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Sánchez-Campos M, Ponce-Vélez G, Sanvicente-Añorve L, Alatorre-Mendieta M. Microplastic contamination in three environmental compartments of a coastal lagoon in the southern Gulf of Mexico. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:1012. [PMID: 39365344 PMCID: PMC11452496 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-13156-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 09/24/2024] [Indexed: 10/05/2024]
Abstract
The Sontecomapan lagoon (Mexico) is a Ramsar site within the Los Tuxtlas Biosphere Reserve, facing the Gulf of Mexico. Although the site has a protected area status, it is vulnerable to microplastic contamination, whose long-term effects are uncertain. This study gives the first approach to the degree of contamination by microplastics in surface waters, zooplankton, and sediments in the lagoon. The samples in these three environmental compartments were collected in June 2018 and analyzed in the laboratory to extract and quantify the microplastics. The microplastics sampled were classified into fibers, fragments, and foams and identified as polyester, acrylic, and rayon, among others. In the surface waters, the mean concentration of microplastics was 7.5 ± 5.3 items/L, which is higher than the values registered in other protected coastal systems, perhaps because of differences in the methods used. Zooplankton, represented by copepods, luciferids, and chaetognaths, showed concentrations of 0.002 ± 0.005, 0.011 ± 0.011, and 0.019 ± 0.016 items/individual, respectively. These values were low compared to systems with high anthropic influence, and the differences between the three kinds of organisms were attributed to their feeding habits. In the sediments, the mean concentration was 8.5 ± 12.5 items/kg, lower than the values registered in sites of high human impact; the maximum value here found (43 items/kg) was recorded in the internal part of a lagoon arm of almost stagnant water. In general, the degree of contamination by microplastics in the lagoon was low; however, their presence indicates a potential risk to the biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mitzi Sánchez-Campos
- Posgrado en Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico; Av. Universidad 3000, Ciudad Universitaria Coyoacán, C.P. 04510, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico.
| | - Guadalupe Ponce-Vélez
- Laboratorio de Contaminación Marina, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Laura Sanvicente-Añorve
- Laboratorio de Ecología de Sistemas Pelágicos, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
| | - Miguel Alatorre-Mendieta
- Laboratorio de Oceanografía Física, Instituto de Ciencias del Mar y Limnología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Ciudad de Mexico, Mexico
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2
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Skalska K, Ockelford A, Ebdon J, Cundy A, Horton AA. Spatio-temporal trends in microplastic presence in the sediments of the River Thames catchment (UK). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 207:116881. [PMID: 39236492 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116881] [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: 06/04/2024] [Revised: 08/11/2024] [Accepted: 08/18/2024] [Indexed: 09/07/2024]
Abstract
This study investigated the spatio-temporal variability of microplastics (MPs) in the sediments of the River Thames (UK) catchment over 30 months (July 2019 - Dec 2021). The average MP concentration was 61 items kg-1 d.w., with fragments <1 mm being dominant and polyethylene (PE) the most common polymer. Adjacent land use influenced MP concentrations and types, with industrial sites showing particularly high levels and a prevalence of small beads and industrial polymers. MP concentrations generally decreased after higher winter flows, likely due to sediment rearrangement or winnowing. This study describes the seasonal concentrations and characteristics of MPs present in sediment from the River Thames catchment, and attempts to identify their likely origin. Further, the study provides new insights into the mobility and fate of MPs in riverine settings under varying flow conditions, which is vital given the predicted increases in flooding under various global heating scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Karolina Skalska
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, UK; Environment Agency, Guildbourne Centre, Chatsworth Rd, Worthing, UK
| | - Annie Ockelford
- School of Engineering, University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK
| | - James Ebdon
- School of Applied Sciences, University of Brighton, Brighton, BN2 4GJ, UK.
| | - Andrew Cundy
- School of Ocean and Earth Science, National Oceanography Centre, University of Southampton, Southampton, UK
| | - Alice A Horton
- National Oceanography Centre, European Way, Southampton, UK
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3
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Labbé C, Métais I, Perrein-Ettajani H, Mouloud M, Le Guernic A, Latchere O, Manier N, Châtel A. Effect of aging on the toxicity of polyethylene microplastics on the estuarine bivalve Scrobicularia plana. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 361:124805. [PMID: 39187060 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124805] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2024] [Revised: 08/21/2024] [Accepted: 08/22/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MP) are now present in all ecosystems and undergo weathering processes, including physical or chemical degradation. Although most studies have been carried out on MP toxicity in the marine ecosystem, interest is growing for the terrestrial and entire aquatic compartments. However, the interface between both environments, also known as the soil/water continuum, is given little consideration in MP toxicity studies. Only a few studies considered the toxicity of artificially aged or soil field-collected MP on species living at this interface. The present study evaluates the impact of artificial and field aging polyethylene (PE) MP on the bivalve Scrobicularia plana, a key organism of the estuarine compartment, living at the soil/water interface. Clams were exposed for 21 days to environmental concentrations (0.008, 10 and 100 μg L-1) of unaged as well as artificially and field aged PE MP. Toxicity was assessed from individual to molecular levels including condition index, clearance rate, burrowing behavior, energy reserves, enzyme activities and DNA damage. Results showed differential effects at all biological levels depending on the type and the concentration of the MP tested. Indeed, a decrease in burrowing behavior was observed in S. plana exposed to aged and field PE at low concentration (0.008 μg L-1). In the gills of clams, exposures to aged PE (0.008 and 100 μg L-1), virgin PE (10 μg L-1) and field PE (all tested concentrations) decreased CAT activity while DNA damage increased after exposure to virgin PE (0.008 μg L-1 and 10 μg L-1) and field PE (0.008 μg L-1). Our findings suggest that aging modifies the toxicity profile of PE polymer on S. plana and considering plastic from field at environmental concentrations is important when performing ecotoxicological studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Clémentine Labbé
- Biology of Organisms Stress Health Environment (BIOSSE), Université Catholique de l'Ouest, Angers, France; Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques (INERIS), Parc Technologique ALATA, 60550, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France.
