Article
Environmental Sciences
Gabriel Enrique De-la-Torre, Carlos Ivan Pizarro-Ortega, Diana Carolina Dioses-Salinas, Md. Refat Jahan Rakib, Williams Ramos, Victor Pretell, Victor Vasques Ribeiro, Italo Braga Castro, Sina Dobaradaran
Summary: Beaches in the Anthropocene are burdened with human-derived pollution, with new forms of plastic formations being described and documented, including plasticrusts, plastiglomerates, and pyroplastics. The study in Peru provided evidence of these formations and suggested a new plasticrust formation pathway based on plastic burning and filling of rock crevices with molten plastic.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
M. Ardusso, A. D. Forero-Lopez, N. S. Buzzi, C. Spetter, M. D. Fernandez-Severini
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a significant increase in the use of face masks and other personal protective equipment made of polymeric materials, contributing to plastic pollution. This issue is particularly pronounced in South America.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Igor David da Costa, Leonardo Lopes Costa, Ilana Rosental Zalmon
Summary: Coastal countries generate large amounts of plastic pollution in the oceans every year. The present study found that fish select microplastics based on their morphology and chemical composition in the environment, and more microplastics were found in fish and water bodies in artificial reef areas.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Editorial Material
Environmental Sciences
Joe Ackerman, David B. Levin
Summary: This article identifies the problem of plastic proliferation, the inadequacies of current recycling efforts, and the urgency to address this issue in the light of the microplastic threat. It highlights the differences between recycling practices in North America and certain countries in the European Union, and the obstacles to plastic recycling such as economic, physical, and regulatory challenges.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ryan Andrades, Paulo Arthur A. Trindade, Tommaso Giarrizzo
Summary: Researchers found a specimen of Plagioscion squamosissimus dead and choked by a plastic bag in Marajó Bay, Amazon estuary on December 23rd, 2020. The rarity and factors of this plastic-animal interaction for bony fishes have been discussed and presented with images.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jessica T. Wenclawiak, John E. Weinstein
Summary: The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an increase of personal protective equipment (PPE) litter in the environment, including plastic polymers that can degrade over time. A study conducted at Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, quantified the abundance of PPE litter in the area, finding that PPE comprised 2.9% of all plastic litter. Gloves were the most common type of PPE found. This study provides baseline data on pandemic-related PPE litter and highlights the need for further research on the environmental risks associated with PPE litter exposure.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anne K. S. Justino, Guilherme V. B. Ferreira, Vincent Fauvelle, Natascha Schmidt, Veronique Lenoble, Latifa Pelage, Flavia Lucena-Fredou
Summary: This study investigated the contamination of microplastics (MPs) in four coastal fish species from the southwestern Tropical Atlantic. All species analyzed were found to be contaminated with MPs, with Alphestes afer being the most contaminated. There were no significant differences in the number and size of particles detected among species, and the most common shapes were fibers and films, with polyethylene being the most abundant polymer. This study provides important baseline data on MP contamination in coastal fish species, which is relevant for conserving marine biodiversity.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alexandra R. Mcgoran, Paul F. Clark, Brian D. Smith, David Morritt
Summary: Macroplastic is a growing concern for marine environments, particularly in estuaries. The Thames Estuary, for example, has a significant amount of plastic floating below the surface and on the riverbed. The majority of litter found in the study was packaging, some of which was over 30 years old. Sewage-related debris was also abundant and its presence correlated with heavy or prolonged rainfall. The Covid-19 pandemic did not impact the abundance or diversity of plastic found during the study.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Lin Lin, Yuxiong Huang, Pu Wang, Ciara Chun Chen, Wei Qian, Xiaoshan Zhu, Xiangrong Xu
Summary: Plastic products used in aquaculture may release potential harmful substances that can threaten aquatic products and human health. However, there is a lack of systematic studies on the release, occurrence, accumulation, and toxic effects of these aquaculture-derived plastic leachates, overlooking their potential sources and ecotoxicological risks in aquatic environments. Our review and comparison of the concentrations of major plastic leachates in water and organisms from global aquaculture and non-farmed areas confirms that aquaculture leachate is an important source of contaminants in the environment. Moreover, we summarize the toxic effects and related mechanisms of aquaculture-derived plastic additives, with fish as a representative, revealing their potential health risks. Current challenges and future research needs are also proposed to provide scientific guidance for the use and management of plastic products in aquaculture industries.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Fisheries
S. Gundogdu, O. T. Eroldogan, E. Evliyaoglu, G. M. Turchini, X. G. Wu
