Plastic pollution in the Arctic

Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 3(5), P. 323 - 337

Published: April 5, 2022

Plastic pollution is now pervasive in the Arctic, even areas with no apparent human activity, such as deep seafloor. In this Review, we describe sources and impacts of Arctic plastic pollution, including debris microplastics, which have infiltrated terrestrial aquatic systems, cryosphere atmosphere. Although some from local — fisheries, landfills, wastewater offshore industrial activity distant regions are a substantial source, carried lower latitudes to by ocean currents, atmospheric transport rivers. Once accumulates certain affects ecosystems. Population-level information sparse, but interactions entanglements ingestion marine been recorded for mammals, seabirds, fish invertebrates. Early evidence also suggests between climate change pollution. Even if emissions halted today, fragmentation legacy will lead an increasing microplastic burden ecosystems, already under pressure anthropogenic warming. Mitigation urgently needed at both regional international levels decrease production utilization, achieve circularity optimize solid waste management treatment. microplastics ubiquitous Arctic. This Review describes sources, distribution consequences calls immediate action mitigate further ecosystem impact.

Language: Английский

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The fundamental links between climate change and marine plastic pollution

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 806, P. 150392 - 150392

Published: Sept. 17, 2021

Plastic pollution and climate change have commonly been treated as two separate issues sometimes are even seen competing. Here we present an alternative view that these fundamentally linked. Primarily, explore how plastic contributes to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the beginning end of its life cycle. Secondly, show more extreme weather floods associated with change, will exacerbate spread in natural environment. Finally, both occur throughout marine environment, ecosystems species can be particularly vulnerable both, such coral reefs face disease through climate-driven increased global bleaching events. A Web Science search showed studies ocean often siloed, only 0.4% articles examining stressors simultaneously. We also identified a lack regional industry-specific cycle analysis data for comparisons relative GHG contributions by materials products. Overall, suggest rather than debate over importance or pollution, productive course would determine linking factors between identify solutions combat crises.

Language: Английский

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First evidence of microplastics in Antarctic snow

˜The œcryosphere, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 16(6), P. 2127 - 2145

Published: June 7, 2022

Abstract. In recent years, airborne microplastics have been identified in a range of remote environments. However, data throughout the Southern Hemisphere, particular Antarctica, are largely absent to date. We collected snow samples from 19 sites across Ross Island region Antarctica. Suspected microplastic particles were isolated and their composition confirmed using micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (µFTIR). all Antarctic at an average concentration 29 L−1, with fibres most common morphotype polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymer. To investigate sources, backward air mass trajectories run time sampling. These indicate potential long-range transportation up 6000 km, assuming residence 6.5 d. Local sources also as inputs into environment polymers consistent those used clothing equipment nearby research stations. This study adds growing body literature regarding ubiquitous pollutant establishes presence

Language: Английский

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Microplastics and nanoplastics in the marine-atmosphere environment

Nature Reviews Earth & Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 3(6), P. 393 - 405

Published: May 10, 2022

Language: Английский

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Direct radiative effects of airborne microplastics

Nature, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 598(7881), P. 462 - 467

Published: Oct. 20, 2021

Language: Английский

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The past, present, and future of plastic pollution

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 176, P. 113429 - 113429

Published: Feb. 24, 2022

Language: Английский

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The Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Plastics and Human Health

Annals of Global Health, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 89(1)

