1
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Liang Y, Gu J, Chen K, Zhou H, Peng J, Cai T, Na P, Guo C, Huang W, Yang C, Dang Z. A Quantitative Relationship between Settling and Wettability for Weathered Microplastics in Aquatic Systems. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2025; 59:11181-11193. [PMID: 40407843 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.4c11053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2025]
Abstract
Settling plays a crucial role in determining the residence time, distribution, transport, and ultimate fate of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments. The settling dynamics of particles are influenced by their macroscale shape, mesoscale roundness, and microscale surface properties, along with ambient fluid flow conditions. Variations in the wettability of submillimeter MPs affect molecular interactions at the particle-water interface, altering the microscopic flow field and subsequently modifying drag forces during settling. This study examines the impact of wettability on the settling behavior of aged acrylonitrile butadiene styrene MPs by measuring their settling velocities and contact angles. It was shown that increased wettability promotes the settlement of the MPs. A drag model incorporating the Eötvös number─a dimensionless ratio of buoyancy energy to contact angle-derived surface energy─is developed to quantify the relationship between interfacial chemistry and hydrodynamic resistance. Unlike the conventional models, our model considers wettability as a key factor controlling the settling of MP particles. The model was validated using independently measured data and four sets of published data for the MPs. Results demonstrate that the model significantly improves the accuracy of the settling predictions for weathering spherical MPs. Additionally, by integrating the shape factor, it effectively accounts for the settling behavior of irregularly shaped MPs using published data sets. This improvement enhances predictability for MP transport pathways, helping assess MP accumulation zones and potential ecological risks in marine and freshwater systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Liang
- College of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jingyi Gu
- College of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Ketong Chen
- College of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Hong Zhou
- College of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Jiamin Peng
- College of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Tingting Cai
- College of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Pei Na
- College of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Chenlu Guo
- College of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Weilin Huang
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901, United States
| | - Chen Yang
- College of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
| | - Zhi Dang
- College of Environment and Energy, South China University of Technology, Guangzhou 510006, China
- The Key Lab of Pollution Control and Ecosystem Restoration in Industry Clusters, Ministry of Education, Guangzhou 510006, China
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2
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Egger M, Booth AM, Bosker T, Everaert G, Garrard SL, Havas V, Huntley HS, Koelmans AA, Kvale K, Lebreton L, Niemann H, Pang Q, Proietti M, Puskic P, Richon C, Royer SJ, Savoca MS, Tjallema A, van Vulpen M, Zhang Y, Zhang Z, Mitrano DM. Evaluating the environmental impact of cleaning the North Pacific Garbage Patch. Sci Rep 2025; 15:16736. [PMID: 40425631 PMCID: PMC12116914 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-00619-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/16/2024] [Accepted: 04/29/2025] [Indexed: 05/29/2025] Open
Abstract
Cleanup of existing plastic pollution is crucial to mitigate its impact on marine ecosystems, but such efforts must ensure benefits outweigh potential environmental damage caused by the cleanup. Here, we present an impact assessment framework and apply it to evaluate whether cleaning the North Pacific Garbage Patch (NPGP) benefits marine life and carbon cycling, using The Ocean Cleanup as a case study. Our findings indicate that marine life is more vulnerable to plastic pollution than to macroplastic cleanup, with average vulnerability scores (1 = low, 3 = high) of 2.3 for macroplastics, 1.9 for microplastics, and 1.8 for cleanup, suggesting a net positive impact. An 80% cleanup could reduce macroplastic concentrations to within reported safe levels for marine mammals and sea turtles. Estimated cleanup-related carbon emissions [0.4-2.9 million metric tons (Mt) in total] are significantly lower than potential long-term microplastics impacts on ocean carbon sequestration (15-30 Mt C per year). However, uncertainties remain regarding effects on air-sea carbon exchange. Our framework serves as a critical tool for assessing trade-offs between plastic pollution and remediation impacts. It demonstrates the environmental net benefits of the proposed NPGP cleanup and can be adapted to similarly evaluate other remediation plans.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthias Egger
- The Ocean Cleanup, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Empaqtify, St. Gallen, Switzerland.
