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Domínguez-Hernández C, Vega-Moreno D, Villanova-Solano C, Hernández-Sánchez C, Lambre ME, Hernández-Borges J. Characterization of pyroplastics from the North Atlantic. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 208:116960. [PMID: 39270560 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116960] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2024] [Revised: 09/04/2024] [Accepted: 09/06/2024] [Indexed: 09/15/2024]
Abstract
This work describes for the first time the presence of pyroplastics in the Canary Islands (Spain). A total of 300 pyroplastics, identified between 2021 and 2024 in three beaches of the island of Tenerife, present mainly grey and dark colors, a mean weight of 6.8 ± 13.4 g and mean dimensions of 34.2 ± 17.0 mm (X), 24.5 ± 12.2 mm (Y) and 14.4 ± 6.4 (Z). A wide variety of encapsulated and semi-encapsulated materials were also found in the pyroplastics matrix, such as rocks, wood, charcoal and unmelted plastic inclusions. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy analysis revealed that polyethylene and polypropylene were the main types of plastic found, 61.3 % and 33.6 %, respectively. However, an important number of pyroplastics composed of more than one polymer were also found, coexisting even mixtures of polyester and polyethylene or polyethylene and styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene in the same matrix. X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy analysis revealed the presence of a wide range of elements, being remarkable the high concentration of some heavy metals such as Pb and Cr, registering mean concentration values of 205.3 ± 6.3 mg·kg-1 and 51.1 ± 8.9 mg·kg-1, respectively. A good correlation was also found for these two metals in a total of 22 pyroplastics, which could be indicative of the presence of PbCrO4 as additive, widely used in the plastic industry for its bright yellow color, but currently regulated and restricted due to its harmful effects on human and environment health. Also noteworthy is the large variety of remains of marine organisms identified attached to the surface of the pyroplastics, such as algae, bryozoans, arthropods and molluscs, among others, which could indicate that these formations may act as a transport vector for such marine organisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cristopher Domínguez-Hernández
- Departamento de Química, Unidad Departamental de Química Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n°, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n°, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Daura Vega-Moreno
- Departamento de Química, Universidad de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria (ULPGC), Juan de Quesada, s/n°, 35001 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
| | - Cristina Villanova-Solano
- Departamento de Química, Unidad Departamental de Química Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n°, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n°, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Cintia Hernández-Sánchez
- Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n°, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; Departamento de Obstetricia y Ginecología, Pediatría, Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Toxicología, Medicina Forense y Legal y Parasitología, Área de Medicina Preventiva y Salud Pública, Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud, C/ Sta. María Soledad, s/n°, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Spain
| | - Maria Elisa Lambre
- Departamento de Biología Animal, Edafología y Geología, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n°, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain
| | - Javier Hernández-Borges
- Departamento de Química, Unidad Departamental de Química Analítica, Facultad de Ciencias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n°, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain; Instituto Universitario de Enfermedades Tropicales y Salud Pública de Canarias, Universidad de La Laguna (ULL), Avda. Astrofísico Fco. Sánchez, s/n°, 38206 San Cristóbal de La Laguna, Spain.
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Gunasekaran K, Mghili B, De-la-Torre GE, Sompongchaiyakul P, Rangel-Buitrago N, Wang X, Charoenpong C. First record of plastiglomerates, pyroplastics and plasticrusts along the beaches of Tamilnadu, Southeast coast of India. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 205:116594. [PMID: 38875967 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116594] [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: 04/11/2024] [Revised: 06/10/2024] [Accepted: 06/10/2024] [Indexed: 06/16/2024]
Abstract
Plastic litter affects coastal and marine ecosystems globally. This study represents the first record of pyroplastics and plasticrust in the beaches of Tamil Nadu, India. All samples were FTIR spectroscopically examined to confirm the polymer composition of the suspected plastics. The 16 plastic formations were found in TamilNadu, including six plastiglomerates nine pyroplastics and one plasticrust. Five types of polymers (PET, PP, PVC, PA, and PE) were found on the plastic matrices. The study also revealed that pyroplastics and plasticrust formed by degradation of plastics through weathering in the coastal environment. The present study also found that four types of marine fouling organisms such as oyster larvae, bryozoan, barnacle and polychaete worm were encrusted on the two pyroplastics. The emergence of these new forms of plastic raises concerns about their interactions with the environment and biota.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kannan Gunasekaran
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
| | - Bilal Mghili
- LESCB, URL-CNRST N 18, Abdelmalek Essaadi University, Faculty of Sciences, Tetouan, Morocco
| | - Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación de Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Sociedad, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru
| | - Penjai Sompongchaiyakul
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand.
