environmental source identification model was established based on these features with an accuracy of 75.1%. In order to accurately represent the single/multisource case in a more probabilistic manner, we proposed the MP environmental source index (MESI) to provide a probability estimation of the sample having multiple sources. Our findings contribute to a better understanding of MP migration trends and fluxes in the plastic cycle and inform effective prevention and control strategies for MP pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhan-Ao Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Xinran Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
| | - Yan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210023, China
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35
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Russell CE, Fernández R, Parsons DR, Gabbott SE. Plastic pollution in riverbeds fundamentally affects natural sand transport processes. COMMUNICATIONS EARTH & ENVIRONMENT 2023; 4:255. [PMID: 38665182 PMCID: PMC11041772 DOI: 10.1038/s43247-023-00820-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/23/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2024]
Abstract
Over the past 50 years, rivers have become increasingly important vectors for plastic pollution. Lowland riverbeds exhibit coherent morphological features including ripple and dune bedforms, which transport sediment downstream via well-understood processes, yet the impact of plastic on sediment transport mechanics is largely unknown. Here we use flume tank experiments to show that when plastic particles are introduced to sandy riverbeds, even at relatively low concentrations, novel bedform morphologies and altered processes emerge, including irregular bedform stoss erosion and dune "washout", causing topographic bedform amplitudes to decline. We detail (i) new mechanisms of plastic incorporation and transport in riverbed dunes, and (ii) how sedimentary processes are fundamentally influenced. Our laboratory flume tank experiments suggest that plastic is not a passive component of river systems but directly affects bed topography and locally increases the proportion of sand suspended in the water column, which at larger scales, has the potential to impact river ecosystems and wider landscapes. The resulting plastic distribution in the sediment is heterogeneous, highlighting the challenge of representatively sampling plastic concentrations in river sediments. Our insights are part of an ongoing suite of efforts contributing to the establishment of a new branch of process sedimentology: plastic - riverbed sand interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine E. Russell
- School of Geography, Geology, and the Environment, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH UK
- Department of Geology and Geophysics, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA 70803 USA
- University of New Orleans, New Orleans, 2000 Lakeshore Drive, LA 70148 USA
| | - Roberto Fernández
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Penn State University, State College, University Park, PA 16802 USA
- Energy and Environment Institute, University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX UK
| | - Daniel R. Parsons
- Energy and Environment Institute, University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX UK
- Loughborough University, Loughborough, LE11 3TU UK
| | - Sarah E. Gabbott
- School of Geography, Geology, and the Environment, University of Leicester, Leicester, LE1 7RH UK
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36
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Yao J, Li H, Yang HY. Predicting adsorption capacity of pharmaceuticals and personal care products on long-term aged microplastics using machine learning. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 458:131963. [PMID: 37406525 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131963] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/01/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
We investigated the adsorption mechanism of 66 coexisting pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) on microplastics treated with potassium persulfate, potassium hydroxide, and Fenton reagent for 54, 110, and 500 days. The total adsorption capacity (qe) of 66 PPCPs on 15 original microplastics was 171.8 - 1043.7 μg/g, far below that of 177 long-term aged microplastics (7114.0 - 13,114.4 μg/g). Around 69.8% of qe was primarily influenced by the total energy, energy of the highest occupied molecular orbital, and energy gap of PPCPs, calculated using the B3LYP/6-31 G* level. Furthermore, 111 aged microplastics exhibited similar total qe values. Additionally, we developed predictive models based on attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy to predict the individual and total qe on 192 microplastics. These models, including the maximal information coefficient and gradient boosting decision tree regression, exhibited high accuracy with Rtraining2 values of 0.9772 and 0.9661, respectively, and p-values below 0.001. Spectroscopic analysis and machine learning models highlighted surface functional group alterations and the importance of the 1528-1700 cm-1 spectral region and carbon skeleton in the adsorption process. In summary, our findings contribute to understanding the adsorption of PPCPs on microplastics, particularly in the context of long-term aging effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingjing Yao
- Center for Environment and Water Resources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, PR China; Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Water Environment and Agriculture Product Safety, Changsha 410083, PR China; Pillar of Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Road, 487372, Singapore.
| | - Haipu Li
- Center for Environment and Water Resources, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Central South University, Changsha 410083, PR China; Key Laboratory of Hunan Province for Water Environment and Agriculture Product Safety, Changsha 410083, PR China.
| | - Hui Ying Yang
- Pillar of Engineering Product Development, Singapore University of Technology and Design, 8 Somapah Road, 487372, Singapore.
