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Li N, Wang X, Li X, Yi S, Guo Y, Wu N, Lin H, Zhong B, Wu WM, He Y. Anthropogenic and biological activities elevate microplastics pollution in headwater ecosystem of Yangtze tributaries in Hindu Kush-Himalayan region. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 471:134395. [PMID: 38663293 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134395] [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: 03/18/2024] [Revised: 04/17/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic (MP) pollution is widely spread in oceans, freshwater, and terrestrial environments but MPs in mountainous headwater ecosystem are rarely reported. This study focuses on the headwater of Yangtze tributaries of the Hindu Kush-Himalayan (HKH) region. Five streams at elevations of 900 to 3300 m were selected to investigate the distribution of MPs in water and sediments across altitudes. MPs were found in all water and sediment samples from top stream zone nearly in absence of anthropogenic activity, low anthropogenic zone, and high anthropogenic zone, increased from 12-54, 81-185 to 334-847 items/L, and 2-35, 26-84 to 124-428 items/kg, respectively. This elevation-dependent MP distribution indicated that as elevation decreased, anthropogenic activities intensified and increased MPs input and their abundance, size, and diversity. Notably, hydraulic projects, such as damming, were identified as potential barriers to the migration of MPs downstream. Microbiome analyses revealed the presence of bacterial genes associated with plastic biodegradation in all sediment samples. The study indicates that Shangri-la mountainous streams have been polluted with MPs for years with potential risk of generation of nano-sized particles via natural fragmentation and biodegradation, and thus raises concern on MPs pollution in headwaters streams in mountainous regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Naying Li
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bio-resources Utilization, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China; School of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Xiaofeng Wang
- School of Geography and Tourism, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 400047, China
| | - Xianxiang Li
- School of Geography and Tourism, Chongqing Normal University, Chongqing 400047, China
| | - Shaoliang Yi
- International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, GPO Box, Kathmandu 3226, Nepal
| | - Yun Guo
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bio-resources Utilization, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China
| | - Ning Wu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bio-resources Utilization, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China; International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, GPO Box, Kathmandu 3226, Nepal
| | - Honghui Lin
- School of Life Sciences, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Bo Zhong
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bio-resources Utilization, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China.
| | - Wei-Min Wu
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, William & Cloy Codiga Resource Recovery Research Center, Center for Sustainable Development & Global Competitiveness, Stanford University, Stanford, California 94305-4020, United States.
| | - Yixin He
- CAS Key Laboratory of Mountain Ecological Restoration and Bio-resources Utilization, Chengdu Institute of Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Chengdu 610041, China.
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2
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Rosso B, Scoto F, Hallanger IG, Larose C, Gallet JC, Spolaor A, Bravo B, Barbante C, Gambaro A, Corami F. Characteristics and quantification of small microplastics (<100 µm) in seasonal svalbard snow on glaciers and lands. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 467:133723. [PMID: 38359761 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133723] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/28/2023] [Revised: 02/01/2024] [Accepted: 02/03/2024] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Small microplastics (SMPs < 100 µm) can easily be transported over long distances far from their sources through the atmospheric pathways and reach even remote regions, including the Arctic. However, these sizes of MPs are mostly overlooked due to different analytical challenges; besides, their pathways through atmospheric depositions, such as snow depositions, are mostly unknown. The spatial variability in bulk snow samples was investigated for the first time in distinct sites (e.g., glaciers) near Ny Ålesund, the world-known northernmost permanent research settlement in the Svalbard Islands, to better comprehend the presence of SMP pollution in snow. Seasonal snow deposited over the tundra and the summits of different glaciers were also sampled. A sampling procedure was designed to obtain representative samples while minimizing plastic contamination, thanks to rigorous quality assurance and quality control protocol. SMPs' weight (µg SMP L-1) and deposition load (mg SMPs m-2) result from being lower in the remote glaciers, where they may be subject to long-range transport. The SMPs' minimum length was 20 µm, with the majority less than 100 µm. Regarding their size distribution, there was an increase in the size length deriving from the local input of the human presence near the scientific settlement. The presence of some polymers might be site-specific in relation to the pathways that affect their distribution at the sites studied. Also, from the snow surface layer collected at the same sites to evaluate the variability of SMPs during specific atmospheric deposition events, the results confirmed their higher weight and load in surface snow near the scientific settlement compared to the glaciers. The results will enhance the limited knowledge of the SMPs in polar atmospheric compartments and deposition processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Beatrice Rosso
