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Chen Y, Meng Y, Liu G, Huang X, Chai G, Xie Y. Atmospheric deposition of microplastics at a western China metropolis: Relationship with underlying surface types and human exposure. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 355:124192. [PMID: 38776994 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.124192] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2024] [Revised: 05/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024]
Abstract
The issue of atmospheric microplastic (AMP) contamination is gaining increasing attention, yet the influencing factors and human exposure are not well-understood. In this study, atmospheric depositions were collected in the megacity of Chengdu, China, to investigate the pollution status and spatial disparities in AMP distribution. The relationship between AMP abundance and underlying surface types was then analyzed with the aid of back trajectory simulation. Additionally, a probabilistic estimation of human exposure to AMP deposition during outdoor picnics was provided, followed by the calculation of AMP loading into rivers. Results revealed that the mean deposition flux ranged within 207.1-364.0 N/m2/d (14.17-33.75 μg/m2/d), with significantly larger AMP abundance and sizes in urban compared to rural areas. Areas of compact buildings played an important role in contributing to both fibrous and non-fibrous AMP contamination from urban to rural areas, providing new insight into potential sources of pollution. This suggests that appropriate plastic waste disposal in compact building areas should be prioritized for controlling AMP pollution. Besides, the median ingestion of deposited AMPs during a single picnic was 34.9 N/capita/hour (3.03 × 10-3 μg/capita/hour) for urban areas and 17.8 N/capita/hour (7.74 × 10-4 μg/capita/hour) for suburbs. Furthermore, the worst-case scenario of AMPs loading into rivers was investigated, which could reach 170.7 kg in summertime Chengdu. This work could contribute to a better understanding of the status of AMP pollution and its sources, as well as the potential human exposure risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China; College of Water Resources and Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Yuchuan Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China; College of Water Resources and Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China.
| | - Guodong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China; College of Water Resources and Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Xiaohua Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China; College of Water Resources and Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Guangming Chai
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China; College of Water Resources and Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610065, China
| | - Yang Xie
- Chengdu Institute of Urban Safety and Emergency Management, Chengdu, 610065, China
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2
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Tremolada P, Saliu F, Winkler A, Carniti CP, Castelli M, Lasagni M, Andò S, Leandri-Breton DJ, Gatt MC, Obiol JF, Parolini M, Nakajima C, Whelan S, Shoji A, Hatch SA, Elliott KH, Cecere JG, Rubolini D. Indigo-dyed cellulose fibers and synthetic polymers in surface-feeding seabird chick regurgitates from the Gulf of Alaska. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 203:116401. [PMID: 38713925 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116401] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2024] [Revised: 04/15/2024] [Accepted: 04/18/2024] [Indexed: 05/09/2024]
Abstract
We provide evidence of anthropogenic materials ingestion in seabirds from a remote oceanic area, using regurgitates obtained from black-legged kittiwake (Rissa tridactyla) chicks from Middleton Island (Gulf of Alaska, USA). By means of GPS tracking of breeding adults, we identified foraging grounds where anthropogenic materials were most likely ingested. They were mainly located within the continental shelf of the Gulf of Alaska and near the Alaskan coastline. Anthropogenic cellulose fibers showed a high prevalence (85 % occurrence), whereas synthetic polymers (in the micro- and mesoplastics dimensional range) were less frequent (20 %). Most fibers (60 %) were blue and we confirmed the presence of indigo-dyed cellulosic fibers, characteristic of denim fabrics. In terms of mass, contamination levels were 0.077 μg g-1 wet weight and 0.009 μg g-1 wet weight for anthropogenic microfibers and synthetic polymers, respectively. These results represent the only recent report of contamination by anthropogenic fibers in seabirds from the Gulf of Alaska.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Tremolada
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milano, Italy.
| | - Francesco Saliu
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Ambiente e della Terra, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, p.zza della Scienza 1, I-20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Anna Winkler
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Cecilia P Carniti
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Melisa Castelli
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Marina Lasagni
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Ambiente e della Terra, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, p.zza della Scienza 1, I-20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Sergio Andò
- Dipartimento di Scienze dell'Ambiente e della Terra, Università degli Studi di Milano-Bicocca, p.zza della Scienza 1, I-20126 Milano, Italy
| | - Don-Jean Leandri-Breton
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Marie Claire Gatt
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Joan Ferrer Obiol
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Marco Parolini
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milano, Italy
| | - Chinatsu Nakajima
- Department of Life and Environmental Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Shannon Whelan
- Institute for Seabird Research and Conservation, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | - Akiko Shoji
- Department of Life and Environmental Science, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Japan
| | - Scott A Hatch
- Institute for Seabird Research and Conservation, Anchorage, AK, USA
| | - Kyle H Elliott
- Department of Natural Resource Sciences, McGill University, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, Quebec, Canada
| | | | - Diego Rubolini
- Dipartimento di Scienze e Politiche Ambientali, Università degli Studi di Milano, via Celoria 26, I-20133, Milano, Italy
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3
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Bohdan K, Honeychurch KC. Under-researched and under-reported new findings in microplastic field. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 918:170466. [PMID: 38286279 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170466] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2023] [Revised: 01/22/2024] [Accepted: 01/24/2024] [Indexed: 01/31/2024]
Abstract
After over 20 years of research on microplastic (MP) pollution, there are important areas of study which are still at the inception. In particular, between 2020 and 2023 new findings on MP have emerged, which open new sub-categories of MP research. These research areas include sea surface MP ejection, direct and indirect MP influence on climate and hydrological cycle, small and nano-sized MP analysis and the relationship between MP size and abundance. Not reported or barely mentioned in previous reviews, these globally-relevant findings are here highlighted and discussed with aim to promote their further research that will potentially result in new evidence of detrimental effects of MP pollution on the biosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krzysztof Bohdan
- School of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK.
| | - Kevin C Honeychurch
- School of Applied Sciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, Frenchay Campus, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1QY, UK.
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4
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Hasager F, Björgvinsdóttir ÞN, Vinther SF, Christofili A, Kjærgaard ER, Petters SS, Bilde M, Glasius M. Development and validation of an analytical pyrolysis method for detection of airborne polystyrene nanoparticles. J Chromatogr A 2024; 1717:464622. [PMID: 38309189 DOI: 10.1016/j.chroma.2023.464622] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 12/28/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/05/2024]
Abstract
Microplastic is ubiquitous in the environment. Recently it was discovered that microplastic (MP, 1 μm-5 mm) contamination is present in the atmosphere where it can be transported over long distances and introduced to remote pristine environments. Sources, concentration levels, and transportation pathways of MP are still associated with large uncertainties. The abundance of atmospheric MP increases with decreasing particle size, suggesting that nanoplastics (NP, <1μm) could be of considerable atmospheric relevance. Only few analytical methods are available for detection of nanosized plastic particles. Thermoanalytical techniques are independent of particle size and are thus a powerful tool for MP and NP analysis. Here we develop a method for analysis of polystyrene on the nanogram scale using pyrolysis gas chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry. Pyrolysis was performed using a slow temperature ramp, and analytes were cryofocused prior to injection. The mass spectrometer was operated in selected ion monitoring (SIM) mode. A lower limit of detection of 1±1 ng and a lower limit of quantification of 2±2 ng were obtained (for the trimer peak). The method was validated with urban matrices of low (7 μg per sample) and high (53 μg per sample) aerosol mass loadings. The method performs well for low loadings, whereas high loadings seem to cause a matrix effect reducing the signal of polystyrene. This effect can be minimized by introducing a thermal desorption step prior to pyrolysis. The study provides a novel analysis method for qualitative and semi-quantitative analysis of PS on the nanogram scale in an aerosol matrix. Application of the method can be used to obtain concentration levels of polystyrene in atmospheric MP and NP. This is important in order to improve the understanding of the sources and sinks of MP and NP in the environment and thereby identify routes of exposure and uptake of this emerging contaminant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Freja Hasager
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | | | - Sofie F Vinther
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Antigoni Christofili
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Eva R Kjærgaard
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Sarah S Petters
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Merete Bilde
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark
| | - Marianne Glasius
- Department of Chemistry, Aarhus University, Langelandsgade 140, 8000, Aarhus, Denmark.
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5
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Kaushik A, Gupta P, Kumar A, Saha M, Varghese E, Shukla G, Suresh K, Gunthe SS. Identification and physico-chemical characterization of microplastics in marine aerosols over the northeast Arabian Sea. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168705. [PMID: 38000750 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) in the atmosphere can undergo long-range transport from emission regions to pristine terrestrial and oceanic ecosystems. Due to their inherent toxic and hazardous characteristics, MPs pose serious risks to both human well-being and the equilibrium of ecosystem. The present study outlines the comprehensive characterization, spanning physical and chemical attributes of MPs associated with atmospheric aerosols. Total suspended particulates (TSPs) were collected on a quartz fibre filter by operating a high-volume sampler for 24 h during distinct years (March, 2016 and November, 2020) at a coastal location in the northeast Arabian Sea. Subsequent to the sampling, a series of techniques were applied including density separation. The assessment and scrutiny of the MPs was carried out using stereo-zoom microscopy with supplementary validation using advanced fluorescence microscopy for enhanced precision in identification. Our comparative assessment suggests peroxide treatment followed by density separation could be a robust procedure for the definitive identification and characterization of MPs in the atmosphere. Average total abundance of MPs was found to be 1.30 ± 0.14 n/m3 in 2016 and 1.46 ± 0.12 n/m3 in 2020 with fibres, fragments and films having similar relative contributions (41 %, 31 %, 28 % in 2016 and 40 %, 35 %, 25 % in 2020). Fibres were found to be dominant morphotype followed by fragments and films over the coastal region of the Arabian Sea. In order to unravel the detailed chemical nature of these MPs, spectral analysis using μ-FTIR was carried out. The outcome of the analysis showed prevailing polymers as polyvinyl chloride and polymethyl methacrylate (50545 %) as dominant polymers followed by polyester (15 %), styrene butyl methacrylate (11 %), and polyacetal (9 %). MPs present in the vicinity of the Arabian Sea have potential to supply nutrients and toxicants, consequently can contribute to the modulation of the surface water biogeochemical processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankush Kaushik
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula 403004, Goa, India
| | - Priyansha Gupta
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula 403004, Goa, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Ashwini Kumar
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula 403004, Goa, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
| | - Mahua Saha
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula 403004, Goa, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Emil Varghese
- Environmental Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, Tamil Nadu, India; Centre for Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Garima Shukla
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula 403004, Goa, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - K Suresh
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula 403004, Goa, India; Physical Research Laboratory, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad 380 009, India
| | - Sachin S Gunthe
- Environmental Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, Tamil Nadu, India; Centre for Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, Tamil Nadu, India
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6
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Song K, Xie S, Li C, He J, Jin W, Wang R, Huang W, Li P, Feng Z. The occurrence of pollutants in organisms and water of inland mariculture systems: Shrimp aquaculture is a procession of Microplastics accumulation. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 342:123072. [PMID: 38043765 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.123072] [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: 09/11/2023] [Revised: 11/11/2023] [Accepted: 11/28/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) pollution in the ocean was widely concerned, but the current study on MPs pollution in the mariculture system is relatively lacking. This study researched the MPs pollution characteristics in water and shrimp at different stages of the pond and industrial aquaculture. The study shows that in the same aquaculture stage, MPs abundance in shrimp and water in pond aquaculture mode is higher than that in industrial aquaculture mode. The MPs pollution characteristics in shrimp and water show significant consistency. The hazard index of MPs in pond water and industrial models are 122 (Level Ⅲ) and 540 (Level Ⅲ), respectively, indicating that industrial aquaculture models may suffer from more severe MPs stress. The aquaculture period and mode significantly affected the MPs abundance of water and shrimp, but there was no interaction between the aquaculture period and mode. MPs abundance in shrimp show a significant relationship with the length of crustacean and weight. This study further enhanced the understanding of MPs pollution of water and organisms in different aquaculture modes at different stages, and warned MPs is widely spread in mariculture systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kexin Song
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, PR China; Analytical Instrumentation Center, Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, 572000, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100190, PR China
| | - Siqi Xie
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, PR China
| | - Changwen Li
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, PR China
| | - Jincheng He
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, PR China
| | - Wei Jin
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, PR China
| | - Rui Wang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, PR China
| | - Wei Huang
- Key Laboratory of Marine Ecosystem and Biogeochemistry, Second Institute of Oceanography, Ministry of Natural Resources, Hangzhou, 310012, PR China
| | - Pingjing Li
- Analytical Instrumentation Center, Institute of Deep-sea Science and Engineering, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Sanya, 572000, PR China
| | - Zhihua Feng
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Marine Bioresources and Environment, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, PR China; Co-Innovation Center of Jiangsu Marine Bio-industry Technology, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, PR China; Key Laboratory of Coastal Salt Marsh Ecology and Resources, Ministry of Natural Resources, Jiangsu Ocean University, Lianyungang, 222005, PR China.