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37
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Kurki-Fox JJ, Doll BA, Monteleone B, West K, Putnam G, Kelleher L, Krause S, Schneidewind U. Microplastic distribution and characteristics across a large river basin: Insights from the Neuse River in North Carolina, USA. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 878:162940. [PMID: 36934929 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162940] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/19/2023] [Revised: 03/07/2023] [Accepted: 03/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/13/2023]
Abstract
While microplastics (MP) have been found in aquatic ecosystems around the world, the understanding of drivers and controls of their occurrence and distribution have yet to be determined. In particular, their fate and transport in river catchments and networks are still poorly understood. We identified MP concentrations in water and streambed sediment at fifteen locations across the Neuse River Basin in North Carolina, USA. Water samples were collected with two different mesh sizes, a trawl net (>335 μm) and a 64 μm sieve used to filter bailing water samples. MPs >335 μm were found in all the water samples with concentrations ranging from 0.02 to 221 particles per m3 (p m-3) with a median of 0.44 p m-3. The highest concentrations were observed in urban streams and there was a significant correlation between streamflow and MP concentration in the most urbanized locations. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis indicated that for MPs >335 μm the three most common polymer types were polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. There were substantially more MP particles observed when samples were analyzed using a smaller mesh size (>64 μm), with concentrations ranging from 20 to 130 p m-3 and the most common polymer type being polyethylene terephthalate as identified by Raman spectroscopy. The ratio of MP concentrations (64 μm to 335 μm) ranged from 35 to 375, indicating the 335 μm mesh substantially underestimates MPs relative to the 64 μm mesh. MPs were detected in 14/15 sediment samples. Sediment and water column concentrations were not correlated. We estimate MP (>64 μm) loading from the Neuse River watershed to be 230 billion particles per year. The findings of this study help to better understand how MPs are spatially distributed and transported through a river basin and how MP concentrations are impacted by land cover, hydrology, and sampling method.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Jack Kurki-Fox
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA.
| | - Barbara A Doll
- Biological and Agricultural Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA; North Carolina Sea Grant, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | | | - Kayla West
- Plastic Ocean Project, Wilmington, NC, USA
| | - Gloria Putnam
- North Carolina Sea Grant, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
| | - Liam Kelleher
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Stefan Krause
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; LEHNA - Laboratoire d'ecologie des hydrosystemes naturels et anthropises, University of Lyon, Villeurbanne, France
| | - Uwe Schneidewind
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
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Xia F, Wang Y, Wang D, Cai Y, Zhang J. Seasonal pulse effect of microplastics in the river catchment-From tributary catchment to mainstream. JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT 2023; 342:118316. [PMID: 37290303 DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2023.118316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Revised: 04/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 06/10/2023]
Abstract
Rivers have received extensive attention as a major pathway for microplastics (<5000 μm) from land to ocean. This study investigated the seasonal variation of microplastic contamination in surface water of the Liangfeng River catchment, a tributary of the Li River in China, based on a fluorescence-based protocol, and further explored the migration process of microplastic in the river catchment. The abundance of microplastics (50-5000 μm) was (6.20 ± 0.57)-(41.93 ± 8.13) items/L, of which 57.89-95.12% were small-sized microplastics (<330 μm). The microplastic fluxes in the upper Liangfeng River, lower Liangfeng River, and upper Li River were (14.89 ± 1.24) × 1012, (5.71 ± 1.15) × 1012, and (1.54 ± 0.55) × 1014 items/year, respectively. The 3.70% of microplastic load in the mainstream came from the tributary input. Fluvial processes can effectively retain 61.68% of microplastics in the surface water of river catchments, especially for small-sized microplastics. The rainy season is the main period of microplastic retention (91.87%) in the tributary catchment by fluvial processes, while exporting 77.42% of one-year microplastic emissions from the tributary catchment into the mainstream. This study is the first to reveal the transport characteristics of small-sized microplastics in river catchments based on flux variation, which not only can partly explain the "missing small-sized microplastic fraction" in the ocean, but also contribute to improving microplastic model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Feiyang Xia
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watershed, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Yelin Wang
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watershed, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China
| | - Dunqiu Wang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control Theory and Technology, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, China
| | - Yanpeng Cai
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Water Quality Improvement and Ecological Restoration for Watershed, School of Ecology, Environment and Resources, Guangdong University of Technology, Guangzhou, 510006, China.
| | - Jun Zhang
- Guangxi Key Laboratory of Environmental Pollution Control Theory and Technology, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, China; College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Guilin University of Technology, Guilin, 541004, China.
