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Migaszewski ZM, Gałuszka A, Migaszewski A. Legacy of anthropogenic activity recorded in sediments by microtechnofossils and chemical markers. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 930:172800. [PMID: 38679086 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172800] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2024] [Revised: 04/04/2024] [Accepted: 04/24/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
This overview presents comparison of common microtechnofossils with other geochemical markers that may have the great potential to be the anthropogenic signatures for recent and future sediment strata. The novel man-made products encompass spherical and spheroidal fly-ash particulates, microplastics, synthetic crystals, and more recently examined glass microspheres. Due to their low specific gravity and small size varying from a tiny fraction of millimeter to approximately 5 mm, microtechnofossils may be transported over a long distance from their primary or secondary sources by water and wind. Of these technogenic materials, among the most resistant to physical and chemical degradation are glass microbeads, and additionally synthetic crystals and some types of fly-ash particulates derived mostly from coal/oil combustion, metal ore smelting operations and cement/lime manufacturing. Nonetheless, synthetic glass microspheres have found exponentially growing applications as reflective ingredients in traffic-related paints and building facades, as well as in a variety of applications mostly as low-density fillers of many materials. In contrast to anthropogenic fly-ash and microplastic particles, glass microspheres resemble in many respects common detrital quartz grains. Moreover, like quartz, they are resistant to depositional and diagenetic processes, which is a prerequisite for future geologic archives preserving anthropogenic signals. These and other characteristics make glass microspheres a more widely used product in various fields thus assigning them to a new emerging and globally spreading chronostratigraphic marker of human-impacted sediments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zdzisław M Migaszewski
- Institute of Chemistry, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, 7 Uniwersytecka St., 25-406 Kielce, Poland.
| | - Agnieszka Gałuszka
- Institute of Chemistry, Jan Kochanowski University in Kielce, 7 Uniwersytecka St., 25-406 Kielce, Poland
| | - Andrzej Migaszewski
- Faculty of Environmental Engineering, Geomatics and Renewable Energy, Kielce University of Technology, 7 Domaszowska St., 25-314 Kielce, Poland
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2
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Galgani F, Rangel-Buitrago N. White tides: The plastic nurdles problem. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 470:134250. [PMID: 38613955 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134250] [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: 02/17/2024] [Revised: 03/20/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/15/2024]
Abstract
The proliferation of plastic pollution, particularly from nurdles (small plastic pellets used in manufacturing), poses significant environmental and ecological risks. Originating with the invention of Bakelite in 1907 and escalating post-World War II with advanced petrochemical technologies, nurdles are the second largest source of primary microplastic pollution globally. Each year an estimated 445,970 tonnes of nurdles enter the environment worldwide. Nurdle spills, such as those along Spain's Galician coast and other global incidents, underline the need for improved spill response, preventive measures, and international regulatory coordination. The environmental impact of nurdles, compared to more visible oil spills, is insidious and long-lasting due to their persistence and widespread dispersion. Current regulations, like the International Maritime Organization's (IMO) guidelines, reveal gaps in enforcement and fail to fully address the long-term consequences of spills. Recent technological innovations and policy interventions aim to mitigate risks, but there's an urgent need for coordinated global action, stricter controls, and investment in biodegradable alternatives to safeguard marine environments and ensure ecological sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francois Galgani
- Unité Ressources Marines en Polynésie Francaise, Institut Français de Recherche pour l'Exploitation de la Mer (Ifremer), BP 49, Vairao, Tahiti, French Polynesia
| | - Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programade Física, Facultad de Ciencias Básicas, Universidad del Atlántico, Barranquilla, Atlántico, Colombia.
