Spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics in water and sediments of a freshwater system (Antuã
River, Portugal),

Science of The Total Environment, Volume 633, 15
August 2018, Pages 1549-1559, ISSN 0048-9697,

Abstract:

Microplastics (particles with a size < 5 mm), one of the most emerging
aquatic pollutants, are of particular concern since they can reach high
densities and interact with biotic and abiotic environment. The
occurrence of microplastics in freshwater systems is less understood
than in marine environment. Hence, the present study aims to provide new
insights into microplastics abundances and distribution in Antuã River
(Portugal) by applying the isolation method of wet peroxide oxidation
with addition of zinc chloride to water and sediment samples collected
in March and October 2016, in three sampling sites. The abundance of
microplastics in water ranged from 5 to 8.3 mg m−3 or 58–193 items m−3
in March and from 5.8–51.7 mg m−3 or 71–1265 items m−3 in October. In
sediments, the abundance ranged from 13.5–52.7 mg kg−1 or 100–629 items
kg−1 in March and from 2.6–71.4 mg kg−1 or 18–514 items kg−1 in October.
The water and sediment samples with the greatest abundances were from
São João da Madeira and Aguincheira, respectively. Spatio-temporal
distribution showed different pattern according to methodological
approaches, seasonal and hydrodynamic conditions and the proximity to
urban/industry areas. Analysis of plastics by Fourier transform infrared
spectroscopy underline polyethylene and polypropylene as the most common
polymer types identified in this work. The low medium high oxidation
ratio was 56:22:22 (%) in March and 61:31:8 (%) in October. Foams and
fibers were the most abundant type in São João da Madeira, while fibers
and fragments were the most abundant in Aguincheira and Estarreja in
water and sediment samples, respectively. This study emphasizes the
importance of rivers as carriage systems of microplastics. Further
studies should be performed to identify point sources in order to
mitigate the microplastics contamination in aquatic systems.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1nH49vUagp8VOyd9POU59LpI_a_WKpxsc
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.03.233.(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969718309926)

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Organic fertilizer as a vehicle for the entry of microplastic into the environment

Science Advances  04 Apr 2018:
Vol. 4, no. 4, eaap8060
DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.aap8060

Abstract:

The contamination of the environment with microplastic, defined as
particles smaller than 5 mm, has emerged as a global challenge because
it may pose risks to biota and public health. Current research focuses
predominantly on aquatic systems, whereas comparatively little is known
regarding the sources, pathways, and possible accumulation of plastic
particles in terrestrial ecosystems. We investigated the potential of
organic fertilizers from biowaste fermentation and composting as an
entry path for microplastic particles into the environment. Particles
were classified by size and identified by attenuated total
reflection-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. All fertilizer
samples from plants converting biowaste contained plastic particles, but
amounts differed significantly with substrate pretreatment, plant, and
waste (for example, household versus commerce) type. In contrast,
digestates from agricultural energy crop digesters tested for comparison
contained only isolated particles, if any. Among the most abundant
synthetic polymers observed were those used for common consumer
products. Our results indicate that depending on pretreatment, organic
fertilizers from biowaste fermentation and composting, as applied in
agriculture and gardening worldwide, are a neglected source of
microplastic in the environment.

http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/4/eaap8060.full.pdf

https://drive.google.com/open?id=14h9LP_WRXvQ4KpiJF4-NulGJPRj0bObv
http://advances.sciencemag.org/content/4/4/eaap8060

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Macroplastic and microplastic contamination assessment of a tropical river (Saigon River, Vietnam) transversed by a developing megacity,

Environmental Pollution, Volume 236, May 2018, Pages 661-671, ISSN 0269-7491,

Abstract:
Both macroplastic and microplastic contamination levels were assessed for the first time in
a tropical river estuary system, i.e. the Saigon River, that traverses a developing South East Asian
megacity, i.e. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
The analysis of floating debris collected daily on the Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe canal
by the municipal waste management service shows that the plastic mass percentage
represents 11–43%, and the land-based plastic debris entering the river was estimated from 0.96
to 19.91 g inhabitant−1 d−1, namely 350 to 7270 g inhabitant−1 yr−1. Microplastics were
assessed in the Saigon River and in four urban canals by sampling bulk water for anthropogenic
fiber analysis and 300 μm mesh size plankton net exposition for fragment analysis.
Fibers and fragments are highly concentrated in this system, respectively 172,000 to 519,000
items m−3 and 10 to 223 items m−3. They were found in various colors and shapes with smallest
size and surface classes being predominant.
The macroplastics and fragments were mainly made of polyethylene and polypropylene while
the anthropogenic fibers were mainly made of polyester.
The relation between macroplastic and microplastic concentrations, waste management, population
density and water treatment are further discussed.

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1hmXPx5_npIArW3aIdwwrh8nabmas74d2
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2018.02.005.
(https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749117330579)

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A critical perspective on early communications concerning human health aspects of microplastics,

Science of The Total Environment,
Volume 626,
2018,
Pages 720-726,
ISSN 0048-9697,

Abstract:

Microplastic research in recent years has shown that small plastic particles are found almost everywhere we look. Besides aquatic and terrestrial environments, this also includes aquatic species intended for human consumption and several studies have reported their prevalence in other food products and beverages.
The scientific as well as public debate has therefore increasingly focused on human health implications of microplastic exposure. However, there is a big discrepancy between the magnitude of this debate and actual scientific findings, which have merely shown the presence of microplastics in certain products. While plastics can undoubtedly be hazardous to human health due to toxicity of associated chemicals or as a consequence of
particle toxicity, the extent to which microplastics in individual food products and beverages contribute to this is debatable.
Considering the enormous use of plastic materials in our everyday lives, microplastics from food products and beverages likely only constitute a minor exposure pathway for plastic particles and associated chemicals to humans. But as this is rarely put into perspective, the recent debate has created a skewed picture of human plastic exposure.

We risk pulling the focus away from the root of the problem: the way in which we consume, use and dispose of plastics leading to their widespread presence in our everyday life and in the environment. Therefore we urge for a more careful and balanced discussion which includes these aspects.
Keywords: Contamination; Food products; Plastic additives; Chemical
toxicity; Particle toxicity

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1hwD0E0wE6MkDVmDLpzE9QhZ1GiQm6MWn
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.01.092.(http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969718301128)

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