| | | | | | | | | | - Vilma Havas
- Salt Lofoten, Arendal, Norway
- Aalborg University, Aalborg, Denmark
| | | | - Albert A Koelmans
- Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management Group, Wageningen University, Wageningen, The Netherlands
| | - Karin Kvale
- GNS Science, Avalon, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
- Aotearoa Blue Ocean Research, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Laurent Lebreton
- The Ocean Cleanup, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- The Modelling House Limited, Raglan, New Zealand
| | - Helge Niemann
- NIOZ Royal Netherlands Institute for Sea Research, 't Horntje (Texel), The Netherlands
- Department of Earth Sciences, Faculty of Geosciences, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Qiaotong Pang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Atmospheric and Earth System Sciences, School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Maira Proietti
- The Ocean Cleanup, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande (FURG), Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - Peter Puskic
- The Ocean Cleanup, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Institute for Marine and Antarctic Studies, University of Tasmania, Hobart, Australia
- Center for Marine Socioecology, Hobart, Australia
| | - Camille Richon
- CNRS, Ifremer, IRD, Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), IUEM, University Brest, Brest, France
| | | | - Matthew S Savoca
- Hopkins Marine Station, Stanford University, Pacific Grove, CA, USA
- California Marine Sanctuary Foundation, Monterey, CA, USA
| | | | | | - Yanxu Zhang
- Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Tulane University, New Orleans, LA, USA
| | - Ziman Zhang
- Joint International Research Laboratory of Atmospheric and Earth System Sciences, School of Atmospheric Sciences, Nanjing University, Nanjing, China
| | - Denise M Mitrano
- Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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3
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Zhao Q, Zong M, Song E, Linghu H, Li X, Wang B, Xiao S, Guan W, Su J, Zhang J, Ji J, Kong Q. Low-dose exposure to microplastics retards meiotic maturation via HDAC3 insufficiency. SCIENCE CHINA. LIFE SCIENCES 2025; 68:1410-1422. [PMID: 39976862 DOI: 10.1007/s11427-024-2763-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2024] [Accepted: 10/21/2024] [Indexed: 05/23/2025]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are considered one of the main causes of male and female infertility. However, the reproductive toxicity and its related mechanisms are currently understood primarily through animal models with acute exposure to MPs. In this study, we demonstrate that low-dose exposure to polystyrene microplastics (PSMPs) leads to severely abnormal reproduction in females, manifested by oocyte meiotic maturation defect. Mechanistically, PSMPs exposure induce the overactivation of cell metabolism pathways, insufficient HDACs, and H4K16 hyperacetylation in oocytes both in vivo and in vitro. When an HDAC3 inhibitor is added, the oocyte maturation defect, overactivation of cell metabolism pathways, and H4K16 hyperacetylation are recapitulated. Conversely, the overexpression of HDAC3 can rescue the defects in meiotic maturation induced by PSMPs. Our observations suggest a direct link between the maturation defects caused by PSMPs and HDAC3 insufficiency. Thus, we propose potential treatments to address the meiotic maturation defect of oocytes in women highly exposed to MPs by activating or supplying HDAC3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qi Zhao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
- Oujiang Laboratory, Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health, Wenzhou, 325000, China
| | - Ming Zong
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Entong Song
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Hongye Linghu
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Xuanwen Li
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Baicui Wang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Songling Xiao
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Wanchun Guan
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China
| | - Jianzhong Su
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
- Oujiang Laboratory, Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
| | - Jiaming Zhang
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
- Oujiang Laboratory, Zhejiang Lab for Regenerative Medicine, Vision and Brain Health, Wenzhou, 325000, China.
| | - Jingzhang Ji
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
| | - Qingran Kong
- Zhejiang Provincial Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Laboratory of Laboratory Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Laboratory Medicine and Life Sciences, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, 325035, China.
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4
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Santos SN, Craveiro N, da Silva FF, Júnior SA, Pacheco JGA, Arcanjo AP, Benvenuto Ribeiro W, Cavalcante YSS, Rosa Filho JS. Reefs of Brachidontes exustus and Petaloconchus spp. as traps and sink for microplastics in tropical coastal areas. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2025; 214:117706. [PMID: 39987758 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2025.117706] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2025] [Revised: 02/14/2025] [Accepted: 02/15/2025] [Indexed: 02/25/2025]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants in marine environments. This study quantified, chemically identified, and described MPs in reefs of Brachidontes exustus and Petaloconchus spp. on the tropical coast of Brazil. Samples were collected in reefs of northeastern Brazil in the dry (February) and rainy (July) seasons of 2023. MPs were classified (shape and color), measured, and counted. MPs were present in all samples. Most MPs were transparent fibers, with more particles in Brachidontes reefs and during the rainy season. MPs were mainly polystyrene, polypropylene, polyester, and polyamide. The characteristics of reefs and seasonal changes in rainfall are the main drivers of the accumulation of MPs, and the shape and chemical composition of particles reveal that their principal source is probably the textile and apparel industry. The trapping of MPs in Petaloconhus spp. and Brachidontes exustus reefs reveals that biogenic reefs may be a sink for microplastics in tropical coastal areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suelen N Santos
- Laboratório de Bentos, DOCEAN, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Mores, Rego, 1235, CEP 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil.
| | - Nykon Craveiro
- Laboratório de Bentos, DOCEAN, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Mores, Rego, 1235, CEP 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Fausthon Fred da Silva
- Laboratório de Compostos de Coordenação e Química de Superfície, DQ, Universidade Federal da Paraíba, Campus I Lot. Cidade Universitaria, CEP 58051-900, João Pessoa, PB, Brazil
| | - Severino Alves Júnior
- Laboratório de Terras Raras, DQF, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Mores, Rego, 1235, CEP 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - José Geraldo A Pacheco
- Laboratório de Refino e Tecnologias Limpas, LITPEG, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Mores, Rego, 1235, CEP 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Ana P Arcanjo
- Laboratório de Refino e Tecnologias Limpas, LITPEG, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Mores, Rego, 1235, CEP 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Wendell Benvenuto Ribeiro
- Laboratório de Bentos, DOCEAN, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Mores, Rego, 1235, CEP 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - Yasmim Samara S Cavalcante
- Laboratório de Bentos, DOCEAN, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Mores, Rego, 1235, CEP 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil
| | - José S Rosa Filho
- Laboratório de Bentos, DOCEAN, Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Av. Prof. Mores, Rego, 1235, CEP 50670-901 Recife, PE, Brazil.