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3
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Plafcan MM, Schwing PT, Romero IC, Brooks GR, Larson RA, O'Malley BJ, Stallings CD. Benthic foraminifera in Gulf of Mexico show temporal and spatial dynamics of microplastics. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 200:116090. [PMID: 38316101 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116090] [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: 11/14/2023] [Revised: 01/26/2024] [Accepted: 01/27/2024] [Indexed: 02/07/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics have accumulated in the environment since plastic production began, with present-day observations that range from marine trenches to mountains. However, research on microplastics has only recently begun so it is unclear how they have changed over time in many oceanic regions. Our study addressed this gap by quantifying the temporal and spatial dynamics of microplastics in two deep-water regions of the Gulf of Mexico (GOM). We isolated agglutinated foraminifera from sediment cores and assessed microplastics that were incorporated into their tests. Our results indicated that microplastics were incorporated by agglutinated foraminifera after plastic production began. Microplastics were higher at deep-water sites and closer to the Mississippi River. This study confirms the presence of microplastic incorporation into agglutinated foraminifera tests and investigates microplastics in deep-water sediments in the GOM. Additional work is needed to fully identify the distribution of microplastics across the GOM and other oceanic basins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martina M Plafcan
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, 830 1st St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA.
| | | | - Isabel C Romero
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, 830 1st St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA.
| | - Gregg R Brooks
- Eckerd College, 4200 54th Ave S, St. Petersburg, FL 33711, USA.
| | | | | | - Christopher D Stallings
- College of Marine Science, University of South Florida, 830 1st St S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701, USA.
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4
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Stapleton MJ, Hai FI. Microplastics as an emerging contaminant of concern to our environment: a brief overview of the sources and implications. Bioengineered 2023; 14:2244754. [PMID: 37553794 PMCID: PMC10413915 DOI: 10.1080/21655979.2023.2244754] [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: 05/29/2023] [Revised: 07/29/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Over the years, it has become evident that microplastics are one of the most important contaminants of concern requiring significant attention. The large abundance of microplastics that are currently in the environment poses potential toxicity risks to all organisms that are exposed to them. Microplastics have been found to affect the physiological and biological processes in marine and terrestrial organisms. As well as being a contaminant of concern in itself, microplastics also have the ability to act as vectors for other contaminants. The potential for microplastics to carry pollutants and transfer them to other organisms has been documented in the literature. Microplastics have also been linked to hosting antibiotic resistant bacteria and antibiotic resistance genes which poses a significant risk to the current health system. There has been a significant increase in research published surrounding the topic of microplastics over the last 5 years. As such, it is difficult to determine and find up to date and relevant information. This overview paper aims to provide a snapshot of the current and emerging sources of microplastics, how microplastics can act as a contaminant and have toxic effects on a range of organisms and also be a vector for a large variety of other contaminants of concern. The aim of this paper is to act as a tool for future research to reference relevant and recent literature in this field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael J. Stapleton
- Strategic Water Infrastructure Laboratory, School of Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
| | - Faisal I. Hai
- Strategic Water Infrastructure Laboratory, School of Civil, Mining, Environmental and Architectural Engineering, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia
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5
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Mejjad N, Laissaoui A, Fekri A, Hammoumi OE. Marine plastic pollution in Morocco: state of the knowledge on origin, occurrence, fate, and management. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:107371-107389. [PMID: 37084049 PMCID: PMC10119835 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-023-26973-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 04/08/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution presents a major challenge facing stakeholders and decision-making worldwide. Plastics in the ocean damage biodiversity and marine ecosystem services that the blue economy relies upon. The present work analyses and reviews the literature on plastic pollution and the background knowledge about marine plastic pollution in Morocco. The economy of Morocco depends mainly on marine activities, including fisheries, tourism, and maritime trade. These sectors were identified as the main in-situ sources of plastics entering Moroccan coastal waters. The analysis results showed that the increasing abundance of plastics in such marine systems causes substantial economic loss to blue economy activities. In contrast, the lack of data on the plastic waste quantity entering Moroccan water is a limiting factor for assessing plastic pollution. This highlights the need for a risk assessment and more field investigations to value the weight impacts of marine activities generators of plastics on biodiversity and the economy. In addition, implementing laws and rules forbidding the disposal of plastic waste (PW) in public spaces, mainly beaches, and streets, is urgently needed. Raising awareness of plastic waste management and prioritizing improved waste collection, sorting, and management would boost Morocco's establishment and adoption of circular economy strategies. It is worth noting that while implementing the management projects and regulatory frameworks of plastic waste, considering their source and usage purpose is mandatory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nezha Mejjad
- Centre National de l'Energie, des Sciences et des Techniques Nucléaires (CNESTEN), Rabat, Morocco.