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Kukkola A, Runkel RL, Schneidewind U, Murphy SF, Kelleher L, Sambrook Smith GH, Nel HA, Lynch I, Krause S. Prevailing impacts of river management on microplastic transport in contrasting US streams: Rethinking global microplastic flux estimations. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 240:120112. [PMID: 37257293 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/02/2023]
Abstract
While microplastic inputs into rivers are assumed to be correlated with anthropogenic activities and to accumulate towards the sea, the impacts of water management on downstream microplastic transport are largely unexplored. A comparative study of microplastic abundance in Boulder Creek (BC), and its less urbanized tributary South Boulder Creek (SBC), (Colorado USA), characterized the downstream evolution of microplastics in surface water and sediments, evaluating the effects of urbanization and flow diversions on the up-to-downstream profiles of microplastic concentrations and loads. Water and sediment samples were collected from 21 locations along both rivers and microplastic properties determined by fluorescence microscopy and Raman spectroscopy. The degree of catchment urbanization affected microplastic patterns, as evidenced by greater water and sediment concentrations and loads in BC than the less densely populated SBC, which is consistent with the differences in the degree of urbanization between both catchments. Microplastic removal through flow diversions was quantified, showing that water diversions removed over 500 microplastic particles per second from the river, and caused stepwise reductions of downstream loads at diversion points. This redistribution of microplastics back into the catchment should be considered in large scale models quantifying plastic fate and transport to the oceans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Kukkola
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom.
| | - Robert L Runkel
- U.S. Geological Survey, Colorado Water Science Center, 3215 Marine St, Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Uwe Schneidewind
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Sheila F Murphy
- U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Mission Area, 3215 Marine St., Boulder, Colorado 80303, United States
| | - Liam Kelleher
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Gregory H Sambrook Smith
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom
| | - Holly Astrid Nel
- Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, United Kingdom
| | - Iseult Lynch
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Institute of Global Innovation, University of Birmingham B15 2SA, Birmingham. United Kingdom
| | - Stefan Krause
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, United Kingdom; Institute of Global Innovation, University of Birmingham B15 2SA, Birmingham. United Kingdom; LEHNA- Laboratoire d'ecologie des hydrosystemes naturels et anthropises, University of Lyon, Darwin C & Forel, 3-6 Rue Raphaël Dubois, Villeurbanne 69622, France
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Kelleher L, Schneidewind U, Krause S, Haverson L, Allen S, Allen D, Kukkola A, Murray-Hudson M, Maselli V, Franchi F. Microplastic accumulation in endorheic river basins - The example of the Okavango Panhandle (Botswana). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 874:162452. [PMID: 36870500 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162452] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/21/2022] [Revised: 02/20/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The Okavango Panhandle is the main influent watercourse of the Okavango Delta, an inland sink of the entire sediment load of the Cubango-Okavango River Basin (CORB). The sources of pollution in the CORB, and other endorheic basins, are largely understudied when compared to exorheic systems and the world's oceans. We present the first study of the distribution of microplastic (MP) pollution in surface sediments of the Okavango Panhandle in Northern Botswana. MP concentrations (64 μm-5 mm size range) in sediment samples from the Panhandle range between 56.7 and 399.5 particles kg-1 (dry weight) when analysed with fluorescence microscopy. The concentrations of MP in the 20 μm to 5 mm grain size range (analysed with Raman spectroscopy) range between 1075.7 and 1756.3 particles kg-1. One shallow core (15 cm long) from an oxbow lake suggests that MP size decreases with depth while MP concentration increases downcore. Raman Spectroscopy revealed that the compositions of the MP are dominated by polyethene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyethene (PE), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). From this novel data set it was possible to estimate that 10.9-336.2 billion particles could be transported into the Okavango Delta annually, indicating that the region represents a significant sink for MP, raising concerns for the unique wetland ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liam Kelleher
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT Birmingham, United Kingdom; Institute of Global Innovation, University of Birmingham, B15 2SA Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Uwe Schneidewind
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT Birmingham, United Kingdom.
| | - Stefan Krause
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT Birmingham, United Kingdom; Institute of Global Innovation, University of Birmingham, B15 2SA Birmingham, United Kingdom; LEHNA- Laboratoire d'ecologie des hydrosystemes naturels et anthropises, University of Lyon, Darwin C & Forel, 3-6 Rue Raphaël Dubois, 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Lee Haverson
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Steve Allen
- Ocean Frontiers Institute, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Deonie Allen
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT Birmingham, United Kingdom; School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Anna Kukkola
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, B15 2TT Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | | | - Vittorio Maselli
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Dalhousie University, Halifax, NS, Canada
| | - Fulvio Franchi
- Earth and Environmental Science Department, Botswana International University of Science and Technology, Private bag 16, Palapye, Botswana.