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5
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Liu X, Zhong B, Li N, Wu WM, Wang X, Li X, Yang Z, Mei X, Yi S, He Y. Notable ecological risks of microplastics to Minjiang River ecosystem over headwater to upstream in Eastern Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau. WATER RESEARCH 2025; 274:123137. [PMID: 39813893 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2025.123137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2024] [Revised: 12/27/2024] [Accepted: 01/11/2025] [Indexed: 01/18/2025]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) in aquatic environments has been observed globally. However, the ecological risks of MP pollution in riverhead prior to highly urbanized region remain poorly understood. This study investigated MP pollution related to microbiome in sediments, and ecological risks of MPs in riverhead prior to urbanized area over 291 km of Minjiang River (MJR) in Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau (QTP). MPs in river water and sediments were averagely 245±128 items/L and 124±67 items/kg, respectively, over the investigated river range. The MP distribution indicated that MP abundance is low in headwater section and elevated in middle section and down section with increase of urbanized area. The MPs were found mainly in film, fragments, and fiber morphotypes, with size < 500 μm in both river water and sediments. The polymers of MPs were contributed by polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polycarbonate (PC) at 41.7 %, 22.7 %, 17.9 %, 1.8 %, and 1.2 % in river water, and 32.6 %, 15.0 %, 29.3 %, 3.1 %, and 0.8 % in sediments, respectively. Microbiome analyses of sediments revealed that the majority of microorganisms were aerobic bacteria, which contained potential plastic-degrading bacterial genes. Ecological risk assessment indexes of pollution load, polymeric risk assessment and pollution risk indicated that MPs in MJR river water and sediments displayed noticeable pollution levels, i.e., river water exhibited medium to very high pollution risk levels, and sediments showed from low to very high pollution risk levels in riverhead. Monte Carlo simulation revealed that PVC and PC MPs were considered as priority control pollutants although they were not the most abundant polymers identified due to their intrinsic chemical toxicity. Compared with risk levels of global rivers, the results indicate prominent ecological risks caused by MPs in MJR riverhead areas, and thus raise a warning sign.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bio-resources Utilization, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Bo Zhong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bio-resources Utilization, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Naying Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bio-resources Utilization, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China; School of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Wei-Min Wu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, William & Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Research Center, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-4020, United States
| | - Xiaofeng Wang
- School of Geography and Tourism, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 400047, China
| | - Xianxiang Li
- School of Geography and Tourism, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 400047, China
| | - Zao Yang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bio-resources Utilization, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Xintong Mei
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bio-resources Utilization, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Shaoliang Yi
- International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, Kathmandu 3226, Nepal
| | - Yixin He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bio-resources Utilization, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China.
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6
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Grigera A, Montecinos S, Tognana S. Meso and macroplastics present on the surface and soil of a stream bank in the Pampas Region of Argentina. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2025; 197:551. [PMID: 40232603 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-025-14014-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2024] [Accepted: 04/10/2025] [Indexed: 04/16/2025]
Abstract
The presence of meso and macroplastics extracted from the surface and the soil of the banks of the most polluted point of the Langueyú stream, located in the Pampas Region of Argentina, was studied. The plastic waste extracted from the surface occupies 19.4% of the total area and 70.7% corresponded to single-use plastics, with a predominance of Bags. 331 plastic wastes were extracted from the soil, 93.7% were macroplastics, with a predominance of Threads, Others, Wrappers and Bags. The most abundant categories of mesoplastics were Bags, then Threads and Coarse plastics. 73.6% of the plastics extracted from the surface and the macroplastics extracted from the soil were white or transparent, and these occupied a total area of 8090 cm2, with a greater quantity of plastics with areas less than 100 cm2. The meso/macroplastics ratio was 0.07 on the surface and 14.76 in the soil. Macroplastics on the surface would come mainly from flooding of the stream and from inappropriately deposited waste. There would also be an influence of the wind, which could move macroplastics from their entrapment in vegetation towards the water or away from the banks of the stream. Another important process in this case is the burial of plastics in the banks of the stream and their degradation and fragmentation into mesoplastics. The results were analyzed within the framework of local and national regulations, and current legislation regarding the use of single-use plastics in other countries in the region and abroad was presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Grigera
- Facultad de Cs. Exactas, Universidad Nacional del Centro de La Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), IFIMAT, 7000, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - S Montecinos
- Facultad de Cs. Exactas, Universidad Nacional del Centro de La Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), IFIMAT, 7000, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- CIFICEN, UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET, 7000, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
- CONICET, 1425, Buenos Aires, Argentina.
