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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Influence of microplastics on the accumulation and chronic toxic effects of cadmium in zebrafish (Danio rerio),

Chemosphere,
2018,
ISSN 0045-6535,

Abstract:

As the accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in the environment
continues to rise, more concerns focus on the health risk of combined
exposure to MPs and other contaminants. The aim of this study is to
investigate the influences of MPs on the tissue-accumulation of cadmium
(Cd) in zebrafish and explore the related chronic toxic effects induced
by combined exposure of Cd and MPs. After co-exposure to MPs and Cd for
3 weeks, 20 and 200 μg/L MPs increased the accumulation of Cd in
zebrafish livers (46% and 184%), guts (10% and 25%) and gills (9% and
46%). The Cd accumulation was gill > gut > liver. Comprehensive analyzes
of biochemical biomarkers, histopathological observation and functional
gene expression firstly demonstrated that the presence of MPs enhanced
the toxicity of Cd on zebrafish and the combined exposure caused
oxidative damage and inflammation in zebrafish tissues. Collectively,
our results highlight the chronic effects of combined exposure to MPs
and heavy metals.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=19QNBzSwS5Fa24OhiUuVA6i0mES68Q5vh
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2018.03.145.(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653518305629)

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Microplastics in the environment: Challenges in analytical chemistry – A review,

Analytica Chimica Acta,
Volume 1017,
2018,
Pages 1-19,
ISSN 0003-2670,

Abstract:

Microplastics can be present in the environment as
manufactured microplastics (known as primary microplastics) or resulting
from the continuous weathering of plastic litter, which yields
progressively smaller plastic fragments (known as secondary
microplastics). Herein, we discuss the numerous issues associated with
the analysis of microplastics, and to a less extent of nanoplastics, in
environmental samples (water, sediments, and biological tissues), from
their sampling and sample handling to their identification and
quantification. The analytical quality control and quality assurance
associated with the validation of analytical methods and use of
reference materials for the quantification of microplastics are also
discussed, as well as the current challenges within this field of
research and possible routes to overcome such limitations.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1LgCH1YDMzaEyBxF0X9qB6cYa22FrGarh
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aca.2018.02.043.(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003267018302587)

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Removal of Microbeads from Wastewater Using Electrocoagulation

ACS Omega, 2018, 3 (3), pp 3357–3364
DOI: 10.1021/acsomega.7b02037
Publication Date (Web): March 20, 2018

Abstract

The need for better microplastic removal from wastewater streams is
clear, to prevent potential harm the microplastic may cause to the
marine life.
This paper aims to investigate the efficacy of electrocoagulation (EC),
a well-known and established process, in the unexplored context of microplastic
removal from wastewater streams.
This premise was investigated using artificial wastewater containing
polyethylene microbeads of different concentrations. The wastewater was
then tested in a 1 L stirred-tank batch reactor. The effects of the
wastewater characteristics (initial pH, NaCl concentration, and current
density) on removal efficiency were studied. Microbead removal
efficiencies in excess of 90% were observed in all experiments, thus
suggesting that EC is an effective method of removing microplastic
contaminants from wastewater streams. Electrocoagulation was found to be
effective with removal efficiencies in excess of 90%, over pH values
ranging from 3 to 10. The optimum removal efficiency of 99.24% was found
at a pH of 7.5. An economic evaluation of the reactor operating costs
revealed that the optimum NaCl concentration in the reactor is between 0
and 2 g/L, mainly due to the reduced energy requirements linked to
higher water conductivity. In regard to the current density, the
specific mass removal rate (kg/kWh) was the highest for the lowest
tested current density of 11 A/m2, indicating that low current density
is more energy efficient for microbead removal.

https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdf/10.1021/acsomega.7b02037

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1a2TCzCt3SU3AZYZo6WA4v8VLp1K1LeVp

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Characterization of microplastic litter in the gastrointestinal tract of Solea solea from the Adriatic Sea,

