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Rong Z, Xu XW, Wu YH. Biodegradation of low-density polyethylene film by two bacteria isolated from plastic debris in coastal beach. ECOTOXICOLOGY AND ENVIRONMENTAL SAFETY 2024; 278:116445. [PMID: 38733804 DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116445] [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: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2024] [Accepted: 05/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024]
Abstract
Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) conduces massive environmental accumulation due to its high production and recalcitrance to environment. In this study, We successfully enriched and isolated two strains, Nitratireductor sp. Z-1 and Gordonia sp. Z-2, from coastal plastic debris capable of degrading LDPE film. After a 30-day incubation at 30 ℃, strains Z-1 and Z-2 decreased the weight of branched-LDPE (BLDPE) film by 2.59 % and 10.27 % respectively. Furthermore, high temperature gel permeation chromatography (HT-GPC) analysis revealed molecular weight reductions of 7.69 % (Z-1) and 23.22 % (Z-2) in the BLDPE film. Scanning electron microscope (SEM) image showed the presence of microbial colonization and perforations on the film's surface. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis indicated novel functional groups, such as carbonyl and carbon-carbon double bonds in LDPE films. During LDPE degradation, both strains produced extracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). GC-MS analysis revealed the degradation products included short-chain alkanes, alkanols, fatty acids, and esters. Genomic analysis identified numerous extracellular enzymes potentially involved in LDPE chain scission. A model was proposed suggesting a coordinated role between ROS and extracellular enzymes in the biodegradation of LDPE. This indicates strains Z-1 and Z-2 can degrade LDPE, providing a basis for deeper exploration of biodegradation mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhen Rong
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Ministry of Natural Resources & Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, PR China; School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Xue-Wei Xu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Ministry of Natural Resources & Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, PR China; School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China
| | - Yue-Hong Wu
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem Dynamics, Ministry of Natural Resources & Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou 310012, PR China; School of Oceanography, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, PR China.
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2
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Gambarini V, Drost CJ, Kingsbury JM, Weaver L, Pantos O, Handley KM, Lear G. Uncoupled: investigating the lack of correlation between the transcription of putative plastic-degrading genes in the global ocean microbiome and marine plastic pollution. ENVIRONMENTAL MICROBIOME 2024; 19:34. [PMID: 38750536 PMCID: PMC11097532 DOI: 10.1186/s40793-024-00575-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2024] [Indexed: 05/18/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Plastic pollution is a severe threat to marine ecosystems. While some microbial enzymes can degrade certain plastics, the ability of the global ocean microbiome to break down diverse environmental plastics remains limited. We employed metatranscriptomic data from an international ocean survey to explore global and regional patterns in microbial plastic degradation potential. RESULTS On a global oceanic scale, we found no significant correlation between levels of plastic pollution and the expression of genes encoding enzymes putatively identified as capable of plastic degradation. Even when looking at different regional scales, ocean depth layers, or plastic types, we found no strong or even moderate correlation between plastic pollution and relative abundances of transcripts for enzymes with presumed plastic biodegradation potential. Our data, however, indicate that microorganisms in the Southern Ocean show a higher potential for plastic degradation, making them more appealing candidates for bioprospecting novel plastic-degrading enzymes. CONCLUSION Our research contributes to understanding the complex global relationship between plastic pollution and microbial plastic degradation potential. We reveal that the transcription of putative plastic-degrading genes in the global ocean microbiome does not correlate to marine plastic pollution, highlighting the ongoing danger that plastic poses to marine environments threatened by plastic pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victor Gambarini
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, 3a Symonds Street, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
- Centre for eResearch, University of Auckland, 23 Symonds Street, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Cornelis J Drost
- Centre for eResearch, University of Auckland, 23 Symonds Street, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Joanne M Kingsbury
- The Institute of Environmental Science and Research, 27 Creyke Road, Ilam, Christchurch, 8041, New Zealand
| | - Louise Weaver
- The Institute of Environmental Science and Research, 27 Creyke Road, Ilam, Christchurch, 8041, New Zealand
| | - Olga Pantos
- The Institute of Environmental Science and Research, 27 Creyke Road, Ilam, Christchurch, 8041, New Zealand
| | - Kim M Handley
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, 3a Symonds Street, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Gavin Lear
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, 3a Symonds Street, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand.
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3
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Aralappanavar VK, Mukhopadhyay R, Yu Y, Liu J, Bhatnagar A, Praveena SM, Li Y, Paller M, Adyel TM, Rinklebe J, Bolan NS, Sarkar B. Effects of microplastics on soil microorganisms and microbial functions in nutrients and carbon cycling - A review. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 924:171435. [PMID: 38438042 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171435] [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: 10/11/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/06/2024]
Abstract
The harmful effects of microplastics (MPs) pollution in the soil ecosystem have drawn global attention in recent years. This paper critically reviews the effects of MPs on soil microbial diversity and functions in relation to nutrients and carbon cycling. Reports suggested that both plastisphere (MP-microbe consortium) and MP-contaminated soils had distinct and lower microbial diversity than that of non-contaminated soils. Alteration in soil physicochemical properties and microbial interactions within the plastisphere facilitated the enrichment of plastic-degrading microorganisms, including those involved in carbon (C) and nutrient cycling. MPs conferred a significant increase in the relative abundance of soil nitrogen (N)-fixing and phosphorus (P)-solubilizing bacteria, while decreased the abundance of soil nitrifiers and ammonia oxidisers. Depending on soil types, MPs increased bioavailable N and P contents and nitrous oxide emission in some instances. Furthermore, MPs regulated soil microbial functional activities owing to the combined toxicity of organic and inorganic contaminants derived from MPs and contaminants frequently encountered in the soil environment. However, a thorough understanding of the interactions among soil microorganisms, MPs and other contaminants still needs to develop. Since currently available reports are mostly based on short-term laboratory experiments, field investigations are needed to assess the long-term impact of MPs (at environmentally relevant concentration) on soil microorganisms and their functions under different soil types and agro-climatic conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Raj Mukhopadhyay
- Department of Chemistry, Mellon College of Science, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh 15213, United States
| | - Yongxiang Yu
- Research Center for Environmental Ecology and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Green Chemical Engineering Process of Ministry of Education, School of Environmental Ecology and Biological Engineering, Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, China
| | - Jingnan Liu
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Amit Bhatnagar
- Department of Separation Science, LUT School of Engineering Science, LUT University, Sammonkatu 12, FI-50130 Mikkeli, Finland
| | - Sarva Mangala Praveena
- Department of Environmental and Occupational Health, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
| | - Yang Li
- Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences of Ministry of Education, State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, China
| | - Mike Paller
- Aquatic Biology Consultants, Inc., 35 Bungalow Ct., Aiken, SC 29803, USA
| | - Tanveer M Adyel
- STEM, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia
| | - Jörg Rinklebe
- University of Wuppertal, School of Architecture and Civil Engineering, Institute of Foundation Engineering, Water- and Waste-Management, Laboratory of Soil- and Groundwater-Management, Pauluskirchstraße 7, 42285 Wuppertal, Germany
| | - Nanthi S Bolan
- UWA School of Agriculture and Environment, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6001, Australia; The UWA Institute of Agriculture, The University of Western Australia, Perth, Western Australia 6001, Australia
| | - Binoy Sarkar
- Future Industries Institute, University of South Australia, Mawson Lakes, SA 5095, Australia.
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4
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Salam LB. Metagenomic investigations into the microbial consortia, degradation pathways, and enzyme systems involved in the biodegradation of plastics in a tropical lentic pond sediment. World J Microbiol Biotechnol 2024; 40:172. [PMID: 38630153 DOI: 10.1007/s11274-024-03972-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/29/2024] [Indexed: 04/19/2024]
Abstract
The exploitation of exciting features of plastics for diverse applications has resulted in significant plastic waste generation, which negatively impacts environmental compartments, metabolic processes, and the well-being of aquatic ecosystems biota. A shotgun metagenomic approach was deployed to investigate the microbial consortia, degradation pathways, and enzyme systems involved in the degradation of plastics in a tropical lentic pond sediment (APS). Functional annotation of the APS proteome (ORFs) using the PlasticDB database revealed annotation of 1015 proteins of enzymes such as depolymerase, esterase, lipase, hydrolase, nitrobenzylesterase, chitinase, carboxylesterase, polyesterase, oxidoreductase, polyamidase, PETase, MHETase, laccase, alkane monooxygenase, among others involved in the depolymerization of the plastic polymers. It also revealed that polyethylene glycol (PEG), polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), polylactic acid (PLA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and nylon have the highest number of annotated enzymes. Further annotation using the KEGG GhostKOALA revealed that except for terephthalate, all the other degradation products of the plastic polymers depolymerization such as glyoxylate, adipate, succinate, 1,4-butanediol, ethylene glycol, lactate, and acetaldehyde were further metabolized to intermediates of the tricarboxylic acid cycle. Taxonomic characterization of the annotated proteins using the AAI Profiler and BLASTP revealed that Pseudomonadota members dominate most plastic types, followed by Actinomycetota and Acidobacteriota. The study reveals novel plastic degraders from diverse phyla hitherto not reported to be involved in plastic degradation. This suggests that plastic pollution in aquatic environments is prevalent with well-adapted degrading communities and could be the silver lining in mitigating the impacts of plastic pollution in aquatic environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lateef B Salam
- Microbiology Unit, Department of Biological Sciences, Elizade University, Ilara-Mokin, Ondo State, Nigeria.