| | - S Tognana
- Facultad de Cs. Exactas, Universidad Nacional del Centro de La Provincia de Buenos Aires (UNCPBA), IFIMAT, 7000, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- CIFICEN, UNCPBA-CICPBA-CONICET, 7000, Tandil, Buenos Aires, Argentina
- Comisión de Investigaciones Científicas de La Provincia de Buenos Aires, 1900, La Plata, Buenos Aires, Argentina
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7
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Wickramarachchi C, Niven RK, Kramer M. Numerical plastic transport modelling in fluvial systems: Review and formulation of boundary conditions. WATER RESEARCH 2025; 273:122947. [PMID: 39746270 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122947] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/03/2024] [Revised: 11/26/2024] [Accepted: 12/09/2024] [Indexed: 01/04/2025]
Abstract
In recent years, it has become clear that plastic pollution poses a significant threat to aquatic environments and human health. Rivers act as entry points for land-based plastic waste, while a certain fraction of entrained plastics is carried into marine environments. As such, the accurate modelling of plastic transport processes in riverine systems plays a crucial role in developing adequate remediation strategies. In this paper, we review the two main multiphase flow numerical approaches used in plastic transport modelling, comprising Lagrangian Transport Models (LTMs) and Eulerian Transport Models (ETMs). Although LTMs and ETMs can be regarded as complementary and equivalent approaches, LTMs focus on the transport trajectories of individual particles, whereas ETMs represent the behaviour of particles in terms of their mass or volume concentrations. Similar results of the two approaches are expected, while our review shows that plastic transport models are yet to be improved, specifically with respect to the formulation and implementation of boundary conditions, comprising plastic interactions with the channel bed, river bank, and the free surface, as well as interactions with biota. We anticipate that an implementation of these boundary conditions will allow for a better representation of different plastic transport modes, including bed load, suspended load, and surface load. Finally, we provide suggestions for future research directions, including a novel threshold formulation for free surface detachment of plastics, and we hope that this review will inspire the plastic research community, thereby triggering new developments in the rapidly advancing field of numerical plastic transport modelling.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Robert K Niven
- UNSW Canberra, School of Engineering (SET), Northcott Drive, Campbell, 2612, ACT, Australia
| | - Matthias Kramer
- UNSW Canberra, School of Engineering (SET), Northcott Drive, Campbell, 2612, ACT, Australia.
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8
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Oswald SB, Ragas AMJ, Schoor MM, Collas FPL. Plastic transport in rivers: Bridging the gap between surface and water column. WATER RESEARCH 2025; 269:122768. [PMID: 39566334 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122768] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2024] [Revised: 10/24/2024] [Accepted: 11/06/2024] [Indexed: 11/22/2024]
Abstract
Rivers act as an important transportation pathway for land-based plastic litter to the ocean. Recently, rivers have also been identified as potential sinks and reservoirs for plastics. Knowledge of plastic transport over different depth profiles in rivers remains limited. In this study, we evaluated the vertical distribution of macro- and mesoplastics, using a larvae net and a trawl net in the river Rhine and its two major branches, i.e. Waal and IJssel. Subsequently, to estimate the relationship between the surface transport of plastic items, i.e., floating items, compared to the transport in deeper layers in the water column, including suspended and bed-transported plastic, an extrapolation factor was derived per day for the middle and bottom nets divided by those found in the surface net. The observed macro- and mesoplastic OSPAR categories collected in different layers in the water column were rather consistent between different sampling techniques. Fragments of soft mesoplastic falling under the category "Plastic film plastics 0-2.5 cm (soft)" were recorded most frequently in the investigated rivers with our monitoring techniques. During larvae net monitoring, hard plastics were more frequently found at the river surface than at the middle or bottom of the river for both macroplastic and mesoplastics, while soft plastics were more frequently detected near the bottom. For larvae net monitoring, the extrapolation factor, reflecting the concentration ratio of macroplastic items transport at different depths, i.e., from the surface downwards to the middle and the bottom ranged between 0.38 to 2.2 and 0.36 to 5.7, respectively. The extrapolation factor of mesoplastic transport from the surface downwards to the middle and the bottom ranged between 0.70 to 1.84 and 0.69 to 2.57. During trawl net monitoring, the extrapolation factor, reflecting the concentration ratio, for macroplastic ranged between 0.82 and 1.30, and for mesoplastic between 0.52 and 1.40. Overall, the findings of this study show that estimates of plastic concentrations solely based on surface transport could result in an under- or overestimation of riverine plastic transport.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie B Oswald
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science (RIBES), Radboud University, Nijmegen. P.O. Box 9100, 6500 GL, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.
