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Soininen T, Uurasjärvi E, Hämäläinen L, Huusari N, Feodoroff J, Moshnikoff J, Niiranen E, Feodoroff P, Mustonen T, Koistinen A. Microplastics in Arctic waters of the Finnish Sámi area. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 940:173666. [PMID: 38823697 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173666] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2024] [Revised: 05/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/29/2024] [Indexed: 06/03/2024]
Abstract
We explored the presence of microplastics in the Finnish Arctic Sámi home area. A dialogue between Indigenous knowledge and scientific field work produced data about microplastics in remote wilderness aquatic ecosystems. Methods included geographical Indigenous knowledge analysis, water sampling with fraction filtration, and imaging Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The MPs found were small; the mean particle size was 126 ± 121 μm. Particle concentrations of MPs in freshwater and marine samples varied between 45 and 423 MPs m-3 and the most common polymer types were polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. In conclusion, because microplastics are present even in the wilderness areas, their abundance should be monitored to assess plastic pollution in the relatively pristine Arctic environments. Sámi Indigenous knowledge proved to be a beneficial and important initiator, because locals recognize the possible sources and transport pathways of plastic litter, and practical sampling sites in the complex freshwater systems of the area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuomo Soininen
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Finland.
| | - Emilia Uurasjärvi
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Arto Koistinen
- Department of Technical Physics, University of Eastern Finland, Finland
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2
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Hamilton BM, Harris LN, Maksagak B, Nero E, Gilbert MJH, Provencher JF, Rochman CM. Microplastic and other anthropogenic microparticles in Arctic char (Salvelinus alpinus) and their coastal habitat: A first-look at a central Canadian Arctic commercial fishery. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 932:172854. [PMID: 38685419 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172854] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 04/22/2024] [Accepted: 04/26/2024] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
In the recent monitoring guidelines released by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Program's Litter and Microplastic Expert Group, Arctic salmonids were recommended as an important species for monitoring plastics in Arctic ecosystems, with an emphasis on aligning microplastic sampling and analysis methods in Arctic fishes. This recommendation was based on the minimal documentation of microplastics in Northern fishes, especially Arctic salmonids. In response, we worked collaboratively with local partners to quantify and characterize microplastics in Arctic char, Salvelinus alpinus, and their habitats in a commercial fishery near Iqaluktuuttiaq (Cambridge Bay), Nunavut. We sampled Arctic char, surface water, and benthic sediments within their summer foraging habitat at Palik (Byron Bay). We found microplastics in 95 % of char with an average of 26 (SD ± 19) particles per individual. On average, surface water samples had 23 (SD ± 12) particles/L and benthic sediment <1 particles/gww. This is the first documentation of plastic pollution in Arctic char and their coastal habitats. Future work should evaluate seasonal, temporal and spatial trends for long-term monitoring of microplastics in Arctic fishes and their habitats.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie M Hamilton
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | - Les N Harris
- Arctic and Aquatic Research Division, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Winnipeg, MB, Canada
| | - Beverly Maksagak
- Ekaluktutiak Hunters and Trappers Organization, Cambridge Bay, NU, Canada
| | - Emilie Nero
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Matthew J H Gilbert
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of New Brunswick, St. John, NB, Canada
| | - Jennifer F Provencher
- Science and Technology Branch, Environment and Climate Change Canada, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Chelsea M Rochman
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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3
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De-la-Torre GE, Dioses-Salinas DC, Pizarro-Ortega CI, Ben-Haddad M, Dobaradaran S. Floating microplastic pollution in the vicinity of a marine protected area and semi-enclosed bay of Peru. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 205:116659. [PMID: 38950515 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2023] [Revised: 06/23/2024] [Accepted: 06/26/2024] [Indexed: 07/03/2024]
Abstract
A baseline survey for floating microplastics (MPs) in the vicinity of a marine protected area and semi-enclosed bay of northern Peru was carried out. An average concentration of 0.22 MPs/L was estimated, primarily dominated by blue polyethylene terephthalate fibers. The distribution of floating MPs suggests that they tend to accumulate within the semi-enclosed Sechura Bay regardless of the sampling season. This behavior may be explained by local surface currents in the bay, which flow inwards and exhibit vorticities that could entrap MPs. Future studies are suggested to investigate the trajectory and fate of floating MPs within semi-enclosed areas. On the other hand, the impact of floating MPs on the trophic chain of coastal marine protected areas requires further research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación de Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Sociedad, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru.
| | | | | | - Mohamed Ben-Haddad
- Laboratory of Aquatic Systems, Marine and Continental Environments (AQUAMAR), Faculty of Sciences, Ibn Zohr University, Agadir 80000, Morocco
| | - Sina Dobaradaran
- Systems Environmental Health and Energy Research Center, The Persian Gulf Biomedical Sciences Research Institute, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; Department of Environmental Health Engineering, Faculty of Health and Nutrition, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr, Iran; Instrumental Analytical Chemistry and Centre for Water and Environmental Research (ZWU), Faculty of Chemistry, University of Duisburg-Essen, Essen, Germany; Centre for Water and Environmental Research, University of Duisburg-Essen, Universitätsstr. 5, Essen 45141, Germany
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4
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Medina Faull LE, Zaliznyak T, Taylor GT. From the Caribbean to the Arctic, the most abundant microplastic particles in the ocean have escaped detection. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 202:116338. [PMID: 38640763 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/04/2023] [Revised: 04/01/2024] [Accepted: 04/02/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
Comprehensive methodologies for monitoring microplastics (MPs) in the ocean are critical for accurately assessing abundances across a broad size spectrum, and to document distributions, sources, sinks, temporal trends, and exposure risks for organisms. Discrete 0.5-L water samples from the northeastern-coast of Venezuela (NECV), Pacific-Arctic Ocean (PAO), and Gulf Stream Current (GSC) were analyzed by Raman microspectroscopy to detect MPs not captured by net-tow surveys. Equivalent spherical diameters (ESD) of most MPs were <5 μm, accounting for 68, 83, 86 % of total inventories in NECV, GSC, PAO samples. We did not observe a single MP particle >53 μm ESD. Abundances of MPs in the 0.5-200 μm size fraction were 5-6 orders of magnitude higher than previous surveys that were almost exclusively based on net tow collections of MPs > 300 μm ESD. Abundances of MPs in NECV samples were ~10-fold higher than those from PAO and GSC. The most abundant polymers were polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET), consistent with composition of plastic waste generated globally.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luis E Medina Faull
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, New York, USA.
| | - Tatiana Zaliznyak
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, New York, USA
| | - Gordon T Taylor
- School of Marine and Atmospheric Sciences, Stony Brook University, New York, USA
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5
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Boateng CM, Addo S, Duodu CP, Danso-Abbeam H, Agyeman PC, Anyan KF, Asamoah EK, Blankson ER, Nyarko E, Matsuoka A. Microplastics in the Volta Lake: Occurrence, distribution, and human health implications. Heliyon 2024; 10:e29041. [PMID: 38596133 PMCID: PMC11002670 DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2024.e29041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/17/2023] [Revised: 03/27/2024] [Accepted: 03/28/2024] [Indexed: 04/11/2024] Open
Abstract
Pollution of plastic waste in aquatic ecosystems in Ghana is of significant concern with potential adverse effects on food safety and ecosystem function. This study examined the abundance and distribution of microplastics (MPs) in freshwater biota samples namely: the African river prawn (Macrobrachium vollenhovenii), the Volta clam (Galatea paradoxa), Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus), and sediment from the Volta Lake. Both biota and sediment samples were subjected to microscopic identification and FTIR analysis. In biota samples, the highest mean microplastic abundance of 4.7 ± 2.1 items per individual was found in the prawn, while the Nile tilapia recorded the least (2.8 ± 0.6 items per individual). A total of 398 microplastic particles were observed in sediment samples from the Volta Lake. Microfibers were the major plastic shapes identified in biota and sediment samples. We examined the relationship between microplastic abundance, biota size, and sediment properties. Despite the lack of statistical significance, microplastic shape, size, and polymer composition in assessed organisms mirrored those in the benthic sediment. Polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester, and polystyrene were the four dominant polymer types identified in the organisms and sediments. Although the estimated human exposure was relatively low compared with studies from other regions of the world, the presence of microplastics raises concern for the safety of fisheries products consumed by the general populace in the country. This research is essential for developing effective mitigation measures and tackling the wider effects of microplastic contamination on Ghana's freshwater ecosystems, particularly the Volta Lake.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles Mario Boateng
- Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
- School of Marine Science and Ocean Engineering, University of New Hampshire, USA
| | - Samuel Addo
- Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Collins Prah Duodu
- Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | - Harriet Danso-Abbeam
- Environmental Research Resource Centre, Ghana Atomic Energy Commission, P.O Box LG 80, Accra, Ghana
| | | | - Kofi Ferni Anyan
- Department of Marine and Fisheries Sciences, University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
| | | | | | - Elvis Nyarko
- Regional Maritime University, Post Office Box GP 1115, Accra, Ghana
| | - Atsushi Matsuoka
- Institute for the Study of Earth, Oceans, and Space, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH, USA
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Malloggi C, Nalbone L, Bartalena S, Guidi M, Corradini C, Foti A, Gucciardi PG, Giarratana F, Susini F, Armani A. The Occurrence of Microplastics in Donax trunculus (Mollusca: Bivalvia) Collected along the Tuscany Coast (Mediterranean Sea). Animals (Basel) 2024; 14:618. [PMID: 38396586 PMCID: PMC10886031 DOI: 10.3390/ani14040618] [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: 12/21/2023] [Revised: 01/24/2024] [Accepted: 02/09/2024] [Indexed: 02/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) (0.1 µm-5 mm particles) have been documented in oceans and seas. Bivalve molluscs (BMs) can accumulate MPs and transfer to humans through the food chain. BMs (especially mussels) are used to assess MPs' contamination, but the genus Donax has not been thoroughly investigated. The aim of this study was to detect and characterize MPs in D. trunculus specimens collected along the Tuscan coast (Italy), and to assess the potential risk for consumers. The samples (~10 g of tissue and intervalval liquid from 35 specimens) were digested using a solution of 10% KOH, subjected to NaCl density separation, and filtered through 5 μm pore-size filters. All items were morphologically classified and measured, and their mean abundance (MA) was calculated. Furthermore, 20% of them were analyzed by Raman spectroscopy and, based on the obtained results, the MA was recalculated (corrected MA) and the annual human exposure was estimated. In the 39 samples analyzed, 85 items fibers (n = 45; 52.94%) and fragments (n = 40; 47.06%) were found. The MA was 0.23 ± 0.17 items/grww. Additionally, 83.33% of the items were confirmed as MPs (polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate). Based on the correct MA (0.18 MPs/grww), D. trunculus consumers could be exposed to 19.2 MPs/per capita/year. The health risk level of MPs was classified as level III (moderate).