| | - Abdelmourhit Laissaoui
- Centre National de l'Energie, des Sciences et des Techniques Nucléaires (CNESTEN), Rabat, Morocco
| | - Ahmed Fekri
- LGAGE, Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'sik, University Hassan II-Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
| | - Ouafa El Hammoumi
- LGAGE, Department of Geology, Faculty of Sciences Ben M'sik, University Hassan II-Casablanca, Casablanca, Morocco
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6
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Forrest SA, Alambo K, Holman L, Vermaire JC. Evaluating community science sampling for microplastics in shore sediments of large river watersheds. Facets (Ott) 2023. [DOI: 10.1139/facets-2022-0104] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
A community science project in the Ottawa River Watershed in Canada interacted with an existing volunteer base to collect sediment from 68 locations in the watershed over approximately 750 km. Ninety-one percent of the distributed kits were returned with 42 volunteers taking part in the project. After analysis, particle concentrations were relatively low compared to previous freshwater microplastic sediment research, with contributing factors including (but not limited to) the large size of the watershed, a lower population base compared to other researched freshwater watersheds, the relative size and discharge of the Ottawa River and the large seasonal fluxes experienced in the river basin. Utilising community science for sampling large freshwater watersheds demonstrated its advantages in the research, especially spatially. However, careful consideration to research design and implementation is essential for community science projects examining microplastics in freshwater sediments. Research teams should ensure they are responsible for strict quality assurance and quality control protocols, especially in the laboratory with sample preparation and processing. Nonetheless, community science is potentially an extremely useful approach for researchers to use for microplastic sampling projects over large spatial areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shaun A. Forrest
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
| | - Katherine Alambo
- Ottawa Riverkeeper, 301-275 Bay Street, Ottawa, ON K1R 5Z5, Canada
| | - Larissa Holman
- Ottawa Riverkeeper, 301-275 Bay Street, Ottawa, ON K1R 5Z5, Canada
| | - Jesse C. Vermaire
- Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
- Institute of Environmental and Interdisciplinary Sciences, Carleton University, 1125 Colonel By Drive, Ottawa, ON K1S 5B6, Canada
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Hodkovicova N, Hollerova A, Svobodova Z, Faldyna M, Faggio C. Effects of plastic particles on aquatic invertebrates and fish - A review. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND PHARMACOLOGY 2022; 96:104013. [PMID: 36375728 DOI: 10.1016/j.etap.2022.104013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2022] [Revised: 11/01/2022] [Accepted: 11/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
This review summarises the current knowledge on the effects of microplastics and their additives on organisms living in the aquatic environment, particularly invertebrates and fish. To date, microplastics have been recognised to affect not only the behaviour of aquatic animals but also their proper development, causing variations in fertility, oxidative stress, inflammations and immunotoxicity, neurotoxicity, and changes in metabolic pathways and gene expression. The ability of microplastics to bind other xenobiotics and cause combined toxicity along side the effect of other agents is also discussed as well. Microplastics are highly recalcitrant materials in both freshwater and marine environments and should be considered extremely toxic to aquatic ecosystems. They are severely problematic from ecological, economic and toxicological standpoints.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Hodkovicova
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Preventive Medicine, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - A Hollerova
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Preventive Medicine, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic; Department of Animal Protection and Welfare & Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - Z Svobodova
- Department of Animal Protection and Welfare & Veterinary Public Health, Faculty of Veterinary Hygiene and Ecology, University of Veterinary Sciences, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - M Faldyna
- Department of Infectious Diseases and Preventive Medicine, Veterinary Research Institute, Brno, Czech Republic
| | - C Faggio
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Messina, Italy.