| | - Nelson Rangel-Buitrago
- Programade Fisica, Facultad de Ciencias Basicas, Universidad del Atlantico, Barranquilla, Atlantico, Colombia
| | - Xianfeng Wang
- Asian School of the Environment, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
| | - Chawalit Charoenpong
- Department of Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok 10330, Thailand
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3
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Cyvin JB, Nixon FC. Plastic litter affected by heat or pressure: A review of current research on remoulded plastic litter. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 924:171498. [PMID: 38458458 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.171498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/03/2024] [Indexed: 03/10/2024]
Abstract
Pyroplastic, plastiglomerates, anthropogenic rocks, plasticrusts, pebble clasts, plastitar, plastisoil and anthropoquinas are examples of terms that have been used to describe the secondary products of plastic litter that have been melted, moulded, pressed, or cemented together with other plastic litter and/or minerogenic sediments or organic matter, either naturally or anthropogenically. Such processes may also favor the formation of new geological features containing plastics, such as coastal landforms or sedimentary rocks. Further research and classification of this secondary plastic litter is critical for understanding the implications of this emerging contaminant as well as to create well-targeted measures to reduce it. The literature review as presented includes 32 peer-reviewed articles published between 1997 and June 2023, all of which describe various burnt or otherwise remoulded plastic litter from around the world. Based on our review we propose a new umbrella term for the different forms of secondary plastic litter that have been modified by heat or pressure: Remoulded Plastic Litter (RPL). If accepted by the research community, important steps for future research and policy will be to implement RPL into the OSPAR protocol for monitoring and assessment of marine litter and thereby fill knowledge gaps of the geographic distribution of RPLs and their potential toxicities to nature and humans. It is clear that the distribution of RPL research spans the globe, however, studies in Africa, Oceania, large tracts of the polar regions, and terrestrial areas in general, are scarce to absent, as are ecotoxicological studies and recommendations for policy development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Bonnevie Cyvin
- Department of Geography, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.
| | - Francis Chantel Nixon
- Department of Geography, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway
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Sempere-Valverde J, Saenz-Arias P, Martynova A, Benzarti O, Bouhlel R, de la Cuadra CMLF, Guerra-García JM, Chebaane S. Plasticlusters: A marine litter microhabitat in a marina of Tunisia, N Africa. MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN 2024; 202:116389. [PMID: 38677103 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2024.116389] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 04/12/2024] [Accepted: 04/15/2024] [Indexed: 04/29/2024]
Abstract
Plastic debris is a significant and rapidly developing ecological issue in coastal marine ecosystems, especially in areas where it accumulates. This study introduces "plasticlusters", a new form of floating debris agglomeration found in the Yasmine Hammamet marina (Tunisia, North-Africa), loosely attached to pontoon ropes around the water surface level. The analysis of two samples revealed that they were formed primarily by average 2.11 mm polystyrene fragments, 3.43 mm fibers, 104 mm polypropylene and polyethylene sheets, and 122 mm decomposing seagrass leaves. They were inhabited by several taxa, including at least 2 cryptogenic and 5 non-indigenous species (NIS). Unlike other plastic formations, plasticlusters provide a novel and potentially temporal microhabitat to fouling assemblages due to their loose and unconsolidated structure which, combined with marinas being NIS hubs, could enhance NIS dispersion. The results of this study raise concerns about the combined ecological effects of debris accumulation and biocontamination inside marinas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Juan Sempere-Valverde
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda Reina Mercedes 6, 41012 Sevilla, Spain; Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia.