- Institute of Polar Sciencies, CNR-ISP, Campus Scientifico Ca' Foscari University, Via Torino 155, 30172 Venezia Mestre, Italy; Department of Environmental Sciences, informatics, and Statistics, Campus Scientifico - Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172, Venezia-Mestre, Italy
| | - Federico Scoto
- Department of Environmental Sciences, informatics, and Statistics, Campus Scientifico - Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172, Venezia-Mestre, Italy; Institute of Atmospheric Sciences and Climate, National Research Council, CNR-ISAC, Lecce, Italy
| | | | - Catherine Larose
- Environmental Microbial Genomics, Laboratoire Ampère, École Centrale de Lyon, Université de Lyon, Écully, France
| | | | - Andrea Spolaor
- Institute of Polar Sciencies, CNR-ISP, Campus Scientifico Ca' Foscari University, Via Torino 155, 30172 Venezia Mestre, Italy; Department of Environmental Sciences, informatics, and Statistics, Campus Scientifico - Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172, Venezia-Mestre, Italy
| | - Barbara Bravo
- Thermo Fisher Scientific, Str. Rivoltana, Km 4, 20090 Rodano, MI, Italy
| | - Carlo Barbante
- Institute of Polar Sciencies, CNR-ISP, Campus Scientifico Ca' Foscari University, Via Torino 155, 30172 Venezia Mestre, Italy; Department of Environmental Sciences, informatics, and Statistics, Campus Scientifico - Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172, Venezia-Mestre, Italy
| | - Andrea Gambaro
- Department of Environmental Sciences, informatics, and Statistics, Campus Scientifico - Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172, Venezia-Mestre, Italy
| | - Fabiana Corami
- Institute of Polar Sciencies, CNR-ISP, Campus Scientifico Ca' Foscari University, Via Torino 155, 30172 Venezia Mestre, Italy; Department of Environmental Sciences, informatics, and Statistics, Campus Scientifico - Ca' Foscari University of Venice, Via Torino 155, 30172, Venezia-Mestre, Italy.
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3
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Saeed MS, Fahd F, Khan F, Chen B, Sadiq R. Human health risk model for microplastic exposure in the Arctic region. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 895:165150. [PMID: 37385486 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165150] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/08/2023] [Revised: 06/21/2023] [Accepted: 06/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics enriched with carcinogens like heavy metals, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), and their derivatives are ubiquitous in Arctic waters. They contaminate the local land and sea-based food sources, which is a significant health hazard. It is thus imperative to assess the risk posed by them to the nearby communities, which primarily rely on locally available food sources to meet their energy requirements. This paper proposes a novel ecotoxicity model to assess the human health risk posed by microplastics. The region's geophysical and environmental conditions affecting human microplastic intake, along with the human physiological parameters influencing biotransformation, are incorporated into the developed causation model. It investigates the carcinogenic risk associated with microplastic intake in humans via ingestion in terms of incremental excess lifetime cancer risk (IELCR). The model first evaluates microplastic intake and then uses reactive metabolites produced due to the interaction of microplastics with xenobiotic metabolizing enzymes to assess cellular mutations that result in cancer. All these conditions are mapped in an Object-Oriented Bayesian Network (OOBN) framework to evaluate IELCR. The study will provide a vital tool for formulating better risk management strategies and policies in the Arctic region, especially concerning Arctic Indigenous peoples.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Sadiq Saeed
- Centre for Risk, Integrity, and Safety Engineering (C-RISE) Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science, Memorial University, St John's, NL, Canada A1B 3X5; Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center (MKOPSC), Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, College Station TX 77843, USA
| | - Faisal Fahd
- Centre for Risk, Integrity, and Safety Engineering (C-RISE) Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science, Memorial University, St John's, NL, Canada A1B 3X5
| | - Faisal Khan
- Mary Kay O'Connor Process Safety Center (MKOPSC), Artie McFerrin Department of Chemical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, College Station TX 77843, USA.
