Science,
Journal Year:
2019,
Volume and Issue:
366(6467), P. 886 - 890
Published: Nov. 15, 2019
Soils
underpin
terrestrial
ecosystem
functions,
but
they
face
numerous
anthropogenic
pressures.
Despite
their
crucial
ecological
role,
we
know
little
about
how
soils
react
to
more
than
two
environmental
factors
at
a
time.
Here,
show
experimentally
that
increasing
the
number
of
simultaneous
global
change
(up
10)
caused
directional
changes
in
soil
properties,
processes,
and
microbial
communities,
though
there
was
greater
uncertainty
predicting
magnitude
change.
Our
study
provides
blueprint
for
addressing
multifactor
with
an
efficient,
broadly
applicable
experimental
design
studying
impacts
Environment International,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
146, P. 106274 - 106274
Published: Dec. 2, 2020
Microplastics
are
particles
smaller
than
five
millimeters
deriving
from
the
degradation
of
plastic
objects
present
in
environment.
can
move
environment
to
living
organisms,
including
mammals.
In
this
study,
six
human
placentas,
collected
consenting
women
with
physiological
pregnancies,
were
analyzed
by
Raman
Microspectroscopy
evaluate
presence
microplastics.
total,
12
microplastic
fragments
(ranging
5
10
μm
size),
spheric
or
irregular
shape
found
4
placentas
(5
fetal
side,
maternal
side
and
3
chorioamniotic
membranes);
all
microplastics
characterized
terms
morphology
chemical
composition.
All
them
pigmented;
three
identified
as
stained
polypropylene
a
thermoplastic
polymer,
while
for
other
nine
it
was
possible
identify
only
pigments,
which
used
man-made
coatings,
paints,
adhesives,
plasters,
finger
polymers
cosmetics
personal
care
products.
Environmental Science & Technology,
Journal Year:
2019,
Volume and Issue:
53(12), P. 7068 - 7074
Published: June 5, 2019
Microplastics
are
ubiquitous
across
ecosystems,
yet
the
exposure
risk
to
humans
is
unresolved.
Focusing
on
American
diet,
we
evaluated
number
of
microplastic
particles
in
commonly
consumed
foods
relation
their
recommended
daily
intake.
The
potential
for
inhalation
and
how
source
drinking
water
may
affect
consumption
were
also
explored.
Our
analysis
used
402
data
points
from
26
studies,
which
represents
over
3600
processed
samples.
Evaluating
approximately
15%
Americans'
caloric
intake,
estimate
that
annual
microplastics
ranges
39000
52000
depending
age
sex.
These
estimates
increase
74000
121000
when
considered.
Additionally,
individuals
who
meet
intake
through
only
bottled
sources
be
ingesting
an
additional
90000
annually,
compared
4000
those
consume
tap
water.
subject
large
amounts
variation;
however,
given
methodological
limitations,
these
values
likely
underestimates.
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.
Environmental Science & Technology,
Journal Year:
2018,
Volume and Issue:
52(17), P. 9656 - 9665
Published: July 27, 2018
Soils
are
essential
components
of
terrestrial
ecosystems
that
experience
strong
pollution
pressure.
Microplastic
contamination
soils
is
being
increasingly
documented,
with
potential
consequences
for
soil
biodiversity
and
function.
Notwithstanding,
data
on
effects
such
contaminants
fundamental
properties
potentially
impacting
biota
lacking.
The
present
study
explores
the
microplastics
to
disturb
vital
relationships
between
water,
as
well
its
structure
microbial
During
a
5-weeks
garden
experiment
we
exposed
loamy
sand
environmentally
relevant
nominal
concentrations
(up
2%)
four
common
microplastic
types
(polyacrylic
fibers,
polyamide
beads,
polyester
polyethylene
fragments).
Then,
measured
bulk
density,
water
holding
capacity,
hydraulic
conductivity,
aggregation,
activity.
Microplastics
affected
functional
relationship
activity
stable
aggregates.
underestimated
if
idiosyncrasies
particle
type
neglected,
suggesting
purely
qualitative
environmental
might
be
limited
value
assessment
in
soil.
If
extended
other
plastic
types,
processes
unravelled
here
suggest
long-term
anthropogenic
stressors
drivers
global
change
ecosystems.
Annals of Internal Medicine,
Journal Year:
2019,
Volume and Issue:
171(7), P. 453 - 457
Published: Sept. 2, 2019
Microplastics
are
ubiquitous
in
natural
environments.
Ingestion
of
microplastics
has
been
described
marine
organisms,
whereby
particles
may
enter
the
food
chain.To
examine
human
feces
for
presence
to
determine
whether
humans
involuntarily
ingest
them.Prospective
case
series
which
participants
completed
a
diary
and
sampled
stool
according
step-by-step
instructions.Europe
Asia.Eight
healthy
volunteers
aged
33
65
years.After
chemical
digestion,
Fourier-transform
infrared
microspectroscopy
was
used
analyze
shape
10
common
types
microplastic
samples.All
8
samples
tested
positive
microplastics.
A
median
20
(50
500
µm
size)
per
g
were
identified.
Overall,
9
plastic
detected,
with
polypropylene
polyethylene
terephthalate
being
most
abundant.There
few
participants,
each
provided
only
1
sample.
The
origin
fate
gastrointestinal
tract
not
investigated.Various
detected
stool,
suggesting
inadvertent
ingestion
from
different
sources.
Further
research
on
extent
intake
potential
effect
health
is
needed.None.
Science,
Journal Year:
2020,
Volume and Issue:
369(6510), P. 1455 - 1461
Published: July 23, 2020
A
mess
of
plastic
It
is
not
clear
what
strategies
will
be
most
effective
in
mitigating
harm
from
the
global
problem
pollution.
Borrelle
et
al.
and
Lau
discuss
possible
solutions
their
impacts.
Both
groups
found
that
substantial
reductions
plastic-waste
generation
can
made
coming
decades
with
immediate,
concerted,
vigorous
action,
but
even
best
case
scenario,
huge
quantities
still
accumulate
environment.
Science
,
this
issue
p.
1515
1455
Environmental Science & Technology,
Journal Year:
2019,
Volume and Issue:
53(19), P. 11496 - 11506
Published: Sept. 11, 2019
Environmental
contamination
by
microplastics
is
now
considered
an
emerging
threat
to
biodiversity
and
ecosystem
functioning.
Soil
ecosystems,
particularly
agricultural
land,
have
been
recognized
as
a
major
sink
of
microplastics,
but
the
impacts
on
soil
ecosystems
(e.g.,
above
below
ground)
remain
largely
unknown.
In
this
study,
different
types
[biodegradable
polylactic
acid
(PLA)],
conventional
high-density
polyethylene
(HDPE),
microplastic
clothing
fibers
were
added
containing
endogeic
Aporrectodea
rosea
(rosy-tipped
earthworm)
planted
with
Lolium
perenne
(perennial
ryegrass)
assess
biophysical
response
in
mesocosm
experiment.
When
exposed
or
PLA
fewer
seeds
germinated.
There
was
also
reduction
shoot
height
PLA.
The
biomass
A.
HDPE
significantly
reduced
compared
control
samples.
Furthermore,
present
there
decrease
pH.
size
distribution
water-stable
aggregates
altered
when
present,
suggesting
potential
alterations
stability.
This
study
provides
evidence
that
manufactured
PLA,
synthetic
can
affect
development
L.
perenne,
health
basic,
crucial
properties,
further