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7
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Kannankai MP, Devipriya SP. Atmospheric microplastic deposition in a coastal city of India: The influence of a landfill source on monsoon winds. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168235. [PMID: 37923255 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/25/2023] [Revised: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 10/29/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023]
Abstract
Coastal zones experience various wind events that may influence the characteristics, distribution, and dynamics of atmospheric microplastic pollutants. In the present study, we investigated the characteristics of the bulk atmospheric microplastic deposition in Kochi, Kerala, India, during three distinct seasons: Northeast Monsoon (NEM), Summer (SMR), and Southwest monsoon (SWM). Seasonally, the highest microplastic fallout rate was recorded for the NEM (37.29 particles m-2d-1), followed by SMR (15.17 particles m-2 d-1) and the SWM (11.57 particles m-2d-1). The microplastic abundance was not correlated to the amount of rainfall. Further, the wind rose and HYSPLIT trajectory analysis illustrated the arrival of northeast monsoon winds to the city via the region in and around the municipal landfill, which could be a major source of airborne microplastic to the sampling stations, and the forward trajectories from the landfill site extended into the Arabia Sea, providing evidence on the potential atmospheric transport and subsequent deposition of microplastics into the ocean. With respect to the qualitative characteristics, blue-coloured and fibrous microplastics dominated the samples with a considerable number of particles belonging to the size range of 200-500 μm. The practice of drying synthetic clothes under natural sunlight may have substantially contributed to the increased prevalence of airborne microfibers. The higher numbers of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) in the bulk microplastic deposition reinforce the concept of low-density polymers being more susceptible to deflation by the wind. Overall, the work signifies the role of monsoon winds in transporting microplastics from an unscientifically managed municipal landfill site and also highlights the importance of reducing the quantity of plastic waste ending up at the landfill to reduce the emission of microplastics proportionately.
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8
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Przekop R, Michalczuk U, Penconek A, Moskal A. Effect of Microplastic Particles on the Rheological Properties of Human Saliva and Mucus. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:7037. [PMID: 37998268 PMCID: PMC10671299 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20227037] [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: 08/02/2023] [Revised: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 10/19/2023] [Indexed: 11/25/2023]
Abstract
Pollution by plastic microparticles is rising rapidly. One avenue of human exposure to nanoparticles is through inhalation. The main source of microplastics in indoor environments, leading to unintended inhalation, is synthetic fabric used in clothing. Other sources include curtains, carpets, furniture, wall paints, and floor finishes. Occupational exposure is particularly significant in waste management and recycling operations, during exposure to high heat, during high-energy treatment of polymer composites, and during 3D printing. In outdoor environments, exposure can happen through breathing in contaminated aerosols from ocean waves or airborne particles from dried wastewater treatments. Airborne particles affect human health in various ways, including via direct interactions with the epithelium and its mucus layer after deposition in the mouth and respiratory system. Exposure due to the ingestion of microplastics present in various environmental compartments may occur either directly or indirectly via the food chain or drinking water. This study aimed to determine the effects of plastic microparticles on the rheology of mucus and saliva, and, thus, their functioning. The experiments used artificial mucus, saliva, and plastic nanoparticles (namely, PS-polystyrene and PE-polyethylene). The rheological properties of saliva and mucus were determined via the use of an oscillatory rheometer at various temperatures (namely, 36.6 °C and 40 °C, which correspond to healthy and ill humans). The results were compared with those obtained for pure saliva and mucus. An increase in apparent viscosity was observed for saliva, which is behavior typical of for solid particle suspensions in liquids. In contrast, for mucus, the effect was the opposite. The influence of the presence of the particles on the parameters of the constitutive viscosity equations was studied. Plastic micro- and nanoparticles in the saliva and mucus may interfere with their physiological functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafał Przekop
- Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, 00-645 Warsaw, Poland; (U.M.); (A.P.); (A.M.)
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9
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Zhao C, Liang J, Zhu M, Zheng S, Zhao Y, Sun X. Occurrence, characteristics, and factors influencing the atmospheric microplastics around Jiaozhou Bay, the Yellow Sea. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 196:115568. [PMID: 37783164 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115568] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2023] [Revised: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 09/19/2023] [Indexed: 10/04/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric microplastics are attracting increasing attention as an emerging pollutant. However, research on its characteristics and influencing factors is insufficient. This study examines the characteristics and spatiotemporal distribution of atmospheric microplastics around Jiaozhou Bay, the Yellow Sea. The results showed that the dominant shapes of microplastic were fragments (61.9 %) and fibers (25.6 %), and the main types were polyethylene terephthalate (23.8 %), polyethylene (31.6 %) and cellulose (rayon, 34.9 %). The deposition rate of microplastic varied from 8.395 to 80.114 items·m-2·d-1, with a mean of 46.708 ± 21.316 items·m-2·d-1. The deposition rate was higher in the dry season than in the rainy season, indicating the influence of weather condition. The annual mass of atmospheric microplastics entering the bay was estimated to be 7.612 ± 3.474 tons. For the first time, this study reveals that atmospheric microplastics in Jiaozhou Bay change spatiotemporally due to monsoons, which pose a potential threat to marine ecosystems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chenhao Zhao
- Jiaozhou Bay National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China
| | - Junhua Liang
- Jiaozhou Bay National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Laoshan Laboratory, 266237, PR China
| | - Mingliang Zhu
- Jiaozhou Bay National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Laoshan Laboratory, 266237, PR China
| | - Shan Zheng
- Jiaozhou Bay National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Laoshan Laboratory, 266237, PR China
| | - Yongfang Zhao
- Jiaozhou Bay National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Laoshan Laboratory, 266237, PR China
| | - Xiaoxia Sun
- Jiaozhou Bay National Marine Ecosystem Research Station, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, PR China; Laboratory for Marine Ecology and Environmental Science, Laoshan Laboratory, 266237, PR China; Center for Ocean Mega-Science, Institute of Oceanology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Qingdao 266071, China; University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100049, China.