| | - Ad M J Ragas
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science (RIBES), Radboud University, Nijmegen. P.O. Box 9100, 6500 GL, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Margriet M Schoor
- Rijkswaterstaat, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, The Hague, the Netherlands
| | - Frank P L Collas
- Department of Environmental Science, Radboud Institute for Biological and Environmental Science (RIBES), Radboud University, Nijmegen. P.O. Box 9100, 6500 GL, Nijmegen, the Netherlands; Rijkswaterstaat, Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, The Hague, the Netherlands
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9
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Wang B, Yuan H, Yang Y, Jiang Z, Xi D. Toxicological effects and molecular metabolic of polystyrene nanoplastics on soybean (Glycine max L.): Strengthening defense ability by enhancing secondary metabolisms. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2025; 366:125522. [PMID: 39672368 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2024] [Revised: 11/29/2024] [Accepted: 12/09/2024] [Indexed: 12/15/2024]
Abstract
Nanoplastics, as emerging pollutants, have attracted worldwide concern for their possible environmental dangers. The ingestion and accumulation of nanoplastics in crops can contaminate the food chain and have unintended consequences for human health. In this study, we revealed the effects of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs; 80 nm) at different concentrations (0, 10, 100 mg L-1) on soybean (Glycine max L.) seedling growth, antioxidant enzyme system and secondary metabolism. Using laser confocal microscopy, we demonstrated that the absorption and translocation of PS-NPs in soybean. Plant growth inhibition was observed by changes in plant height, root length, and leaf area after 7 days of exposure to PS-NPs. The effect of PS-NPs on photosynthetic characteristics was reflected by a significant reduction in total chlorophyll content at 10 mg L-1. Activation of the antioxidant system was observed with increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and elevated activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and catalase (CAT). Non-targeted metabolomics analysis identified a total of 159 secondary metabolites, and exposure to 10 and 100 mg L-1 PS-NPs resulted in the production of 61 and 62 differential secondary metabolites. Metabolomics analysis showed that PS-NPs treatment altered the secondary metabolic profile of soybean leaves through the biosynthesis pathways of flavonoid, flavone flavonol, and isoflavones, which is expected to provide new insights into the tolerance mechanisms of plants to nanoplastics. Overall, the results of this study deepen our understanding of the negative impacts of nanoplastics in agricultural systems, which is crucial for assessing the risks of nanoplastics to ecological security.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bingqing Wang
- Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Detection Technology for Tumor Markers, College of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Linyi University, Linyi, 276000, China; College of Life Sciences, Linyi University, Linyi, 276000, China
| | - Hang Yuan
- College of Life Sciences, Linyi University, Linyi, 276000, China
| | - Yixin Yang
- College of Life Sciences, Linyi University, Linyi, 276000, China
| | - Zhaoyu Jiang
- College of Life Sciences, Linyi University, Linyi, 276000, China.
| | - Dongmei Xi
- College of Life Sciences, Linyi University, Linyi, 276000, China.
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10
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Liro M, Mikuś P, Zielonka A. Field experiment confirms high macroplastic trapping efficiency of wood jams in a mountain river channel. Sci Rep 2025; 15:2933. [PMID: 39849035 PMCID: PMC11758022 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-025-87147-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2024] [Accepted: 01/16/2025] [Indexed: 01/25/2025] Open
Abstract
Identifying macroplastic deposition hotspots in rivers is essential for planning cleanup efforts and assessing the risks to aquatic life and the aesthetic value of river landscapes. Recent fieldwork in mountain rivers has shown that wood jams retain significantly more macroplastic than other emergent surfaces within river channels. Here, we experimentally verify these findings by tracking the deposition of 64 PET bottles after 52-65 days of transport in the mid-mountain Skawa River (Polish Carpathians) under low to medium flow conditions. Despite variations in river channel management and the resulting morphological patterns along the study reach, the majority (71.9%, n = 46) of tracked bottles were trapped by wood jams near the low-flow channel. The trapping efficiency was three times higher in the straight, regulated reach (14.8% per km) than in the highly sinuous, unregulated reach (4.5% per km). In the regulated reach, water inundations and wood jams are confined to a narrow zone near the low-flow channel, which may explain the high macroplastic trapping efficiency under low to medium flow conditions. In contrast, in the unmanaged, seminatural reach, where wood jams and water inundation occur over broader areas formed by extensive gravel bars, the trapping potential is lower under similar flow conditions. Previous observations showed that macroplastic deposition hotspots associated with wood jams predominantly form in wide, unmanaged river sections, where numerous jams are inundated during high flows. Our results detail this understanding, suggesting that under low to medium flows, macroplastic hotspots can also form on wood jams in regulated, narrow reaches. These findings suggest that the occurrence of wood jams, channel morphology and past flow conditions are key predictors of macroplastic hotspots formation in mountain rivers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Liro
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Adama Mickiewicza 33, 31- 120, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Paweł Mikuś
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Adama Mickiewicza 33, 31- 120, Kraków, Poland.