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8
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Jones JS, Guézou A, Medor S, Nickson C, Savage G, Alarcón-Ruales D, Galloway TS, Muñoz-Pérez JP, Nelms SE, Porter A, Thiel M, Lewis C. Microplastic distribution and composition on two Galápagos island beaches, Ecuador: Verifying the use of citizen science derived data in long-term monitoring. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 311:120011. [PMID: 35998775 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120011] [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: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 07/29/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Monitoring beach plastic contamination across space and time is necessary for understanding its sources and ecological effects, and for guiding mitigation. This is logistically and financially challenging, especially for microplastics. Citizen science represents an option for sampling accessible sites to support long term monitoring, but challenges persist around data validation. Here we test a simple citizen science methodology to monitor visible microplastic contamination on sandy beaches using a standard quadrat unit (50 cm × 50 cm x 5 cm depth) sieved to 1 mm, to support the analysis of microplastic on two islands within the marine protected area of the Galápagos Archipelago, Ecuador (San Cristóbal and Santa Cruz islands). High school and university students undertook supervised sampling of two beaches in 2019-2020 collecting over 7000 particles. A sub-sample of the suspected microplastics collected (n = 2,213, ∼30% total) were analysed using FTIR spectrometry, confirming 93% of particles >1 mm visually identified by students were microplastics or rubber, validating this method as a crowd-sourced indicator for microplastic contamination. These data provide important insights into the plastic contamination of Galápagos, revealing plastic abundances of 0-2524 particles m-2 over the two beaches (the highest reported in Galápagos). Strong accumulation gradients were measured parallel to the waterline at Punta Pitt (San Cristobal island) and perpendicular to the waterline at Tortuga Bay (Santa Cruz island), where four-fold higher concentrations were recorded at the sea turtle nesting habitat on the back-beach dune. No significant seasonal trends were measured during one year. These results demonstrate the value of citizen science in filling spatiotemporal knowledge gaps of beach contamination to support intervention design and conservation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jen S Jones
- Galapagos Conservation Trust, 7-14 Great Dover Street, London, SE1 4YR, UK; Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Anne Guézou
- Galapagos Conservation Trust, 7-14 Great Dover Street, London, SE1 4YR, UK
| | - Sara Medor
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Caitlin Nickson
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Georgie Savage
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Daniela Alarcón-Ruales
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador
| | - Tamara S Galloway
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Juan Pablo Muñoz-Pérez
- Universidad San Francisco de Quito (USFQ) & UNC-Chapel Hill Galápagos Science Center (GSC), Av. Alsacio Northia, Isla San Cristobal, Galápagos, Ecuador; School of Science and Engineering, University of the Sunshine Coast, QLD, Hervey Bay, Australia
| | - Sarah E Nelms
- Centre for Ecology & Conservation, University of Exeter, Penryn, TR10 9FE, UK
| | - Adam Porter
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK
| | - Martin Thiel
- Universidad Católica del Norte, Facultad Ciencias del Mar, Larrondo, 1281, Coquimbo, Chile; Millennium Nucleus Ecology and Sustainable Management of Oceanic Island (ESMOI), Coquimbo, Chile; Centro de Estudios Avanzados en Zonas Áridas (CEAZA), Coquimbo, Chile
| | - Ceri Lewis
- Biosciences, College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4QD, UK.
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9
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Jiang X, Conner N, Lu K, Tunnell JW, Liu Z. Occurrence, distribution, and associated pollutants of plastic pellets (nurdles) in coastal areas of South Texas. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 842:156826. [PMID: 35750165 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.156826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Nurdles, also known as plastic resin pellets, are now a major source of plastic pollution on beaches globally, thus it is important to elucidate their weathering patterns and environmental fates as well as the associated pollutants. In this study we collected nurdles from 24 sites in the coastal bend region of south Texas, covering areas from the near shore railway stations to the adjacent bays and barrier islands. The morphologies of nurdles and associated pollutants including polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), and mercury, were investigated. The results showed that the nurdles varied greatly in color, shape, polymer composition, and oxidation degree. More than 80 % of the nurdles were made with polyethylene, and the rest with polypropylene, polyester, polystyrene, polyethylene-vinyl acetate, and polyvinyl chloride based on Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis. PCBs were not detected on nurdles. PAHs and mercury on nurdles were detected at 12 % and 20 % of the sampling sites. The total concentrations of detectable PAHs ranged from 92.59 to 1787.23 ng/g-nurdle, and the detectable mercury concentrations ranged from 1.23 to 22.25 ng/g-nurdle. Although the concentrations of these pollutants were not at the acute toxic effect level, the presence of PAHs and mercury suggested the potential risk of pollutant exposure to marine organisms in ecosystems, given the fact that nurdles are persistent in the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangtao Jiang
- University of Texas Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States of America
| | - Niki Conner
- University of Texas Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States of America
| | - Kaijun Lu
- University of Texas Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States of America
| | - Jace W Tunnell
- University of Texas Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States of America
| | - Zhanfei Liu
- University of Texas Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States of America.
