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Synthetic fibers in atmospheric fallout: A source of microplastics in the environment?
Abstract
Sources, pathways and reservoirs of microplastics, plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, remain poorly documented in an urban context. While some studies pointed out wastewater treatment plants as a potential pathway of microplastics, none have focused on the atmospheric compartment. In this work, the atmospheric fallout of microplastics was investigated in two different urban and sub-urban sites. Microplastics were collected continuously with a stainless steel funnel. Samples were then filtered and observed with a stereomicroscope. Fibers accounted for almost all the microplastics collected. An atmospheric fallout between 2 and 355 particles/m2/day was highlighted. Registered fluxes were systematically higher at the urban than at the sub-urban site. Chemical characterization allowed to estimate at 29% the proportion of these fibers being all synthetic (made with petrochemicals), or a mixture of natural and synthetic material. Extrapolation using weight and volume estimates of the collected fibers, allowed a rough estimation showing that between 3 and 10 tons of fibers are deposited by atmospheric fallout at the scale of the Parisian agglomeration every year (2500 km²). These results could serve the scientific community working on the different sources of microplastic in both continental and marine environments.
... Microplastics residing in the air for the very first time were explored in Paris (Dris et al., 2015) and since then, this topic has drawn increasing attention, and the number of publications is progressively rising along with the level of awareness. Thus far, studies on airborne microplastics have been conducted in Paris (Dris et al., 2015(Dris et al., , 2016(Dris et al., , 2017, Germany (Enyoh et al., 2019), China (Cai et al., 2017;Li et al., 2020;Liao et al., 2021;Liu et al., 2019a;Zhu et al., 2021), Portugal (Xumiao et al., 2021), south Korea (Choi et al., 2022), India (Pandey et al., 2022), Sri Lanka (Perera et al., 2022), Iran (Abbasi et al., 2023), Spain (Torres-Agullo et al., 2022), Mexico , New Jersey (Yao et al., 2022), and central London (Kacprzak and Tijing, 2022). It is challenging to compare the findings of previous studies on airborne microplastics published since 2015 since different techniques have been used for sampling, sample handling, and analysis . ...
... Beads were exclusively discovered in indoor samples (2.4 %), whereas sheets were found in both environments in small amounts i.e., accounting for 3.9 % of indoor and 3 % of outdoor samples ( Fig. 5 (a, b)). These findings are in line with past studies, in which fibers and fragments were shown to be the most prevalent type of microplastic (Ahmad et al., 2023;Dris et al., 2015Dris et al., , 2016Dris et al., , 2017Klein and Fischer, 2019;Liao et al., 2021;Liu et al., 2019a; Torres-Agullo et al., 2022; Zhu et al., 2021). White, black, red, and blue colored microplastics were most common in indoor and outdoor air samples ( Fig. 5 (c, d)). ...
... These polymer composition findings are in line with earlier research on microplastics residing indoor and outdoor air. In a study on synthetic atmospheric fibers carried out in Paris, PET was the most prevalent polymer (Dris et al., 2016). PET, PE, and PS were reported to be the three most prevalent polymer types in a recent study on airborne microplastics conducted in the five megacities of China . ...
... The percentage of MPs relative to total particle deposition (between 20 and 30%) after digestion and density separation agrees with previous studies 40,41 , evidencing that there is an overall increase in atmospheric deposition during storm events and thus highlights how hurricanes can input substantial amounts of MPs to locations that would otherwise most likely experience very little MP deposition. The sample site chosen for this study had no local (within a 100 km radius) sources for MP pollution as it is located in a rural area and received onshore winds, meaning the main mechanism for MP deposition to this area is likely to be atmospheric fallout. ...
... After 6 h, the contents of the vessel were decanted into a sterilised glass jar. The sides of the deposition collector vessel were rinsed three times with an additional 100 mL Milli-Q into the jar 41 . The jar was then firmly shut, labelled, and wrapped in aluminium foil ready for transport back to the laboratory. ...
The atmosphere can transport large quantities of microplastics and disperse them throughout the globe to locations inaccessible by many other transport mechanisms. Meteorological events have been proven to pick up and transport particulate matter, however, how they influence the transport and deposition of atmospheric microplastics is still poorly understood. Here we present samples of atmospheric fallout collected during Hurricane Larry as it passed over Newfoundland, Canada in September 2021. During the storm peak, 1.13 × 105 particles m−2 day−1 were deposited, with a decline in deposition after the storm passed. Back-trajectory modelling and polymer type analysis indicate that those microplastics may have been ocean-sourced as the hurricane traversed the garbage patch of the North Atlantic Gyre. This study identifies the influence of North Atlantic hurricanes on the atmospheric transport and deposition of ocean-sourced microplastics and the possible consequences of increased exposure to microplastics in remote areas.
... Approximately 75-90 % of plastic MFs derived from land-based sources are ultimately deposited into the marine environment [76]. Therefore, at- mospheric MPs will eventually pollute both terrestrial and marine ecosystems through deposition [77,78]. In addition, MPs may enter the atmosphere from the land because of wind re-suspension. ...
... Passive sampling methods are ideal for atmospheric deposition of particles because of simplicity and convenience, as they do not require a power source and are suitable for outdoor and long-term sampling [80]. Weather conditions may affect the quality of sampling, so it is necessary to record these in detail to assess the impact of weather on atmospheric deposition [77]. Collected samples containing plastic MFs might require additional processing such as chemical digestion and flotation for enrichment, and contamination can also be an issue (Fig. 3) [63,84]. ...
... It is becoming increasingly evident that the atmosphere is a key temporary reservoir for microplastics (MPs; <5 mm in size) (Dris et al., 2016;Wright et al., 2020;Zhang et al., 2020). As a consequence, MPs, and in particular those of a fibrous nature, may be transported long distances from their direct sources and have been detected in regions remote from centres of urbanisation and industrialisation (Allen et al., 2019;Brahney et al., 2020;Ding et al., 2021;Villanova-Solano et al., 2023). ...
... Dry deposition is determined by deposition velocity (particle size and shape) and is also specific to meteorological conditions and landcover type (Klein and Fischer, 2019;Szewc et al., 2021), while rainfall acts to scavenge MPs from the atmosphere (Zhang et al., 2020). Many studies have found that, for a given sampling time, wet deposition is greater than dry deposition, or at least bulk deposition is greater during wet periods than dry periods (Dris et al., 2016;Huang et al., 2021;Liu et al., 2022;Li et al., 2023;Yuan et al., 2023). However, these studies have only considered daily or cumulative rainfall and have acknowledged that other factors, like rainfall height, intensity and frequency and droplet size, could be important. ...
... The predominance of fibers in the atmospheric samples is consistent with other studies that have often, but not always, found that fibers are the predominant type of MP in the atmosphere (see Akhbarizadeh et al. (2021); Klein and Fischer (2019), for alternative findings). For example, Dris et al. (2016) found that fibers were the predominant shape in the atmospherically deposited particles in a suburban area, whereas atmospheric studies carried out in Paris, Shanghai, and a remote mountainous area of China came to similar conclusions (Gong and Xie, 2020; Liu et al., 2019c). In contrast, the proportion of fragments, films, and lumps of MPs was relatively small. ...
... Previous studies show that PET and PE are the main components of urban MPs, with PET being the main component of fibers and PE being the main component of films (Hernández-Fernández et al., 2022;Zhang et al., 2021). A strong prevalence for atmospheric MPs to be composed of PE has been observed in several regions, including China (Yuan et al., 2023), Madrid, Spain (Su et al., 2020), Victoria, Australia (González-Pleiter et al., 2021), and Paris (Dris et al., 2016). In this study, Raman spectroscopy showed many MPs were composed of PE, suggesting that the particles originated from packaging boxes, bottles, packaging bags, and other related industries. ...
... Los microplásticos (MPs) definidas según su tamaño como partículas < 5 mm [2] son considerados como uno de los principales problemas científicos en el campo de las ciencias ambientales. El origen de estos contaminantes emergentes se relaciona a una diversidad de fuentes tales como reciclaje, actividades de incineración de basura plástica y molienda fina de plásticos [3], rellenos sanitarios industriales o agrícolas descomposición mecánica, fotólisis, descomposición térmica, termooxidación y biodegradación [4]. Así como, los procedimientos agrícolas como fertilizantes orgánicos [5]. ...