| | - Pablo Saenz-Arias
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda Reina Mercedes 6, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Anastasiia Martynova
- Biological and Environmental Sciences and Engineering (BESE), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Thuwal 23955-6900, Saudi Arabia; Red Sea Research Center (RSRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia; Computational Bioscience Research Center (CBRC), King Abdullah University of Science and Technology (KAUST), Saudi Arabia
| | - Ons Benzarti
- Research Laboratory LR14ES06 "Bioresources: Integrative Biology and Valorization", Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, Avenue Tahar Hadded, BP 74, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia; Association Notre Grand Bleu (NGB, NGO), Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Ramla Bouhlel
- Research Laboratory LR14ES06 "Bioresources: Integrative Biology and Valorization", Higher Institute of Biotechnology of Monastir, Avenue Tahar Hadded, BP 74, 5000 Monastir, Tunisia; Association Notre Grand Bleu (NGB, NGO), Monastir, Tunisia
| | - Carlos María López Fe de la Cuadra
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda Reina Mercedes 6, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - José Manuel Guerra-García
- Laboratorio de Biología Marina, Departamento de Zoología, Facultad de Biología, Universidad de Sevilla, Avda Reina Mercedes 6, 41012 Sevilla, Spain
| | - Sahar Chebaane
- MARE - Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre/ARNET - Aquatic Research Network, Regional Agency for the Development of Research, Technology and Innovation (ARDITI), Funchal, Portugal; Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Campo Grande Ed. C1, 1700 Lisboa, Portugal
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Ribeiro VV, Avelino Soares TM, De-la-Torre GE, Casado-Coy N, Sanz-Lazaro C, Castro ÍB. Microplastics in rocky shore mollusks of different feeding habits: An assessment of sentinel performance. ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (BARKING, ESSEX : 1987) 2024; 346:123571. [PMID: 38373623 DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2024.123571] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 02/10/2024] [Accepted: 02/13/2024] [Indexed: 02/21/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) accumulation in rocky shore organisms has limited knowledge. This study investigated MPs accumulation in filter-feeding oysters, herbivorous limpets and carnivorous snails to assess their performance as sentinel species in the MPs trophic transfer. The samples were obtained along a contamination gradient in the Santos Estuarine System, Brazil. All three studied species showed MPs concentrations related to the contamination gradient, being the oysters the species that showed the highest levels, followed by limpets and snails (average of less and most contaminated sites of 1.06-8.90, 2.28-5.69 and 0.44-2.10 MP g-1, respectively), suggesting that MPs ingestion rates are linked to feeding habits. MPs were mainly polystyrene and polyacetal. The polymer types did not vary among sites nor species. Despite minor differences in percentages and diversity of size, shape, and color classes, the analyzed species were equally able to demonstrate dominance of small, fiber, transparent, black and blue MPs. Thus, oysters, limpets, and snails are proposed as sentinels of MPs in monitoring assessments.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre
- Grupo de Investigación de Biodiversidad, Medio Ambiente y Sociedad, Universidad San Ignacio de Loyola, Lima, Peru
| | - Nuria Casado-Coy
- Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies (MIES), Universidad de Alicante, Spain
| | - Carlos Sanz-Lazaro
- Multidisciplinary Institute for Environmental Studies (MIES), Universidad de Alicante, Spain; Departamento de Ecología, Universidad de Alicante, Alicante, Spain
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Nguyen MK, Rakib MRJ, Nguyen HL, Lin C, Malafaia G, Idris AM. A mini-review on plasticrusts: occurrence, current trends, potential threats, and recommendations for coastal sustainability. ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING AND ASSESSMENT 2024; 196:137. [PMID: 38200343 DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-12318-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/12/2024]
Abstract
Plasticrusts manifest as a coating on intertidal rocks due to environmental exposure. They refer to crushed plastic debris that blankets rocks found along intertidal shorelines. This study significantly contributes to a better understanding of the occurrence of these novel plastic formations, shedding light on their potential pathways of formation during the Anthropocene era. The research provides comprehensive insights into the composition, origins, challenges, and effective management strategies for removing coastal plastic litter. The findings of this investigation offer valuable evidence regarding the formation and impact of these recently discovered plastic items in coastal regions, prompting discussions about their formation processes and their effects on the marine ecosystem. Recognizing that these newly emerged plastic litter pose a considerable threat to the marine environment is crucial. With their emergence, we face an environmental challenge, especially concerning the health of coastal ecosystems. Plasticrusts, when degraded, can release microplastics (MPs) and nanoparticles (NPs) into the surrounding environment. These micro- and nano-sized plastic particles pose significant ecological risks as they persist in ecosystems, potentially harming wildlife and entering the food chain, causing widespread environmental contamination. Significantly, it outlines strategies to minimize the impact of this emerging plastic debris and its source.