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10
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Abstract
Microplastic debris is a persistent, ubiquitous global pollutant in oceans, estuaries, and freshwater systems. Some of the highest reported concentrations of microplastics, globally, are in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), which is home to the majority of plastic manufacturers in the United States. A comprehensive understanding of the risk microplastics pose to wildlife is critical to the development of scientifically sound mitigation and policy initiatives. In this review, we synthesize existing knowledge of microplastic debris in the Gulf of Mexico and its effects on birds and make recommendations for further research. The current state of knowledge suggests that microplastics are widespread in the marine environment, come from known sources, and have the potential to be a major ecotoxicological concern for wild birds, especially in areas of high concentration such as the GoM. However, data for GoM birds are currently lacking regarding typical microplastic ingestion rates uptake of chemicals associated with plastics by avian tissues; and physiological, behavioral, and fitness consequences of microplastic ingestion. Filling these knowledge gaps is essential to understand the hazard microplastics pose to wild birds, and to the creation of effective policy actions and widespread mitigation measures to curb this emerging threat to wildlife.
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11
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Kanhai LDK, Asmath H, Gobin JF. The status of marine debris/litter and plastic pollution in the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem (CLME): 1980-2020. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 300:118919. [PMID: 35114304 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.118919] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2021] [Revised: 01/03/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution is one of several anthropogenic stressors putting pressure on ecosystems of the Caribbean Large Marine Ecosystem (CLME). A 'Clean Ocean' is one of the ambitious goals of the United Nations (UN) Decade of Ocean Science for Sustainable Development. If this is to be realized, it is imperative to build upon the work of the previous decades (1980-2020). The objectives of the present study were to assess the state of knowledge about: (i) the distribution, quantification, sources, transport and fate of marine debris/litter and microplastics in the coastal/marine environment of the CLME and, (ii) the effects of plastics on biodiversity. Snapshots, i.e., peer-reviewed studies and multi-year (1991-2020) marine debris data from International Coastal Cleanup (ICC) events, indicated that plastic debris was a persistent issue in multiple ecosystems and environmental compartments of the CLME. Collectively, a suite of approaches (debris categorization, remote sensing, particle tracking) indicated that plastic debris originated from a combination of land and marine-based sources, with the former more significant than the latter. Rivers were identified as an important means of transporting mismanaged land-based waste to the marine environment. Oceanic currents were important to the transport of plastic debris into, within and out of the region. Plastic debris posed a threat to the biodiversity of the CLME, with specific biological, physical, ecological and chemical effects being identified. Existing data can be used to inform interventions to mitigate the leakage of plastic waste to the marine environment. Given the persistent and transboundary nature of the issue, further elucidation of the problem, its causes and effects must be prioritized, while simultaneously harmonizing regional and international approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- La Daana K Kanhai
- Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago.