| | - Bing Chen
- Northern Region Persistent Organic Pollution Control Laboratory (NRPOP Lab), Faculty of Engineering & Applied Science, Memorial University, St John's, NL, Canada A1B 3X5
| | - Rehan Sadiq
- School of Engineering, Okanagan Campus, Faculty of Applied Science University of British Columbia, Okanagan, BC, Canada V1V 1V7
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4
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Kim SK, Kim JS, Kim SY, Song NS, La HS, Yang EJ. Arctic Ocean sediments as important current and future sinks for marine microplastics missing in the global microplastic budget. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2023; 9:eadd2348. [PMID: 37406127 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.add2348] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2022] [Accepted: 05/31/2023] [Indexed: 07/07/2023]
Abstract
To better understand unexpectedly low plastic loads at the ocean's surface compared with inputs, unidentified sinks must be located. Here, we present the microplastic (MP) budget for multi-compartments in the western Arctic Ocean (WAO) and demonstrate that Arctic sediments serve as important current and future sinks for MPs missing from the global budget. We identified an increase of 3% year-1 in MP deposition from sediment core observations. Relatively elevated MP abundances were found in seawater and surface sediments around the summer sea ice retreat region, implying enhanced MP accumulation and deposition facilitated by the ice barrier. We estimate 15.7 ± 2.30 × 1016 N and 0.21 ± 0.14 MT as total MP loads in the WAO with 90% (by mass) buried in the post-1930 sediments, which exceeds the global average of the current marine MP load. The slower increase in plastic burial versus production implies a lag in plastic delivery to the Arctic, indicating more pollution in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seung-Kyu Kim
- Department of Marine Science, College of Natural Sciences, Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
- Yellow Sea Research Institute, Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Su Kim
- Department of Marine Science, College of Natural Sciences, Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - So-Young Kim
- Division of Ocean Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute, Songdomirae-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea
| | - Nan-Seon Song
- Research Institute of Basic Sciences, Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoung Sul La
- Division of Ocean Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute, Songdomirae-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea
| | - Eun Jin Yang
- Division of Ocean Sciences, Korea Polar Research Institute, Songdomirae-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 21990, Republic of Korea
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5
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Kim L, Il Kwak J, Kim SA, An YJ. Potential effects of natural aging process on the characteristics and toxicity of facial masks: A zebrafish-based study. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 453:131425. [PMID: 37084512 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2022] [Revised: 04/09/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
The use of facial masks has increased and is therefore being recognized as a large source of environmental microplastics. Herein, we naturally aged disposable masks in a lake for eight weeks and compared the toxicity of mask-derived microplastics depending on the aging process using zebrafish (Danio rerio). Zebrafish were exposed to virgin and aged mask fragments (VF and AF, respectively) for eight weeks. The aging process induced cracks on the surface of mask fragments and chemical adsorption. Both VF and AFs damaged the zebrafish's liver, gills, and intestine and adversely affected their digestive ability, and their movement-aggression was decreased. These observations highlight the consequences of indiscriminately discarding masks or AFs following consumption. In conclusion, personal protective equipment waste in the environment should be appropriately managed to prevent negative impacts on aquatic organisms and, consequently, on humans via the food chain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lia Kim
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, the Republic of Korea
| | - Jin Il Kwak
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, the Republic of Korea
| | - Sang A Kim
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, the Republic of Korea
| | - Youn-Joo An
- Department of Environmental Health Science, Konkuk University, 120 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, the Republic of Korea.
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Park B, Kim SK, Joo S, Kim JS, Jo K, Song NS, Im J, Lee HJ, Kim SW, Lee SB, Kim S, Lee Y, Kim BY, Kim TW. Microplastics in large marine animals stranded in the Republic of Korea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 189:114734. [PMID: 36842279 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.114734] [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: 11/10/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are found in every ocean and are frequently ingested by marine animals. This study analyzed MPs in the stomachs and intestines of 12 large marine animals comprising one fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus), seven finless porpoises (Neophocaena asiaeorientalis), two loggerhead turtles (Caretta caretta), one Indo-Pacific bottlenose dolphin (Tursiops aduncus), and one common dolphin (Delphinus delphis) that were stranded off the Republic of Korea between 2019 and 2021. MPs were detected with a mean abundance of 3.42 ± 3.2 items/g and were predominantly of transparent-white, fragment-shaped polypropylene smaller than 200 μm. The abundance of MPs found did not correlate with the biological information (maturity, body length) of the finless porpoises and there were no significant differences in the abundance of MPs between the stomachs and intestines. These results cannot accurately assess the impact of MPs on large marine animals, so further studies are necessary to understand how MPs can potentially affect them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Byeongyong Park
- Program in Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Sciences, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Seung-Kyu Kim
- Department of Marine Science, College of Natural Sciences, Incheon National University, Academy-ro 119, Yeounsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea; Research Institute of Basic Sciences, Incheon National University, Academy-ro 119, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea; Yellow Sea Institute, Incheon National University, Academy-ro 119, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea.