| | - Isabelle Métais
- Biology of Organisms Stress Health Environment (BIOSSE), Université Catholique de l'Ouest, Angers, France
| | - Hanane Perrein-Ettajani
- Biology of Organisms Stress Health Environment (BIOSSE), Université Catholique de l'Ouest, Angers, France
| | - Mohammed Mouloud
- Biology of Organisms Stress Health Environment (BIOSSE), Université Catholique de l'Ouest, Angers, France
| | - Antoine Le Guernic
- Biology of Organisms Stress Health Environment (BIOSSE), Université Catholique de l'Ouest, Angers, France
| | - Oihana Latchere
- Biology of Organisms Stress Health Environment (BIOSSE), Université Catholique de l'Ouest, Angers, France
| | - Nicolas Manier
- Institut National de l'Environnement Industriel et des Risques (INERIS), Parc Technologique ALATA, 60550, Verneuil-en-Halatte, France
| | - Amélie Châtel
- Biology of Organisms Stress Health Environment (BIOSSE), Université Catholique de l'Ouest, Angers, France
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4
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Vdovchenko A, Resmini M. Mapping Microplastics in Humans: Analysis of Polymer Types, and Shapes in Food and Drinking Water-A Systematic Review. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:7074. [PMID: 39000186 PMCID: PMC11241750 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25137074] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 06/05/2024] [Accepted: 06/25/2024] [Indexed: 07/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) pervade the environment, infiltrating food sources and human bodies, raising concerns about their impact on human health. This review is focused on three key questions: (i) What type of polymers are humans most exposed to? (ii) What are the prevalent shapes of MPs found in food and human samples? (iii) Are the data influenced by the detection limit on the size of particles? Through a systematic literature analysis, we have explored data on polymer types and shapes found in food and human samples. The data provide evidence that polyester is the most commonly detected polymer in humans, followed by polyamide, polyurethane, polypropylene, and polyacrylate. Fibres emerge as the predominant shape across all categories, suggesting potential environmental contamination from the textile industry. Studies in humans and drinking water reported data on small particles, in contrast to larger size MPs detected in environmental research, in particular seafood. Discrepancies in size detection methodologies across different reports were identified, which could impact some of the discussed trends. This study highlights the need for more comprehensive research on the interactions between MPs and biological systems and the effects of MPs on toxicity, together with standardised analytical methodologies to accurately assess contamination levels and human exposure. Understanding these dynamics is essential for formulating effective strategies to mitigate the environmental and health implications of MP pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Marina Resmini
- Department of Chemistry, School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London E1 4NS, UK;
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Zink L, Meslo M, Wiseman S, Pyle GG. Daphnia magna digestive activity is differentially altered when exposed to equally turbid waters caused by either suspended sediment or suspended microplastics. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY 2024; 39:2086-2091. [PMID: 38100244 DOI: 10.1002/tox.24096] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 10/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/09/2024]
Abstract
Turbidity can be a result of suspended natural particles, such as sediment, or anthropogenic particles such as microplastics. This study assessed whether Daphnia magna, a pelagic filter feeder known to ingest suspended particles, have an altered response to equally turbid environments caused by the presence of either suspended bentonite or suspended polyethylene microplastics. Compared to controls, daphnids exposed to suspended bentonite maintained their feeding efficiency and increased their digestive activity, as measured by mandibular movement, peristalsis, and expulsion, to pass bentonite through the digestive tract. The same effects were not seen in microplastic-exposed individuals, in which feeding efficiency was decreased and only peristaltic movement was increased but without a coordinated increase in expulsion, suggesting that microplastics do not have the same ability as bentonite to pass through the digestive tract. This study highlights the need to discern the identities of particulates contributing to turbid environments as different particles, even of the same size, can have different effects on filter feeders, which inherently ingest suspended particles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Zink
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Mikaila Meslo
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Steve Wiseman
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
| | - Gregory G Pyle
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Lethbridge, Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada
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6
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Wang W, Zhou C, Ma Z, Zeng L, Wang H, Cheng X, Zhang C, Xue Y, Yuan Y, Li J, Hu L, Huang J, Luo T, Zheng L. Co-exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics and triclosan induces synergistic cytotoxicity in human KGN granulosa cells by promoting reactive oxygen species accumulation. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 273:116121. [PMID: 38402792 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/07/2023] [Revised: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 02/17/2024] [Indexed: 02/27/2024]
Abstract
In recent years, nanoplastics (NPs) and triclosan (TCS, a pharmaceutical and personal care product) have emerged as environmental pollution issues, and their combined presence has raised widespread concern regarding potential risks to organisms. However, the combined toxicity and mechanisms of NPs and TCS remain unclear. In this study, we investigated the toxic effects of polystyrene NPs and TCS and their mechanisms on KGN cells, a human ovarian granulosa cell line. We exposed KGN cells to NPs (150 μg/mL) and TCS (15 μM) alone or together for 24 hours. Co-exposure significantly reduced cell viability. Compared with exposure to NPs or TCS alone, co-exposure increased reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Interestingly, co-exposure to NPs and TCS produced synergistic effects. We examined the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT), two antioxidant enzymes; it was significantly decreased after co-exposure. We also noted an increase in the lipid oxidation product malondialdehyde (MDA) after co-exposure. Furthermore, co-exposure to NPs and TCS had a more detrimental effect on mitochondrial function than the individual treatments. Co-exposure activated the NRF2-KEAP1-HO-1 antioxidant stress pathway. Surprisingly, the expression of SESTRIN2, an antioxidant protein, was inhibited by co-exposure treatments. Co-exposure to NPs and TCS significantly increased the autophagy-related proteins LC3B-II and LC3B-Ⅰ and decreased P62. Moreover, co-exposure enhanced CASPASE-3 expression and inhibited the BCL-2/BAX ratio. In summary, our study revealed the synergistic toxic effects of NPs and TCS in vitro exposure. Our findings provide insight into the toxic mechanisms associated with co-exposure to NPs and TCS to KGN cells by inducing oxidative stress, activations of the NRF2-KEAP1-HO-1 pathway, autophagy, and apoptosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wencan Wang
- School of Public Health, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, P.R. China
| | - Chong Zhou
- School of Public Health, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Zhangqiang Ma
- School of Public Health, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, P.R. China
| | - Lianjie Zeng
- School of Public Health, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Houpeng Wang
- School of Public Health, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, P.R. China
| | - Xiu Cheng
- School of Public Health, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, P.R. China
| | - Chenchen Zhang
- School of Public Health, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, P.R. China
| | - Yue Xue
- School of Public Health, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Yangyang Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Basic Medical College and Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, China
| | - Jia Li
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Basic Medical College and Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, China
| | - Liaoliao Hu
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Jian Huang
- School of Public Health, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China
| | - Tao Luo
- Key Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Basic Medical College and Institute of Life Science, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330031, China
| | - Liping Zheng
- School of Public Health, Jiangxi Medical College, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Key Laboratory of Reproductive Physiology and Pathology of Jiangxi Province, Nanchang University, Nanchang, Jiangxi 330006, China; Jiangxi Provincial Key Laboratory of Preventive Medicine, Nanchang University, Nanchang 330006, P.R. China.