| | - Anna Zielonka
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Adama Mickiewicza 33, 31- 120, Kraków, Poland
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11
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Andrade-Muñoz AS, Miserendino ML, Quinteros CP, Dromaz WM, Abrial E, Di Prinzio CY. Macroplastic pollution in riparian corridors of urban and pristine mountain streams in Patagonia (Argentina). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2025; 959:178092. [PMID: 39708472 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.178092] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/19/2024] [Revised: 12/10/2024] [Accepted: 12/10/2024] [Indexed: 12/23/2024]
Abstract
Plastic pollution has garnered much more attention in marine environments, while scientific research on freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems has been relatively overlooked. Numerous studies worldwide have highlighted the presence of macroplastics (>2.5 cm) in mountain riverine environments, revealing that even these seemingly pristine ecosystems are not invulnerable to plastic contamination. We investigated the composition and spatial variation of macroplastic debris in the riparian corridors of nine watercourses in Patagonia. Four types of river reaches were assessed: Reference (without urbanization), Upstream-Urban, Urban, and Downstream-Urban, each with varying degrees of urbanization. We analyzed the intrinsic characteristics of the plastics (manufacture and resin type) and environmental factors with possible incidence in plastic distribution (geomorphology, land use, riparian vegetation quality, and climate) during the Southern Hemisphere's spring season. The most abundant macroplastic debris originated from domestic sources, primarily bags (high- and low-density polyethylene), food wrappers (polypropylene), and beverage bottles (polyethylene terephthalate). The number of inhabitants and proximity to urban areas were the strongest drivers of riverside litter accumulation. Climatic variables such as wind speed and rainfall have incidence in macroplastic abundance, but other factors, such as river discharge possibly played a role in their mobilization. Macroplastics number positively correlated with urban area and negatively with non-woody vegetation. The quality of the riparian corridor, as measured by the QBRp index, had low explanatory power for litter accumulation. Lower QBRp scores were associated with a high number of macroplastic items suggesting that vegetation played a limited role in trapping litter, possibly because urban reaches were heavily anthropized. This study highlights the importance of identifying critical areas of litter accumulation on riverbanks. Our findings provide a foundation for developing strategies to mitigate plastic pollution, improve waste management, and raise public awareness about the challenges of macroplastic contamination and its proper disposal in Patagonia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alan Sebastián Andrade-Muñoz
- Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica (CIEMEP; CONICET-UNPSJB), Roca 780, Esquel, Chubut CA 9200, Argentina
| | - María Laura Miserendino
- Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica (CIEMEP; CONICET-UNPSJB), Roca 780, Esquel, Chubut CA 9200, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Esquel, Chubut CA 9200, Argentina
| | - Claudia Pamela Quinteros
- Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica (CIEMEP; CONICET-UNPSJB), Roca 780, Esquel, Chubut CA 9200, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Esquel, Chubut CA 9200, Argentina
| | - Walter Mauricio Dromaz
- Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica (CIEMEP; CONICET-UNPSJB), Roca 780, Esquel, Chubut CA 9200, Argentina
| | - Elie Abrial
- Instituto Nacional de Limnología (INALI; CONICET-UNL), Ciudad Universitaria, 3000 Santa Fe, Argentina
| | - Cecilia Yanina Di Prinzio
- Centro de Investigación Esquel de Montaña y Estepa Patagónica (CIEMEP; CONICET-UNPSJB), Roca 780, Esquel, Chubut CA 9200, Argentina; Facultad de Ciencias Naturales y Ciencias de la Salud, Universidad Nacional de la Patagonia San Juan Bosco, Esquel, Chubut CA 9200, Argentina.
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12
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Baby MG, Gerritse J, Beltran-Sanahuja A, Wolter H, Rohais S, Romero-Sarmiento MF. Aging of plastics and microplastics in the environment: a review on influencing factors, quantification methods, challenges, and future perspectives. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2025; 32:1009-1042. [PMID: 39725849 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-024-35651-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2024] [Accepted: 11/22/2024] [Indexed: 12/28/2024]
Abstract
The ubiquitous presence of fragmented plastic particles needs comprehensive understanding of its fate in the environment. The long-term persistence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment is a significant threat to the ecosystem. Even though various degradation mechanisms (physical, chemical, and biological) of commonly used plastics have been demonstrated, quantifying the degradation of MPs over time to predict the consequence of plastic littering and its persistence in the environment remains a challenge. Different advanced analytical techniques have been used to quantify the degradation of MPs by introducing various parameters such as bond indices, crystallinity, and carbon-oxygen ratio. However, a simple and widely accepted reliable methodology for comparing the environmental factors and their influence on the MP degradation has yet to be developed and validated. This paper reviews a section of relevant literature (n = 38) to synthesize an overview of methods implemented for the quantification of fragmentation and aging of MPs in natural and artificial environment. In addition, the inherent weakness and extrinsic factors affecting the degradation of MPs in the environment is discussed. Finally, it proposes challenges and future scope as guideline for research on MP degradation in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Merin Grace Baby
- IFP Énergies Nouvelles (IFPEN), Direction Sciences de La Terre Et Technologies de L'Environnement, 1 Et 4 Avenue de Bois-Préau, 92852, Rueil-Malmaison Cedex, France.