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10
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Goßmann I, Mattsson K, Hassellöv M, Crazzolara C, Held A, Robinson TB, Wurl O, Scholz-Böttcher BM. Unraveling the Marine Microplastic Cycle: The First Simultaneous Data Set for Air, Sea Surface Microlayer, and Underlying Water. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023; 57:16541-16551. [PMID: 37853526 PMCID: PMC10620994 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c05002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2023] [Revised: 09/26/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/20/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MP) including tire wear particles (TWP) are ubiquitous. However, their mass loads, transport, and vertical behavior in water bodies and overlying air are never studied simultaneously before. Particularly, the sea surface microlayer (SML), a ubiquitous, predominantly organic, and gelatinous film (<1 mm), is interesting since it may favor MP enrichment. In this study, a remote-controlled research catamaran simultaneously sampled air, SML, and underlying water (ULW) in Swedish fjords of variable anthropogenic impacts (urban, industrial, and rural) to fill these knowledge gaps in the marine-atmospheric MP cycle. Polymer clusters and TWP were identified and quantified with pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. Air samples contained clusters of polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, and polystyrene (max 50 ng MP m-3). In water samples (max. 10.8 μg MP L-1), mainly TWP and clusters of poly(methyl methacrylate) and polyethylene terephthalate occurred. Here, TWP prevailed in the SML, while the poly(methyl methacrylate) cluster dominated the ULW. However, no general MP enrichment was observed in the SML. Elevated anthropogenic influences in urban and industrial compared to the rural fjord areas were reflected by enhanced MP levels in these areas. Vertical MP movement behavior and distribution were not only linked to polymer characteristics but also to polymer sources and environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Goßmann
- Institute
for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, P.O. Box 2503, Oldenburg 26111, Germany
- Center
for Marine Sensors, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine
Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University
of Oldenburg, Wilhelmshaven 26382, Germany
| | - Karin Mattsson
- Department
of Marine Sciences, University
of Gothenburg, Kristineberg 566, Fiskebäckskil 45178, Sweden
| | - Martin Hassellöv
- Department
of Marine Sciences, University
of Gothenburg, Kristineberg 566, Fiskebäckskil 45178, Sweden
| | - Claudio Crazzolara
- Chair
of Environmental Chemistry and Air Research, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin 10623, Germany
| | - Andreas Held
- Chair
of Environmental Chemistry and Air Research, Technische Universität Berlin, Berlin 10623, Germany
| | - Tiera-Brandy Robinson
- GEOMAR
Helmholtz Center for Ocean Research Kiel, Wischhofstraße 1-3, Kiel 24148, Germany
| | - Oliver Wurl
- Center
for Marine Sensors, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine
Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University
of Oldenburg, Wilhelmshaven 26382, Germany
| | - Barbara M. Scholz-Böttcher
- Institute
for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, P.O. Box 2503, Oldenburg 26111, Germany
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11
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Pellegrini C, Saliu F, Bosman A, Sammartino I, Raguso C, Mercorella A, Galvez DS, Petrizzo A, Madricardo F, Lasagni M, Clemenza M, Trincardi F, Rovere M. Hotspots of microplastic accumulation at the land-sea transition and their spatial heterogeneity: The Po River prodelta (Adriatic Sea). THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 895:164908. [PMID: 37385497 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164908] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2023] [Revised: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/01/2023]
Abstract
Deltas are the locus of river-borne sediment accumulation, however, their role in sequestering plastic pollutants is still overlooked. By combining geomorphological, sedimentological, and geochemical analyses, which include time-lapse multibeam bathymetry, sediment provenance, and μFT-IR analyses, we investigate the fate of plastic particles after a river flood event providing an unprecedented documentation of the spatial distribution of sediment as well as of microplastics (MPs), including particles fibers, and phthalates (PAEs) abundances in the subaqueous delta. Overall sediments are characterized by an average of 139.7 ± 80 MPs/kg d.w., but display spatial heterogeneity of sediment and MPs accumulation: MPs are absent within the active sandy delta lobe, reflecting dilution by clastic sediment (ca. 1.3 Mm3) and sediment bypass. The highest MP concentration (625 MPs/kg d.w.) occurs in the distal reaches of the active lobe where flow energy dissipates. In addition to MPs, cellulosic fibers are relevant (of up to 3800 fibers/kg d.w.) in all the analyzed sediment samples, and dominate (94 %) with respect to synthetic polymers. Statistically significant differences in the relative concentration of fiber fragments ≤0.5 mm in size were highlighted between the active delta lobe and the migrating bedforms in the prodelta. Fibers were found to slightly follow a power law size distribution coherent with a one-dimensional fragmentation model and thus indicating the absence of a size dependent selection mechanism during burial. Multivariate statistical analysis suggests traveling distance and bottom-transport regime as the most relevant factors controlling particle distribution. Our findings suggest that subaqueous prodelta should be considered hot spots for the accumulation of MPs and associated pollutants, albeit the strong lateral heterogeneity in their abundances reflects changes in the relative influence of fluvial and marine processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Pellegrini
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Scienze Marine (ISMAR-CNR), Italy.
| | - F Saliu
- Earth and Environmental Science Department, University of Milano Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - A Bosman
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Geologia Ambientale e Geoingegneria (IGAG), Italy
| | - I Sammartino
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Scienze Marine (ISMAR-CNR), Italy
| | - C Raguso
- Earth and Environmental Science Department, University of Milano Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - A Mercorella
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Scienze Marine (ISMAR-CNR), Italy
| | - D S Galvez
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Scienze Marine (ISMAR-CNR), Italy
| | - A Petrizzo
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Scienze Marine (ISMAR-CNR), Italy
| | - F Madricardo
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Scienze Marine (ISMAR-CNR), Italy
| | - M Lasagni
- Earth and Environmental Science Department, University of Milano Bicocca, Milano, Italy
| | - M Clemenza
- INFN Sezione di Milano-Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 3, 20126 Milano, Italy
| | - F Trincardi
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Dipartimento di Scienze del Sistema Terra e Tecnologie per l'Ambiente (DSSTTA), Rome, Italy
| | - M Rovere
- Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche (CNR), Istituto di Scienze Marine (ISMAR-CNR), Italy
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12
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Lee J, Jeong S. Approach to an answer to "How dangerous microplastics are to the human body": A systematic review of the quantification of MPs and simultaneously exposed chemicals. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 460:132404. [PMID: 37672992 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.132404] [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: 06/17/2023] [Revised: 08/08/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/08/2023]
Abstract
This review aims to facilitate future research on microplastics (MPs) in the environment using systematic and analytical protocols, ultimately contributing to assessment of the risk to human health due to continuous daily exposure to MPs. Despite extensive studies on MP abundance in environment, identification, and treatment, their negative effects on human health remain unknown due to the lack of proof from clinical studies and limited technology on the MP identification. To assess the risk of MPs to human health, the first step is to estimate MP intake via ingestion, inhalation, and dermal contact under standardized exposure conditions in daily life. Furthermore, rather than focusing on the sole MPs, migrating chemicals from plastic products should be quantified and their health risk be assessed concurrently with MP release. The critical factors influencing MP release and simultaneously exposed chemicals (SECs) must be investigated using a standardized identification method. This review summarises release sources, factors, and possible routes of MPs from the environment to the human body, and the quantification methods used in risk assessment. We also discussed the issues encountered in MP release and SEC migration. Consequently, this review provides directions for future MP studies that can answer questions about MP toxicity to human health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jieun Lee
- Institute for Environment and Energy, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, South Korea
| | - Sanghyun Jeong
- Department of Environmental Engineering, Pusan National University, Busan 46241, South Korea.
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13
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Huang X, Chen Y, Meng Y, Liu G. Mitigating airborne microplastics pollution from perspectives of precipitation and underlying surface types. WATER RESEARCH 2023; 243:120385. [PMID: 37499539 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2023.120385] [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: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 05/29/2023] [Accepted: 07/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023]
Abstract
The issue of airborne microplastics (AMPs) pollution is receiving increasing attention, but effective solutions are still limited. In this study, AMPs were collected in pairs from an open space and under a tree (Ficus virens) in the suburb of Chengdu, southwest China, to investigate the current pollution status. The meteorological factors and underlying surface types were analyzed to investigate whether these factors could influence and mitigate the pollution of AMPs. The results showed that the fibrous AMPs accounted for the vast majority and the dominant polymers were polypropylene-polyethylene (PP-PE) and polypropylene (PP), with an average deposition flux of AMPs of 192 n/m2/d (22.41 µg/m2/d). Rainfall was found to have the prolonged scavenging efficiency for AMPs, which could extend to 8 to 48 hours after the end of rainfall, and this is a new insight into the relationship with meteorological factors. Interactions between the key underlying surface types and AMPs were also studied. The representative tree species (Ficus virens) had a low interception rate of 6.25% for AMPs and retained mainly small-sized AMPs and more fibers. The masses of AMPs loaded into Chengdu rivers could reach 1149 kg annually, with the unit mass load of 13.6 kg/km2 in urban rivers and 8.2 kg/km2 in suburban rivers. The masses intercepted by trees and bushes throughout the city only offset the masses loading in rivers, and open or sparse buildings were found to be sensitive areas for AMPs, which indicated the urgent need to control and mitigate the pollution of AMPs, especially in these sensitive areas. This work comprehensively analyzed the AMPs pollution from various perspectives and attempted to find ways to mitigate this pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohua Huang
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China; College of Water Resources and Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Yu Chen
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China; College of Water Resources and Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
| | - Yuchuan Meng
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China; College of Water Resources and Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China.
| | - Guodong Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Hydraulics and Mountain River Engineering, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China; College of Water Resources and Hydropower, Sichuan University, Chengdu 610065, China
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14
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Cooper AW, Rogers MM, Wiggin KJ, Slade JH. We Need a "Keeling Curve" Approach for Contaminants of Emerging Concern. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY 2023. [PMID: 37418673 DOI: 10.1021/acs.est.3c03813] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/09/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Adam W Cooper
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Mickey M Rogers
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, Washington 99354, United States
| | - Kara J Wiggin
- Scripps Institution of Oceanography, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
| | - Jonathan H Slade
- Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry, University of California, San Diego, La Jolla, California 92093, United States
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15
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Goßmann I, Herzke D, Held A, Schulz J, Nikiforov V, Georgi C, Evangeliou N, Eckhardt S, Gerdts G, Wurl O, Scholz-Böttcher BM. Occurrence and backtracking of microplastic mass loads including tire wear particles in northern Atlantic air. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3707. [PMID: 37349297 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-39340-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 06/05/2023] [Indexed: 06/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Few studies report the occurrence of microplastics (MP), including tire wear particles (TWP) in the marine atmosphere, and little data is available regarding their size or sources. Here we present active air sampling devices (low- and high-volume samplers) for the evaluation of composition and MP mass loads in the marine atmosphere. Air was sampled during a research cruise along the Norwegian coast up to Bear Island. Samples were analyzed with pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry, generating a mass-based data set for MP in the marine atmosphere. Here we show the ubiquity of MP, even in remote Arctic areas with concentrations up to 37.5 ng m-3. Cluster of polyethylene terephthalate (max. 1.5 ng m-3) were universally present. TWP (max. 35 ng m-3) and cluster of polystyrene, polypropylene, and polyurethane (max. 1.1 ng m-3) were also detected. Atmospheric transport and dispersion models, suggested the introduction of MP into the marine atmosphere equally from sea- and land-based emissions, transforming the ocean from a sink into a source for MP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Isabel Goßmann
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, P.O. Box 2503, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany
- Center for Marine Sensors, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, 26382, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | - Dorte Herzke
- NILU - Norwegian Institute for Air Research, The FRAM Centre, P.O. Box 6606, Langnes, 9296, Tromsø, Norway
- NIPH - Norwegian Institute for Public Health, P.O.Box 222 Skøyen,, 0213, Oslo, Norway
| | - Andreas Held
- Chair of Environmental Chemistry and Air Research, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Janina Schulz
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, P.O. Box 2503, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany
| | - Vladimir Nikiforov
- NILU - Norwegian Institute for Air Research, The FRAM Centre, P.O. Box 6606, Langnes, 9296, Tromsø, Norway
| | - Christoph Georgi
- Chair of Environmental Chemistry and Air Research, Technische Universität Berlin, 10623, Berlin, Germany
| | - Nikolaos Evangeliou
- NILU - Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Instituttveien 18, 2007, Kjeller, Norway
| | - Sabine Eckhardt
- NILU - Norwegian Institute for Air Research, Instituttveien 18, 2007, Kjeller, Norway
| | - Gunnar Gerdts
- Alfred Wegener Institute, Helmholtz Center for Polar and Marine Research, 27483, Heligoland, Germany
| | - Oliver Wurl
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, P.O. Box 2503, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany
- Center for Marine Sensors, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, 26382, Wilhelmshaven, Germany
| | - Barbara M Scholz-Böttcher
- Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment (ICBM), Carl von Ossietzky University of Oldenburg, P.O. Box 2503, 26111, Oldenburg, Germany.