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Affiliation(s)
- Chiara Malloggi
- FishLab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Luca Nalbone
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Dell’Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy; (L.N.); (F.G.)
| | - Silvia Bartalena
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Latium and Tuscany M. Aleandri, UOT Toscana Nord, SS Dell’ Abetone e del Brennero 4, 56123 Pisa, Italy; (S.B.); (F.S.)
| | - Margherita Guidi
- FishLab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.M.); (M.G.)
| | - Carlo Corradini
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Latium and Tuscany M. Aleandri, Via Appia Nuova, 1411, 00178 Roma, Italy;
| | - Antonino Foti
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici (IPCF), Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 27, 98158 Messina, Italy; (A.F.); (P.G.G.)
| | - Pietro G. Gucciardi
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto per i Processi Chimico-Fisici (IPCF), Viale F. Stagno D’Alcontres 27, 98158 Messina, Italy; (A.F.); (P.G.G.)
| | - Filippo Giarratana
- Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Messina, Polo Universitario Dell’Annunziata, 98168 Messina, Italy; (L.N.); (F.G.)
| | - Francesca Susini
- Experimental Zooprophylactic Institute of Latium and Tuscany M. Aleandri, UOT Toscana Nord, SS Dell’ Abetone e del Brennero 4, 56123 Pisa, Italy; (S.B.); (F.S.)
| | - Andrea Armani
- FishLab, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Pisa, Viale delle Piagge 2, 56124 Pisa, Italy; (C.M.); (M.G.)
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Wang Y, Fu Z, Guan D, Zhao J, Zhang Q, Liu Q, Xie J, Sun Y, Guo L. Occurrence Characteristics and Ecotoxic Effects of Microplastics in Environmental Media: a Mini Review. Appl Biochem Biotechnol 2023:10.1007/s12010-023-04832-z. [PMID: 38158486 DOI: 10.1007/s12010-023-04832-z] [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] [Accepted: 12/19/2023] [Indexed: 01/03/2024]
Abstract
The issue of environmental pollution caused by the widespread presence of microplastics (MPs) in environmental media has garnered significant attention. However, research on MPs pollution has mainly focused on aquatic ecosystems in recent years. The sources and pollution characteristics of MPs in the environment, especially in solid waste, have not been well-described. Additionally, there are few reports on the ecotoxicity of MPs, which highlights the need to fill this gap. This review first summarizes the occurrence characteristics of MPs in water, soil, and marine environments, and then provides an overview of their toxic effects on organisms and the relevant mechanisms. This paper also provides an outlook on the hotspots of research on pollution characterization and ecotoxicity of MPs. Finally, this review aims to provide insights for future ecotoxicity control of MPs. Overall, this paper expands our understanding of the pollution characteristics and ecological toxicity of MPs in current environmental media, providing forward-looking guidance for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuxin Wang
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266520, China
| | - Zhou Fu
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266520, China
| | - Dezheng Guan
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266520, China
| | - Jianwei Zhao
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266520, China.
| | - Qi Zhang
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qingdao Jiebao Ecological Technology Co., Ltd., Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Qingxin Liu
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Qingdao Jiebao Ecological Technology Co., Ltd., Qingdao, 266000, China
| | - Jingliang Xie
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266520, China
| | - Yingjie Sun
- School of Environmental and Municipal Engineering, Qingdao University of Technology, Qingdao, 266520, China.
| | - Liang Guo
- China Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental and Ecology, Ministry of Education, Ocean University of China, Qingdao, 266100, China
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Lefebvre C, Le Bihanic F, Jalón-Rojas I, Dusacre E, Chassaigne-Viscaïno L, Bichon J, Clérandeau C, Morin B, Lecomte S, Cachot J. Spatial distribution of anthropogenic particles and microplastics in a meso-tidal lagoon (Arcachon Bay, France): A multi-compartment approach. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 898:165460. [PMID: 37454851 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Assessment of microplastic (MP) contamination is still needed to evaluate this threat correctly and tackle this issue. Here, MP contamination was assessed for a meso-tidal lagoon of the Atlantic coast (Arcachon Bay, France). Sea surface, water column, intertidal sediments and wild oysters were sampled. Five different stations were studied to assess the spatial distribution of the contamination. Two were outside of the bay and three were inside the bay (from the inlet to the back). A distinction was made between all anthropogenic particles (AP, i.e. visually sorted) and MP (i.e. plastic polymer confirmed by ATR-FTIR spectroscopy). The length of particles recovered in this study ranged between 17 μm and 5 mm. Concentration and composition in sea surface and water column samples showed spatial variations while sediment and oyster samples did not. At outside stations, the sea surface and the water column presented a blended composition regarding shapes and polymers and low to high concentrations (e.g. 0.16 ± 0.08 MP.m-3 and 561.7 ± 68.5 MP.m-3, respectively for sea surface and water column), which can be due to coastal processes and nearby input sources. The inlet station displayed a well-marked pattern only at the sea surface. High AP and MP concentrations were recorded, and fragments along with polyethylene overwhelmed (respectively 76.0 % and 73.2 %). Higher surface currents could explain this pattern. At the bay back, AP and MP concentrations were lower and fibers were mainly recorded. Weaker hydrodynamics in this area was suspected to drive this contamination profile. Overall, fragments and buoyant particles were mainly detected at the sea surface while fibers and negatively buoyant particles prevailed in other compartments. Most of the studied samples presented an important contribution of fiber-shaped particles (from 31.5 % to 94.2 %). Finally, contamination was ubiquitous as AP and MP were found at all stations in all sample types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charlotte Lefebvre
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France; Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, F-33600 Pessac, France.
| | - Florane Le Bihanic
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Isabel Jalón-Rojas
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Edgar Dusacre
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | | | - Jeyan Bichon
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | | | - Bénédicte Morin
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Sophie Lecomte
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, CBMN, UMR 5248, F-33600 Pessac, France
| | - Jérôme Cachot
- Univ. Bordeaux, CNRS, Bordeaux INP, EPOC, UMR 5805, F-33600 Pessac, France.
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Vidal A, Phuong NN, Métais I, Gasperi J, Châtel A. Assessment of microplastic contamination in the Loire River (France) throughout analysis of different biotic and abiotic freshwater matrices. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 334:122167. [PMID: 37437763 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122167] [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: 03/15/2023] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/08/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023]
Abstract
The contamination of microplastics (MP) in freshwater environments represent a major way for the MP transport in the environment. The assessment of MP pollution in freshwater compartments is then important to visualize the pressure and the impacts on medium, and to set up necessary measures. In this context, this study focused on the influence of anthropogenic activities of a medium French city (Angers) on MP levels in samples collected from the Loire River, the longest river in France. Abiotic and biotic matrices were collected upstream and downstream Angers. A first analysis was performed based on microscopy to determine the size, colour and shape of suspected MP and a complementary analysis by μ-FTIR (micro-Fourier Transform InfraRed) was conducted to determine the composition of plastic particles. Three organisms belonging to different trophic levels were studied: when the MP level was expressed per individual, the lowest abundance of MP was found in Tubifex sp. Followed by Corbicula fluminea, while the highest was measured in Anguilla anguilla. To establish the relationship with their habitat, the presence of MP in sediment and water was also analysed. Therefore, this works constitutes a complete overview of the MP levels in freshwater abiotic and biotic matrices. Overall, the presence of MP in analysed samples did not follow a particular pattern, neither in the sites nor matrices: the characteristics depending on a multifactorial outcome (feeding mode, organism size …). However, correlation of MP pattern between clams and sediment was quite evident, while the one between worms and their habitat was not. This demonstrates the relevance of investigating plastic contamination both in biotic and abiotic matrices. Finally, a standardisation of sampling and analytical analysis protocols would be helpful to make comparisons between studies more robust.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Vidal
- Laboratoire BIOSSE, Université Catholique de L'Ouest (UCO), 3 Place André Leroy, 49100, Angers, France.
| | - Ngoc-Nam Phuong
- Laboratoire Eau et Environnement, Université Gustave Eiffel, Allée des Ponts et Chaussées, 44340, Bouguenais, France
| | - Isabelle Métais
- Laboratoire BIOSSE, Université Catholique de L'Ouest (UCO), 3 Place André Leroy, 49100, Angers, France
| | - Johnny Gasperi
- Laboratoire Eau et Environnement, Université Gustave Eiffel, Allée des Ponts et Chaussées, 44340, Bouguenais, France
| | - Amélie Châtel
- Laboratoire BIOSSE, Université Catholique de L'Ouest (UCO), 3 Place André Leroy, 49100, Angers, France
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10
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Babaei P, Nikravan A, Meral A, Kibar B, Güllü G. A first assessment of microplastic contamination in the snow of Ankara, Turkey. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:103690-103702. [PMID: 37688698 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-29594-3] [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: 05/24/2023] [Accepted: 08/26/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs), affecting aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, have spread globally. The atmosphere is known as a pollutant acceptor and carrier among other ecosystems. However, the fate and amount of microplastics in the atmosphere have been the subject of less research. Therefore, it is quite important to study the amount and properties of microplastics in atmospheric fallout. The main purpose of this article is to discover microplastics in fresh snow samples collected in three different regions of Ankara and to identify potential sources of supply. The morphologies and compositions of microplastics were analyzed and characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM/EDS). μ-Raman spectroscopy was used to reveal the various polymer types of the selected samples. As a result, microplastics were found in all snow samples. Among the nine snow samples examined, 537 particles were recognized as MPs. The average abundance of MPs in snow samples was 59.66 items L-1. Fibers, fragments, films, and circular forms were found in all snow samples. Fragments predominated for all samples (50.08%), followed by films (28.54%), fibers (16.86%), and circulars (4.50%). The proportion of small plastics was quite high when compared to the large plastics captured by snow. Smaller MP particles found in the snow had more variety, suggesting that the microplastics in the snow samples have been broken down by long-range transport and deposition. Six different polymer types were discovered in the snow samples in this study. The most frequently identified polymer was polyethylene (31%), succedded by polystyrene (28%), and polypropylene (21%). Polyethylene terephthalate (12%), polyvinyl chloride (5%), and nylon were present in smaller proportions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parisa Babaei
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Afsoun Nikravan
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Arzu Meral
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Batuhan Kibar
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Gülen Güllü
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Hacettepe University, Ankara, Turkey.
