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Jafarova M, Grifoni L, Renzi M, Bentivoglio T, Anselmi S, Winkler A, Di Lella LA, Spagnuolo L, Aherne J, Loppi S. Robinia pseudoacacia L. (Black Locust) Leaflets as Biomonitors of Airborne Microplastics. BIOLOGY 2023; 12:1456. [PMID: 38132282 PMCID: PMC10740701 DOI: 10.3390/biology12121456] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2023] [Revised: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023]
Abstract
Here we investigate the suitability of Robinia pseudoacacia L. (black locust) leaflets as a novel biomonitor of airborne microplastics (MPs) including tyre wear particles (TWPs). Leaflets were collected from rural roadside locations (ROs, n = 5) and urban parks (UPs, n = 5) in Siena, Italy. MPs were removed by washing, identified by stereomicroscope, and analysed for polymer type by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Daily MP deposition was estimated from leaf area. The mass magnetic susceptibility and the bioaccumulation of traffic-related potentially toxic elements (PTEs) were also analysed. The total number of MPs at ROs was significantly higher at 2962, dominated by TWPs, compared with 193 in UPs, where TWPs were not found. In contrast, total microfibres were significantly higher in UPs compared with ROs (185 vs. 86). Daily MP deposition was estimated to range from 4.2 to 5.1 MPs/m2/d across UPs and 29.9-457.6 MPs/m2/d across ROs. The polymer types at ROs were dominated by rubber (80%) from TWPs, followed by 15% polyamide (PA) and 5% polysulfone (PES), while in UPs the proportion of PES (44%) was higher than PA (22%) and polyacrylonitrile (11%). The mean mass magnetic susceptibility, a proxy of the bioaccumulation of traffic-related metallic particles, was higher at ROs (0.62 ± 0.01 10-8 m3/kg) than at UPs (-0.50 ± 0.03 10-8 m3/kg). The content of PTEs was similar across sites, except for significantly higher concentrations of Sb, a tracer of vehicle brake wear, at ROs (0.308 ± 0.008 µg/g) compared with UPs (0.054 ± 0.006 µg/g). Our results suggest that the waxy leaflets and easy determination of surface area make Robinia an effective biomonitor for airborne MPs including TWPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mehriban Jafarova
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.J.); (L.G.); (L.A.D.L.); (S.L.)
| | - Lisa Grifoni
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.J.); (L.G.); (L.A.D.L.); (S.L.)
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, 00143 Rome, Italy; (A.W.); (L.S.)
| | - Monia Renzi
- Department of Life Science, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy;
| | - Tecla Bentivoglio
- Bioscience Research Center, Via Aurelia Vecchia, 32, 58015 Orbetello, Italy; (T.B.); (S.A.)
| | - Serena Anselmi
- Bioscience Research Center, Via Aurelia Vecchia, 32, 58015 Orbetello, Italy; (T.B.); (S.A.)
| | - Aldo Winkler
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, 00143 Rome, Italy; (A.W.); (L.S.)
| | - Luigi Antonello Di Lella
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.J.); (L.G.); (L.A.D.L.); (S.L.)
| | - Lilla Spagnuolo
- Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, 00143 Rome, Italy; (A.W.); (L.S.)
| | - Julian Aherne
- School of Environment, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada
| | - Stefano Loppi
- Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (M.J.); (L.G.); (L.A.D.L.); (S.L.)
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Xu J, Wu G, Wang H, Ding Z, Xie J. Recent Study of Separation and Identification of Micro- and Nanoplastics for Aquatic Products. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:4207. [PMID: 37959888 PMCID: PMC10650332 DOI: 10.3390/polym15214207] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/27/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 11/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are polymeric compounds widely used in industry and daily life. Although contamination of aquatic products with MNPs exists, most current research on MNPs focuses on environmental, ecological, and toxicological studies, with less on food safety. Currently, the extent to which aquatic products are affected depends primarily on the physical and chemical properties of the consumed MNPs and the content of MNPs. This review presents new findings on the occurrence of MNPs in aquatic products in light of their properties, carrier effects, chemical effects, seasonality, spatiality, and differences in their location within organisms. The latest studies have been summarized for separation and identification of MNPs for aquatic products as well as their physical and chemical properties in aquatic products using fish, bivalves, and crustaceans as models from a food safety perspective. Also, the shortcomings of safety studies are reviewed, and guidance is provided for future research directions. Finally, gaps in current knowledge on MNPs are also emphasized.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jin Xu
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (J.X.); (G.W.)
| | - Gan Wu
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (J.X.); (G.W.)
| | - Hao Wang
- National Pathogen Collection Center for Aquatic Animals, Shanghai Ocean University, No. 999, Huchenghuan Road, Shanghai 201306, China;
| | - Zhaoyang Ding
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (J.X.); (G.W.)
- Marine Biomedical Science and Technology Innovation Platform of Lin-gang Special Area, Shanghai 201306, China
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquatic-Product Processing & Preservation, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Jing Xie
- College of Food Science and Technology, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; (J.X.); (G.W.)
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center of Aquatic-Product Processing & Preservation, Shanghai 201306, China
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