Published: Jan. 1, 2023

Plastics have conveyed great benefits to humanity and made possible some of the most significant advances modern civilization in fields as diverse medicine, electronics, aerospace, construction, food packaging, sports. It is now clear, however, that plastics are also responsible for harms human health, economy, earth's environment. These occur at every stage plastic life cycle, from extraction coal, oil, gas its main feedstocks through ultimate disposal into The extent these not been systematically assessed, their magnitude fully quantified, economic costs comprehensively counted.The goals this Minderoo-Monaco Commission on Human Health examine plastics' impacts across cycle on: (1) health well-being; (2) global environment, especially ocean; (3) economy; (4) vulnerable populations-the poor, minorities, world's children. On basis examination, offers science-based recommendations designed support development a Global Treaty, protect save lives.This report contains seven Sections. Following an Introduction, Section 2 presents narrative review processes involved production, use, notes hazards environment associated with each stages. 3 describes ocean potential enter marine web result exposure. 4 details health. 5 first-order estimate health-related costs. 6 examines intersection between plastic, social inequity, environmental injustice. 7 Commission's findings recommendations.Plastics complex, highly heterogeneous, synthetic chemical materials. Over 98% produced fossil carbon- oil gas. comprised carbon-based polymer backbone thousands additional chemicals incorporated polymers convey specific properties such color, flexibility, stability, water repellence, flame retardation, ultraviolet resistance. Many added toxic. They include carcinogens, neurotoxicants endocrine disruptors phthalates, bisphenols, per- poly-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), brominated retardants, organophosphate retardants. integral components many environment.Global production has increased almost exponentially since World War II, time more than 8,300 megatons (Mt) manufactured. Annual volume grown under Mt 1950 460 2019, 230-fold increase, track triple by 2060. More half all ever 2002. Single-use account 35-40% current represent rapidly growing segment manufacture.Explosive recent growth reflects deliberate pivot integrated multinational fossil-carbon corporations produce manufacture plastics. reducing fuels increasing manufacture. two principal factors decreasing demand due increases 'green' energy, massive expansion fracking.Plastic energy-intensive contributes significantly climate change. At present, estimated 3.7% greenhouse emissions, contribution Brazil. This fraction projected increase 4.5% 2060 if trends continue unchecked.The three phases: disposal. In carbon feedstocks-coal, gas, oil-are transformed energy-intensive, catalytic vast array products. Plastic use occurs aspect results widespread exposure contained plastic. constitute largest portion followed fibers construction.Plastic inefficient, recovery recycling rates below 10% globally. 22 waste enters year, much it single-use gigatons accumulated 1950. Strategies controlled uncontrolled landfilling, open burning, thermal conversion, export. Vast quantities exported year high-income low-income countries, where accumulates landfills, pollutes air water, degrades vital ecosystems, befouls beaches estuaries, health-environmental injustice scale. Plastic-laden e-waste particularly problematic.Plastics plastic-associated pollution. contaminate aquatic (marine freshwater), terrestrial, atmospheric environments destination found throughout ocean, including coastal regions, sea surface, deep sea, polar ice. appear resist breakdown could persist decades. Macro- micro-plastic particles identified hundreds species major taxa, consumed humans. Trophic transfer microplastic within them demonstrated. Although themselves (>10 µm) undergo biomagnification, hydrophobic bioaccumulate animals biomagnify webs. amounts fates smaller nanoplastic (MNPs <10 poorly understood, but harm worrying given mobility biological systems. Adverse pollution multiple levels molecular biochemical population ecosystem. MNP contamination seafood direct, though well chemicals. Marine endangers ecosystems upon which depends food, oxygen, livelihood, well-being.Coal miners, workers field who extract suffer mortality traumatic injury, coal workers' pneumoconiosis, silicosis, cardiovascular disease, chronic obstructive pulmonary lung cancer. risk leukemia, lymphoma, hepatic angiosarcoma, brain cancer, breast mesothelioma, neurotoxic decreased fertility. Workers producing textiles die bladder interstitial disease rates. toxic metal poisoning, neuropathy, Residents "fenceline" communities adjacent sites experience risks premature birth, low birth weight, asthma, childhood cancer.During disposal, release additives residual monomers people. National biomonitoring surveys USA document population-wide exposures disrupt function births, neurodevelopmental disorders, male reproductive defects, infertility, obesity, renal cancers. Chemical-laden MNPs formed degradation can living organisms, Emerging, albeit still incomplete evidence indicates may cause toxicity physical toxicological effects acting vectors transport bacterial pathogens tissues cells.Infants womb young children populations high plastic-related effects. Because exquisite sensitivity early hazardous children's unique patterns exposure, linked prematurity, stillbirth, defects organs, impairment, impaired growth, Early-life non-communicable diseases later life.Plastic's We 2015 exceeded $250 billion (2015 Int$) globally, alone disability caused PBDE, BPA DEHP $920 Int$). (GHG) emissions equivalent 1.96 dioxide (CO2e) annually. Using US Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) cost metric, we annual GHG be $341 Int$).These costs, large they are, certainly underestimate full losses resulting negative All costs-and costs-are externalized petrochemical manufacturing industry borne citizens, taxpayers, governments countries around world without compensation.The adverse economy evenly distributed. disproportionately affect disempowered, marginalized workers, racial ethnic communities, Indigenous groups, women, children, whom had little do creating crisis lack political influence or resources address it. Plastics' harmful keenly felt South, small island states, disenfranchised areas North. Social justice (SEJ) principles require reversal inequitable burdens ensure no group bears disproportionate share those benefit economically bear fair currently costs.It clear sustainable societal injustices.The driver worsening exponential accelerating production. further magnified long persistence environment.The plastics-monomers, additives, processing agents, non-intentionally substances-include amongst number known disruptors, neurotoxicants, persistent organic pollutants. planetary leach out plastics, pollution, disease. efforts reduce must chemicals.To at-risk populations, put end 2040, supports urgent adoption nations strong comprehensive Treaty accord mandate set forth March 2022 resolution United Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA).International measures needed curb because transcend national boundaries, scale, well-being people poorest nations. Effective implementation will international action coordinated complemented interventions national, regional, local levels.This urges cap targets, timetables, contributions central provision Treaty. recommend inclusion following provisions:The needs extend beyond microplastics litter plastics.The banning severely restricting unnecessary, avoidable, problematic items, items manufactured microbeads.The requirements extended producer responsibility (EPR) make producers, manufacturers products legally financially safety end-of-life management materials sell.The reductions complexity products; health-protective standards additives; requirement non-toxic materials; disclosure components; traceability components. International cooperation essential implementing enforcing standards.The SEJ remedies fill gaps community knowledge advance both distributional procedural equity.This encourages calling exploration listing least pollutants (POPs) Stockholm Convention.This interface Basel London Conventions enhance slow exports least-developed countries.This recommends creation Permanent Science Policy Advisory Body guide Treaty's implementation. priorities would Member States other stakeholders evaluating solutions effective consumption, enhancing recycling, curbing generation waste. assess trade-offs among evaluate safer alternatives monitor transnational export coordinate robust oceanic-, land-, air-based monitoring programs.This investment research crisis. need determine cost-effective context particular proposed solutions. Oceanographic better measure concentrations µm understand distribution fate Biomedical elucidate MNPs.This finds boon stealth threat enormous benefits, linear pay attention design safe near absence recovery, reuse, grave damage, injustices. worsening.While there remain about uncertainties magnitude, available today demonstrates unequivocally severity intervention Manufacture continue. However, reckless ever-increasing unnecessary products, curbed.Global against failure act immense.