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Semmouri I, Vercauteren M, Van Acker E, Pequeur E, Asselman J, Janssen C. Distribution of microplastics in freshwater systems in an urbanized region: A case study in Flanders (Belgium). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 872:162192. [PMID: 36781133 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2022] [Revised: 02/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging pollutant of concern in all known aquatic ecosystems. However, studies at a regional scale on MP pollution in freshwater systems and the necessary risk assessments are limited. Therefore, in this study, we examined microplastic concentrations, size distributions, and polymer types in surface waters and sediments in the geographic region Flanders (Belgium), as a case study for a densely populated region and one of the most developed parts of Europe. Samples have been taken on nine different locations, of which five were repeated in a different weather condition. In total 43 aqueous and nine sediment samples have been collected. The quantity and identity of the microplastics in the samples were determined with μFTIR spectroscopy in the range of 25-1000 μm. The MPs' abundances in surface waters and sediments ranged from 0 to 4.8 MP L-1 (average = 0.48 MP L-1) and from 0 to 9558 MP kg-1 dry weight (average = 2774.57 ± 2317.93 MP kg-1 DW), respectively. Polystyrene and polypropylene were the most common polymer compositions found. No correlations were observed between microplastic concentrations in the sediment/the surface water samples and the measured environmental variables rainfall, conductivity, pH, dissolved oxygen content, waterway flow rate and width, and surrounding land use. Risk assessment results for the measured surface water concentrations through the risk quotient (RQ) method and the probabilistic risk assessment framework suggest that most of the sampled sites in Flanders posed negligible risks to freshwater biota, while this was not the case for some of the sediment concentrations. Our results illustrate the need to urgently develop analytical methods that can routinely measure the full size range of MP in environmental samples to adequately assess risks for the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilias Semmouri
- Ghent University, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Bluebridge, Wetenschapspark 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Maaike Vercauteren
- Ghent University, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, 9000 Ghent, Belgium.
| | - Emmanuel Van Acker
- Ghent University, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Emmy Pequeur
- Ghent University, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, 9000 Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jana Asselman
- Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Bluebridge, Wetenschapspark 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium
| | - Colin Janssen
- Ghent University, Laboratory of Environmental Toxicology and Aquatic Ecology, Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, 9000 Ghent, Belgium; Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Bluebridge, Wetenschapspark 1, 8400 Ostend, Belgium
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42
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Nyberg B, Harris PT, Kane I, Maes T. Leaving a plastic legacy: Current and future scenarios for mismanaged plastic waste in rivers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 869:161821. [PMID: 36708835 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.161821] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/12/2022] [Revised: 01/17/2023] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Mismanaged plastic waste (MPW) entering the riverine environment is concerning, given that most plastic pollution never reaches the oceans, and it has a severe negative impact on terrestrial ecosystems. However, significant knowledge gaps on the storage and remobilization of MPW within different rivers over varying timescales remain. Here we analyze the exposure of river systems to MPW to better understand the sedimentary processes that control the legacy of plastic waste. Using a conservative approach, we estimate 0.8 million tonnes of MPW enter rivers annually in 2015, affecting an estimated 84 % of rivers by surface area, globally. By 2060, the amount of MPW input to rivers is expected to increase nearly 3-fold, however improved plastic waste strategies through better governance can decrease plastic pollution by up to 72 %. Currently, most plastic input occurs along anthropogenically modified rivers (49 %) yet these represent only 23 % of rivers by surface area. Another 17 % of MPW occur in free-flowing actively migrating meandering rivers that likely retain most plastic waste within sedimentary deposits, increasing retention times and likelihood of biochemical weathering. Active braided rivers receive less MPW (14 %), but higher water discharge will also increase fragmentation to form microplastics. Only 20 % of plastic pollution is found in non-migrating and free-flowing rivers; these have the highest probability of plastics remaining within the water column and being transferred downstream. This study demonstrates the spatial variability in MPW affecting different global river systems with different retention, fragmentation, and biochemical weathering rates of plastics. Targeted mitigation strategies and environmental risk assessments are needed at both international and national levels that consider river system dynamics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Björn Nyberg
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Bergen, Allegaten 41, 5020 Bergen, Norway; Bjerknes Centre for Climate Research, Allegaten 70, 5020 Bergen, Norway.