Environmental Pollution,
Volume 234,
2018,
Pages 943-952,
ISSN 0269-7491,

Abstract:

Micro-plastic particles in the world’s oceans represent a
serious threat to both human health and marine ecosystems. Once released
into the aquatic environment plastic litter is broken down to smaller
pieces through photo-degradation and the physical actions of waves,
wind, etc.
The resulting particles may become so small that they are
readily taken up by fish, crustaceans and mollusks. There is mounting
evidence for the uptake of plastic particles by marine organisms that
form part of the human food chain and this is driving urgent calls for
further and deeper investigations into this pollution issue.
The present study aimed at investigating for the first time the occurrence, amount,
typology of microplastic litter in the gastrointestinal tract of Solea
solea and its spatial distribution in the northern and central Adriatic
Sea. This benthic flatfish was selected as it is a species of high
commercial interest within the FAO GFCM (General Fisheries Commission
for the Mediterranean) area 37 (Mediterranean and Black Sea) where
around 15% of the overall global Solea solea production originates. The
digestive tract contents of 533 individuals collected in fall during
2014 and 2015 from 60 sampling sites were examined for microplastics.
These were recorded in 95% of sampled fish, with more than one
microplastic item found in around 80% of the examined specimens.

The most commonly found polymers were polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene,
polyethylene, polyester, and polyamide, 72% as fragments and 28% as
fibers. The mean number of ingested microplastics was 1.73 ± 0.05 items
per fish in 2014 and 1.64 ± 0.1 in 2015. PVC and PA showed the highest
densities in the northern Adriatic Sea, both inshore and off-shore while
PE, PP and PET were more concentrated in coastal areas with the highest
values offshore from the port of Rimini.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ociS8dweJEPr1ndmfqqSC9bYJsYssByD
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.12.038.
(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749117332062)

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Accumulation, tissue distribution, and biochemical effectsof polystyrene microplastics in the freshwater fish red tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus),

Environmental Pollution, Volume 238, July 2018, Pages 1-9, ISSN 0269-7491,

Abstract:

While the presence of microplastics (MPs) in marine environments has
been detected worldwide, the importance of MPs pollution in freshwater
environments has also been emphasized in recent years.

However, the body of knowledge regarding the biological effects of MPs on freshwater
organisms is still much more limited than on marine organisms.
The aim of the present study was to evaluate the accumulation and tissue
distribution of MPs in the freshwater fish red tilapia (Oreochromis
niloticus), as well as the biochemical effects of MPs on O. niloticus.

During 14 days of exposure to 0.1 μm polystyrene-MPs at concentrations of 1, 10, and 100 μg L−1, the MPs concentrations in various tissues of O. niloticus generally increased over time following the order
gut > gills > liver ≈ brain. Moreover, the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity in the fish brain was inhibited by MPs exposure, with a maximum inhibition rate of 37.7%, suggesting the potential neurotoxicity of MPs
to freshwater fish.
The activities of cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzymes [7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylase (EROD) and
7-benzyloxy-4-trifluoromethyl-coumarin O-dibenzyloxylase (BFCOD)] in the fish liver exhibited clear temporal variabilities, with significant decreases followed by elevations compared to the control. The alterations of the EROD and BFCOD activities indicate the potential involvement of CYP enzymes for the metabolism of MPs. The activity of
antioxidative enzyme superoxide dismutase (SOD) in the liver was significantly induced throughout the exposure period, while the malondialdehyde (MDA) content did not vary with MPs exposure, suggesting
that the antioxidative enzymatic system in O. niloticus could prevent oxidative damage. These results highlight the ingestion and accumulation of MPs in different tissues of freshwater fish, which lead to perturbations in fish biological systems and should be considered in environmental risk assessment.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=14VQmb-JuSwVXvpObAffYWLlo2tECdaZh
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.03.001.

(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749117342355)

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