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11
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Vidal A, Neury-Ormanni J, Latchere O, Roman C, Gillet P, Métais I, Châtel A. Aquatic worms: relevant model organisms to investigate pollution of microplastics throughout the freshwater-marine continuum. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:91534-91562. [PMID: 37495809 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-28900-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/28/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution has become a global and emergency concern. Degradation processes of plastic macrowaste, either at the millimetre- and micrometre-size scales (microplastics, MP) or a nanometre one (nanoplastic, NP), is now well documented in all environmental compartments. It is hence necessary to study the environmental dynamic of MNP (micro(nano)plastic) on aquatic macrofauna considering their dispersion in different compartments. In this context, worms, having a large habitat in natural environments (soil, sediment, water) represent a relevant model organism for MNP investigations. In aquatic systems, worms could be used to compare MNP contamination between freshwater and seawater. The aim of this review was to discuss the relevance of using worms as model species for investigating MNP pollution in freshwater, estuarine, and marine systems. In this context, studies conducted in the field and in laboratory, using diverse classes of aquatic worms (polychaete and clitellate, i.e. oligochaete and hirudinea) to assess plastic contamination, were analysed. In addition, the reliability between laboratory exposure conditions and the investigation in the field was discussed. Finally, in a context of plastic use regulation, based on the literature, some recommendations about model species, environmental relevance, and experimental needs related to MNP are given for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Vidal
- Laboratoire Biosse, Université Catholique de L'Ouest (UCO), 3 Place André Leroy, 49100, Angers, France.
| | - Julie Neury-Ormanni
- Laboratoire Biosse, Université Catholique de L'Ouest (UCO), 3 Place André Leroy, 49100, Angers, France
| | - Oihana Latchere
- Laboratoire Biosse, Université Catholique de L'Ouest (UCO), 3 Place André Leroy, 49100, Angers, France
| | - Coraline Roman
- Laboratoire Biosse, Université Catholique de L'Ouest (UCO), 3 Place André Leroy, 49100, Angers, France
| | - Patrick Gillet
- Laboratoire Biosse, Université Catholique de L'Ouest (UCO), 3 Place André Leroy, 49100, Angers, France
| | - Isabelle Métais
- Laboratoire Biosse, Université Catholique de L'Ouest (UCO), 3 Place André Leroy, 49100, Angers, France
| | - Amélie Châtel
- Laboratoire Biosse, Université Catholique de L'Ouest (UCO), 3 Place André Leroy, 49100, Angers, France
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12
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Kelly NE, Feyrer L, Gavel H, Trela O, Ledwell W, Breeze H, Marotte EC, McConney L, Whitehead H. Long term trends in floating plastic pollution within a marine protected area identifies threats for Endangered northern bottlenose whales. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 227:115686. [PMID: 36931376 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.115686] [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: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 03/09/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/08/2023]
Abstract
"The Gully", situated off Nova Scotia, Canada, is the largest submarine canyon in the western North Atlantic. This unique oceanographic feature, which became a Marine Protected Area (MPA) in 2004, is rich in marine biodiversity and is part of the critical habitat of Endangered northern bottlenose whales (Hyperoodon ampullatus). To understand the potential impact of plastic pollution in the MPA and on this Endangered cetacean, we evaluated trends over time in the abundance and composition of plastics and compared these to the stomach contents of recently stranded northern bottlenose whales. From the 1990s-2010s, the median abundance of micro-sized (<5 mm) and small plastics (5 mm-2.5 cm) increased significantly, while the median abundance of large plastics (>2.5 cm) decreased significantly. Plastic abundance from the 2010s for micro-sized and small plastics varied from 5586-438 196 particles km-2, higher than previously measured estimates for surrounding offshore areas. Polymers identified using FTIR spectroscopy included polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate polyester, nylon, alkyds (paint), and natural and semi-synthetic cellulosic fibers. The abundance of large debris ranged from 0 to 108.6 items km-2 and consisted of plastic sheets and bags, food wrappers and containers, rope, fishing buoys, and small plastic fragments. Whale stomach contents contained fragments of fishing nets, ropes, bottle caps, cups, food wrappers, smaller plastic fragments, fibers, and paint flakes, consistent with the composition and character of items collected from their critical habitat. Despite being far from centres of human population, the unique oceanographic features of The Gully (i.e. currents and bathymetric complexity) may concentrate plastic debris, increasing exposure rates of whales to plastic pollution. The increase in micro-sized and small plastics over time suggests associated health and welfare impacts of ingested plastics should be accounted for in future recovery plans for this Endangered species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noreen E Kelly
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada.
| | - Laura Feyrer
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada; Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Heidi Gavel
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada; St. Mary's University, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Olga Trela
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Wayne Ledwell
- Newfoundland and Labrador Whale Release and Strandings, Newfoundland, Canada
| | - Heather Breeze
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Emmaline C Marotte
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
| | - Leah McConney
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Bedford Institute of Oceanography, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada
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13
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Jardine AM, Provencher JF, Insley SJ, Tauzer L, Halliday WD, Bourdages MPT, Houde M, Muir D, Vermaire JC. No accumulation of microplastics detected in western Canadian ringed seals (Pusa hispida). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 188:114692. [PMID: 36753811 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114692] [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: 08/04/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Ringed seals (Pusa hispida) play a crucial role in Arctic food webs as important pelagic predators and represent an essential component of Inuvialuit culture and food security. Plastic pollution is recognized as a global threat of concern, and Arctic regions may act as sinks for anthropogenic debris. To date, mixed evidence exists concerning the propensity for Canadian Arctic marine mammals to ingest and retain plastic. Our study builds on existing literature by offering the first assessment of plastic ingestion in ringed seals harvested in the western Canadian Arctic. We detected no evidence of microplastic (particles ≥80 μm) retention in the stomachs of ten ringed seals from the Inuvialuit Settlement Region (ISR) in the Northwest Territories, Canada. These results are consistent with previous studies that have found that some marine mammals do not accumulate microplastics in evaluated regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander M Jardine
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Environmental Change Laboratory, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies and Institute for Environmental and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada.
| | - Jennifer F Provencher
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Environmental Change Laboratory, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies and Institute for Environmental and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada; Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science and Technology Branch, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa K1S 5B6, ON, Canada
| | - Stephen J Insley
- Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (WCS Canada), 169 Titanium Way, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 0E9, Canada; Department of Biology, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Lila Tauzer
- Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (WCS Canada), 169 Titanium Way, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 0E9, Canada
| | - William D Halliday
- Wildlife Conservation Society Canada (WCS Canada), 169 Titanium Way, Whitehorse, YT Y1A 0E9, Canada; School of Earth and Ocean Sciences, University of Victoria, 3800 Finnerty Rd, Victoria, BC V8P 5C2, Canada
| | - Madelaine P T Bourdages
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Environmental Change Laboratory, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies and Institute for Environmental and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Magali Houde
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science and Technology Branch, 105 McGill Street, Montreal, QC, H2Y 2E7, Canada
| | - Derek Muir
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, Science and Technology Branch, 105 McGill Street, Montreal, QC, H2Y 2E7, Canada
| | - Jesse C Vermaire
- Aquatic Ecosystems and Environmental Change Laboratory, Department of Geography and Environmental Studies and Institute for Environmental and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Carleton University, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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14
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Ikenoue T, Nakajima R, Fujiwara A, Onodera J, Itoh M, Toyoshima J, Watanabe E, Murata A, Nishino S, Kikuchi T. Horizontal distribution of surface microplastic concentrations and water-column microplastic inventories in the Chukchi Sea, western Arctic Ocean. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 855:159564. [PMID: 36332720 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The recent influx of microplastics into the Arctic Ocean may increase environmental stress on the western Arctic marine ecosystem, which is experiencing significant sea-ice loss due to global warming. Quantitative data on microplastics in the western Arctic Ocean are very limited, and the microplastic budget of the water column is completely unknown. To fill in gaps in our knowledge of Arctic microplastics, we observed surface concentrations (number of particles per unit volume of seawater) of meso- and microplastics using a neuston net, and we observed wind speeds and significant wave heights in the Chukchi Sea, Bering Strait, and Bering Sea. From these observations, we estimated the total number (particle inventory) and mass (mass inventory) of microplastics in the entire water column by taking into account the effect of vertical mixing. The particle inventory of microplastics in the Chukchi Sea ranged from 0 to 18,815 pieces km-2 with a mean and standard deviation of 5236 ± 6127 pieces km-2. The mass inventory ranged from 0 to 445 g km-2 with a mean and standard deviation of 124 ± 145 g km-2. Mean particle inventories for the Chukchi Sea were one-thirtieth of those for the Arctic Ocean on the Atlantic side and less than one-tenth of the average for the global ocean, suggesting that the Chukchi Sea is less polluted. However, the annual flux of microplastics from the Pacific Ocean into the Chukchi Sea, estimated from microplastic concentrations in the Bering Strait, was about 5.5 times greater than the total amount of microplastic in the entire Chukchi Sea water. This suggests that microplastic inflows from the Pacific Ocean are accumulating in large amounts in reservoirs other than the Chukchi Sea water (e.g., sea ice and seafloor sediments) or in the downstream regions of the Pacific-origin water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahito Ikenoue
- Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan.