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16
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Isa V, Becchi A, Napper IE, Ubaldi PG, Saliu F, Lavorano S, Galli P. Effects of polypropylene nanofibers on soft corals. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 327:138509. [PMID: 36996920 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138509] [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: 12/03/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/24/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Current information regarding the effects of both micro- and nano-plastic debris on coral reefs is limited; especially the toxicity onto corals from nano-plastics originating from secondary sources such as fibers from synthetic fabrics. Within this study, we exposed the alcyonacean coral Pinnigorgia flava to different concentrations of polypropylene secondary nanofibers (0.001, 0.1, 1.0 and 10 mg/L) and then assayed mortality, mucus production, polyps retraction, coral tissue bleaching, and swelling. The assay materials were obtained by artificially weathering non-woven fabrics retrieved from commercially available personal protective equipment. Specifically, polypropylene (PP) nanofibers displaying a hydrodynamic size of 114.7 ± 8.1 nm and a polydispersity index (PDI) of 0.431 were obtained after 180 h exposition in a UV light aging chamber (340 nm at 0.76 Wˑm-2ˑnm-1). After 72 h of PP exposure no mortality was observed but there were evident stress responses from the corals tested. Specifically, the application of nanofibers at different concentrations caused significant differences in mucus production, polyps retraction and coral tissue swelling (ANOVA, p < 0.001, p = 0.015 and p = 0.015, respectively). NOEC (No Observed Effect Concentration) and LOEC (Lowest Observed Effect concentration) at 72 h resulted 0.1 mg/L and 1 mg/L, respectively. Overall, the study indicates that PP secondary nanofibers can cause adverse effects on corals and could potentially act as a stress factor in coral reefs. The generality of the method of producing and assaying the toxicity of secondary nanofibers from synthetic textiles is also discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerio Isa
- Earth and Environmental Science Department, University of Milano Bicocca, MI, 20126, Italy; MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll, Maldives; Costa Edutainment SpA - Acquario di Genova, GE, 16128, Italy
| | - Alessandro Becchi
- Earth and Environmental Science Department, University of Milano Bicocca, MI, 20126, Italy
| | - Imogen Ellen Napper
- International Marine Litter Research Unit, School of Biological and Marine Sciences, University of Plymouth, Drake's Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK
| | - Paolo Giuseppe Ubaldi
- Earth and Environmental Science Department, University of Milano Bicocca, MI, 20126, Italy
| | - Francesco Saliu
- Earth and Environmental Science Department, University of Milano Bicocca, MI, 20126, Italy.
| | - Silvia Lavorano
- Costa Edutainment SpA - Acquario di Genova, GE, 16128, Italy
| | - Paolo Galli
- Earth and Environmental Science Department, University of Milano Bicocca, MI, 20126, Italy; MaRHE Center (Marine Research and High Education Center), Magoodhoo Island, Faafu Atoll, Maldives; University of Dubai, Dubai, P.O. Box 14143, United Arab Emirates
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17
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O'Brien S, Rauert C, Ribeiro F, Okoffo ED, Burrows SD, O'Brien JW, Wang X, Wright SL, Thomas KV. There's something in the air: A review of sources, prevalence and behaviour of microplastics in the atmosphere. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 874:162193. [PMID: 36828069 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.162193] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 25.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 02/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/08/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Literature regarding microplastics in the atmosphere has advanced in recent years. However, studies have been undertaken in isolation with minimal collaboration and exploration of the relationships between air, deposition and dust. This review collates concentrations (particle count and mass-based), shape, size and polymetric characteristics for microplastics in ambient air (m3), deposition (m2/day), dust (microplastics/g) and snow (microplastics/L) from 124 peer-reviewed articles to provide a holistic overview and analysis of our current knowledge. In summary, ambient air featured concentrations between <1 to >1000 microplastics/m3 (outdoor) and <1 microplastic/m3 to 1583 ± 1181 (mean) microplastics/m3 (indoor), consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene. No difference (p > 0.05) was observed between indoor and outdoor concentrations or the minimum size of microplastics (p > 0.5). Maximum microplastic sizes were larger indoors (p < 0.05). Deposition concentrations ranged between 0.5 and 1357 microplastics/m2/day (outdoor) and 475 to 19,600 microplastics/m2/day (indoor), including polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate. Concentrations varied between indoor and outdoor deposition (p < 0.05), being more abundant indoors, potentially closer to sources/sinks. No difference was observed between the minimum or maximum reported microplastic sizes within indoor and outdoor deposition (p > 0.05). Road dust concentrations varied between 2 ± 2 and 477 microplastics/g (mean), consisting of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene. Mean outdoor dust concentrations ranged from <1 microplastic/g (remote desert) to between 18 and 225 microplastics/g, comprised of polyethylene terephthalate, polyamide, polypropylene. Snow concentrations varied between 0.1 and 30,000 microplastics/L, containing polyethylene, polyamide, polypropylene. Concentrations within indoor dust varied between 10 and 67,000 microplastics/g, including polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene. No difference was observed between indoor and outdoor concentrations (microplastics/g) or maximum size (p > 0.05). The minimum size of microplastics were smaller within outdoor dust (p > 0.05). Although comparability is hindered by differing sampling methods, analytical techniques, polymers investigated, spectral libraries and inconsistent terminology, this review provides a synopsis of knowledge to date regarding atmospheric microplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stacey O'Brien
- Queensland Alliance of Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia.
| | - Cassandra Rauert
- Queensland Alliance of Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Francisca Ribeiro
- Queensland Alliance of Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia; College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, EX4 4QD, Stocker Road, Exeter, UK
| | - Elvis D Okoffo
- Queensland Alliance of Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Stephen D Burrows
- Queensland Alliance of Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia; College of Life and Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Geoffrey Pope Building, EX4 4QD, Stocker Road, Exeter, UK
| | - Jake W O'Brien
- Queensland Alliance of Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Xianyu Wang
- Queensland Alliance of Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
| | - Stephanie L Wright
- MRC Centre for Environment and Health, Imperial College London, London SE1 9NH, UK; National Institute for Health Research Health Protection Research Unit (NIHR HPRU) in Environmental Exposures and Health, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Kevin V Thomas
- Queensland Alliance of Environmental Health Sciences, The University of Queensland, 20 Cornwall Street, Woolloongabba, Queensland 4102, Australia
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18
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Catarino AI, León MC, Li Y, Lambert S, Vercauteren M, Asselman J, Janssen CR, Everaert G, De Rijcke M. Micro- and nanoplastics transfer from seawater to the atmosphere through aerosolization under controlled laboratory conditions. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2023; 192:115015. [PMID: 37172341 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 05/01/2023] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Sea spray has been suggested to enable the transfer of micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) from the ocean to the atmosphere, but only a few studies support the role of sea spray aerosols (SSAs) as a source of airborne particles. We demonstrated that MNPs are aerosolized during wave action, via SSAs, under controlled laboratory conditions. We used a mini-Marine-Aerosol-Reference-Tank (miniMART), a device that mimics naturally occurring physical mechanisms producing SSAs, and assessed the aerosolization of fluorescent polystyrene beads (0.5-10 μm), in artificial seawater. The SSAs contained up to 18,809 particles/mL of aerosols for 0.5 μm beads, with an enrichment factor of 19-fold, and 1977 particles/mL of aerosols for 10 μm beads with a 2-fold enrichment factor. Our study demonstrates that the use of the miniMART is essential to assess MNPs aerosolization in a standardized way, supporting the hypothesis which states that MNPs in the surface of the ocean may be transferred to the atmosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Isabel Catarino
- Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), Research Division, Ocean and Human Health, InnovOcean Campus, Jacobsenstraat 1, 8400 Oostende, Belgium.
| | - Maria Camila León
- Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), Research Division, Ocean and Human Health, InnovOcean Campus, Jacobsenstraat 1, 8400 Oostende, Belgium; Free University of Brussels (VUB), Faculty of Sciences and Bioengineering Sciences, Pleinlaan 2 - room F806, 1050 Brussels, Belgium; Ghent University, Faculty of Sciences, Krijgslaan 281,9000 Gent, Belgium; Antwerp University, Faculty of Sciences, Groenenborgerlaan 171, 2020 Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Yunmeng Li
- Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), Research Division, Ocean and Human Health, InnovOcean Campus, Jacobsenstraat 1, 8400 Oostende, Belgium; Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Wetenschapspark 1, Bluebridge, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
| | - Silke Lambert
- Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Wetenschapspark 1, Bluebridge, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
| | - Maaike Vercauteren
- Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Wetenschapspark 1, Bluebridge, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
| | - Jana Asselman
- Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Wetenschapspark 1, Bluebridge, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
| | - Colin R Janssen
- Blue Growth Research Lab, Ghent University, Wetenschapspark 1, Bluebridge, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
| | - Gert Everaert
- Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), Research Division, Ocean and Human Health, InnovOcean Campus, Jacobsenstraat 1, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
| | - Maarten De Rijcke
- Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), Research Division, Ocean and Human Health, InnovOcean Campus, Jacobsenstraat 1, 8400 Oostende, Belgium
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19
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Zhang R, Jia X, Wang K, Lu L, Li F, Li J, Xu L. Characteristics, sources and influencing factors of atmospheric deposition of microplastics in three different ecosystems of Beijing, China. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 883:163567. [PMID: 37094671 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.163567] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 04/06/2023] [Accepted: 04/14/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
As the research on microplastics (MPs) has intensified, more attention has been paid to MPs deposition in the atmosphere. This study further explores and compares the characteristics, the possible sources and influencing factors of deposition of MPs in three different ecosystems: forest, agricultural and residential area in Beijing. It was found that the deposited plastics were mostly white or black fibres, with PET and RY as the main MPs types. The range of deposition fluxes was 67.06-461.02 item·m-2·d-1, with highest deposition in residential area and lowest in forest, significant differences in MPs characteristics between environments. Based on MPs composition and shape, combined with backward trajectory analysis, the main sources of MPs were found to be textiles. Deposition of MPs was found to be influenced by environmental and meteorological factors. Factors such as gross domestic product and population density had a significant impact on the deposition flux, while wind played a diluting role for atmospheric MPs. The study investigated the characteristics of MPs in different ecosystems which may help to understand the transport patterns of MPs and is of great importance for the management of MPs pollution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ruixuan Zhang
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Xiaoxu Jia
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and `, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China
| | - Kang Wang
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Luli Lu
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Fang Li
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China
| | - Jing Li
- Key Laboratory of Ecosystem Network Observation and `, Institute of Geographical Sciences and Natural Resources Research, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100101, China.
| | - Li Xu
- Institute of Quality Standard and Testing Technology, Beijing Academy of Agriculture and Forestry Sciences, Beijing 100097, China; Risk Assessment Lab for Agro-products (Beijing), Ministry of Agriculture, China.