| | - Hamish Asmath
- The Institute of Marine Affairs, Hilltop Lane, Chaguaramas, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Judith F Gobin
- Department of Life Sciences, The University of the West Indies, St. Augustine, Trinidad and Tobago
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12
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de Vos A, Aluwihare L, Youngs S, DiBenedetto MH, Ward CP, Michel APM, Colson BC, Mazzotta MG, Walsh AN, Nelson RK, Reddy CM, James BD. The M/V X-Press Pearl Nurdle Spill: Contamination of Burnt Plastic and Unburnt Nurdles along Sri Lanka’s Beaches. ACS ENVIRONMENTAL AU 2022; 2:128-135. [PMID: 37101587 PMCID: PMC10114858 DOI: 10.1021/acsenvironau.1c00031] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
In May 2021, the M/V X-Press Pearl cargo ship caught fire 18 km off the west coast of Sri Lanka and spilled ∼1680 tons of spherical pieces of plastic or "nurdles" (∼5 mm; white in color). Nurdles are the preproduction plastic used to manufacture a wide range of end products. Exposure to combustion, heat, and chemicals led to agglomeration, fragmentation, charring, and chemical modification of the plastic, creating an unprecedented complex spill of visibly burnt plastic and unburnt nurdles. These pieces span a continuum of colors, shapes, sizes, and densities with high variability that could impact cleanup efforts, alter transport in the ocean, and potentially affect wildlife. Visibly burnt plastic was 3-fold more chemically complex than visibly unburnt nurdles. This added chemical complexity included combustion-derived polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. A portion of the burnt material contained petroleum-derived biomarkers, indicating that it encountered some fossil-fuel products during the spill. The findings of this research highlight the added complexity caused by the fire and subsequent burning of plastic for cleanup operations, monitoring, and damage assessment and provides recommendations to further understand and combat the impacts of this and future spills.
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Affiliation(s)
- Asha de Vos
- Oceanswell, 9 Park Gardens, Colombo 5 00500, Sri Lanka
- The Oceans Institute, University of Western Australia, 35 Stirling Highway, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Lihini Aluwihare
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Sarah Youngs
- Department of Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, United States
| | - Michelle H. DiBenedetto
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington 98195, United States
| | - Collin P. Ward
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, United States
| | - Anna P. M. Michel
- Department of Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, United States
| | - Beckett C. Colson
- Department of Applied Ocean Physics and Engineering, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, United States
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- MIT−WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science & Engineering, Cambridge and Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Michael G. Mazzotta
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, United States
| | - Anna N. Walsh
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, United States
- MIT−WHOI Joint Program in Oceanography/Applied Ocean Science & Engineering, Cambridge and Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02139, United States
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, Massachusetts 02139, United States
| | - Robert K. Nelson
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, United States
| | - Christopher M. Reddy
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, United States
| | - Bryan D. James
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, Woods Hole, Massachusetts 02543, United States
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Shruti VC, Pérez-Guevara F, Kutralam-Muniasamy G. The current state of microplastic pollution in the world's largest gulf and its future directions. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2021; 291:118142. [PMID: 34534833 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/02/2021] [Revised: 09/03/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics can have several negative consequences on a variety of organisms, and their prevalence in marine ecosystems has become a major concern. Researchers have recently focused their attention on the world's largest gulf, the Gulf of Mexico (GoM), to determine and assess the impact of microplastic pollution on various environmental compartments (i.e., water, sediment, and biota). This paper critically reviews the analytical methodologies as well as summarizes the distribution, accumulation, sources, and composition of microplastics in a handful of studies (n = 14) conducted in the Gulf of Mexico (GoM) covering countries like the USA (n = 10) and Mexico (n = 4). Current quality control measures with respect to sampling and microplastic extraction are summarized. Of 14 studies reviewed, 47% primarily focused on examining sediments for microplastics, with biota and water comprising 35% and 18%, respectively. The abundance ranged from 31.7 to 1392 items m-2 and 60-1940 items kg-1 in sediment, 12-381 particles L-1 in water, and 1.31-4.7 particles per fish in biota. Irregular shaped fragments were the most abundant, followed by fiber, film, foam, hard, and beads etc. Different polymer types of microplastics have been found, including polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyamide, nylon, and rayon etc. According to published research, 46 out of 100 fish thriving in this region are susceptible to microplastic ingestion. Although microplastic concentration in the GoM is among the highest found worldwide, the determination of microplastic contamination is still a growing field of research and methodological discrepancies largely limit the realization of establishing a baseline information on the microplastic abundance of the GoM. In this respect, considerable efforts must be dedicated towards evaluating their distribution and exposure levels; thereby, major challenges and future research directions are briefly discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- V C Shruti
- Instituto de Geología, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM), Ciudad Universitaria, Del. Coyoacán, C.P. 04510, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Fermín Pérez-Guevara
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico; Nanoscience & Nanotechnology Program, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico
| | - Gurusamy Kutralam-Muniasamy
- Department of Biotechnology and Bioengineering, Centro de Investigación y de Estudios Avanzados del Instituto Politécnico Nacional, Ciudad de México, Mexico.