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5
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Frenger I, Landolfi A, Kvale K, Somes CJ, Oschlies A, Yao W, Koeve W. Misconceptions of the marine biological carbon pump in a changing climate: Thinking outside the "export" box. GLOBAL CHANGE BIOLOGY 2024; 30:e17124. [PMID: 38273488 DOI: 10.1111/gcb.17124] [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: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/20/2023] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
The marine biological carbon pump (BCP) stores carbon in the ocean interior, isolating it from exchange with the atmosphere and thereby coregulating atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2 ). As the BCP commonly is equated with the flux of organic material to the ocean interior, termed "export flux," a change in export flux is perceived to directly impact atmospheric CO2 , and thus climate. Here, we recap how this perception contrasts with current understanding of the BCP, emphasizing the lack of a direct relationship between global export flux and atmospheric CO2 . We argue for the use of the storage of carbon of biological origin in the ocean interior as a diagnostic that directly relates to atmospheric CO2 , as a way forward to quantify the changes in the BCP in a changing climate. The diagnostic is conveniently applicable to both climate model data and increasingly available observational data. It can explain a seemingly paradoxical response under anthropogenic climate change: Despite a decrease in export flux, the BCP intensifies due to a longer reemergence time of biogenically stored carbon back to the ocean surface and thereby provides a negative feedback to increasing atmospheric CO2 . This feedback is notably small compared with anthropogenic CO2 emissions and other carbon-climate feedbacks. In this Opinion paper, we advocate for a comprehensive view of the BCP's impact on atmospheric CO2 , providing a prerequisite for assessing the effectiveness of marine CO2 removal approaches that target marine biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ivy Frenger
- Biogeochemical Modelling, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | | | - Karin Kvale
- Biogeochemical Modelling, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
- GNS Science, Te Pū Ao, Lower Hutt, New Zealand
| | - Christopher J Somes
- Biogeochemical Modelling, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Andreas Oschlies
- Biogeochemical Modelling, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Wanxuan Yao
- Biogeochemical Modelling, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
| | - Wolfgang Koeve
- Biogeochemical Modelling, GEOMAR Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Kiel, Germany
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6
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Osman DM, Yuan W, Shabaka S, Nyaga MP, Geng J, Yu Y, Yang Y. The threat of micro/nanoplastic to aquatic plants: current knowledge, gaps, and future perspectives. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 265:106771. [PMID: 38000132 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106771] [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: 10/10/2023] [Revised: 11/09/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Plastics have been recognized as an emerging pollutant and have raised global concerns due to their widespread distribution in the environment and potential harm to living systems. However, research on the threat of micro/nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) to the unique group of aquatic plants is far behind, necessitating a comprehensive review to summarize current research progress and identify future research needs. This review explores the sources and distribution patterns of MPs/NPs in aquatic environments, highlighting their uptake by aquatic plants through roots and leaves, and subsequent translocation via the vascular system facilitated by the transpiration stream. Exposure to MPs/NPs elicits diverse effects on the growth, physiology, and ecological interactions of aquatic plants, with variations influenced by plastic properties, plant species, and experimental conditions. Furthermore, the presence of MPs/NPs can impact the toxicity and bioavailability of other associated toxicants to aquatic plants. This review shows critical knowledge gaps and emphasizes the need for future research to bridge the current understanding of the limitations and challenges posed by MPs/NPs in aquatic ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donia M Osman
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan 430074, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Wenke Yuan
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan 430074, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
| | - Soha Shabaka
- National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, NIOF, Egypt
| | - Muthii Patrick Nyaga
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan 430074, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Jun Geng
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan 430074, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Yongxiang Yu
- Wuhan Institute of Technology, Wuhan 430205, China
| | - Yuyi Yang
- Key Laboratory of Aquatic Botany and Watershed Ecology, Wuhan Botanical Garden, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Wuhan 430074, China; Danjiangkou Wetland Ecosystem Field Scientific Observation and Research Station, Chinese Academy of Sciences & Hubei Province, Wuhan 430074, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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7
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Fagiano V, Compa M, Alomar C, Morató M, Deudero S. The hyperbenthic environment: A forgotten habitat for plastic pollution. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 194:115291. [PMID: 37459771 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115291] [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: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2023] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 09/12/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the abundances and composition of microplastics (MP) among the shallow layers of a coastal Mediterranean Marine Protected Area (Cabrera MPA), seafloor sediments, hyperbenthic environment, and the water column. The mid waters samples were collected mid-way between the sea surface and the seafloor and hyperbenthic samples at the water layer adjacent to the seafloor. Sampling was carried out on patchiness seafloor of Posidonia oceanica meadows. The seafloor sediments showed a mean abundance of 378,769.20 ± 508,109.11 MPs/m3, three orders of magnitude higher than the hyperbenthic (209.17 ± 117.07 MPs/m3), and the mid waters layer (106.48 ± 107.17 MPs/m3). An increasing vertical gradient in MP abundances, mainly composed of fibers was observed. Fibers were made-up mainly of polystyrene (PS, 25 %), expanded polystyrene (EPS, 18 %) and cellulose acetate (CA, 16 %). The results stress the need to increase efforts to find solutions to mitigate fiber pollution in the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Fagiano
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain; University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
| | - M Compa
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain
| | - C Alomar
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain
| | - M Morató
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain
| | - S Deudero
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain
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8
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Sérvulo T, Taylor JD, Proietti MC, Rodrigues LDS, Puertas IP, Barutot RA, Lacerda ALDF. Plastisphere composition in a subtropical estuary: Influence of season, incubation time and polymer type on plastic biofouling. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023:121873. [PMID: 37244532 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 05/08/2023] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 05/29/2023]
Abstract
Plastics are abundant artificial substrates in aquatic systems that host a wide variety of organisms (the plastisphere), including potential pathogens and invasive species. Plastisphere communities have many complex, but not well-understood ecological interactions. It is pivotal to investigate how these communities are influenced by the natural fluctuations in aquatic ecosystems, especially in transitional environments such as estuaries. Further study is needed in sub-tropical regions in the Southern Hemisphere, where plastic pollution is ever increasing. Here we applied DNA-metabarcoding (16S, 18S and ITS-2) as well Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) to assess the diversity of the plastisphere in the Patos Lagoon estuary (PLE), South Brazil. Through a one-year in situ colonization experiment, polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) plates were placed in shallow waters, and sampled after 30 and 90 days within each season. Over 50 taxa including bacteria, fungi and other eukaryotes were found through DNA analysis. Overall, the polymer type did not influence the plastisphere community composition. However, seasonality significantly affected community composition for bacteria, fungi and general eukaryotes. Among the microbiota, we found Acinetobacter sp., Bacillus sp., and Wallemia mellicola that are putative pathogens of aquatic organisms, such as algae, shrimp and fish, including commercial species. In addition, we identified organisms within genera that can potentially degrade hydrocarbons (e.g. Pseudomonas and Cladosporium spp). This study is the first to assess the full diversity and variation of the plastisphere on different polymers within a sub-tropical southern hemisphere estuary, significantly expanding knowledge on plastic pollution and the plastisphere in estuarine regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tobias Sérvulo
- Projeto Lixo Marinho - Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil.
| | - Joe D Taylor
- UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Wallingford, UK
| | - Maíra C Proietti
- Projeto Lixo Marinho - Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - Lucas D S Rodrigues
- Projeto Lixo Marinho - Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - Igor P Puertas
- Projeto Lixo Marinho - Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - Roberta A Barutot
- Projeto Lixo Marinho - Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil
| | - Ana L D F Lacerda
- Projeto Lixo Marinho - Instituto de Oceanografia, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande - FURG, Rio Grande, Brazil; University of Salford, Salford, Greater Manchester, United Kingdom
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9
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Zhu Y, Miao J, Zhang Y, Li C, Wang Y, Cheng Y, Long M, Wang J, Wu C. Carbon nanotubes production from real-world waste plastics and the pyrolysis behaviour. WASTE MANAGEMENT (NEW YORK, N.Y.) 2023; 166:141-151. [PMID: 37172515 DOI: 10.1016/j.wasman.2023.05.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Revised: 04/11/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/15/2023]
Abstract
The investigation of the pyrolysis behaviour of real-world waste plastics (RWWP) and using them as the feedstock to produce carbon nanotubes (CNTs) could serve as an effective solution to address the global waste plastics catastrophe. This research aimed to characterize the pyrolysis behaviour of RWWP via thermogravimetric analysis (TG) and fast pyrolysis-TG/mass spectrometry (Py-TG/MS) analyses. Activation energies (131.04 kJ mol-1 -171.04 kJ mol-1) for RWWP pyrolysis were calculated by three methods: Flynn-Wall-Ozawa (FWO) method, Kissinger-Akahira-Sunose (KAS) method, and Starink method. Py-TG/MS results indicated that the RWWP could be identified as polystyrene (RWWP-1), polyethylene (RWWP-2), polyethylene terephthalate (RWWP-3, 4), and polypropylene (RWWP-5, 6). In addition, RWWP-1, 2, 5, 6 outperform RWWP-3 and 4 as sources of carbon for producing CNTs. The results showed a high carbon yield of 32.21 wt% and a high degree of CNT purity at 93.04%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuan Zhu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - Jie Miao
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nanjing Tech University, Nanjing 211816, China
| | - Yingrui Zhang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - Chunchun Li
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - Yuanyuan Wang
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom
| | - Yi Cheng
- Bioenergy Research Group, EBRI, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, United Kingdom
| | - Mingce Long
- School of Environmental Science and Engineering, Key Laboratory of Thin Film and Microfabrication Technology (Ministry of Education), Shanghai Jiao Tong University, 800 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200240, China.
| | - Jiawei Wang
- Bioenergy Research Group, EBRI, Aston University, Birmingham B4 7ET, United Kingdom.
| | - Chunfei Wu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Queen's University Belfast, Belfast BT7 1NN, United Kingdom.
