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

Human Health and Ocean Pollution

Annals of Global Health, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 86(1), P. 151 - 151

Published: Dec. 3, 2020

Background: Pollution – unwanted waste released to air, water, and land by human activity is the largest environmental cause of disease in world today. It responsible for an estimated nine million premature deaths per year, enormous economic losses, erosion capital, degradation ecosystems. Ocean pollution important, but insufficiently recognized inadequately controlled component global pollution. poses serious threats health well-being. The nature magnitude these impacts are only beginning be understood. Goals: (1) Broadly examine known potential ocean on health. (2) Inform policy makers, government leaders, international organizations, civil society, public threats. (3) Propose priorities interventions control prevent seas safeguard Methods: Topic-focused reviews that effects health, identify gaps knowledge, project future trends, offer evidence-based guidance effective intervention. Environmental Findings: oceans widespread, worsening, most countries poorly controlled. a complex mixture toxic metals, plastics, manufactured chemicals, petroleum, urban industrial wastes, pesticides, fertilizers, pharmaceutical agricultural runoff, sewage. More than 80% arises from land-based sources. reaches through rivers, atmospheric deposition direct discharges. often heaviest near coasts highly concentrated along low- middle-income countries. Plastic rapidly increasing visible pollution, 10 metric tons plastic enter each year. Mercury metal pollutant greatest concern oceans; it two main sources coal combustion small-scale gold mining. Global spread industrialized agriculture with use chemical fertilizer leads extension Harmful Algal Blooms (HABs) previously unaffected regions. Chemical pollutants ubiquitous contaminate marine organisms high Arctic abyssal depths. Ecosystem has multiple negative ecosystems, exacerbated climate change. Petroleum-based reduce photosynthesis microorganisms generate oxygen. Increasing absorption carbon dioxide into causes acidification, which destroys coral reefs, impairs shellfish development, dissolves calcium-containing at base food web, increases toxicity some pollutants. threatens mammals, fish, seabirds accumulates large mid-ocean gyres. breaks down microplastic nanoplastic particles containing chemicals can tissues organisms, including species consumed humans. Industrial releases, sewage increase frequency severity HABs, bacterial anti-microbial resistance. sea surface warming triggering poleward migration dangerous pathogens such as Vibrio species. discharges, contribute declines fish stocks. Human Health Methylmercury PCBs whose best Exposures infants in utero maternal consumption contaminated seafood damage developing brains, IQ children's risks autism, ADHD learning disorders. Adult exposures methylmercury cardiovascular dementia. Manufactured phthalates, bisphenol A, flame retardants, perfluorinated many them disrupt endocrine signaling, male fertility, nervous system, risk cancer. HABs produce potent toxins accumulate shellfish. When ingested, severe neurological impairment rapid death. HAB also become airborne respiratory disease. Pathogenic bacteria gastrointestinal diseases deep wound infections. With change infections, cholera, will extend new areas. All fall disproportionately vulnerable populations South injustice planetary scale. Conclusions: problem. crosses national boundaries. consequence reckless, shortsighted, unsustainable exploitation earth's resources. endangers impedes production Its great growing, still incompletely costs counted. prevented. Like all forms deploying data-driven strategies based law, policy, technology, enforcement target priority Many have used tools air water now applying Successes achieved date demonstrate broader feasible. Heavily polluted harbors been cleaned, estuaries rejuvenated, reefs restored. Prevention creates benefits. boosts economies, tourism, helps restore fisheries, improves advances Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). These benefits last centuries. Recommendations: World leaders who recognize gravity acknowledge its growing dangers, engage society public, take bold, action stop source critical preventing safeguarding key. Eliminating banning uses mercury Bans single-use better management persistent organic (POPs) reduced DDT. Control treatment sewage, applications fertilizers mitigated coastal reducing HABs. National, regional programs adequately funded backed strong shown effective. Robust monitoring essential track progress. Further hold promise include wide-scale transition renewable fuels; circular economy little focuses equity rather endless growth; embracing principles green chemistry; building scientific capacity Designation Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) protect stocks, enhance Creation MPAs important manifestation commitment protecting seas.

Language: Английский

Citations

573

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Causes, impacts and patterns of disastrous river floods

Bruno Merz, Günter Blöschl, Sergiy Vorogushyn

et al.

Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 2(9), P. 592 - 609

Published: Aug. 10, 2021

Language: Английский

Citations

446

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Time is running out for sand

Mette Bendixen, Jim Best, Christopher Hackney

et al.

