Tire wear particles in the aquatic environment – a review on generation, analysis, occurrence, fate and
effects,

Water Research, Available online 24 March 2018, ISSN 0043-1354,

Abstract:
Tire wear particles (TWP), generated from tire material during use on
roads have gained increasing attention as part of organic particulate
contaminants, such as microplastic, in aquatic environments. The
available information on properties and generation of TWP, analytical
techniques to determine TWP, emissions, occurrence and behavior and
ecotoxicological effects of TWP are reviewed with a focus on surface
water as a potential receptor. TWP emissions are traffic related and
contribute 5 – 30 % to non-exhaust emissions from traffic. The mass of
TWP generated is estimated at 1,327,000 t/a for the European Union,
1,120,000 t/a for the United States and 133,000 t/a for Germany. For
Germany, this is equivalent to four times the amount of pesticides used.
The mass of TWP ultimately entering the aquatic environment strongly
depends on the extent of collection and treatment of road runoff, which
is highly variable. For the German highways it is estimated that up to
11,000 t/a of TWP reach surface waters. Data on TWP concentrations in
the environment, including surface waters are fragmentary, which is also
due to the lack of suitable analytical methods for their determination.
Information on TWP properties such as density and size distribution are
missing; this hampers assessing the fate of TWP in the aquatic
environment. Effects in the aquatic environment may stem from TWP itself
or from compounds released from TWP. It is concluded that reliable
knowledge on transport mechanism to surface waters, concentrations in
surface waters and sediments, effects of aging, environmental half-lives
of TWP as well as effects on aquatic organisms are missing. These
aspects need to be addressed to allow for the assessment of risk of TWP
in an aquatic environment.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1XW4YwVz84_O8AWLa21beJ53p4rNYKM7Z
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.watres.2018.03.051.(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0043135418302471)

https://www.theoceancleanup.com/updates/the-exponential-increase-of-the-great-pacific-garbage-patch/

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Evidence that the Great Pacific Garbage Patch is rapidly accumulating plastic

Scientific Reportsvolume 8, Article number: 4666 (2018)
doi:10.1038/s41598-018-22939-w

Abstract
Ocean plastic can persist in sea surface waters, eventually accumulating
in remote areas of the world’s oceans. Here we characterise and quantify
a major ocean plastic accumulation zone formed in subtropical waters
between California and Hawaii: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch (GPGP).
Our model, calibrated with data from multi-vessel and aircraft surveys,
predicted at least 79 (45–129) thousand tonnes of ocean plastic are
floating inside an area of 1.6 million km2; a figure four to sixteen
times higher than previously reported. We explain this difference
through the use of more robust methods to quantify larger debris. Over
three-quarters of the GPGP mass was carried by debris larger than 5 cm
and at least 46% was comprised of fishing nets. Microplastics accounted
for 8% of the total mass but 94% of the estimated 1.8 (1.1–3.6) trillion
pieces floating in the area. Plastic collected during our study has
specific characteristics such as small surface-to-volume ratio,
indicating that only certain types of debris have the capacity to
persist and accumulate at the surface of the GPGP. Finally, our results
suggest that ocean plastic pollution within the GPGP is increasing
exponentially and at a faster rate than in surrounding waters.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-018-22939-w.pdf

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1x3aEssgUnZvrWCG5B41y2bS_3ySCRvhf

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Effects of microplastic exposure on the body condition and behaviour of
planktivorous reef fish (Acanthochromis polyacanthus)

PLoS ONE 13(3): e0193308.

Abstract

The effect of a pollutant on the base of the food web can have knock-on
effects for trophic structure and ecosystem functioning. In this study
we assess the effect of microplastic exposure on juveniles of a
planktivorous fish (Acanthochromis polyacanthus), a species that is
widespread and abundant on Indo-Pacific coral reefs. Under five
different plastic concentration treatments, with plastics the same size
as the natural food particles (mean 2mm diameter), there was no
significant effect of plastic exposure on fish growth, body condition or
behaviour. The amount of plastics found in the gastro-intestinal (GI)
tract was low, with a range of one to eight particles remaining in the
gut of individual fish at the end of a 6-week plastic-exposure period,
suggesting that these fish are able to detect and avoid ingesting
microplastics in this size range. However, in a second experiment the
number of plastics in the GI tract vastly increased when plastic
particle size was reduced to approximately one quarter the size of the
food particles, with a maximum of 2102 small (< 300μm diameter)
particles present in the gut of individual fish after a 1-week plastic
exposure period. Under conditions where food was replaced by plastic,
there was a negative effect on the growth and body condition of the
fish. These results suggest plastics could become more of a problem as
they break up into smaller size classes, and that environmental changes
that lead to a decrease in plankton concentrations combined with
microplastic presence is likely have a greater influence on fish
populations than microplastic presence alone.

http://journals.plos.org/plosone/article/file?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0193308&type=printable

https://drive.google.com/open?id=12DyuiHQPUaS44ibBtQxjhnUkPAc-7YIi

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0193308

Supporting information

S1 File. Feeding procedure for the experiments.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0193308.s001