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20
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Nawab J, Khan H, Ghani J, Zafar MI, Khan S, Toller S, Fatima L, Hamza A. New insights into the migration, distribution and accumulation of micro-plastic in marine environment: A critical mechanism review. CHEMOSPHERE 2023; 330:138572. [PMID: 37088212 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138572] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2022] [Revised: 03/18/2023] [Accepted: 03/31/2023] [Indexed: 05/03/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are widely distributed in the marine environment, posing a significant threat to marine biota. The contribution of anthropogenic and terrestrial sources to the aquatic ecosystem has led to an increase in MPs findings, and their abundance in aquatic biota has been reported to be of concern. MPs are formed mainly via photo degradation of macroplastics (large plastic debris), and their release into the environment is a result of the degradation of additives. Eco-toxicological risks are increasing for marine organisms, due to the ingestion of MPs, which cause damage to gastrointestinal (GI) tracts and stomach. Plastics with a size <5 mm are considered MPs, and they are commonly identified by Raman spectroscopy, Fourier transfer infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and Laser direct infrared (LDIR). The size, density and additives are the main factors influencing the abundance and bioavailability of MPs. The most abundant type of MPs found in fishes are fiber, polystyrenes, and fragments. These microscale pellets cause physiological stress and growth deformities by targeting the GI tracts of fishes and other biota. Approximately 80% MPs come from terrestrial sources, either primary, generated during different products such as skin care products, tires production and the use of MPs as carrier for pharmaceutical products, or secondary plastics, disposed of near coastal areas and water bodies. The issue of MPs and their potential effects on the marine ecosystem require proper attention. Therefore, this study conducted an extensive literature review on assessing MPs levels in fishes, sediments, seawater, their sources, and effects on marine biota (especially on fishes), chemo-physical behavior and the techniques used for their identification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Javed Nawab
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Kohat University of Science & Technology, Kohat, Pakistan.
| | - Haris Khan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Junaid Ghani
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Mazhar Iqbal Zafar
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, 45320, Pakistan
| | - Sardar Khan
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Kohat University of Science & Technology, Kohat, Pakistan; Department of Environmental Sciences, University of Peshawar, Peshawar, 25120, Pakistan
| | - Simone Toller
- Department of Biological, Geological and Environmental Sciences, Alma Mater Studiorum University of Bologna, 40126, Bologna, Italy
| | - Laraib Fatima
- Department of Environmental Sciences, Abdul Wali Khan University, Mardan, 2300, Pakistan
| | - Amir Hamza
- Department of Soil & Environmental Sciences, The University of Agriculture Peshawar, Peshawar, Pakistan
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Wang Q, Tian C, Shi B, Wang D, Feng C. Efficiency and mechanism of micro- and nano-plastic removal with polymeric Al-Fe bimetallic coagulants: Role of Fe addition. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2023; 448:130978. [PMID: 36860083 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.130978] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2022] [Revised: 01/26/2023] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
The occurrence of microplastics (MPs) and even nanoplastics (NPs) in tap water has raised considerable attention. As a pre-treatment and also the most important process in drinking water treatment plants, coagulation has been widely studied to remove MPs, but few studies focused on the removal pattern and mechanism of NPs, especially no study paid attention to the coagulation enhanced by prehydrolysed Al-Fe bimetallic coagulants. Therefore, in this study, polymeric species and coagulation behaviour of MPs and NPs influenced by Fe fraction in polymeric Al-Fe coagulants were investigated. Special attention was given to the residual Al and the floc formation mechanism. The results showed that asynchronous hydrolysis of Al and Fe sharply decreases the polymeric species in coagulants and that the increase of Fe proportion changes the sulfate sedimentation morphology from dendritic to layered structures. Fe weakened the electrostatic neutralization effect and inhibited the removal of NPs but enhanced that of MPs. Compared with monomeric coagulants, the residual Al decreased by 17.4 % and 53.2 % in the MP and NP systems (p < 0.01), respectively. With no new bonds detected in flocs, the interaction between micro/nanoplastics and Al/Fe was merely electrostatic adsorption. According to the mechanism analysis, sweep flocculation and electrostatic neutralization were the dominant removal pathways of MPs and NPs, respectively. This work provides a better coagulant option for removing micro/nanoplastics and minimizing Al residue, which has promising potential for application in water purification.
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Affiliation(s)
- Qixuan Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China
| | - Chenhao Tian
- The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China
| | - Baoyou Shi
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China
| | - Dongsheng Wang
- Key Laboratory of Drinking Water Science and Technology, Research Center for Eco-Environmental Sciences, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing 100085, PR China
| | - Chenghong Feng
- State Key Laboratory of Water Environment Simulation, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China; The Key Laboratory of Water and Sediment Sciences, Ministry of Education, School of Environment, Beijing Normal University, Beijing 100875, PR China.
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22
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Azari A, Vanoirbeek JAJ, Van Belleghem F, Vleeschouwers B, Hoet PHM, Ghosh M. Sampling strategies and analytical techniques for assessment of airborne micro and nano plastics. ENVIRONMENT INTERNATIONAL 2023; 174:107885. [PMID: 37001214 DOI: 10.1016/j.envint.2023.107885] [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: 11/07/2022] [Revised: 03/13/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
The atmosphere is pervasively polluted by microplastics and nano plastics (M/NPs) released into indoor and outdoor areas. However, various methodologies and their limitations along with non-standardization make the comparison of information concerning their prevalence difficult. Such diversity in techniques greatly limits the interpretation of results. Herein, We extracted data from publications on PubMed and Embase database up to the year 2022 regarding sampling strategies, identification methods, and reporting data for M/NPs quantification. In this review, 5 major areas for measuring airborne M/NPs have been identified including pre-sampling/ sampling/ post-sampling/ analysis/ and contamination avoidance. There are many challenges specific to each of those sections that need to be resolved through further method development and harmonization. This review mainly focuses on the different methods for collecting atmospheric M/NPs and also the analytical tools which have been used for their identification. While passive sampling is the most user-friendly method, the most precise and reproducible approach for collecting plastic particles is an active method which is directly followed by visual counting as the most common physical analysis technique. Polymers collected using visual sorting are most frequently identified by spectroscopy (FTIR; Raman). However, destructive analytical techniques (thermal degradation) also provide precise chemical information. In all cases, the methods were screened for advantages, limitations, and fieldwork abilities. This review outlines and critiques knowledge gaps, and recommendations to support standardized and comparable future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aala Azari
- Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Jeroen A J Vanoirbeek
- Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Frank Van Belleghem
- Centre for Environmental Sciences, Department of Biology, Hasselt University Hasselt, Belgium
| | - Brent Vleeschouwers
- Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Peter H M Hoet
- Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
| | - Manosij Ghosh
- Environment and Health, Department of Public Health and Primary Care, KU Leuven, Herestraat 49, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.
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23
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Pashaei R, Sabaliauskaitė V, Suzdalev S, Balčiūnas A, Putna-Nimane I, Rees RM, Dzingelevičienė R. Assessing the Occurrence and Distribution of Microplastics in Surface Freshwater and Wastewaters of Latvia and Lithuania. TOXICS 2023; 11:292. [PMID: 37112519 PMCID: PMC10146209 DOI: 10.3390/toxics11040292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2023] [Revised: 03/11/2023] [Accepted: 03/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/19/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic concentrations in surface water and wastewater collected from Daugavpils and Liepaja cities in Latvia, as well as Klaipeda and Siauliai cities in Lithuania, were measured in July and December 2021. Using optical microscopy, polymer composition was characterized using micro-Raman spectroscopy. The average abundance of microplastics in surface water and wastewater samples was 16.63 ± 20.29 particles/L. The dominant shape group of microplastics in water was fiber, with dominant colors found to be blue (61%), black (36%), and red (3%) in Latvia. Similar distribution in Lithuania was found, i.e., fiber (95%) and fragments (5%) with dominant colors, such as blue (53%), black (30%), red (9%), yellow (5%), and transparent (3%). The micro-Raman spectroscopy spectra of visible microplastics were identified to be polyethylene terephthalate (33%) and polyvinyl chloride (33%), nylon (12%), polyester (PS) (11%), and high-density polyethylene (11%). In the study area, municipal and hospital wastewater from catchment areas were the main reasons for the contamination of microplastics in the surface water and wastewater of Latvia and Lithuania. It is possible to reduce pollution loads by implementing measures such as raising awareness, installing more high-tech wastewater treatment plants, and reducing plastic use.