| | | | - Ian Kane
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Thomas Maes
- GRID-Arendal, P.O. Box 183, N-4802 Arendal, Norway
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43
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Yang J, Monnot M, Sun Y, Asia L, Wong-Wah-Chung P, Doumenq P, Moulin P. Microplastics in different water samples (seawater, freshwater, and wastewater): Removal efficiency of membrane treatment processes. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 232:119673. [PMID: 36764106 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119673] [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: 01/03/2023] [Accepted: 01/26/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The distribution and fate of microplastics in different water sources and their treatment plants (seawater, three municipal wastewaters, a pharmaceutical factory wastewater, and three drinking waters) in France were studied. Currently, research in this field is still under exploration since almost no relevant standards or policies have been introduced for the detection, the removal, or the discharge of microplastics. This study used an improved quantitative and qualitative analytical methodology for microplastic detection by μ-FTIR carried out with siMPle analytical software. By investigation, wastewater was determined to contain the most abundant microplastics in quantity (4,203-42,000 MP·L-1), then followed by surface water/groundwater (153-19,836 MP·L-1) and seawater (around 420 MP·L-1). Polyethylene was the dominant material in almost all water types followed by polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate. Almost all treatment technologies could remove microplastics whatever the feed water types and concentration of microplastics, though some treatment processes or transport pipes could cause additional contamination from microplastics. The four WWTPs, three DWTPs, and SWTP in France provided, respectively, 87.8-99.8%, 82.3-99.9%, 69.0-96.0% removal/retention of MPs in quantity, and provided 97.3-100%, 91.9-99.9%, 92.2-98.1% removal/retention of MPs in surface area. Moreover, ultrafiltration was confirmed to be an effective technology for microplastic retention and control of dimensions of microplastics in smaller ranges both in field-scale and lab-scale experiments. The 200 kDa ultrafiltration membrane could retain 70-100% and 80-100% of microplastics in quantity and in surface area, respectively.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Yang
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, M2P2, Equipe Procédés Membranaires (EPM), Marseille, France; Present affiliation: State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resources and Environment, School of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Harbin Institute of Technology (Shenzhen), Shenzhen 518055, China
| | - M Monnot
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, M2P2, Equipe Procédés Membranaires (EPM), Marseille, France
| | - Y Sun
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, M2P2, Equipe Procédés Membranaires (EPM), Marseille, France
| | - L Asia
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, LCE, Marseille, France
| | | | - P Doumenq
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, LCE, Marseille, France
| | - P Moulin
- Aix Marseille Univ, CNRS, Centrale Marseille, M2P2, Equipe Procédés Membranaires (EPM), Marseille, France.
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44
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Sun XL, Xiang H, Xiong HQ, Fang YC, Wang Y. Bioremediation of microplastics in freshwater environments: A systematic review of biofilm culture, degradation mechanisms, and analytical methods. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 863:160953. [PMID: 36543072 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.160953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 12/02/2022] [Accepted: 12/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics, defined as particles <5 mm in diameter, are emerging environmental pollutants that pose a threat to ecosystems and human health. Biofilm degradation of microplastics may be an ecologically friendly approach. This review systematically summarises the factors affecting biofilm degradation of microplastics and proposes feasible methods to improve the efficiency of microplastic biofilm degradation. Environmentally insensitive microorganisms were screened, optimized, and commercially cultured to facilitate the practical application of this technology. For strain screening, technology should focus on microorganisms/strains that can modify the hydrophobicity of microplastics, degrade the crystalline zone of microplastics, and metabolise additives in microplastics. The biodegradation mechanism is also described; microorganisms secreting extracellular oxidases and hydrolases are key factors for degradation. Measuring the changes in molecular weight distribution (MWD) enables better analysis of the biodegradation behaviour of microplastics. Biofilm degradation of microplastics has relatively few applications because of its low efficiency; however, enrichment of microplastics in freshwater environments and wastewater treatment plant tailwater is currently the most effective method for treating microplastics with biofilms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiao-Long Sun
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Wetland Conservation, Restoration and Ecological Services, College of Wetlands, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; National Plateau Wetlands Research Center, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; National Wetland Ecosystem Fixed Research Station of Yunnan Dianchi, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China.
| | - Hong Xiang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Wetland Conservation, Restoration and Ecological Services, College of Wetlands, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; National Plateau Wetlands Research Center, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; National Wetland Ecosystem Fixed Research Station of Yunnan Dianchi, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Hao-Qin Xiong