| | - Ryota Nakajima
- Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan
| | - Amane Fujiwara
- Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan
| | - Jonaotaro Onodera
- Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan
| | - Motoyo Itoh
- Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan
| | - Junko Toyoshima
- The Ocean Policy Research Institute, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, 1-15-16 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8524, Japan
| | - Eiji Watanabe
- Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan
| | - Akihiko Murata
- Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan
| | - Shigeto Nishino
- Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan
| | - Takashi Kikuchi
- Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan
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15
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Depta J, Niedźwiedzka-Rystwej P. The Phenomenon of Antibiotic Resistance in the Polar Regions: An Overview of the Global Problem. Infect Drug Resist 2023; 16:1979-1995. [PMID: 37034396 PMCID: PMC10081531 DOI: 10.2147/idr.s369023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/02/2022] [Indexed: 04/11/2023] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of antibiotic resistance is a global problem in human and animal health. This leads to a reduction in the therapeutic effectiveness of the measures used so far and to the limitation of treatment options, which may pose a threat to human health and life. The problem of phenomenon of antibiotic resistance affects more and more the polar regions. This is due to the increase in tourist traffic and the number of people staying at research stations, unmodernised sewage systems in inhabited areas, as well as the migration of animals or the movement of microplastics, which may contain resistant bacteria. Research shows that the presence of antibiotic resistance genes is more dominant in zones of human and wildlife influence than in remote areas. In a polluted environment, there is evidence of a direct correlation between human activity and the spread and survival of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Attention should be paid to the presence of resistance to synthetic and semi-synthetic antibiotics in the polar regions, which is likely to be correlated with human presence and activity, and possible steps to be taken. We need to understand many more aspects of this, such as bacterial epigenetics and environmental stress, in order to develop effective strategies for minimizing the spread of antibiotic resistance genes. Studying the diversity and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes in regions with less anthropogenic activity could provide insight into the diversity of primary genes and explain the historical evolution of antibiotic resistance.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia Depta
- Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, 71-412, Poland
| | - Paulina Niedźwiedzka-Rystwej
- Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, 71-412, Poland
- Correspondence: Paulina Niedźwiedzka-Rystwej, Institute of Biology, University of Szczecin, Szczecin, 71-412, Poland, Tel +48 91 444 15 15, Email
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16
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Saeed MS, Halim SZ, Fahd F, Khan F, Sadiq R, Chen B. An ecotoxicological risk model for the microplastics in arctic waters. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 315:120417. [PMID: 36243188 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120417] [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: 06/10/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The risk posed to Arctic marine life by microplastics, a Contaminants of Emerging Arctic Concern (CEAC), is poorly known. The reason is the limited understanding of the dose-response relationship due to the region's peculiar environmental and geophysical properties and the unique physiological properties of the species living there. The properties of microplastics in the region and their distribution across the oceanic profile further complicate the problem. This paper addresses the knowledge gap by proposing a novel comprehensive ecotoxicity model. The model uses oxidative stress caused by the Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) to assess cell mortality. Cell mortality has been used as an indicator of ecological risk. The model is implemented in the Bayesian Network (BN) framework to evaluate the cytotoxicity, measured as the probability of causing mortality. The work enhances the understanding and assessment of the cytotoxicity of microplastics in polar cod and associated risks.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Sadiq Saeed
- Centre for Risk, Integrity, and Safety Engineering (C-RISE), Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science, Memorial University, St John's, NL, A1B 3X5, Canada; Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center (MKOPSC), Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Syeda Zohra Halim
- Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center (MKOPSC), Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, College Station, TX, 77843, USA
| | - Faisal Fahd
- Centre for Risk, Integrity, and Safety Engineering (C-RISE), Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science, Memorial University, St John's, NL, A1B 3X5, Canada
| | - Faisal Khan
- Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center (MKOPSC), Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, College Station, TX, 77843, USA.
| | - Rehan Sadiq
- School of Engineering, Okanagan Campus, Faculty of Applied Science, University of British Columbia, Okanagan, BC, V1V 1V7, Canada
| | - Bing Chen
- Northern Region Persistent Organic Pollution Control Laboratory (NRPOP Lab), Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science, Memorial University, St John's, NL, A1B 3X5, Canada
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17
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Chubarenko I, Lazaryuk A, Orlova T, Lobchuk O, Raguso C, Zyubin A, Lasagni M, Saliu F. Microplastics in the first-year sea ice of the Novik Bay, Sea of Japan. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 185:114236. [PMID: 36257245 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Sea ice is heavily contaminated with microplastics particles (MPs, <5 mm). First-year sea ice cores (38-41 cm thick) were taken in the beginning of spring in a narrow populated bay of the Sea of Japan. Two ice cores were examined (layer-by-layer, excluding surface) for MPs content: one using μ-FTIR for 25-300 μm (SMPs), and another one - with visual+Raman identification for 300-5000 μm particles (LMPs). The integral (25-5000 μm) bulk mean abundance of MPs was found to be 428 items/L of meltwater, with fibers making 19 % in SMPs size range and 59 % in LMPs. Integral mean mass of MPs was estimated in 34.6 mg/L, with 99.6 % contribution from fragments of LMPs. Comparison with simple fragmentation models confirms deficit of SMPs (especially of fibers in size range 150-300 μm), suggested to result from their leakage with brine. Multivariate statistical analysis indicates strong positive correlation of large fiber (>300 μm) counts and ice salinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Chubarenko
- Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Alexander Lazaryuk
- Il'ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Tatiana Orlova
- Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Olga Lobchuk
- Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Clarissa Raguso
- Earth and Environmental Science Department (DISAT), University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Andrey Zyubin
- Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Kaliningrad, Russia
| | - Marina Lasagni
- Earth and Environmental Science Department (DISAT), University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Saliu
- Earth and Environmental Science Department (DISAT), University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
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18
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Collard F, Bangjord G, Herzke D, Gabrielsen GW. Plastic burdens in northern fulmars from Svalbard: Looking back 25 years. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 185:114333. [PMID: 36372049 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The northern fulmar Fulmarus glacialis ingests a larger number of (micro)plastics than many other seabirds due to its feeding habits and gut morphology. Since 2002, they are bioindicators of marine plastics in the North Sea region, and data are needed to extend the programme to other parts of their distribution areas, such as the Arctic. In this study, we provide data on ingested plastics by fulmars collected in 1997 in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard. An extraction protocol with KOH was used and for half of the birds, the gizzard and the proventricular contents were analysed separately. Ninety-one percent of the birds had ingested at least one piece of plastic with an average of 10.3 (±11.9 SD) pieces. The gizzards contained significantly more plastics than the proventriculus. Hard fragments and polyethylene were the most common characteristics. Twelve percent of the birds exceeded the EcoQO value of 0.1 g.
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Affiliation(s)
- France Collard
- The Norwegian Polar Institute-NPI, Postboks 6606, Fram Centre, Stakkevollan, 9296 Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Georg Bangjord
- The Norwegian Environment Agency, P.O. Box 5672, Torgarden, N-7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Dorte Herzke
- The Norwegian Institute for Air Research, NILU, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Geir W Gabrielsen
- The Norwegian Polar Institute-NPI, Postboks 6606, Fram Centre, Stakkevollan, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
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19
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Giarratano E, Di Mauro R, Silva LI, Tomba JP, Hernández-Moresino RD. The Chubut River estuary as a source of microplastics and other anthropogenic particles into the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 185:114267. [PMID: 36327930 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This is the first report of anthropogenic particles (APs), including microplastics and synthetic, semi-synthetic and anthropogenically-altered natural fibers, in water and sediment of the Chubut River estuary. This river is the main source of freshwater in Chubut Province (Patagonia, Argentina), where wastes and pollutants are poured and finally end in the Atlantic Ocean. The average concentration in surface and bottom water samples was 5.5 items/L, while in sediment was 175.4 items/kg dw. Raman's analysis identified particles dominated by polyethylene terephthalate (PET) (35.5 %), dye signature only (18.5) and anthropogenic cellulose (10 %). Fibers were the prevalent shape (83 %), and the chemical identification evidenced a textile origin. The highest APs concentration was found in sediments from the site with the finest grain size and the greatest amount of organic matter. Present results will provide a baseline for future studies and raise public and governmental awareness.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erica Giarratano
- Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos (CESIMAR-CONICET), Boulevard Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn U9120ACD, Argentina
| | - Rosana Di Mauro
- Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero (INIDEP), Mar del Plata 7600, Argentina
| | - Leonel I Silva
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales (INTEMA), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMDP-CONICET), Mar del Plata 7600, Argentina
| | - Juan P Tomba
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales (INTEMA), Universidad Nacional de Mar del Plata (UNMDP-CONICET), Mar del Plata 7600, Argentina
| | - Rodrigo D Hernández-Moresino
- Centro para el Estudio de Sistemas Marinos (CESIMAR-CONICET), Boulevard Brown 2915, Puerto Madryn U9120ACD, Argentina.
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20
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Noël M, Wong C, Ross PS, Patankar S, Etemadifar A, Morales-Caselles C, Lyons S, Delisle K. Microplastics distribution in sediment and mussels along the British Columbia Coast, Canada. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 185:114273. [PMID: 36330939 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114273] [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: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) were characterized in surficial marine sediment (n = 36) and mussel (n = 29) samples collected along the British Columbia (BC) coast, Canada, using visual identification and Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry. MPs counts averaged 32.6 ± 5.3 particles per kg in sediment and 0.38 ± 0.04 particles per individual mussel (0.24 ± 0.04 /g of tissue). Victoria Harbour and the North Coast (Prince Rupert area) were MP hotspots, likely resulting from a combination of local sources and oceanographic conditions. Microfibers <1000 μm dominated the pattern in both matrices (61.1 % in sediment; 65.4 % mussels) highlighting the suspected role of textiles in the widespread distribution of MPs in the marine environment. Overall, polyester was dominant in sediment and mussels (54.1 % and 63.5 %, respectively), followed by polyethylene (16.2 % and 11.5 %, respectively). This is the first report of MPs in sediment and mussels along the coast of BC using standardized methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marie Noël
- Ocean Wise, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.