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Affiliation(s)
- Reza Pashaei
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, 92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | | | - Sergej Suzdalev
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, 92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | - Arūnas Balčiūnas
- Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, 92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
| | | | - Robert M. Rees
- Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3JG, UK
| | - Reda Dzingelevičienė
- Faculty of Health Sciences, Marine Research Institute, Klaipeda University, 92294 Klaipeda, Lithuania
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24
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Landrigan PJ, Raps H, Cropper M, Bald C, Brunner M, Canonizado EM, Charles D, Chiles TC, Donohue MJ, Enck J, Fenichel P, Fleming LE, Ferrier-Pages C, Fordham R, Gozt A, Griffin C, Hahn ME, Haryanto B, Hixson R, Ianelli H, James BD, Kumar P, Laborde A, Law KL, Martin K, Mu J, Mulders Y, Mustapha A, Niu J, Pahl S, Park Y, Pedrotti ML, Pitt JA, Ruchirawat M, Seewoo BJ, Spring M, Stegeman JJ, Suk W, Symeonides C, Takada H, Thompson RC, Vicini A, Wang Z, Whitman E, Wirth D, Wolff M, Yousuf AK, Dunlop S. The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health. Ann Glob Health 2023; 89:23. [PMID: 36969097 PMCID: PMC10038118 DOI: 10.5334/aogh.4056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 48] [Impact Index Per Article: 48.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 03/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Plastics have conveyed great benefits to humanity and made possible some of the most significant advances of modern civilization in fields as diverse as medicine, electronics, aerospace, construction, food packaging, and sports. It is now clear, however, that plastics are also responsible for significant harms to human health, the economy, and the earth's environment. These harms occur at every stage of the plastic life cycle, from extraction of the coal, oil, and gas that are its main feedstocks through to ultimate disposal into the environment. The extent of these harms not been systematically assessed, their magnitude not fully quantified, and their economic costs not comprehensively counted. Goals The goals of this Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health are to comprehensively examine plastics' impacts across their life cycle on: (1) human health and well-being; (2) the global environment, especially the ocean; (3) the economy; and (4) vulnerable populations-the poor, minorities, and the world's children. On the basis of this examination, the Commission offers science-based recommendations designed to support development of a Global Plastics Treaty, protect human health, and save lives. Report Structure This Commission report contains seven Sections. Following an Introduction, Section 2 presents a narrative review of the processes involved in plastic production, use, and disposal and notes the hazards to human health and the environment associated with each of these stages. Section 3 describes plastics' impacts on the ocean and notes the potential for plastic in the ocean to enter the marine food web and result in human exposure. Section 4 details plastics' impacts on human health. Section 5 presents a first-order estimate of plastics' health-related economic costs. Section 6 examines the intersection between plastic, social inequity, and environmental injustice. Section 7 presents the Commission's findings and recommendations. Plastics Plastics are complex, highly heterogeneous, synthetic chemical materials. Over 98% of plastics are produced from fossil carbon- coal, oil and gas. Plastics are comprised of a carbon-based polymer backbone and thousands of additional chemicals that are incorporated into polymers to convey specific properties such as color, flexibility, stability, water repellence, flame retardation, and ultraviolet resistance. Many of these added chemicals are highly toxic. They include carcinogens, neurotoxicants and endocrine disruptors such as phthalates, bisphenols, per- and poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), brominated flame retardants, and organophosphate flame retardants. They are integral components of plastic and are responsible for many of plastics' harms to human health and the environment.Global plastic production has increased almost exponentially since World War II, and in this time more than 8,300 megatons (Mt) of plastic have been manufactured. Annual production volume has grown from under 2 Mt in 1950 to 460 Mt in 2019, a 230-fold increase, and is on track to triple by 2060. More than half of all plastic ever made has been produced since 2002. Single-use plastics account for 35-40% of current plastic production and represent the most rapidly growing segment of plastic manufacture.Explosive recent growth in plastics production reflects a deliberate pivot by the integrated multinational fossil-carbon corporations that produce coal, oil and gas and that also manufacture plastics. These corporations are reducing their production of fossil fuels and increasing plastics manufacture. The two principal factors responsible for this pivot are decreasing global demand for carbon-based fuels due to increases in 'green' energy, and massive expansion of oil and gas production due to fracking.Plastic manufacture is energy-intensive and contributes significantly to climate change. At present, plastic production is responsible for an estimated 3.7% of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than the contribution of Brazil. This fraction is projected to increase to 4.5% by 2060 if current trends continue unchecked. Plastic Life Cycle The plastic life cycle has three phases: production, use, and disposal. In production, carbon feedstocks-coal, gas, and oil-are transformed through energy-intensive, catalytic processes into a vast array of products. Plastic use occurs in every aspect of modern life and results in widespread human exposure to the chemicals contained in plastic. Single-use plastics constitute the largest portion of current use, followed by synthetic fibers and construction.Plastic disposal is highly inefficient, with recovery and recycling rates below 10% globally. The result is that an estimated 22 Mt of plastic waste enters the environment each year, much of it single-use plastic and are added to the more than 6 gigatons of plastic waste that have accumulated since 1950. Strategies for disposal of plastic waste include controlled and uncontrolled landfilling, open burning, thermal conversion, and export. Vast quantities of plastic waste are exported each year from high-income to low-income countries, where it accumulates in landfills, pollutes air and water, degrades vital ecosystems, befouls beaches and estuaries, and harms human health-environmental injustice on a global scale. Plastic-laden e-waste is particularly problematic. Environmental Findings Plastics and plastic-associated chemicals are responsible for widespread pollution. They contaminate aquatic (marine and freshwater), terrestrial, and atmospheric environments globally. The ocean is the ultimate destination for much plastic, and plastics are found throughout the ocean, including coastal regions, the sea surface, the deep sea, and polar sea ice. Many plastics appear to resist breakdown in the ocean and could persist in the global environment for decades. Macro- and micro-plastic particles have been identified in hundreds of marine species in all major taxa, including species consumed by humans. Trophic transfer of microplastic particles and the chemicals within them has been demonstrated. Although microplastic particles themselves (>10 µm) appear not to undergo biomagnification, hydrophobic plastic-associated chemicals bioaccumulate in marine animals and biomagnify in marine food webs. The amounts and fates of smaller microplastic and nanoplastic particles (MNPs <10 µm) in aquatic environments are poorly understood, but the potential for harm is worrying given their mobility in biological systems. Adverse environmental impacts of plastic pollution occur at multiple levels from molecular and biochemical to population and ecosystem. MNP contamination of seafood results in direct, though not well quantified, human exposure to plastics and plastic-associated chemicals. Marine plastic pollution endangers the ocean ecosystems upon which all humanity depends for food, oxygen, livelihood, and well-being. Human Health Findings Coal miners, oil workers and gas field workers who extract fossil carbon feedstocks for plastic production suffer increased mortality from traumatic injury, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, silicosis, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer. Plastic production workers are at increased risk of leukemia, lymphoma, hepatic angiosarcoma, brain cancer, breast cancer, mesothelioma, neurotoxic injury, and decreased fertility. Workers producing plastic textiles die of bladder cancer, lung cancer, mesothelioma, and interstitial lung disease at increased rates. Plastic recycling workers have increased rates of cardiovascular disease, toxic metal poisoning, neuropathy, and lung cancer. Residents of "fenceline" communities adjacent to plastic production and waste disposal sites experience increased risks of premature birth, low birth weight, asthma, childhood leukemia, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and lung cancer.During use and also in disposal, plastics release toxic chemicals including additives and residual monomers into the environment and into people. National biomonitoring surveys in the USA document population-wide exposures to these chemicals. Plastic additives disrupt endocrine function and increase risk for premature births, neurodevelopmental disorders, male reproductive birth defects, infertility, obesity, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, and cancers. Chemical-laden MNPs formed through the environmental degradation of plastic waste can enter living organisms, including humans. Emerging, albeit still incomplete evidence indicates that MNPs may cause toxicity due to their physical and toxicological effects as well as by acting as vectors that transport toxic chemicals and bacterial pathogens into tissues and cells.Infants in the womb and young children are two populations at particularly high risk of plastic-related health effects. Because of the exquisite sensitivity of early development to hazardous chemicals and children's unique patterns of exposure, plastic-associated exposures are linked to increased risks of prematurity, stillbirth, low birth weight, birth defects of the reproductive organs, neurodevelopmental impairment, impaired lung growth, and childhood cancer. Early-life exposures to plastic-associated chemicals also increase the risk of multiple non-communicable diseases later in life. Economic Findings Plastic's harms to human health result in significant economic costs. We estimate that in 2015 the health-related costs of plastic production exceeded $250 billion (2015 Int$) globally, and that in the USA alone the health costs of disease and disability caused by the plastic-associated chemicals PBDE, BPA and DEHP exceeded $920 billion (2015 Int$). Plastic production results in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions equivalent to 1.96 gigatons of carbon dioxide (CO2e) annually. Using the US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) social cost of carbon metric, we estimate the annual costs of these GHG emissions to be $341 billion (2015 Int$).These costs, large as they are, almost certainly underestimate the full economic losses resulting from plastics' negative impacts on human health and the global environment. All of plastics' economic costs-and also its social costs-are externalized by the petrochemical and plastic manufacturing industry and are borne by citizens, taxpayers, and governments in countries around the world without compensation. Social Justice Findings The adverse effects of plastics and plastic pollution on human health, the economy and the environment are not evenly distributed. They disproportionately affect poor, disempowered, and marginalized populations such as workers, racial and ethnic minorities, "fenceline" communities, Indigenous groups, women, and children, all of whom had little to do with creating the current plastics crisis and lack the political influence or the resources to address it. Plastics' harmful impacts across its life cycle are most keenly felt in the Global South, in small island states, and in disenfranchised areas in the Global North. Social and environmental justice (SEJ) principles require reversal of these inequitable burdens to ensure that no group bears a disproportionate share of plastics' negative impacts and that those who benefit economically from plastic bear their fair share of its currently externalized costs. Conclusions It is now clear that current patterns of plastic production, use, and disposal are not sustainable and are responsible for significant harms to human health, the environment, and the economy as well as for deep societal injustices.The main driver of these worsening harms is an almost exponential and still accelerating increase in global plastic production. Plastics' harms are further magnified by low rates of recovery and recycling and by the long persistence of plastic waste in the environment.The thousands of chemicals in plastics-monomers, additives, processing agents, and non-intentionally added substances-include amongst their number known human carcinogens, endocrine disruptors, neurotoxicants, and persistent organic pollutants. These chemicals are responsible for many of plastics' known harms to human and planetary health. The chemicals leach out of plastics, enter the environment, cause pollution, and result in human exposure and disease. All efforts to reduce plastics' hazards must address the hazards of plastic-associated chemicals. Recommendations To protect human and planetary health, especially the health of vulnerable and at-risk populations, and put the world on track to end plastic pollution by 2040, this Commission supports urgent adoption by the world's nations of a strong and comprehensive Global Plastics Treaty in accord with the mandate set forth in the March 2022 resolution of the United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).International measures such as a Global Plastics Treaty are needed to curb plastic production and pollution, because the harms to human health and the environment caused by plastics, plastic-associated chemicals and plastic waste transcend national boundaries, are planetary in their scale, and have disproportionate impacts on the health and well-being of people in the world's poorest nations. Effective implementation of the Global Plastics Treaty will require that international action be coordinated and complemented by interventions at the national, regional, and local levels.This Commission urges that a cap on global plastic production with targets, timetables, and national contributions be a central provision of the Global Plastics Treaty. We recommend inclusion of the following additional provisions:The Treaty needs to extend beyond microplastics and marine litter to include all of the many thousands of chemicals incorporated into plastics.The Treaty needs to include a provision banning or severely restricting manufacture and use of unnecessary, avoidable, and problematic plastic items, especially single-use items such as manufactured plastic microbeads.The Treaty needs to include requirements on extended producer responsibility (EPR) that make fossil carbon producers, plastic producers, and the manufacturers of plastic products legally and financially responsible for the safety and end-of-life management of all the materials they produce and sell.The Treaty needs to mandate reductions in the chemical complexity of plastic products; health-protective standards for plastics and plastic additives; a requirement for use of sustainable non-toxic materials; full disclosure of all components; and traceability of components. International cooperation will be essential to implementing and enforcing these standards.The Treaty needs to include SEJ remedies at each stage of the plastic life cycle designed to fill gaps in community knowledge and advance both distributional and procedural equity.This Commission encourages