Fig 9 - uploaded by Amy Osborne
Content may be subject to copyright.
Images of fibres demonstrating Easylift Ⓡ 's compatibility with fluorescence microscopy and hyperspectral imaging. Images taken by Nathanail Kortsalioudakis, courtesy of Costas Ballas and Nathanail Kortsalioudakis of SPECTRICON. For methods used, please see Section C.4 of Appendix C.
Source publication
Microplastics (MPs) are man-made polymer particles in the size range 1 μm to 5 mm. They have been proven to be present in all of Earth's environments through extensive global studies. Such studies regularly involve the isolation of MPs from water or other media using a filtration method. MPs are then commonly analysed for size and polymer type, eit...
Context in source publication
Context 1
... shown by the images given in Fig. 9, the transparency referred to above makes Easylift Ⓡ compatible with fluorescence microscopy. Those images were captured using a LUMNIA-FLHS modular microscope by means of its hyperspectral camera, thus also illustrating the potential for microplastics held under Easylift Ⓡ to be characterised using hyperspectral ...
Citations
... Tape lifting has also been proposed as a forensic approach to recovering particulates and traces that offers the benefits of being costeffective and creating a secure environment for the residues of interest [135][136][137][138][139]. Gwinnett et al. reported using tape (Easylift) for lifting and monitoring micro polymers [140]. The study reported that in situ analyses of microplastics and fibers were possible through the adhesive since it was compatible with polarized light microscopy (PLM), confocal Raman spectroscopy, fluorescence microscopy, microspectrophotometry (MSP), and hyperspectral microscopy. ...
... The same research team also studied and established a workflow for the use of the Easylift tape lifting system [51] for microplastic pollution monitoring which allows in situ analysis of fibres and other microparticles and is compatible with a wide range of non-destructive analytical techniques such as bright field microscopy, polarisation light, fluorescence light, microspectrophotometry, etc. Still in the context of microplastic pollution monitoring Prata et al. [52] state that there is a need of conducting quality control measures and blanks throughout the procedure of sampling, as airborne fibres are readily found in these control measures and with the use of field blanks prior to sampling it can be determined to see what the first source of contamination is and if there is a specific source that contributes to it. ...
... This is in line with the significant excess of cotton fibers collected on the lint filter and released from the dryer exhaust, raising a possibility that tape lift experiments could form the basis of a screening method used to compare the sheddability of different textiles or garments. The recent applications of tape lifts for microplastic quantification on filter papers [30] and contactless airborne transfer of fibers during the wearing of clothes [19] further supports the value of such methods in microfiber research. A sample of fibers collected by tape lift from each of the two garments was analyzed to determine average length and width, with results given in Table 8 (full data in S10 Table). ...
Vented tumble dryers release moist warm air from the drying process to the external environment, usually through pipework linking the appliance to a vent in an exterior wall. Although such dryers contain a lint filter to remove fibers from this air stream, recent reports suggest that this process is incomplete, leading to microfibers being released in the ducted warm air and subsequently polluting the external environment. Microfiber release from wash loads comprising 10 100% cotton and 10 100% polyester T-shirts (total load mass ratio 48% cotton, 52% polyester) was measured at different stages of the washing and drying process to compare the quantities of fibers released ‘down the drain’, collected in the dryer lint filter, and released to air from the tumble dryer. Testing under both European and North American washing conditions found that the quantities of microfibers released to air during tumble drying were significant and comparable to levels released ‘down the drain’ during washing. Use of conventional rinse-added liquid fabric conditioner increased microfiber accumulation on the dryer lint filter, with reduced release from the dryer exhaust observed at the highest fabric conditioner dose tested (21.6% and 14.2% reduction under North American and European conditions, respectively). Conventional liquid fabric conditioner did not significantly impact microfiber release from the washing machine, in line with previous studies. A fabric conditioner specially designed for anti-wrinkle performance reduced microfiber release from the dryer exhaust at all levels tested (by 17.6–35.6%, depending on dose), apparently by increasing the efficiency of microfiber accumulation in the lint filter. Tumble dryer sheets were also found to cause a reduction in microfiber release from the dryer exhaust (by 14.1–34.9%, depending on the dose/product), likely driven by collection of liberated fibers on the sheet during the drying process. The use of both antiwrinkle liquid fabric conditioner and dryer sheet enabled a 44.9% reduction in microfiber emissions from the dryer exhaust. In all studies, the fiber mass collected on the lint filter or emitted from the dryer exhaust was richer in cotton fibers (range 83.4–96.3% on the lint filter, 93.0–99.8% from the dryer exhaust) than the wash load composition (48% cotton). Moreover, fibers collected by the lint filter contained a higher proportion of polyester than emissions from the dryer exhaust (range 3.7–16.6% on the lint filter, 0.2–7.0% from the dryer exhaust). There is significant variation in the porosity of lint filters among installed vented tumble dryers. Single-variable testing of the impact of lint filter design concluded that reducing screen pore size significantly reduces airborne microfiber release during tumble drying; a reduction in lint filter pore size from 0.2 mm ² to 0.04 mm ² reduced release by 34.8%. As some lint filters have pore sizes of around 1 mm ² , there is enormous scope to reduce microfiber release from dryers though improved lint filter design. However, it is suggested that a step-change in appliance design away from vented dryers to only fully-sealed condenser dryers might be necessary to eliminate the contribution of tumble drying to airborne microfiber pollution.
