1
|
Xie J, Gowen A, Xu W, Xu J. Analysing micro- and nanoplastics with cutting-edge infrared spectroscopy techniques: a critical review. ANALYTICAL METHODS : ADVANCING METHODS AND APPLICATIONS 2024; 16:2177-2197. [PMID: 38533677 DOI: 10.1039/d3ay01808c] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/28/2024]
Abstract
The escalating prominence of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) as emerging anthropogenic pollutants has sparked widespread scientific and public interest. These minuscule particles pervade the global environment, permeating drinking water and food sources, prompting concerns regarding their environmental impacts and potential risks to human health. In recent years, the field of MNP research has witnessed the development and application of cutting-edge infrared (IR) spectroscopic instruments. This review focuses on the recent application of advanced IR spectroscopic techniques and relevant instrumentation to analyse MNPs. A comprehensive literature search was conducted, encompassing articles published within the past three years. The findings revealed that Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy stands as the most used technique, with focal plane array FTIR (FPA-FTIR) representing the cutting edge in FTIR spectroscopy. The second most popular technique is quantum cascade laser infrared (QCL-IR) spectroscopy, which has facilitated rapid analysis of plastic particles. Following closely is optical photothermal infrared (O-PTIR) spectroscopy, which can furnish submicron spatial resolution. Subsequently, there is atomic force microscopy-based infrared (AFM-IR) spectroscopy, which has made it feasible to analyse MNPs at the nanoscale level. The most advanced IR instruments identified in articles covered in this review were compared. Comparison metrics encompass substrates/filters, data quality, spatial resolution, data acquisition speed, data processing and cost. The limitations of these IR instruments were identified, and recommendations to address these limitations were proposed. The findings of this review offer valuable guidance to MNP researchers in selecting suitable instrumentation for their research experiments, thereby facilitating advancements in research aimed at enhancing our understanding of the environmental and human health risks associated with MNPs.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Junhao Xie
- School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Aoife Gowen
- School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| | - Wei Xu
- Department of Life Sciences, Center for Coastal Studies, College of Sciences, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, USA
| | - Junli Xu
- School of Biosystems and Food Engineering, University College Dublin, Belfield, Dublin 4, Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Asakura H. Representation of investigation results of microplastics on sandy beaches-accumulation rate and abundance in the entire study site. PeerJ 2024; 12:e17207. [PMID: 38618566 PMCID: PMC11015833 DOI: 10.7717/peerj.17207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/18/2024] [Indexed: 04/16/2024] Open
Abstract
Long-term microplastics (MPs) environmental pollution trends cannot be understood only by investigating their presence on beaches. Without estimating MPs for the entire beach, comparisons between multiple beaches cannot be made. In this study, Nagasaki Prefecture was selected as the study site, we measured MPs accumulation rate to express the MPs pollution trend and weighted the measurement results to enable comparison of MPs content among multiple sandy beaches. The MPs accumulation rate in the study site was measured by periodic investigation at fixed spots. The average in the supratidal zone was 1.5 ± 0.9 mg-MPs/(m2-sand⋅ d) (n = 15). The weighting of the MPs content in hot spots and non-hot spots by their respective areas enabled us to obtain the representative value and the dispersion of the MPs content in the entire study site. The MPs contents in the three beaches were 298 ± 144, 1,115 ± 518, and 4,084 ± 2,243 mg-MPs/(m2-sand), respectively. Using these values, it is possible to compare the MPs contents of multiple beaches.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hiroshi Asakura
- Institute of Integrated Science and Technology, Nagasaki University, Nagasaki, Japan