inclusion in the Global Plastic Treaty of a provision calling for exploration of listing at least some plastic polymers as persistent organic pollutants (POPs) under the Stockholm Convention.This Commission encourages a strong interface between the Global Plastics Treaty and the Basel and London Conventions to enhance management of hazardous plastic waste and slow current massive exports of plastic waste into the world's least-developed countries.This Commission recommends the creation of a Permanent Science Policy Advisory Body to guide the Treaty's implementation. The main priorities of this Body would be to guide Member States and other stakeholders in evaluating which solutions are most effective in reducing plastic consumption, enhancing plastic waste recovery and recycling, and curbing the generation of plastic waste. This Body could also assess trade-offs among these solutions and evaluate safer alternatives to current plastics. It could monitor the transnational export of plastic waste. It could coordinate robust oceanic-, land-, and air-based MNP monitoring programs.This Commission recommends urgent investment by national governments in research into solutions to the global plastic crisis. This research will need to determine which solutions are most effective and cost-effective in the context of particular countries and assess the risks and benefits of proposed solutions. Oceanographic and environmental research is needed to better measure concentrations and impacts of plastics <10 µm and understand their distribution and fate in the global environment. Biomedical research is needed to elucidate the human health impacts of plastics, especially MNPs. Summary This Commission finds that plastics are both a boon to humanity and a stealth threat to human and planetary health. Plastics convey enormous benefits, but current linear patterns of plastic production, use, and disposal that pay little attention to sustainable design or safe materials and a near absence of recovery, reuse, and recycling are responsible for grave harms to health, widespread environmental damage, great economic costs, and deep societal injustices. These harms are rapidly worsening.While there remain gaps in knowledge about plastics' harms and uncertainties about their full magnitude, the evidence available today demonstrates unequivocally that these impacts are great and that they will increase in severity in the absence of urgent and effective intervention at global scale. Manufacture and use of essential plastics may continue. However, reckless increases in plastic production, and especially increases in the manufacture of an ever-increasing array of unnecessary single-use plastic products, need to be curbed.Global intervention against the plastic crisis is needed now because the costs of failure to act will be immense.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philip J. Landrigan
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Medical Biology Department, MC
| | - Hervé Raps
- Centre Scientifique de Monaco, Medical Biology Department, MC
| | - Maureen Cropper
- Economics Department, University of Maryland, College Park, US
| | - Caroline Bald
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Patrick Fenichel
- Université Côte d’Azur
- Centre Hospitalier, Universitaire de Nice, FR
| | - Lora E. Fleming
- European Centre for Environment and Human Health, University of Exeter Medical School, UK
| | | | | | | | - Carly Griffin
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | - Mark E. Hahn
- Biology Department, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US
- Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, US
| | - Budi Haryanto
- Department of Environmental Health, Universitas Indonesia, ID
- Research Center for Climate Change, Universitas Indonesia, ID
| | - Richard Hixson
- College of Medicine and Health, University of Exeter, UK
| | - Hannah Ianelli
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | - Bryan D. James
- Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution
- Department of Biology, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US
| | | | - Amalia Laborde
- Department of Toxicology, School of Medicine, University of the Republic, UY
| | | | - Keith Martin
- Consortium of Universities for Global Health, US
| | - Jenna Mu
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | | | - Adetoun Mustapha
- Nigerian Institute of Medical Research, Lagos, Nigeria
- Lead City University, NG
| | - Jia Niu
- Department of Chemistry, Boston College, US
| | - Sabine Pahl
- University of Vienna, Austria
- University of Plymouth, UK
| | | | - Maria-Luiza Pedrotti
- Laboratoire d’Océanographie de Villefranche sur mer (LOV), Sorbonne Université, FR
| | | | | | - Bhedita Jaya Seewoo
- Minderoo Foundation, AU
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, AU
| | | | - John J. Stegeman
- Biology Department and Woods Hole Center for Oceans and Human Health, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, US
| | - William Suk
- Superfund Research Program, National Institutes of Health, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, US
| | | | - Hideshige Takada
- Laboratory of Organic Geochemistry (LOG), Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology, JP
| | | | | | - Zhanyun Wang
- Technology and Society Laboratory, WEmpa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials and Technology, CH
| | - Ella Whitman
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | | | | | - Aroub K. Yousuf
- Global Observatory on Planetary Health, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, MA, US
| | - Sarah Dunlop
- Minderoo Foundation, AU
- School of Biological Sciences, The University of Western Australia, AU
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25
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Islam MS, Hasan MR, Islam Z. Abundance, characteristics, and spatial-temporal distribution of microplastics in sea salts along the Cox's Bazar coastal area, Bangladesh. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2023; 30:19994-20005. [PMID: 36242671 DOI: 10.1007/s11356-022-23596-3] [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: 05/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/09/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs), together with microfibers, have emerged as a contaminant of concern all around the globe. MPs have been detected in freshwater, seawater, sediment, and aquatic species among others. As suggested by several recent investigations, sea salts, a daily intake item by humans, are also contaminated by MPs. The current article describes MPs' occurrence, distribution, type, and timeline variation in raw sea salts from Cox's Bazar, Bangladesh. MPs have been detected in every collected salt sample, and quantity varied from 28.53 ± 2.43 to 93.53 ± 4.21 particles per kg, which was about 52.48 ± 1.72 to 67.46 ± 3.81 µg/kg of raw salt. Microfibers were MPs' dominant shape category, and the plastic types were mainly polyester or nylon. Other types of MPs were polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polycarbonate (PC), polyurethane (PU), and polystyrene (PS) in decreasing amounts. The majority of the MPs in the sea salts were in the size range of ˂ 3-1 mm. The total amount of MPs and plastic-type variation due to sampling location (p ˃ 0.05) and because of the time period (p ˃ 0.05) was found insignificant. Acetaldehyde, a volatile toxic substance produced by the degradation of polyester polymer chains, was detected in MPs in the range of 0.37 to 1.72 µg/g by headspace GC-MS analysis. Hence, the sea salts contaminated with MPs pose a public health hazard. Microplastics extraction from sea salts and their characterization.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Saiful Islam
- Fiber and Polymer Research Division, BCSIR Laboratories Dhaka, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh.
| | - Md Rashed Hasan
- Fiber and Polymer Research Division, BCSIR Laboratories Dhaka, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh
| | - Zahidul Islam
- Fiber and Polymer Research Division, BCSIR Laboratories Dhaka, Bangladesh Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (BCSIR), Dhaka, 1205, Bangladesh
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26
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Gunaalan K, Almeda R, Lorenz C, Vianello A, Iordachescu L, Papacharalampos K, Rohde Kiær CM, Vollertsen J, Nielsen TG. Abundance and distribution of microplastics in surface waters of the Kattegat/ Skagerrak (Denmark). ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2023; 318:120853. [PMID: 36509350 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 12/06/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous pollutants in the ocean, and there is a general concern about their persistence and potential effects on marine ecosystems. We still know little about the smaller size-fraction of marine MPs (MPs <300 μm), which are not collected with standard nets for MPs monitoring (e.g., Manta net). This study aims to determine the concentration, composition, and size distribution of MPs down to 10 μm in the Kattegat/Skagerrak area. Surface water samples were collected at fourteen stations using a plastic-free pump-filter device (UFO sampler) in October 2020. The samples were treated with an enzymatic-oxidative method and analyzed using FPA-μFTIR imaging. MPs concentrations ranged between 11 and 87 MP m-3, with 88% of the MPs being smaller than 300 μm. The most abundant shape of MPs were fragments (56%), and polyester, polypropylene, and polyethylene were the dominant synthetic polymer types. The concentration of MPs shows a significant positive correlation to the seawater density. Furthermore, there was a tendency towards higher MPs concentrations in the Northern and the Southern parts of the study area. The concentration of MPs collected with the UFO sampler was several orders of magnitude higher than those commonly found in samples collected with the Manta net due to the dominance of MP smaller size fractions. Despite the multiple potential sources of MPs in the study area, the level of MPs pollution in the surface waters was low compared (<100 MP m-3) to other regions. The concentrations of MPs found in the studied surface waters were six orders of magnitude lower than those causing negative effects on pelagic organisms based on laboratory exposure studies, thus is not expected to cause any impact on the pelagic food web.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kuddithamby Gunaalan
- National Institute of Aquatic Resource, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark; Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Denmark.
| | - Rodrigo Almeda
- National Institute of Aquatic Resource, Technical University of Denmark, Denmark; University Institute for Research in Sustainable Aquaculture and Marine Ecosystems (IU-ECOAQUA, EOMAR), Department of Biology, University of Las Palmas of Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Claudia Lorenz
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Denmark
| | - Alvise Vianello
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Denmark
| | | | | | | | - Jes Vollertsen
- Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Denmark
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Kadac-Czapska K, Knez E, Gierszewska M, Olewnik-Kruszkowska E, Grembecka M. Microplastics Derived from Food Packaging Waste-Their Origin and Health Risks. MATERIALS (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2023; 16:674. [PMID: 36676406 PMCID: PMC9866676 DOI: 10.3390/ma16020674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/04/2023] [Accepted: 01/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
Plastics are commonly used for packaging in the food industry. The most popular thermoplastic materials that have found such applications are polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and polystyrene (PS). Unfortunately, most plastic packaging is disposable. As a consequence, significant amounts of waste are generated, entering the environment, and undergoing degradation processes. They can occur under the influence of mechanical forces, temperature, light, chemical, and biological factors. These factors can present synergistic or antagonistic effects. As a result of their action, microplastics are formed, which can undergo further fragmentation and decomposition into small-molecule compounds. During the degradation process, various additives used at the plastics' processing stage can also be released. Both microplastics and additives can negatively affect human and animal health. Determination of the negative consequences of microplastics on the environment and health is not possible without knowing the course of degradation processes of packaging waste and their products. In this article, we present the sources of microplastics, the causes and places of their formation, the transport of such particles, the degradation of plastics most often used in the production of packaging for food storage, the factors affecting the said process, and its effects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kornelia Kadac-Czapska
- Department of Bromatology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Eliza Knez
- Department of Bromatology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland
| | - Magdalena Gierszewska
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Physicochemistry of Polymers, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Ewa Olewnik-Kruszkowska
- Department of Physical Chemistry and Physicochemistry of Polymers, Faculty of Chemistry, Nicolaus Copernicus University in Toruń, 87-100 Toruń, Poland
| | - Małgorzata Grembecka
- Department of Bromatology, Faculty of Pharmacy, Medical University of Gdańsk, 80-416 Gdańsk, Poland
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28
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Gao S, Yan K, Liang B, Shu R, Wang N, Zhang S. The different ways microplastics from the water column and sediment accumulate in fish in Haizhou Bay. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 854:158575. [PMID: 36075424 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.158575] [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: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 09/03/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Global microplastic (MP) pollution is a serious environmental problem that has been found in various ecosystems, especially marine ecosystems. In this study, the water (surface, middle and bottom water), sediment and fish (pelagic, demersal and benthic fish) in the artificial reef area and adjacent waters in Haizhou Bay were collected, and the mechanism of MP transmission among the three media was analyzed. The results showed that >96 % of the plastics in the region were MPs. The shape of MPs was mainly fibrous (water (73.3 %), sediment (56 %), fish (95.3 %)), color was mainly blue (water (49.3 %), sediment (47 %), fish (72.3 %)), and the material was mainly PET (water (39.6 %), sediment (33 %), fish (86.6 %)). We found that, except for the natural deposition of MPs, MPs could be ingested by pelagic fish and transmitted through vertical movement in the water, while there was an interaction between MPs in benthic fishes and the middle-bottom waters. In addition, as relevant variables, body length and body weight were more likely to explain the number of MPs ingested by fishes than were δ13C and δ15N. Therefore, based on the linear relationship between δ15N and body length, we concluded that there was a weak trophic magnification effect of MPs ingested by fish in this region. This study provides unique information for further exploring the factors influencing the spatial distribution of MPs and the transmission mechanism of MPs in fish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shike Gao
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Kai Yan
- College of Marine Ecology and Environment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Baogui Liang
- College of Marine Ecology and Environment, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Ruilin Shu
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Nuo Wang
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China
| | - Shuo Zhang
- College of Marine Sciences, Shanghai Ocean University, Shanghai 201306, China; Joint Laboratory for Monitoring and Conservation of Aquatic Living Resources In the Yangtze Estuary, Shanghai 200000, China.
