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Zhao B, Richardson RE, You F. Microplastics monitoring in freshwater systems: A review of global efforts, knowledge gaps, and research priorities. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 477:135329. [PMID: 39088945 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.135329] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2024] [Revised: 07/11/2024] [Accepted: 07/24/2024] [Indexed: 08/03/2024]
Abstract
The escalating production of synthetic plastics and inadequate waste management have led to pervasive microplastic (MP) contamination in aquatic ecosystems. MPs, typically defined as particles smaller than 5 mm, have become an emerging pollutant in freshwater environments. While significant concern about MPs has risen since 2014, research has predominantly concentrated on marine settings, there is an urgent need for a more in-depth critical review to systematically summarize the current global efforts, knowledge gaps, and research priorities for MP monitoring in freshwater systems. This review evaluates the current understanding of MP monitoring in freshwater environments by examining the distribution, characteristics, and sources of MPs, alongside the progression of analytical methods with quantitative evidence. Our findings suggest that MPs are widely distributed in global freshwater systems, with higher abundances found in areas with intense human economic activities, such as the United States, Europe, and China. MP abundance distributions vary across different water bodies (e.g., rivers, lakes, estuaries, and wetlands), with sampling methods and size range selections significantly influencing reported MP abundances. Despite great global efforts, there is still a lack of harmonized analyzing framework and understanding of MP pollution in specific regions and facilities. Future research should prioritize the development of standardized analysis protocols and open-source MP datasets to facilitate data comparison. Additionally, exploring the potential of state-of-the-art artificial intelligence for rapid, accurate, and large-scale modeling and characterization of MPs is crucial to inform effective strategies for managing MP pollution in freshwater ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bu Zhao
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Ruth E Richardson
- School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA
| | - Fengqi You
- Robert Frederick Smith School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA; Systems Engineering, Cornell University, Ithaca, NY 14853, USA.
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2
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Frank YA, Sotnikova YS, Tsygankov VY, Rednikin AR, Donets MM, Karpova EV, Belanov MA, Rakhmatullina S, Borovkova AD, Polovyanenko DN, Vorobiev DS. Pollution of Beach Sands of the Ob River (Western Siberia) with Microplastics and Persistent Organic Pollutants. J Xenobiot 2024; 14:989-1002. [PMID: 39189170 PMCID: PMC11348125 DOI: 10.3390/jox14030055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/21/2024] [Revised: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 07/23/2024] [Indexed: 08/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments can be associated with various substances, including persistent organic pollutants, which add to the problem of plastic ecotoxicity. The abundance of 1-5 mm microplastics and concentrations of particle-adsorbed organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) in sandy sediments from three beaches in recreational areas along the upper Ob River in Western Siberia were assessed. MP pollution levels in the Ob River beach sands ranged from 24 ± 20.7 to 104 ± 46.2 items m-2 or, in terms of mass concentration, from 0.26 ± 0.21 to 1.22 ± 0.39 mg m-2. The average abundance of MP particles reached 0.67 ± 0.58 items kg-1 or 8.22 ± 6.13 μg kg-1 in the studied sediments. MP concentrations were significantly higher in number (p < 0.05) and mass (p < 0.01) at the riverbank site downstream of the Novosibirsk wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) outfall compared to these at the upstream and more distant beaches. Most MPs (70-100%) were represented by irregularly shaped fragments. The polymer composition of MPs varied between sites, with a general predominance of polyethylene (PE). The study revealed associations of MPs with PCBs and OCPs not previously detected in the riverbed and beach sediments, suggesting that these substances are circulating in the Ob River basin. Although MP concentrations were higher downstream of the WWTP, the maximum levels of particle-associated OCPs were observed in the beach sands of the site farthest from the urban agglomeration. The pesticides γ-HCH, 4,4-DDT, and 4,4-DDE were detected on MPs at relatively low concentrations. PCBs were more abundant in the studied samples, including 118 dioxin-like congener. The results obtained indicate that the Ob River is susceptible to plastic and persistent organic pollutant (POP) contamination and serve as a starting point for further studies and practical solutions to the problem.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia A. Frank
- Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, 36 Lenin Ave., 634050 Tomsk, Russia (D.S.V.)
| | - Yulia S. Sotnikova
- N.N. Vorozhtsov Institute, Organic Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), 9 Acad. Lavrentiev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (Y.S.S.); (E.V.K.); (D.N.P.)
| | - Vasiliy Yu. Tsygankov
- Pacific Geographical Institute, Far-Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (FEB RAS), 7 Radio Street, 690041 Vladivostok, Russia; (V.Y.T.)
