Learning from natural sediments to tackle microplastics challenges: A multidisciplinary perspective

Earth-Science Reviews, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 228, С. 104021 - 104021

Опубликована: Апрель 5, 2022

Although the study of microplastics in aquatic environment incorporates a diversity research fields, it is still its infancy many aspects while comparable topics have been studied other disciplines for decades. In particular, extensive sedimentology can provide valuable insights to guide future research. To advance our understanding comparability natural sediments with microplastics, we take an interdisciplinary look at existing literature describing particle properties, transport processes, sampling techniques and ecotoxicology. Based on analysis, define seven goals that are essential improve be tackled by learning from sediment research, identify relevant tasks achieve each goal. These address (1) description microplastic particles, (2) interaction environmental substances, (3) vertical distribution (4) erosion deposition behaviour (5) impact biota transport, (6) methods (7) toxicity. When should specifically draw knowledge sediments, example using shape factors or applying determining principal dimensions non-spherical particles. Sediment offers fundamentals transferable could usefully applied. However, major gaps exist role modes, influence importance implementation dynamic as result time-dependent changes properties numerical models. We give overview available discuss their suitability sampling, which used creating standardised guidelines application microplastics. order comprehensively assess ecotoxicology distinction must made between effects polymers themselves, physical form, plastic-associated chemicals attached pollutants. This review highlights areas where rely - need new, microplastic-specific synthesize recommendations future,

Язык: Английский

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Global mass of buoyant marine plastics dominated by large long-lived debris

Nature Geoscience, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 16(8), С. 689 - 694

Опубликована: Авг. 1, 2023

Abstract The fate of plastics that enter the ocean is a longstanding puzzle. Recent estimates oceanic input plastic are one to two orders magnitude larger than amount measured floating at surface. This discrepancy could be due overestimation estimates, processes removing from surface or fragmentation and degradation. Here we present 3D global marine mass budget buoyant resolves this discrepancy. We assimilate observational data different reservoirs, including coastlines, surface, deep ocean, into numerical model, considering particle sizes 0.1–1,600.0 mm. find (>25 mm) contribute more 95% initially mass: 3,100 out 3,200 kilotonnes for year 2020. Our model an about 500 per year, less previous estimates. Together, our estimated total annual litter suggest there no missing sink pollution. results support higher residence times in environment compared with studies, line evidence. Long-lived pollution world’s oceans, which suggests continuing increase, negatively impact ecosystems without countermeasures prevention strategies.

Язык: Английский

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Global Modeled Sinking Characteristics of Biofouled Microplastic

Journal of Geophysical Research Oceans, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 126(4)

Опубликована: Март 20, 2021

Microplastic debris ending up at the sea surface has become a known major environmental issue. However, how microplastic particles move and when they sink in ocean remains largely unknown. Here, we model subject to biofouling (algal growth on substrate) estimate sinking timescales time reach depth where stop sinking. We combine NEMO-MEDUSA 2.0 output, that represents hydrodynamic biological properties of seawater, with particle-tracking framework. Different sizes densities (for different types plastic) are simulated, showing global distribution is size-dependent as opposed density-dependent. The smallest simulate (0.1 μm) start almost immediately around globe their trajectories take longest first (relative larger particles). In oligotrophic subtropical gyres low algal concentrations, between 1 0.01 mm do not within simulation 90 days. This suggests addition comparatively well-known physical processes, processes might also contribute accumulation floating plastic (of 1-0.01 mm) gyres. Particles μm due vertical advection, whereas equatorial Pacific more dependent biofouling. qualitative impacts seasonality small, however, localized sooner spring blooms seen. study maps affect virtual globally, which could ultimately impact budget.

Язык: Английский

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Plastic waste discharge to the global ocean constrained by seawater observations

Nature Communications, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 14(1)

Опубликована: Март 13, 2023

Marine plastic pollution poses a potential threat to the ecosystem, but sources and their magnitudes remain largely unclear. Existing bottom-up emission inventories vary among studies for two three orders of (OMs). Here, we adopt top-down approach that uses observed dataset sea surface concentrations an ensemble ocean transport models reduce uncertainty global discharge. The optimal estimation emissions in this study varies about 1.5 OMs: 0.70 (0.13-3.8 as 95% confidence interval) million metric tons yr-1 at present day. We find variability abundance caused by different is higher than model parameters. suggest more accurate inventories, data seawater other compartments, parameters are required further our estimate.