... It is only recently that extraction protocols specifically for soils have been developed and tested [93], but these are still not standardized, and many are expensive and time consuming. More recently, emerging technologies such as hyperspectral imaging of microplastics in soils [94] and the development of Easylift ® tape for recovery and sequential analysis of microplastics which could be used in soil sampling [95] may lead to improved detection and standardization of approaches. The need for improved data on terrestrial microplastics, particularly in soils in rural locations, is imperative for creating accurate risk assessments and improved mitigation activities. ...
Rural areas are exposed to severe environmental pollution issues fed by industrial and agricultural activities combined with poor waste and sanitation management practices, struggling to achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in line with Agenda 2030. Rural communities are examined through a “dual approach” as both contributors and receivers of plastic pollution leakage into the natural environment (through the air–water–soil–biota nexus). Despite the emerging trend of plastic pollution research, in this paper, we identify few studies investigating rural communities. Therefore, proxy analysis of peer-reviewed literature is required to outline the significant gaps related to plastic pollution and plastic waste management issues in rural regions. This work focuses on key stages such as (i) plastic pollution effects on rural communities, (ii) plastic pollution generated by rural communities, (iii) the development of a rural waste management sector in low- and middle-income countries in line with the SDGs, and (iv) circular economy opportunities to reduce plastic pollution in rural areas. We conclude that rural communities must be involved in both future plastic pollution and circular economy research to help decision makers reduce environmental and public health threats, and to catalyze circular initiatives in rural areas around the world, including less developed communities.
Tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) is one of the most important vegetables for human nutrition and its cultivation employs amounts of resources worldwide. However, tomato cultivation is plagued by several diseases and pests that increase production cost and introduce additional environmental and health risks due to pesticide use. Timely disease and pest detection is of high importance for tomato crop output and the environment, since plant protection input can be optimized. Here, we present a dataset of multispectral images (RGB and NIR) of tomato plants, at various stages of infection with Tuta absoluta and Leveillula taurica, which to our knowledge is unique. The dataset comprised of 263 images collected from a real greenhouse. Additionally, we applied a baseline Faster-RCNN object detector for the localization and classification lesions. Our experiments include (i) a version for the RGB channels and (ii) a custom backbone architecture version for feature fusion using the same Faster-RCNN head. Lastly, based on the detector’s output, we compute an >0.9 F1-score on binary classification, while mAP 18.5% and mAP 20.2% on detection, highlight the added value of NIR spectral bands for detecting these diseases.
Understanding the transport and accumulation of microplastics is useful to
determine the relative risk they pose to global biodiversity. The exact
contribution of microplastic sources is hard to elucidate; therefore,
investigating the Antarctic Weddell Sea, an area known for its remoteness
and little human presence (i.e. limited pollution sources), will help us to better
understand microplastic transportation. Here, we investigate the presence of
microplastics in a range of Antarctic sample media including air, seawater, and
sediment. We hypothesised that multiple transportation processes including
atmospheric and oceanic vectors determine the presence of microplastics in
the Antarctic. Using techniques including Polarised Light Microscopy and
Raman Spectrometry, we identified mostly fibres and categorised them
based on their optical and chemical properties. A total of 47 individual
microplastic categories (45 of which were fibres) were identified in the air,
seawater, and sediment samples. The majority of categories did not overlap
multiple media (42/47); however, four fibre categories were present in both air
and water samples, and another fibre category was found in all three media
(category 27). We suggest that the large variety of fibres identified and the
overlap of fibre categories among media indicates that the pollution may result
from multiple diffuse sources and transportation pathways. Additionally, our Air
Mass Back Trajectory analyses demonstrates that microplastic fibres are being
transported by air masses or wind, and strongly suggests that they are
transported to the Antarctic from southern South America. We also propose
that fibres may be transported into the Antarctic in subsurface waters, and as pollution was identified in our sediment and additional sea ice samples, we suggest that the coastal and Antarctic deep sea may be a sink for microplastic fibres. The results shown here from a remote, near-pristine system, further highlight the need for a global response to the plastic pollution crisis.
