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Curl LF, Hurst SA, Pomory CM, Lamont MM, Janosik AM. Assessing microplastics contamination in unviable loggerhead sea turtle eggs. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169434. [PMID: 38104820 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169434] [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: 09/26/2023] [Revised: 12/05/2023] [Accepted: 12/14/2023] [Indexed: 12/19/2023]
Abstract
Sea turtles, in comparison with marine mammals, sea birds, and fishes, are the most affected by microplastics in terms of number of individuals impacted and concentration within each organism. The ubiquitous nature and persistence of microplastics in the environment further compromises sea turtles as many species are currently vulnerable, endangered, or critically endangered. The objective of this study was to quantify microplastic contamination in unviable loggerhead sea turtle eggs (Caretta caretta). Eggs were collected from seven locations along the northwest coast of Florida. A total of 70 nests and 350 eggs were examined. Microplastics (n = 510) were found in undeveloped loggerhead sea turtle eggs across all seven sites, suggesting that maternal transference and/or exchange between the internal and external environment were possible. The frequency found was 7.29 ± 1.83 microplastic pieces per nest and 1.46 ± 0.01 per egg. Microplastics were categorized based on color, shape, size, and type of polymer. The predominant color of microplastics were blue/green (n = 236), shape was fibers (n = 369), and length was 10-300 μm (n = 191). Identified fragments, films, beads and one foam (n = 187) had the most common area of 1-10 μm2 (n = 45). Micro-Fourier Transform Infrared (μ-FTIR) spectroscopy analysis demonstrated that polyethylene (11 %) and polystyrene (7 %) were the main polymer types. For the first time microplastics were found in unviable, undeveloped loggerhead sea turtle eggs collected in northwest Florida. This work provides insight into the distribution patterns of microplastic pollutants in loggerhead sea turtle eggs and may extend to other species worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Margaret M Lamont
- United States Geological Survey, Wetland and Aquatic Research Center, Gainesville, FL, United States of America
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Corniuk RN, Shaw KR, McWhirter A, Lynch HW, Royer SJ, Lynch JM. Polymer identification of floating derelict fishing gear from O'ahu, Hawai'i. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 196:115570. [PMID: 37776741 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115570] [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: 08/03/2023] [Revised: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 09/20/2023] [Indexed: 10/02/2023]
Abstract
Discarded fishing gear (DFG) comprises most of the plastic in the North Pacific Ocean and causes environmental and economic losses. Building evidence on the material construction of fishing gear types is critical to develop solutions to reduce DFG amounts and impacts. We forensically assessed the construction and chemical composition of eight different gear types removed as DFG around O'ahu, Hawai'i. A thorough dissection and novel analysis was conducted including the documentation of gear constructions, polymer identification using attenuated total reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry, and elemental additive detection using X-ray fluorescence. Twenty-six different polymers were identified, and most gear consisted of polyethylene variants or blends. This inventory of physical and chemical characterization of DFG can help future polymer identification of particular gear types through visual techniques. Additionally, it can aid in identifying sources of these gear types and promote recycling options.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raquel N Corniuk
- Hawai'i Pacific University Center for Marine Debris Research, United States of America.
