Microplastics in the Marine Environment: A Review of the Methods Used for Identification and Quantification

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2012, Volume and Issue: 46(6), P. 3060 - 3075

Published: Feb. 9, 2012

This review of 68 studies compares the methodologies used for identification and quantification microplastics from marine environment. Three main sampling strategies were identified: selective, volume-reduced, bulk sampling. Most sediment samples came sandy beaches at high tide line, most seawater taken sea surface using neuston nets. Four steps distinguished during sample processing: density separation, filtration, sieving, visual sorting microplastics. Visual was one commonly methods (using type, shape, degradation stage, color as criteria). Chemical physical characteristics (e.g., specific density) also used. The reliable method to identify chemical composition is by infrared spectroscopy. reported that plastic fragments polyethylene polypropylene polymers. Units abundance estimates are "items per m(2)" m(3)" water column studies. Mesh size sieves filters or processing influence estimates. two ranges microplastics: (i) 500 μm-5 mm, which retained a μm sieve/net, (ii) 1-500 μm, fractions thereof on filters. We recommend future programs monitoring continue distinguish these fractions, but we suggest standardized procedures allow spatiotemporal comparison microplastic across environments.

Language: Английский

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The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms: A review

Environmental Pollution, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 178, P. 483 - 492

Published: March 29, 2013

Language: Английский

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Microplastics in freshwater and terrestrial environments: Evaluating the current understanding to identify the knowledge gaps and future research priorities

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 586, P. 127 - 141

Published: Feb. 4, 2017

Language: Английский

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Emerging threats and persistent conservation challenges for freshwater biodiversity

Biological reviews/Biological reviews of the Cambridge Philosophical Society, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 94(3), P. 849 - 873

Published: Nov. 22, 2018

ABSTRACT In the 12 years since Dudgeon et al . (2006) reviewed major pressures on freshwater ecosystems, biodiversity crisis in world's lakes, reservoirs, rivers, streams and wetlands has deepened. While reservoirs rivers cover only 2.3% of Earth's surface, these ecosystems host at least 9.5% described animal species. Furthermore, using World Wide Fund for Nature's Living Planet Index, population declines (83% between 1970 2014) continue to outpace contemporaneous marine or terrestrial systems. The Anthropocene brought multiple new varied threats that disproportionately impact We document emerging are either entirely 2006 have intensified: ( i ) changing climates; ii e‐commerce invasions; iii infectious diseases; iv harmful algal blooms; v expanding hydropower; vi contaminants; vii engineered nanomaterials; viii microplastic pollution; (i x light noise; salinisation; xi declining calcium; xii cumulative stressors. Effects evidenced amphibians, fishes, invertebrates, microbes, plants, turtles waterbirds, with potential ecosystem‐level changes through bottom‐up top‐down processes. our highly uncertain future, net effects raise serious concerns ecosystems. However, we also highlight opportunities conservation gains as a result novel management tools (e.g. environmental flows, DNA) specific conservation‐oriented actions dam removal, habitat protection policies, managed relocation species) been met varying levels success. Moving forward, advocate hybrid approaches manage fresh waters crucial human life support well essential hotspots ecological function. Efforts reverse global trends degradation now depend bridging an immense gap aspirations biologists accelerating rate species endangerment.

Language: Английский

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Plastic and Human Health: A Micro Issue?

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 51(12), P. 6634 - 6647

Published: May 22, 2017

Microplastics are a pollutant of environmental concern. Their presence in food destined for human consumption and air samples has been reported. Thus, microplastic exposure via diet or inhalation could occur, the health effects which unknown. The current review article draws upon cross-disciplinary scientific literature to discuss evaluate potential impacts microplastics outlines urgent areas future research. Key up September 2016 relating accumulation, particle toxicity, chemical microbial contaminants was critically examined. Although is an emerging field, complementary existing fields indicate particle, hazards. If inhaled ingested, may accumulate exert localized toxicity by inducing enhancing immune response. Chemical occur due leaching component monomers, endogenous additives, adsorbed pollutants. Chronic anticipated be greater concern accumulative effect that occur. This expected dose-dependent, robust evidence-base levels currently lacking. there impact health, assessing burdens key. information will guide research into mechanisms hence therein possible effects.