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yuan B, Gan W, Sun J, Lin B, Chen Z. Depth profiles of microplastics in sediments from inland water to coast and their influential factors. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 903:166151. [PMID: 37562610 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.166151] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/19/2023] [Accepted: 08/06/2023] [Indexed: 08/12/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics, plastic particles with a size smaller than 5 mm, are widely observed in the global environments and pose a growing threat as they accumulate and affect the environments in numerous ways. These particles can be transported from inland water to coast and disperse from surface water to deep sediments, especially the latter, while knowledge of the hidden microplastics in sediment layers is still lacking. Understanding the characteristics and behavior of microplastics in deep sediments from inland water to coast is crucial for estimating the present and future global plastic budget from land to seas. Herein, present knowledge of microplastic sedimentation from inland water to coast is reviewed, with a focus on the physical characteristics of microplastics and environmental factors that affect sedimentation. The abundance, shape, composition, and timeline of microplastics in sediment layers in rivers, floodplains, lakes, estuaries and coastal wetlands are presented. The abundance of microplastics in sediment layers varies across sites and may exhibit opposite trends along depth, and generally the proportion of relatively small microplastics increases with depth, while less is known about the vertical trends in the shape and composition of microplastics. Timeline of microplastics is generally linked to the sedimentation rate, which varies from millimeters to centimeters per year in the reviewed studies. The spatiotemporal characteristics of microplastic sedimentation depend on the settling and erosion of microplastics, which are determined by two aspects, microplastic characteristics and environmental factors. The former aspect includes size, shape and density influenced by aggregation and biofouling, and the latter includes dynamic forces, topographic features, bioturbation and human activities. The comprehensive review of these factors highlights the needs to further quantify the characteristics of microplastic sedimentation and explore the role of these factors in microplastic sedimentation on various spatiotemporal scales.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Bing Yuan
- School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, 519082 Zhuhai, China; State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Tsinghua University, 100084 Beijing, China
| | - Wenhui Gan
- School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, 519082 Zhuhai, China
| | - Jian Sun
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Tsinghua University, 100084 Beijing, China.
| | - Binliang Lin
- State Key Laboratory of Hydroscience and Engineering, Department of Hydraulic Engineering, Tsinghua University, 100084 Beijing, China
| | - Zhihe Chen
- School of Civil Engineering, Sun Yat-sen University, 519082 Zhuhai, China.
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Lahon J, Handique S. Impact of flooding on microplastic abundance and distribution in freshwater environment: a review. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:118175-118191. [PMID: 37936046 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-30819-8] [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: 06/14/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/09/2023]
Abstract
Due to smaller particle size (0.1 µm-5 mm), non-biodegradable or slowly degradable nature, and high accumulation capacity in the environment, microplastics are becoming a cause of concern throughout the globe. The abundance and distribution of microplastics in aquatic compartments are strongly influenced by various natural and anthropogenic variables. Hydrodynamic conditions like flood events, caused due to extreme precipitation, accelerate the transport and settlement of microplastics in freshwater bodies. This review highlights the current literature which focuses on the effect of flooding on microplastic abundance, characterization, and distribution in freshwater environments worldwide. However, only limited research papers are identified through focused literature search, as this area of research is relatively new. Most of the studies reported increased and decreased abundance of microplastics in water and sediment samples, respectively, during post-flooding period with the exception of few studies. We also evaluate the post-flooding abundances of different morphological shape and polymer type of microplastics. Fragments, fibers, beads, and film were the most frequently reported microplastic shape and polystyrene, and polyethylene was the dominant polymer type found in freshwater environments. Future research should focus on more advanced techniques to understand microplastic fluxes under flood condition and the dominance of various natural and human-induced factors over one another in determining microplastic abundance. This will further enhance to mitigate microplastic pollution in freshwater environments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jigyashree Lahon
- Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Tezpur, 784028, Assam, India
| | - Sumi Handique
- Department of Environmental Science, Tezpur University, Tezpur, 784028, Assam, India.
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
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.
