Influence of Particle Size and Fragmentation on Large-Scale Microplastic Transport in the Mediterranean Sea

Environmental Science & Technology, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 56(22), С. 15528 - 15540

Опубликована: Окт. 21, 2022

Microplastic particles move three-dimensionally through the ocean, but modeling studies often do not consider size-dependent vertical transport processes. In addition, microplastic fragmentation in ocean environments remains poorly understood, despite fragments making up majority of pollution terms number and its potential role mass removal. Here, we first investigate particle size density on large-scale microplastics Mediterranean Sea next analyze how may affect loss plastics. For progressively smaller sizes, are shown to be less likely beached more reach open water. Smaller also generally get mixed deeper, resulting lower near-surface concentrations small their higher total abundance. is dominated by beach-based fragmentation, with ocean-based processes having negligible influence. However, a slow process acting decadal time scales as such does have major influence distribution over periods than 3 years.

Язык: Английский

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Where does Arctic beach debris come from? Analyzing debris composition and provenance on Svalbard aided by citizen scientists

Frontiers in Marine Science, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 10

Опубликована: Фев. 7, 2023

Plastic debris is ubiquitous in all ecosystems and has even reached locations that humans will hardly reach such as the deep ocean floor atmosphere. Research highlighted plastic now pervasive remote Arctic regions. While modeling projections indicated local sources long-distance transport causes, empirical data about its origin are scarce. Data collected by citizen scientists can increase scale of observations, especially Here, we report abundance composition marine on 14 beaches Spitsbergen archipelago. In addition, three large, industrial sized canvas bags (hereafter: big packs), filled with beached debris, which composition, were determined. A total mass 1,620 kg was 38,000 m 2 (total mean = 41.83 g -2 , SEM ± 31.62). terms abundance, 23,000 pieces 25,500 0.37 items 0.17). Although most both mass, fisheries waste, nets, rope, large containers, dominated (87%), general plastics, packaging articles, (80%). Fisheries-related points to sea-based from vessels operating nearby. General plastics could point land- ship based sources, household also used ships be transported north via oceans current. Overall, 1% (206 out 14,707 pieces) two packs (2017 2021), bore imprints or labels allowing an analysis their origin. If categories ‘global’ ‘English language’ excluded, identifiable originated states (65%), Russia (32%) Norway (16%). But almost a third (30%) European provenance, Germany (8%). Five percent more distant (e.g. USA, China, Korea, Brazil). Global measures efficient legally binding treaty improved upstream waste management urgently needed, lower amount entering our environments turn lifting pressure region sensitive biota.

Язык: Английский

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Estimation of the age of polyethylene microplastics collected from oceans: Application to the western North Pacific Ocean

Marine Pollution Bulletin, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 192, С. 114951 - 114951

Опубликована: Май 10, 2023

The knowledge of microplastic (MP) age could aid the deduction origin and fate a fragment carried by ocean currents over long time periods distances. present study developed novel method to estimate MPs (i.e., UV radiation exposure time) using oxidation level polyethylene carbonyl index) from infrared spectrometry, ultraviolet erythemal (UVER) data, ambient seawater temperatures. Accelerated outdoor experiments were conducted establish relationships among temporally integrated UVER, temperature, index. Thereafter, was computed, with Miyakojima Island serving as reference location. estimated ages collected western North Pacific Ocean ranged 1 3 years, those nearshore waters 0 5 years.

Язык: Английский

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Prediction of microplastic abundance in surface water of the ocean and influencing factors based on ensemble learning

Environmental Pollution, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 331, С. 121834 - 121834

Опубликована: Май 18, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Influence of monsoon seasonality and tidal cycle on microplastics presence and distribution in the Upper Gulf of Thailand

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 920, С. 170787 - 170787

Опубликована: Фев. 12, 2024

Southeast Asian countries are recognized as significant contributors to the discharge of abundant plastic waste into ocean. In this study, we conducted neuston net surveys on Si Chang Island Gulf Thailand, a coral reef conservation area, determine presence microplastic (MP) pollution. The survey, during wet (southwesterly monsoon), transition, and dry seasons (northeasterly revealed that MP abundance was in range 0.02–42.46 particles m−3. precipitation, wind, current direction induced by monsoons influenced distribution MP, presenting seasonality. cluster analysis for colors polymer types MPs suggested origin is diverse. Based our results, proposal generation, sources, pathways Thailand presented: 1) wastes exposed strong UV light season get fragmented around river, 2) heavy rains wash away season. This applicable tropical regions, including Thailand. Therefore, paper concluded ocean currents unique climate, resulting generation land, increase surrounding Asia countries. Furthermore, ecosystems can be particularly threatened these areas. So, an monitoring from world highly recommended.