... En la tabla 1, se presentan los 10 artículos más citados en WOS y SCOPUS. El articulo más citado esta publicado en ambas bases académicas, correspondiendo al estudio de Dris, R. et al (2016) [3]. Las publicaciones de Dris R. entre el 2015-2017 constituyeron los primeros estudios respecto a este tema, es por ello que son tomados como referencia y principales documentos de consulta en este campo. ...
The present study aims to perform a bibliometric analysis of atmospheric MPs assessment of published research (original articles and reviews) between 2015-2022, in two of the most important global academic databases, WOS and Scopus. After running the search string and document selection (by reading title and abstract) 81 articles were identified in WOS and 167 in Scopus. The first publication identified dates back to 2015 (France) with China, the United Kingdom, and the United States being the countries currently leading the research on this topic. The results allow us to conclude that research on atmospheric MPs is at an early stage of development. It is recommended that future research address the standardization of sampling procedures, PM characterization, source identification, transport, and health impacts of these pollutants.
... This phenomenon can be primarily attributed to human activity alongside commonly used farming techniques in crop cultivation, such as the use of ground cover fabrics , the use of mistreated wastewater for irrigation purposes (Li et al., 2018), the field application of sewage sludge and other soil improvers (Weithmann et al., 2018;Vithanage et al., 2021), and the application of granular fertilizers . Moreover, additional MPs are being introduced into agricultural soils as a result of environmental pollution , surface runoff (Nizzetto et al., 2016), and airborne particle transfer (Dris et al., 2016). Thus, soils are regarded as the greatest repository of MPs, whereas agricultural soils are essential for future investigation, ecological and environmental evaluation due to the hazards that may arise (Bathrellos et al., 2013;Yu et al., 2021). ...
... MPs have been detected in all environmental compartments, including aquatic [8][9][10][11][12] and terrestrial ecosystems [13][14][15][16], and the atmosphere [17][18][19][20][21][22]. Furthermore, MPs have been found in animal [23][24][25][26][27] and plant tissues [28,29], and even in human blood [30][31][32]. ...
Here we investigate the suitability of Robinia pseudoacacia L. (black locust) leaflets as a novel biomonitor of airborne microplastics (MPs) including tyre wear particles (TWPs). Leaflets were collected from rural roadside locations (ROs, n = 5) and urban parks (UPs, n = 5) in Siena, Italy. MPs were removed by washing, identified by stereomicroscope, and analysed for polymer type by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Daily MP deposition was estimated from leaf area. The mass magnetic susceptibility and the bioaccumulation of traffic-related potentially toxic elements (PTEs) were also analysed. The total number of MPs at ROs was significantly higher at 2962, dominated by TWPs, compared with 193 in UPs, where TWPs were not found. In contrast, total microfibres were significantly higher in UPs compared with ROs (185 vs. 86). Daily MP deposition was estimated to range from 4.2 to 5.1 MPs/m2/d across UPs and 29.9–457.6 MPs/m2/d across ROs. The polymer types at ROs were dominated by rubber (80%) from TWPs, followed by 15% polyamide (PA) and 5% polysulfone (PES), while in UPs the proportion of PES (44%) was higher than PA (22%) and polyacrylonitrile (11%). The mean mass magnetic susceptibility, a proxy of the bioaccumulation of traffic-related metallic particles, was higher at ROs (0.62 ± 0.01 10–8 m3/kg) than at UPs (–0.50 ± 0.03 10–8 m3/kg). The content of PTEs was similar across sites, except for significantly higher concentrations of Sb, a tracer of vehicle brake wear, at ROs (0.308 ± 0.008 µg/g) compared with UPs (0.054 ± 0.006 µg/g). Our results suggest that the waxy leaflets and easy determination of surface area make Robinia an effective biomonitor for airborne MPs including TWPs.
... MP studies have shown that microfibers are prevalent in environmental samples. Fibers are the most often studied MP type in atmospheric deposition (Abbasi et al. 2019;Allen et al. 2019;Bergmann et al. 2019;Dris et al. 2016) and indoor environments (Catarino et al. 2018;Dris et al. 2017;Soltani et al. 2021). Later investigations have highlighted errors in analysis, such as improper spectroscopic measurements, which led to the incorrect identification of synthetic fibers as artificial or lignin fibers Remy et al. 2015;Wesch et al. 2016). ...
Indoor microplastic (MP) pollution is becoming a worldwide issue because people spend more time inside. Through dust and air, indoor MP pollution may harm human health. This review summarizes recent advancements in indoor MP research, covering pretreatments, quality control, filter membranes, and identification methods. Additionally, it conducts bibliometric analysis to examine the usage of keywords, publication records, and authors' contributions to the field. Comparatively, dust and deposition samples exhibit higher MP concentrations than indoor air samples. Fiber-shaped MPs are commonly detected indoors. The color and types of MPs display variability, with polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene identified as the dominant MPs. Indoor environments generally demonstrate higher concentrations of MPs than outdoor environments, and MPs in the lower size range (1–100 µm) are typically more abundant. Among the reviewed articles, 45.24% conducted pretreatment on their samples, while 16.67% did not undergo any pretreatment. The predominant filter utilized in most studies was the Whatman Glass microfiber filter (41.67%), and MPs were predominantly characterized using µ-FTIR (19.23%). In the literature, 17 papers used blank samples, and eight did not. Blank findings were not included in most research (23 articles). A significant increase in published articles has been observed since 2020, with an annual growth rate exceeding 10%. The keyword microplastics had the highest frequency, followed by fibers. This indoor MP study emphasizes the need for collaborative research, policymaking, and stakeholder involvement to reduce indoor MP pollution. As indoor MP research grows, so are opportunities to identify and minimize environmental and health impacts.
... Lung organoids were grown as previously described with minor modifications (7,8). ...
... MPs have been found in a wide range of environments, including freshwater [6][7][8], seawater [9,10], sediment [11,12], soil [13,14], street dust [15], air [16,17], and even consumables such as beer, sea salt, and tap water [18]. Due to the significant deposits of MPs, the modern era has been referred to as "a new historical epoch, the Plasticene" [19]. ...
Microplastics (MPs), small plastic particles resulting from the degradation of larger plastic items and from primary sources such as textiles, engineered plastic pellets, etc., have become a ubiquitous environmental pollutant. As their prevalence in the natural environment grows, concerns about their potential impacts on human health have escalated. This review discusses current research findings on the presence of MPs in organs such as the liver, blood, heart, placenta, breast milk, sputum, semen, testis, and urine, while also exploring plausible mechanisms of translocation. Furthermore, the review emphasizes the importance of understanding the potential toxicological effects of MPs on various physiological processes within these organs and their broader implications for human health. This review also examines the pathways through which MPs can enter and accumulate in human organs and bodily fluids, shedding light on the intricate routes of exposure and potential health implications. It is worth noting that the invasive medical procedures may permit direct access of MPs to the bloodstream and tissues, serving as a potential contamination source. However, it is evident that a comprehensive understanding of MPs' invasion into human organs is vital for effective mitigation strategies and the preservation of both human health and the environment.
... Many studies have confirmed the presence of microplastics in the atmospheric system and emphasized the important contribution of atmospheric deposition even in (the most) remote areas [46,71]. It has been reported that microplastics can reach 175-313 particles/m 2 /day in Dongguan [6], 0-4.18 particles/m 2 /day in Shanghai [29] and 2-355 particles/m 2 /day in Paris [10]. At a height of 1.5 m above the ground, airborne microplastics are mainly the result of dynamic process of settling and floating of the microplastics on the ground [24]. ...
... Vol.: (0123456789) concentration of mean precipitation in the internal environment (309.40 ± 214.71 MPs m −2 per day) than in the external environment (123.20 ± 47.09 MPs m −2 per day), attributing this observation to possible different indoor human activities, air flow, and people circulating in the environment. The average precipitation concentration in outdoor environments is similar to studies reported in other regions of the world, such as Paris (110 ± 96 MPs m −2 per day) (Dris et al., 2016) and Dongguan (175 to 313 MPs m −2 per day) (Cai et al., 2017). According to the findings, polyester, polyethylene, and polypropylene fibers were the most prevalent polymers indoors, whereas polyester, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate particles dominated outdoors. ...