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10
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Cau A, Gorule PA, Bellodi A, Carreras-Colom E, Moccia D, Pittura L, Regoli F, Follesa MC. Comparative microplastic load in two decapod crustaceans Palinurus elephas (Fabricius, 1787) and Nephrops norvegicus (Linnaeus, 1758). MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 191:114912. [PMID: 37080020 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114912] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 04/03/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The present work compares microplastics (MPs) contamination in two charismatic crustaceans: European spiny lobster Palinurus elephas and langoustine Nephrops norvegicus. Samples (P. elephas n = 14; N. norvegicus n = 15) were collected between 76 and 592 m depth, from four sites in west Sardinia, Italy. An extraction protocol was applied on stomachs and intestines, separately, and over 500 particles were further characterized through μFT-IR. We document 100 % occurrence in specimens from both species, with P. elephas being significantly more contaminated (9.1 ± 1.75 vs. 3.2 ± 0.45 MPs individual-1), ingesting larger MPs with different polymeric composition. The scavenging-based feeding strategy of both species could explain such exposure to MPs, mostly derived by single-use plastic. The overall results highlight that both species are clearly affected by plastic pollution, being valuable bioindicators and charismatic species that could thus represent excellent flagship species for raising awareness toward the global issue of plastic in the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandro Cau
- Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126 Cagliari, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, CoNISMa, ULR Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy.
| | - Pankaj A Gorule
- Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Andrea Bellodi
- Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126 Cagliari, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, CoNISMa, ULR Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Ester Carreras-Colom
- Departament de Biologia Animal, Biologia Vegetal i Ecologia, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Cerdanyola del Vallès, 08193 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Davide Moccia
- Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126 Cagliari, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, CoNISMa, ULR Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
| | - Lucia Pittura
- Università Politecnica delle Marche, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy
| | - Francesco Regoli
- Università Politecnica delle Marche, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Via Brecce Bianche, 60131 Ancona, Italy; National Future Biodiversity Center (NFBC), Palermo, Italy
| | - Maria Cristina Follesa
- Università degli Studi di Cagliari, Dipartimento di Scienze della Vita e dell'Ambiente, Via Tommaso Fiorelli 1, 09126 Cagliari, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario per le Scienze del Mare, CoNISMa, ULR Cagliari, Cagliari, Italy
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11
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Kang W, Sun S, Hu X. Microplastics trigger the Matthew effect on nitrogen assimilation in marine diatoms at an environmentally relevant concentration. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 233:119762. [PMID: 36841163 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.119762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2022] [Revised: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/17/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs, diameter <5 mm) are widely distributed on Earth, especially in the oceans. Diatoms account for ∼40% of marine primary productivity and affect the global biogeochemical cycles of macroelements. However, the effects of MPs on marine nitrogen cycling remain poorly understood, particularly comparisons between nitrogen-replete and nitrogen-limited conditions. We found that MPs trigger the Matthew effect on nitrogen assimilation in diatoms, where MPs inhibited nitrogen assimilation under nitrogen-limited conditions while enhancing nitrogen metabolism under nitrogen-replete conditions in Phaeodactylum tricornutum. Nitrate reductase (NR) and nitrite reductase (NIR) are upregulated, but nitrate transporter (NRT) and glutamine synthetase (GS) are downregulated by MPs under nitrogen-limited conditions. In contrast, NR, NIR, and GS are all upregulated by MPs under nitrogen-replete conditions. MPs accelerate nitrogen anabolic processes with an increase in the accumulation of carbohydrates by 80.7 ± 7.9% and enhance the activities of key nitrogen-metabolizing enzymes (8.20-44.90%) under nitrogen-replete conditions. In contrast, the abundance of carbohydrates decreases by 22.0-34.4%, and NRT activity is inhibited by 79.0-86.5% in nitrogen-limited algae exposed to MPs. Metabolomic and transcriptomic analyses were performed to further explore the molecular mechanisms of reprogrammed nitrogen assimilation, including carbon metabolism, nitrogen transport and ammonia assimilation. The aforementioned spatial redistribution (e.g., the Matthew effect between nitrogen-replete and -limited conditions) of nitrogen assimilation highlights the potential risks of MP contamination in the ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weilu Kang
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Shan Sun
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China
| | - Xiangang Hu
- Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria (Ministry of Education), Tianjin Key Laboratory of Environmental Remediation and Pollution Control, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, China.
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12
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Pashaei R, Sabaliauskaitė V, Suzdalev S, Balčiūnas A, Putna-Nimane I, Rees RM, Dzingelevičienė R. Assessing the Occurrence and Distribution of Microplastics in Surface Freshwater and Wastewaters of Latvia and Lithuania. TOXICS 2023; 11:292. [PMID: 37112519 PMCID: PMC10146209 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11040292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic concentrations in surface water and wastewater collected from Daugavpils and Liepaja cities in Latvia, as well as Klaipeda and Siauliai cities in Lithuania, were measured in July and December 2021. Using optical microscopy, polymer composition was characterized using micro-Raman spectroscopy. The average abundance of microplastics in surface water and wastewater samples was 16.63 ± 20.29 particles/L. The dominant shape group of microplastics in water was fiber, with dominant colors found to be blue (61%), black (36%), and red (3%) in Latvia. Similar distribution in Lithuania was found, i.e., fiber (95%) and fragments (5%) with dominant colors, such as blue (53%), black (30%), red (9%), yellow (5%), and transparent (3%). The micro-Raman spectroscopy spectra of visible microplastics were identified to be polyethylene terephthalate (33%) and polyvinyl chloride (33%), nylon (12%), polyester (PS) (11%), and high-density polyethylene (11%). In the study area, municipal and hospital wastewater from catchment areas were the main reasons for the contamination of microplastics in the surface water and wastewater of Latvia and Lithuania. It is possible to reduce pollution loads by implementing measures such as raising awareness, installing more high-tech wastewater treatment plants, and reducing plastic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Pashaei
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, 92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | | | - Sergej Suzdalev
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, 92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Arūnas Balčiūnas
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, 92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | | | - Robert M. Rees
- Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
| | - Reda Dzingelevičienė
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, 92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
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13
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Fagiano V, Compa M, Alomar C, Rios-Fuster B, Morató M, Capó X, Deudero S. Breaking the paradigm: Marine sediments hold two-fold microplastics than sea surface waters and are dominated by fibers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 858:159722. [PMID: 36309280 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159722] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/15/2022] [Revised: 10/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/21/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
We conducted one of the first studies to integrate the quantification and characterization of microplastics (MPs), including fibers, in different habitats (sea surface, seafloor and beach sediments) of a coastal Mediterranean marine protected area, analyzing their ingestion in several marine species. The objectives of the study were to evaluate the distribution of MPs according to shape and polymer, to assess the contribution of fibers to local plastic pollution and to evaluate their ingestion in fish and invertebrates species that inhabit the study area (Pagrus pagrus, Serranus scriba, Spondyliosoma cantharus, Diplodus vulgaris, Oblada melanura, Holothuria forskalii, Holothuria tubularis, Holothuria polis, Arbacia lixula, Paracentrotus lividus, Modiolus barbatus, Mytilus galloprovincialis and Arca noae). A total of 111 environmental samples were analyzed. The mean abundance of MPs (excluding fibers) quantified in beach sediments (13,418.86 ± 28,787.99 MPs/m2) was two orders of magnitude higher than that found in seafloor sediments (76.92 ± 108.84 MPs/m2), which in turn was two orders of magnitude higher than sea surface samples (0.17 ± 0.39 MPs/m2). The fibers were the most abundant shape of MPs identified in all habitats. Variability in MPs ingestion was detected between species, with ingestion rates ranging from 43 % to 100 % for general MPs and ranging from 7 % to 100 % for fibers. The highest ingestion was observed in Holoturians, representing suitable bioindicators for plastic pollution. The composition of the polymer varies weakly depending on habitats and biota, but the result is strongly correlated with the morphology of the plastic. Fibers were mainly composed of cellulose acetate (29 %), styrofoam of polystyrene (18 %), and filaments, films and fragments of polyethylene and polypropylene. The results highlighted the need to expand integrated approaches to effectively study marine plastic pollution and to undertake efficient actions to limit the input of plastics, particularly fibers, into the marine environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Fagiano
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain; University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
| | - M Compa
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain
| | - C Alomar
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain
| | - B Rios-Fuster
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain
| | - M Morató
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain
| | - X Capó
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain
| | - S Deudero
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente s/n, 07015 Mallorca, Spain
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14
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Galgani L, Tzempelikou E, Kalantzi I, Tsiola A, Tsapakis M, Pitta P, Esposito C, Tsotskou A, Magiopoulos I, Benavides R, Steinhoff T, Loiselle SA. Marine plastics alter the organic matter composition of the air-sea boundary layer, with influences on CO 2 exchange: a large-scale analysis method to explore future ocean scenarios. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 857:159624. [PMID: 36280077 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159624] [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: 07/31/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 10/18/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are substrates for microbial activity and can influence biomass production. This has potentially important implications in the sea-surface microlayer, the marine boundary layer that controls gas exchange with the atmosphere and where biologically produced organic compounds can accumulate. In the present study, we used six large scale mesocosms to simulate future ocean scenarios of high plastic concentration. Each mesocosm was filled with 3 m3 of seawater from the oligotrophic Sea of Crete, in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea. A known amount of standard polystyrene microbeads of 30 μm diameter was added to three replicate mesocosms, while maintaining the remaining three as plastic-free controls. Over the course of a 12-day experiment, we explored microbial organic matter dynamics in the sea-surface microlayer in the presence and absence of microplastic contamination of the underlying water. Our study shows that microplastics increased both biomass production and enrichment of carbohydrate-like and proteinaceous marine gel compounds in the sea-surface microlayer. Importantly, this resulted in a ∼3 % reduction in the concentration of dissolved CO2 in the underlying water. This reduction was associated to both direct and indirect impacts of microplastic pollution on the uptake of CO2 within the marine carbon cycle, by modifying the biogenic composition of the sea's boundary layer with the atmosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Galgani
- Environmental Spectroscopy Group, Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Italy; Center for Colloids and Surface Science, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; GEOMAR-Helmholtz Centre for Ocean Research Kiel, Germany; Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida Atlantic University, USA.