| | | | - Peter S Ross
- Raincoast Conservation Foundation, Sidney, British Columbia, Canada
| | | | | | | | - Shirley Lyons
- Capital Regional District, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
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21
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Ding J, Sun C, Li J, Shi H, Xu X, Ju P, Jiang F, Li F. Microplastics in global bivalve mollusks: A call for protocol standardization. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 438:129490. [PMID: 35792432 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2022] [Revised: 06/12/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
A growing body of evidence shows that microplastic pollution is ubiquitous in bivalve mollusks globally and is of particular concern due to its potential impact on human health. However, non-standardized sampling, processing, and analytical techniques increased the difficulty of direct comparisons among existing studies. Based on 61 peer-reviewed papers, we summarized the current knowledge of microplastics in bivalve mollusks globally and provided an in-depth analysis of factors affecting the outcome of microplastic data, with the main focus on the effects of different species and methodologies. We found no significant differences in microplastic abundance among genera from the same family but significant differences among bivalve families, indicating habitats play an important role in microplastic ingestion by bivalve mollusks. This also provided foundational knowledge for using epifaunal and infaunal bivalves to monitor microplastic pollution in water and sediment, respectively. Recommendations for microplastic monitoring protocol in bivalve mollusks were proposed according to the results of this review, covering (i) a sample size of at least 50 bivalves in the study area, (ii) the use of 10 % KOH as the digestion solution, and (iii) the pore size of a filter membrane of < 5 µm. Acknowledging the need for a standard procedure, more efforts towards protocol standardization used in long-term and large-scale microplastic monitoring programs in bivalve mollusks are needed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinfeng Ding
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Pollution Control, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, and College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China; Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-environmental Science and Technology, Marine Bioresource and Environment Research Center, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Chengjun Sun
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-environmental Science and Technology, Marine Bioresource and Environment Research Center, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Qingdao 266061, China; Laboratory of Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
| | - Jingxi Li
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-environmental Science and Technology, Marine Bioresource and Environment Research Center, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Huahong Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200062, China
| | - Xiangrong Xu
- Key Laboratory of Tropical Marine Bio-resources and Ecology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Applied Marine Biology, South China Sea Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou 510301, China; Southern Marine Science and Engineering Guangdong Laboratory (Guangzhou), Guangzhou 511458, China.
| | - Peng Ju
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-environmental Science and Technology, Marine Bioresource and Environment Research Center, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Fenghua Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-environmental Science and Technology, Marine Bioresource and Environment Research Center, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Qingdao 266061, China
| | - Fengmin Li
- Institute of Coastal Environmental Pollution Control, Ministry of Education Key Laboratory of Marine Environment and Ecology, and College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China.
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22
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Bao M, Huang Q, Lu Z, Collard F, Cai M, Huang P, Yu Y, Cheng S, An L, Wold A, Gabrielsen GW. Investigation of microplastic pollution in Arctic fjord water: a case study of Rijpfjorden, Northern Svalbard. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:56525-56534. [PMID: 35347606 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-19826-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic contamination is an emerging issue in the marine environment including the Arctic. However, the occurrence of microplastics in the Arctic fjords remains less understood. Sample collections were conducted by trawling horizontally in surface water (0-0.4-m depth) and trawling vertically in the water column (0-200-m depth) to investigate the abundance, composition, and distribution of microplastics in the Rijpfjorden, Northern Svalbard, in the summer of 2017. Laser Direct Infrared chemical imaging technique was applied for the counting and identification of microplastic particles. A total of 1010 microplastic particles and 14 mesoplastics were identified from 41,038 particles in eight samples from the Rijpfjorden. The abundance of microplastics larger than 300 µm was 0.15 ± 0.19 n/m3 in surface water, and 0.15 ± 0.03 n/m3 in the water column of the Rijpfjorden. The microplastic particles identified in Rijpfjorden water consisted of 10 types of polymers. The dominant microplastics are polyurethane, polyethylene, polyvinyl acetate, polystyrene, polypropylene, and alkyd varnish. Historical ship activities and newly melted sea ice might be major sources of microplastics in the seawater of Rijpfjorden. In general, contamination of microplastics larger than 300 µm in Rijpfjorden water is at a low level in comparison to other polar waters. Further research is needed to confirm the origin and fate of microplastics below 300 µm in Arctic fjords.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengrong Bao
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment of the Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Qinghui Huang
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment of the Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China.
- International Joint Research Center for Sustainable Urban Water System, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China.
| | - Zhibo Lu
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment of the Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
- International Joint Research Center for Sustainable Urban Water System, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - France Collard
- FRAM Centre, The Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Minggang Cai
- State Key Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science, Xiamen University, Xiamen, 361102, China
| | - Peng Huang
- College of Ocean and Metrology, Guangdong Ocean University, Zhanjiang, 524088, China
| | - Yong Yu
- Polar Research Institute of China, Shanghai, 200136, China
| | - Shuiping Cheng
- Key Laboratory of Yangtze River Water Environment of the Ministry of Education, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai, 200092, China
- International Joint Research Center for Sustainable Urban Water System, Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai, 200092, China
| | - Lihui An
- Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing, 100012, China
| | - Anette Wold
- FRAM Centre, The Norwegian Polar Institute, Tromsø, Norway
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23
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Di Mauro R, Castillo S, Pérez A, Iachetti CM, Silva L, Tomba JP, Chiesa IL. Anthropogenic microfibers are highly abundant at the Burdwood Bank seamount, a protected sub-Antarctic environment in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 306:119364. [PMID: 35489539 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 04/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics debris in the marine environment have been widely studied across the globe. Within these particles, the most abundant and prevalent type in the oceans are anthropogenic microfibers (MFs), although they have been historically overlooked mostly due to methodological constraints. MFs are currently considered omnipresent in natural environments, however, contrary to the Northern Hemisphere, data on their abundance and distribution in Southern Oceans ecosystems are still scarce, in particular for sub-Antarctic regions. Using Niskin bottles we've explored microfibers abundance and distribution in the water column (3-2450 m depth) at the Burdwood Bank (BB), a seamount located at the southern extreme of the Patagonian shelf, in the Southwestern Atlantic Ocean. The MFs detected from filtered water samples were photographed and measured using ImageJ software, to estimate length, width, and the projected surface area of each particle. Our results indicate that small pieces of fibers are widespread in the water column at the BB (mean of 17.4 ± 12.6 MFs.L-1), from which, 10.6 ± 5.3 MFs.L-1 were at the surface (3-10 m depth), 20 ± 9 MFs.L-1 in intermediate waters (41-97 m), 24.6 ± 17.3 MFs.L-1 in deeper waters (102-164 m), and 9.2 ± 5.3 MFs.L-1 within the slope break of the seamount. Approximately 76.1% of the MFs were composed of Polyethylene terephthalate, and the abundance was dominated by the size fraction from 0.1 to 0.3 mm of length. Given the high relative abundance of small and aged MFs, and the oceanographic complexity of the study area, we postulate that MFs are most likely transported to the BB via the Antarctic Circumpolar Current. Our findings imply that this sub-Antarctic protected ecosystem is highly exposed to microplastic pollution, and this threat could be spreading towards the highly productive waters, north of the study area.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rosana Di Mauro
- Gabinete de Zooplancton, Instituto Nacional de Investigación y Desarrollo Pesquero (INIDEP), Mar del Plata, Argentina; Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina
| | - Santiago Castillo
- Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Físicas y Naturales, Ecología Marina, Córdoba, Argentina; Instituto Multidisciplinario de Biología Vegetal (CONICET - Universidad Nacional de Córdoba), Córdoba, Argentina
| | - Analía Pérez
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina; Laboratorio de Invertebrados Marinos, CCNA, Universidad Maimónides-CONICET, CABA, Argentina
| | - Clara M Iachetti
- Universidad Nacional de Tierra del Fuego (UNTdF), Ushuaia, Argentina
| | - Leonel Silva
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales (INTEMA-CONICET), Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Juan P Tomba
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina; Instituto de Investigaciones en Ciencia y Tecnología de Materiales (INTEMA-CONICET), Mar del Plata, Argentina
| | - Ignacio L Chiesa
- Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas (CONICET), Argentina; Laboratorio de Crustáceos y Ecosistemas Costeros (CADIC-CONICET), Ushuaia, Argentina. Bernardo Houssay 200, Ushuaia, V9410CAB, Argentina.
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24
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Botterell ZLR, Bergmann M, Hildebrandt N, Krumpen T, Steinke M, Thompson RC, Lindeque PK. Microplastic ingestion in zooplankton from the Fram Strait in the Arctic. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 831:154886. [PMID: 35364160 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154886] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2021] [Revised: 03/24/2022] [Accepted: 03/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Some of the highest microplastic concentrations in marine environments have been reported from the Fram Strait in the Arctic. This region supports a diverse ecosystem dependent on high concentrations of zooplankton at the base of the food web. Zooplankton samples were collected during research cruises using Bongo and MOCNESS nets in the boreal summers of 2018 and 2019. Using FTIR scanning spectroscopy in combination with an automated polymer identification approach, we show that all five species of Arctic zooplankton investigated had ingested microplastics. Amphipod species, found in surface waters or closely associated with sea ice, had ingested significantly more microplastic per individual (Themisto libellula: 1.8, Themisto abyssorrum: 1, Apherusa glacialis: 1) than copepod species (Calanus hyperboreus: 0.21, Calanus glacialis/finmarchicus: 0.01). The majority of microplastics ingested were below 50 μm in size, all were fragments and several different polymer types were present. We quantified microplastics in water samples collected at six of the same stations as the Calanus using an underway sampling system (inlet at 6.5 m water depth). Fragments of several polymer types and anthropogenic cellulosic fibres were present, with an average concentration of 7 microplastic particles (MP) L-1 (0-18.5 MP L-1). In comparison to the water samples, those microplastics found ingested by zooplankton were significantly smaller, highlighting that the smaller-sized microplastics were being selected for by the zooplankton. High levels of microplastic ingestion in zooplankton have been associated with negative effects on growth, development, and fecundity. As Arctic zooplankton only have a short window of biological productivity, any negative effect could have broad consequences. As global plastic consumption continues to increase and climate change continues to reduce sea ice cover, releasing ice-bound microplastics and leaving ice free areas open to exploitation, the Arctic could be exposed to further plastic pollution which could place additional strain on this fragile ecosystem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zara L R Botterell
- Marine Ecology and Biodiversity, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, West Hoe, Plymouth PL1 3DH, UK; School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Melanie Bergmann
- HGF-MPG Joint Research Group for Deep-Sea Ecology and Technology, Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar - und Meeresforschung, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Nicole Hildebrandt
- HGF-MPG Joint Research Group for Deep-Sea Ecology and Technology, Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar - und Meeresforschung, Am Handelshafen 12, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Thomas Krumpen
- Climate Sciences, Sea Ice Physics, Alfred-Wegener-Institut Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar - und Meeresforschung, Bussestraße 24, 27570 Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Michael Steinke
- School of Life Sciences, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ, UK
| | - Richard C Thompson
- Marine Biology and Ecology Research Centre (MBERC), School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Penelope K Lindeque
- Marine Ecology and Biodiversity, Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, West Hoe, Plymouth PL1 3DH, UK.