Microplastics have long been present in marine and terrestrial environments and have emerged in recent decades as a global environmental concern. This pollutant has been detected with increasing frequency in Brazilian territory and herein primarily highlights current information and developments about the quantity, distribution, techniques of identification, origins, and sources of microplastics and related pollutants in the Brazilian environment. We evaluated 79 publications from 2018 to December 2022, and some aspects can be highlighted: 27% of studies were published in the Journal Marine Pollution Bulletin; 22% of all studies were conducted in São Paulo city; and 52% of all microplastics found were collected from biota followed by sediment samples. According to the findings given here, microplastics in Brazilian habitats, which can reach concentrations of 4367 to 25,794 items m⁻² in sediments, are becoming a serious problem in the Anthropocene age, and some topics regarding the open questions in this area were pointed out in this review.
... Potential sources for C-PET in the (marine) atmosphere are fibers from, e.g., textiles or ropes. These were already described to occur in high abundances in the air, 5,14,22,48,49 to travel via aeolian transport, and finally, to deposit on the ocean's surface. 13,50 A visual check of the borosilicate substrates revealed the presence of fibers, which might be directly related to the C-PET concentration in the samples (SI, Figure S4). ...
Microplastics (MP) including tire wear particles (TWP) are ubiquitous. However, their mass loads, transport, and vertical behavior in water bodies and overlying air are never studied simultaneously before. Particularly, the sea surface microlayer (SML), a ubiquitous, predominantly organic, and gelatinous film (<1 mm), is interesting since it may favor MP enrichment. In this study, a remote-controlled research catamaran simultaneously sampled air, SML, and underlying water (ULW) in Swedish fjords of variable anthropogenic impacts (urban, industrial, and rural) to fill these knowledge gaps in the marine-atmospheric MP cycle. Polymer clusters and TWP were identified and quantified with pyrolysis-gas chromatography−mass spec-trometry. Air samples contained clusters of polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, and polystyrene (max 50 ng MP m −3). In water samples (max. 10.8 μg MP L −1), mainly TWP and clusters of poly(methyl methacrylate) and polyethylene terephthalate occurred. Here, TWP prevailed in the SML, while the poly(methyl methacrylate) cluster dominated the ULW. However, no general MP enrichment was observed in the SML. Elevated anthropogenic influences in urban and industrial compared to the rural fjord areas were reflected by enhanced MP levels in these areas. Vertical MP movement behavior and distribution were not only linked to polymer characteristics but also to polymer sources and environmental conditions.
... For example, MP contamination on land might be 4-to 23-fold greater than in the ocean (Horton et al., 2017). Although attempts to estimate terrestrial MP contamination are difficult, 355 MP/m 2 /day fall-out in the Parisian metropolitan area was reported, corresponding to environmental exposure of 2-10 tons/year of fibers (de Souza Machado et al., 2018;Dris et al., 2016). Moreover, the use of NP in technical and medical applications is rising, and the input of primary NP into the environment is expected to increase (Cedervall et al., 2012). ...
Microplastic pollution is believed to be one of the most widespread and long-lasting changes on a global scale. Our understanding that microplastics significantly impact terrestrial systems and are a global change stressor continues to grow. In the present study, we investigated the negative effect of long-term (28 days of exposure in food) polystyrene particles of micro (1.0-1.9 µm, 0.4-0.6 µm) and nano (0.04-0.06 µm) scale, in low doses, on the fruit fly-representing a common, globally distributed terrestrial invertebrate, and a model species in many fields. Our observations involved such parameters as ingestion and transfer of particles, survival, reproduction, changes in ultrastructure and tissue and cell responses in midgut epithelium (the place of direct contact with plastic), ovary, and testis in adults, and transgenerational effects in larvae. These observations may indicate possible toxic effects of the tested substances, even in low doses, that can be expected in other taxa, in terrestrial ecosystems. We observed a negative impact of polystyrene particles on the fruit fly survival, midgut, ovary, and testis, involving ultrastructural alterations, such as autophagy and/or ultimately necrosis in the midgut, triggering oxidative stress and activating processes of antioxidative protection. Despite the changes, midgut function and reproduction were not altered-spermatogenesis and oogenesis proceeded normally. The effect was size-dependent-the smaller the polystyrene particles were, the more substantial was the impact they caused. Ul-trastructural changes and studied parameters, i.e., generation of ROS (overproduction of which generates oxidative stress), total glutathione concentration (involved in defense against ROS, acting in distinct pathways), and total antioxidant concentration (the oxidative defense system) showed the highest levels after exposure to the smallest nanoparticles, and vice versa. The effect was also sex-dependent, with male flies being more sensitive. Negative effects in males were more substantial and more prominent, even after contact with larger particles, compared to females. The smaller particles (0.4-0.6 µm, 0.04-0.06 µm) were transferred to the ovary and accumulated in the oocytes. In this case, a transgenerational negative effect was detected in larvae. It was characterized by size-dependent alterations, with smaller particles triggering higher levels of ROS and cellular oxidative response. Only the largest particles (1.0-1.9 µm) did not pass into the gonad and did not alter the larvae. These observations together demonstrated that polystyrene particles of micro-and nanoscale, even in a low dose, can induce numerous negative effects on terrestrial invertebrates.
... Several studies [19,20] indicate that synthetic textiles are the primary source of microplastics in the air, with fibers being the primary form in the atmosphere. The data show that 29% of these fibers consist of synthetic material. ...
Microplastics (MPs) are prevalent in our environment, being present in the air we breathe and in the food we consume. Due to the widespread use of plastic materials in everyday life, the amount of microplastics being released into the biosphere has become increasingly apparent in recent years. This study provides the first documentation of the presence of microplastics in Chinese baijiu, a popular alcoholic beverage in China, bottled in plastic. It is essential to note the significance of this discovery and potential implications for human health. Analysis of samples collected from the Chinese market showed the presence of microplastics in all six Chinese baijiu brands tested. Concentrations ranged from 172 MPs/500 mL to 944 MPs/500 mL with an average concentration of 436 MPs/500 mL. Cellulose and PA accounted for 70.4% and 17.8% of all microplastics detected, respectively. These were the most commonly detected types. Other types of microplastics were also found, including PET, PP, PVC, and PE. PET accounted for 2.7%, PP for 2.2%, PVC for 1.2%, and PE for 0.1% of all microplastics. The possible sources of contamination include raw materials, ambient air, and equipment and vessels that shed microplastics. Therefore, this study emphasizes the requirement for further research to mitigate the potential hazards associated with human exposure to microplastics. Additionally, it presents significant findings on the presence of microplastics in Chinese baijiu sold in plastic bottles.
... According to the author's best knowledge, no systematic review exists with bibliometric analysis focusing on indoor MPs, yet available to date. The MPs have been the subject of only a few review publications, which focused on the following topics: identification and characterization of airborne MPs (indoor/outdoor) [4,50,64], human vulnerability, disease transmission, toxic exposure, and consequences [47,65], their origin and fate [47,66], kinds of polymers and their spread in urban and rural areas [67]. In contrast to the marine and freshwater environments, however, there has been a dearth of research on MPs in terrestrial outdoor and indoor settings [68,69]. ...
... Os MPs apresentam uma ampla gama de cores, morfologias, polímeros e aditivos químicos (Rochman et al., 2019;Woods et al., 2021) e chegam aos recursos hídricos através das mais diversas atividades antropogênicas, seja no meio terrestre ou aquático. No primeiro caso, ocorre em decorrência das ações realizadas em terra, tendo o descarte inadequado de resíduos plásticos, o escoamento pluvial e a descarga de efluentes líquidos como principais agentes (Dris et al., 2016). No segundo caso, ocorre a partir das dinâmicas exercidas nos corpos d'água, como o tráfego de embarcações, pesca, aquicultura e outras atividades diversas (Díez-Minguito et al., 2020). ...