| | - Jan Gerritse
- Deltares, Unit Subsurface and Groundwater Systems, Daltonlaan 600, 3584 BK, Utrecht, The Netherlands
| | - Ana Beltran-Sanahuja
- Analytical Chemistry, Nutrition & Food Sciences Department, University of Alicante, 03690, Alicante, Spain
| | - Helen Wolter
- The Ocean Cleanup, Coolsingel 6, 3011 AD, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Sébastien Rohais
- IFP Énergies Nouvelles (IFPEN), Direction Sciences de La Terre Et Technologies de L'Environnement, 1 Et 4 Avenue de Bois-Préau, 92852, Rueil-Malmaison Cedex, France
| | - Maria-Fernanda Romero-Sarmiento
- IFP Énergies Nouvelles (IFPEN), Direction Sciences de La Terre Et Technologies de L'Environnement, 1 Et 4 Avenue de Bois-Préau, 92852, Rueil-Malmaison Cedex, France
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13
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Atuga G, Schulz M. Quantification, characterization, and source identification of macro- and mesoplastics in the water column of Rivers Sabaki and Tana. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:1110. [PMID: 39466482 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-13244-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2024] [Accepted: 10/10/2024] [Indexed: 10/30/2024]
Abstract
Five sampling campaigns were conducted in the water columns of River Sabaki and Tana in Kenya, Between October 2021 and January 2023, covering a 1-year cycle, at four sites in River Sabaki (2.5 km, 3.05 km, 3.51 km, and 4.52 km) and River Tana (1.5 km, 1.8 km, 2.0 km, and 2.5 km) distant from the river mouth. The ebb and flood tides were sampled to calculate net plastic litter fluxes. Two 6350-µm seine nets were deployed in two replicates per sampling point. Factor and cluster analysis were used to investigate plastic litter sources for both rivers. The influences of rainfall on plastic abundance and mass were explored using permutational linear models. A total of 15,318 plastic litter items weighing 1.37 kg were recorded in River Sabaki, and 3741 plastic litter items weighing 0.95 kg in River Tana. The top ten captured plastic litter types sorted by abundance and mass were mostly plastic fragments. The annual net plastic litter flux to the ocean through River Sabaki amounted to 1,277,120.63 items year-1 by abundance and 22.30 kg year-1 by mass. For River Tana, the same fluxes were 207,550.76 items year-1, and 28.09 kg year-1, respectively. In River Sabaki, significant impacts of rainfall on plastic abundance and mass were found. River Sabaki's pollution sources included upstream reaches, fishing activities, and littering by locals and tourists. River Tana's major pollution sources were illegal dumpsites, littering, fishing, and recreational activities. This research can guide combat plastic pollution in the rivers and ultimately the ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gilbert Atuga
- Department of Oceanography and Hydrography, Kenya Marine and Fisheries Research Institute, P.O. Box 81651, Mombasa, Kenya.
- Institute of Environmental Systems Research, Osnabruck University, Neuer Graben/Schloss 4969, D-49069, Osnabruck, Germany.
| | - Marcus Schulz
- Institute of Environmental Systems Research, Osnabruck University, Neuer Graben/Schloss 4969, D-49069, Osnabruck, Germany
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14
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Liro M, Zielonka A, Mikuś P. First attempt to measure macroplastic fragmentation in rivers. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2024; 191:108935. [PMID: 39173237 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2024.108935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2024] [Revised: 07/09/2024] [Accepted: 08/01/2024] [Indexed: 08/24/2024]
Abstract
Direct field measurements of macroplastic fragmentation during its transport in rivers are currently unavailable, and there is no established method to perform them. Previous studies have showed that macroplastic fragmentation results in the production of harmful microplastics, and river channels can be hotspots for this process. Therefore, obtaining information about this process is crucial for quantifying the production of secondary microplastics in rivers and assessing the related risks for riverine biota and human health. Here, we propose a simple low-cost methodology for quantifying riverine macroplastic fragmentation by conducting repeated measurements of the mass of tagged macroplastic items before and after their transport in the river. As a proof-of-concept for this method, we conducted a 52-65 day experiment that allowed us to measure a median fragmentation rate of 0.044 ± 0.012 g for 1-liter PET bottles during their transport at low to medium flow in the middle mountain Skawa River in the Polish Carpathians. Using the obtained data (n = 42), we extrapolated that during low to medium flows, the median yearly mass loss of PET bottles in the study section is 0.26 ± 0.012 g/year (0.78 ± 0.036 % of bottle mass), and the median rate of bottle surface degradation is 3.13 ± 0.14 μm/year. These estimates suggest a relatively high fragmentation rate for a PET bottle in a mountain river even under low to medium flow conditions without high-energy transport. We discuss how our simple and relatively low-cost methodology can be flexibly adapted and future optimized to quantify macroplastic fragmentation in various types of rivers and their compartments, informing future mitigation efforts about the rates of formation and dispersion of secondary microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maciej Liro
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Adama Mickiewicza 33, Kraków 31-120, Poland.