Collapse
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.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Laju RL, Jayanthi M, Jeyasanta KI, Patterson J, Bilgi DS, Sathish N, Edward JKP. Microplastic contamination in Indian rural and urban lacustrine ecosystems. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 895:165146. [PMID: 37385488 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
This study investigates the microplastics (MPs) pollution of the lacustrine ecosystems of Tamil Nadu, South India. It examines the seasonal distribution, characteristics and morphology of MPs and assesses the risk posed by MPs pollution. MPs abundance in the 39 rural and urban lakes studied varies from 16 ± 2.69 to 118.17 ± 22.17 items/L (water) and 19.50 ± 4.75 to 156.23 ± 36.41 items/kg (sediment). The water and sediment of urban lakes show average MPs abundances of 88.06 items/L and 115.24 items/kg respectively, while the rural lakes exhibit average MPs abundances of 42.98 items/L and 53.29 items/kg. The results demonstrate that study areas with more residential and urban centers with higher population density and larger discharge of sewage have greater MP abundance. Urban zones have greater MP diversity integrated index (MPDII = 0.73) than rural zones (MPDII = 0.59). Fibres are the dominant group and polyethylene and polypropylene are the most commonly found polymers, possibly gaining entry through land-based plastic litter and urban activities in this region. The weathering index values, 50 % of MPs exhibit high degree of oxidation (WI >0.31) with an age of >10 years. SEM-EDAX results reveal that the weathered MPs from urban lakes have a wider variety of metal elements (Al, Cr, Mn, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Sr, Hg, Pb and Cd) than those from rural lakes (Na, Cl, Si, Mg, Al, Cu). Though PLI shows low risk (<10) in terms of abundance, PHI reflects pollution status III (10-100) and IV (100-1000) in rural areas and IV and V (>1000) in urban areas based on the toxicity score of the polymer. Ecological risk assessment shows minor risks (<150) at present. The assessment indicates the risk posed by the MPs to the lakes studied and emphasizes the necessity for best MP management practices in future.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- R L Laju
- Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - M Jayanthi
- Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, India
| | | | - Jamila Patterson
- Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Deepak S Bilgi
- Department of Environment and Climate Change, Government of Tamil Nadu, Chennai, India
| | - Narmatha Sathish
- Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute, Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu, India
| | | |
Collapse
|
7
|
Rowlands E, Galloway T, Cole M, Peck VL, Posacka A, Thorpe S, Manno C. Vertical flux of microplastic, a case study in the Southern Ocean, South Georgia. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 193:115117. [PMID: 37331275 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 05/28/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Estimated plastic debris floating at the ocean surface varies depending on modelling approaches, with some suggesting unaccounted sinks for marine plastic debris due to mismatches between plastic predicted to enter the ocean and that accounted for at the surface. A major knowledge gap relates to the vertical sinking of oceanic plastic. We used an array of floating sediment traps combined with optical microscopy and Raman spectroscopy to measure the microplastic flux between 50 and 150 m water depth over 24 h within a natural harbour of the sub-Antarctic island of South Georgia. This region is influenced by fishing, tourism, and research activity. We found a 69 % decrease in microplastic flux from 50 m (306 pieces/m2/day) to 150 m (94pieces/m2/day). Our study confirms the occurrence of a vertical flux of microplastic in the upper water column of the Southern Ocean, which may influence zooplankton microplastic consumption and the carbon cycle.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Emily Rowlands
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Rd, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland; University of Exeter, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Streatham Campus, Stocker Rd, Exeter EX4 4PY, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| | - Tamara Galloway
- University of Exeter, Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Streatham Campus, Stocker Rd, Exeter EX4 4PY, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Matthew Cole
- Plymouth marine laboratory, Prospect Pl, Plymouth PL1 3DH, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Victoria L Peck
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Rd, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Anna Posacka
- Ocean Diagnostics, Suite 1102, 4464 Markham Street, Victoria, BC V8Z 7X8, Canada
| | - Sally Thorpe
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Rd, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
| | - Clara Manno
- British Antarctic Survey, High Cross, Madingley Rd, Cambridge CB3 0ET, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Do T, Park Y, Lim B, Kim S, Chae MY, Chun CH. Effect of the first-flush phenomenon on the quantification of microplastics in rainwater. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 187:114559. [PMID: 36603237 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114559] [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: 07/24/2022] [Revised: 12/20/2022] [Accepted: 12/27/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Precipitation of airborne microplastics (MPs) by rainfall is one of the major transport pathways of MPs from land-to-marine. While most studies examining wet precipitation of MPs collect surface runoffs, direct investigations of MPs in rainwater are hardly reported. In this study, high-frequency and direct rainwater sampling methodology considering the first-flush effect was demonstrated. The variations in MP abundance were evaluated by the inlet size of rainwater collector, time, and duration of sampling. As a result, a stable abundance of MPs was obtained when samplings were conducted at the same time and duration even with different collectors. On the other hand, the abundance increased as much as 4.5 times in samples collected at different times due to the first-flush effect of rainfall. Thus, our methodology that presents MPs concentration versus time curves based on high-frequency sampling would be helpful for easy comparison between similar rainfall studies.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Taegu Do
- Chemical Business R&D Department, Institute of Science, CESCO Co., 46 Sangil-ro 10-gil, Gangdong-gu, Seoul 05288, Republic of Korea; Construction Materials Center, Korea Testing and Research Institute (KTR), 98 Guoyukwon-ro, Gwacheon-si, Gyeonggi-do 13810, Republic of Korea.