Os microplásticos podem ser gerados por diversas atividades humanas e são encontrados em diferentes reservatórios ambientais, como os sedimentos fluviais. Considerando a rica biodiversidade da Amazônia e a intensa interferência antrópica na região, torna-se fundamental avaliar o estado dos seus recursos hídricos. Desse modo, o presente estudo teve como objetivo analisar a abundância, morfologia e cor dos microplásticos nos sedimentos do Rio Xingu, no Pará. A coleta de dados e análises foram realizadas em fevereiro de 2023. Os microplásticos foram coletados nos sedimentos do rio e extraídos a partir de princípios de densidade e flotação. Assim, foi detectada uma abundância média de 204±60 partículas/kg, com prevalência das fibras (56,86%) e dos fragmentos (25%), seguidos pelos feixes de fibra (10,78%) e esferas (7,35%). A maioria dos microplásticos encontrados era transparente (57,84%). Nossos resultados revelaram que a abundância de microplásticos no Rio Xingu é maior do que em sistemas dulcícolas localizados zonas agrícolas e de conservação, sendo comparável com aqueles inseridos em áreas urbanas e industriais. Desse modo, destaca-se a necessidade de ações políticas, sociais e ambientais para remediar a presença de microplásticos em sistemas fluviais amazônicos.
The prevalence of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in beverage packaging has increased microplastic (MP) accumulation in the environment. MP can become a component of air pollution, especifically of particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5). Unfortunately, Thailand has a low recycling rate for plastic bottles, with only 4.5% being recycled. Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) were introduced in the early 2010s as a potential solution to this problem. RVMs incentivize recycling by providing rewards or refunds for each bottle deposited, thereby reducing the amount of PET waste and MP in the environment. This study analyzed usage and waste collection data from RVMs located at 15 locations of a hypermarket chain in Thailand from June 2020 to December 2022. The results showed that the average PET bottles collected from each machine was approximately 670 kg per year, which was lower than the break-even point of 3,200 kg per year. Economic feasibility indicators also suggested that the use of RVMs might not be economically sound. This study proposed suggestions to improve the business model of RVMs and offered policy recommendations to the government on how to enhance the effectiveness of RVMs.
Airborne microplastics (AMPs) on konara oak ( Quercus serrata Murray) leaves collected at a small forest in the Tokyo metropolitan area were analyzed. The leaves underwent a three-step treatment process: (i) washing with Milli-Q water, (ii) sonication in Milli-Q water, and (iii) extraction with a 10% KOH solution. The average number of AMPs found in solutions (i), (ii), and (iii) were 0.01, 0.05, and 0.07 microplastics (MP) /cm ² leaf, respectively. More than 50% of the total AMPs recovered from the aqueous samples were detected in the KOH solution. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) observation revealed that the KOH solution significantly altered the leaf surfaces, while rinsing and ultrasonication with Milli-Q water had little effect. These results emphasize the strong adsorption of AMPs to epidermal waxes and the importance of using KOH solutions in addition to conventional water washing methods to prevent underestimation of AMPs intercepted by forest canopy leaves. Using data from the growing season, it was estimated that a small forest in the metropolitan area captures approximately 2.2 billion AMP particles per year. This indicates that forests may play an important role as sinks for AMPs in the terrestrial environment.
This chapter discusses seam technology, applicable finishes, design considerations, and performance testing in sports garment manufacturing. It covers different types of seams used, such as flatlock, overlock, and taped seams, and their benefits and drawbacks. The chapter also explores applicable finishes like water-repellent, moisture-wicking, and anti-microbial finishes, and their impact on performance, comfort, and durability. Sustainable manufacturing in sports garment production is emphasized, along with recent initiatives and innovations. The role of design in sports garments and its effects on performance, comfort, and style is examined. Potential areas for future innovation include sustainable materials, smart fabrics, and 3D printing, with their potential industry impact. Overall, the chapter provides a comprehensive overview, highlighting advancements and potential research areas.
Recent interest in microplastic pollution of natural environments has brought forth samples which confirm the pollutant’s omnipresence in a variety of ecosystems. This includes locations furthest removed from human activity. Atmospheric transport and deposition are suspected as the primary transport pathway to these remote locations. The factors most influential on participation in atmospheric transport are yet to be determined. This meta-analysis aims to identify patterns that exist between physical characteristics of microplastic particles and their potential for atmospheric transport. Our review addresses the following questions: Which characteristics of microplastic particles promote atmospheric transport and deposition into remote regions, and how significant are these factors in determining distance transported from their sources? This article analyzes commonly reported physical attributes-- shape, polymer composition and color-- from studies in urban and remote areas. The analysis of 68 studies, composed of data from 2078 samples, shows higher occurrence of microplastic particles in remote samples with fiber shapes, polyester compositions, and red, blue, and transparent colors. This meta-analysis is the first to identify patterns between physical properties of microplastic particles and extent of their participation in atmospheric transport to global remote locations.
The issue of microplastic pollution has long been a global ecological priority, while biodegradation has received increasing attention as an important route for microplastic degradation. Polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS) polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) are microplastics frequently found in soil. Excessive amounts of microplastics can cause damage to soil structure. Microplastics can negatively affect the water holding capacity of the soil and reduce the permeability of the soil. In addition, microplastics can aggregate with the soil, altering the soil environment and impeding the growth of plant roots. In the soil environment, microplastics can interact with microorganisms, and different types of microorganisms interact with different forms of microplastics in different ways. In this paper, the main pathways of microbial degradation of microplastics are compiled, including four stages: colonization, fragmentation, assimilation and mineralization, focusing on the analysis of different microbes in the soil environment on the mechanism of different types of microplastics and the related enzyme reactions, in order to avoid the toxicity of MPs to microorganisms in the soil environment, and the main factors affecting the activity in the process of degradation are reviewed, which will provide a reasonable basis for the subsequent degradation of the maximization.
Plastics are persistent and pervasive throughout the environment and have now been reported from the deepest parts of the ocean to the tops of the highest and most remote mountains. There is a body of information on the sources, degradation, and transport of plastics as well as a variety of research investigating the ecotoxicological and wider ecological consequences of plastic ingestion and accumulation. Such knowledge has been obtained with developments in field and laboratory methods for plastic identification and then well-publicized in the media and wider public communications. However, although there has been a large focus on plastic pollution within the past decade, there is plenty that we do not yet know. Even within the past five years, sources of microplastics (1 μm–5 mm) to the environment have been confirmed that had not previously been considered, for example, road paints and tire wear particles. Initial research focused on plastic in the marine environment, but understanding on the accumulation and impacts in terrestrial and freshwater environments is growing. There is a substantial lack of basic science focused on the efficiency of solutions aimed at mitigating plastic pollution. This review highlights some recent (past five years) research on plastics in the environment, including investigations in accumulation, sources, distribution, impacts, solutions and provides directions for future work.
The prevalence of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in beverage packaging has increased microplastic (MP) accumulation in the environment. MP can become a component of air pollution, especifically of particulate matter with a diameter of less than 2.5 microns (PM2.5). Unfortunately, Thailand has a low recycling rate for plastic bottles, with only 4.5% being recycled. Reverse Vending Machines (RVMs) were introduced in the early 2010s as a potential solution to this problem. RVMs incentivize recycling by providing rewards or refunds for each bottle deposited, thereby reducing the amount of PET waste and MP in the environment. This study analyzed usage and waste collection data from RVMs located at 15 locations of a hypermarket chain in Thailand from June 2020 to December 2022. The results showed that the average PET bottles collected from each machine was approximately 670 kg per year, which was lower than the break-even point of 3,200 kg per year. Economic feasibility indicators also suggested that the use of RVMs might not be economically sound. This study proposed suggestions to improve the business model of RVMs and offered policy recommendations to the government on how to enhance the effectiveness of RVMs.
The paper focused on occurrence, characterization, and analytical methods of microplastic (MP) pollution in the lentic environment mainly for the Indian scenario. To understand the flow of MP from plastic waste, a material flow diagram was developed using STAN, assigning the transfer coefficients based on existing scientific literature and primary survey from local recycling facilities and industries. The quantity, morphology, and polymers of MP in the water and sediments of the lentic environment were compared for various states from 2011 to 2022. The reasons for the geographical heterogeneity in microplastics may be the migratory routes of MPs in the ecosystems like commercial uses and wastewater characteristics which possibly discharged in lentic system. Factors like particle density, water surface area, water surface depth, wind speed and direction, and water flow size mainly affect MP concentrations in the lentic water body, and mainly PHI and PLI are keys to MP risk analysis. The surface characteristics of MPs reveal that it absorbs many toxic contaminants including heavy metals. The impacts of MP on ecosystem and human health were also discussed. The impacts of socioeconomic conditions on MP concentrations for different states in India were also added. Proposed methods for plastic waste generation control also included which will help for developing policy in future to prevent MP pollution in lentic environments and also motivate future researchers to establish new standardized methods of MP analysis.