| | - Soobin Joo
- Program in Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Sciences, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Su Kim
- Department of Marine Science, College of Natural Sciences, Incheon National University, Academy-ro 119, Yeounsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Kyungsik Jo
- Program in Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Sciences, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea
| | - Nan-Seon Song
- Department of Marine Science, College of Natural Sciences, Incheon National University, Academy-ro 119, Yeounsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Jibin Im
- Korean Environmental Technology Consulting Hotline, Republic of Korea
| | - Hee-Jee Lee
- Department of Marine Science, College of Natural Sciences, Incheon National University, Academy-ro 119, Yeounsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Sang Wha Kim
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Endemic Disease, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sung Bin Lee
- Laboratory of Aquatic Biomedicine, College of Veterinary Medicine and Research Institute for Veterinary Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Sunmin Kim
- Department of Parasitology, College of Medicine, Chungbuk National University, Republic of Korea
| | - Youngran Lee
- Department of Companion Animals, Osan University, Republic of Korea
| | - Byung-Yeob Kim
- Department of Marine Industry and Maritime Policy, Jeju National University, Jeju City 63243, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Won Kim
- Program in Biomedical Science and Engineering, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Sciences, Inha University, Incheon 22212, Republic of Korea.
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7
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Chen Z, Elektorowicz M, An C, Tian X. Entrainment and Enrichment of Microplastics in Ice Formation Processes: Implications for the Transport of Microplastics in Cold Regions. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:3176-3186. [PMID: 36780450 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.2c09340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Sea ice can serve as a temporary sink for microplastics (MPs), and thus, it too can function as a secondary source of and transport medium for MPs. This study aimed to explore the effect of various MP properties and environmental characteristics on the entrainment and enrichment of MPs in ice under varying turbulence conditions. It was found that high rotation speed in freshwater distinctively enhanced the entrainment of hydrophobic MPs in ice, this being attributable to the combined effects of frazil ice and air bubbles. The hydrophobic nature of these MPs caused them to be attracted to the water/air or water/ice interface. However, in saline water, high turbulence inhibited the entrainment of all of the MP types under study. The ice crystals formed a loose structure in saline water instead of congealing, and this allowed the exchange of MPs between ice and water, leading to the rapid expulsion of MPs from the ice. The enrichment factors of all the MPs under study increased in calm saline water compared to in calm freshwater. The results revealed that the entrainment and enrichment of MPs in ice can be critical pathways affecting their fate in cold regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhikun Chen
- Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Maria Elektorowicz
- Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Chunjiang An
- Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1M8, Canada
| | - Xuelin Tian
- Department of Building, Civil and Environmental Engineering, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec H3G 1M8, Canada
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8
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Ikenoue T, Nakajima R, Fujiwara A, Onodera J, Itoh M, Toyoshima J, Watanabe E, Murata A, Nishino S, Kikuchi T. Horizontal distribution of surface microplastic concentrations and water-column microplastic inventories in the Chukchi Sea, western Arctic Ocean. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 855:159564. [PMID: 36332720 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2022] [Revised: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 10/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The recent influx of microplastics into the Arctic Ocean may increase environmental stress on the western Arctic marine ecosystem, which is experiencing significant sea-ice loss due to global warming. Quantitative data on microplastics in the western Arctic Ocean are very limited, and the microplastic budget of the water column is completely unknown. To fill in gaps in our knowledge of Arctic microplastics, we observed surface concentrations (number of particles per unit volume of seawater) of meso- and microplastics using a neuston net, and we observed wind speeds and significant wave heights in the Chukchi Sea, Bering Strait, and Bering Sea. From these observations, we estimated the total number (particle inventory) and mass (mass inventory) of microplastics in the entire water column by taking into account the effect of vertical mixing. The particle inventory of microplastics in the Chukchi Sea ranged from 0 to 18,815 pieces km-2 with a mean and standard deviation of 5236 ± 6127 pieces km-2. The mass inventory ranged from 0 to 445 g km-2 with a mean and standard deviation of 124 ± 145 g km-2. Mean particle inventories for the Chukchi Sea were one-thirtieth of those for the Arctic Ocean on the Atlantic side and less than one-tenth of the average for the global ocean, suggesting that the Chukchi Sea is less polluted. However, the annual flux of microplastics from the Pacific Ocean into the Chukchi Sea, estimated from microplastic concentrations in the Bering Strait, was about 5.5 times greater than the total amount of microplastic in the entire Chukchi Sea water. This suggests that microplastic inflows from the Pacific Ocean are accumulating in large amounts in reservoirs other than the Chukchi Sea water (e.g., sea ice and seafloor sediments) or in the downstream regions of the Pacific-origin water.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahito Ikenoue
- Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan.