| | - Aleksey R. Rednikin
- Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, 36 Lenin Ave., 634050 Tomsk, Russia (D.S.V.)
| | - Maksim M. Donets
- Pacific Geographical Institute, Far-Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (FEB RAS), 7 Radio Street, 690041 Vladivostok, Russia; (V.Y.T.)
| | - Elena V. Karpova
- N.N. Vorozhtsov Institute, Organic Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), 9 Acad. Lavrentiev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (Y.S.S.); (E.V.K.); (D.N.P.)
| | - Maksim A. Belanov
- Pacific Geographical Institute, Far-Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (FEB RAS), 7 Radio Street, 690041 Vladivostok, Russia; (V.Y.T.)
| | - Svetlana Rakhmatullina
- Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, 36 Lenin Ave., 634050 Tomsk, Russia (D.S.V.)
| | - Aleksandra D. Borovkova
- Pacific Geographical Institute, Far-Eastern Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (FEB RAS), 7 Radio Street, 690041 Vladivostok, Russia; (V.Y.T.)
| | - Dmitriy N. Polovyanenko
- N.N. Vorozhtsov Institute, Organic Chemistry, Siberian Branch, Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), 9 Acad. Lavrentiev Ave., 630090 Novosibirsk, Russia; (Y.S.S.); (E.V.K.); (D.N.P.)
| | - Danil S. Vorobiev
- Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, 36 Lenin Ave., 634050 Tomsk, Russia (D.S.V.)
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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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Lin HT, Schneider F, Aziz MA, Wong KY, Arunachalam KD, Praveena SM, Sethupathi S, Chong WC, Nafisyah AL, Parthasarathy P, Chelliapan S, Kunz A. Microplastics in Asian rivers: Geographical distribution, most detected types, and inconsistency in methodologies. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 349:123985. [PMID: 38621450 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123985] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2024] [Accepted: 04/12/2024] [Indexed: 04/17/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics pose a significant environmental threat, with potential implications for toxic chemical release, aquatic life endangerment, and human food chain contamination. In Asia, rapid economic growth coupled with inadequate waste management has escalated plastic pollution in rivers, positioning them as focal points for environmental concern. Despite Asia's rivers being considered the most polluted with plastics globally, scholarly attention to microplastics in the region's freshwater environments is a recent development. This study undertakes a systematic review of 228 scholarly articles to map microplastic hotspots in Asian freshwater systems and synthesize current research trends within the continent. Findings reveal a concentration of research in China and Japan, primarily investigating riverine and surface waters through net-based sampling methods. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) emerge as the predominant microplastic types, frequently observed as fibers or fragments. However, the diversity of sampling methodologies and reporting metrics complicates data synthesis, underscoring the need for standardized analytical frameworks to facilitate comparative analysis. This paper delineates the distribution of microplastic hotspots and outlines the prevailing challenges and prospects in microplastic research within Asian freshwater contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsin-Tien Lin
- National Cheng Kung University, Department of Environmental Engineering, No.1 University Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan.
| | - Falk Schneider
- National Cheng Kung University, Department of Environmental Engineering, No.1 University Road, Tainan City 701, Taiwan
| | - Muhamad Afiq Aziz
- Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Keng Yinn Wong
- Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Skudai, Johor, Malaysia
| | | | - Sarva Mangala Praveena
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Sumathi Sethupathi
- Faculty of Engineering and Green Technology, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Universiti, Bandar Barat, 31900 Kampar Perak, Malaysia
| | - Woon Chan Chong
- Lee Kong Chian Faculty of Engineering and Science, Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, Bandar Sungai Long, Cheras, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia
| | - Ayu Lana Nafisyah
- Department of Aquaculture, Faculty of Fisheries and Marine, Universitas Airlangga, Campus C UNAIR Mulyorejo, Surabaya, East Java, 60115, Indonesia
| | - Purushothaman Parthasarathy
- Department of Civil Engineering, College of Engineering and Technology, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Kattankulathur, Chennai, Tamilnadu, 603 203, India
| | - Shreeshivadasan Chelliapan
- Department of Engineering & Technology, Razak Faculty of Technology & Informatics, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, Jalan Sultan Yahya Petra, 54100, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Alexander Kunz
- Research Center for Environmental Changes, Academia Sinica, No. 128, Sec. 2, Academia Road, 115201 Taipei City, Taiwan
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Chen H, Wang T, Ding Y, Yuan F, Zhang H, Wang C, Wang Y, Wang Y, Song Y, Fu G, Zou X. A catchment-wide microplastic pollution investigation of the Yangtze River: The pollution and ecological risk of tributaries are non-negligible. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 466:133544. [PMID: 38244455 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133544] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 01/22/2024]
Abstract