Micro(nano)plastic (MNP) pollutants have not only impacted human health directly, but are also associated with numerous chemical contaminants that increase toxicity in the natural environment. Most recent research about increasing plastic pollutants in natural environments have focused on the toxic effects of MNPs in water, the atmosphere, and soil. The methodologies of MNP identification have been extensively developed for actual applications, but they still require further study, including on-site detection. This review article provides a comprehensive update on the facile detection of MNPs by Raman spectroscopy, which aims at early diagnosis of potential risks and human health impacts. In particular, Raman imaging and nanostructure-enhanced Raman scattering have emerged as effective analytical technologies for identifying MNPs in an environment. Here, the authors give an update on the latest advances in plasmonic nanostructured materials-assisted SERS substrates utilized for the detection of MNP particles present in environmental samples. Moreover, this work describes different plasmonic materials-including pure noble metal nanostructured materials and hybrid nanomaterials-that have been used to fabricate and develop SERS platforms to obtain the identifying MNP particles at low concentrations. Plasmonic nanostructure-enhanced materials consisting of pure noble metals and hybrid nanomaterials can significantly enhance the surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra signals of pollutant analytes due to their localized hot spots. This concise topical review also provides updates on recent developments and trends in MNP detection by means of SERS using a variety of unique materials, along with three-dimensional (3D) SERS substrates, nanopipettes, and microfluidic chips. A novel material-assisted spectral Raman technique and its effective application are also introduced for selective monitoring and trace detection of MNPs in indoor and outdoor environments.
Graphical abstract:
Micro(nano)plastic (MNP) pollutants have not only impacted human health directly, but are also associated with numerous
chemical contaminants that increase toxicity in the natural environment. Most recent research about increasing plastic pollutants in natural environments have focused on the toxic efects of MNPs in water, the atmosphere, and soil. The methodologies of MNP identifcation have been extensively developed for actual applications, but they still require further study,
including on-site detection. This review article provides a comprehensive update on the facile detection of MNPs by Raman
spectroscopy, which aims at early diagnosis of potential risks and human health impacts. In particular, Raman imaging and
nanostructure-enhanced Raman scattering have emerged as efective analytical technologies for identifying MNPs in an
environment. Here, the authors give an update on the latest advances in plasmonic nanostructured materials-assisted SERS
substrates utilized for the detection of MNP particles present in environmental samples. Moreover, this work describes different plasmonic materials—including pure noble metal nanostructured materials and hybrid nanomaterials—that have been
used to fabricate and develop SERS platforms to obtain the identifying MNP particles at low concentrations. Plasmonic
nanostructure-enhanced materials consisting of pure noble metals and hybrid nanomaterials can signifcantly enhance the
surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) spectra signals of pollutant analytes due to their localized hot spots. This concise topical review also provides updates on recent developments and trends in MNP detection by means of SERS using a
variety of unique materials, along with three-dimensional (3D) SERS substrates, nanopipettes, and microfuidic chips. A
novel material-assisted spectral Raman technique and its efective application are also introduced for selective monitoring
and trace detection of MNPs in indoor and outdoor environments.
The Mediterranean Sea has recently been described as one of the most affected marine environments with regards to microplastics. Existing data relating to microplastics on Mediterranean surface waters have shown not only an evident heterogeneous distribution, but also marked geographical differences between the Mediterranean subregions. To date, standardized methodologies for the sampling and analysis of microplastics are still lacking, which therefore hinders the comparison of the reported data. This review summarizes the currently used methodologies for sampling and identifying microplastics in surface water, with the intention of contributing to establishing standardized methodologies. In addition, the importance of a forensic approach for the development of more complete and robust strategies and protocols to assess the extent of the phenomenon of microplastics is highlighted.
Methods for sampling, analysis and interpretation of fresh and saltwater microplastics and anthropogenic microfibers have improved since 2004, but techniques for reducing and monitoring procedural contamination are still limited. Quantifying the amount of procedural contamination introduced to samples improves the robustness of counts of microplastics and anthropogenic microfibers in the environment. This pilot study investigates procedural contamination introduced into water samples when rigorous QA/QC anti-contamination protocols are used and removed. Procedural contamination accounted for 33.8% of the total microfibers and microplastics found in samples when protocols were used (n = 81), but 70.7% when they were not (n = 8). With the use of extensive control sampling and full characterization of samples (morphological, optical and chemical) it was possible to identify the predominant sources of contamination (crew clothing) and make recommendations for anti-contamination and procedural contamination identification/reduction protocols for shoreline and small/medium sized vessel sampling for microplastics and anthropogenic microfibers.