The purpose of this study was to observe the shape, colour, size, type of polymer, and abundance of MPs in various brands of salt commonly consumed by people in the city of Padang, Indonesia. A 50 g salt sample was digested using 30% hydrogen peroxide at 60°C for 30 minutes to degrade organic contaminants. Samples from nine brands of sea salt and one brand of mountain salt investigated were found to be contaminated with MPs with an abundance of MPs (microplastics) ranging from 30 ± 10 to 510 ± 10 particles kg−1. The most dominant shapes, colours, and sizes found were fragments (73%), black (44%), and sizes 101–300 µm (27%). The results of this study can be used as information to help develop effective control of MP pollution and as reference data for issuing policies related to quality parameters for limiting MP content in salt products. It is therefore important to choose healthy salt, that has minimal MP contamination to reduce MP exposure.
The use of plastic materials has led to the penetration of microplastic (MP) into the aquatic environment. MP is plastic that is less than 5 mm in size. They have received significant attention in recent years due to their impact on humans and organisms as they absorb organic and pathogenic contaminants from the surrounding media. This study aims to analyze MP abundance, shape, color, size, and polymer characteristics at five water sampling stations in Maninjau Lake. Water samples were extracted to obtain MP, then analyzed using a microscope and ATR-FTIR spectroscopy. MP abundance in Maninjau Lake water samples ranged from 180 to 335 L-1 particles. The most dominant shape, color, and sizes found in the waters were fragments (12.5%), black (68.37%), and sizes of 101-300 µm (49%). Based on the results of the characterization and interpretation of functional groups in the FTIR spectrum, several types of polymers were found, including polyamide (PA), polypropylene (PP), and polyester (PES).
Citation: Rashed, A.H.; Yesilay, G.; Hazeem, L.; Rashdan, S.; AlMealla, R.; Kilinc, Z.; Ali, F.; Abdulrasool, F.; Kamel, A.H. Abstract: The continuous production and widespread applications of synthetic plastics and their waste present immense environmental challenges and damage living systems. Microplastics (MPs) have become of great concern in various ecosystems due to their high stability and decomposition into smaller fragments such as nano-plastics (NPs). Nevertheless, MPs and NPs can be removed from the environment using several physical, chemical, and microbiological methods. This study presents a comprehensive narrative literature review, which aims to explore the various types of MPs and NPs, their sources, fate, toxicity, and impact on human health and environment. To achieve this aim, the study employed a comprehensive literature review methodology. In addition, it summarizes various methods of sample collection and analysis techniques. Remediation strategies for MPs and NPs removal are assessed and compared. Furthermore, it highlights interlinkages between the sustainable development goals (SDGs)-specifically SDG 14-and plastic pollution. Overall, priority for research and development in the field of MPs and NPs impacts on ecological ecosystems is a must as this will enable the development of scientific polices driven by global collaboration and governance which in turn will develop tools and methodologies that measure the impacts and risk of plastic pollution.
Background
The global production and use of plastic materials has increased dramatically since the 1960s and there is increasing evidence of human health impacts related to exposure to plastic-associated chemicals. There is, however, no comprehensive, regulatory, post-market monitoring for human health effects of plastic-associated chemicals or particles and it is unclear how many of these have been investigated for effects in humans, and therefore what the knowledge gaps are.
Objective
To create a systematic evidence map of peer-reviewed human studies investigating the potential effects of exposure to plastic-associated particles/chemicals on health to identify research gaps and provide recommendations for future research and regulation policy.
Methods
Medline and Embase databases were used to identify peer-reviewed primary human studies published in English from Jan 1960 – Jan 2022 that investigated relationships between exposures to included plastic-associated particles/chemicals measured and detected in bio-samples and human health outcomes. Plastic-associated particles/chemicals included are: micro and nanoplastics, due to their widespread occurrence and potential for human exposure; polymers, the main building blocks of plastic; plasticizers and flame retardants, the two most common types of plastic additives with the highest concentration ranges in plastic materials; and bisphenols and per- or polyfluoroalkyl substances, two chemical classes of known health concern that are common in plastics. We extracted metadata on the population and study characteristics (country, intergenerational, sex, age, general/special exposure risk status, study design), exposure (plastic-associated particle/chemical, multiple exposures), and health outcome measures (biochemical, physiological, and/or clinical), from which we produced the interactive database ‘Plastic Health Map’ and a narrative summary.
Results
We identified 100,949 unique articles, of which 3,587 met our inclusion criteria and were used to create a systematic evidence map. The Plastic Health Map with extracted metadata from included studies are freely available at https://osf.io/fhw7d/ and summary tables, plots and overall observations are included in this report.
Conclusions
We present the first evidence map compiling human health research on a wide range of plastic-associated chemicals from several different chemical classes, in order to provide stakeholders, including researchers, regulators, and concerned individuals, with an efficient way to access published literature on the matter and determine knowledge gaps. We also provide examples of data clusters to facilitate systematic reviews and research gaps to help direct future research efforts. Extensive gaps are identified in the breadth of populations, exposures and outcomes addressed in studies of potential human health effects of plastic-associated chemicals. No studies of the human health effects of micro and/or nanoplastics were found, and no studies were found for 26/1,202 additives included in our search that are of known hazard concern and confirmed to be in active production. Few studies have addressed recent “substitution” chemicals for restricted additives such as organophosphate flame retardants, phthalate substitutes, and bisphenol analogues. We call for a paradigm shift in chemical regulation whereby new plastic chemicals are rigorously tested for safety before being introduced in consumer products, with ongoing post-introduction biomonitoring of their levels in humans and health effects throughout individuals’ life span, including in old age and across generations.
Microplastic (MP) tiny fragments (< 5 mm) of conventional and specialized industrial polymers are persistent and ubiquitous in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystem. Breathing, ingestion, consumption of food stuffs, potable water, and skin are possible routes of MP exposure that pose potential human health risk. Various microorganisms including bacteria, cyanobacteria, and microalgae rapidly colonized on MP surfaces which initiate biofilm formation. It gradually changed the MP surface chemistry and polymer properties that attract environmental metals. Physicochemical and environmental parameters like polymer type, dissolved organic matter (DOM), pH, salinity, ion concentrations, and microbial community compositions regulate metal adsorption on MP biofilm surface. A set of highly conserved proteins tightly regulates metal uptake, subcellular distribution, storage, and transport to maintain cellular homeostasis. Exposure of metal-MP biofilm can disrupt that cellular homeostasis to induce toxicities. Imbalances in metal concentrations therefore led to neuronal network dysfunction, ROS, mitochondrial damage in diseases like Alzheimer’s disease (AD), Parkinson’s disease (PD), and Prion disorder. This review focuses on the biofilm development on MP surfaces, factors controlling the growth of MP biofilm which triggered metal accumulation to induce neurotoxicological consequences in human body and stategies to reestablish the homeostasis. Thus, the present study gives a new approach on the health risks of heavy metals associated with MP biofilm in which biofilms trigger metal accumulation and MPs serve as a vector for those accumulated metals causing metal dysbiosis in human body.
Microplastic Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Control sheds light on the causes, effects, and control of microplastic pollution, providing valuable insights into the tools and techniques for analysis, the impact on ecosystems, and the potential risks to human well-being. The editors focus on the urgency of addressing this global environmental challenge through collaborative efforts and sustainable solutions. This reference features 10 edited chapters covering multiple aspects of microplastic pollution. The book introduces the reader to various tools and techniques used to analyze microplastic pollution in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. It then examines the sources, pathways, and levels of microplastic contamination in the environment and explains how to evaluate the potential health risks for the nearby communities. The impact of microplastic on flora and fauna is presented in one chapter. To emphasize the importance of assessing microplastic contamination, the editors present a case study conducted in Thoothukudi, South India, to explore the implications of microplastic pollution on human health. The book also provides information on solutions to microplastic pollution including the use of bioplastics and removal techniques.