Summary: Through a global sampling approach, this study assessed the plastic content and composition in commercial fishmeal products, revealing a wide range of plastics content in different products from various countries. The results indicate that certain fishmeal products have higher levels of plastics, posing a higher plastic intake risk for carnivorous fish species consuming them.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Leonardo Lopes Costa, Danilo Freitas Rangel, Ilana Rosental Zalmon
Summary: The improper disposal of face masks has led to a significant presence of COVID-19 litter in the environment. We conducted a study on 10 beach arcs along the largest hypersaline lagoon in South America to investigate the presence of face masks during the lockdown and post-lockdown periods. Our hypothesis was that the likelihood of finding face masks would increase with higher levels of urbanization. During the lockdown, approximately 3 x 10-3 face masks per square meter were found on 90% of the beaches. However, this decreased to 1 x 10-4 face masks per square meter on 80% of the beaches after the lockdown. The probability of finding a face mask was significantly higher in more urbanized areas. This highlights the importance of improved waste management and environmental education to reduce littering in coastal ecosystems.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yan-Kun Zhang, Bing-Kun Yang, Chun-Nuan Zhang, Shi-Xiao Xu, Ping Sun
Summary: The acute exposure of swordtail fish to microplastics was found to have adverse effects on their liver, leading to changes in metabolic profiles involving multiple metabolic pathways and metabolites. Microplastics affected oxidative stress, immune function, energy metabolism, sugar metabolism, lipid metabolism, and other physiological processes, as well as feed utilization, growth performance, nutrient metabolism, and animal growth. Additionally, a dose-effect relationship was observed between the quantity of microplastics and the number of affected amino acids.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ben Parker, J. Robert Britton, Katsiaryna Pabortsava, Magdalena Barrow, Iain D. Green, Victoria Dominguez Almela, Demetra Andreou
Summary: The spatiotemporal variations in microplastic loads were investigated in an urban watercourse in southwest England. Sediments mainly contained colored fragments, while animals mainly contained blue/green fibers. Sediment loads varied spatially, while biotic loads did not vary across space and time.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Michaela E. Miller, Cherie A. Motti, Mark Hamann, Frederieke J. Kroon
Summary: This study examined the ecological risk of microplastics (MPs) in coral reef ecosystems by comparing MP contamination in a simple food web with that in the surrounding environment. Samples were collected from different trophic levels and environmental matrices, and MPs were found to bioconcentrate but not biomagnify. The complexity of marine food webs and the heterogeneity of MPs in the environment highlight the importance of trophic transfer as a pathway of exposure.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Caroline C. C. Clemente, Karla Paresque, Paulo J. P. Santos
Summary: Plastic bags, commonly used once and improperly disposed, have a significant impact on benthic fauna and interfere with processes at the water-sediment interface, such as organic matter and silt-clay deposition.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pamela Y. Quintas, Andres H. Arias, Monica B. Alvarez, Claudia E. Domini, Mariano Garrido, Jorge E. Marcovecchio
Summary: This study evaluated the distribution and accumulation of butyltin compounds in different compartments of the Bahia Blanca estuary, revealing their presence in all environmental areas and the biological processes that affect their levels. The analysis also showed that mussels mainly bioaccumulate tributyltin from sediment.
ARCHIVES OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Andres H. Arias, Karla A. Pozo, Monica B. Alvarez, Petra Pribylova, Norma B. Tombesi
Summary: The study assessed atmospheric PAHs levels and inhalation cancer risk in southwest Buenos Aires using PUF disk passive air sampling, showing that urban locations had significantly higher PAH levels than rural or beach locations, primarily from direct sources like vehicle traffic, as well as pyrolytic sources such as biomass and coal combustion.
ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tatiana Recabarren-Villalon, Ana C. Ronda, Ana L. Oliva, Andrea Lopez Cazorla, Jorge E. Marcovecchio, Andres H. Arias
Summary: Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are a global concern in coastal environments due to their wide range of biological toxicity and ability to bioaccumulate. This study evaluated seasonal distribution patterns of PAHs in sediments and four fish species in an impacted Argentine estuary, finding the highest PAH levels in fall and different patterns in colder and warmer seasons. The data suggested that wastewater discharges are the main source of PAHs, and certain fish species are sensitive bioindicators of chronic contamination.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andres H. Arias, Maria B. Alfonso, Lautaro Girones, Maria C. Piccolo, Jorge E. Marcovecchio
Summary: The majority of aquatic microplastics are likely to be microfibers and tire wear particles, which are originated from textile production, clothes washing, and tire wear. The concentrations of microplastics vary in different aquatic environments. Textiles at all stages contribute the most to synthetic microfibers pollution, while tire wear particles are also a significant source. Strategies such as domestic laundry retention devices, WWTP with secondary treatment, and improvement in stormwater and road-runoff collectors can help reduce the release of these microplastics into water.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Vanesa L. Perillo, Vanesa Y. Bohn, Maria Clara Menendez, Ana C. Ronda, Alejandro J. Vitale, Gerardo M. E. Perillo, M. Cintia Piccolo, Diana G. Cuadrado