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Affiliation(s)
- Minh-Ky Nguyen
- Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Nong Lam University of Ho Chi Minh City, Hamlet 6, Linh Trung Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City, 700000, Vietnam
- Ph.D. Program in Maritime Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 81157, Taiwan
| | - Md Refat Jahan Rakib
- Department of Fisheries and Marine Science, Faculty of Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur, Noakhali, 3814, Bangladesh.
| | - Hoang-Lam Nguyen
- Department of Civil Engineering, McGill University, Montreal, Canada
| | - Chitsan Lin
- Ph.D. Program in Maritime Science and Technology, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 81157, Taiwan
- Department of Marine Environmental Engineering, National Kaohsiung University of Science and Technology, Kaohsiung, 81157, Taiwan
| | - Guilherme Malafaia
- Post-Graduation Program in Ecology, Conservation, and Biodiversity, Federal University of Uberlândia, Uberlândia, MG, Brazil.
- Post-Graduation Program in Biotechnology and Biodiversity, Federal University of Goiás, Goiânia, GO, Brazil.
- Post-Graduation Program in Conservation of Cerrado Natural Resources, Goiano Federal Institute, Urutaí, GO, Brazil.
| | - Abubakr M Idris
- Department of Chemistry, College of Science, King Khalid University, Abha, 62529, Saudi Arabia
- Research Center for Advanced Materials Science (RCAMS), King Khalid University, Abha, 62529, Saudi Arabia
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Ellrich JA, Ehlers SM, Furukuma S, Pogoda B, Koop JHE. Characterization of three plastic forms: Plasticoncrete, plastimetal and plastisessiles. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2023; 895:165073. [PMID: 37355116 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.165073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 05/14/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/26/2023]
Abstract
Plastic forms, including plastiglomerate, pyroplastic, plasticrusts, anthropoquinas, plastistone and plastitar, were recorded worldwide. These plastic forms derive from geochemical or geophysical interactions such as heat-induced plastic fusion with rock in campfires, incomplete plastic combustion, water motion-driven plastic abrasion in the rocky intertidal zone, plastic deposition in hardened sediments and plastic bonding with tar. Thereby, these interactions can profoundly influence the fate of plastics in the environment. This study characterized three novel plastic forms (plasticoncrete, plastimetal and plastisessiles) discovered on Helgoland island (North Sea). Plasticoncrete consisted of common polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) fibers hardened in concrete. Plastimetal included PE fibers rusted with metal. Plastisessiles consisted of PE fibers attached to benthic substrates by sessile invertebrates (oysters and polychaetes). Plasticoncrete and plastimetal are the first plastic forms composed of two man-made materials. Plastisessiles show that plastic forms not only result from human- or environment-mediated interactions but also from biological interactions between invertebrates and plastic. All plastic forms (bulk density ≥ 1.4 g/cm3) sunk during floating tests and hardly changed their positions during a 13-day field experiment and 153- to 306-day field monitorings, indicating their local formation, limited mobility and longevity. Still, experimentally detached plastic fibers floated, confirming that the formation of these plastic forms influences the fate of plastic fibers in the environment. Furthermore, the experiment showed that plasticoncrete got deposited in beach sand under wavy and windy conditions, indicating that coastal waves and onshore winds drive plasticoncrete deposition in coastal sediments. We also provide first records of plasticoncrete on Mallorca island (Mediterranean Sea) and plastimetal on Hikoshima island (Sea of Japan), respectively, which show that these plastic forms are no local phenomena. Thereby, our study contributes to the growing fundamental knowledge of plastic forms that is essential to understand the role and fate of these pollutants in coastal habitats worldwide.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julius A Ellrich
- Shelf Sea System Ecology, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, 27498 Helgoland, Germany
| | - Sonja M Ehlers
- Department of Animal Ecology, Federal Institute of Hydrology, 56068 Koblenz, Germany.
| | - Shunji Furukuma
- Independent Researcher, 409-24 Kiwanami, Ube City, Yamaguchi 7590207, Japan
| | - Bernadette Pogoda
- Shelf Sea System Ecology, Alfred Wegener Institute Helmholtz Centre for Polar and Marine Research, 27498 Helgoland, Germany
| | - Jochen H E Koop
- Department of Animal Ecology, Federal Institute of Hydrology, 56068 Koblenz, Germany; Institute for Integrated Natural Sciences, University of Koblenz, 56070 Koblenz, Germany
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