(DOCX)

S2 File. Details of the length-weight relationships of the three
clutches.
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0193308.s002

(DOCX)

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1hnSyFkmMrOoXa5k3iSkXZ2tWywTAufin
https://drive.google.com/open?id=134Rj67BKLwpCef34sOkXszmQgoD0IZPp

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Microplastics in wastewater: State of the knowledge on sources, fate and solutions,

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 129,
Issue 1, April 2018, Pages 262-265, ISSN 0025-326X,

Abstract:

Microplastics are ubiquitous contaminants that could harm ecosystems.
Wastewater contains microplastics and may lead to further contamination
of the environment. This focus article presents a summary of current
knowledge on microplastics in wastewater and possible solutions,
suggesting current research needs.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1Yt0Xu7dfd1fygq0U9nRZY-P0OAL-zkVh

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.02.046.(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X18301346)

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Technologies for the marking of fishing gear to identify gear components entangled on marine animals and to reduce
abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear,

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 129, Issue 1, April 2018, Pages 253-261, ISSN 0025-326X,

Abstract:

Fishing gears are marked to establish and inform origin, ownership and
position. More recently, fishing gears are marked to aid in capacity
control, reduce marine litter due to abandoned, lost or otherwise
discarded fishing gear (ALDFG) and assist in its recovery, and to combat
illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing. Traditionally,
physical marking, inscription, writing, color, shape, and tags have been
used for ownership and capacity purposes. Buoys, lights, flags, and
radar reflectors are used for marking of position. More recently,
electronic devices have been installed on marker buoys to enable easier
relocation of the gear by owner vessels. This paper reviews gear marking
technologies with focus on coded wire tags, radio frequency
identification tags, Automatic Identification Systems, advanced
electronic buoys for pelagic longlines and fish aggregating devices, and
re-location technology if the gear becomes lost.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1mFEsrI-yLGtiTAWMjmv55-8CU-A02-AW
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.02.033.(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X18301218)

The post Technologies for the marking of fishing gear to identify gear components entangled on marine animals and to reduce abandoned, lost or otherwise discarded fishing gear appeared first on One Earth - One Ocean e. V..

Application of an enzyme digestion method reveals microlitter in Mytilus trossulus at a wastewater discharge area,

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 130, May 2018, Pages 206-214, ISSN 0025-326X,

Abstract:

The ingestion of microlitter by blue mussels (450) was studied at a
wastewater recipient area in the Baltic Sea. The mussel soft tissues
were digested using enzymatic detergents and the detected litter
particles characterized with FT-IR imaging spectroscopy. Microlitter
concentration in seawater and WWTP effluent were also measured.
Microlitter was found in 66% of the mussels. Mussels from the WWTP
recipient had higher microlitter content compared to those collected at
the reference site. Plastics made up 8% of all the analysed microlitter
particles. The dominating litter types were fibres (~90% of all
microlitter), 42% of which were cotton, 17% linen, 17% viscose and 4%
polyester. The risk of airborne contamination during laboratory work was
lowered when mussels were digested with their shells on instead of
dissecting them first. The approach was found applicable and gentle to
both non-synthetic and synthetic materials including fragile fibres.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LawtDfKfLJWfxZOMZ5BcVI9cx3LVsUuD
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.03.022.(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X1830167X)

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Is the microplastic selective according to the habitat? Records inamphioxus sands, Mäerl bed habitats and Cymodocea nodosa habitats,

Marine Pollution Bulletin,
Volume 130,
2018,
Pages 179-183,
ISSN 0025-326X,

Abstract:

This study estimated for the first time the total loads of
plastic litter (macro- meso- and micro-plastics) in sediments of
different habitat types from the Northern Adriatic Sea. Samples were
collected in March 2016. The sampling sites were settled in shoreline,
on the C. nodosa bottoms, Amphioxus sands, and Mäerl bed habitats.
Microplastics items were present in all sampling site and ranging within
137-703 items/kg d.w. from Mäerl bed habitat to the shoreline. In C.
nodosa bottoms 170 items/kg d.w. were found, while in Amphioxus sands
were recorded on average 194 items/kg d.w. Due to the absence of
statistical associations among litter levels and abundance of B.
lanceolatum in the study area, this research present the needs to
develop a new method and more research to for the evaluation of how much
the interrelation between sensible habitats and microplastic exist.