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7
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Santucci L, Fernández-Severini MD, Rimondino GN, Colombo CV, Prieto G, Forero-López AD, Carol ES. Assessment of meso- and microplastics distribution in coastal sediments and waters at the middle estuary of the Rio De La Plata, Argentina (SW Atlantic Ocean). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 914:170026. [PMID: 38218486 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2023] [Revised: 01/03/2024] [Accepted: 01/07/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Estuarine coastal water and sediments collected from multiple locations within the middle Río de la Plata (RDLP) estuary were analyzed in order to identify the presence of microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) and mesoplastics (MePs, 5-25 mm) in one of the most significant estuaries in the Southwestern Atlantic. The present study represents one of the first researches to survey MPs and MePs contamination in key stations at RDLP estuary. Average concentrations of 14.17 ± 5.50 MPs/L and 10.00 MePs/L were detected in water samples, while 547.83 ± 620.06 MPs/kg (dry weight) and 74.23 ± 47.29 MePs/kg d.w. were recorded in sediments. The greatest abundances were observed in the more anthropized areas, near urban settlements. Fibers were the most conspicuous plastic items in water and sediments, followed by fragments. On the other hand, surface sediments, and 50 cm and 100 cm-depth sediments also presented MPs and MePs indicating they could serve as a stratigraphic indicator for recently formed sediments. The main polymer type identified were acrylic fibers, followed by polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Besides, SEM-EDX detected the presence of Si, Fe, Ti, Al and Cl onto the plastics' surface. These elements may serve as additives to enhance the plastics' properties, such as in the case of Ti, or they could originate from the environment, like biogenic Si or Fe, and Al possibly as a component of the suspended particles or sediments adhered to the micro or meso plastics. Finally, the results of the present study showed that MPs and MePs are commonly found in waters and also tend to be trapped in sediments of the RDLP estuary supporting the assertion that these areas play a substantial role in influencing the transport, dispersion, and buildup of MPs in estuarine regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- L Santucci
- Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas (CIG), CONICET/UNLP, CCT-La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - M D Fernández-Severini
- Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (IADO), CONICET/UNS, CCT-Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - G N Rimondino
- Instituto de Investigaciones en Fisicoquímica de Córdoba (INFIQC), Departamento de Fisicoquímica, Facultad de Ciencias Químicas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba, Ciudad Universitaria, Córdoba, Argentina
| | - C V Colombo
- Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (IADO), CONICET/UNS, CCT-Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - G Prieto
- Departamento de Ingeniería, Universidad Nacional del Sur, Bahía Blanca, Argentina (IFISUR), Universidad Nacional del Sur, CONICET, Bahía Blanca, Argentina
| | - A D Forero-López
- Instituto Argentino de Oceanografía (IADO), CONICET/UNS, CCT-Bahía Blanca, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - E S Carol
- Centro de Investigaciones Geológicas (CIG), CONICET/UNLP, CCT-La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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8
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Dimante-Deimantovica I, Saarni S, Barone M, Buhhalko N, Stivrins N, Suhareva N, Tylmann W, Vianello A, Vollertsen J. Downward migrating microplastics in lake sediments are a tricky indicator for the onset of the Anthropocene. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2024; 10:eadi8136. [PMID: 38381821 PMCID: PMC10881056 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adi8136] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 02/23/2024]
Abstract
Plastics are a recent particulate material in Earth's history. Because of plastics persistence and wide-range presence, it has a great potential of being a global age marker and correlation tool between sedimentary profiles. In this research, we query whether microplastics can be considered among the array of proxies to delimit the Anthropocene Epoch (starting from the year 1950 and above). We present a study of microplastics deposition history inferred from sediment profiles of lakes in northeastern Europe. The sediments were dated with independent proxies from the present back to the first half of the 18th century. Regardless of the sediment layer age, microplastic particles were found throughout the cores in all sites. Depending on particles' aspect ratio, less elongated particles were found deeper, while more elongated particles and fibers have reduced mobility. We conclude that interpretation of microplastics distribution in the studied sediment profiles is ambiguous and does not strictly indicate the beginning of the Anthropocene Epoch.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Saija Saarni
- University of Turku, Department of Geography and Geology, Turku 20014, Finland
| | - Marta Barone
- Latvian Institute of Aquatic Ecology, Riga LV-1007, Latvia
- Daugavpils University, The Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, Daugavpils LV-5401, Latvia
| | - Natalja Buhhalko
- Tallinn University of Technology, Department of Marine Systems, Tallinn 12618, Estonia
| | - Normunds Stivrins
- University of Latvia, Department of Geography, Riga LV-1004, Latvia
- Tallinn University of Technology, Department of Geology, Tallinn 19086, Estonia
| | | | - Wojciech Tylmann
- University of Gdańsk, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, Gdańsk PL-80309, Poland
| | - Alvise Vianello
- Aalborg University, Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg 9220, Denmark
| | - Jes Vollertsen
- Aalborg University, Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg 9220, Denmark
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9
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Niu S, Liu R, Zhao Q, Gagan S, Dodero A, Ying Q, Ma X, Cheng Z, China S, Canagaratna M, Zhang Y. Quantifying the Chemical Composition and Real-Time Mass Loading of Nanoplastic Particles in the Atmosphere Using Aerosol Mass Spectrometry. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024. [PMID: 38332486 PMCID: PMC10882961 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c10286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/10/2024]
Abstract
Plastic debris, including nanoplastic particles (NPPs), has emerged as an important global environmental issue due to its detrimental effects on human health, ecosystems, and climate. Atmospheric processes play an important role in the transportation and fate of plastic particles in the environment. In this study, a high-resolution time-of-flight aerosol mass spectrometer (HR-ToF-AMS) was employed to establish the first online approach for identification and quantification of airborne submicrometer polystyrene (PS) NPPs from laboratory-generated and ambient aerosols. The fragmentation ion C8H8+ is identified as the major tracer ion for PS nanoplastic particles, achieving an 1-h detection limit of 4.96 ng/m3. Ambient PS NPPs measured at an urban location in Texas are quantified to be 30 ± 20 ng/m3 by applying the AMS data with a constrained positive matrix factorization (PMF) method using the multilinear engine (ME-2). Careful analysis of ambient data reveals that atmospheric PS NPPs were enhanced as air mass passed through a waste incinerator plant, suggesting that incineration of waste may serve as a source of ambient NPPs. The online quantification of NPPs achieved through this study can significantly improve our understanding of the source, transport, fate, and climate effects of atmospheric NPPs to mitigate this emerging global environmental issue.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sining Niu
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Ruizhe Liu
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Qian Zhao
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States
| | - Sahir Gagan
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Alana Dodero
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Qi Ying
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Xingmao Ma
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
| | - Zezhen Cheng
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States
| | - Swarup China
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States
| | | | - Yue Zhang
- Department of Atmospheric Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas 77843, United States
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10
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Martínez Rodríguez A, Marchant DJ, Francelle P, Kratina P, Jones JI. Nutrient enrichment mediates the effect of biodegradable and conventional microplastics on macroinvertebrate communities. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 337:122511. [PMID: 37689134 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122511] [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: 02/25/2023] [Revised: 06/13/2023] [Accepted: 09/03/2023] [Indexed: 09/11/2023]
Abstract
There is growing concern regarding the lack of evidence on the effects bioplastics may have on natural ecosystems, whilst their production continues to increase as they are considered as a greener alternative to conventional plastics. Most research is limited to investigations of the response of individual taxa under laboratory conditions, with few experiments undertaken at the community or ecosystem scale, either investigating microplastics independently or in combination with other pollutants, such as nutrient enrichment. The aim of this study is to experimentally compare the effects of oil-based (high density polyethylene - HDPE) with those of bio-based biodegradable (polylactic acid - PLA) microplastics and their interaction with nutrient enrichment on freshwater macroinvertebrate communities under seminatural conditions. There were no significant differences in total abundance, alpha and beta diversities, or community composition attributable to the type of microplastics, their concentration, or nutrient enrichment compared with the control. However, there was a significant difference in macroinvertebrate alpha diversity between high concentrations of both microplastic types under ambient nutrient conditions, with lower diversity in communities exposed to HDPE compared with PLA. Nutrient enrichment mediated the effect of microplastic type, such that the diversity of macroinvertebrate communities exposed to HDPE were similar to those communities exposed to PLA. These findings suggest that the effects of microplastic pollution on macroinvertebrate communities are very weak at large-scale settings under seminatural conditions and that these effects might be mediated by the nutrient status of freshwater ecosystems. More research under large-scale, long-term, seminatural settings are needed in order to elucidate the impact of both conventional plastics and bioplastics on natural environments and their interactive effect with other occurring stressors and pollutants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Martínez Rodríguez
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK.