| | - Katherine R Shaw
- Hawai'i Pacific University Center for Marine Debris Research, United States of America; National Institute of Standards and Technology, United States of America
| | - Andrew McWhirter
- Hawai'i Pacific University Center for Marine Debris Research, United States of America
| | | | - Sarah-Jeanne Royer
- Hawai'i Pacific University Center for Marine Debris Research, United States of America
| | - Jennifer M Lynch
- Hawai'i Pacific University Center for Marine Debris Research, United States of America; National Institute of Standards and Technology, United States of America
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De Marco G, Eliso MC, Oliveri Conti G, Galati M, Billè B, Maisano M, Ferrante M, Cappello T. Short-term exposure to polystyrene microplastics hampers the cellular function of gills in the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis. AQUATIC TOXICOLOGY (AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS) 2023; 264:106736. [PMID: 37913686 DOI: 10.1016/j.aquatox.2023.106736] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2023] [Revised: 10/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/27/2023] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
Plastic is undoubtedly the most useful and versatile polymeric material that man has developed in the last two centuries Despite the societal benefits, plastic is now a serious global issue because it is persistent and may bioaccumulate into aquatic biota as microplastics (MPs). This study was designed to evaluate the daily uptake and cellular effects due to a short-term (up to 72 h) exposure to 3 μm red polystyrene MPs (50 beads/mL) in the gills of the Mediterranean mussel Mytilus galloprovincialis, chosen as model species for its ecological and commercial relevance. After measuring the daily uptake of MPs and detecting their presence within the branchial epithelium at all the exposure time-points (T24, T48, T72), some cleaning mechanisms were observed by neutral and acid mucous secretions at mussel gills. The protonic Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (1H NMR)-based metabolomics, combined with chemometrics, allowed to comprehensively explore the time-dependent metabolic disorders triggered by MPs in mussel gills over the short-term trial. Specifically, the clear clustering between MP-treated mussel gills and those from control, together with the grouping for experimental time-points as depicted by the Principal Component Analysis (PCA), were due to changes in the amino acids and energy metabolism, disturbances in the osmoregulatory processes, as well as in the cholinergic neurotransmission. Moreover, as evidenced by enzymatic assays, even the oxidative defense systems and lipid metabolism were hampered by MP exposure. Overall, these findings provides the first insights into the early time-dependent mechanisms of toxicity of polystyrene MPs in marine mussels, and underline the potential environment and human health risk posed by MPs contamination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Giuseppe De Marco
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Maria Concetta Eliso
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Gea Oliveri Conti
- Interdepartmental Research Center for the Implementation of Physical, Chemical and Biological Monitoring Processes in Aquaculture and Bioremediation Systems, Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies, Hygiene and Public Health "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania 95123, Italy; Research Center in Nanomedicine and Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology (NANOMED), Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Mariachiara Galati
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Barbara Billè
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy
| | - Maria Maisano
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy; University Centre for the Protection and Management of Natural Environments and Agro-Ecosystems (CUTGANA), Via Santa Sofia 98, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Margherita Ferrante
- Interdepartmental Research Center for the Implementation of Physical, Chemical and Biological Monitoring Processes in Aquaculture and Bioremediation Systems, Department of Medical, Surgical and Advanced Technologies, Hygiene and Public Health "G.F. Ingrassia", University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania 95123, Italy; Research Center in Nanomedicine and Pharmaceutical Nanotechnology (NANOMED), Department of Pharmaceutical and Health Sciences, University of Catania, Via Santa Sofia 87, Catania 95123, Italy
| | - Tiziana Cappello
- Department of Chemical, Biological, Pharmaceutical and Environmental Sciences, University of Messina, Viale F. Stagno d'Alcontres 31, Messina 98166, Italy.