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25
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Abbasi S, Alirezazadeh M, Razeghi N, Rezaei M, Pourmahmood H, Dehbandi R, Mehr MR, Ashayeri SY, Oleszczuk P, Turner A. Microplastics captured by snowfall: A study in Northern Iran. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 822:153451. [PMID: 35114223 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.153451] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2021] [Revised: 01/19/2022] [Accepted: 01/22/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Samples of fresh snow (n = 34) have been collected from 29 locations in various urban and remote regions of northern Iran following a period of sustained snowfall and the thawed contents examined for microplastics (MPs) according to established techniques. MP concentrations ranged from undetected to 86 MP L-1 (mean and median concentrations ~20 MP and 12 MP L-1, respectively) and there was no significant difference in MP concentration between sample location type or between different depths of snow (or time of deposition) sampled at selected sites. Fibres were the dominant shape of MP and μ-Raman spectroscopy of selected samples revealed a variety of polymer types, with nylon most abundant. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis showed that some MPs were smooth and unweathered while others were more irregular and exhibited significant photo-oxidative and mechanical weathering as well as contamination by extraneous geogenic particles. These characteristics reflect the importance of both local and distal sources to the heterogeneous pool of MPs in precipitated snow. The mean and median concentrations of MPs in the snow samples were not dissimilar to the published mean and median concentrations for MPs in rainfall collected from an elevated location in southwest Iran. However, compared with rainfall, MPs in snow appear to be larger and more diverse in their shape and composition (and include rubber particulates), possibly because of the greater size but lower terminal velocities of snowflakes relative to raindrops. Snowfall represents a significant means by which MPs are scavenged from the atmosphere and transferred to soil and surface waters that warrants further attention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sajjad Abbasi
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71454, Iran; Department of Radiochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin 20-031, Poland.
| | - Mustafa Alirezazadeh
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71454, Iran
| | - Nastaran Razeghi
- Department of Environment Science and Engineering, Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Tehran, P.O. Box 4314, Karaj 31587-77878, Iran
| | - Mahrooz Rezaei
- Meteorology and Air Quality Group, Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 47, 6700 AA Wageningen, the Netherlands
| | - Hanie Pourmahmood
- Department of Soil Science, School of Agriculture, Shiraz University, Shiraz, Iran
| | - Reza Dehbandi
- Environmental Technologies Research Center, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, Ahvaz, Iran
| | - Meisam Rastegari Mehr
- Department of Applied Geology, Faculty of Earth Sciences, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shirin Yavar Ashayeri
- Department of Earth Sciences, College of Science, Shiraz University, Shiraz 71454, Iran
| | - Patryk Oleszczuk
- Department of Radiochemistry and Environmental Chemistry, Faculty of Chemistry, Maria Curie-Skłodowska University, Lublin 20-031, Poland
| | - Andrew Turner
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Plymouth, Plymouth PL4 8AA, UK
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26
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Athey SN, Erdle LM. Are We Underestimating Anthropogenic Microfiber Pollution? A Critical Review of Occurrence, Methods, and Reporting. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2022; 41:822-837. [PMID: 34289522 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5173] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 28.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 07/14/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Anthropogenic microfibers, a ubiquitous environmental contaminant, can be categorized as synthetic, semisynthetic, or natural according to material of origin and production process. Although natural fibers, such as cotton and wool, originated from natural sources, they often contain chemical additives, including colorants (e.g., dyes, pigments) and finishes (e.g., flame retardants, antimicrobial agents, ultraviolet light stabilizers). These additives are applied to textiles during production to give textiles desired properties like enhanced durability. Anthropogenically modified "natural" and semisynthetic fibers are sufficiently persistent to undergo long-range transport and accumulate in the environment, where they are ingested by biota. Although most research and communication on microfibers have focused on the sources, pathways, and effects of synthetic fibers in the environment, natural and semisynthetic fibers warrant further investigation because of their abundance. Because of the challenges in enumerating and identifying natural and semisynthetic fibers in environmental samples and the focus on microplastic or synthetic fibers, reports of anthropogenic microfibers in the environment may be underestimated. In this critical review, we 1) report that natural and semisynthetic microfibers are abundant, 2) highlight that some environmental compartments are relatively understudied in the microfiber literature, and 3) report which methods are suitable to enumerate and characterize the full suite of anthropogenic microfibers. We then use these findings to 4) recommend best practices to assess the abundance of anthropogenic microfibers in the environment, including natural and semisynthetic fibers. By focusing exclusively on synthetic fibers in the environment, we are neglecting a major component of anthropogenic microfiber pollution. Environ Toxicol Chem 2022;41:822-837. © 2021 SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha N Athey
- Department of Earth Sciences, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Lisa M Erdle
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- The 5 Gyres Institute, Santa Monica, California, USA
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27
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Moore RC, Noel M, Etemadifar A, Loseto L, Posacka AM, Bendell L, Ross PS. Microplastics in beluga whale (Delphinapterus leucas) prey: An exploratory assessment of trophic transfer in the Beaufort Sea. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150201. [PMID: 34571233 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150201] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/03/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs, <5 mm in length) have been identified as emerging contaminants in marine environments, with ingestion by a variety of biota being of increasing concern. Few studies exist on MP ingestion in Arctic fish, and there are currently no such data from the Beaufort Sea. We investigated MP abundance in five ecologically valuable species from three sampling sites in the Eastern Beaufort Sea to evaluate possible trophic-level pathways of MPs from prey to beluga whales. Polymer analysis confirmed that 21% of fish gastrointestinal tracts (n = 116) contained microplastic particles. Fish that contained MPs had a mean abundance of 1.42 ± 0.44 particles per individual and an overall mean abundance of 0.37 ± 0.16 particles. No plastic particles >5 mm were found, and 78% of the particles observed were fibers. Based on energetic needs, we estimate that individual beluga may ingest between 3800 and 145,000 microplastics annually through trophic transfer, with uncertain health implications.
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Affiliation(s)
- R C Moore
- Ocean Wise Conservation Association, 4160 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, BC V7H 1H2, Canada
| | - M Noel
- Ocean Wise Conservation Association, 4160 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, BC V7H 1H2, Canada.
| | - A Etemadifar
- Ocean Wise Conservation Association, 4160 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, BC V7H 1H2, Canada
| | - L Loseto
- Department of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, 501 University Crescent, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N6, Canada; Department of Environment and Geography, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB, R3T 2N2, Canada.
| | - A M Posacka
- Ocean Wise Conservation Association, 4160 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, BC V7H 1H2, Canada.
| | - L Bendell
- Simon Fraser University, Ecotoxicology Research Group, Department of Biological Sciences, 8888 University Dr, Burnaby, BC V5A 1S6, Canada.
| | - P S Ross
- Ocean Wise Conservation Association, 4160 Marine Drive, West Vancouver, BC V7H 1H2, Canada.
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28
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Fang C, Zhang Y, Zheng R, Hong F, Zhang M, Zhang R, Mou J, Mu J, Lin L, Bo J. Spatio-temporal variation of microplastic pollution in the sediment from the Chukchi Sea over five years. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150530. [PMID: 34844325 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Sediment has been considered as an important sink for microplastics (MPs), but there are limited reports about the spatial and temporal variability of MPs in sediment from the Arctic Ocean. Furthermore, understanding is lacking on the correlation between Arctic sea ice variation and MP abundance in sediment. This study aimed to assess the MP contamination in the sediment from the Chukchi Sea over five years through three voyages (in 2016, 2018, and 2020). The MP abundances in the sediments from the Chukchi Plateau and Chukchi Shelf over five years ranged from 33.66 ± 15.08 to 104.54 ± 28.07 items kg-1 dry weight (DW) and 20.63 ± 6.71 to 55.64 ± 22.61 items kg-1 DW, respectively. The MP levels from the Chukchi Sea were lower than those from the Eastern Arctic Ocean. Our findings suggest that the Chukchi Plateau is an accumulation zone for fibers related to fishing gear and textiles under the dual influence of the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean currents. However, the reduction of these fibers in the sediment from the Chukchi Shelf might be related to bottom currents, sediment resuspension, and biomass. Moreover, the MP abundance in the sediment from the Chukchi Sea was positively correlated with the reduction of Arctic sea ice, suggesting that the melting sea ice contributes to the increase in MP levels in the sediment. The increase in blue MPs from the Chukchi Plateau over time might be attributed to melting sea ice or intense fishing activity, whereas the increase of the smallest MPs in this region could be owing to the breakdown of larger plastics during long-distance transport or the easier settlement of smaller MPs. Further time-series investigations are urgently required to improve the understanding of the environmental fate and transport of MPs among the different Arctic environmental compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Fang
- Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Yusheng Zhang
- Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Ronghui Zheng
- Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Fukun Hong
- Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Ran Zhang
- Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jianfeng Mou
- Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jingli Mu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Functional Marine Sensing Materials, Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Longshan Lin
- Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Jun Bo
- Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361102, China.
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29
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Gwinnett C, Miller RZ. Are we contaminating our samples? A preliminary study to investigate procedural contamination during field sampling and processing for microplastic and anthropogenic microparticles. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:113095. [PMID: 34768195 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Revised: 10/20/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Methods for sampling, analysis and interpretation of fresh and saltwater microplastics and anthropogenic microfibers have improved since 2004, but techniques for reducing and monitoring procedural contamination are still limited. Quantifying the amount of procedural contamination introduced to samples improves the robustness of counts of microplastics and anthropogenic microfibers in the environment. This pilot study investigates procedural contamination introduced into water samples when rigorous QA/QC anti-contamination protocols are used and removed. Procedural contamination accounted for 33.8% of the total microfibers and microplastics found in samples when protocols were used (n = 81), but 70.7% when they were not (n = 8). With the use of extensive control sampling and full characterization of samples (morphological, optical and chemical) it was possible to identify the predominant sources of contamination (crew clothing) and make recommendations for anti-contamination and procedural contamination identification/reduction protocols for shoreline and small/medium sized vessel sampling for microplastics and anthropogenic microfibers.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Gwinnett
- Staffordshire University, Microplastic and Forensic Fibres Research Group, UK.