| | - Yujeong Park
- Chemical Business R&D Department, Institute of Science, CESCO Co., 46 Sangil-ro 10-gil, Gangdong-gu, Seoul 05288, Republic of Korea
| | - Byungchul Lim
- Chemical Business R&D Department, Institute of Science, CESCO Co., 46 Sangil-ro 10-gil, Gangdong-gu, Seoul 05288, Republic of Korea
| | - Soyoun Kim
- Chemical Business R&D Department, Institute of Science, CESCO Co., 46 Sangil-ro 10-gil, Gangdong-gu, Seoul 05288, Republic of Korea; Department of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ewha Womans University, 52 Ewhayeodae-gil, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 03760, Republic of Korea
| | - Min-Young Chae
- Chemical Business R&D Department, Institute of Science, CESCO Co., 46 Sangil-ro 10-gil, Gangdong-gu, Seoul 05288, Republic of Korea
| | - Chi-Hwan Chun
- Chemical Business R&D Department, Institute of Science, CESCO Co., 46 Sangil-ro 10-gil, Gangdong-gu, Seoul 05288, Republic of Korea.
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Bergami E, Apeland B, Sharma R, Enderlein P, Manno C. The Ocean Plastic Incubator Chamber (OPIC) system to monitor in situ plastic degradation at sea. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 311:119868. [PMID: 36002098 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119868] [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: 04/14/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 07/24/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Marine plastic pollution is a global and pervasive environmental issue. Knowledge on plastic degradation in natural settings is still very limited due to current technological limitations, hampering our understanding of plastic fate (including its breakdown into micro- and nanoplastics) and of its risk for marine ecosystems. Here we present the proof of concept of the Ocean Plastic Incubator Chamber (OPIC), a novel equipment to follow plastic degradation in situ at sea over time. OPIC consists of a frame containing a motorised rotating stage with transparent tubes sub-assemblies where reference plastic materials are incubated and exposed to natural weathering conditions for defined time multi-years period. OPIC has been designed, tested and adapted for deployment with mooring line platforms in the open ocean with potential future application in remote environments at different depths (from shallow waters to deep sea environments). This incubator will allow us to measure different markers of plastic aging in situ in the ocean for the first time, providing new insights into the multiple and locally driven dynamics regulating plastic transformations and fate at sea.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Bergami
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, United Kingdom; Department of Life Sciences, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, 44121, Modena, Italy
| | - Bjorg Apeland
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, United Kingdom
| | - Rad Sharma
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, United Kingdom
| | - Peter Enderlein
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, United Kingdom
| | - Clara Manno
- British Antarctic Survey, Natural Environment Research Council, Cambridge, CB3 0ET, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|
10
|
Liu P, Shao L, Li Y, Jones T, Cao Y, Yang CX, Zhang M, Santosh M, Feng X, BéruBé K. Microplastic atmospheric dustfall pollution in urban environment: Evidence from the types, distribution, and probable sources in Beijing, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 838:155989. [PMID: 35580670 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.155989] [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: 04/12/2022] [Revised: 05/10/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Airborne microplastics (MPs) pollution is an environmental problem of increasing concern, due to the ubiquity, persistence and potential toxicity of plastics in the atmosphere. In recent years, most studies on MPs have focused on aquatic and sedimentary environments, but little research has been done on MPs in the urban atmosphere. In this study, a total of ten dustfall samples were collected in a transect from north to south across urban Beijing. The compositions, morphologies, and sizes of the MPs in these dustfall samples were determined by means of Laser Direct Infrared (LDIR) imaging and Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy (FESEM). The number concentrations of MPs in the Beijing dustfall samples show an average of 123.6 items/g. The MPs concentrations show different patterns in the central, southern, and northern zones of Beijing. The number concentration of MPs was the highest in the central zone (224.76 items/g), as compared with the southern zone (170.55 items/g), and the northern zone (24.42 items/g). The LDIR analysis revealed nine compositional types of MPs, including Polypropylene (PP), Polyamide (PA), Polystyrene (PS), Polyethylene (PE), Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), Silicone, Polycarbonate (PC), Polyurethane (PU) and Polyvinylchloride (PVC), among which PP was overall dominant. The PP dominates the MPs in the central zone (76.3%), and the PA dominates the MPs in the southern zone (55.86%), while the northern zone had a diverse combination of MPs types. The morphological types of the individual MPs particle include fragments, pellets, and fibers, among which fragments are dominant (70.9%). FESEM images show the presence of aged MPs in the Beijing atmosphere, which could pose a yet unquantified health risk to Beijing's residents. The average size of the MPs in the Beijing samples is 66.62 μm. Our study revealed that the numbers of fibrous MPs increase with the decrease in size. This pollution therefore needs to be carefully monitored, and methods of decreasing the sources and mitigations developed.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pengju Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining & College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Longyi Shao
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining & College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China.