| | - Danielle J Marchant
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Pascaline Francelle
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - Pavel Kratina
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK
| | - J Iwan Jones
- School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, Mile End Road, London, E1 4NS, UK
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11
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Stride B, Dykes C, Abolfathi S, Jimoh M, Bending GD, Pearson J. Microplastic transport dynamics in surcharging and overflowing manholes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 899:165683. [PMID: 37478932 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2023] [Revised: 07/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
The transport of microplastics within urban water systems remains poorly understood, with little prior research on their behaviour within manhole configurations. This study represents the first to measure and model the transport dynamics of microplastics within circular and square manholes under different hydraulic scenarios. The transport and fate of polyethylene (PE) was quantified and compared to solutes (Rhodamine WT dye) using energy losses, residence time distributions (RTDs), and mixing models within surcharging and overflowing manholes. The bulk mass of solute and PE concentrations followed similar flow paths across all conditions except for 17.3 ± 7.9 % of PE mass that was immobilized in a dead zone above the inlet pipe for manholes with a surcharge to pipe diameter ratio ≥2. Consequently, these microplastics only exit after a significant change in hydraulic regime occurs, causing microplastics to be at risk of being contaminated over a prolonged duration. No significant mixing differences for PE and solutes were found between manhole geometries. The deconvolution method outperformed the ADZ model with goodness of fit (Rt2) values of 0.99 (0.60) and 1.00 (0.89) for PE and solute mixing, respectively. This establishes the deconvolution method as the most accurate and appropriate model to accurately predict microplastic mixing in manholes and urban drainage systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ben Stride
- School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK.
| | - Charlotte Dykes
- School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | | | - Modupe Jimoh
- School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Gary D Bending
- School of Life Sciences, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
| | - Jonathan Pearson
- School of Engineering, University of Warwick, Coventry CV4 7AL, UK
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12
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Islam MS, Karim MR, Islam MT, Oishi HT, Tasnim Z, Das H, Kabir AHME, Sekine M. Abundance, characteristics, and ecological risks of microplastics in the riverbed sediments around Dhaka city. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 877:162866. [PMID: 36924967 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution has become an escalating problem in Bangladesh due to its rapid urbanization, economic growth, and excessive use of plastics; however, data on MP pollution from fresh water resources in this country are limited. This study investigated microplastics pollution in riverbed sediments in the peripheral rivers of Dhaka, the capital of Bangladesh. Twenty-eight sediment samples were collected from the selected stations of the Buriganga, Turag, and Balu Rivers. Density separation and wet-peroxidation methods were employed to extract MP particles. Attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy was used to identify the polymers. The results indicated a medium-level abundance of MPs in riverbed sediment in comparison with the findings of other studies in freshwater sediments worldwide. Film shape, white and transparent color, and large-size (1-5 mm) MPs were dominant in the riverbed sediment. The most abundant polymers were polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Pollution load index (PLI) values greater than 1 were observed, indicating that all sampling sites were polluted with MPs. An assessment of ecological risks, using the abundance, polymer types, and toxicity of MPs in the sediment samples, suggested a medium to very high ecological risk of MP pollution of the rivers. The increased abundance of MPs and the presence of highly hazardous polymers, namely; polyurethane, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polyvinyl chloride, epoxy resin, and polyphenylene sulfide, were associated with higher ecological risks. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis indicated that the MPs were subjected to weathering actions, reducing the size of MPs, which caused additional potential ecological hazards in these river ecosystems. This investigation provides baseline information on MP pollution in riverine freshwater ecosystems for further in-depth studies of risk assessment and developing strategies for controlling MP pollution in Bangladesh.
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Affiliation(s)
- Md Saiful Islam
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Islamic University of Technology (IUT), Gazipur 1704, Bangladesh.
| | - Md Rezaul Karim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Islamic University of Technology (IUT), Gazipur 1704, Bangladesh
| | - Md Tanvirul Islam
- Wadsworth Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, West Virginia University, USA
| | - Humaira Tasnim Oishi
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Islamic University of Technology (IUT), Gazipur 1704, Bangladesh
| | - Zarin Tasnim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Islamic University of Technology (IUT), Gazipur 1704, Bangladesh
| | - Harinarayan Das
- Materials Science Division, Atomic Energy Centre, Dhaka 1000, Bangladesh
| | - A H M Enamul Kabir
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Yamaguchi University, Tokiwadai, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan
| | - Masahiko Sekine
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, Yamaguchi University, Tokiwadai, Ube, Yamaguchi, Japan
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13
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Acarer S. Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in drinking water treatment plants, distribution systems, water from refill kiosks, tap waters and bottled waters. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 884:163866. [PMID: 37142004 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163866] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2023] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 04/27/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023]
Abstract
Limited research studies have revealed the presence of microplastics (MPs) of different polymer types, shapes, and sizes in drinking water sources, influents of drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs), effluents of DWTPs, tap water, and bottled water. Reviewing the available information on MP pollution in waters, which is becoming more worrying in correlation with the increasing plastic production in the world every year, is noteworthy for understanding the current situation, identifying the deficiencies in the studies, and taking the necessary measures for public health as soon as possible. Therefore, this paper, in which the abundance, characteristics, and removal efficiencies of MPs in the processes from raw water to tap water and/or bottled water are reviewed is a guide for dealing with MP pollution in drinking water. In this paper, firstly, the sources of MPs in raw waters are briefly reviewed. In addition, the abundance, and characteristics (polymer type, shape, and size) of MPs in influents and effluents of DWTPs in different countries are reviewed and the effects of treatment stages (coagulation, flocculation, sedimentation, sand filtration, disinfection, and membrane filtration) of DWTPs on MP removal efficiency and the factors that are effective in removal are discussed. Moreover, studies on the factors affecting MP release from drinking water distribution systems (DWDSs) to treated water and the abundance and characteristics of MPs in tap water, bottled water and water from refill kiosks are reviewed. Finally, the deficiencies in the studies dealing with MPs in drinking water were identified and recommendations for future studies are presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seren Acarer
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, İstanbul University-Cerrahpaşa, Avcılar, 34320 İstanbul, Turkey.
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14
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Lin X, Wang Y, Yang X, Watson P, Yang F, Liu H. Endocrine disrupting effect and reproductive toxicity of the separate exposure and co-exposure of nano-polystyrene and diethylstilbestrol to zebrafish. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 865:161100. [PMID: 36566849 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.161100] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 12/17/2022] [Accepted: 12/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
The co-occurrence of nanoplastics and other pollutants in the environment has gotten a lot of attention, but information on the biological toxicity of their co-exposure was limited. This study aims to reveal the endocrine disrupting effect and reproductive toxicity of nano-polystyrene (NPS) and diethylstilbestrol (DES) to zebrafish under separate and combined exposure. Results indicated that NPS and DES exposure in isolation reduced the hepatosomatic index and gonadosomatic index, and altered the cell maturity in gonads in both cases. Even worse, the co-exposure of NPS and DES exacerbated the damage to the liver and gonads of fish. The two pollutants individually inhibited the secretion of sex hormones and vitellogenin. The inhibition effect of DES was especially dose-dependent, while NPS had weaker effect than DES. Their combined action on the secretion of sex hormones and vitellogenin exhibited additive effect. However, NPS did not affect the content of thyroid hormones in fish, and also had no significant effect on the reduction of thyroid hormone caused by DES exposure. Furthermore, their co-exposure decreased the cumulative eggs from 1031 to 306, and the spawning number from 12 to 8. The fertilization rate and hatchability rete of eggs were reduced by 30.9% and 40.4%, respectively. The abnormality rate of embryos was 65.0%, significantly higher than in separate DES and NPS groups (55.7% and 30.8% respectively). The abnormal development of offspring was mainly pericardial cyst, spinal curvature, and growth retardation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xinyu Lin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Yuanning Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Xianhai Yang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, Jiangsu Province, China
| | - Peter Watson
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs 06268, CT, United States
| | - Feifei Yang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Connecticut, Storrs 06268, CT, United States
| | - Huihui Liu
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of Environmental and Biological Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, Nanjing 210094, Jiangsu Province, China.