The Yangtze River is an important global channel for plastics and microplastics (MPs) to enter the sea. However, the existing research on MPs in the Yangtze River has primarily focused on the mainstream region, without regarding the occurrence, spatial distribution, and ecological risks associated with tributaries, as well as their relationship with the mainstream. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a large-scale catchment-wide investigation of the surface water in the Yangtze River, encompassing MPs (48 µm-5 mm) of the mainstream and 15 important tributaries. Tributaries and upstream regions exhibited relatively higher levels of MPs compared with the mainstream and different sections of the river. The distribution of MPs is primarily influenced by the emission of arable land and the pH of water. Notably, the upstream tributary areas demonstrated the highest ecological risks associated with MPs. Further analysis highlighted that the tributaries accounted for a contribution ranging from 16% to 67% in quantity and from 14% to 90% in mass of the microplastics observed in the mainstream. Our results suggest that the pollution of tributaries and their associated ecological risk migration must be effectively regulated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hongyu Chen
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Coast and Island Development, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of South China Sea Studies, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Teng Wang
- College of Oceanography, Hohai University, Nanjing 210013, China
| | - Yongcheng Ding
- Shanghai Academy of Environmental Sciences, Shanghai 200233, China
| | - Feng Yuan
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Coast and Island Development, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Hexi Zhang
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Coast and Island Development, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Chenglong Wang
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Coast and Island Development, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yameng Wang
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Coast and Island Development, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Ying Wang
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Coast and Island Development, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Yuyang Song
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Coast and Island Development, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Guanghe Fu
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Coast and Island Development, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
| | - Xinqing Zou
- School of Geography and Ocean Science, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Ministry of Education Key Laboratory for Coast and Island Development, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China; Collaborative Innovation Center of South China Sea Studies, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China.
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Tatsii D, Bucci S, Bhowmick T, Guettler J, Bakels L, Bagheri G, Stohl A. Shape Matters: Long-Range Transport of Microplastic Fibers in the Atmosphere. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2024; 58:671-682. [PMID: 38150408 PMCID: PMC10785798 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c08209] [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: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 11/30/2023] [Accepted: 12/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/29/2023]
Abstract
The deposition of airborne microplastic particles, including those exceeding 1000 μm in the longest dimension, has been observed in the most remote places on earth. However, their deposition patterns are difficult to reproduce using current atmospheric transport models. These models usually treat particles as perfect spheres, whereas the real shapes of microplastic particles are often far from spherical. Such particles experience lower settling velocities compared to volume equivalent spheres, leading to longer atmospheric transport. Here, we present novel laboratory experiments on the gravitational settling of microplastic fibers in air and find that their settling velocities are reduced by up to 76% compared to those of the spheres of the same volume. An atmospheric transport model constrained with the experimental data shows that shape-corrected settling velocities significantly increase the horizontal and vertical transport of particles. Our model results show that microplastic fibers of about 1 mm length emitted in populated areas are more likely to reach extremely remote regions of the globe, including the high Arctic, which is not the case for spheres of equivalent volume. We also calculate that fibers with lengths of up to 100 μm settle slowly enough to be lifted high into the stratosphere, where degradation by ultraviolet radiation may release chlorine and bromine, thus potentially damaging the stratospheric ozone layer. These findings suggest that the growing environmental burden and still increasing emissions of plastic pose multiple threats to life on earth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daria Tatsii
- Department
of Meteorology and Geophysics, University
of Vienna, Universitätsring 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Silvia Bucci
- Department
of Meteorology and Geophysics, University
of Vienna, Universitätsring 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Taraprasad Bhowmick
- Laboratory
for Fluid Physics, Pattern Formation and Biocomplexity, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organisation, Am Faßberg 17, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Institute
for the Dynamics of Complex Systems, University
of Göttingen, Friedrich-Hund-Platz 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Johannes Guettler
- Laboratory
for Fluid Physics, Pattern Formation and Biocomplexity, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organisation, Am Faßberg 17, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Lucie Bakels
- Department
of Meteorology and Geophysics, University
of Vienna, Universitätsring 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria
| | - Gholamhossein Bagheri
- Laboratory
for Fluid Physics, Pattern Formation and Biocomplexity, Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organisation, Am Faßberg 17, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Andreas Stohl
- Department
of Meteorology and Geophysics, University