| | - Anna Zielonka
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Adama Mickiewicza 33, Kraków 31-120, Poland
| | - Paweł Mikuś
- Institute of Nature Conservation, Polish Academy of Sciences, al. Adama Mickiewicza 33, Kraków 31-120, Poland
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15
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Zhu JA, Folino-Rorem NC. Effectiveness of Sampling Techniques in Collecting the Polyp Stage of the Invasive Freshwater Hydrozoan Craspedacusta sowerbii. BIOLOGY 2024; 13:645. [PMID: 39194583 DOI: 10.3390/biology13080645] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2024] [Revised: 08/14/2024] [Accepted: 08/20/2024] [Indexed: 08/29/2024]
Abstract
Current sampling methods for detecting the presence of the invasive freshwater hydrozoan Craspedacusta sowerbii rely mainly on visual confirmation of the medusa stage. Confirming the presence of the polyp stage is equally important for observing medusae since typical late summer/early fall occurrences or observations of medusae are sporadic though are becoming more frequent. The polyp stage is important as it is the organism's primary stage and is present throughout the year depending on water temperatures. Therefore, sampling methods for the polyp stage are, commonly, the collection of substrates such as rocks, plants, or pieces of wood in a given body of water, and these can be cumbersome to examine. Polyps are also small, transparent, and difficult to see on natural substrates. Based on a preliminary culturing of the polyp stage on glass and plastic microscope slides in the laboratory, we designed a sampling methodology based on submerging four substrate types (glass and plastic microscope slides, Hester-Dendy discs, and small glass Petri dishes) to confirm the presence of C. sowerbii polyps in the field. We tested this method in three lakes in the Illinois-Indiana region (USA). Two of the lakes have recorded sightings of medusae but the third has no record of polyps or medusae. The sampling method we designed was effective in that C. sowerbii polyps were found on both plastic and glass slides. While this method can be sufficient for detection of the polyp stage, it also shows potential for improvement; we highlight abiotic and biotic ecological parameters as significant factors influencing the collection of C. sowerbii polyps to be considered for future methodologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan A Zhu
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL 60187, USA
| | - Nadine C Folino-Rorem
- Department of Biological and Health Sciences, Wheaton College, Wheaton, IL 60187, USA
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16
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Mishra S, Ren Y, Sun X, Lian Y, Singh AK, Sharma N. Microplastics pollution in the Asian water tower: Source, environmental distribution and proposed mitigation strategy. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 356:124247. [PMID: 38838812 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124247] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 04/28/2024] [Accepted: 05/26/2024] [Indexed: 06/07/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics generated from fragmentation of leftover plastics and industrial waste has reached in the remotely located Asian water tower (AWT) region, the 3rd pole of earth and origin site of several freshwater rivers. The accumulation of microplastics in AWT ecosystem has potential to alter the climatic condition contributing in global warming and disturbing the biodiversity structural dynamics. The present paper provides a comprehensive critical discussion over quantitative assessment of microplastics in different ecosystems (i.e. river, lakes, sediment and snow or glacier) of AWT. The hydrodynamic fate and transport of microplastics and their ecological impact on hydromorphology and biodiversity of AWT has been exemplified. Furthermore, key challenges, perspectives and research directions are identified to mitigate microplastics associated problems. During survey, the coloured polyethylene and polyurethane fibers are the predominant microplastics found in most areas of AWT. These bio-accumulated MPs alter the rhizospheric community structure and deteriorate nitrogen fixation process in plants. Significance in climate change, MPs pollution is enhancing the emissions of greenhouse gases (NH3 by ∼34% and CH4 by ∼9%), contributing in global warming. Considering the seriousness of MPs pollution, this review study can enlighten the pathways to investigate the effect of MPs and to develop monitoring tools and sustainable remediation technologies with feasible regulatory strategies maintaining the natural significance of AWT region.
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Affiliation(s)
- Saurabh Mishra
- Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, Jiangsu, China; Institute of Water Science and Technology, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210098, China; State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yuling Ren
- Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, Jiangsu, China
| | - Xiaonan Sun
- Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, Jiangsu, China
| | - Yanqing Lian
- Yangtze Institute for Conservation and Development, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, Jiangsu, China; Institute of Water Science and Technology, Hohai University, Nanjing, Jiangsu, 210098, China; State Key Laboratory of Hydrology-Water Resources and Hydraulic Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, 210098, Jiangsu, China.
| | - Anurag Kumar Singh
- University School of Chemical Technology, Guru Govind Singh Indraprastha University, Sector 16c Dwarka, New Delhi, 110078, India
| | - Niraj Sharma
- Transport Planning and Environment Division, CSIR-Central Road Research Institute, New Delhi, 110025, India
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