| | - Eleni Tzempelikou
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Anavyssos, Greece
| | - Ioanna Kalantzi
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Anastasia Tsiola
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Manolis Tsapakis
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Paraskevi Pitta
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Greece
| | - Chiara Esposito
- Lake Ecology, Department of Ecoscience and WATEC Aarhus University Centre for Water Technology, Aarhus University, Denmark
| | - Anastasia Tsotskou
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Greece; University of Western Macedonia, School of Agricultural Sciences, Department of Agriculture, Florina, Greece
| | - Iordanis Magiopoulos
- Institute of Oceanography, Hellenic Centre for Marine Research, Heraklion, Greece
| | | | | | - Steven A Loiselle
- Environmental Spectroscopy Group, Department of Biotechnology, Chemistry and Pharmacy, University of Siena, Italy; Center for Colloids and Surface Science, Sesto Fiorentino, Italy; Consorzio Interuniversitario Nazionale per la Scienza e Tecnologia dei Materiali, Florence, Italy
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15
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Amaneesh C, Anna Balan S, Silpa PS, Kim JW, Greeshma K, Aswathi Mohan A, Robert Antony A, Grossart HP, Kim HS, Ramanan R. Gross Negligence: Impacts of Microplastics and Plastic Leachates on Phytoplankton Community and Ecosystem Dynamics. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:5-24. [PMID: 36534053 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c05817] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Plastic debris is an established environmental menace affecting aquatic systems globally. Recently, microplastics (MP) and plastic leachates (PL) have been detected in vital human organs, the vascular system, and in vitro animal studies positing severe health hazards. MP and PL have been found in every conceivable aquatic ecosystem─from open oceans and deep sea floors to supposedly pristine glacier lakes and snow covered mountain catchment sites. Many studies have documented the MP and PL impacts on a variety of aquatic organisms, whereby some exclusively focus on aquatic microorganisms. Yet, the specific MP and PL impacts on primary producers have not been systematically analyzed. Therefore, this review focuses on the threats posed by MP, PL, and associated chemicals on phytoplankton, their comprehensive impacts at organismal, community, and ecosystem scales, and their endogenous amelioration. Studies on MP- and PL-impacted individual phytoplankton species reveal the production of reactive oxygen species, lipid peroxidation, physical damage of thylakoids, and other physiological and metabolic changes, followed by homo- and heteroaggregations, ultimately eventuating in decreased photosynthesis and primary productivity. Likewise, analyses of the microbial community in the plastisphere show a radically different profile compared to the surrounding planktonic diversity. The plastisphere also enriches multidrug-resistant bacteria, cyanotoxins, and pollutants, accelerating microbial succession, changing the microbiome, and thus, affecting phytoplankton diversity and evolution. These impacts on cellular and community scales manifest in changed ecosystem dynamics with widespread bottom-up and top-down effects on aquatic biodiversity and food web interactions. These adverse effects─through altered nutrient cycling─have "knock-on" impacts on biogeochemical cycles and greenhouse gases. Consequently, these impacts affect provisioning and regulating ecosystem services. Our citation network analyses (CNA) further demonstrate dire effects of MP and PL on all trophic levels, thereby unsettling ecosystem stability and services. CNA points to several emerging nodes indicating combined toxicity of MP, PL, and their associated hazards on phytoplankton. Taken together, our study shows that ecotoxicity of plastic particles and their leachates have placed primary producers and some aquatic ecosystems in peril.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Amaneesh
- Sustainable Resources Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periya, Kasaragod, Kerala 671316, India
| | - Shankari Anna Balan
- Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, Maclean Building, Benson Lane, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB, United Kingdom
- Wageningen University & Research, P.O. Box 8000, 6700 EA, Wageningen, Netherlands
| | - P S Silpa
- Sustainable Resources Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periya, Kasaragod, Kerala 671316, India
| | - Ji Won Kim
- Cell Factory Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), 34113, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Kozhumal Greeshma
- Sustainable Resources Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periya, Kasaragod, Kerala 671316, India
| | - A Aswathi Mohan
- Sustainable Resources Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periya, Kasaragod, Kerala 671316, India
| | - Aiswarya Robert Antony
- Sustainable Resources Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periya, Kasaragod, Kerala 671316, India
| | - Hans-Peter Grossart
- Leibniz-Institute of Freshwater Ecology and Inland Fisheries, Department of Plankton and Microbial Ecology, 12587 Berlin, Germany
- Potsdam University, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, 14469 Potsdam, Germany
| | - Hee-Sik Kim
- Cell Factory Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Department of Environmental Biotechnology, KRIBB School of Biotechnology, Korea University of Science and Technology (UST), 34113, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Rishiram Ramanan
- Sustainable Resources Laboratory, Department of Environmental Science, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periya, Kasaragod, Kerala 671316, India
- Cell Factory Research Center, Korea Research Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology (KRIBB), Daejeon 34141, Republic of Korea
- Centre for Policy Research & Governance, Central University of Kerala, Tejaswini Hills, Periya, Kasaragod, Kerala 671316, India
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16
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Plastic pollution: the science we need for the planet we want. Emerg Top Life Sci 2022; 6:333-337. [PMID: 36453917 DOI: 10.1042/etls20220019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Plastics are incredibly versatile materials that can bring diverse societal and environmental benefit, yet current practices of production, use and disposal have negative effects on wildlife, the environment and human health leading to growing concern across public, policy makers and industry. This Special Issue in Emerging Topics in Life Sciences describes recent advances in our understanding of the consequences of plastic pollution. In particular, it examines their potential to act as vectors for chemicals and pathogens in the environment; evaluates the effects of plastic pollution on biogeochemical cycling, ecosystem functioning and highlights the potential for enhanced effects in environments that are already subject to substantive changes in their climate. The impacts plastics pose to terrestrial ecosystems including soil communities are described and evaluated, along with evidence of potential issues for human health. With an increase in the production of plastics labelled as 'biodegradable' their context and ecological impacts are reviewed. Finally, we discuss the need to take an integrative, system approach when developing and evaluating solutions to plastic pollution, to achieve the ambitious yet necessary aims of the UN Plastics Treaty.
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17
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Implications of plastic pollution on global marine carbon cycling and climate. Emerg Top Life Sci 2022; 6:359-369. [PMID: 36218383 DOI: 10.1042/etls20220013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2022] [Revised: 09/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/30/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Plastic pollution can both chemically and physically impede marine biota. But it can also provide novel substrates for colonization, and its leachate might stimulate phytoplankton growth. Plastic contains carbon, which is released into the environment upon breakdown. All of these mechanisms have been proposed to contribute global impacts on open ocean carbon cycling and climate from ubiquitous plastic pollution. Laboratory studies produce compelling data showing both stimulation and inhibition of primary producers and disruption of predatory lifecycles at individual scale, but global carbon cycle impacts remain mostly unquantified. Preliminary modelling estimates ecosystem alterations and direct carbon release due to plastic pollution will remain vastly less disruptive to global carbon cycling than the direct damage wrought by fossil fuel carbon emissions. But when considered by mass, carbon in the form of bulky, persistent plastic particles may be disproportionally more influential on biogeochemical cycling than carbon as a gas in the atmosphere or as a dissolved component of seawater. Thus, future research should pay particular attention to the optical and other physical effects of marine plastic pollution on Earth system and ecological function, and resulting impacts on oxygen and nutrient cycling. Improved understanding of the breakdown of plastics in the marine environment should also be considered high-priority, as any potential perturbation of biological carbon cycling by plastic pollution is climate-relevant on centennial timescales and longer.
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18
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Wang X, Xing Y, Lv M, Zhang T, Ya H, Jiang B. Recent advances on the effects of microplastics on elements cycling in the environment. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 849:157884. [PMID: 35944635 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157884] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 20.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (<5 mm) are an emerging pollutant which have received increasing concern in recent years. Microplastics pose a serious hazard and potential risk to the environment due to their migration, transformation, adsorption and degradation properties. The effects of different types of microplastics on the elemental cycles (carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus cycles) in ecosystems were comprehensively summarized. The impacts of microplastics on the element cycle occur mainly in the soil environment and to less extent in other environments. Microplastics affect carbon sources, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions, and carbon conversion processes, mainly by affecting plant and animal activities, changing gene abundance, enzyme activity, and microbial community composition. Microplastics can affect nitrogen sources, nitrogen fixation, ammonification, nitrification and denitrification processes by changing gene abundance, enzyme activity and microbial community composition. Microplastics can also influence phosphorus content and phosphorus conversion processes by stimulating enzyme activity and changing the composition of microbial communities. Future research needs to analyze the coupling of multiple microplastics and influencing factors on elemental cycling processes. This work provides a better view of the impacts of microplastics on element cycles and the interaction between microplastics and organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Wang
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Yi Xing
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Mingjie Lv
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Tian Zhang
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China
| | - Haobo Ya
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; Zhejiang Development & Planning Institute, Hangzhou 310030, PR China
| | - Bo Jiang
- School of Energy and Environmental Engineering, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; Beijing Key Laboratory of Resource-oriented Treatment of Industrial Pollutants, University of Science & Technology Beijing, Beijing 100083, PR China; National Engineering Laboratory for Site Remediation Technologies, Beijing 100015, PR China.