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14
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Choi DY, Gredzens C, Shaver DJ. Plastic ingestion by green turtles (Chelonia mydas) over 33 years along the coast of Texas, USA. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 173:113111. [PMID: 34743072 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.113111] [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: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 10/27/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Despite exponential growth of anthropogenic marine debris in recent decades, plastic ingestion by marine turtles in the Gulf of Mexico is not well understood. Gastrointestinal tracts were examined from 464 green turtles that stranded in Texas between 1987 and 2019, and 226 turtles ingested plastic (48.7%). This number doubled from 32.5% in 1987-1999 to 65.5% in 2019, but mass of ingested items was lowest in 2019. No turtles showed evidence of death directly related to plastic ingestion. Compared to other regions, plastic ingestion was low. Small turtles (<25 cm straight carapace length) ingested plastic more frequently and in greater amounts than larger turtles. Small turtles also ingested more hard plastic while larger turtles ingested more sheet-like and thread-like plastics, which may correspond to size-based habitat shifts. This is among the largest marine turtle ingestion studies to date and demonstrates an increasing prevalence of plastic ingestion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniel Y Choi
- Padre Island National Seashore, National Park Service, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, United States of America; Department of Forestry and Environmental Resources, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695, United States of America.
| | - Christian Gredzens
- Padre Island National Seashore, National Park Service, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, United States of America
| | - Donna J Shaver
- Padre Island National Seashore, National Park Service, Corpus Christi, TX 78418, United States of America
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Kleinschmidt JM, Janosik AM. Microplastics in Florida, United States: A Case Study of Quantification and Characterization With Intertidal Snails. Front Ecol Evol 2021. [DOI: 10.3389/fevo.2021.645727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Concentrations of microplastics are increasing within the oceans, including waters surrounding Florida, United States. Miles of sandy beaches make the sunshine state a prime tourist destination leading to an increased amount of pollution along Florida coasts. Microplastics can cause damage to intertidal organisms, as well as causing issues up the food chain with biomagnification and seafood consumers, such as humans. Florida is also subject to hurricanes which often distribute sediments, filling the water column with previously settled microplastics. These factors make Florida a special case to review considering the state is affected heavily by hurricanes and tourism, which can contribute to microplastic concentrations in the Gulf of Mexico. The focus of this study was to quantify, characterize, and compare microplastics contamination in two predatory marine snail species from intertidal habitats in Florida, United States Ingestion results were also compared to microplastics contamination of water samples collected from the same locations. Red-mouth rock shell (Stramonita haemastoma, n = 30) and Crown conch (Melongena corona, n = 30) snails were collected from intertidal habitats in Florida and digested for microplastics quantification. Water samples were filtered and microplastics were quantified. 256 microplastics, of which 93% were microfibers and 7% were microfragments were isolated from snails (n = 60). Additionally, 67 microplastics were isolated from 8 L of seawater (8.375 microplastics/L), of which 97% were microfibers and 3% were microfragments. This is the first known study to demonstrate microplastics contamination of tissues in predatory marine intertidal snails. Marine intertidal snails may be good organisms for biomonitoring of microplastics in intertidal sandy habitats.