Язык: Английский

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A marine plastic cloud - Global mass balance assessment of oceanic plastic pollution

Continental Shelf Research, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 255, С. 104947 - 104947

Опубликована: Фев. 1, 2023

To improve our understanding and management of marine plastic pollution the ocean, a total budget is needed which quantifies sources sinks, as well inputs removal per unit time. The current state knowledge indicates that coastal zone ocean water column are major locations for pollution, but fate much this must ultimately be deep floor. We reviewed 23 journal articles provide 280 observations deep-sea sediment microplastic concentration across six different off-shelf environments. calculate following mean concentrations particles (number) kg sediment: continental slope 502; submarine canyons 784; fans rise 714; abyssal plains 217; trenches troughs 2782; hills, mountains other floor 165 kg−1. These figures alarming because several exceed one estimate 'safe' levels benthic life (540 kg−1). Monitoring in sediments canyons, environments should priority to ensure efficacy policies actions taken curb at both national global level. 3.05 million tonnes resides acknowledge uncertainties figure. If correct, figure implies (which may contain 90 microplastic) major, transitory sink MP, forming suspended, cloud. In addition particle concentrations, further measurements size mass advance development balance budgets pollution.

Язык: Английский

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Effects of weathering on the properties and fate of secondary microplastics from a polystyrene single-use cup

Journal of Hazardous Materials, Год журнала: 2023, Номер 459, С. 131855 - 131855

Опубликована: Июнь 15, 2023

Язык: Английский

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Microplastic aging processes: Environmental relevance and analytical implications

TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 172, С. 117566 - 117566

Опубликована: Янв. 30, 2024

The analysis of microplastics (MPs) in terrestrial environments and the evaluation their environmental risk has gained great attention, owing to increasing evidence for widespread presence soils freshwater sediments globally. Once environment, MPs undergo abiotic biotic processes which alter properties integrity: this process is called "aging" implications fate these contaminants, morphology surface chemistry. Aging may also affect analytical assessment samples: samples likely contain aged MPs, while methods are generally established using pristine plastics validation. This can lead uncertainties quantification characterization. critical review summarizes current trends simulation characterization MP aging laboratory conditions, highlighting limitations knowledge gaps. It discusses challenges induced by samples, providing directions toward possible solutions.

Язык: Английский

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Plastics in the deep sea – A global estimate of the ocean floor reservoir

Deep Sea Research Part I Oceanographic Research Papers, Год журнала: 2024, Номер 206, С. 104266 - 104266

Опубликована: Март 2, 2024

Язык: Английский

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Oceanic long-range transport of organic additives present in plastic products: an overview

Environmental Sciences Europe, Год журнала: 2021, Номер 33(1)

Опубликована: Июль 22, 2021

Abstract Most plastics are made of persistent synthetic polymer matrices that contain chemical additives in significant amounts. Millions tonnes produced every year and a amount this plastic enters the marine environment, either as macro- or microplastics. In article, an overview is given presence debris globally its potential to reach remote locations combination with analysis oceanic long-range transport organic present debris. The information gathered shows leaching hydrophobic substances from slow ocean, whereas more polar leach faster but mostly surface layers particle. Their high content used several percent by weight allows also these chemicals be transported over long distances without being completely depleted along way. It therefore likely various types As consequence, birds other wildlife ingest exposed substances, accelerated warm-blooded organisms fluids such stomach oil, compared water. Our estimates show approximately 8100–18,900 t buoyant portion Arctic. For many chemicals, (LRT) carrier their only means travelling degrading, resulting enabling LRT which otherwise would not environments unknown consequences. via additional route should considered under Stockholm Convention.

Язык: Английский

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Effects of Biofilms and Particle Physical Properties on the Rising and Settling Velocities of Microplastic Fibers and Sheets

Environmental Science & Technology, Год журнала: 2022, Номер 56(12), С. 8114 - 8123

Опубликована: Май 20, 2022

Vertical dynamics of microplastics (MPs) in the water column are complex and not fully understood due to diversity environmental MPs impact weathering biofouling on their dynamical properties. In this study, we investigate effects particle properties biofilm vertical (settling or rising) velocity microplastic sheets fibers under laboratory conditions. The experiments focus three types (polyester PES fibers, polyethylene terephthalate PET sheets, polypropylene PP sheets) nine sizes two degrees biological colonization. Even though pristine had a similar density, sinking was much smaller independent length. settling rising increased with size up threshold then decreased wake horizontal oscillations large particles. Biofilms unexpected velocities. Irregular distributions can trigger motion instabilities that decrease velocities despite increase density. also modify orientation which may velocity. Finally, selected most performant theoretical formulation for each type proposed modifications consider effect distribution.

Язык: Английский

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