| | - Yaowei Li
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining & College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China; Hebei Center for Ecological and Environmental Geology Research, Hebei GEO University, Shijiazhuang 050031, China
| | - Tim Jones
- School of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10, 3YE, Wales, UK
| | - Yaxin Cao
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining & College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Cheng-Xue Yang
- Institute of Earth Sciences, China University of Geosciences (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Mengyuan Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining & College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - M Santosh
- School of Earth Sciences and Resources, China University of Geoscience Beijing, Beijing 100083, China; Department of Earth Science, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Xiaolei Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Coal Resources and Safe Mining & College of Geoscience and Surveying Engineering, China University of Mining and Technology (Beijing), Beijing 100083, China
| | - Kelly BéruBé
- School of Biosciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff CF10 3AX, Wales, UK
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Piperagkas O, Papageorgiou N. Changes in (micro and macro) plastic pollution in the sediment of three sandy beaches in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea, in relation to seasonality, beach use and granulometry. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:113014. [PMID: 34634631 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2021] [Revised: 09/25/2021] [Accepted: 09/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Smaller sized plastics (microplastics or MPs <5 mm) are ubiquitous in nature and have been found to interact in diverse ways with most biotic and abiotic systems globally. Most MPs in the seas have a land-based source, however, little is known about how the transfer occurs. In our study, we used three sandy beaches to describe the process of how MPs travel from accumulation points at the backshore of the beach to the sea, and vice versa. MPs differed significantly in all three beaches (both in quantitative and qualitative terms) between the summer and the winter samplings. During the summer, heavy MPs are the majority, while during the winter, lightweight microplastics are predominant, and the ratio of heavy per lightweight MPs is affected by the sediment median diameter after the summer sampling. Macroplastics follow a similar pattern to MPs and appear to provide a source of MPs for the sea.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Odysseas Piperagkas
- Marine Ecology Lab, Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, GR-70013, P.O. Box 2208, Heraklion, Crete, Greece; Microbial Ecology Lab, Department of Biological Applications and Technology, University of Ioannina, 45110 Ioannina, Greece.
| | - Nafsika Papageorgiou
- Marine Ecology Lab, Department of Biology, University of Crete, Voutes University Campus, GR-70013, P.O. Box 2208, Heraklion, Crete, Greece.
| |
Collapse
|
12
|
Prioritizing Suitable Quality Assurance and Control Standards to Reduce Laboratory Airborne Microfibre Contamination in Sediment Samples. ENVIRONMENTS 2021. [DOI: 10.3390/environments8090089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
Abstract
The ubiquity and distribution of microplastics, particularly microfibres, in outdoor and indoor environments makes it challenging when assessing and controlling background contamination, as atmospheric particles can be unintentionally introduced into a sample during laboratory analysis. As such, an intra-laboratory examination and literature review was completed to quantify background contamination in sediment samples, in addition to comparing reported quality assurance and control (QA/QC) protocols in 50 studies examining microplastics in sediment from 2010 to 2021. The intra-lab analysis prioritizes negative controls, placing procedural blanks in various working labs designed to prepare, process, and microscopically analyse microplastics in sediment. All four labs are subject to microfibre contamination; however, following the addition of alternative clean-air devices (microscope enclosure and HEPA air purifiers), contamination decreased by 66% in laboratory B, and 70% in laboratory C. A review of microplastic studies suggests that 82% are not including or reporting alternative clean-air devices in their QA/QC approaches. These studies are found to be at greater risk of secondary contamination, as 72% of them ranked as medium to high contamination risk. It is imperative that laboratories incorporate matrix-specific QA/QC approaches to minimize false positives and improve transparency and harmonization across studies.
Collapse
|