Summary: Seasonal physicochemical parameters at different stations along the Negro River Estuary in Argentina were studied, revealing higher total phosphorus concentration in warmer months compared to previous data, with orthophosphate values also high and fluctuating independently of total phosphorus. Turbidity, water temperature, pH, and conductivity did not seem to play a key role in phosphorus variations. An unexplained high total phosphorus spike in spring samples suggests the need for further research in the area.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Paula Masia, Juan L. Mateo, Andres Arias, Marlene Bartolome, Carmen Blanco, Karim Erzini, Francois Le Loc'h, Jean Herve Mve Beh, Deborah Power, Noemi Rodriguez, Gauthier Schaal, Gonzalo Machado-Schiaffino, Eva Garcia-Vazquez
Summary: The study assessed the importance of microplastic pollution for African fishing resources, identified regions particularly affected by MP pollution, and emphasized the importance of increasing coverage of MP pollution in African fishing resources and improving plastic waste management on the continent.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Italo Nascimento Freitas, Amanda Vieira Dourado, Stenio Gonsalves da Silva Matos, Sindoval Silva de Souza, Thiarlen Marinho da Luz, Aline Sueli de Lima Rodrigues, Abraao Tiago Batista Guimaraes, Nabisab Mujawar Mubarak, Md. Mosta Fizur Rahman, Andres Hugo Arias, Guilherme Malafaia
Summary: This study evaluated the possible effects of SARS-CoV-2-derived peptides combined with multiple pollutants on aquatic organisms using mayfly larvae as a model system. The results showed that exposure to the peptides led to higher mortality and lower body condition index in the larvae, as well as reduced enzyme activity and increased nitrite production. The study highlights the potential ecotoxicological risk associated with the spread of the new coronavirus in aquatic environments.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ana L. Oliva, Lautaro Girones, Tatiana V. Recabarren-Villalon, Ana C. Ronda, Jorge E. Marcovecchio, Andres H. Arias
Summary: This study assessed the occurrence, behavior, and associated human health and ecological risks of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) in four fish species and sediments from the Bahia Blanca estuary in Argentina. The results concluded that consumption of fish from the estuary does not pose health threats associated with these pollutants.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andres H. Arias, Guadalupe Alvarez, Karla Pozo, Petra Pribylova, Jana Klanova, Lucas S. Rodriguez Pirani, A. Lorena Picone, Monica Alvarez, Norma Tombesi
Summary: Microplastics (MPs) were sampled from a highly anthropised estuary's coastal areas to assess their distribution in coastal sediments and their potential role as pollution vectors. The average MP density was 1693 +/- 2315 MPs/kg, with accumulation mainly in high tide and storm berm areas of the beach. Various analysis techniques revealed spatial variation in MPs pollution and the presence of sorbed chemicals on plastic pellets. This highlights the environmental concerns and their significance as indicators of chemical exposure.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Italo Nascimento Freitas, Amanda Vieira Dourado, Amanda Pereira da Costa Araujo, Sindoval Silva de Souza, Thiarlen Marinho da Luz, Abraao Tiago Batista Guimaraes, Alex Rodrigues Gomes, Abu Reza Md Towfiqul Islam, Md Mostafizur Rahman, Andres Hugo Arias, Davoodbasha Mubarak Ali, Chinnasamy Ragavendran, Chinnaperumal Kamaraj, Guilherme Malafaia
Summary: The study found that the SARS-CoV-2 virus in sewage has no effect on the behavior, biology, or mutation of zebrafish. However, biochemical responses were observed in certain organs. Zebrafish adults exposed to viral fragments and a mix of pollutants showed higher toxicity than the other groups.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andres H. Arias, Ana L. Oliva, Ana C. Ronda, Norma B. Tombesi, Pablo Macchi, Patricio Solimano, Mariza Abrameto, Nathalia Migueles
Summary: This study assessed the levels, sources, and potential biological risks of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the water of the Negro River in Argentina. It found an increasing trend of OCP accumulation in the lower valley and widespread presence of PAHs along the river, particularly in areas with anthropogenic activity. PAHs posed a high risk to biota, highlighting the need for mitigation measures.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Lautaro Girones, Yago Guida, Ana Laura Oliva, Joao Paulo Machado Torres, Jorge Eduardo Marcovecchio, Walter Vetter, Andres Hugo Arias
Summary: This study investigated the presence and profiles of short-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs) and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (MCCPs) in four wild fish species from Bahia Blanca Estuary, Argentina. SCCPs and MCCPs were detected in 41% and 36% of the samples, respectively. The study highlights the need for further research on the occurrence, behavior, and impact of chlorinated paraffins in the marine ecosystems of Argentina.
Review
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Ana C. Ronda, Andres H. Arias, Guido N. Rimondino, Analia F. Perez, Agustin Harte, Jorge E. Marcovecchio
Summary: Plastic pollution research in Argentina has been rapidly growing in the past decade, with the majority of research focusing on the biosphere component. Most studies have concentrated on microplastics, with a lack of standardization in methodology hindering comparisons. Additionally, Argentine scientists have formed a national alliance to systemize research and enhance relationships with stakeholders to address plastic pollution.
CURRENT ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH REPORTS
(2021)