of Vienna, Universitätsring 1, 1010 Vienna, Austria
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da Costa ID, Costa LL, Zalmon IR. Microplastics in water from the confluence of tropical rivers: Overall review and a case study in Paraiba do Sul River basin. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 338:139493. [PMID: 37451634 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.139493] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Revised: 07/09/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/18/2023]
Abstract
Rivers are known for carrying out a fundamental role in the transportation of human debris from continental areas to the marine environment and have been identified as hotspots for plastic pollution. We characterized microplastics (MPs) along confluence areas in the Paraíba do Sul River basin, the biggest river in southeastern Brazil. This water body crosses highly industrialized areas, with the highest population density, and the major water demand in South America. Considering the important ecological function of this extensive watershed and the implications of MP pollution, we evaluate the spatial variation of MP concentration in the confluence areas and upstream from the confluence. Samples were taken from the superficial layer of the water column in February and June 2022, using manta net with 300 μm mesh size. A total of 19 categories and 2870 plastic particles were determined. The confluences areas of rivers showed the highest concentration of MPs, highlighting the confluences of the Paraiba do Sul and Muriaé rivers (0.71 ± 0.25 MP/m3), followed by Paraíba do Sul and Dois Rios rivers (0.42 ± 0.23 MP/m3) and Paraíba do Sul and Pomba rivers (0.38 ± 0.14 MP/m3). Black fibers were the main category, followed by blue fibers and blue fragments. The MPs in the surface waters of Paraíba do Sul River is significantly influenced by the sampling points spatiality. This result corroborates other studies around the world and reinforces the argument that affluents are important sources for the introduction of MPs in larger rivers. Nevertheless, our results provide a better understanding of the different contributing factors and occurrence of MPs in river basins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Igor David da Costa
- Departamento de Ciências Exatas, Biológicas e da Terra, Universidade Federal Fluminense, Santo Antônio de Pádua, 28470-000, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Programa de Mestrado Profissional em Gestão e Regulação de Recursos Hídricos, Universidade Federal de Rondônia, 76900-726, Rondônia, Brazil; Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, 28013-602, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Leonardo Lopes Costa
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, 28013-602, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Instituto Solar Brasil de Desenvolvimento Saúde e Pesquisa, Campos dos Goytacazes, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
| | - Ilana Rosental Zalmon
- Laboratório de Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense, Campos dos Goytacazes, 28013-602, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
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Bostan N, Ilyas N, Akhtar N, Mehmood S, Saman RU, Sayyed RZ, Shatid AA, Alfaifi MY, Elbehairi SEI, Pandiaraj S. Toxicity assessment of microplastic (MPs); a threat to the ecosystem. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2023; 234:116523. [PMID: 37422115 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.116523] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/05/2023] [Revised: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/27/2023] [Indexed: 07/10/2023]
Abstract
Plastic is now considered part and parcel of daily life due to its extensive usage. Microplastic (MP) pollution is becoming a growing worry and has been ranked as the second most critical scientific problem in the realm of ecology and the environment. Microplastics are smaller in size than the plastic and are more harmful to biotic and as well as abiotic environments. The toxicity of microplastic depends upon its shape and size and increases with an increase in its adsorption capacity and their toxicity. The reason behind their harmful nature is their small size and their large surface area-to-volume ratio. Microplastic can get inside fruits, vegetables, seeds, roots, culms, and leaves. Hence microplastic enters into the food chain. There are different entry points for microplastic to enter into the food chain. Such sources can include polluted food, beverages, spices, plastic toys, and household (packing, cooking, etc.). The concentration of microplastic in terrestrial environments is increasing day by day. Microplastic causes the destruction of soil structure; destroys soil microbiota, cause depletion of nutrients in the soil, and their absorption by plants decreases plant growth. Apart from other environmental problems caused by microplastic, human health is also badly affected by microplastic pollution present in the terrestrial environment. The presence of microplastics in the human body has been confirmed. Microplastic enters into the body of humans in different possible ways. According to their way of entering the body, microplastics cause different diseases in humans. MPs also cause negative effects on the human endocrine system. At the ecosystem level, the impacts of microplastic are interconnected and can disrupt ecological processes. Although recently different papers have been published on several aspects of the microplastic present in the terrestrial environment but there is no complete overview that focus on the interrelationship of MPs in plants, and soil and their effect on higher animals like a human. This review provides a completely detailed overview of existing knowledge about sources, occurrences, transport, and effects of microplastic on the food chain and soil quality and their ecotoxicological effects on plants and humans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nageen Bostan
- Department of Botany, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, 46300, Pakistan.