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Li X, Wu H, Gong J, Li Q, Li Z, Zhang J. Improvement of biodegradation of PET microplastics with whole-cell biocatalyst by interface activation reinforcement. ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY 2023; 44:3121-3130. [PMID: 35293270 DOI: 10.1080/09593330.2022.2052359] [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: 09/16/2021] [Accepted: 02/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is an important basic polymer, which was used widely in variety of fields. Due to its high crystallinity, compact structure and strong surface hydrophobicity, PET has prominent resistance to biodegradation. In recent years, microplastics, especially polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics, was considered as serious threaten to ecosystems. In this study, alkali-resistant bacteria were used as whole-cell catalysts to try to improve the biodegradation of PET microplastics by increasing the bio-interfacial activity of the polymer substrate. Surfactants were applicated to enhance interfacial activation of enzyme and PET interactions. And an integrated strategy was constructed based on alkali resistant bacteria to catalysis the hydrolysis of PET. The results showed that Tween 20 had the most obvious promoting effect among the four interfacial biocatalysts on biological-chemical combined hydrolysis of PET microplastics with whole-cell biocatalysts in alkaline environment. Obvious etching and fracture were observed on the PET fibre surface after biodegradation in presence of surfactant. The weight loss rate of PET substrate can reach 11.04% after 5 days of biodegradation. Thus, this research provides a promising method for efficient degradation of PET microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin Li
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Textile Composites of the Education Ministry, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Textiles of Shandong Province, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Haodong Wu
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Textile Composites of the Education Ministry, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Textiles of Shandong Province, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Jixian Gong
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Textile Composites of the Education Ministry, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Textiles of Shandong Province, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiujin Li
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Textile Composites of the Education Ministry, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Textiles of Shandong Province, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Zheng Li
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Textile Composites of the Education Ministry, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Textiles of Shandong Province, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
| | - Jianfei Zhang
- Key Laboratory for Advanced Textile Composites of the Education Ministry, School of Textile Science and Engineering, Tiangong University, Tianjin, People's Republic of China
- Collaborative Innovation Center for Eco-Textiles of Shandong Province, Qingdao, People's Republic of China
- National Manufacturing Innovation Center of Advanced Dyeing and Finishing Technology, Tai'an, People's Republic of China
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Abreo NAS, Aurelio RM, Kobayashi VB, Thompson KF. 'Eye in the sky': Off-the-shelf unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) highlights exposure of marine turtles to floating litter (FML) in nearshore waters of Mayo Bay, Philippines. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 186:114489. [PMID: 36549238 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114489] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2022] [Revised: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/10/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Litter is a serious threat to the marine environment, with detrimental effects on wildlife and marine biodiversity. Limited data as a result of funding and logistical challenges in developing countries hamper our understanding of the problem. Here, we employed commercial unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) as a cost-effective tool to study the exposure of marine turtles to floating marine litter (FML) in waters of Mayo Bay, Philippines. A quadcopter UAV was flown autonomously with on-board camera capturing videos during the flight. Still frames were extracted when either turtle or litter were detected in post-flight processing. The extracted frames were georeferenced and mapped using QGIS software. Results showed that turtles are highly exposed to FML in nearshore waters. Moreover, spatial dependence between FML and turtles was also observed. The study highlights the effectiveness of UAVs in marine litter research and underscores the threat of FML to turtles in nearshore waters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Neil Angelo S Abreo
- Marine Litter Project, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Laboratory - Environmental Studies Group, University of the Philippines Mindanao, Philippines; Institute of Advanced Studies, Davao del Norte State College, Panabo City, Philippines.
| | - Remie M Aurelio
- Center for the Advancement of Research in Mindanao, Office of Research, University of the Philippines Mindanao, Philippines
| | - Vladimer B Kobayashi
- Marine Litter Project, Artificial Intelligence and Robotics Laboratory - Environmental Studies Group, University of the Philippines Mindanao, Philippines; Department of Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science, College of Science and Mathematics, University of the Philippines Mindanao, Philippines