| | - Ryota Nakajima
- Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan
| | - Amane Fujiwara
- Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan
| | - Jonaotaro Onodera
- Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan
| | - Motoyo Itoh
- Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan
| | - Junko Toyoshima
- The Ocean Policy Research Institute, Sasakawa Peace Foundation, 1-15-16 Toranomon, Minato-ku, Tokyo 105-8524, Japan
| | - Eiji Watanabe
- Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan
| | - Akihiko Murata
- Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan
| | - Shigeto Nishino
- Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan
| | - Takashi Kikuchi
- Research Institute for Global Change, Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC), 2-15 Natsushima-cho, Yokosuka 237-0061, Japan
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9
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Kim BK, Hwang JH, Kim SK. Modeling of microplastics discharged from a station in Marian Cove, West Antarctica. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 186:114441. [PMID: 36473247 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114441] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2022] [Revised: 11/22/2022] [Accepted: 11/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Conspicuous amounts of microplastics have been discovered in bays near Antarctic research stations, including several types of microplastics in the water columns of Marian Cove. This study proposes an efficient operating strategy for a wastewater treatment plant to mitigate microplastic accumulations in the bay by assessing the transport and accumulation of microplastics using numerical simulations. Hence, microplastic particles were classified into falling and rising particles to find a mechanism for their vertical migration. The results showed that the characteristics of the vertical migration of the particles and flow conditions critically determined their traveling distance and accumulation location. Further, the amount of microplastics accumulated in the cove depended on the release time of the wastewater during the tidal cycle. Wastewater treatment plants need to be improved to reduce microplastics. However, it is necessary to adjust the location and schedule for releasing them into Marian Cove.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bo-Kyung Kim
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
| | - Jin Hwan Hwang
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea; Institute of Construction and Environmental Engineering, Seoul National University, 1 Gwanak-ro, Gwanak-gu, Seoul 08826, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seung-Kyu Kim
- Department of Marine Science, College of Natural Sciences, Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeounsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea; Yellow Sea Institute, Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22021, Republic of Korea
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10
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Chubarenko I, Lazaryuk A, Orlova T, Lobchuk O, Raguso C, Zyubin A, Lasagni M, Saliu F. Microplastics in the first-year sea ice of the Novik Bay, Sea of Japan. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 185:114236. [PMID: 36257245 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Sea ice is heavily contaminated with microplastics particles (MPs, <5 mm). First-year sea ice cores (38-41 cm thick) were taken in the beginning of spring in a narrow populated bay of the Sea of Japan. Two ice cores were examined (layer-by-layer, excluding surface) for MPs content: one using μ-FTIR for 25-300 μm (SMPs), and another one - with visual+Raman identification for 300-5000 μm particles (LMPs). The integral (25-5000 μm) bulk mean abundance of MPs was found to be 428 items/L of meltwater, with fibers making 19 % in SMPs size range and 59 % in LMPs. Integral mean mass of MPs was estimated in 34.6 mg/L, with 99.6 % contribution from fragments of LMPs. Comparison with simple fragmentation models confirms deficit of SMPs (especially of fibers in size range 150-300 μm), suggested to result from their leakage with brine. Multivariate statistical analysis indicates strong positive correlation of large fiber (>300 μm) counts and ice salinity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Irina Chubarenko
- Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia.