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29
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Wang X, Wei N, Liu K, Zhu L, Li C, Zong C, Li D. Exponential decrease of airborne microplastics: From megacity to open ocean. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2022; 849:157702. [PMID: 35908694 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.157702] [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: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 06/19/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric transport has been recognized as an important route for microplastics (MPs) entering the ocean since the early 2019s, yet little data of their distribution patterns in marine air are currently available. In this study, we conducted continuous measurements of atmospheric MPs in the marine boundary layer across the western Pacific Ocean. Results suggested that synthetic MPs comprised 25.89 % of all identified particles, with the most being cotton and cellulose (51.68 %). Research revealed that atmospheric synthetic microfibers (22.54 %) are higher than the proportion of the surface oceanic synthetic microfibers (8.20 %) in the recent study. Further, the size of airborne MP fibers over open ocean is probably not the limiting factor during long-range transport. The mean abundance of atmospheric MPs over the western Pacific Ocean during sampling period was 0.841 ± 0.698 items/100 m3. Regression analysis revealed an exponential relationship between average MP abundance and average longitude of sampled stations, and the average abundance of airborne MPs in coastal megacity is three orders of magnitude higher than that in sampled marine air of western Pacific. This study provides a better understanding on the impact of atmospheric transport of MPs within the global plastic cycle.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaohui Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Nian Wei
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Kai Liu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Lixin Zhu
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Changjun Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Changxing Zong
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, China
| | - Daoji Li
- State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, East China Normal University, 500 Dongchuan Road, Shanghai 200241, China.
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Lee M, Kim H, Ryu HS, Moon J, Khant NA, Yu C, Yu JH. Review on invasion of microplastic in our ecosystem and implications. Sci Prog 2022; 105:368504221140766. [PMID: 36426552 PMCID: PMC10306144 DOI: 10.1177/00368504221140766] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 08/11/2023]
Abstract
Today the world is going through the "Plastic Age." Nowadays, it is difficult to find a commonly used convenient item that is nonplastic. Plastic production and consumption, thus, increased exponentially and plastic emerged as one of the major concerns for waste management. Recent studies confirmed a faster rate of plastic degradation than previously believed under various conditions (e.g. saltwater, UV, soil interaction) that microplastic has become a new type of health-hazardous pollution source. Much research has been conducted since the discovery of the "Pacific Garbage Patch," and the scope has expanded from marine to soil, groundwater, air, and food chain. This article underwent a substantial amount of literature review to verify the degree of microplastic pollution progression in major pillars of the environment (aqueous, terrestrial, airborne, bio-organism, and human). Multiple kinds of literature indicated a high possibility of vigorous interaction among the pillars that microplastic is not stationary at the point of contamination but travels across the nation (transboundary) and medium (transmedium). Thus, only the waste reduction policy (i.e. production and consumption reduction) would be effective through a single national or local effort, while pollution and contamination management require more of a collective, if not global, approach. For these characteristics, this article proposes two most urgently required actions to combat microplastic pollution: (a) global acknowledgement of microplastic as transboundary and transmedium pollution source that require international collective action and (b) standardization of microplastic related research including basic definition and experimental specification to secure global comparativeness among data analysis. Without resolving these two issues, it could be very difficult to obtain an accurate global status mapping of microplastic pollution to design effective and efficient global microplastic pollution management policies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minha Lee
- Department of Geology, Kangwon National
University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Heejung Kim
- Department of Geology, Kangwon National
University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Han-Sun Ryu
- Department of Geology, Kangwon National
University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinah Moon
- Department of Geology, Kangwon National
University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Naing Aung Khant
- Department of Geology, Kangwon National
University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Chaerim Yu
- Department of Geology, Kangwon National
University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
| | - Ji-Hee Yu
- Department of Geology, Kangwon National
University, Chuncheon, Republic of Korea
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31
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Finnegan AMD, Süsserott R, Gabbott SE, Gouramanis C. Man-made natural and regenerated cellulosic fibres greatly outnumber microplastic fibres in the atmosphere. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2022; 310:119808. [PMID: 35926740 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119808] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2022] [Revised: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 07/16/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Atmospheric microplastics have been widely reported in studies around the world. Microfibres are often the dominant morphology found by researchers, although synthetic (i.e., plastic) microfibres are typically just a fraction of the total number of microfibres, with other, non-synthetic, cellulosic microfibres frequently being reported. This study set out to review existing literature to determine the relative proportion of cellulosic and synthetic atmospheric anthropogenic (man-made) microfibres, discuss trends in the microfibre abundances, and outline proposed best-practices for future studies. We conducted a systematic review of the existing literature and identified 33 peer-reviewed articles from Scopus and Google Scholar searches that examined cellulosic microfibres and synthetic microfibres in the atmosphere. Multiple analyses indicate that cellulosic microfibres are considerably more common than synthetic microfibres. FT-IR and Raman spectroscopy data obtained from 24 studies, showed that 57% of microfibres were cellulosic and 23% were synthetic. The remaining were either inorganic, or not determined. In total, 20 studies identified more cellulosic microfibres, compared to 11 studies which identified more synthetic microfibres. The data show that cellulosic microfibres are 2.5 times more abundant between 2016 and 2022, however, the proportion of cellulosic microfibres appear to be decreasing, while synthetic microfibres are increasing. We expect a crossover to happen by 2030, where synthetic microfibres will be dominant in the atmosphere. We propose that future studies on atmospheric anthropogenic microfibres should include information on natural and regenerated cellulosic microfibres, and design studies which are inclusive of cellulosic microfibres during analysis and reporting. This will allow researchers to monitor trends in the composition of atmospheric microfibers and will help address the frequent underestimation of cellulosic microfibre abundance in the atmosphere.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Rebekah Süsserott
- Geography Department, National University of Singapore, 1 Arts Link, #03-01 Block AS2, Singapore 117570, Singapore
| | - Sarah E Gabbott
- School of Geography, Geology and Environment, University of Leicester, University Road, Leicester, LE1 7RH, UK
| | - Chris Gouramanis
- Research School of Earth Sciences, The Australian National University, Building 142, Mills Road, Acton, ACT 2601, Australia
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32
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Huang D, Chen H, Shen M, Tao J, Chen S, Yin L, Zhou W, Wang X, Xiao R, Li R. Recent advances on the transport of microplastics/nanoplastics in abiotic and biotic compartments. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2022; 438:129515. [PMID: 35816806 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.129515] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2022] [Revised: 06/27/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 05/14/2023]
Abstract
Plastics enter the environment and break up into microplastics (MPs) and even nanoplastics (NPs) by biotic and abiotic weathering. These small particles are widely distributed in the environmental media and extremely mobile and reactive, easily suspending in the air, infiltrating into the soil, and interacting with biota. Current research on MPs/NPs is either in the abiotic or biotic compartments, with little attention paid to the fact that the biosphere as a whole. To better understand the complex and continuous movement of plastics from biological to planetary scales, this review firstly discusses the transport processes and drivers of microplastics in the macroscopic compartment. We then summarize insightfully the uptake pathways of MPs/NPs by different species in the ecological compartment and analyze the internalization mechanisms of NPs in the organism. Finally, we highlight the bioaccumulation potential, biomagnification effects and trophic transfer of MPs/NPs in the food chain. This work is expected to provide a meaningful theoretical body of knowledge for understanding the biogeochemical cycles of plastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Danlian Huang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China.
| | - Haojie Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Maocai Shen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Jiaxi Tao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Sha Chen
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Lingshi Yin
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Xinya Wang
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Ruihao Xiao
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
| | - Ruijin Li
- College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China; Key Laboratory of Environmental Biology and Pollution Control (Hunan University), Ministry of Education, Changsha, Hunan 410082, China
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33
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Microplastics Affect the Inflammation Pathway in Human Gingival Fibroblasts: A Study in the Adriatic Sea. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:ijerph19137782. [PMID: 35805437 PMCID: PMC9266176 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph19137782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2022] [Revised: 06/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
The level of environmental microplastics in the sea is constantly increasing. They can enter the human body with food, be absorbed through the gut and have negative effects on the organism’s health after its digestion. To date, microplastics (MPs) are considered new environmental pollutants in the air sea and they are attracting wide attention. The possible toxic effects of MPs isolated at different sea depths of 1, 24 and 78 m were explored in an in vitro model of human gingival fibroblasts (hGFs). MPs isolated from the sea showed different size and were then divided into different sample groups: 1, 24 and 78 m. The results obtained revealed that MPs are able to activate the inflammatory pathway NFkB/MyD88/NLRP3. In detail, the exposure to MPs from 1 and 78 m led to increased levels of inflammatory markers NFkB, MyD88 and NLRP3 in terms of proteins and gene expression. Moreover, cells exposed to MPs showed a lower metabolic activity rate compared to unexposed cells. In conclusion, these findings demonstrate that the inflammation process is stimulated by MPs exposure, providing a new perspective to better understand the intracellular mechanism.
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