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30
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González-Pleiter M, Velázquez D, Casero MC, Tytgat B, Verleyen E, Leganés F, Rosal R, Quesada A, Fernández-Piñas F. Microbial colonizers of microplastics in an Arctic freshwater lake. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 795:148640. [PMID: 34246139 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.148640] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2021] [Revised: 06/03/2021] [Accepted: 06/20/2021] [Indexed: 05/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) have been found everywhere as they are easily transported between environmental compartments. Through their transport, MPs are quickly colonized by microorganisms; this microbial community is known as the plastisphere. Here, we characterized the plastisphere of three MPs, one biodegradable (PHB) and two non-biodegradables (HDPE and LDPE), deployed in an Arctic freshwater lake for eleven days. The plastisphere was found to be complex, confirming that about a third of microbial colonizers were viable. Plastisphere was compared to microbial communities on the surrounding water and microbial mats on rocks at the bottom of the lake. Microbial mats followed by MPs showed the highest diversity regarding both prokaryotes and eukaryotes as compared to water samples; however, for fungi, MPs showed the highest diversity of the tested substrates. Significant differences on microbial assemblages on the three tested substrates were found; regarding microbial assemblages on MPs, bacterial genera found in polar environments such as Mycoplana, Erythromicrobium and Rhodoferax with species able to metabolize recalcitrant chemicals were abundant. Eukaryotic communities on MPs were characterized by the presence of ciliates of the genera Stentor, Vorticella and Uroleptus and the algae Cryptomonas, Chlamydomonas, Tetraselmis and Epipyxis. These ciliates normally feed on algae so that the complexity of these assemblages may serve to unravel trophic relationships between co-existing taxa. Regarding fungal communities on MPs, the most abundant genera were Betamyces, Cryptococcus, Arrhenia and Paranamyces. MPs, particularly HDPE, were enriched in the sulI and ermB antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) which may raise concerns about human health-related issues as ARGs may be transferred horizontally between bacteria. This study highlights the importance of proper waste management and clean-up protocols to protect the environmental health of pristine environments such as polar regions in a context of global dissemination of MPs which may co-transport microorganisms, some of them including ARGs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miguel González-Pleiter
- Departamento de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - David Velázquez
- Departamento de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - María Cristina Casero
- Departamento de Biogeoquímica y Ecología Microbiana, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, E-28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Bjorn Tytgat
- Laboratory of Protistology & Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281-S8, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Elie Verleyen
- Laboratory of Protistology & Aquatic Ecology, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281-S8, 9000 Gent, Belgium
| | - Francisco Leganés
- Departamento de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
| | - Roberto Rosal
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Alcalá, E-28871 Alcalá de Henares, Madrid, Spain
| | - Antonio Quesada
- Departamento de Biología, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Cantoblanco, E-28049 Madrid, Spain
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Fragão J, Bessa F, Otero V, Barbosa A, Sobral P, Waluda CM, Guímaro HR, Xavier JC. Microplastics and other anthropogenic particles in Antarctica: Using penguins as biological samplers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 788:147698. [PMID: 34134362 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 05/07/2021] [Accepted: 05/07/2021] [Indexed: 05/07/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (< 5 mm in size) are known to be widespread in the marine environment but are still poorly studied in Polar Regions, particularly in the Antarctic. As penguins have a wide distribution around Antarctica, three congeneric species: Adélie (Pygoscelis adeliae), chinstrap (Pygoscelis antarcticus) and gentoo penguins (Pygoscelis papua) were selected to evaluate the occurrence of microplastics across the Antarctic Peninsula and Scotia Sea. Scat samples (used as a proxy of ingestion), were collected from breeding colonies over seven seasons between 2006 and 2016. Antarctic krill (Euphausia superba), present in scat samples, contributed 85%, 66% and 54% of the diet in terms of frequency of occurrence to the diet of Adélie, gentoo and chinstrap penguins, respectively. Microplastics were found in 15%, 28% and 29% scats of Adélie, chinstrap and gentoo penguin respectively. A total of 92 particles were extracted from the scats (n = 317) and 32% (n = 29) were chemically identified via micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (μ-FTIR). From all the particles extracted, 35% were identified as microplastics, particularly polyethylene (80%) and polyester (10%). It was not possible to ascertain the identification of the remaining 10% of samples. Other anthropogenic particles were identified in 55% of samples, identified as cellulose fibres. The results show a similar frequency of occurrence of particles across all colonies, suggesting there is no particular point source for microplastic pollution in the Scotia Sea. Additionally, no clear temporal variation in the number of microplastics in penguins was observed. Overall, this study reveals the presence of microplastics across Antarctica, in three penguin species and offers evidence of other anthropogenic particles in high numbers. Further research is needed to better understand the spatio-temporal dynamics, fate and effect of microplastics on these ecosystems, and improve plastic pollution policies in Antarctica.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joana Fragão
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal.
| | - Filipa Bessa
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Vanessa Otero
- LAQV-REQUIMTE, Department of Conservation and Restoration, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Monte da Caparica, Portugal; VICARTE, Department of Conservation and Restoration, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Monte da Caparica, Portugal
| | - Andrés Barbosa
- Departamento de Ecologia Evolutiva, Museo Nacional de Ciencias Naturales, CSIC, 28006 Madrid, Spain
| | - Paula Sobral
- Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, NOVA School of Science and Technology, NOVA University Lisbon, 2829-516 Monte da Caparica, Portugal
| | - Claire M Waluda
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
| | - Hugo R Guímaro
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - José C Xavier
- University of Coimbra, MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre, Department of Life Sciences, 3000-456 Coimbra, Portugal; British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, High Cross, Madingley Road, Cambridge CB3 0ET, UK
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32
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Prioritizing Suitable Quality Assurance and Control Standards to Reduce Laboratory Airborne Microfibre Contamination in Sediment Samples. ENVIRONMENTS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/environments8090089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquity and distribution of microplastics, particularly microfibres, in outdoor and indoor environments makes it challenging when assessing and controlling background contamination, as atmospheric particles can be unintentionally introduced into a sample during laboratory analysis. As such, an intra-laboratory examination and literature review was completed to quantify background contamination in sediment samples, in addition to comparing reported quality assurance and control (QA/QC) protocols in 50 studies examining microplastics in sediment from 2010 to 2021. The intra-lab analysis prioritizes negative controls, placing procedural blanks in various working labs designed to prepare, process, and microscopically analyse microplastics in sediment. All four labs are subject to microfibre contamination; however, following the addition of alternative clean-air devices (microscope enclosure and HEPA air purifiers), contamination decreased by 66% in laboratory B, and 70% in laboratory C. A review of microplastic studies suggests that 82% are not including or reporting alternative clean-air devices in their QA/QC approaches. These studies are found to be at greater risk of secondary contamination, as 72% of them ranked as medium to high contamination risk. It is imperative that laboratories incorporate matrix-specific QA/QC approaches to minimize false positives and improve transparency and harmonization across studies.
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Mishra AK, Singh J, Mishra PP. Microplastics in polar regions: An early warning to the world's pristine ecosystem. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 784:147149. [PMID: 33895505 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.147149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2020] [Revised: 03/24/2021] [Accepted: 04/10/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
The menace of plastic which is polluting the ocean has emerged as a global problem. It is well-known to everyone that the ultimate end for most of the plastic debris is the ocean. The distribution of plastic rubbish in the oceans is strongly influenced by hydrodynamic properties of water. The continuous break down of plastic objects, as a consequence of thermal, chemical and biological processes along with various environmental factors, results into microplastics (MPs). The microplastics are those particles which are deriving pallets of plastic, having length of less than 5 mm or 0.2 in. Nowadays microplastics are everywhere in the waters all around the world. The high dispersion pattern of oceanic currents takes away microplastics in the entire ocean even to remote areas, like the Polar Regions. Microplastics are difficult to remove from the ocean and the ingestion of these particles by several consumers of different trophic levels like benthos, birds, and fishes is a threat to the diverse food webs and ecosystems. Different scientific investigations have ascertained that a significant concentration of MPs are present in various marine ecosystems globally including the Polar region (both Arctic and Antarctic), and in the upcoming future, the condition is expected to get worse. The objective of this review is to establish a baseline evidence for the availability of microplastics in the polar region. For this reason, the state of the art of knowledge on microplastics in Polar Regions was studied.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amit K Mishra
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Dr. Rammanohar Lohia Avadh University, Ayodhya 224001, U. P., India
| | - Jaswant Singh
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Dr. Rammanohar Lohia Avadh University, Ayodhya 224001, U. P., India.
| | - Pratyush P Mishra
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Dr. Rammanohar Lohia Avadh University, Ayodhya 224001, U. P., India
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Mallory ML, Baak J, Gjerdrum C, Mallory OE, Manley B, Swan C, Provencher JF. Anthropogenic litter in marine waters and coastlines of Arctic Canada and West Greenland. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 783:146971. [PMID: 33865122 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.146971] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Revised: 03/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Despite much interest and research into marine litter (including plastic debris) on beaches globally, relatively little is known about the density and distribution of this pollutant in Arctic environments, particularly Arctic Canada and West Greenland. We used two sources of data, observations of floating litter from vessels at sea, and quadrat surveys of litter on low slope beaches, to establish the first measures of anthropogenic litter densities in this region. Most litter observed (73%) was plastic, predominantly fragments, threads and sheets, with a mean density of 1.0 ± 1.7 (SD) items·m-2 along sandy/gravel beaches (median 1), and items were observed on the ocean surface as far as 78°N. Litter densities were significantly greater for sites within 5 km of communities, and much of the litter near remote communities was clearly from local sources. However, contrary to our predictions, we did not find that litter densities decreased with increasing latitude. Collectively, our results confirm that this global pollutant is distributed around much of this portion of the Arctic, and that better waste management strategies in a number of sectors may help reduce its occurrence in this remote region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mark L Mallory
- Biology, Acadia University, 15 University Avenue, Wolfville, Nova Scotia B4P 2R6, Canada.