| | - Noshin Ilyas
- Department of Botany, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, 46300, Pakistan.
| | - Nosheen Akhtar
- Department of Botany, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, 46300, Pakistan.
| | - Sabiha Mehmood
- Department of Botany, PMAS Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi, 46300, Pakistan.
| | - Rafia Urooj Saman
- Department of Botany University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Pakistan.
| | - R Z Sayyed
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, INTI International University, 71800, Nilai, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.
| | - Ali A Shatid
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, 9004, Saudi Arabia.
| | - Mohammad Y Alfaifi
- Biology Department, Faculty of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, 9004, Saudi Arabia.
| | | | - Saravanan Pandiaraj
- Department of Self-Development Skills, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11451, Saudi Arabia.
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9
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Frank YA, Interesova EA, Solovyev MM, Xu J, Vorobiev DS. Effect of Microplastics on the Activity of Digestive and Oxidative-Stress-Related Enzymes in Peled Whitefish ( Coregonus peled Gmelin) Larvae. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:10998. [PMID: 37446176 DOI: 10.3390/ijms241310998] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 06/25/2023] [Accepted: 06/29/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are emergent pollutants in freshwater environments and may impact aquatic organisms, including those of nutritional value. The specific activities of digestive and antioxidant enzymes can be used as good bioindicators of the potential effects of MPs on fish in case of waterborne MP contamination. In this study, we used fluorescent polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) to analyze the alterations in enzyme activities in larvae of Coregonus peled Gmelin (peled or Northern whitefish), one of the most valuable commercial fish species of Siberia. Our results indicate that peled larvae can ingest 2 µm PS microspheres in a waterborne exposure model. A positive correlation (rs = 0.956; p < 0.01) was found between MP concentration in water and the number of PS microspheres in fish guts, with no significant differences between 24 h and 6-day exposure groups. The ingestion of MPs caused alterations in digestive enzyme activity and antioxidant responses at the whole-body level. The presence of PS-MPs significantly stimulated (p < 0.05) the specific activity of α-Amylase and non-specific esterases in peled larvae after 24 h. However, a pronounced positive effect (p < 0.05) of MPs on the activity of pancreatic trypsine and bile salt-activated lipase was only found after 6 days of exposure compared to after 24 h. Intestinal membrane enzyme aminopeptidase N was also stimulated in the presence of PS-MPs after 6-day exposure. We also observed a significant increase in the specific activity of catalase in peled larvae after 6 days of exposure, which indicates the MP-induced modulation of oxidative stress. Taken together, these results highlight the potential impact of environmental MPs on northern commercial fish, their importance for estimating fish stocks, and the sustainability of freshwater ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia A Frank
- Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, Tomsk 634050, Russia
| | - Elena A Interesova
- Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, Tomsk 634050, Russia
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630091, Russia
| | - Mikhail M Solovyev
- Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, Tomsk 634050, Russia
- Institute of Systematics and Ecology of Animals SB RAS, Novosibirsk 630091, Russia
| | - Jiayi Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Danil S Vorobiev
- Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, Tomsk 634050, Russia
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10
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Owowenu EK, Nnadozie CF, Akamagwuna F, Noundou XS, Uku JE, Odume ON. A critical review of environmental factors influencing the transport dynamics of microplastics in riverine systems: implications for ecological studies. AQUATIC ECOLOGY 2023; 57:557-570. [DOI: 10.1007/s10452-023-10029-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/05/2024]
Abstract
AbstractMicroplastics (MPs) in rivers present an ecological risk. In this paper, we review hydro-geomorphological, biological, and allochthonous factors that may influence the distribution and transport of MPs in riverine systems. We also review MPs characteristics that may impact their distribution and transport. At the reach scale, hydraulic biotopes and their key features such as flow velocity, bed roughness, depth, and channel morphology are important features that shape the distribution and transport of MPs in riverine systems and should be considered in the design of MPs studies. Microbial-MPs interaction may impact MPs density, aggregation and thus transport dynamics. Instream vegetation may act as a physical trap of MPs, which may impact their horizontal transport and aggregation. Lateral transport of MPs is impacted mostly by precipitation, run-off, point and non-point discharges. The polymer density, size and shapes of MPs are critical factors that influence their transport dynamics in riverine systems. Microplastic sampling protocols should be designed to reflect hydro-geomorphological considerations. The unique interaction of MPs physical characteristics and hydraulic biotopes creates differential exposure of riverine organisms to MPs and should be used to unravel potential impacts. Biomonitoring studies should integrate the complex MPs-hydraulic interaction for ecologically meaningful investigation into organismal exposure to MPs in their preferred biotopes. Overall, our review indicates the influences of hydro-geomorphological features on the transport dynamics of MPs and their ecological significance for the study of MPs in rivers.