| | - Alexander Lazaryuk
- Il'ichev Pacific Oceanological Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Tatiana Orlova
- Zhirmunsky National Scientific Center of Marine Biology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Vladivostok, Russia
| | - Olga Lobchuk
- Shirshov Institute of Oceanology, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, Russia
| | - Clarissa Raguso
- Earth and Environmental Science Department (DISAT), University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Andrey Zyubin
- Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Kaliningrad, Russia
| | - Marina Lasagni
- Earth and Environmental Science Department (DISAT), University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Francesco Saliu
- Earth and Environmental Science Department (DISAT), University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza Della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy
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11
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Collard F, Bangjord G, Herzke D, Gabrielsen GW. Plastic burdens in northern fulmars from Svalbard: Looking back 25 years. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 185:114333. [PMID: 36372049 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114333] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2022] [Revised: 10/15/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
The northern fulmar Fulmarus glacialis ingests a larger number of (micro)plastics than many other seabirds due to its feeding habits and gut morphology. Since 2002, they are bioindicators of marine plastics in the North Sea region, and data are needed to extend the programme to other parts of their distribution areas, such as the Arctic. In this study, we provide data on ingested plastics by fulmars collected in 1997 in Kongsfjorden, Svalbard. An extraction protocol with KOH was used and for half of the birds, the gizzard and the proventricular contents were analysed separately. Ninety-one percent of the birds had ingested at least one piece of plastic with an average of 10.3 (±11.9 SD) pieces. The gizzards contained significantly more plastics than the proventriculus. Hard fragments and polyethylene were the most common characteristics. Twelve percent of the birds exceeded the EcoQO value of 0.1 g.
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Affiliation(s)
- France Collard
- The Norwegian Polar Institute-NPI, Postboks 6606, Fram Centre, Stakkevollan, 9296 Tromsø, Norway.
| | - Georg Bangjord
- The Norwegian Environment Agency, P.O. Box 5672, Torgarden, N-7485 Trondheim, Norway
| | - Dorte Herzke
- The Norwegian Institute for Air Research, NILU, Fram Centre, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Geir W Gabrielsen
- The Norwegian Polar Institute-NPI, Postboks 6606, Fram Centre, Stakkevollan, 9296 Tromsø, Norway
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12
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Shim WJ, Kim SK, Lee J, Eo S, Kim JS, Sun C. Toward a long-term monitoring program for seawater plastic pollution in the north Pacific Ocean: Review and global comparison. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 311:119911. [PMID: 35987287 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2022] [Revised: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Through a literature survey and meta-data analysis, monitoring methods and contamination levels of marine micro- and macroplastics in seawater were compared between the North Pacific and the world's other ocean basins. The minimum cut-off size in sampling and/or analysis of microplastics was crucial to the comparison of monitoring data. The North Pacific was most actively monitored for microplastics and showed comparatively high levels in the global context, while the Mediterranean Sea was most frequently monitored for macroplastics. Of the 65 extracted mean abundances of microplastics in seawater from the North Pacific, two (3.1%) exceeded the lowest predicted no-effect concentration (PNEC) proposed thus far. However, in the context of business-as-usual conditions, the PNEC exceedance probability may be expected to reach 27.7% in the North Pacific in 2100. The abundance of marine plastics in seawater, which reflects the current pollution status and marine organisms' waterborne exposure levels, is a useful indicator for marine plastic pollution. For regional and global assessments of pollution status across space and time, as well as assessment of ecological risk, two microplastic monitoring approaches are recommended along with their key aspects. Although microplastic pollution is closely linked with macroplastics, the monitoring data available for floating macroplastics and more extent to mesoplastics in most ocean basins are limited. A more specific framework for visual macroplastic survey (e.g. fixed minimum cut-off size, along with survey transect width and length according to survey vessel class) is required to facilitate data comparison. With the implementation of standardised methods, increased efforts are required to gather monitoring data for microplastics and-more importantly-floating macroplastics in seawater worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Won Joon Shim
- Risk Analysis Research Center, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Science, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea.