Язык: Английский

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Sunlight-Driven Photochemical Removal of Polypropylene Microplastics from Surface Waters Follows Linear Kinetics and Does Not Result in Fragmentation

Environmental Science & Technology, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 58(12), С. 5461 - 5471

Опубликована: Март 15, 2024

Floating microplastics are susceptible to sunlight-driven photodegradation, which can convert plastic carbon dissolved organic (DOC) and facilitate microplastic fragmentation by mechanical forces. To understand the photochemical fate of sub-millimeter buoyant plastics, ∼0.6 mm polypropylene were photodegraded while tracking mass, carbon, particle size distributions. Plastic mass loss followed linear kinetics. At most time points DOC accumulation accounted for under 50% total lost. sigmoidal kinetics, not exponential kinetics previously reported shorter irradiations. Thus, we suggest that estimates lifespan based on inaccurate. Instead, plastic-C should be used, these methods result in longer lifetimes plastics surface waters. Scanning electron microscopy revealed photoirradiation produced two distinct patterns cracking particles. However, distribution analyses indicated was minimal. initial population shrank during irradiations, indicating tranquil waters (i.e., without forcing) fragmentation.

Язык: Английский

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Occurrence of microplastics in Russell’s snapper (Lutjanus russellii) and associated prey species in the Central Gulf of Thailand

Environmental Science and Pollution Research, Год журнала: 2025, Номер unknown

Опубликована: Фев. 18, 2025

Abstract Microplastic (MP) contamination in fish may occur via their feeding behavior and ingestion of contaminated prey. This study investigated the presence MPs predator Lutjanus russellii (Russell’s snapper) its prey along Chumphon coast Central Gulf Thailand. Stomach contents L . were analyzed to identify species. Prey species then sampled from same geographical area as specimens for subsequent MP analysis. The dietary habits classify it a generalist carnivore, consuming diverse range food items, including zooplankton, crustaceans, small fish. No significant correlation was observed between abundance weight or length (general linear model, p > 0.05). Black red fibers predominant types both prey, though sizes varied among In stomachs, most common polymers acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS; 26.32%), polyethylene terephthalate (PET; 21.05%), polyester (PES; 10.53%). Conversely, samples dominated by PES (17.58%), PET (15.38%), ABS (13.19%). Notably, similarities characteristics (shape, color, average size, certain polymer types) Portunus sp. detection smaller compared (Mann–Whitney U -test, ≤ 0.05) suggests transfer through hard-shelled crustacean underscores importance examining predator–prey interactions better understand pathways marine ecosystems, particularly regions like Thailand, where plastic pollution is prevalent. Further research required assess long-term ecological implications within chains.

Язык: Английский

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Catalytic depolymerization of waste polyethylene terephthalate plastic in supercritical ethanol by ZnO/γ-Al2O3 catalyst

Process Safety and Environmental Protection, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 173, С. 881 - 892

Опубликована: Апрель 5, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Sediment-driven plastisphere community assembly on plastic debris in tropical coastal and marine environments

Environment International, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 179, С. 108153 - 108153

Опубликована: Авг. 16, 2023

Coastal habitats have been suggested to serve as a sink for unaccounted plastic debris, i.e., "missing plastic" in the sea, and hence, hotspot of pollution marine coastal environments. Although accumulation debris may pose significant threats ecosystems, we know little about fate these their ecological impacts due lack studies on plastic-microbe interactions habitats, especially tropical In this study, collected from 14 sites consisting various ecosystems (seagrass meadows, mangrove forests, beaches), ecosystem (coral reef) around Singapore characterized prokaryotic eukaryotic microbial communities colonized them. Our results showed that composition plastisphere intertidal was predominantly influenced by sediment than materials. Compared with surrounding seawater, enriched potential degraders, such Muricauda, Halomonas, Brevundimonas. The also found host taxa play roles biogeochemical cycles (e.g., cyanobacteria, Erythrobacter), hygienically relevant bacteria Chryseobacterium, Brevundimonas), pathogens negatively impact health Thraustochytriaceae, Labyrinthulaceae, Flavobacterium). Taken together, our study provides valuable insights into highlighting urgent need understand accumulated habitats.

Язык: Английский

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Microplastic-specific biofilm growth determines the vertical transport of plastics in freshwater

The Science of The Total Environment, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 910, С. 168399 - 168399

Опубликована: Ноя. 20, 2023

Язык: Английский

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