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11
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Nantege D, Odong R, Auta HS, Keke UN, Ndatimana G, Assie AF, Arimoro FO. Microplastic pollution in riverine ecosystems: threats posed on macroinvertebrates. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023:10.1007/s11356-023-27839-9. [PMID: 37248351 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-27839-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/18/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are pollutants of emerging concern that have been reported in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems as well as in food items. The increasing production and use of plastic materials have led to a rise in MP pollution in aquatic ecosystems. This review aimed at providing an overview of the abundance and distribution of MPs in riverine ecosystems and the potential effects posed on macroinvertebrates. Microplastics in riverine ecosystems are reported in all regions, with less research in Africa, South America, and Oceania. The abundance and distribution of MPs in riverine ecosystems are mainly affected by population density, economic activities, seasons, and hydraulic regimes. Ingestion of MPs has also been reported in riverine macroinvertebrates and has been incorporated in caddisflies cases. Further, bivalves and chironomids have been reported as potential indicators of MPs in aquatic ecosystems due to their ability to ingest MPs relative to environmental concentration. Fiber and fragments are the most common types reported. Meanwhile, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate (polyester), polyamide, and polyvinyl chloride are the most common polymers. These MPs are from materials/polymers commonly used for packaging, shopping/carrier bags, fabrics/textiles, and construction. Ingestion of MPs by macroinvertebrates can physically harm and inhibit growth, reproduction, feeding, and moulting, thus threatening their survival. In addition, MP ingestion can trigger enzymatic changes and cause oxidative stress in the organisms. There is a need to regulate the production and use of plastic materials, as well as disposal of the wastes to reduce MP pollution in riverine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Nantege
- Applied Hydrobiology Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology, PMB 65, Minna, Nigeria.
- Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda.
| | - Robinson Odong
- Department of Zoology, Entomology and Fisheries Sciences, College of Natural Sciences, Makerere University, P.O. Box 7062, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Helen Shnada Auta
- Applied Hydrobiology Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology, PMB 65, Minna, Nigeria
| | - Unique Ndubuisi Keke
- Applied Hydrobiology Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology, PMB 65, Minna, Nigeria
| | - Gilbert Ndatimana
- Applied Hydrobiology Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology, PMB 65, Minna, Nigeria
| | - Attobla Fulbert Assie
- Applied Hydrobiology Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology, PMB 65, Minna, Nigeria
| | - Francis Ofurum Arimoro
- Applied Hydrobiology Unit, Department of Animal Biology, Federal University of Technology, PMB 65, Minna, Nigeria
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12
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Frank Y, Vorobiev D, Mandal A, Lemeshko Y, Rakhmatullina S, Darbha GK. Freshwater Fish Siberian Dace Ingest Microplastics in the Remote Yenisei Tributary. TOXICS 2022; 11:38. [PMID: 36668764 PMCID: PMC9865856 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11010038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2022] [Revised: 12/23/2022] [Accepted: 12/28/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
This study analyzed microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract of Siberian dace (Leuciscus leuciscus subsp. baicalensis (Dybowski, 1874)) in the remote Yenisei tributary of the Nizhnyaya (Lower) Tunguska River (Siberia, Russia). µRaman analysis showed that 60% of the fish from two different sites had ingested plastic microparticles (on average, 1.55 ± 1.95 items per individual). The most common type of microplastic were fibers, and the most abundant size category was 300 to 1000 µm. In the studied population, no significant differences in the MP content between the two sites or between males and females were found (p > 0.05). The tendency for higher MP ingestion by Siberian dace at earlier ages (2+ and 3+) compared to later (4+ and 5+) was observed, which may be connected to the features of the fish biology and ecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yulia Frank
- Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, Lenina Ave. 36, Tomsk 634050, Russia
| | - Danil Vorobiev
- Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, Lenina Ave. 36, Tomsk 634050, Russia
| | - Abhishek Mandal
- Environmental Nanoscience Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, West Bengal, India
| | - Yana Lemeshko
- Biological Institute, Tomsk State University, Lenina Ave. 36, Tomsk 634050, Russia