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15
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Shi Y, Zheng L, Huang H, Tian YC, Gong Z, Liu P, Wu X, Li WT, Gao S. Formation of Nano- and Microplastics and Dissolved Chemicals During Photodegradation of Polyester Base Fabrics with Polyurethane Coating. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:1894-1906. [PMID: 36693029 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05063] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Polyurethane (PU) synthetic leathers possess an intricate plastic composition, including polyester (PET) base fabrics and upper PU resin, but the release of fragments from the complexes is unclear. Therefore, we investigated the photodegradation trends of PET base fabrics with PU coating (PET-U) as a representative of composite plastics. Attention was paid to the comparison of the photoaging process of PET-U with that of pure PET base fabric (PET-P). To reveal the potential for chain scission, physical and chemical changes (e.g., surface morphology, molecular weight, and crystallinity) of the two fabrics were explored. The generation of microplastic fibers (MPFs) and microplastic particles (MPPs) was distinguished. Compared with PET-P, PET-U showed a similar but delayed trend in various characteristics and debris release rate as the photoaging time prolonged. Even so, after 360 h of illumination, the generated number of MPs (including MPFs and MPPs) rose considerably to 9.32 × 107 MPs/g, and the amount of released nanoplastics (NPs) increased to 2.70 × 1011 NPs/g from PET-U. The suppression of MP formation from PET-U was potentially directed by the physical shielding of the upper PU layer and the dropped MPs, which resisted the photochemical radical effect. The components of dissolved organic matter derived from plastics (P-DOM) were separated by molecular weight using a size-exclusion chromatography-diode array detector-organic carbon detector/organic nitrogen detector (SEC-DAD-OCD/OND), and the results showed that a larger amount of carbon- and nitrogen-containing chemical substances were generated in PET-U, accompanied by more aromatic and fluorescent compounds. The results provided theoretical bases and insights for future research on the risks of plastic debris from PU synthetic leathers on aquatic organisms and indicated feasible directions for exploring combined pollution studies of plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanqi Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Lezhou Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Hexinyue Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Ye-Chao Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhimin Gong
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Peng Liu
- College of Natural Resources and Environment, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, Shaanxi, People's Republic of China
| | - Xiaowei Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences, Beijing 100012, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Tao Li
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
| | - Shixiang Gao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, Jiangsu, People's Republic of China
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16
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Ridall A, Farrar E, Dansby M, Ingels J. Influence of wastewater treatment plants and water input sources on size, shape, and polymer distributions of microplastics in St. Andrew Bay, Florida, USA. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 187:114552. [PMID: 36621301 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114552] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/17/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution is an ongoing problem in coastal systems, where wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) deposit particles daily. This study examined MP characteristics at WWTP outflow and control sites in St. Andrew Bay in Northwestern Florida, USA. WWTP sites contained mostly polypropylene fragments (180.1 μm avg. size), while reference sites contained polypropylene fragments, and polyethylene and polyester fibers (315.3 μm avg. size). MP sizes were strongly linked to distance from the nearest WWTP, while shape and polymer compositions were more closely related to dissolved oxygen concentrations and distance to the nearest water input source. The prevalence of polypropylene fragments at WWTP sites suggests that extreme weather events during the study flushed land-based debris into the system, where it was buried in the sediments. Increased abundances of polyester and polyethylene terephthalate in the winter at WWTP sites are indicative of the role that laundering synthetic textiles plays in coastal MP pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Ridall
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA; Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory, 3618 Coastal Highway 98, St Teresa, FL 32358, USA.
| | - Emily Farrar
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Morgan Dansby
- Department of Biological Science, Florida State University, 319 Stadium Dr., Tallahassee, FL 32306, USA
| | - Jeroen Ingels
- Florida State University Coastal and Marine Laboratory, 3618 Coastal Highway 98, St Teresa, FL 32358, USA
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17
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Acarer S. Microplastics in wastewater treatment plants: Sources, properties, removal efficiency, removal mechanisms, and interactions with pollutants. WATER SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY : A JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION ON WATER POLLUTION RESEARCH 2023; 87:685-710. [PMID: 36789712 DOI: 10.2166/wst.2023.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Since wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) cannot completely remove microplastics (MPs) from wastewater, WWTPs are responsible for the release of millions of MPs into the environment even in 1 day. Therefore, knowing the sources, properties, removal efficiencies and removal mechanisms of MPs in WWTPs is of great importance for the management of MPs. In this paper, firstly the sources of MPs in WWTPs and the quantities and properties (polymer type, shape, size, and color) of MPs in influents, effluents, and sludges of WWTPs are presented. Following this, the MP removal efficiency of different treatment units (primary settling, flotation, biological treatment, secondary settling, filtration-based treatment technologies, and coagulation) in WWTPs is discussed. In the next section, details about MP removal mechanisms in critical treatment units (settling and flotation tanks, bioreactors, sand filters, membrane filters, and coagulation units) in WWTPs are given. In the last section, the mechanisms and factors that are effective in adsorbing organic-inorganic pollutants in wastewater to MPs are presented. Finally, the current situation and research gap in these areas are identified and suggestions are provided for topics that need further research in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seren Acarer
- Environmental Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Istanbul University-Cerrahpasa, Avcilar, 34320 Istanbul, Turkey E-mail:
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18
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Cesarini G, Crosti R, Secco S, Gallitelli L, Scalici M. From city to sea: Spatiotemporal dynamics of floating macrolitter in the Tiber River. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159713. [PMID: 36302425 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159713] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Rivers are undoubtedly the main pathway of waste dispersed in the environment that from land reaches oceans and seas increasing the amount of marine litter. Major cities are a great source of riverine litter as large urbanization can originate pressure on the integrated waste management resulting in litter entering the rivers. Within this study, we aim to investigate the dynamic of floating riverine macrolitter (items >2.5 cm) in the city of Rome before it reaches the sea by assessing the composition, amount, and seasonal trends of litter transported from the urban centre to the main river mouth of Tiber River. Visual surveys for a whole year (March 2021-February 2022) were conducted from two bridges, Scienza Bridge (in the city) and Scafa Bridge (at the main river mouth) and followed JRC/RIMMEL protocol for riverine litter monitoring. Overall, similar litter composition was observed from the city centre to the mouth with a prevalence of plastic material, mainly related to fragmentation process (i.e. plastic pieces) and single use items, mainly in food and beverage sectors. An extrapolated annual loading of 4 × 105 items/year was estimated at the main mouth of Tiber River. The litter flux seems to be influenced by the seasonal variability and hydrometeorological parameters. The frequency of size classes decreases with increasing size in both sites, and more than half of the recorded items were below 10 cm. Specific categories belonging to "other plastics" have been reported related to anti-Covid-19 behaviour such as face masks and beverage sector, e.g. bottle lids and rings. The main colour of plastics was white, suggesting weathering process of floating riverine litter. This study contributes to increasing knowledge of the origin, composition and spatiotemporal dynamics of riverine floating litter from the city and entering the sea.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giulia Cesarini
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy.