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Jung YS, Sampath V, Prunicki M, Aguilera J, Allen H, LaBeaud D, Veidis E, Barry M, Erny B, Patel L, Akdis C, Akdis M, Nadeau K. Characterization and regulation of microplastic pollution for protecting planetary and human health. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 315:120442. [PMID: 36272609 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120442] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/20/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 10/12/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics are plastic particles <5 mm in diameter. Since the 1950s, there has been an exponential increase in the production of plastics. As of 2015, it is estimated that approximately 6300 million metric tons of plastic waste had been generated of which 79% has accumulated in landfills or the natural environment. Further, it is estimated that if current trends continue, roughly 12,000 million metric tons of plastic waste will accumulate by 2050. Plastics and microplastics are now found ubiquitously-in the air, water, and soil. Microplastics are small enough to enter the tissues of plants and animals and have been detected in human lungs, stools, placentas, and blood. Their presence in human tissues and the food chain is a cause for concern. While direct clinical evidence or epidemiological studies on the adverse effects of microplastic on human health are lacking, in vitro cellular and tissue studies and in vivo animal studies suggest potential adverse effects. With the ever-increasing presence of plastic waste in our environment, it is critical to understand their effects on our environment and on human health. The use of plastic additives, many of which have known toxic effects are also of concern. This review provides a brief overview of microplastics and the extent of the microplastic problem. There have been a few inroads in regulating plastics but currently these are insufficient to adequately mitigate plastic pollution. We also review recent advances in microplastic testing methodologies, which should support management and regulation of plastic wastes. Significant efforts to reduce, reuse, and recycle plastics are needed at the individual, community, national, and international levels to meet the challenge. In particular, significant reductions in plastic production must occur to curb the impacts of plastic on human and worldwide health, given the fact that plastic is not truly recyclable.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youn Soo Jung
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Vanitha Sampath
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Mary Prunicki
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Juan Aguilera
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Harry Allen
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 9, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Desiree LaBeaud
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Infectious Diseases, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Erika Veidis
- Center for Innovation in Global Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Michele Barry
- Center for Innovation in Global Health, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Barbara Erny
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Lisa Patel
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA
| | - Cezmi Akdis
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, Herman-Burchard Strasse, Davos, Switzerland
| | - Mubeccel Akdis
- Swiss Institute of Allergy and Asthma Research (SIAF), University of Zurich, Herman-Burchard Strasse, Davos, Switzerland
| | - Kari Nadeau
- Sean N. Parker Center for Allergy and Asthma Research at Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Division of Pulmonary, Allergy, and Critical Care Medicine, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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Hoare V, Atchison Balmond N, Hays GC, Jones R, Koldewey H, Laloë JO, Levy E, Llewellyn F, Morrall H, Esteban N. Spatial variation of plastic debris on important turtle nesting beaches of the remote Chagos Archipelago, Indian Ocean. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2022; 181:113868. [PMID: 35835050 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.113868] [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: 01/19/2022] [Revised: 06/14/2022] [Accepted: 06/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
We report Anthropogenic Marine Debris (AMD) in Chagos Archipelago in the Indian Ocean, globally amongst the most isolated island groups. AMD on 14 island beaches in five atolls were surveyed in 2019 using two techniques: Marine Debris Tracker (MDT) along littoral vegetation and photoquadrats in open beach. Over 60 % of AMD in both beach zones was composed of plastics, especially bottles and fragments (mean = 44.9 %, 27.2 %, range = 16.5-73.2 %, 4.8-55.9 % respectively in vegetation; mean = 28.7 %, 31.5 %, range = 17.7-40.7 %, 11.6-60.0 % respectively in open beach). The density of plastic debris in littoral vegetation (MDT data: 1995 bottles, 3328 fragments per 100 m2) was 10-fold greater than in open beach (photoquadrat data: 184 bottles, 106 fragments per 100 m2). Significant latitudinal variation in vegetation AMD occurred (8-fold greater in southern atolls, p = 0.006). AMD varied within island zones: most debris observed on oceanside beaches (oceanside vs lagoon, W = 365, p < 0.001; ocean vs island tip, W = 107, p = 0.034). Standardisation of surveys using the open-source MDT App is recommended. Debris accumulation hotspots overlapped with sea turtle nesting habitat, guiding future beach clean-up prioritisation.
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Affiliation(s)
- V Hoare
- Swansea University, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK; Imperial College London, Centre for Environmental Policy, London SW7 1NE, UK
| | - N Atchison Balmond
- British Indian Ocean Territory, King Charles Street, London SW1A 2AH, UK
| | - G C Hays
- Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Geelong, Victoria 3216, Australia
| | - R Jones
- Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - H Koldewey
- Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, UK; Centre for Ecology and Conservation, University of Exeter, Cornwall TR10 9EZ, UK
| | - J-O Laloë
- Deakin University, School of Life and Environmental Sciences, Geelong, Victoria 3216, Australia
| | - E Levy
- Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - F Llewellyn
- Zoological Society of London, Regents Park, London NW1 4RY, UK
| | - H Morrall
- Natural England, Foss House, Kings Pool, 1-2 Peasholme Green, York YO1 7PX, UK
| | - N Esteban
- Swansea University, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Swansea SA2 8PP, Wales, UK.
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