A geological perspective of plastic pollution

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 893, P. 164867 - 164867

Published: June 16, 2023

Language: Английский

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Towards a Sustainable Circular Economy: Algae‐Based Bioplastics and the Role of Internet‐of‐Things and Machine Learning

ChemBioEng Reviews, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 11(1), P. 39 - 59

Published: Nov. 6, 2023

Abstract The growing potential of sustainable materials such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs), polylactic acid (PLA), alginate, carrageenan, and ulvan for bioplastics production presents an opportunity to promote a circular economy. This review investigates their properties, applications, challenges. Bioplastics derived from algae offer environmentally friendly alternative petroleum‐based plastics, shift paramount importance society due the escalating environmental concerns associated with traditional plastics. role internet‐of‐things (IoT) machine learning in refining these bioplastics' development processes is emphasized. IoT monitors cultivation conditions, data collection, process control more production. Machine can enhance cultivation, increasing supply raw algal improving efficiency output. study results indicate promise algae‐based bioplastics, IoT, fostering future. By harnessing advanced technologies, optimization bioplastic possible, potentially revolutionizing industry addressing existing challenges toward achieving

Language: Английский

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Galápagos and the plastic problem

Frontiers in Sustainability, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 4

Published: March 3, 2023

Plastic pollution (PP) is an ongoing, pervasive global problem that represents a risk to the Galápagos archipelago, despite it being one of world's most pristine and well-protected regions. By working closely with citizen scientists, we aimed quantify map magnitude biological effects PP. With macroplastic abundance ranging from 0.003 2.87 items/m 2 , our research indicates all five sampled bioregions are contaminated PP along their coastlines. The distribution this debris not uniform, macroplastics significantly higher on windward shores. Based identification information found examined items, Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) was predominant type plastic originating both consumer fisheries-based products deriving primarily Perú, China, Ecuador. top three manufacturers were AjeCroup, Coca-Cola, Tingy Holding Corporation. Through science, documented exposure in 52 species (20 endemic) terrestrial marine environments, occurring two ways: entanglement ingestion. These included reptiles (8 species), birds (13 mammals (4 cartilaginous fish (7 bony (14 invertebrates (6 species). greatest serious harm due (in decreasing order) identified as green sea turtles, iguanas, whale sharks, spine-tail mobulas, medium-ground finches. In contrast, Santa Cruz tortoises, black-striped salemas, lions at highest ingestion plastics. Our growing archipelago additional work necessary mitigate its impact now future.

Language: Английский

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Regulatory Science Perspective on the Analysis of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Human Food

Analytical Chemistry, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 96(11), P. 4343 - 4358

Published: March 7, 2024

Microplastics are increasingly reported, not only in the environment but also a wide range of food commodities. While studies on microplastics abound, current state science is limited its application to regulatory risk assessment by continued lack standardized definitions, reference materials, sample collection and preparation procedures, fit-for purpose analytical methods for real-world environmentally relevant plastic mixtures, appropriate quality controls. This particularly case nanoplastics. These methodological challenges hinder robust, quantitative exposure assessments microplastic nanoplastic mixtures from consumption. Furthermore, toxicological whether nanoplastics adversely impact human health impeded methodology challenges. Food safety agencies must consider both contaminants emerging concern ascertain potential harm. Foundational this effort access with capability quantify characterize micro- nanoscale sized polymers complex matrices. However, early stages method development stage study distribution effects have largely been done without consideration stringent requirements inform activities. We provide perspectives knowledge regarding occurrence present our general approach developing, validating, implementing purposes.

Language: Английский

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Passive biomonitoring of airborne microplastics using lichens: A comparison between urban, natural and protected environments

Environment International, Journal Year: 2024, Volume and Issue: 187, P. 108707 - 108707

Published: April 26, 2024

Currently, natural and urban ecosystems are affected by different types of atmospheric deposition, which can compromise the balance environment. Plastic pollution represents one major threats for biota, including lichens. Epiphytic lichens have value as bioindicators environmental pollution, climate change, anthropic impacts. In this study, we aim to investigate lichen bioaccumulation airborne microplastics along an anthropogenic gradient. We sampled from Genera Cladonia Xanthoria highlight effectiveness tools passive biomonitoring microplastics. chose three sites, a "natural site" in Altipiani di Arcinazzo, "protected Castelporziano Presidential estate "urban centre Rome. Overall, 90 lichens, observed external plastic entrapment, melt oxygen peroxide analysed entrapment. To validate method, calculated recovery rates lichen. Particularly, 253 MPs particles were detected across samples: 97 % fibers, 3 fragments. A gradient number microplastic fibers sites emerged, with increasing accumulation site (n = 58) 116), direct relationship between length abundance fibers. Moreover, first evidences mesoplastics entrapped On average, experienced shortest fibre Rome longest. No differences emerged two genera. Our results indicated that effectively be used deposition. scenario, role entrapping protecting pristine areas must investigated. Furthermore, considering impact on human health bioindicators, their use is encouraged.

Language: Английский

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