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16
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Jiang X, Lu K, Tunnell JW, Liu Z. The impacts of weathering on concentration and bioaccessibility of organic pollutants associated with plastic pellets (nurdles) in coastal environments. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2021; 170:112592. [PMID: 34146856 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112592] [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: 01/29/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 06/12/2023]
Abstract
Nurdles, the pre-production plastic pellets, are a major source of plastic pollution in marine environments due to unregulated spills during production and transportation. We analyzed the types of plastics and associated organic pollutants on nurdles collected along the shoreline of Gulf of Mexico in Texas. Our results showed that the nurdles were made from polyethylene (81.9%) and polypropylene (18.1%). Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs, 16 US EPA priority) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs, 7 commercial congeners) sorbed to the nurdles were in concentration ranges of 1.6-14,700 ng/ g and 0-642 ng/ g, respectively. Heavily weathered nurdles tended to have higher concentrations of PAHs and PCBs than lightly weathered ones. The bioaccessibility of sorbed contaminants was evaluated using a simulated intestinal fluid. The results showed that the associated PAHs were more bioaccessible in lightly weathered nurdles (13.1 ± 2.3%) than heavily weathered one (5.3 ± 0.1%), and that no PCBs were bioaccessible. These findings are informative for toxicity evaluation and resource management of plastic debris in coastal environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiangtao Jiang
- University of Texas Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States of America
| | - Kaijun Lu
- University of Texas Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States of America
| | - Jace W Tunnell
- University of Texas Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States of America
| | - Zhanfei Liu
- University of Texas Marine Science Institute, 750 Channel View Drive, Port Aransas, TX 78373, United States of America.
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Yang M, Chen B, Xin X, Song X, Liu J, Dong G, Lee K, Zhang B. Interactions between microplastics and oil dispersion in the marine environment. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2021; 403:123944. [PMID: 33264989 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2020] [Revised: 09/03/2020] [Accepted: 09/05/2020] [Indexed: 05/27/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) and spilled oil are both major concerns in the marine environment. In this study, we investigated if and how MPs would interact with crude oil and potentially reduce the effectiveness of oil dispersants applied during oil spill response operations. With the addition of dispersant, MPs and oil (covered by dispersants through their hydrophobic tails) formed MPs-oil-dispersant agglomerates that were found to exist from the surface layer to the bottom of the seawater column. Their resurfacing and sinking led to a decrease in oil dispersion effectiveness. Effects of MP concentration, MP aging, and dispersant-to-oil volumetric ratios (DORs) on oil dispersion were examined. We found that the dispersion effectiveness of light oil and heavy oil decreased 38.26 % and 38.25 %, respectively, with an increased MP concentration. The dispersion effectiveness of light oil and heavy oil was 82.86 ± 10.87 % and 40.39 ± 4.96 % with pristine MPs and increased up to 109.75 ± 0.71 % and 58.30 ± 0.00 % when using MPs aged for 56 days. MPs reduced oil dispersion effectiveness under different DORs. The findings of this first report to understand the interactions among MPs, oil and dispersants have provided fundamental insights that may influence future decision making on the selection and use of oil spill response strategies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Yang
- Northern Region Persistent Organic Pollutant Control (NRPOP) Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University, St. John's, NL A1B 3X5, Canada
| | - Bing Chen
- Northern Region Persistent Organic Pollutant Control (NRPOP) Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University, St. John's, NL A1B 3X5, Canada
| | - Xiaying Xin
- Northern Region Persistent Organic Pollutant Control (NRPOP) Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University, St. John's, NL A1B 3X5, Canada
| | - Xing Song
- Northern Region Persistent Organic Pollutant Control (NRPOP) Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University, St. John's, NL A1B 3X5, Canada
| | - Jiabin Liu
- Northern Region Persistent Organic Pollutant Control (NRPOP) Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University, St. John's, NL A1B 3X5, Canada
| | - Guihua Dong
- Northern Region Persistent Organic Pollutant Control (NRPOP) Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University, St. John's, NL A1B 3X5, Canada
| | - Kenneth Lee
- Fisheries and Oceans Canada, Ecosystem Science, Ottawa, ON K1A 0E6, Canada
| | - Baiyu Zhang
- Northern Region Persistent Organic Pollutant Control (NRPOP) Laboratory, Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, Memorial University, St. John's, NL A1B 3X5, Canada.
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