Language: Английский

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There's something in the air: A review of sources, prevalence and behaviour of microplastics in the atmosphere

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 874, P. 162193 - 162193

Published: Feb. 23, 2023

Literature regarding microplastics in the atmosphere has advanced recent years. However, studies have been undertaken isolation with minimal collaboration and exploration of relationships between air, deposition dust. This review collates concentrations (particle count mass-based), shape, size polymetric characteristics for ambient air (m3), (m2/day), dust (microplastics/g) snow (microplastics/L) from 124 peer-reviewed articles to provide a holistic overview analysis our current knowledge. In summary, featured <1 >1000 microplastics/m3 (outdoor) microplastic/m3 1583 ± 1181 (mean) (indoor), consisting polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene, polypropylene. No difference (p > 0.05) was observed indoor outdoor or minimum 0.5). Maximum microplastic sizes were larger indoors < 0.05). Deposition ranged 0.5 1357 microplastics/m2/day 475 19,600 including polystyrene, polypropylene, terephthalate. Concentrations varied 0.05), being more abundant indoors, potentially closer sources/sinks. maximum reported within Road 2 477 microplastics/g (mean), polyvinyl chloride, Mean microplastic/g (remote desert) 18 225 microplastics/g, comprised polyamide, Snow 0.1 30,000 microplastics/L, containing 10 67,000 The smaller Although comparability is hindered by differing sampling methods, analytical techniques, polymers investigated, spectral libraries inconsistent terminology, this provides synopsis knowledge date atmospheric microplastics.

Language: Английский

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Potential Health Impact of Microplastics: A Review of Environmental Distribution, Human Exposure, and Toxic Effects

Environment & Health, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 1(4), P. 249 - 257

Published: Aug. 10, 2023

Microplastics are ubiquitous in the global environment. As a typical emerging pollutant, its potential health hazards have been widely concerning. In this brief paper, we introduce source, identification, toxicity, and hazard of microplastics human. The literature review shows that frequently detected environmental human samples. Humans potentially exposed to through oral intake, inhalation, skin contact. We summarize toxic effects experimental models like cells, organoids, animals. These consist oxidative stress, DNA damage, organ dysfunction, metabolic disorder, immune response, neurotoxicity, as well reproductive developmental toxicity. addition, epidemiological evidence suggests variety chronic diseases may be related exposure. Finally, put forward gaps toxicity research their future development directions. This will helpful understanding exposure risk microplastics.

Language: Английский

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Oxidation and fragmentation of plastics in a changing environment; from UV-radiation to biological degradation

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 851, P. 158022 - 158022

Published: Aug. 12, 2022

Understanding the fate of plastics in environment is critical importance for quantitative assessment biological impacts plastic waste. Specially, there a need to analyze more detail reputed longevity context degradation through oxidation and fragmentation reactions. Photo-oxidation debris by solar UV radiation (UVR) makes material prone subsequent fragmentation. The fragments generated following exposure mechanical stresses include secondary micro- or nanoparticles, an emerging class pollutants. paper discusses UV-driven photo-oxidation process, identifying relevant knowledge gaps uncertainties. Serious exist concerning wavelength sensitivity dose-response photo-fragmentation process. Given heterogeneity natural irradiance varying from no sediments full floating, beach litter air-borne plastics, it argued that rates degradation/fragmentation will also vary dramatically between different locations environmental niches. Biological phenomena such as biofouling further modulate radiation, while potentially contributing and/or independent UVR. Reductions UVR many regions, consequent implementation Montreal Protocol its Amendments protecting stratospheric ozone, have consequences global heterogeneous manner across geographic zones. interacting effects warming, ozone are projected increase at surface localized areas, mainly because decreased cloud cover. complexity uncertainty future conditions, this currently precludes reliable predictions persistence on scale.

Language: Английский

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