Microplastic Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Control equips readers with a complete understanding of the global challenge of microplastics, fostering awareness and encouraging further research and action to protect our ecosystems and human health from their detrimental impact. It is an ideal handbook for environmental science researchers and students who need to understand microplastic pollution and plan environmental impact assessments for academic research and professional projects.
Key Features
- Comprehensive coverage of microplastic pollution with 10 structured chapters
- Informs readers about important parameters to understand and measure the impact of microplastics on local fauna, flora and the surrounding environment
- Covers evaluation and remediation of microplastics in both terrestrial and marine environments
- Includes references for advanced readers
- Includes a case study on the effect of microplastics in Thoothukudi, South India
Microplastic Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Control sheds light on the causes, effects, and control of microplastic pollution, providing valuable insights into the tools and techniques for analysis, the impact on ecosystems, and the potential risks to human well-being. The editors focus on the urgency of addressing this global environmental challenge through collaborative efforts and sustainable solutions. This reference features 10 edited chapters covering multiple aspects of microplastic pollution. The book introduces the reader to various tools and techniques used to analyze microplastic pollution in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. It then examines the sources, pathways, and levels of microplastic contamination in the environment and explains how to evaluate the potential health risks for the nearby communities. The impact of microplastic on flora and fauna is presented in one chapter. To emphasize the importance of assessing microplastic contamination, the editors present a case study conducted in Thoothukudi, South India, to explore the implications of microplastic pollution on human health. The book also provides information on solutions to microplastic pollution including the use of bioplastics and removal techniques.
Microplastic Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Control equips readers with a complete understanding of the global challenge of microplastics, fostering awareness and encouraging further research and action to protect our ecosystems and human health from their detrimental impact. It is an ideal handbook for environmental science researchers and students who need to understand microplastic pollution and plan environmental impact assessments for academic research and professional projects.
Key Features
- Comprehensive coverage of microplastic pollution with 10 structured chapters
- Informs readers about important parameters to understand and measure the impact of microplastics on local fauna, flora and the surrounding environment
- Covers evaluation and remediation of microplastics in both terrestrial and marine environments
- Includes references for advanced readers
- Includes a case study on the effect of microplastics in Thoothukudi, South India
Microplastic Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Control sheds light on the causes, effects, and control of microplastic pollution, providing valuable insights into the tools and techniques for analysis, the impact on ecosystems, and the potential risks to human well-being. The editors focus on the urgency of addressing this global environmental challenge through collaborative efforts and sustainable solutions. This reference features 10 edited chapters covering multiple aspects of microplastic pollution. The book introduces the reader to various tools and techniques used to analyze microplastic pollution in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. It then examines the sources, pathways, and levels of microplastic contamination in the environment and explains how to evaluate the potential health risks for the nearby communities. The impact of microplastic on flora and fauna is presented in one chapter. To emphasize the importance of assessing microplastic contamination, the editors present a case study conducted in Thoothukudi, South India, to explore the implications of microplastic pollution on human health. The book also provides information on solutions to microplastic pollution including the use of bioplastics and removal techniques.
Microplastic Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Control equips readers with a complete understanding of the global challenge of microplastics, fostering awareness and encouraging further research and action to protect our ecosystems and human health from their detrimental impact. It is an ideal handbook for environmental science researchers and students who need to understand microplastic pollution and plan environmental impact assessments for academic research and professional projects.
Key Features
- Comprehensive coverage of microplastic pollution with 10 structured chapters
- Informs readers about important parameters to understand and measure the impact of microplastics on local fauna, flora and the surrounding environment
- Covers evaluation and remediation of microplastics in both terrestrial and marine environments
- Includes references for advanced readers
- Includes a case study on the effect of microplastics in Thoothukudi, South India
Microplastic Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Control sheds light on the causes, effects, and control of microplastic pollution, providing valuable insights into the tools and techniques for analysis, the impact on ecosystems, and the potential risks to human well-being. The editors focus on the urgency of addressing this global environmental challenge through collaborative efforts and sustainable solutions. This reference features 10 edited chapters covering multiple aspects of microplastic pollution. The book introduces the reader to various tools and techniques used to analyze microplastic pollution in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. It then examines the sources, pathways, and levels of microplastic contamination in the environment and explains how to evaluate the potential health risks for the nearby communities. The impact of microplastic on flora and fauna is presented in one chapter. To emphasize the importance of assessing microplastic contamination, the editors present a case study conducted in Thoothukudi, South India, to explore the implications of microplastic pollution on human health. The book also provides information on solutions to microplastic pollution including the use of bioplastics and removal techniques.
Microplastic Pollution: Causes, Effects, and Control equips readers with a complete understanding of the global challenge of microplastics, fostering awareness and encouraging further research and action to protect our ecosystems and human health from their detrimental impact. It is an ideal handbook for environmental science researchers and students who need to understand microplastic pollution and plan environmental impact assessments for academic research and professional projects.
Key Features
- Comprehensive coverage of microplastic pollution with 10 structured chapters
- Informs readers about important parameters to understand and measure the impact of microplastics on local fauna, flora and the surrounding environment
- Covers evaluation and remediation of microplastics in both terrestrial and marine environments
- Includes references for advanced readers
- Includes a case study on the effect of microplastics in Thoothukudi, South India
Simple Summary
Environmental pollution due to the presence of anthropogenic microfibers, including microplastics, is a problem affecting quality of life in modern society. Anthropogenic microfibers are ubiquitous, produced by a multitude of processes, and harmful to organisms and ecosystems. In this article, we present the results of an experiment aimed at optimizing the use of transplanted mosses and lichens as biomonitors (i.e., organisms capable of accumulating or reacting to the presence of pollutants) of anthropogenic microfibers. We found that the moss H. cupressiforme is preferable to the lichen P. furfuracea, especially when exposed without a covering net.
Abstract
Anthropogenic microfibers (mfs) are synthetic particles composed of cellulose (cotton, rayon, acetate, etc.) or petrochemical-based polymers (i.e., microplastics—MPs) that are less than 5 mm in length. The accumulation of mfs, including MPs, in the moss Hypnum cupressiforme and the lichen Pseudevernia furfuracea was compared in a transplant experiment lasting 6 weeks. We also tested the effects of the bag used for transplants on the accumulation of mfs. Anthropogenic particles trapped by both biomonitors were mostly filamentous (99% mfs), and their number was overall higher in the moss (mean ± s.d. 102 ± 24) than in the lichen (mean ± s.d. 87 ± 17), at parity of sample weight. On average, mfs found in lichen were significantly longer than those found in moss bags, suggesting that lichens are less efficient at retaining smaller mfs. Exposure without the net yielded a higher mfs number accumulation in both species, indicating that “naked” transplants provide greater sensitivity. The calculation of daily fluxes evidenced a loss of mfs in the lichen, suggesting the presence of more stable bonds between moss and mfs. Raman microspectroscopy carried out on about 100 debris confirms the anthropogenic nature of mfs, of which 20% were MPs. Overall results indicate that moss is preferable to lichen in the biomonitoring of airborne mfs especially when exposed naked.
Microplastics, measuring less than 5 mm in diameter, are now found in various environmental media, including soil, water, and air, and have infiltrated the food chain, ultimately becoming a part of the human diet. This study offers a comprehensive examination of the intricate nexus between microplastics and human health, thereby contributing to the existing knowledge on the subject. Sources of microplastics, including microfibers from textiles, personal care products, and wastewater treatment plants, among others, were assessed. The study meticulously examined the diverse routes of microplastic exposure—ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact—offering insights into the associated health risks. Notably, ingestion of microplastics has been linked to gastrointestinal disturbances, endocrine disruption, and the potential transmission of pathogenic bacteria. Inhalation of airborne microplastics emerges as a critical concern, with possible implications for respiratory and cardiovascular health. Dermal contact, although less explored, raises the prospect of skin irritation and allergic reactions. The impacts of COVID-19 on microplastic pollution were also highlighted. Throughout the manuscript, the need for a deeper mechanistic understanding of microplastic interactions with human systems is emphasized, underscoring the urgency for further research and public awareness.