| | - Roberto Crosti
- ISPRA, Dipartimento BIO, Via Brancati 48, 00144 Rome, Italy
| | - Silvia Secco
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Luca Gallitelli
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
| | - Massimiliano Scalici
- Department of Sciences, University of Roma Tre, viale G. Marconi 446, 00146 Rome, Italy
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19
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Silva-Cavalcanti JS, Silva JCP, de Andrade FM, Brito AMSS, Costa MFD. Microplastic pollution in sediments of tropical shallow lakes. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 855:158671. [PMID: 36099957 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2022] [Revised: 09/04/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Forty-eight tropical shallow lakes (depth ≤ 4 m) across a climatic gradient were assessed for microplastic (MPs; <5 mm) pollution based on MPs concentrations in archive samples from lake shore sediments. The MPs were classified by type (fragments or fibres), colour (yellow, black, red, green, blue, white, and transparent), size (0.55 to 4.93 mm), and polymer (polyester, polyethylene, chlorinated polyethylene, and polyamide). Sediments were predominantly medium sand, and all samples (144) contained MPs, consisting of 24 % fragments (6.3 ± 11.3 MPs·300 g-1) and 76 % fibres (21.25 ± 12.7 MPs·300 g-1). The lake climate (humid, transitional, or semi-arid), type of surrounding land use (urban, semi-arid, or rural), and distance from the shoreline (0, 5 or 10 m) did not explain the differences in MPs concentrations, partially refuting the initial hypothesis. The only significant difference was between the sample medians for the number of fragments based on the region (H = 7.586; p = 0.0481). The number of fragments in the lakes in the humid region was greater than that in the semi-arid region (p < 0.05). Poor sanitation, sewage effluents, and solid wastes reaching and accumulating in the lakes may be the primary and transversal conditioning factors for this small difference among diverse environments. Freshwater lakes are investigated in all continents, and the present study contributes to the first record of MPs in shallow lake sediments in eastern South America. The 48 shallow lakes assessed showed a relatively low concentration of MPs compared to other lake contaminants reported in the international literature. This information coincides with public policies issued, regarding the control and reduction of plastics and MPs in Brazil, and the study region.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Jayne Crisleny Pereira Silva
- Federal Rural University of Pernambuco, R. Dom Manuel de Medeiros, s/n, Recife 52171-900, Brazil; Federal University of Pernambuco, Av. Arquitetura, s/n, Recife 50740-540, Brazil
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20
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Marchesi C, Rani M, Federici S, Alessandri I, Vassalini I, Ducoli S, Borgese L, Zacco A, Núñez-Delgado A, Bontempi E, Depero LE. Quantification of ternary microplastic mixtures through an ultra-compact near-infrared spectrometer coupled with chemometric tools. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 216:114632. [PMID: 36347397 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.114632] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 10/13/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous distribution of plastics and microplastics (MPs) and their resistance to biological and chemical decay is adversely affecting the environment. MPs are considered as emerging contaminants of concern in all the compartments, including terrestrial, aquatic, and atmospheric environments. Efficient monitoring, detection, and removal technologies require reliable methods for a qualitative and quantitative analysis of MPs, considering point-of-need testing a new evolution and a great trend at the market level. In the last years, portable spectrometers have gained popularity thanks to the excellent capability for fast and on-site measurements. Ultra-compact spectrometers coupled with chemometric tools have shown great potential in the polymer analysis, showing promising applications in the environmental field. Nevertheless, systematic studies are still required, in particular for the identification and quantification of fragments at the microscale. This study demonstrates the proof-of-concept of a Miniaturized Near-Infrared (MicroNIR) spectrometer coupled with chemometrics for the quantitative analysis of ternary mixtures of MPs. Polymers were chosen representing the three most common polymers found in the environment (polypropylene, polyethene, and polystyrene). Daily used plastic items were mechanically fragmented at laboratory scale mimicking the environmental breakdown process and creating "true-to-life" MPs for the assessment of analytical methods for MPs identification and quantification. The chemical nature of samples before and after fragmentation was checked by Raman spectroscopy. Sixty three different mixtures were prepared: 42 for the training set and 21 for the test set. Blends were investigated by the MicroNIR spectrometer, and the dataset was analysed using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) and Partial Least Square (PLS) Regression. PCA score plot showed a samples distribution consistent with their composition. Quantitative analysis by PLS showed the great capability prediction of the polymer's percentage in the mixtures, with R2 greater than 0.9 for the three analytes and a low and comparable Root-Mean Square Error. In addition, the developed model was challenged with environmental weathered materials to validate the system with real plastic pollution. The findings show the feasibility of employing a portable tool in conjunction with chemometrics to quantify the most abundant forms of MPs found in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudio Marchesi
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per La Scienza e Tecnologia Dei Materiali (INSTM), 50121, Firenze, Italy
| | - Monika Rani
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per La Scienza e Tecnologia Dei Materiali (INSTM), 50121, Firenze, Italy
| | - Stefania Federici
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per La Scienza e Tecnologia Dei Materiali (INSTM), 50121, Firenze, Italy.