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The distribution and morphology of microplastics in coastal soils adjacent to the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea,

Geoderma,
Volume 322,
2018,
Pages 201-208,
ISSN 0016-7061,

Abstract:

Microplastics (<5 mm) are considered to be emerging pollutants
of global concern. Investigations on microplastics pollution in coastal
and marine environments have increased recently but knowledge gaps still
exist regarding microplastics in coastal beach soils with high-intensity
human activities. In the present study a total of 120 soil samples were
taken from 53 sites along >3000 km of coastline in Shandong province,
east China, adjacent to both the Bohai Sea and the Yellow Sea coastlines
under different land use management. Microplastics were separated from
the soil samples using a continuous flow and floating separation
apparatus. The shape type, size, abundance, spatial distribution,
polymer composition and surface morphology of the microplastics were
identified by a range of advanced microscopic and micro-analytical
methods. The analytical results show that seven shape types, namely
foams, pellets, fragments, flakes, fibers, films and sponges, were
present in the beach soils. The polymer composition of the microplastics
included polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyether urethane
and a polymer blend of both polyethylene and polypropylene.
Approximately 60% of the observed microplastics had a size range < 1 mm.
Microplastic abundance varied greatly among the soils, ranging from 1.3
to 14,712.5 N kg−1 (dry weight) as influenced by high-intensity human
activities such as mariculture, tourism, and port construction. The
seven shape types of microplastics from the coastal environment had
different weathering surface morphologies, showing scratches, creases,
micropores, cracks, either concave or convex, and of various shapes and
sizes, possibly due to physical friction, photochemical oxidation and/or
animal attack. Algae or crude oil was observed on the surface of some
microplastics. The weathered surfaces of microplastics might act as a
high-capacity carrier with adhering microorganisms and chemicals.
Further studies are required on the weathering processes, sorption
capacity and transport of microplastics especially in smaller size
(<1 mm) under coastal conditions.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=131wx-tA08xrjZVl5nZZWTV34jpwqsOMW
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2018.02.015.(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S001670611732150X)

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Microplastics in sediments from the littoral zone of the north Tunisian coast (Mediterranean Sea),

Estuarine, Coastal and Shelf Science,
Volume 205,
2018,
Pages 1-9,
ISSN 0272-7714,

Abstract:

The distribution of microplastics (MPs) was investigated in
the sediments of five sampling sites from the northern Tunisian coast
during June 2017. MPs were categorized according to type, colour and
size. Representative MPs from the five sites were isolated for polymer
identification using Fourier Transformed Infrared Spectroscopy in
attenuated total reflectance mode (FTIR-ATR). Results showed that MPs
were recovered, from all sediment samples, indicating for the first
time, their extensive distribution in Tunisian coast. Concentrations
varied from 141.20 ± 25.98 to 461.25 ± 29.74 items kg−1 dry weight.
Fibres, fragments, Styrofoam®, pellets and films were the types
registered in this study. With the exception of Menzel Bourguiba (MB),
fibres significantly outnumbered plastic particles followed by
fragments, Styrofoam®, films and pellets. The predominant colours are as
follows: black > clear > white > red > blue > green for fibres,
blue > white > clear > red > green > yellow > black for fragments,
blue > white > black > clear for films while only white pellets and
Styrofoam® were found. MPs particles ranged from 0.1 to 5 mm in length.
A total of three polymer types were identified, polyethylene (PE),
polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS). Except for industrial pellets,
the presence of MPs is likely due to the degradation of marine plastic
debris accumulating in each site. This work provides original data of
the presence of MPs in coastal sediments from Northern Tunisian coast.
Keywords: Microplastics; Sediment; FTIR-ATR; Northern Tunisia

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1S8wNX6OTqilFGAwjBgNDWToYEqbDNOnR
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecss.2018.03.006.(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272771417310806)

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The influence of microplastics and halogenated contaminants in feed on toxicokinetics and gene expression in European seabass (Dicentrarchus labrax),

Environmental Research,
Volume 164,
2018,
Pages 430-443,
ISSN 0013-9351,

Abstract:

When microplastics pollute fish habitats, it may be ingested
by fish, thereby contaminating fish with sorbed contaminants. The
present study investigates how combinations of halogenated contaminants
and microplastics associated with feed are able to alter toxicokinetics
in European seabass and affect the fish. Microplastic particles (2%)
were added to the feed either with sorbed contaminants or as a mixture
of clean microplastics and chemical contaminants, and compared to feed
containing contaminants without microplastics. For the contaminated
microplastic diet, the accumulation of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs)
and brominated flame retardants (BFRs) in fish was significantly higher,
increasing up to 40 days of accumulation and then reversing to values
comparable to the other diets at the end of accumulation. The
significant gene expression results of liver (cyp1a, il1β, gstα) after
40 days of exposure indicate that microplastics might indeed exacerbate
the toxic effects (liver metabolism, immune system, oxidative stress) of
some chemical contaminants sorbed to microplastics. Seabass quickly
metabolised BDE99 to BDE47 by debromination, probably mediated by
deiodinase enzymes, and unlike other contaminants, this metabolism was
unaffected by the presence of microplastics. For the other PCBs and
BFRs, the elimination coefficients were significantly lower in fish fed
the diet with contaminants sorbed to microplastic compared to the other
diets. The results indicate that microplastics affects liver
detoxification and lipid distribution, both of which affect the
concentration of contaminants.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1c3uQVivv0FV2n_yYbEAatccNUGlVjMdo
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2018.02.035.(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0013935117313610)

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