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19
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Galgani L, Goßmann I, Scholz-Böttcher B, Jiang X, Liu Z, Scheidemann L, Schlundt C, Engel A. Hitchhiking into the Deep: How Microplastic Particles are Exported through the Biological Carbon Pump in the North Atlantic Ocean. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2022; 56:15638-15649. [PMID: 36302504 PMCID: PMC9670853 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c04712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Understanding residence times of plastic in the ocean is a major knowledge gap in plastic pollution studies. Observations report a large mismatch between plastic load estimates from worldwide production and disposal and actual plastics floating at the sea surface. Surveys of the water column, from the surface to the deep sea, are rare. Most recent work, therefore, addressed the "missing plastic" question using modeling or laboratory approaches proposing biofouling and degradation as the main removal processes in the ocean. Through organic matrices, plastic can affect the biogeochemical and microbial cycling of carbon and nutrients. For the first time, we provide in situ measured vertical fluxes of microplastics deploying drifting sediment traps in the North Atlantic Gyre from 50 m down to 600 m depth, showing that through biogenic polymers plastic can be embedded into rapidly sinking particles also known as marine snow. We furthermore show that the carbon contained in plastic can represent up to 3.8% of the total downward flux of particulate organic carbon. Our results shed light on important pathways regulating the transport of microplastics in marine systems and on potential interactions with the marine carbon cycle, suggesting microplastic removal through the "biological plastic pump".
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Affiliation(s)
- Luisa Galgani
- GEOMAR
Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, D-24105 Kiel, Germany
- Harbor
Branch Oceanographic Institute, Florida
Atlantic University, 5600 N US1, Fort Pierce, Florida 34946, United
States
| | - Isabel Goßmann
- Institute
for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, P.O. Box 2503, D-26111 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Barbara Scholz-Böttcher
- Institute
for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, P.O. Box 2503, D-26111 Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Xiangtao Jiang
- The
University of Texas at Austin, Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Dr., Port Aransas, Texas 78373, United States
| | - Zhanfei Liu
- The
University of Texas at Austin, Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Dr., Port Aransas, Texas 78373, United States
| | - Lindsay Scheidemann
- GEOMAR
Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, D-24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Cathleen Schlundt
- GEOMAR
Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, D-24105 Kiel, Germany
| | - Anja Engel
- GEOMAR
Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel, Düsternbrooker Weg 20, D-24105 Kiel, Germany
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20
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Okeke ES, Ezeorba TPC, Chen Y, Mao G, Feng W, Wu X. Ecotoxicological and health implications of microplastic-associated biofilms: a recent review and prospect for turning the hazards into benefits. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2022; 29:70611-70634. [PMID: 35994149 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-22612-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs), over the years, have been regarded as a severe environmental nuisance with adverse effects on our ecosystem as well as human health globally. In recent times, microplastics have been reported to support biofouling by genetically diverse organisms resulting in the formation of biofilms. Biofilms, however, could result in changes in the physicochemical properties of microplastics, such as their buoyancy and roughness. Many scholars perceived the microplastic-biofilm association as having more severe consequences, providing evidence of its effects on the environment, aquatic life, and nutrient cycles. Furthermore, other researchers have shown that microplastic-associated biofilms have severe consequences on human health as they serve as vectors of heavy metals, toxic chemicals, and antibiotic resistance genes. Despite what is already known about their adverse effects, other interesting avenues are yet to be fully explored or developed to turn the perceived negative microplastic-biofilm association to our advantage. The major inclusion criteria for relevant literature were that it must focus on microplastic association biofilms, while we excluded papers solely on biofilms or microplastics. A total of 242 scientific records were obtained. More than 90% focused on explaining the environmental and health impacts of microplastic-biofilm association, whereas only very few studies have reported the possibilities and opportunities in turning the microplastic biofilms association into benefits. In summary, this paper concisely reviews the current knowledge of microplastic-associated biofilms and their adverse consequences and further proposes some approaches that can be developed to turn the negative association into positive.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emmanuel Sunday Okeke
- Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, People's Republic of China
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Biological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, 41000, Nigeria
- Natural Science Unit, SGS, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Enugu State, 41000, Nigeria
| | | | - Yao Chen
- Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Guanghua Mao
- Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, People's Republic of China
| | - Weiwei Feng
- Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, People's Republic of China.
| | - Xiangyang Wu
- Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of Environment and Safety Engineering, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, 212013, People's Republic of China.
- Institute of Environmental Health and Ecological Security, School of the Environment and Safety, Jiangsu University, 301 Xuefu Rd., 212013, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu, China.
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21
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Omeyer LCM, Duncan EM, Aiemsomboon K, Beaumont N, Bureekul S, Cao B, Carrasco LR, Chavanich S, Clark JR, Cordova MR, Couceiro F, Cragg SM, Dickson N, Failler P, Ferraro G, Fletcher S, Fong J, Ford AT, Gutierrez T, Shahul Hamid F, Hiddink JG, Hoa PT, Holland SI, Jones L, Jones NH, Koldewey H, Lauro FM, Lee C, Lewis M, Marks D, Matallana-Surget S, Mayorga-Adame CG, McGeehan J, Messer LF, Michie L, Miller MA, Mohamad ZF, Nor NHM, Müller M, Neill SP, Nelms SE, Onda DFL, Ong JJL, Pariatamby A, Phang SC, Quilliam R, Robins PE, Salta M, Sartimbul A, Shakuto S, Skov MW, Taboada EB, Todd PA, Toh TC, Valiyaveettil S, Viyakarn V, Wonnapinij P, Wood LE, Yong CLX, Godley BJ. Priorities to inform research on marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 841:156704. [PMID: 35718174 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156704] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 06/07/2022] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Southeast Asia is considered to have some of the highest levels of marine plastic pollution in the world. It is therefore vitally important to increase our understanding of the impacts and risks of plastic pollution to marine ecosystems and the essential services they provide to support the development of mitigation measures in the region. An interdisciplinary, international network of experts (Australia, Indonesia, Ireland, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, the United Kingdom, and Vietnam) set a research agenda for marine plastic pollution in the region, synthesizing current knowledge and highlighting areas for further research in Southeast Asia. Using an inductive method, 21 research questions emerged under five non-predefined key themes, grouping them according to which: (1) characterise marine plastic pollution in Southeast Asia; (2) explore its movement and fate across the region; (3) describe the biological and chemical modifications marine plastic pollution undergoes; (4) detail its environmental, social, and economic impacts; and, finally, (5) target regional policies and possible solutions. Questions relating to these research priority areas highlight the importance of better understanding the fate of marine plastic pollution, its degradation, and the impacts and risks it can generate across communities and different ecosystem services. Knowledge of these aspects will help support actions which currently suffer from transboundary problems, lack of responsibility, and inaction to tackle the issue from its point source in the region. Being profoundly affected by marine plastic pollution, Southeast Asian countries provide an opportunity to test the effectiveness of innovative and socially inclusive changes in marine plastic governance, as well as both high and low-tech solutions, which can offer insights and actionable models to the rest of the world.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucy C M Omeyer
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom.
| | - Emily M Duncan
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom; Institute of Marine Sciences - Okeanos, University of the Azores, Rua Professor Doutor Frederico Machado 4, 9901-862 Horta, Portugal.
| | - Kornrawee Aiemsomboon
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Nicola Beaumont
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, Devon PL1 3DH, United Kingdom
| | - Sujaree Bureekul
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Bin Cao
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
| | - Luis R Carrasco
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, 117543, Singapore
| | - Suchana Chavanich
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Aquatic Resources Research Institute Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - James R Clark
- Plymouth Marine Laboratory, Prospect Place, The Hoe, Plymouth, Devon PL1 3DH, United Kingdom
| | - Muhammad R Cordova
- Research Centre for Oceanography, Indonesian Institute of Sciences (LIPI), Jalan Pasir Putih 1, Ancol Timur, Jakarta 14430, Indonesia; Research Centre for Oceanography, National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN), Jalan Pasir Putih 1, Ancol Timur, Jakarta 14430, Indonesia
| | - Fay Couceiro
- School of Civil Engineering and Surveying, Faculty of Technology, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 3AH, United Kingdom
| | - Simon M Cragg
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO4 9LY, United Kingdom; Centre for Enzyme Innovation, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 2DY, United Kingdom
| | - Neil Dickson
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, United Kingdom
| | - Pierre Failler
- Centre for Blue Governance, Department of Economics and Finance, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 3DE, United Kingdom
| | - Gianluca Ferraro
- Centre for Blue Governance, Department of Economics and Finance, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 3DE, United Kingdom
| | - Stephen Fletcher
- School of the Environment, Geography and Geosciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 3DE, United Kingdom; UN Environment World Conservation Monitoring Centre, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny Fong
- Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Alex T Ford
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO4 9LY, United Kingdom
| | - Tony Gutierrez
- School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Fauziah Shahul Hamid
- Centre for Research in Waste Management, Institute of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Jan G Hiddink
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, United Kingdom
| | - Pham T Hoa
- School of Biotechnology, International University, Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Hinh City, Viet Nam
| | - Sophie I Holland
- School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Lowenna Jones
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom; Department of Politics and International Relations, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield S10 2TN, United Kingdom
| | - Nia H Jones
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, United Kingdom
| | - Heather Koldewey
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom; Zoological Society of London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Federico M Lauro