Environmental context Microplastics in freshwater ecosystems are an increasingly important environmental issue, with the few available studies suggesting high contamination worldwide. Reliable data on concentrations, fluxes and polymer types in continental aquatic environments, including urban water systems, are needed. High environmental and ecological risk polymers and associated or adsorbed chemicals have to be identified, as well as their effects on both organisms and ecosystems. Abstract Massive accumulation of plastic particles has been reported for marine ecosystems around the world, posing a risk to the biota. Freshwater ecosystems have received less attention despite most plastic litter being produced onshore and introduced into marine environments by rivers. Some studies not only report the presence of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems, but show that contamination is as severe as in the oceans. In continental waters, microplastics have been observed in both sediments (predominantly lake shores but also riverbanks) and water samples (predominantly surface water of lakes and rivers). This review highlights recent findings and discusses open questions, focussing on the methodology of assessing this contaminant in freshwater ecosystems. In this context, method harmonisation is needed in order to obtain comparable data from different environmental compartments and sites. This includes sampling strategies (at spatial and temporal scales), sample treatment (taking into consideration high levels of organic matter and suspended solids) and reliable analytical methods to identify microplastics.
There have been numerous anthropogenic-driven changes to our planet in the last half-century. One of the most evident changes is the ubiquity and abundance of litter in the marine environment. The EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD, 2008/56/EC) establishes a framework within which EU Member States shall take action to achieve or maintain good environmental status (GES) of their marine waters by 2020. GES is based on 11 qualitative descriptors as listed in Annex I of the MSFD. Descriptor 10 (D 10) concerns marine litter. As a follow-up to the related Commission Decision on criteria and methodological standards (2010/477/EU) in which 56 indicators for the achievement of GES are proposed, the EC Directorate-General for the Environment, on the request of the European Marine Directors, established a Technical Subgroup on Marine Litter (TSG ML) under the Working Group on GES. The role of TSG ML is to support Member States through providing scientific and technical background for the implementation of MSFD requirements with regard to D 10. Started in 2011, TSG ML provides technical recommendations for the implementation of the MSFD requirements for marine litter. It summarizes the available information on monitoring approaches and considers how GES and environmental targets could be defined with the aim of preventing further inputs of litter to, and reducing its total amount in, the marine environment. It also identifies research needs, priorities and strategies in support of the implementation of D 10. The work of TSG ML also focuses on the specification of monitoring methods through the development of monitoring protocols for litter in the different marine compartments, and for microplastics and litter in biota. Further consideration is being given to monitoring strategies in general and associated costs. Other priorities include the identification of sources of marine litter and a better understanding of the harm caused by marine litter.
Background: While the use of plastic materials has generated huge societal benefits, the ‘plastic age’ comes with downsides: One issue of emerging concern is the accumulation of plastics in the aquatic environment. Here, so-called microplastics (MP), fragments smaller than 5 mm, are of special concern because they can be ingested throughout the food web more readily than larger particles. Focusing on freshwater MP, we briefly review the state of the science to identify gaps of knowledge and deduce research needs. State of the science: Environmental scientists started investigating marine (micro)plastics in the early 2000s. Today, a wealth of studies demonstrates that MP have ubiquitously permeated the marine ecosystem, including the polar regions and the deep sea. MP ingestion has been documented for an increasing number of marine species. However, to date, only few studies investigate their biological effects.
The majority of marine plastics are considered to originate from land-based sources, including surface waters. Although they may be important transport pathways of MP, data from freshwater ecosystems is scarce. So far, only few studies provide evidence for the presence of MP in rivers and lakes. Data on MP uptake by freshwater invertebrates and fish is very limited.
Knowledge gaps: While the research on marine MP is more advanced, there are immense gaps of knowledge regarding freshwater MP. Data on their abundance is fragmentary for large and absent for small surface waters. Likewise, relevant sources and the environmental fate remain to be investigated. Data on the biological effects of MP in freshwater species is completely lacking. The accumulation of other freshwater contaminants on MP is of special interest because ingestion might increase the chemical exposure. Again, data is unavailable on this important issue.
Conclusions: MP represent freshwater contaminants of emerging concern. However, to assess the environmental risk associated with MP, comprehensive data on their abundance, fate, sources, and biological effects in freshwater ecosystems are needed. Establishing such data critically depends on a collaborative effort by environmental scientists from diverse disciplines (chemistry, hydrology, ecotoxicology, etc.) and, unsurprisingly, on the allocation of sufficient public funding
Background: While the use of plastic materials has generated huge societal benefits, the ‘plastic age’ comes with downsides: One issue of emerging concern is the accumulation of plastics in the aquatic environment. Here, so-called microplastics (MP), fragments smaller than 5 mm, are of special concern because they can be ingested throughout the food web more readily than larger particles. Focusing on freshwater MP, we briefly review the state of the science to identify gaps of knowledge and deduce research needs.
State of the science: Environmental scientists started investigating marine (micro)plastics in the early 2000s. Today, a wealth of studies demonstrates that MP have ubiquitously permeated the marine ecosystem, including the polar regions and the deep sea. MP ingestion has been documented for an increasing number of marine species. However, to date, only few studies investigate their biological effects.
The majority of marine plastics are considered to originate from land-based sources, including surface waters. Although they may be important transport pathways of MP, data from freshwater ecosystems is scarce. So far, only few studies provide evidence for the presence of MP in rivers and lakes. Data on MP uptake by freshwater invertebrates and fish is very limited.
Knowledge gaps: While the research on marine MP is more advanced, there are immense gaps of knowledge regarding freshwater MP. Data on their abundance is fragmentary for large and absent for small surface waters.Likewise, relevant sources and the environmental fate remain to be investigated. Data on the biological effects of MP in freshwater species is completely lacking. The accumulation of other freshwater contaminants on MP is of special interest because ingestion might increase the chemical exposure. Again, data is unavailable on this important issue.
Conclusions: MP represent freshwater contaminants of emerging concern. However, to assess the environmental risk associated with MP, comprehensive data on their abundance, fate, sources, and biological effects in freshwater ecosystems are needed. Establishing such data critically depends on a collaborative effort by environmental scientists from diverse disciplines (chemistry, hydrology, ecotoxicology, etc.) and, unsurprisingly, on the allocation of sufficient public funding.
Marine ecosystem contamination by microplastics is extensively documented. However few data is available on the contamination of continental water bodies and associated fauna. The aim of this study was to address the occurrence of microplastics in digestive tract of gudgeons (Gobio gobio) from French rivers. These investigations confirm that continental fish ingested microplastics while 12% of collected fish are contaminated by these small particles. Further works are needed to evaluate the occurence of this contamination.
Debris has been recognized as a global environmental problem including within deep habitats. From 26 fish species (1504 specimens) caught in the Eastern Ionian Sea during deep-water long-line surveys, plastic debris was found in 24 individuals of Galeus melastomus (3.2%) and single individuals of Pteroplatytrygon violacea, Squalus blainville, Etmopterus spinax, and Pagellus bogaraveo. The occurrence of debris among their food was infrequent. Ingested debris included primarily plastics (86.5%) and to a lesser extent pieces of metal and wood. Among ingested plastics, fragments of hard plastic material constituted the highest proportion (56.0%), followed by plastic bag fragments (22.0%), fragments of fishing gears (19.0%) and textile fibers (3.0%). Among the species with ingested debris, G. melastomus swallowed all debris categories; P. violacea and S. blainville ingested plastic bag fragments, whereas pieces of hard plastics were found in E. spinax and P. bogaraveo.
This review discusses the mechanisms of generation and potential impacts of microplastics in the ocean environment. Weathering degradation of plastics on the beaches results in their surface embrittlement and microcracking, yielding microparticles that are carried into water by wind or wave action. Unlike inorganic fines present in sea water, microplastics concentrate persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by partition. The relevant distribution coefficients for common POPs are several orders of magnitude in favour of the plastic medium. Consequently, the microparticles laden with high levels of POPs can be ingested by marine biota. Bioavailability and the efficiency of transfer of the ingested POPs across trophic levels are not known and the potential damage posed by these to the marine ecosystem has yet to be quantified and modelled. Given the increasing levels of plastic pollution of the oceans it is important to better understand the impact of microplastics in the ocean food web.