| | - Ivano Alessandri
- Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per La Scienza e Tecnologia Dei Materiali (INSTM), 50121, Firenze, Italy; Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Irene Vassalini
- Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per La Scienza e Tecnologia Dei Materiali (INSTM), 50121, Firenze, Italy; Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Serena Ducoli
- Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per La Scienza e Tecnologia Dei Materiali (INSTM), 50121, Firenze, Italy; Department of Information Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy
| | - Laura Borgese
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per La Scienza e Tecnologia Dei Materiali (INSTM), 50121, Firenze, Italy
| | - Annalisa Zacco
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per La Scienza e Tecnologia Dei Materiali (INSTM), 50121, Firenze, Italy
| | - Avelino Núñez-Delgado
- Department of Soil Science and Agricultural Chemistry, Engineering Polytech. School, Univ. Santiago de Compostela, Campus Univ, Lugo, Spain
| | - Elza Bontempi
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per La Scienza e Tecnologia Dei Materiali (INSTM), 50121, Firenze, Italy
| | - Laura E Depero
- Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, University of Brescia, Via Branze 38, 25123, Brescia, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per La Scienza e Tecnologia Dei Materiali (INSTM), 50121, Firenze, Italy
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21
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Pironti C, Notarstefano V, Ricciardi M, Motta O, Giorgini E, Montano L. First Evidence of Microplastics in Human Urine, a Preliminary Study of Intake in the Human Body. TOXICS 2022; 11:toxics11010040. [PMID: 36668766 PMCID: PMC9867291 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11010040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 23.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/29/2022] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquitous presence of microplastics (MPs) and their health effects is a recent scientific topic. However, the investigation of MPs in human/biological matrices has several limitations due to analytical methods and sample treatment protocols. In this study, the presence of MPs in the urine samples of six volunteers from different cities in the south of Italy (three men and three women) was investigated by Raman microspectroscopy. The analysis pinpointed four pigmented microplastic fragments (4-15 μm size), with irregular shapes, which were characterized in terms of morphology and chemical composition. Polyethylene vinyl acetate (PVA), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE) MPs were found in four samples (PVA and PVC in one female sample and PP and PE in three male samples). This preliminary study suggests that MPs could pass through the gastrointestinal tract and are eliminated through biological processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Concetta Pironti
- Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Valentina Notarstefano
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, DiSVA, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, AN, Italy
| | - Maria Ricciardi
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, University of Salerno, Via Giovanni Paolo II, 84084 Fisciano, SA, Italy
| | - Oriana Motta
- Department of Medicine Surgery and Dentistry “Scuola Medica Salernitana”, University of Salerno, Via S. Allende, 84081 Baronissi, SA, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Giorgini
- Department of Life and Environmental Sciences, DiSVA, Università Politecnica Delle Marche, 60121 Ancona, AN, Italy
| | - Luigi Montano
- Andrology Unit and Service of Lifestyle Medicine in UroAndrology, Local Health Authority (ASL) Salerno, Coordination Unit of the Network for Environmental and Reproductive Health (Eco-Food Fertility Project), “S. Francesco di Assisi Hospital”, 84020 Oliveto Citra, SA, Italy
- PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, 00133 Rome, RM, Italy
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22
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Miranda MN, Lado Ribeiro AR, Silva AMT, Pereira MFR. Can aged microplastics be transport vectors for organic micropollutants? - Sorption and phytotoxicity tests. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 850:158073. [PMID: 35981591 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics have been investigated over the last decade as potential transport vectors for other pollutants. However, the specific role of plastic aging, in which plastics change their characteristics over time when exposed to environmental agents, has been overlooked. Therefore, sorption experiments were herein conducted using virgin and aged (by ozone treatment or rooftop weathering) microplastic particles of LDPE - low-density polyethylene, PET - poly(ethylene terephthalate), or uPVC - unplasticized poly(vinyl chloride). The organic micropollutants (OMPs) selected as sorbates comprise a diversified group of priority substances and contaminants of emerging concern, including pharmaceutical substances (florfenicol, trimethoprim, diclofenac, tramadol, citalopram, venlafaxine) and pesticides (alachlor, clofibric acid, diuron, pentachlorophenol), analyzed at trace concentrations (each ≤100 μg L-1). Sorption kinetics and equilibrium isotherms were obtained, as well as the confirmation that the aging degree of microplastics plays a major role in their sorption capacities. The results show an increased sorption of several OMPs on aged microplastics when compared to pristine samples, i.e. the sorption capacity increasing from one or two sorbed substances (maximum 3 μg g-1 per sorbate) up to nine after aging (maximum 10 μg g-1 per sorbate). The extent of sorption depends on the OMP, polymer and the effectiveness of the aging treatment. The modifications (e.g. in the chemical structure) between virgin and aged microplastics were linked to the increased sorption capacity of certain OMPs, allowing to better understand the different affinities observed. Additionally, phytotoxicity tests were performed to evaluate the mobility of the OMPs sorbed on the microplastics and the potential effects (on germination and early growth) of the combo on two species of plants (Lepidium sativum and Sinapis alba). These tests suggest low or no phytotoxicity effect under the conditions tested but indicate a need for further research on the behavior of microplastics on soil-plant systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariana N Miranda
- LSRE-LCM - Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ana R Lado Ribeiro
- LSRE-LCM - Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - Adrián M T Silva
- LSRE-LCM - Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal
| | - M Fernando R Pereira
- LSRE-LCM - Laboratory of Separation and Reaction Engineering - Laboratory of Catalysis and Materials, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal; ALiCE - Associate Laboratory in Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto, Rua Dr. Roberto Frias, 4200-465 Porto, Portugal.
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23
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Venâncio C, Gabriel A, Oliveira M, Lopes I. Feeding exposure and feeding behaviour as relevant approaches in the assessment of the effects of micro(nano)plastics to early life stages of amphibians. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 212:113476. [PMID: 35613634 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2022.113476] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
The sedimentation of micro and nanosized plastics is of considerable environmental relevance and the need to assess its sublethal effects to biota increasingly recognized. In their majority, as bottom, non-selective grazers, independent-feeding young life stages of amphibians, an already severely endangered worldwide group, may be particularly vulnerable to sedimented plastics. Alongside, they may be good model organisms for the assessment of the effects of micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) through ingestion. However, to our knowledge, few studies have assessed amphibians' exposure to MNPs through contaminated food or its effects in feeding behaviour assays. The available studies reveal a lack of consistent methodology: organisms, food type, media of exposure, or exposure conditions (temperature and light) in the assessment of effects. This perspective article, will address major differences found in the available studies, identifying type, size and concentrations of the polymers tested, species, and observed effects, aiming to highlight the importance of feeding exposure assays when attempting to evaluate the effect of MNPs in amphibians.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cátia Venâncio
- Centre for Functional Ecology (CFE), Department of Life Sciences, University of Coimbra, Calçada Martim de Freitas, 3000-456, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Antonieta Gabriel
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Miguel Oliveira
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Isabel Lopes
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
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24
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Koh KY, Chen Z, Lin S, Chandra Mohan K, Luo X, Chen JP. Leaching of organic matters and formation of disinfection by-product as a result of presence of microplastics in natural freshwaters. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 299:134300. [PMID: 35288183 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134300] [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: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 03/08/2022] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in the environment that may cause negative impacts on the aquatic organisms and human health. They exist in water and wastewater, which are from several sources, such as inappropriate disposal and littering. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the characteristics of MPs in different water types and oxidation processes and study dissolved organic carbon (DOC) leaching and chloroform formation. A commonly existing plastic matter, polyethylene (PE) was placed in different waters and gone through the Fenton-like reaction and the chlorination. The result showed that the PE leached nearly a similar amount of DOC (<1 mg L-1), which was regardless of the water types and under low-dosed irradiation/dark environment. The leached DOC caused the chloroform formation after the chlorination in the waters. During the Fenton-like reaction with the PE, a higher amount of leached DOC (∼3 mg L-1) was detected compared with that in the chlorination (∼0.8 mg L-1). The degree of DOC leaching from the PE caused by the oxidation processes was reflected by the degree of surface structural damage on the PE. However, the chlorination resulted in a higher chloroform formation from the PE (∼20 μg L-1) as the Fenton-like reaction degraded the chloroform. The higher the sodium hypochlorite concentration, the higher the chloroform concentration. When the chloroform existed in the water with the PE, adsorption of chloroform onto the PE was initially observed; however the rate of volatilization would be higher than the rate of adsorption eventually. This study offers useful information for the risk assessment of MPs in our fresh water and drinking water and possible mitigation strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kok Yuen Koh
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, 119260, Singapore; NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, #02-01, 117411, Singapore
| | - Zhihao Chen
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, #02-01, 117411, Singapore
| | - Shihan Lin
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, 119260, Singapore
| | - Kishan Chandra Mohan
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, 119260, Singapore
| | - Xiaohong Luo
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, #02-01, 117411, Singapore
| | - J Paul Chen
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 10 Kent Ridge Crescent, 119260, Singapore; NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 5A Engineering Drive 1, #02-01, 117411, Singapore.