- Singapore Centre for Environmental Life Sciences Engineering, Nanyang Technological University, 637551, Singapore; Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
| | - Charlotte Lee
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, United Kingdom
| | - Matt Lewis
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, United Kingdom
| | - Danny Marks
- School of Law and Government, Dublin City University, Dublin 9 Dublin, Ireland
| | - Sabine Matallana-Surget
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, United Kingdom
| | | | - John McGeehan
- Centre for Enzyme Innovation, School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 2DY, United Kingdom
| | - Lauren F Messer
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, United Kingdom
| | - Laura Michie
- Institute of Marine Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO4 9LY, United Kingdom
| | - Michelle A Miller
- Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore
| | - Zeeda F Mohamad
- Department of Science and Technology Studies, Faculty of Science, University of Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Nur Hazimah Mohamed Nor
- Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
| | - Moritz Müller
- Faculty of Engineering, Computing and Science, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus, Kuching 93350, Malaysia
| | - Simon P Neill
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah E Nelms
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom
| | - Deo Florence L Onda
- The Marine Science Institute, Velasquez St., University of the Philippines, Diliman, Quezon City 1101, Philippines
| | - Joyce J L Ong
- Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, 50 Nanyang Avenue, 639798, Singapore
| | - Agamuthu Pariatamby
- Jeffrey Sachs Centre on Sustainable Development, Sunway University, Selangor Darul Ehsan 47500, Malaysia
| | - Sui C Phang
- Centre for Blue Governance, Department of Economics and Finance, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 3DE, United Kingdom; The Nature Conservancy, London Office, 5 Chancery Lane Suite 403, London WC2A 1LG, United Kingdom
| | - Richard Quilliam
- Division of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling FK9 4LA, United Kingdom
| | - Peter E Robins
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Salta
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 2DY, United Kingdom
| | - Aida Sartimbul
- Faculty of Fisheries and Marine Sciences, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145, East Java, Indonesia; Marine Resources Exploration and Management (MEXMA) Research Group, Universitas Brawijaya, Malang 65145, East Java, Indonesia
| | - Shiori Shakuto
- Department of Anthropology, School of Social and Political Sciences, The University of Sydney, Social Sciences Building, NSW 2006, Australia
| | - Martin W Skov
- School of Ocean Sciences, Bangor University, Menai Bridge, Anglesey LL59 5AB, United Kingdom
| | - Evelyn B Taboada
- BioProcess Engineering and Research Centre, Department of Chemical Engineering, School of Engineering, University of San Carlos, Cebu City 6000, Philippines
| | - Peter A Todd
- Experimental Marine Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, 117558, Singapore
| | - Tai Chong Toh
- Tropical Marine Science Institute, National University of Singapore, Singapore; College of Alice & Peter Tan, National University of Singapore, 8 College Avenue East, 138615, Singapore
| | - Suresh Valiyaveettil
- Department of Chemistry, National University of Singapore, 3 Science Drive 3, 117543, Singapore
| | - Voranop Viyakarn
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand; Aquatic Resources Research Institute Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Passorn Wonnapinij
- Department of Genetics, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; Centre for Advanced Studies in Tropical Natural Resources, Kasetsart University, Bangkok 10900, Thailand; Omics Center for Agriculture, Bioresources, Food and Health, Kasetsart University (OmiKU), Bangkok 10900, Thailand
| | - Louisa E Wood
- Centre for Blue Governance, Department of Economics and Finance, University of Portsmouth, Portsmouth, Hampshire PO1 3DE, United Kingdom
| | - Clara L X Yong
- Experimental Marine Ecology Laboratory, Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 16 Science Drive 4, 117558, Singapore
| | - Brendan J Godley
- Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Penryn, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, United Kingdom
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22
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Takahashi N, Miyanishi Y, Kato R, Amimoto T, Iwamoto Y, Takeda K. Migration of terephthalate from scraps of poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) in water and artificial seawater. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:156053. [PMID: 35597346 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156053] [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: 03/29/2022] [Revised: 05/12/2022] [Accepted: 05/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We report the migration of terephthalate and some low molecular weight organic compounds from poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) scraps in Milli-Q water and artificial seawater (ASW). The photochemical processes and the subsequent dark reactions were investigated using PET scraps obtained from postconsumer bottles of commercial non‑carbonated mineral water. Concentrations of terephthalate exponentially increased with irradiation time, reaching approximately 6-8 μmol L-1 in ASW after 80 h irradiation. The photochemical migrations of compounds related to terephthalate were also observed. Concentrations of terephthalate and related compounds reached higher concentrations in ASW than in Milli-Q water. After 80 h irradiation, two dark experiments were conducted: one on the solutions after irradiation without PET scraps, and the other on photochemically damaged PET scraps. In ASW in the dark without PET scraps, the terephthalate concentration increased, and concentrations of other compounds related to terephthalate also changed. The results suggested that terephthalate was generated by hydrolytic reaction in dark ASW from the scission products of PET which were generated during the irradiation of PET scraps. Photochemically damaged PET scraps released terephthalate and related compounds in the dark. The half-life of the photo-irradiated PET scraps in the dark is approximately 205 years. Our results show that PET bottles in marine environments can continuously release terephthalate and other low molecular weight organic compounds during the day at the sunny surface, at the dark ocean floor, and during the night.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nobuhiro Takahashi
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-7-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan
| | - Yuto Miyanishi
- Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-7-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan
| | - Ryota Kato
- Graduate School of Biosphere Science, Hiroshima University, 1-7-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan
| | - Tomoko Amimoto
- Natural Science Center for Basic Research and Development, Hiroshima University, 1-3-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8526, Japan
| | - Yoko Iwamoto
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-7-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan; Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-7-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Takeda
- Graduate School of Integrated Sciences for Life, Hiroshima University, 1-7-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan; Faculty of Integrated Arts and Sciences, Hiroshima University, 1-7-1 Kagamiyama, Higashi-Hiroshima 739-8521, Japan.
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23
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Fagiano V, Compa M, Alomar C, García-Marcos K, Deudero S. Marine plastics in Mediterranean islands: Evaluating the distribution and composition of plastic pollution in the surface waters along four islands of the Western Sea Basin. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 305:119268. [PMID: 35398154 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119268] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2021] [Revised: 03/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
To study the spatial distribution of sea surface plastics in marine protected and non-protected areas, 65 sea surface trawls were carried out using a Hydro-bios manta net coupled with a 335-μm mesh. A total of 19 sampling sites along the coastal waters of Mallorca, the "Parque Nacional Marítimo-Terrestre del Archipiélago de Cabrera" and Menorca in the Balearic Islands as well as along coastal waters of The Natural Park of Columbretes Islands (NW Mediterranean Sea) were sampled. A total of 10,637 plastic items were identified and a subset of these items was categorized by shape, color, size and polymer composition. Plastic particles were found at each sampling site and in all samples. No microscale nor mesoscale variability in floating marine plastics abundance (particles/m2) was encountered throughout the study area where similar values were found in protected areas with no local land-based contamination sources, such as Columbretes [0.04 (±0.03) particles/m2], and in high anthropized areas, such as the island of Mallorca [0.04 (±0.07) particles/m2]. However, differences were found in characteristics of plastic items (shape, polymer, and size range), with the protected area of Columbretes characterized by the presence of the highest density of very small plastic items composed mainly of fragments (93%). Quantified plastics from the marine environment were composed mainly of polyethylene (PE, 63.3%), polypropylene (PP; 24.9%), polycarbonate (PC; 4.6%) and polystyrene (PS, 3.3%). The polymer composition showed a homogenous composition between islands and differences were detected only amongst Columbretes and the other islands. Results from this study provide further evidence of the ubiquity of plastics in the marine environment and highlight that remote and protected areas, such as Columbretes, are not exempt from plastic pollution, but receptor areas for small and aged floating plastics composed mainly by fragments, which might have potentially harmful effects on protected ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Fagiano
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente S/n, 07015, Mallorca, Spain; University of Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
| | - M Compa
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente S/n, 07015, Mallorca, Spain
| | - C Alomar
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente S/n, 07015, Mallorca, Spain
| | - K García-Marcos
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente S/n, 07015, Mallorca, Spain
| | - S Deudero
- Centro Oceanográfico de Baleares (IEO, CSIC), Muelle de Poniente S/n, 07015, Mallorca, Spain
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24
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In situ laboratory for plastic degradation in the Red Sea. Sci Rep 2022; 12:11956. [PMID: 35831329 PMCID: PMC9279475 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-022-15310-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Degradation and fragmentation of plastics in the environment are still poorly understood. This is partly caused by the lack of long-term studies and methods that determine weathering duration. We here present a novel study object that preserves information on plastic age: microplastic (MP) resin pellets from the wreck of the SS Hamada, a ship that foundered twenty-nine years ago at the coast of Wadi el Gemal national park, Egypt. Its sinking date enabled us to precisely determine how long MP rested in the wreck and a nearby beach, on which part of the load was washed off. Pellets from both sampling sites were analyzed by microscopy, X-ray tomography, spectroscopy, calorimetry, gel permeation chromatography, and rheology. Most pellets were made of low-density polyethylene, but a minor proportion also consisted of high-density polyethylene. MP from inside the wreck showed no signs of degradation compared to pristine reference samples. Contrary, beached plastics exhibited changes on all structural levels, which sometimes caused fragmentation. These findings provide further evidence that plastic degradation under saltwater conditions is comparatively slow, whereas UV radiation and high temperatures on beaches are major drivers of that process. Future long-term studies should focus on underlying mechanisms and timescales of plastic degradation.