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Wetland Conservation, Restoration and Ecological Services, College of Wetlands, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; National Plateau Wetlands Research Center, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; National Wetland Ecosystem Fixed Research Station of Yunnan Dianchi, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Yi-Chuan Fang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Wetland Conservation, Restoration and Ecological Services, College of Wetlands, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; National Plateau Wetlands Research Center, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; National Wetland Ecosystem Fixed Research Station of Yunnan Dianchi, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
| | - Yuan Wang
- Yunnan Key Laboratory of Plateau Wetland Conservation, Restoration and Ecological Services, College of Wetlands, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; National Plateau Wetlands Research Center, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China; National Wetland Ecosystem Fixed Research Station of Yunnan Dianchi, Southwest Forestry University, Kunming 650224, China
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45
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Yao Y, Zhao J, Adyel TM, Liu Y, Liu J, Miao L. Sediment bacterial and fungal communities exhibit distinct responses to microplastic types and sizes in Taihu lake. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 320:121092. [PMID: 36657516 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants in aquatic environments, yet their impact on sediment microbiota and biogeochemical processes were not well reported. Herein, microcosm experiments were performed to investigate the effects of MPs (Polystyrene, PS and Polyethylene, PE) with three size classes (ranging from 100 nm to 150-200 μm) on sediment bacterial and fungal communities over 60-day incubation from Taihu Lake. High-throughput sequencing revealed the alpha diversities of bacterial and fungal communities were reduced by MPs, dependent on MPs' size and type. Bacterial community structures were significantly altered under all MPs treatments, with clustering for the same size class for PS and PE. Fungal community structures were significantly affected for all MPs, with PS and PE exhibiting different effects. Co-occurrence network analysis suggested MPs changed bacterial and fungal network complexities. Proteobacteria and Ascomycota formed strong associations with other phyla and demonstrated tolerance to MPs exposure. Actinobacteria, Firmicutes, and Chytridiomycota were the main respondents to MPs. The enzyme concentrations were stimulated by MPs, indicating carbon and nitrogen uptakes might be increased. Therefore, PS and PE had similar impacts on the microbial community (particularly bacteria), and sizes of MPs were the main influencing factors. MPs shifted community structure and network with distinct responses from bacteria and fungi, likely leading to the alteration of microbial-involved carbon and nitrogen cycling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Yao
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resources Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China, 210098; School of Environment, Nanjing Normal University, Nanjing, 210023, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiaqi Zhao
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resources Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China, 210098
| | - Tanveer M Adyel
- Centre for Integrative Ecology, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Deakin University, Melbourne, VIC 3125, Australia
| | - Yang Liu
- College of Hydrology and Water Resources, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianchao Liu
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resources Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China, 210098.
| | - Lingzhan Miao
- Key Laboratory of Integrated Regulation and Resources Development on Shallow Lakes, Ministry of Education, College of Environment, Hohai University, Nanjing, People's Republic of China, 210098
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Wazne M, Mermillod-Blondin F, Vallier M, Hervant F, Dumet A, Nel HA, Kukkola A, Krause S, Simon L. Microplastics in Freshwater Sediments Impact the Role of a Main Bioturbator in Ecosystem Functioning. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:3042-3052. [PMID: 36790328 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05662] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
While microplastic transport, fate, and effects have been a focus of studies globally, the consequences of their presence on ecosystem functioning have not received the same attention. With increasing evidence of the accumulation of microplastics at sediment-water interfaces there is a need to assess their impacts on ecosystem engineers, also known as bioturbators, which have direct and indirect effects on ecosystem health. This study investigated the impact of microplastics on the bioturbator Tubifex tubifex alongside any effects on the biogeochemical processes at the sediment-water interface. Bioturbators were exposed to four sediment microplastic concentrations: 0, 700, 7000, and 70000 particles kg-1 sediment dry weight. Though no mortality was present, a significant response to oxidative stress was detected in tubificid worms after exposure to medium microplastic concentration (7000 particles kg-1 sediment dry weight). This was accompanied by a reduction in worm bioturbation activities assessed by their ability to rework sediment and to stimulate exchange water fluxes at the sediment-water interface. Consequently, the contributions of tubificid worms on organic matter mineralization and nutrient fluxes were significantly reduced in the presence of microplastics. This study demonstrated that environmentally realistic microplastic concentrations had an impact on biogeochemical processes at the sediment-water interface by reducing the bioturbation activities of tubificid worms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Wazne
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR 5023 LEHNA, F 69622 Villeurbanne, France
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, U.K
| | - Florian Mermillod-Blondin
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR 5023 LEHNA, F 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Manon Vallier
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR 5023 LEHNA, F 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Frédéric Hervant
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR 5023 LEHNA, F 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Adeline Dumet
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR 5023 LEHNA, F 69622 Villeurbanne, France
| | - Holly A Nel
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, U.K
- Centre for Environment Fisheries and Aquaculture Science, Pakefield Road, Lowestoft, Suffolk NR33 0HT, U.K