| | - Julia Baak
- Biology, Acadia University, 15 University Avenue, Wolfville, Nova Scotia B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Carina Gjerdrum
- Canadian Wildlife Service, 45 Alderney Drive, Dartmouth, Nova Scotia B2Y 2N6, Canada
| | - Olivia E Mallory
- Biology, Acadia University, 15 University Avenue, Wolfville, Nova Scotia B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Brittany Manley
- Adventure Canada, 55 Woodlawn Avenue, Mississauga, Ontario L5G 3K7, Canada
| | - Cedar Swan
- Adventure Canada, 55 Woodlawn Avenue, Mississauga, Ontario L5G 3K7, Canada
| | - Jennifer F Provencher
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, Raven Road, Carleton University, Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0H3, Canada
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Domestic laundry and microfiber pollution: Exploring fiber shedding from consumer apparel textiles. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0250346. [PMID: 34242234 PMCID: PMC8270180 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0250346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2020] [Accepted: 04/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Synthetic fibers are increasingly seen to dominate microplastic pollution profiles in aquatic environments, with evidence pointing to textiles as a potentially important source. However, the loss of microfibers from textiles during laundry is poorly understood. We evaluated microfiber release from a variety of synthetic and natural consumer apparel textile samples (n = 37), with different material types, constructions, and treatments during five consecutive domestic laundry cycles. Microfiber loss ranged from 9.6 mg to 1,240 mg kg-1 of textile per wash, or an estimated 8,809 to > 6,877,000 microfibers. Mechanically-treated polyester samples, dominated by fleeces and jerseys, released six times more microfibers (161 ± 173 mg kg-1 per wash) than did nylon samples with woven construction and filamentous yarns (27 ± 14 mg kg-1 per wash). Fiber shedding was positively correlated with fabric thickness for nylon and polyester. Interestingly, cotton and wool textiles also shed large amounts of microfibers (165 ± 44 mg kg-1 per wash). The similarity between the average width of textile fibers here (12.4 ± 4.5 μm) and those found in ocean samples provides support for the notion that home laundry is an important source of microfiber pollution. Evaluation of two marketed laundry lint traps provided insight into intervention options for the home, with retention of up to 90% for polyester fibers and 46% for nylon fibers. Our observation of a > 850-fold difference in the number of microfibers lost between low and high shedding textiles illustrates the strong potential for intervention, including more sustainable clothing design.
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36
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Hamilton BM, Bourdages MPT, Geoffroy C, Vermaire JC, Mallory ML, Rochman CM, Provencher JF. Microplastics around an Arctic seabird colony: Particle community composition varies across environmental matrices. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 773:145536. [PMID: 33940730 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145536] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2020] [Revised: 01/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/25/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is a contaminant of global concern, as it is present even in remote ecosystems - like the Arctic. Arctic seabirds are vulnerable to ingesting plastic pollution, and these ingested particles are shed in the form of microplastics via guano. This suggests that Arctic seabird guano may act as a vector for the movement of microplastics into and around northern ecosystems. While contaminant-laden guano deposition patterns create a clear concentration gradient of chemicals around seabird colonies, this has not yet been investigated with plastic pollution. Here we tested whether a contaminant gradient of plastic pollution exists around a seabird colony that is primarily comprised of northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis) in the Canadian Arctic. Atmospheric deposition, surface water, and surface sediment samples were collected below the cliff-side of the colony and at increasing intervals of 1 km from the colony. Fulmars were also collected when foraging away from their colony. Microplastics and other anthropogenic microparticles were identified in all three environmental matrices as well as fulmar guano. Fibers were the most common shape in fulmar guano, atmospheric deposition and surface sediment, and fragments were the most common shape in surface water. We did not find a gradient of microplastic concentrations in environmental matrices related to distance from the colony. Combined, these results suggest that fulmars are not the primary source of microplastic around this colony. Further research is warranted to understand sources of microplastics to the areas around the colonies, including to what extent seabirds transport and concentrate microplastics in Arctic ecosystems, and whether concentrations proximate to large colonies may be species dependent.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bonnie M Hamilton
- University of Toronto, Dept. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Toronto, ON, Canada.
| | | | | | - Jesse C Vermaire
- Carleton University, Dept. of Geography and Environmental Studies, Ottawa, ON, Canada
| | - Mark L Mallory
- Acadia University, Dept. of Biology, Wolfville, NS, Canada
| | - Chelsea M Rochman
- University of Toronto, Dept. Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Jennifer F Provencher
- Environment Climate Change Canada, Science and Technology Branch, Ottawa, ON, Canada
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37
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Bourdages MPT, Provencher JF, Baak JE, Mallory ML, Vermaire JC. Breeding seabirds as vectors of microplastics from sea to land: Evidence from colonies in Arctic Canada. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2021; 764:142808. [PMID: 33082039 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.142808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2020] [Revised: 09/27/2020] [Accepted: 09/30/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
The presence and persistence of microplastics in the environment is increasingly recognized, however, how they are distributed throughout environmental systems requires further understanding. Seabirds have been identified as vectors of chemical contaminants from marine to terrestrial environments, and studies have recently identified seabirds as possible vectors of plastic pollution in the marine environment. However, their role in the distribution of microplastic pollution in the Arctic has yet to be explored. We examined two species of seabirds known to ingest plastics: northern fulmars (Fulmarus glacialis; n = 27) and thick-billed murres (Uria lomvia; n = 30) as potential vectors for the transport of microplastics in and around breeding colonies. Our results indicated anthropogenic particles in the faecal precursors of both species. Twenty-four anthropogenic particles were found in the fulmar faecal precursor samples (M = 0.89, SD = 1.09; 23 fibres and one fragment), and 10 anthropogenic particles were found in the murre faecal precursor samples (M = 0.33, SD = 0.92; 5 fibres, 4 fragments, and one foam). Through the use of bird population surveys and the quantification of anthropogenic particles found in the faecal precursors of sampled seabirds from the same colony, we estimate that fulmars and murres may deposit between 3.3 (CIboot 1.9 × 106-4.9 × 106) and 45.5 (CIboot 9.1 × 106-91.9 × 106) million anthropogenic particles, respectively, per year into the environment during their breeding period at these colonies. These estimates indicate that migratory seabirds could be contributing to the distribution and local hotspots of microplastics in Arctic environments, however, they are still likely a relatively small source of plastic pollution in terms of mass in the environment and may not contribute as much as other reported sources such as atmospheric deposition in the Arctic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madelaine P T Bourdages
- Carleton University, Geography and Environmental Studies, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada.
| | - Jennifer F Provencher
- Environment and Climate Change Canada, National Wildlife Research Centre, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Julia E Baak
- Acadia University, Biology Department, 15 University Drive, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Mark L Mallory
- Acadia University, Biology Department, 15 University Drive, Wolfville, NS B4P 2R6, Canada
| | - Jesse C Vermaire
- Carleton University, Geography and Environmental Studies, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada; Carleton University, Institute for Environmental and Interdisciplinary Sciences, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
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38
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Smyth K, Drake J, Li Y, Rochman C, Van Seters T, Passeport E. Bioretention cells remove microplastics from urban stormwater. WATER RESEARCH 2021; 191:116785. [PMID: 33401167 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2020.116785] [Citation(s) in RCA: 61] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic pathways in the environment must be better understood to help select appropriate mitigation strategies. In this 2-year long field study, microplastics were characterized and quantified in urban stormwater runoff and through a bioretention cell, a type of low impact development infrastructure. Concentrations of microparticles ranged from below the detection limit to 704 microparticles/L and the dominant morphology found were fibers. High rainfall intensity and longer antecedent dry days resulted in larger microparticle concentrations. In addition, atmospheric deposition was a source of microplastics to urban runoff. Overall, these results demonstrate that urban stormwater runoff is a concentrated source of microplastics whose concentrations depend on specific climate variables. The bioretention cell showed an 84% decrease in median microparticle concentration in the 106-5,000 µm range, and thus is effective in filtering out microplastics and preventing their spread to downstream environments. Altogether, these results highlight the large contribution of urban stormwater runoff to microplastic contamination in larger aquatic systems and demonstrate the potential for current infiltration-based low impact development practices to limit the spread of microplastic contamination downstream.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kelsey Smyth
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, 35St. George Street, Toronto ON M5S 1A4, Canada
| | - Jennifer Drake
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, 35St. George Street, Toronto ON M5S 1A4, Canada
| | - Yourong Li
- Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto ON M5S 3E5, Canada
| | - Chelsea Rochman
- Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, 25 Willcocks Street, Toronto ON M5S 3B2, Canada
| | - Tim Van Seters
- Toronto Region Conservation Authority, 101 Exchange Avenue, Concord ON L4K 5R6, Canada
| | - Elodie Passeport
- Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of Toronto, 35St. George Street, Toronto ON M5S 1A4, Canada; Department of Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry, University of Toronto, 200 College Street, Toronto ON M5S 3E5, Canada.
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Pervasive distribution of polyester fibres in the Arctic Ocean is driven by Atlantic inputs. Nat Commun 2021; 12:106. [PMID: 33436597 PMCID: PMC7804434 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-20347-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 83] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/10/2020] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Microplastics are increasingly recognized as ubiquitous global contaminants, but questions linger regarding their source, transport and fate. We document the widespread distribution of microplastics in near-surface seawater from 71 stations across the European and North American Arctic - including the North Pole. We also characterize samples to a depth of 1,015 m in the Beaufort Sea. Particle abundance correlated with longitude, with almost three times more particles in the eastern Arctic compared to the west. Polyester comprised 73% of total synthetic fibres, with an east-to-west shift in infra-red signatures pointing to a potential weathering of fibres away from source. Here we suggest that relatively fresh polyester fibres are delivered to the eastern Arctic Ocean, via Atlantic Ocean inputs and/or atmospheric transport from the South. This raises further questions about the global reach of textile fibres in domestic wastewater, with our findings pointing to their widespread distribution in this remote region of the world.
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