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25
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Melchor-Martínez EM, Macías-Garbett R, Alvarado-Ramírez L, Araújo RG, Sosa-Hernández JE, Ramírez-Gamboa D, Parra-Arroyo L, Alvarez AG, Monteverde RPB, Cazares KAS, Reyes-Mayer A, Yáñez Lino M, Iqbal HMN, Parra-Saldívar R. Towards a Circular Economy of Plastics: An Evaluation of the Systematic Transition to a New Generation of Bioplastics. Polymers (Basel) 2022; 14:polym14061203. [PMID: 35335534 PMCID: PMC8955033 DOI: 10.3390/polym14061203] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2022] [Revised: 03/09/2022] [Accepted: 03/10/2022] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Plastics have become an essential part of the modern world thanks to their appealing physical and chemical properties as well as their low production cost. The most common type of polymers used for plastic account for 90% of the total production and are made from petroleum-based nonrenewable resources. Concerns over the sustainability of the current production model and the environmental implications of traditional plastics have fueled the demand for greener formulations and alternatives. In the last decade, new plastics manufactured from renewable sources and biological processes have emerged from research and have been established as a commercially viable solution with less adverse effects. Nevertheless, economic and legislative challenges for biobased plastics hinder their widespread implementation. This review summarizes the history of plastics over the last century, including the most relevant bioplastics and production methods, the environmental impact and mitigation of the adverse effects of conventional and emerging plastics, and the regulatory landscape that renewable and recyclable bioplastics face to reach a sustainable future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elda M. Melchor-Martínez
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; (E.M.M.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.-R.); (R.G.A.); (J.E.S.-H.); (D.R.-G.); (L.P.-A.)
| | - Rodrigo Macías-Garbett
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; (E.M.M.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.-R.); (R.G.A.); (J.E.S.-H.); (D.R.-G.); (L.P.-A.)
| | - Lynette Alvarado-Ramírez
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; (E.M.M.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.-R.); (R.G.A.); (J.E.S.-H.); (D.R.-G.); (L.P.-A.)
| | - Rafael G. Araújo
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; (E.M.M.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.-R.); (R.G.A.); (J.E.S.-H.); (D.R.-G.); (L.P.-A.)
| | - Juan Eduardo Sosa-Hernández
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; (E.M.M.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.-R.); (R.G.A.); (J.E.S.-H.); (D.R.-G.); (L.P.-A.)
| | - Diana Ramírez-Gamboa
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; (E.M.M.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.-R.); (R.G.A.); (J.E.S.-H.); (D.R.-G.); (L.P.-A.)
| | - Lizeth Parra-Arroyo
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; (E.M.M.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.-R.); (R.G.A.); (J.E.S.-H.); (D.R.-G.); (L.P.-A.)
| | - Abraham Garza Alvarez
- Cadena Comercial OXXO S.A de C.V., Monterrey 64480, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; (A.G.A.); (R.P.B.M.); (K.A.S.C.)
| | | | | | - Adriana Reyes-Mayer
- Centro de Caracterización e Investigación en Materiales S.A. de C.V., Jiutepec 62578, Morelos, Mexico;
| | - Mauricio Yáñez Lino
- Polymer Solutions & Innovation S.A. de C.V., Jiutepec 62578, Morelos, Mexico;
| | - Hafiz M. N. Iqbal
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; (E.M.M.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.-R.); (R.G.A.); (J.E.S.-H.); (D.R.-G.); (L.P.-A.)
- Correspondence: (H.M.N.I.); (R.P.-S.)
| | - Roberto Parra-Saldívar
- Tecnologico de Monterrey, School of Engineering and Sciences, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo Leon, Mexico; (E.M.M.-M.); (R.M.-G.); (L.A.-R.); (R.G.A.); (J.E.S.-H.); (D.R.-G.); (L.P.-A.)
- Correspondence: (H.M.N.I.); (R.P.-S.)
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26
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Water Quality Chl-a Inversion Based on Spatio-Temporal Fusion and Convolutional Neural Network. REMOTE SENSING 2022. [DOI: 10.3390/rs14051267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
The combination of remote sensing technology and traditional field sampling provides a convenient way to monitor inland water. However, limited by the resolution of remote sensing images and cloud contamination, the current water quality inversion products do not provide both high temporal resolution and high spatial resolution. By using the spatio-temporal fusion (STF) method, high spatial resolution and temporal fusion images were generated with Landsat, Sentinel-2, and GaoFen-2 data. Then, a Chl-a inversion model was designed based on a convolutional neural network (CNN) with the structure of 4-(136-236-340)-1-1. Finally, the results of the Chl-a concentrations were corrected using a pixel correction algorithm. The images generated from STF can maintain the spectral characteristics of the low-resolution images with the R2 between 0.7 and 0.9. The Chl-a inversion results based on the spatio-temporal fused images and CNN were verified with measured data (R2 = 0.803), and then the results were improved (R2 = 0.879) after further combining them with the pixel correction algorithm. The correlation R2 between the Chl-a results of GF2-like and Sentinel-2 were both greater than 0.8. The differences in the spatial distribution of Chl-a concentrations in the BYD lake gradually increased from July to August. Remote sensing water quality inversion based on STF and CNN can effectively achieve high frequency in time and fine resolution in space, which provide a stronger scientific basis for rapid diagnosis of eutrophication in inland lakes.
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27
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Sojobi AO, Zayed T. Impact of sewer overflow on public health: A comprehensive scientometric analysis and systematic review. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2022; 203:111609. [PMID: 34216613 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2021.111609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2021] [Revised: 06/16/2021] [Accepted: 06/24/2021] [Indexed: 05/09/2023]
Abstract
Sewer overflow (SO), which has attracted global attention, poses serious threat to public health and ecosystem. SO impacts public health via consumption of contaminated drinking water, aerosolization of pathogens, food-chain transmission, and direct contact with fecally-polluted rivers and beach sediments during recreation. However, no study has attempted to map the linkage between SO and public health including Covid-19 using scientometric analysis and systematic review of literature. Results showed that only few countries were actively involved in SO research in relation to public health. Furthermore, there are renewed calls to scale up environmental surveillance to safeguard public health. To safeguard public health, it is important for public health authorities to optimize water and wastewater treatment plants and improve building ventilation and plumbing systems to minimize pathogen transmission within buildings and transportation systems. In addition, health authorities should formulate appropriate policies that can enhance environmental surveillance and facilitate real-time monitoring of sewer overflow. Increased public awareness on strict personal hygiene and point-of-use-water-treatment such as boiling drinking water will go a long way to safeguard public health. Ecotoxicological studies and health risk assessment of exposure to pathogens via different transmission routes is also required to appropriately inform the use of lockdowns, minimize their socio-economic impact and guide evidence-based welfare/social policy interventions. Soft infrastructures, optimized sewer maintenance and prescreening of sewer overflow are recommended to reduce stormwater burden on wastewater treatment plant, curtail pathogen transmission and marine plastic pollution. Comprehensive, integrated surveillance and global collaborative efforts are important to curtail on-going Covid-19 pandemic and improve resilience against future pandemics.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Tarek Zayed
- Department of Building and Real Estate, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hong Kong, China.
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Casabianca S, Bellingeri A, Capellacci S, Sbrana A, Russo T, Corsi I, Penna A. Ecological implications beyond the ecotoxicity of plastic debris on marine phytoplankton assemblage structure and functioning. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 290:118101. [PMID: 34523510 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118101] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2021] [Revised: 08/20/2021] [Accepted: 09/01/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is a global issue posing a threat to marine biota with ecological implications on ecosystem functioning. Micro and nanoplastic impact on phytoplankton autotrophic species (e.g., cell growth inhibition, decrease in chlorophyll a and photosynthetic efficiency and hetero-aggregates formation) have been largely documented. However, the heterogeneity of data makes rather difficult a comparison based on size (i.e. micro vs nano). In addition, knowledge gaps on the ecological impact on phytoplankton assemblage structure and functioning are evident. A new virtual meta-analysis on cause-effect relationships of micro and nanoplastics on phytoplankton species revealed the significant effect posed by polymer type on reducing cell density for tested PVC, PS and PE plastics. Linked with autotrophic phytoplankton role in atmospheric CO2 fixation, a potential impact of plastics on marine carbon pump is discussed. The understanding of the effects of microplastics and nanoplastics on the phytoplankton functioning is fundamental to raise awareness on the overall impact on the first level of marine food web. Interactions between micro and nanoplastics and phytoplankton assemblages have been quite documented by in vitro examinations; but, further studies considering natural plankton assemblages and/or large mesocosm experiments should be performed to evaluate and try predicting ecological impacts on primary producers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Silvia Casabianca
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, Campus E. Mattei, 61121, Urbino, Italy; CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, 00196, Rome, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, 61032, Fano, Italy.
| | - Arianna Bellingeri
- Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Samuela Capellacci
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, Campus E. Mattei, 61121, Urbino, Italy; CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, 00196, Rome, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, 61032, Fano, Italy
| | - Alice Sbrana
- Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy; PhD Program in Evolutionary Biology and Ecology, Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Via della Ricerca Scientifica snc, 00133, Roma, Italy
| | - Tommaso Russo
- CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, 00196, Rome, Italy; Department of Biology, University of Rome Tor Vergata, 00133, Rome, Italy
| | - Ilaria Corsi
- CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, 00196, Rome, Italy; Department of Physical, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Siena, 53100, Siena, Italy
| | - Antonella Penna
- Department of Biomolecular Sciences, University of Urbino, Campus E. Mattei, 61121, Urbino, Italy; CoNISMa, National Inter-University Consortium for Marine Sciences, 00196, Rome, Italy; Fano Marine Center, The Inter-Institute Center for Research on Marine Biodiversity, Resources and Biotechnologies, 61032, Fano, Italy
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Calm and Frenzy: marine obligate hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria sustain ocean wellness. Curr Opin Biotechnol 2021; 73:337-345. [PMID: 34768202 DOI: 10.1016/j.copbio.2021.09.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 09/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
According to current estimates, the annual volume of crude oil entering the ocean due to both anthropogenic activities and naturally occurring seepages reaches approximately 8.3 million metric tons. Huge discharges from accidents have caused large-scale environmental disasters with extensive damage to the marine ecosystem. The natural clean-up of petroleum spills in marine environments is carried out primarily by naturally occurring obligate hydrocarbonoclastic bacteria (OHCB). The natural hosts of OHCB include a range of marine primary producers, unicellular photosynthetic eukaryotes and cyanobacteria, which have been documented as both, suppliers of hydrocarbon-like compounds that fuel the 'cryptic' hydrocarbon cycle and as a source of isolation of new OHCB. A very new body of evidence suggests that OHCB are not only the active early stage colonizers of plastics and hence the important component of the ocean's 'plastisphere' but also encode an array of enzymes experimentally proven to act on petrochemical and bio-based polymers.