| | - Anna Kukkola
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, U.K
| | - Stefan Krause
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR 5023 LEHNA, F 69622 Villeurbanne, France
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham B15 2TT, U.K
| | - Laurent Simon
- Université de Lyon, Université Claude Bernard Lyon 1, CNRS, ENTPE, UMR 5023 LEHNA, F 69622 Villeurbanne, France
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André-Marie D, Mohammad W, Manon V, Florian MB, Brice M, Hervé P, Thierry W, Stefan K, Laurent S. Environmental and land use controls of microplastic pollution along the gravel-bed Ain River (France) and its "Plastic Valley". WATER RESEARCH 2023; 230:119518. [PMID: 36584661 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.119518] [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: 08/03/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2022] [Accepted: 12/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Understanding microplastic particles (MPs) accumulation and transport along rivers represents a major task due to the complexity and heterogeneity of rivers, and their interactions with their wider corridor. The identification of MPs hotspots and their potential sources is especially challenging in coarse-bed rivers transporting a wide range of particle sizes with a high degree of variability in time and space. This research focuses on the gravel-bed Ain River (Rhône River tributary, France) which is managed by means of various dams and also hosts one of the major plastic production centres in Europe (Oyonnax and Bienne Plastic Valleys). In this research, (i) Geographical Information Systems (GIS) were used to locate plastic factories and to characterise the land use of the Ain River watershed. (ii) On the field, sediment samples were extracted from the hyporheic zone (HZ) of mobile gravel bar heads, while hydro-sedimentary settings were measured in order to describe site conditions. Sampling sites were especially established in downwelling areas (i.e. where the surface water entered the hyporheic zone), upstream and downstream of dams and plastic factories. (iii) After density separation and organic matter digestion of sediment, MPs were characterised with a µFTIR device followed by data processing via the siMPle software. This work highlighted the trapping efficiency of alluvial bars for MPs. The highest MPs concentrations were found along the Plastic Valleys (up to 4400 MPs/kg), while the lower river was less contaminated by MPs. After grain-size correction, a significant breakpoint was identified in the area of the main dams, revealing their major influence on MPs distribution. The variability in MPs concentrations and types suggested a local origin for most of MPs. A particular feature was the dominance of polypropylene (PP) which appears as a critical industrial heritage as the studied region is specialised in the manufacturing of hard plastics. Indeed, multivariate analyses also revealed that MPs concentrations and types were mostly driven by the vicinity of plastic factories and urban areas. This relationship between the land use, the presence of dams and MPs characteristics provides key results for the MPs assessment and the improvement of management issues along coarse-bed rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dendievel André-Marie
- Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1 Claude Bernard, ENTPE, CNRS, UMR 5023 LEHNA, 3 Rue M. Audin, 69518 Vaulx-en-Velin Cedex, France; Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1 Claude Bernard, CNRS, UMR 5023 LEHNA, 3 et 6 Rue R. Dubois, bât. Darwin C et Forel, 69662 Villeurbanne Cedex, France.
| | - Wazne Mohammad
- Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1 Claude Bernard, CNRS, UMR 5023 LEHNA, 3 et 6 Rue R. Dubois, bât. Darwin C et Forel, 69662 Villeurbanne Cedex, France; School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Vallier Manon
- Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1 Claude Bernard, CNRS, UMR 5023 LEHNA, 3 et 6 Rue R. Dubois, bât. Darwin C et Forel, 69662 Villeurbanne Cedex, France
| | - Mermillod-Blondin Florian
- Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1 Claude Bernard, CNRS, UMR 5023 LEHNA, 3 et 6 Rue R. Dubois, bât. Darwin C et Forel, 69662 Villeurbanne Cedex, France
| | - Mourier Brice
- Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1 Claude Bernard, ENTPE, CNRS, UMR 5023 LEHNA, 3 Rue M. Audin, 69518 Vaulx-en-Velin Cedex, France
| | - Piégay Hervé
- Univ Lyon, ENS de Lyon, CNRS, UMR 5600 EVS, 18 Rue Chevreul, Cedex 07, 69362 Lyon, France
| | - Winiarski Thierry
- Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1 Claude Bernard, ENTPE, CNRS, UMR 5023 LEHNA, 3 Rue M. Audin, 69518 Vaulx-en-Velin Cedex, France
| | - Krause Stefan
- Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1 Claude Bernard, CNRS, UMR 5023 LEHNA, 3 et 6 Rue R. Dubois, bât. Darwin C et Forel, 69662 Villeurbanne Cedex, France; School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Simon Laurent
- Univ Lyon, Université Lyon 1 Claude Bernard, CNRS, UMR 5023 LEHNA, 3 et 6 Rue R. Dubois, bât. Darwin C et Forel, 69662 Villeurbanne Cedex, France
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48
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Jansen MAK, Barnes PW, Bornman JF, Rose KC, Madronich S, White CC, Zepp RG, Andrady AL. The Montreal Protocol and the fate of environmental plastic debris. Photochem Photobiol Sci 2023:10.1007/s43630-023-00372-x. [PMID: 36705849 DOI: 10.1007/s43630-023-00372-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 01/13/2023] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging class of pollutants in air, soil and especially in all aquatic environments. Secondary MPs are generated in the environment during fragmentation of especially photo-oxidised plastic litter. Photo-oxidation is mediated primarily by solar UV radiation. The implementation of the Montreal Protocol and its Amendments, which have resulted in controlling the tropospheric UV-B (280-315 nm) radiation load, is therefore pertinent to the fate of environmental plastic debris. Due to the Montreal Protocol high amounts of solar UV-B radiation at the Earth's surface have been avoided, retarding the oxidative fragmentation of plastic debris, leading to a slower generation and accumulation of MPs in the environment. Quantifying the impact of the Montreal Protocol in reducing the abundance of MPs in the environment, however, is complicated as the role of potential mechanical fragmentation of plastics under environmental mechanical stresses is poorly understood.