| | | | - Gopala Krishna Darbha
- Environmental Nanoscience Laboratory, Department of Earth Sciences, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research Kolkata, Mohanpur 741246, West Bengal, India
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13
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Gerasimchuk AI, Ivasenko DA, Kasymova AA, Frank YA. Selective cultivation of bacterial strains with lipolytic and hydrocarbon-oxidizing activity from bottom sediments of the Ob River, Western Siberia. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii 2022; 26:449-457. [PMID: 36128566 PMCID: PMC9450031 DOI: 10.18699/vjgb-22-55] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 05/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Bacteria play a key role in biogeochemical cycles in natural and anthropogenic ecosystems. In river ecosystems, bacteria intensively colonize silt sediments. Microorganisms are essential for energy conversion, biogeochemical nutrient cycling, pollutant degradation, and biotransformation of organic matter; therefore, bottom sediments can be a source of metabolically diverse microorganisms, including those with promise for industrial biotechnologies. The aim of this work was to isolate and study pure cultures of microorganisms – producers of industrially important enzymes and decomposers of organic matter – from bottom sediments of the Ob River. Pork fat and diesel fuel were used as substrates to obtain enrichment and pure cultures for selective cultivation of bacteria with lipolytic and hydrocarbon-oxidizing activity. A total of 21 pure cultures were isolated. The phylogenetic position of the obtained bacterial isolates was determined based on the analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences. The strains isolated on selective media belonged to representatives of the genera Pseudomonas and Aeromonas (Gammaproteobacteria), and the genus Microvirgula (Betaproteobacteria). The ability of strains to grow on culture media containing pork fat, olive oil and diesel fuel was analyzed. The lipolytic activity of the isolates was evidenced by cultivation on a diagnostic medium containing 1 % tributyrin. The phylogenetic and metabolic diversity of the cultivated non-pathogenic bacterial strains with lipolytic and oil-oxidizing activity revealed in the study indicates the biotechnological potential of the isolates. The most promising strains were M. aerodenitrificans sp. LM1 and P. lini sp. KGS5K3, which not only exhibited lipolytic activity on the diagnostic medium with tributyrin in a wide temperature range, but also utilized diesel fuel, pork fat and olive oil.
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Malafaia G, Nóbrega RH, Luz TMD, Araújo APDC. Shedding light on the impacts of gestational exposure to polystyrene nanoplastics on the reproductive performance of Poecilia reticulata female and on the biochemical response of embryos. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 427:127873. [PMID: 34863562 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127873] [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: 10/17/2021] [Revised: 11/18/2021] [Accepted: 11/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Although the toxicity of nanoplastics (NPs) has already been reported in experimental aquatic models, their possible effects on the reproductive performance of viviparous freshwater fish and their consequences for embryos, so far, are unknown. Thus, we aimed to evaluate whether the gestational exposure of Poecilia reticulata to polystyrene NPs (PS NPs) impacts the reproductive performance of females, induces teratogenic effects and/or predictive alterations of redox unbalance and cholinesterasic effect. Our results demonstrate that gestational exposure of P. reticulata females (for 30 days) to PS NPs (50 µg/L) affected reproductive aspects of the animals, inferred by the lower percentage of pregnancy and reduced offspring quantity. Although we did not observe teratogenic effect, we observed that the accumulation of PS NPs in embryos was significantly correlated with a redox unbalance, without, however, having a cholinesterasic effect (via evaluation of AChE and BChE activity) in embryos. Thus, by evidencing the accumulation of PS NPs in embryos of P. reticulata females exposed to the pollutant during the gestational period, we confirm not only the plausibility of the maternal transfer of these nanomaterials, but also their consequent physiological impacts on the offspring, which has not yet been demonstrated in live-bearing freshwater fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Malafaia
- Programa de Pós-Graduação em Conservação de Recursos Naturais do Cerrado, Instituto Federal Goiano - Campus Urutaí (GO/Brasil), Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ecologia e Conservação de Recursos Naturais, Universidade Federal de Uberlândia (MG/Brasil), Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Biotecnologia e Biodiversidade, Universidade Federal de Goiás and Instituto Federal Goiano (GO/Brasil), Brazil; Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (SP/Brasil), Brazil.