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Tanentzap AJ, Cottingham S, Fonvielle J, Riley I, Walker LM, Woodman SG, Kontou D, Pichler CM, Reisner E, Lebreton L. Microplastics and anthropogenic fibre concentrations in lakes reflect surrounding land use. PLoS Biol 2021; 19:e3001389. [PMID: 34520450 PMCID: PMC8439457 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2021] [Accepted: 08/10/2021] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Pollution from microplastics and anthropogenic fibres threatens lakes, but we know little about what factors predict its accumulation. Lakes may be especially contaminated because of long water retention times and proximity to pollution sources. Here, we surveyed anthropogenic microparticles, i.e., microplastics and anthropogenic fibres, in surface waters of 67 European lakes spanning 30° of latitude and large environmental gradients. By collating data from >2,100 published net tows, we found that microparticle concentrations in our field survey were higher than previously reported in lakes and comparable to rivers and oceans. We then related microparticle concentrations in our field survey to surrounding land use, water chemistry, and plastic emissions to sites estimated from local hydrology, population density, and waste production. Microparticle concentrations in European lakes quadrupled as both estimated mismanaged waste inputs and wastewater treatment loads increased in catchments. Concentrations decreased by 2 and 5 times over the range of surrounding forest cover and potential in-lake biodegradation, respectively. As anthropogenic debris continues to pollute the environment, our data will help contextualise future work, and our models can inform control and remediation efforts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew J. Tanentzap
- Ecosystems and Global Change Group, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel Cottingham
- Ecosystems and Global Change Group, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Jérémy Fonvielle
- Ecosystems and Global Change Group, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Isobel Riley
- Ecosystems and Global Change Group, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Lucy M. Walker
- Ecosystems and Global Change Group, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Samuel G. Woodman
- Ecosystems and Global Change Group, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Danai Kontou
- Ecosystems and Global Change Group, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Christian M. Pichler
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Erwin Reisner
- Yusuf Hamied Department of Chemistry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, United Kingdom
| | - Laurent Lebreton
- The Ocean Cleanup, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- The Modelling House, Raglan, New Zealand
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Tong X, Jong MC, Zhang J, You L, Gin KYH. Modelling the spatial and seasonal distribution, fate and transport of floating plastics in tropical coastal waters. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 414:125502. [PMID: 33684822 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.125502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 02/09/2021] [Accepted: 02/20/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
A coupled high-resolution hydrodynamic-particle tracking model was developed to study the spatiotemporal distribution and pathways of floating plastics in the coastal waters of equatorial Singapore. The coupled model was first calibrated and validated against the field measurements and then applied to explore impact of various prevailing wind and hydrodynamic conditions on fate and transport of the plastics. The results highlighted that the wind effect on the hydrodynamics is negligible, but it influences the transmissions of floating plastics significantly in the Singapore's coastal waters. The spatial and seasonal hotspots of plastic waste were identified, which were consistent with field observations when the windage ranged from 3% to 5%. A further evaluation of the predicted trajectories showed that plastic wastes released from the land could be transported approximately 70 km seaward within 72 h when the windage was 5%. Furthermore, it was also found that the effects of climate change and increasing plastic usage would aggravate plastic pollution and accelerate its transport. The established model can provide new insights into the spatiotemporal distribution and fate of plastic waste in the tropical coastal waters, which is useful to assist regulators in making policy decisions in response to the future climate change and plastic usage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xuneng Tong
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Enginneering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore
| | - Mui-Choo Jong
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 1 Create way, Create Tower, #15-02, Singapore 138602, Singapore
| | - Jingjie Zhang
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 1 Create way, Create Tower, #15-02, Singapore 138602, Singapore; Shenzhen Municipal Engineering Lab of Environmental IoT Technologies, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China; Northeast Institute of Geography and Agroecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Changchun 130102, China.
| | - Luhua You
- NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 1 Create way, Create Tower, #15-02, Singapore 138602, Singapore
| | - Karina Yew-Hoong Gin
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, National University of Singapore, 1 Enginneering Drive 2, Singapore 117576, Singapore; NUS Environmental Research Institute, National University of Singapore, 1 Create way, Create Tower, #15-02, Singapore 138602, Singapore.
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Abstract
Plastic contamination of the environment is a global problem whose magnitude justifies the consideration of plastics as emergent geomaterials with chemistries not previously seen in Earth's history. At the elemental level, plastics are predominantly carbon. The comparison of plastic stocks and fluxes to those of carbon reveals that the quantities of plastics present in some ecosystems rival the quantity of natural organic carbon and suggests that geochemists should now consider plastics in their analyses. Acknowledging plastics as geomaterials and adopting geochemical insights and methods can expedite our understanding of plastics in the Earth system. Plastics also can be used as global-scale tracers to advance Earth system science.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aron Stubbins
- Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA. .,Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Samuel E Muñoz
- Department of Marine and Environmental Sciences and Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Northeastern University, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Thomas S Bianchi
- Department of Geological Sciences, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611, USA
| | - Lixin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, Shanghai 200241, China
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Lobelle D, Kooi M, Koelmans AA, Laufkötter C, Jongedijk CE, Kehl C, van Sebille E. Global Modeled Sinking Characteristics of Biofouled Microplastic. JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH. OCEANS 2021; 126:e2020JC017098. [PMID: 34221786 PMCID: PMC8243974 DOI: 10.1029/2020jc017098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2020] [Revised: 02/19/2021] [Accepted: 03/17/2021] [Indexed: 05/28/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic debris ending up at the sea surface has become a known major environmental issue. However, how microplastic particles move and when they sink in the ocean remains largely unknown. Here, we model microplastic subject to biofouling (algal growth on a substrate) to estimate sinking timescales and the time to reach the depth where particles stop sinking. We combine NEMO-MEDUSA 2.0 output, that represents hydrodynamic and biological properties of seawater, with a particle-tracking framework. Different sizes and densities of particles (for different types of plastic) are simulated, showing that the global distribution of sinking timescales is largely size-dependent as opposed to density-dependent. The smallest particles we simulate (0.1 μm) start sinking almost immediately around the globe and their trajectories take the longest time to reach their first sinking depth (relative to larger particles). In oligotrophic subtropical gyres with low algal concentrations, particles between 1 and 0.01 mm do not sink within the simulation time of 90 days. This suggests that in addition to the comparatively well-known physical processes, biological processes might also contribute to the accumulation of floating plastic (of 1-0.01 mm) in subtropical gyres. Particles of 1 μm in the gyres start sinking largely due to vertical advection, whereas in the equatorial Pacific they are more dependent on biofouling. The qualitative impacts of seasonality on sinking timescales are small, however, localized sooner sinking due to spring algal blooms is seen. This study maps processes that affect the sinking of virtual microplastic globally, which could ultimately impact the ocean plastic budget.
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Affiliation(s)
- Delphine Lobelle
- Institute for Marine and Atmospheric ResearchUtrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Merel Kooi
- Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management GroupDepartment of Environmental SciencesWageningen UniversityWageningenNetherlands
| | - Albert A. Koelmans
- Aquatic Ecology and Water Quality Management GroupDepartment of Environmental SciencesWageningen UniversityWageningenNetherlands
| | - Charlotte Laufkötter
- Climate and Environmental PhysicsPhysics InstituteUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
- Oeschger Centre for Climate Change ResearchUniversity of BernBernSwitzerland
| | - Cleo E. Jongedijk
- Department of Civil and Environmental EngineeringImperial College LondonLondonUK
| | - Christian Kehl
- Institute for Marine and Atmospheric ResearchUtrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
| | - Erik van Sebille
- Institute for Marine and Atmospheric ResearchUtrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
- Centre for Complex Systems StudiesUtrecht UniversityUtrechtNetherlands
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34
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Cross SL, Cross AT, Tomlinson S, Clark-Ioannou SM, Nevill PG, Bateman PW. Mitigation and management plans should consider all anthropogenic disturbances to fauna. Glob Ecol Conserv 2021. [DOI: 10.1016/j.gecco.2021.e01500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/22/2022] Open
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Ladewig SM, Bianchi TS, Coco G, Hope JA, Thrush SF. A call to evaluate Plastic's impacts on marine benthic ecosystem interaction networks. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 273:116423. [PMID: 33477066 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116423] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/31/2020] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution continues to seep into natural and pristine habitats. Emerging laboratory-based research has evoked concern regarding plastic's impact on ecosystem structure and function, the essence of the ecosystem services that supports our life, wellbeing, and economy. These impacts have yet to be observed in nature where complex ecosystem interaction networks are enveloped in environmental physical and chemical dynamics. Specifically, there is concern that environmental impacts of plastics reach beyond toxicity and into ecosystem processes such as primary production, respiration, carbon and nutrient cycling, filtration, bioturbation, and bioirrigation. Plastics are popularly regarded as recalcitrant carbon molecules, although they have not been fully assessed as such. We hypothesize that plastics can take on similar roles as natural recalcitrant carbon (i.e., lignin and humic substances) in carbon cycling and associated biogeochemistry. In this paper, we review the current knowledge of the impacts of plastic pollution on marine, benthic ecosystem function. We argue for research advancement through (1) employing field experiments, (2) evaluating ecological network disturbances by plastic, and (3) assessing the role of plastics (i.e., a carbon-based molecule) in carbon cycling at local and global scales.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samantha M Ladewig
- University of Auckland, Institute of Marine Science, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand.
| | - Thomas S Bianchi
- University of Florida, Dept. of Geological Sciences, Gainesville, FL, 32611-2120, USA
| | - Giovanni Coco
- University of Auckland, School of Environment, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
| | - Julie A Hope
- University of Auckland, Institute of Marine Science, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand; Energy & Environment Institute, University of Hull, Hull, HU6 7RX, UK
| | - Simon F Thrush
- University of Auckland, Institute of Marine Science, Private Bag 92019, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand
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