This review of 68 studies compares the methodologies used for the identification and quantification of microplastics from the marine environment. Three main sampling strategies were identified: selective, volume-reduced, and bulk sampling. Most sediment samples came from sandy beaches at the high tide line, and most seawater samples were taken at the sea surface using neuston nets. Four steps were distinguished during sample processing: density separation, filtration, sieving, and visual sorting of microplastics. Visual sorting was one of the most commonly used methods for the identification of microplastics (using type, shape, degradation stage, and color as criteria). Chemical and physical characteristics (e.g., specific density) were also used. The most reliable method to identify the chemical composition of microplastics is by infrared spectroscopy. Most studies reported that plastic fragments were polyethylene and polypropylene polymers. Units commonly used for abundance estimates are "items per m(2)" for sediment and sea surface studies and "items per m(3)" for water column studies. Mesh size of sieves and filters used during sampling or sample processing influence abundance estimates. Most studies reported two main size ranges of microplastics: (i) 500 μm-5 mm, which are retained by a 500 μm sieve/net, and (ii) 1-500 μm, or fractions thereof that are retained on filters. We recommend that future programs of monitoring continue to distinguish these size fractions, but we suggest standardized sampling procedures which allow the spatiotemporal comparison of microplastic abundance across marine environments.
Since the mass production of plastics began in the 1940s, microplastic contamination of the marine environment has been a growing problem. Here, a review of the literature has been conducted with the following objectives: (1) to summarise the properties, nomenclature and sources of microplastics; (2) to discuss the routes by which microplastics enter the marine environment; (3) to evaluate the methods by which microplastics are detected in the marine environment; (4) to assess spatial and temporal trends of microplastic abundance; and (5) to discuss the environmental impact of microplastics. Microplastics are both abundant and widespread within the marine environment, found in their highest concentrations along coastlines and within mid-ocean gyres. Ingestion of microplastics has been demonstrated in a range of marine organisms, a process which may facilitate the transfer of chemical additives or hydrophobic waterborne pollutants to biota. We conclude by highlighting key future research areas for scientists and policymakers.
Millions of metric tons of plastic are produced annually. Countless large items of plastic debris are accumulating in marine habitats worldwide and may persist for centuries ([ 1 ][1]–[ 4 ][2]). Here we show that microscopic plastic fragments and fibers ([Fig. 1A][3]) are also widespread in the
Environmental context Plastics production has increased considerably in recent years, leading to pollution by plastics, including microplastics (comprising particles smaller than 5mm). This work addresses the issue of microplastics from urban sources and in receiving waters in Greater Paris. Microplastics were found in all urban compartments investigated, namely atmospheric fallout, waste- and treated water, and surface water. Abstract This study investigates the microplastic contamination of both urban compartments (wastewater and total atmospheric fallout) and surface water in a continental environment. These first investigations on an urban environment confirm the presence of microplastics in sewage, fresh water and total atmospheric fallout and provide knowledge on the type and size distribution of microplastics in the 100-5000-μm range. For the first time, the presence of microplastics, mostly fibres, is highlighted in total atmospheric fallout (29-280particlesm-2day-1). High levels of fibres were found in wastewater (260-320×103particlesm-3). In treated effluent, the contamination significantly decreased to 14-50×103particlesm-3. In the River Seine, two sampling devices were used to collect both large and small microplastic particles: (i) a plankton net (80-μm mesh), and (ii) a manta trawl (330-μm mesh). Sampling with the plankton net showed a predominance of fibres, with concentrations ranging from 3 to 108particlesm-3. A greater diversity of both microplastic shapes and types was found during manta trawl sampling but at much lower concentrations (0.28-0.47particlesm-3). This combined approach could be relevant and implemented in future studies to provide an accurate overview of microplastic distribution in freshwater.
Presentation on material subsequently expanded and published in article linked here: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/7774992_Synthetic_fibers_as_an_indicator_of_land_application_of_sludge
Microplastics are present in marine habitats worldwide and laboratory studies show this material can be ingested, yet data on abundance in natural populations is limited. This study documents microplastics in 10 species of fish from the English Channel. 504 Fish were examined and plastics found in the gastroin-testinal tracts of 36.5%. All five pelagic species and all five demersal species had ingested plastic. Of the 184 fish that had ingested plastic the average number of pieces per fish was 1.90 ± 0.10. A total of 351 pieces of plastic were identified using FT-IR Spectroscopy; polyamide (35.6%) and the semi-synthetic cel-lulosic material, rayon (57.8%) were most common. There was no significant difference between the abundance of plastic ingested by pelagic and demersal fish. Hence, microplastic ingestion appears to be common, in relatively small quantities, across a range of fish species irrespective of feeding habitat. Further work is needed to establish the potential consequences.
Because of concerns regarding health, safety, and aesthetics, a test that identifies the presence of sewage sludge or its products (biosolids) in commercial materials such as soil conditioners and composts would be useful. This test could also trace the effluent plume from a sewage treatment plant. We have discovered that synthetic fibers serve as such an indicator. Synthetic fibers are abundant in sludge, sludge products, and sewage treatment plant effluents. The fibers evidently are introduced from clothes-washing machines and survive the sewage treatment process. Synthetic fibers were identified using polarized light microscopy, which provided a simple, rapid method for determining the presence or absence of municipal sewage sludge or its products. False positives or false negatives have not occurred with any of the materials examined so far. We also monitored synthetic fibers in surface sediments of Huntington Harbor, Long Island, NY, a harbor receiving the effluent from a trickling filter sewage treatment plant. Fibers generally decrease in size and abundance with distance from the source. In Oyster Bay Harbor, Long Island, an advanced sewage treatment plant is operated with a final microfiltration step. Synthetic fibers are less abundant in the sediments of this harbor.
Plastic debris <1 mm (defined here as microplastic) is accumulating in marine habitats. Ingestion of microplastic provides a potential pathway for the transfer of pollutants, monomers, and plastic-additives to organisms with uncertain consequences for their health. Here, we show that microplastic contaminates the shorelines at 18 sites worldwide representing six continents from the poles to the equator, with more material in densely populated areas, but no clear relationship between the abundance of miocroplastics and the mean size-distribution of natural particulates. An important source of microplastic appears to be through sewage contaminated by fibers from washing clothes. Forensic evaluation of microplastic from sediments showed that the proportions of polyester and acrylic fibers used in clothing resembled those found in habitats that receive sewage-discharges and sewage-effluent itself. Experiments sampling wastewater from domestic washing machines demonstrated that a single garment can produce >1900 fibers per wash. This suggests that a large proportion of microplastic fibers found in the marine environment may be derived from sewage as a consequence of washing of clothes. As the human population grows and people use more synthetic textiles, contamination of habitats and animals by microplastic is likely to increase.
This review discusses the mechanisms of generation and potential impacts of microplastics in the ocean environment. Weathering degradation of plastics on the beaches results in their surface embrittlement and microcracking, yielding microparticles that are carried into water by wind or wave action. Unlike inorganic fines present in sea water, microplastics concentrate persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by partition. The relevant distribution coefficients for common POPs are several orders of magnitude in favour of the plastic medium. Consequently, the microparticles laden with high levels of POPs can be ingested by marine biota. Bioavailability and the efficiency of transfer of the ingested POPs across trophic levels are not known and the potential damage posed by these to the marine ecosystem has yet to be quantified and modelled. Given the increasing levels of plastic pollution of the oceans it is important to better understand the impact of microplastics in the ocean food web.
Synthetic fabric fibers have been proposed as indicators of past spreading of wastewater sludge. Synthetic fiber detectability was examined in sludges (dewatered, pelletized, composted, alkaline-stabilized) and in soils from experimental columns and field sites applied with those sludge products. Fibers (isolated by water extraction and examined using polarized light microscopy) were detectable in sludge products and in soil columns over 5 years after application, retaining characteristics observed in the applied sludge. Concentrations mirrored (within a factor of 2) predictions based on soil dilution. Fibers were detectable in field site soils up to 15 years after application, again retaining the characteristics seen in sludge products. Concentrations correlated with residual sludge metal concentration gradients in a well-characterized field site. Fibers found along preferential flow paths and/or in horizons largely below the mixed layer suggest some potential for translocation. Synthetic fibers were shown to be rapid and semi-quantitative indicators of past sludge application.
Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine Debris
- C Arthur
- J Baker
- H Bamford
Arthur, C., Baker, J., Bamford, H., 2008. Proceedings of the International Research. Presented at the Worshop on the Occurence, Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine Debris.
Sept 9-11 2008. NOAA Technical Memorandum NOS-OR&R-30.