| | - Seung-Kyu Kim
- Department of Marine Science, College of Natural Sciences, Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea; Yellow Sea Institute, Incheon National University, Academy-ro 119, Yeounsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Jongsu Lee
- Korea Marine Litter Institute, Our Sea of East Asia Network, Tongyeong 53013, Republic of Korea
| | - Soeun Eo
- Risk Analysis Research Center, Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology, Geoje 53201, Republic of Korea; Department of Ocean Science, Korea University of Science and Technology, Daejeon 34113, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Su Kim
- Department of Marine Science, College of Natural Sciences, Incheon National University, 119 Academy-ro, Yeonsu-gu, Incheon 22012, Republic of Korea
| | - Chengjun Sun
- Key Laboratory of Marine Eco-environmental Science and Technology, Marine Bioresource and Environment Research Center, First Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources (MNR), Qingdao 266061, China; Laboratory of Marine Drugs and Bioproducts, Pilot National Laboratory for Marine Science and Technology, Qingdao 266071, China
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13
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Zhang W, Tang Y, Han Y, Zhou W, Shi W, Teng S, Ren P, Xiao G, Li S, Liu G. Microplastics boost the accumulation of tetrabromobisphenol A in a commercial clam and elevate corresponding food safety risks. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 292:133499. [PMID: 34979205 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.133499] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2021] [Revised: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 12/30/2021] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Marine bivalve molluscs are one of the primary seafood for consumers. Inhabiting terrigenous pollutant-convergent coastal areas and feeding through seawater filtration, edible bivalves are subjected to waterborne emerging pollutants such as microplastics (MPs) and tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA). Nevertheless, the potential risks of consuming MP-TBBPA contaminated seafood are still largely unknown. With that, accumulation of TBBPA with and without the presence of MPs in a commercial bivalve species, blood clam (Tegillarca granosa), was determined in the present study. Meanwhile, corresponding target hazard quotients (THQs) as well as margins of exposure (MoEs) were estimated to evaluate the potential health risks for clam consumers. Furthermore, the impacts of pollutants accumulation on the detoxification process and energy supply were analysed. The data obtained demonstrated that MPs aggravate the accumulation of TBBPA in clams, leading to elevated potential food safety risks (indicated by higher THQ values and lower MoE values) for consumers. In addition, the in vivo contents of CYP1A1 and UDP-glucuronosyltransferase, the enzymatic activity of glutathione-S-transferase, and the expression levels of five detoxification-related genes were all dramatically suppressed by MP-TBBPA. Furthermore, clams exposed to MP-TBBPA had significantly lower adenosine triphosphate contents and lower pyruvate kinase and phosphofructokinase activities. These results indicated that the aggravation of TBBPA accumulation may be due to the hence disruption of detoxification process and limited energy available for detoxification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Weixia Zhang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yu Tang
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Yu Han
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Weishang Zhou
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | - Wei Shi
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China
| | | | - Peng Ren
- Zhejiang Mariculture Research Institute, Wenzhou, 325005, PR China
| | - Guoqiang Xiao
- Zhejiang Mariculture Research Institute, Wenzhou, 325005, PR China
| | - Shiguo Li
- Key Laboratory of Environmental Biotechnology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100085, PR China
| | - Guangxu Liu
- College of Animal Sciences, Zhejiang University, Hangzhou, 310058, China.
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14
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Choudhary S, Neelavanan K, Saalim SM. Microplastics in the surface sediments of Krossfjord-Kongsfjord system, Svalbard, Arctic. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 176:113452. [PMID: 35183020 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113452] [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: 12/17/2021] [Revised: 02/04/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Krossfjord-Kongsfjord system in the European Arctic has been assessed for abundance, source and distribution of microplastics in the surface sediments. The average abundance of microplastics in Krossfjord and Kongsfjord is 721.42 ± 217.89 (n = 5) pieces/kg and 783 ± 530.28 (n = 8) pieces/kg. Polymers like polyethylene and polypropylene are abundant in the sediment samples. Fibers are the most common shape of plastic particles. A high abundance of smaller plastic particles in the sediment may be due to the fragmentation of larger plastic particles during transportation. The microplastics' spatial distribution, shape, size, and composition suggest that the long-range transport by west Spitsbergen current and local inputs from anthropogenic activities are possible sources of microplastics found in the study area. Our results exhibit the presence of microplastic pollution, suggesting the influence of anthropogenic activity in the Arctic fjord and the need to control/reduce marine pollution which has become a potential threat to marine organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shabnam Choudhary
- Ministry of Earth Sciences, New Delhi, India; National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Goa, India.