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Affiliation(s)
- M A K Jansen
- School of Biological, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Environmental Research Institute, University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
| | - P W Barnes
- Biological Sciences and Environmental Program, Loyola University New Orleans, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - J F Bornman
- Food Futures Institute, Murdoch University, Perth, Australia
| | - K C Rose
- Biological Sciences, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, Troy, USA
| | - S Madronich
- Atmospheric Chemistry Observations and Modeling Laboratory, National Center for Atmospheric Research, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - C C White
- Exponent, Inc, Bowie, MD, 20715, USA
| | - R G Zepp
- ORD/CEMM, US Environmental Protection Agency, Athens, GA, USA
| | - A L Andrady
- Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA
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49
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Alirezazadeh M, Nematollahi MJ, Keshavarzi B, Rezaei M, Moore F, Busquets R. Microplastics in Abiotic Compartments of a Hypersaline Lacustrine Ecosystem. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2023; 42:19-32. [PMID: 36218167 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5497] [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: 05/27/2022] [Revised: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The study of microplastics in inland water bodies has been growing recently, but there is still insufficient knowledge of the status of microplastics in lacustrine ecosystems, especially saline lakes. Studies have also been conducted on sediment, water, and biological compartments of lakes. In the present study, the status of microplastics in abiotic compartments of the saline Maharloo Lake (Iran) was evaluated for the first time and included surface sediment, lake salt, sludge, lake water, and wastewater. A total of 742 microplastics, mainly clear and fibrous, ranging from 50 to 250 µm in size and composed of polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate, were identified in 33 samples. Mean microplastic concentrations in solid samples were higher than in liquid ones, with the highest levels (51.7 microplastics kg-1 ) in sludge and the lowest levels in lake salt (10.4 microplastics kg-1 ). The highest microplastic levels were found in the northwest area of the lake, where wastewater effluents from urban, industrial, and agricultural activities discharge into the lake. Inter-relationship assessments of microplastics with hierarchical cluster analysis suggested that differences in the distribution of microplastics with different physical properties in Maharloo Lake are greatly affected by weathering processes and proximity to contaminated hotspots. Our results reveal that the widespread occurrence of microplastics in Maharloo Lake mostly originates from potential plastic sources in urban areas of Shiraz Metropolis and its industrial zone in the vicinity of the study area; thus microplastics are dispersed into the lake via surface runoffs, especially wastewater inflows. Environ Toxicol Chem 2023;42:19-32. © 2022 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mustafa Alirezazadeh
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | | | - Behnam Keshavarzi
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Mohsen Rezaei
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Farid Moore
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Sciences, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Rosa Busquets
- School of Life Sciences, Pharmacy, and Chemistry, Kingston University, Surrey, UK
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50
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Li J, Liu W, Lian Y, Shi R, Wang Q, Zeb A. Single and combined toxicity of polystyrene nanoplastics and arsenic on submerged plant Myriophyllum verticillatum L. PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY : PPB 2023; 194:513-523. [PMID: 36516538 DOI: 10.1016/j.plaphy.2022.12.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2022] [Revised: 11/30/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The contamination of nanoplastics (NPs) and heavy metals (HM) in water bodies has caused widespread concern, while their effects on submerged plants are poorly reported. Polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPs) and arsenic (As) were used to assess their toxicity on Myriophyllum verticillatum L. via the orthogonal experiments. PSNPs significantly reduced the accumulation of As (17.24%-66.67%) in plant. Single As and high As-PSNPs treatments significantly inhibited plant growth, with a maximum reduction of 70.09% in the growth rate. The mineral nutrient content was significantly affected by PSNPs and As treatments. The antioxidant system was significantly inhibited, which was more pronounced in the roots. Similar findings were observed for soluble protein and soluble sugar. Some organic acids and amino acids showed down-regulation at high concentrations of As, leading to a decrease in the content of the mineral element and down-regulation of antioxidant enzyme synthesis. Furthermore, PSNPs could alleviate As toxicity under 0.1 mg/L As treatment but exacerbate As toxicity at 1 mg/L As dose. This study has important implications for the study of submerged plants exposed to co-contamination of microplastics and heavy metals, as well as the possible ecological risk assessment in freshwater.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiantao Li
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria / Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Ecology Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, PR China
| | - Weitao Liu
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria / Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Ecology Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, PR China.
| | - Yuhang Lian
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria / Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Ecology Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, PR China
| | - Ruiying Shi
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria / Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Ecology Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, PR China
| | - Qi Wang
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria / Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Ecology Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, PR China
| | - Aurang Zeb
- MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria / Tianjin Key Laboratory of Urban Ecology Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin, 300350, PR China
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