Microplastics as an emerging threat to terrestrial ecosystems

Global Change Biology, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 24(4), P. 1405 - 1416

Published: Dec. 16, 2017

Abstract Microplastics (plastics <5 mm, including nanoplastics which are <0.1 μm) originate from the fragmentation of large plastic litter or direct environmental emission. Their potential impacts in terrestrial ecosystems remain largely unexplored despite numerous reported effects on marine organisms. Most plastics arriving oceans were produced, used, and often disposed land. Hence, it is within systems that microplastics might first interact with biota eliciting ecologically relevant impacts. This article introduces pervasive microplastic contamination as a agent global change systems, highlights physical chemical nature respective observed effects, discusses broad toxicity derived breakdown. Making links to fate aquatic continental we here present new insights into mechanisms geochemistry, biophysical environment, ecotoxicology. Broad changes environments possible even particle‐rich habitats such soils. Furthermore, there growing body evidence indicating organisms mediate essential ecosystem services functions, soil dwelling invertebrates, fungi, plant‐pollinators. Therefore, research needed clarify microplastics. We suggest due widespread presence, persistence, various interactions biota, pollution represent an emerging threat ecosystems.

Language: Английский

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Microplastics Can Change Soil Properties and Affect Plant Performance

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 53(10), P. 6044 - 6052

Published: April 25, 2019

Microplastics can affect biophysical properties of the soil. However, little is known about cascade events in fundamental levels terrestrial ecosystems, i.e., starting with changes soil abiotic and propagating across various components soil–plant interactions, including microbial communities plant traits. We investigated here effects six different microplastics (polyester fibers, polyamide beads, four fragment types: polyethylene, polyester terephthalate, polypropylene, polystyrene) on a broad suite proxies for health performance spring onion (Allium fistulosum). Significant were observed biomass, tissue elemental composition, root traits, activities. These responses to microplastic exposure used propose causal model mechanism effects. Impacts dependent particle type, shape similar other natural particles elicited smaller differences from control. Changes structure water dynamics may explain results which fibers beads triggered most pronounced impacts traits function. The findings reported imply that pervasive contamination have consequences thus agroecosystems biodiversity.

Language: Английский

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Bacteria and archaea on Earth and their abundance in biofilms

Nature Reviews Microbiology, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 17(4), P. 247 - 260

Published: Feb. 13, 2019

Language: Английский

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Impacts of Biofilm Formation on the Fate and Potential Effects of Microplastic in the Aquatic Environment

Environmental Science & Technology Letters, Journal Year: 2017, Volume and Issue: 4(7), P. 258 - 267

Published: June 13, 2017

In the aquatic environment, microplastic (MP; <5 mm) is a cause of concern because its persistence and potential adverse effects on biota. Studies microlitter impacts are mostly based virgin spherical polymer particles as model MP. However, in pelagic benthic environments, surfaces always colonized by microorganisms forming so-called biofilms. The influence such biofilms fate MP not understood well. Here, we review physical interactions early microbial colonization plastic their reciprocal weathering processes vertical transport well sorption release contaminants Possible ecological consequences biofilm formation MP, trophic transfer virtually unknown. evidence accumulating that biofilm−plastic have capacity to modifying properties particles. There an urgent research need better understand these increase relevance current laboratory testing simulating field conditions which life key driver biogeochemical processes.

Language: Английский

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An overview of microplastic and nanoplastic pollution in agroecosystems

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 627, P. 1377 - 1388

Published: Feb. 20, 2018

Language: Английский

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A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Journal of Geophysical Research Oceans, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 125(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2020

Abstract Society has become increasingly reliant on plastics since commercial production began in about 1950. Their versatility, stability, light weight, and low costs have fueled global demand. Most are initially used discarded land. Nonetheless, the amount of microplastics some oceanic compartments is predicted to double by 2030. To solve this problem, we must understand plastic composition, physical forms, uses, transport, fragmentation into (and nanoplastics). Plastic debris/microplastics arise from land disposal, wastewater treatment, tire wear, paint failure, textile washing, at‐sea losses. Riverine atmospheric storm water, disasters facilitate releases. In surface waters plastics/microplastics weather, biofoul, aggregate, sink, ingested organisms redistributed currents. Ocean sediments likely ultimate destination. Plastics release additives, concentrate environmental contaminants, serve as substrates for biofilms, including exotic pathogenic species. Microplastic abundance increases fragment size decreases, does proportion capable ingesting them. Particles <20 μm may penetrate cell membranes, exacerbating risks. Exposure can compromise feeding, metabolic processes, reproduction, behavior. But more investigation required draw definitive conclusions. Human ingestion contaminated seafood water a concern. Microplastics indoors present yet uncharacterized risks, magnified time spend inside (>90%) polymeric products therein. Scientific challenges include improving microplastic sampling characterization approaches, understanding long‐term behavior, additive bioavailability, organismal ecosystem health Solutions globally based pollution prevention, developing degradable polymers reducing consumption/expanding reuse.

Language: Английский

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Source, migration and toxicology of microplastics in soil

Environment International, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 137, P. 105263 - 105263

Published: Feb. 19, 2020

Microplastics are emerging contaminants and their presence in water soil ecosystems has recently drawn considerable attention because they pose a great threat to entire ecosystems. Recent researches have focused on the detection, occurrence, characterization, toxicology of microplastics marine freshwater ecosystems; however, our understanding ecological effects is still limited compared with that aquatic Here, we compiled literature, studying sources, migration soil, negative impacts health function, trophic transfer food chains, corresponding adverse organisms order address potential human risks caused by soil. This review aims gaps knowledge, shed light propose future studies microplastic pollution resultant ecotoxicity. Furthermore, this limiting establishing management remediation measures mitigate posed pollution.

Language: Английский

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Differentially charged nanoplastics demonstrate distinct accumulation in Arabidopsis thaliana

Nature Nanotechnology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 15(9), P. 755 - 760

Published: June 22, 2020

Language: Английский

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

Science Advances, Journal Year: 2018, Volume and Issue: 4(4)

Published: April 4, 2018

Organic fertilizer from recycled biowaste was identified as a vehicle for entry of microplastic particles into the environment.

Language: Английский

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Microplastics affect sedimentary microbial communities and nitrogen cycling

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 11(1)

Published: May 12, 2020

Abstract Microplastics are ubiquitous in estuarine, coastal, and deep sea sediments. The impacts of microplastics on sedimentary microbial ecosystems biogeochemical carbon nitrogen cycles, however, have not been well reported. To evaluate if influence the composition function communities, we conducted a microcosm experiment using salt marsh sediment amended with polyethylene (PE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane foam (PUF) or polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics. We report that presence alters community cycling processes. Compared to control sediments without microplastic, PUF- PLA-amended promote nitrification denitrification, while PVC amendment inhibits both These results indicate processes can be significantly affected by different microplastics, which may serve as organic substrates for communities. Considering this evidence increasing microplastic pollution, impact plastics global merits critical investigation.

Language: Английский

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