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25
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Raman Microspectroscopy Detection and Characterisation of Microplastics in Human Breastmilk. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14132700. [PMID: 35808745 PMCID: PMC9269371 DOI: 10.3390/polym14132700] [Citation(s) in RCA: 174] [Impact Index Per Article: 87.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023] Open
Abstract
The widespread use of plastics determines the inevitable human exposure to its by-products, including microplastics (MPs), which enter the human organism mainly by ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact. Once internalised, MPs may pass across cell membranes and translocate to different body sites, triggering specific cellular mechanisms. Hence, the potential health impairment caused by the internalisation and accumulation of MPs is of prime concern, as confirmed by numerous studies reporting evident toxic effects in various animal models, marine organisms, and human cell lines. In this pilot single-centre observational prospective study, human breastmilk samples collected from N. 34 women were analysed by Raman Microspectroscopy, and, for the first time, MP contamination was found in 26 out of 34 samples. The detected microparticles were classified according to their shape, colour, dimensions, and chemical composition. The most abundant MPs were composed of polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polypropylene, with sizes ranging from 2 to 12 µm. MP data were statistically analysed in relation to specific patients’ data (age, use of personal care products containing plastic compounds, and consumption of fish/shellfish, beverages, and food in plastic packaging), but no significant relationship was found, suggesting that the ubiquitous MP presence makes human exposure inevitable.
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26
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Tamminga M, Hengstmann E, Deuke AK, Fischer EK. Microplastic concentrations, characteristics, and fluxes in water bodies of the Tollense catchment, Germany, with regard to different sampling systems. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:11345-11358. [PMID: 34533749 PMCID: PMC8794927 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-021-16106-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/19/2021] [Indexed: 05/26/2023]
Abstract
The widespread presence of microplastics in multiple environmental compartments has largely been demonstrated. Assessing the ecological risk that microplastics pose is, at the present stage, hindered due to methodical differences. Moreover, different methods hamper meaningful comparisons between studies and data on microplastics <300 μm is scarce. Therefore, we focused on microplastics >20 μm in freshwater and sampling-related aspects in this concern. Sampling was conducted between 2018 and 2020 in the Tollense catchment in northeastern Germany and was carried out by in situ pump filtration. Two different sampling systems (cutoff sizes 20 μm and 63 μm) were applied to filter water volumes of 0.075-1.836 m3. Retained particles were analyzed by a combination of Nile red staining and micro-Raman spectroscopy. Thereby, we found microplastic concentrations between 123 and 1728 particles m-3 using the 63-μm cut-off size and between 1357 and 2146 particles m-3 using the 20-μm cut-off size. Local hydrodynamics (discharge and flow velocity) and land cover are likely influencing the observed microplastic concentrations and fluxes. The variability between both sampling systems cannot fully be explained by the different mesh sizes used. We argue that differentiation between a theoretical cut-off size (finest mesh) and a factual cut-off size (reliable quantification) can help to understand sampling related differences between studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Tamminga
- Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN), Universität Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, 20146, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Elena Hengstmann
- Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN), Universität Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ann-Kristin Deuke
- Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN), Universität Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Elke Kerstin Fischer
- Center for Earth System Research and Sustainability (CEN), Universität Hamburg, Bundesstraße 55, 20146, Hamburg, Germany
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27
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Rauschendorfer RJ, Whitham KM, Summer S, Patrick SA, Pierce AE, Sefi-Cyr H, Tadjiki S, Kraft MD, Emory SR, Rider DA, Montaño MD. Development and Application of Nanoparticle-Nanopolymer Composite Spheres for the Study of Environmental Processes. FRONTIERS IN TOXICOLOGY 2021; 3:752296. [PMID: 35295116 PMCID: PMC8915914 DOI: 10.3389/ftox.2021.752296] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Plastics have long been an environmental contaminant of concern as both large-scale plastic debris and as micro- and nano-plastics with demonstrated wide-scale ubiquity. Research in the past decade has focused on the potential toxicological risks posed by microplastics, as well as their unique fate and transport brought on by their colloidal nature. These efforts have been slowed by the lack of analytical techniques with sufficient sensitivity and selectivity to adequately detect and characterize these contaminants in environmental and biological matrices. To improve analytical analyses, microplastic tracers are developed with recognizable isotopic, metallic, or fluorescent signatures capable of being identified amidst a complex background. Here we describe the synthesis, characterization, and application of a novel synthetic copolymer nanoplastic based on polystyrene (PS) and poly(2-vinylpyridine) (P2VP) intercalated with gold, platinum or palladium nanoparticles that can be capped with different polymeric shells meant to mimic the intended microplastic. In this work, particles with PS and polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) shells are used to examine the behavior of microplastic particles in estuarine sediment and coastal waters. The micro- and nanoplastic tracers, with sizes between 300 and 500 nm in diameter, were characterized using multiple physical, chemical, and colloidal analysis techniques. The metallic signatures of the tracers allow for quantification by both bulk and single-particle inductively-coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS and spICP-MS, respectively). As a demonstration of environmental applicability, the tracers were equilibrated with sediment collected from Bellingham Bay, WA, United States to determine the degree to which microplastics bind and sink in an estuary based of grain size and organic carbon parameters. In these experiments, between 80 and 95% of particles were found to associate with the sediment, demonstrative of estuaries being a major anticipated sink for these contaminants. These materials show considerable promise in their versatility, potential for multiplexing, and utility in studying micro- and nano-plastic transport in real-world environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Robert J. Rauschendorfer
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, United States
| | - Kyle M. Whitham
- Department of Chemistry, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, United States
| | - Star Summer
- Department of Chemistry, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, United States
| | - Samantha A. Patrick
- Department of Chemistry, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, United States
| | - Aliandra E. Pierce
- Department of Chemistry, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, United States
| | - Haley Sefi-Cyr
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, United States
| | - Soheyl Tadjiki
- Postnova Analytics Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, United States
| | - Michael D. Kraft
- Scientific Technical Services, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, United States
| | - Steven R. Emory
- Department of Chemistry, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, United States
| | - David A. Rider
- Department of Chemistry, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, United States
- Department of Engineering and Design, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, United States
| | - Manuel D. Montaño
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Western Washington University, Bellingham, WA, United States
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28
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Review of Microplastic Distribution, Toxicity, Analysis Methods, and Removal Technologies. WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13192736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Microplastic contamination has become a problem, as plastic production has increased worldwide. Microplastics are plastics with particles of less than 5 mm and are absorbed through soil, water, atmosphere, and living organisms and finally affect human health. However, information on the distribution, toxicity, analytical methods, and removal techniques for microplastics is insufficient. For clear microplastic analytical methods and removal technologies, this article includes the following: (1) The distribution and contamination pathways of microplastics worldwide are reviewed. (2) The health effects and toxicity of microplastics were researched. (3) The sampling, pretreatment, and analytical methods of microplastics were all reviewed through various related articles. (4) The various removal techniques of microplastics were categorized by wastewater treatment process, physical treatment, chemical treatment, and biological treatment. This paper will be of great help to microplastic analysis and removal techniques.
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