| | | | - Syed Mohammad Saalim
- National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Ministry of Earth Sciences, Goa, India
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15
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Fang C, Zhang Y, Zheng R, Hong F, Zhang M, Zhang R, Mou J, Mu J, Lin L, Bo J. Spatio-temporal variation of microplastic pollution in the sediment from the Chukchi Sea over five years. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 806:150530. [PMID: 34844325 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150530] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/03/2021] [Revised: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 09/19/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Sediment has been considered as an important sink for microplastics (MPs), but there are limited reports about the spatial and temporal variability of MPs in sediment from the Arctic Ocean. Furthermore, understanding is lacking on the correlation between Arctic sea ice variation and MP abundance in sediment. This study aimed to assess the MP contamination in the sediment from the Chukchi Sea over five years through three voyages (in 2016, 2018, and 2020). The MP abundances in the sediments from the Chukchi Plateau and Chukchi Shelf over five years ranged from 33.66 ± 15.08 to 104.54 ± 28.07 items kg-1 dry weight (DW) and 20.63 ± 6.71 to 55.64 ± 22.61 items kg-1 DW, respectively. The MP levels from the Chukchi Sea were lower than those from the Eastern Arctic Ocean. Our findings suggest that the Chukchi Plateau is an accumulation zone for fibers related to fishing gear and textiles under the dual influence of the Pacific and Atlantic Ocean currents. However, the reduction of these fibers in the sediment from the Chukchi Shelf might be related to bottom currents, sediment resuspension, and biomass. Moreover, the MP abundance in the sediment from the Chukchi Sea was positively correlated with the reduction of Arctic sea ice, suggesting that the melting sea ice contributes to the increase in MP levels in the sediment. The increase in blue MPs from the Chukchi Plateau over time might be attributed to melting sea ice or intense fishing activity, whereas the increase of the smallest MPs in this region could be owing to the breakdown of larger plastics during long-distance transport or the easier settlement of smaller MPs. Further time-series investigations are urgently required to improve the understanding of the environmental fate and transport of MPs among the different Arctic environmental compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Fang
- Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Yusheng Zhang
- Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Ronghui Zheng
- Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Fukun Hong
- Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Min Zhang
- Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Ran Zhang
- Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jianfeng Mou
- Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361102, China
| | - Jingli Mu
- Fujian Key Laboratory of Functional Marine Sensing Materials, Institute of Oceanography, Minjiang University, Fuzhou 350108, China
| | - Longshan Lin
- Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361102, China.
| | - Jun Bo
- Laboratory of Marine Biology and Ecology, Third Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Xiamen 361102, China.
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16
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Alice P, Maud G, Dominique B, Julien G. Micro- and nanoplastic transfer in freezing saltwater: implications for their fate in polar waters. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2021; 23:1759-1770. [PMID: 34610635 DOI: 10.1039/d1em00280e] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Plastic debris accumulates in the Arctic by way of oceanic and atmospheric circulation. High concentrations of microplastics (1 μm to 5 mm) have been measured, and nanoplastics (<1 μm) are expected to be abundant as well. However, little is known about the mobility of micro- and nanoplastics at the seawater/ice interface. This study investigates the fate of micro- and nanoplastics during sea-ice formation. A novel experimental approach simulates the growth of sea ice by progressively freezing a saline solution. After different durations of freezing, the concentrations of NaCl, natural organic matter, microplastics, and nanoplastics were measured in the ice and liquid. Micro- and nanoplastic distribution coefficients between saltwater and ice were determined, reflecting their behavior during congelation sea-ice growth. The results show that microplastics are retained in ice while nanoplastics are expulsed from it. Furthermore, natural organic matter plays a crucial role in stabilizing nanoplastics at this interface. These results raise new questions concerning the impact of micro- and nanoplastics in fragile polar environments and the analytical strategy to detect them.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pradel Alice
- Univ. Rennes, CNRS, Géosciences Rennes - UMR 6118, 35000 Rennes, France.
- TAKUVIK, CNRS, Université Laval - IRL 3376, G1V A06, Québec, Canada.
| | - Gautier Maud
- Univ. Rennes, CNRS, Géosciences Rennes - UMR 6118, 35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Bavay Dominique
- Univ. Rennes, CNRS, Géosciences Rennes - UMR 6118, 35000 Rennes, France.
| | - Gigault Julien
- Univ. Rennes, CNRS, Géosciences Rennes - UMR 6118, 35000 Rennes, France.
- TAKUVIK, CNRS, Université Laval - IRL 3376, G1V A06, Québec, Canada.
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