Language: Английский

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Microplastic Ingestion by Zooplankton

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2013, Volume and Issue: 47(12), P. 6646 - 6655

Published: May 21, 2013

Small plastic detritus, termed "microplastics", are a widespread and ubiquitous contaminant of marine ecosystems across the globe. Ingestion microplastics by biota, including mussels, worms, fish, seabirds, has been widely reported, but despite their vital ecological role in food-webs, impact on zooplankton remains under-researched. Here, we show that ingested by, may upon, zooplankton. We used bioimaging techniques to document ingestion, egestion, adherence range common northeast Atlantic, employed feeding rate studies determine detritus algal ingestion rates copepods. Using fluorescence coherent anti-Stokes Raman scattering (CARS) microscopy identified thirteen taxa had capacity ingest 1.7–30.6 μm polystyrene beads, with uptake varying taxa, life-stage bead-size. Post-ingestion, copepods egested faecal pellets laden microplastics. further observed adhered external carapace appendages exposed Exposure copepod Centropages typicus natural assemblages algae without showed 7.3 (>4000 mL–1) significantly decreased feeding. Our findings imply microplastic debris can negatively upon function health.

Language: Английский

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Microplastics in freshwater systems: A review of the emerging threats, identification of knowledge gaps and prioritisation of research needs

Water Research, Journal Year: 2015, Volume and Issue: 75, P. 63 - 82

Published: Feb. 18, 2015

Language: Английский

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Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Aquatic Environments: Aggregation, Deposition, and Enhanced Contaminant Transport

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 52(4), P. 1704 - 1724

Published: Dec. 21, 2017

Plastic litter is widely acknowledged as a global environmental threat, and poor management disposal lead to increasing levels in the environment. Of recent concern degradation of plastics from macro- micro- even nanosized particles smaller than 100 nm size. At nanoscale, are difficult detect can be transported air, soil, water compartments. While impact plastic debris on marine fresh waters organisms has been studied, loads, transformations, transport, fate terrestrial subsurface environments largely overlooked. In this Critical Review, we first present estimated loads different We also provide critical review current knowledge vis-à-vis nanoplastic (NP) microplastic (MP) aggregation, deposition, contaminant cotransport Important factors that affect aggregation deposition natural identified critically analyzed. Factors affecting sorption onto discussed, show how polyethylene generally exhibits greater capacity other types. Finally, highlight key gaps need addressed improve our ability predict risks associated with these ubiquitous contaminants environment by understanding their mobility, behavior potential enhance transport pollutants.

Language: Английский

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Microplastics in freshwaters and drinking water: Critical review and assessment of data quality

Water Research, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 155, P. 410 - 422

Published: March 1, 2019

Microplastics have recently been detected in drinking water as well sources. This presence has triggered discussions on possible implications for human health. However, there questions regarding the quality of these occurrence studies since are no standard sampling, extraction and identification methods microplastics. Accordingly, we assessed fifty researching microplastics its major freshwater includes an assessment microplastic data from river lake water, groundwater, tap bottled water. Studies wastewater were also reviewed. We review propose best practices to sample, extract detect provide a quantitative reporting concentrations. Further, summarize findings related concentrations, polymer types particle shapes. frequently present freshwaters number concentrations spanned ten orders magnitude (1 × 10−2 108 #/m3) across individual samples types. only four out 50 received positive scores all proposed criteria, implying is significant need improve assurance sampling analysis samples. The order globally polymers PE ≈ PP > PS PVC PET, which probably reflects global plastic demand higher tendency PET settle result their densities. Fragments, fibres, film, foam pellets most reported conclude that more high needed better understand potential exposure inform health risk assessments.

Language: Английский

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Environmental exposure to microplastics: An overview on possible human health effects

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 702, P. 134455 - 134455

Published: Oct. 4, 2019

Language: Английский

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