Nature, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 571(7763), P. 29 - 31

Published: July 1, 2019

Language: Английский

Citations

444

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Plastic debris in rivers

Tim van Emmerik, Anna Schwarz

Wiley Interdisciplinary Reviews Water, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 7(1)

Published: Nov. 29, 2019

Abstract Plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems is an emerging environmental risk, as it may negatively impacts ecology, endangers species, and causes economic damage. Rivers are known to play a crucial role transporting land‐based plastic waste the world's oceans, but riverine also directly affected by pollution. To better quantify global transport effectively reduce sources risks, thorough understanding of origin, transport, fate, effects debris crucial. In this overview paper, we discuss current scientific state on rivers evaluate existing knowledge gaps. We present brief background plastics, polymer types typically found rivers, risk posed ecosystems. Additionally, elaborate origin fate including processes factors influencing its spatiotemporal variation. monitoring modeling efforts characterize give examples typical values from around world. Finally, outlook research. With aim inclusive comprehensive research date suggest multiple ways forward for future This article categorized under: Science Water > Quality Life Stresses Pressures Ecosystems

Language: Английский

Citations

397

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Snow depth variability in the Northern Hemisphere mountains observed from space

Hans Lievens, Matthias Demuzere, Hans‐Peter Marshall

et al.

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2019, Volume and Issue: 10(1)

Published: Oct. 11, 2019

Abstract Accurate snow depth observations are critical to assess water resources. More than a billion people rely on from snow, most of which originates in the Northern Hemisphere mountain ranges. Yet, remote sensing still lacking at large scale. Here, we show ability Sentinel-1 map mountains 1 km² resolution using an empirical change detection approach. An evaluation with measurements ~4000 sites and reanalysis data demonstrates that retrievals capture spatial variability between within ranges, as well their inter-annual differences. This is showcased contrasting depths 2017 2018 US Sierra Nevada European Alps. With continuity ensured until 2030 likely beyond, these findings lay foundation for quantifying long-term vulnerability snow-water resources climate change.

Language: Английский

Citations

378

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Earth’s sediment cycle during the Anthropocene

James P. M. Syvitski, Juan D. Restrepo, Yoshiki Saito

et al.

Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 3(3), P. 179 - 196

Published: Feb. 1, 2022

Language: Английский

Citations

338

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Role of dams in reducing global flood exposure under climate change

Julien Boulangé, Naota Hanasaki, Dai Yamazaki

et al.

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: Jan. 18, 2021

Abstract Globally, flood risk is projected to increase in the future due climate change and population growth. Here, we quantify role of dams mitigation, previously unaccounted for global studies, by simulating floodplain dynamics flow regulation dams. We show that, ignoring dams, average number people exposed flooding below amount 9.1 15.3 million per year, end 21 st century (holding constant), representative concentration pathway (RCP) 2.6 6.0, respectively. Accounting reduces floods 20.6 12.9% (for RCP2.6 RCP6.0, respectively). While environmental problems caused warrant further investigations, our results indicate that consideration significantly affect estimation exposure flood, emphasizing need integrate them model-based impact analysis change.

Language: Английский

Citations

274

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Global Riverine Plastic Outflows

Lei Mai, Xiangfei Sun, Linlin Xia

et al.

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 54(16), P. 10049 - 10056

Published: July 23, 2020

Global marine plastic pollution, which is derived mainly from the input of vast amounts land-based waste, has drawn increasing public attention. Riverine outflows estimated using models based on concept mismanaged waste (MPW) are substantially greater than reported field measurements. Herein, we formulate a robust model Human Development Index (HDI) as main predictor, and modeled riverine calibrated validated by available data. A strong correlation achieved between estimates measurements, with regression coefficient r2 = 0.9. The that global 1518 rivers were in range 57,000-265,000 (median: 134,000) MT year-1 2018, approximately one-tenth MPW-based models. With increased production human development, outflow projected to peak 2028 trajectory 2010-2050. HDI better indicator MPW estimate outflows, pollution can be effectively assessed contained during development processes. much lower should ease public's concern about financial pressure for remediation.

Language: Английский

Citations

266

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River bank instability from unsustainable sand mining in the lower Mekong River

Christopher Hackney, Stephen E. Darby, Daniel R. Parsons

et al.

Nature Sustainability, Journal Year: 2020, Volume and Issue: 3(3), P. 217 - 225

Published: Jan. 13, 2020

Language: Английский

Citations

264

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