| | - Rafael Henrique Nóbrega
- Departamento de Biologia Estrutural e Funcional, Instituto de Biociências, Universidade Estadual Paulista Júlio de Mesquita Filho (SP/Brasil), Brazil
| | - Thiarlen Marinho da Luz
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Biológicas, Instituto Federal Goiano - Campus Urutaí (GO/Brasil), Brazil
| | - Amanda Pereira da Costa Araújo
- Laboratório de Pesquisas Biológicas, Instituto Federal Goiano - Campus Urutaí (GO/Brasil), Brazil; Programa de Pós-Graduação em Ciências Ambientais, Universidade Federal de Goias - Campus Samambaia (GO/Brasil), Brazil
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15
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Fan Y, Zheng J, Deng L, Rao W, Zhang Q, Liu T, Qian X. Spatiotemporal dynamics of microplastics in an urban river network area. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 212:118116. [PMID: 35114532 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118116] [Citation(s) in RCA: 67] [Impact Index Per Article: 33.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2021] [Revised: 12/16/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics contamination in the environment is a global problem, but little is known about their dynamics in urban river networks, an important site of microplastics occurrence and harboring complex transport pathways. In this study, we investigated the spatiotemporal dynamic of microplastics in a typical urban river network in eastern China from December 2018 to September 2019. microplastics abundance (mean ± standard deviation) in the river network ranged from 2.3 ± 1.2 to 104.6 ± 5.6 particles/L and was significantly higher during the wet than during the dry season. The distribution of microplastics in the upper, middle, and lower reaches of the river network did not significantly differ, nor did the abundance of microplastics in the surface water vs. the bottom water. However, high abundances were determined in commercial and industrial areas, at a wastewater treatment plant outlet, in an urban canal, and in an urban-rural fringe area. The seasonal dynamics of the overall abundance of microplastics could be explained by the hysteresis effect of urban plastic production and the variation in regional precipitation. 78.2% of the microplastics were < 330 µm in size; the most common colors were blue and black, and the most common shapes were fragments and fibers. The polymer types of the microplastics were assessed using laser direct infrared (LDIR), a novel chemical imaging system that identified silicone, rubber, polytetrafluoroethylene, and polypropylene as the main components of the microplastics. A non-metric multidimensional scaling analysis (NMDS) based on the abundance of the polymer components across samples showed aggregations of sampling sites, that indicated the possible sources of the microplastics. Our study provides insights into the spatiotemporal dynamics of microplastics in an urban river network and suggests the potential of LDIR in the accurate quantitative analysis of microplastics in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifan Fan
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Jinglan Zheng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Ligang Deng
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Wenxin Rao
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Qiji Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Tong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023, China.
| | - Xin Qian
- State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Road, Nanjing 210023, China.
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16
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Evidence for Microplastics Contamination of the Remote Tributary of the Yenisei River, Siberia—The Pilot Study Results. WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13223248] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This study is a pioneering attempt to count microplastics (MPs) in the Yenisei River system to clarify the role of Siberian Rivers in the transport of MPs to the Arctic Ocean. The average MPs content in the surface water of the Yenisei large tributary, the Nizhnyaya Tunguska River, varied from 1.20 ± 0.70 to 4.53 ± 2.04 items/m3, tending to increase along the watercourse (p < 0.05). Concentrations of MPs in bottom sediments of the two rivers were 235 ± 83.0 to 543 ± 94.1 with no tendency of downstream increasing. Linear association (r = 0.952) between average organic matter content and average counts of MPs in bottom sediments occurred. Presumably MPs originated from the daily activities of the in-situ population. Further spatial-temporal studies are needed to estimate the riverine MPs fluxes into the Eurasian Arctic seas.
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Microplastic Pollution in the Surface Waters from Plain and Mountainous Lakes in Siberia, Russia. WATER 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/w13162287] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) contaminations of freshwater and marine environments has become a global issue. Lakes in southern Siberia provide a wide range of ecosystem services and are essential elements in the annual and interannual runoff distribution of the Great Siberian Rivers. However, the extent of their MPs pollution remains unknown. In this paper, for the first time, we analyze the concentrations, composition, and spatial distribution of MPs in six lakes in southern Siberia. The studied lakes are located both in the Altai mountains and the West Siberian plain. Some of them are significantly impacted by human activities, while others are located in protected areas with no permanent population. Nevertheless, MPs were detected in all of the studied lakes. MPs concentrations ranged from 4 to 26 MPs L−1. Comparing with other inland lakes, South Siberian lakes presented moderate MPs concentrations. Among the registered MPs forms, fragments and films were dominant, with a size range between 31 and 60 nm. The MPs’ sources depend on local human activities (fishing, transport, landfilling). Therefore, sufficiently high concentrations were observed even in remote lakes. The present study set a baseline that emphasizes the need for increased attention to waste management and sustainable water use in Siberian freshwater environments.
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