Article
Environmental Sciences
Ben Parker, Demetra Andreou, Katsiaryna Pabortsava, Magdalena Barrow, Iain D. Green, J. Robert Britton
Summary: This study investigated the levels of microplastics in the macroinvertebrate and fish community of the Dorset Stour river in SW England and tested the relationship between microplastic counts and ecological and morphological characteristics. The results showed that microplastic loadings were consistent within the communities but could not be predicted from any of their characteristics.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
L. Rowenczyk, H. Cai, B. Nguyen, M. Sirois, M-C Cote-Laurin, N. Toupoint, A. Ismail, N. Tufenkji
Summary: Despite the importance of freshwaters to human health, the presence and fate of microplastics in marine estuaries have not been extensively studied. This research focused on the Saint-Lawrence River in Canada, analyzing surface water and marine bivalve samples along the river-to-sea continuum. The concentration of larger microplastics was higher in downstream areas compared to upstream areas, while the trend for smaller microplastics was less clear. Microplastics were also found in the digestive systems of bivalves, indicating their presence in the water column. This study provides valuable data on the fate of microplastics in a river-to-sea continuum.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Garth A. Covernton, Hailey L. Davies, Kieran D. Cox, Rana El-Sabaawi, Francis Juanes, Sarah E. Dudas, John F. Dower
Summary: Researchers investigated the ingestion of microplastic particles (MPs) in marine and freshwater fishes to identify factors influencing MPs intake. They found that MPs concentration in fish digestive tracts did not increase with trophic level or body size, indicating no biomagnification occurred. However, larger fish were more likely to contain MPs, and clupeids showed higher MPs concentrations compared to other taxonomic families. Standardized methodologies are crucial for accurate comparisons among studies.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
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
Ecology
Anne K. S. Justino, Veronique Lenoble, Latifa Pelage, Guilherme V. B. Ferreira, Rafaela Passarone, Thierry Fredou, Flavia Lucena Fredou
Summary: This study explores the ingestion of microplastics by marine organisms in a tropical estuarine environment, revealing different contamination levels based on feeding strategies. Predators were found to be the most contaminated species, with fibers being the most common type of microplastics ingested. The high contamination levels in the estuarine complex pose potential risks to human health, as the microplastics likely accumulate in sediment and water.
REGIONAL STUDIES IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria B. Alfonso, Kayoko Takashima, Sayaka Yamaguchi, Mie Tanaka, Atsuhiko Isobe
Summary: This study evaluated the efficiency of organic matter and microplastic digestion under different techniques. It found that the 2-step and 3-step digestion methods were effective for digesting organic matter, but high temperatures can damage microplastics.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tamyris Pegado, Ryan Andrades, Eurico Noleto-Filho, Simone Franceschini, Marcelo Soares, David Chelazzi, Tommaso Russo, Tania Martellini, Angelica Barone, Alessandra Cincinelli, Tommaso Giarrizzo
Summary: Plastic pollution is as serious as climate change and biological invasions. In coastal sediments, plastic particles accumulate and persist over time. Through a survey on 22 sandy beaches in Brazil, it was found that microplastics accounted for over half of the plastic items, with white and blue being the most common colors. The distribution of plastic litter on beaches is influenced by variables such as the distance to the nearest estuary, tourism, and the number of inhabitants in the nearest urban center. Investigating plastic pollution patterns is crucial for effective management and decision-making.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Gideon Gywa Deme, David Ewusi-Mensah, Oluwatosin Atinuke Olagbaju, Emmanuel Sunday Okeke, Charles Obinwanne Okoye, Elijah Chibueze Odii, Onome Ejeromedoghene, Eghosa Igun, Joseph Okoro Onyekwere, Olayinka Kehinde Oderinde, Edmond Sanganyado
Summary: Microplastic pollution is a widespread and urgent environmental and public health issue in Africa. While traditional command-and-control approaches may not be effective, market-oriented private-public waste management methods could prove more successful in combating this issue.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Victoria M. Fulfer, Susanne Menden-Deuer
Summary: Microplastics are common pollutants in marine ecosystems globally, which can threaten fisheries production, food safety, and human health. Experimental results show that ingestion of microplastics can lead to reduced growth and secondary production in heterotrophic dinoflagellates.
FRONTIERS IN MARINE SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tamyris Pegado, Lucio Brabo, Kurt Schmid, Francesco Sarti, Thais T. Gava, Jorge Nunes, David Chelazzi, Alessandra Cincinelli, Tommaso Giarrizzo
Summary: This study is the first to document the ingestion of microplastics by Longnose stingrays in the Western Atlantic Ocean. It found that fibers were the most common type of microplastic ingested and provided a baseline for future research on microplastic ingestion by dasyatid rays in the Atlantic Ocean.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Recca E. Sajorne, Genese Divine B. Cayabo, Lea Janine A. Gajardo, Jhonamie A. Mabuhay-Omar, Lota A. Creencia, Hernando P. Bacosa
Summary: Microplastics are a growing threat to the marine environment and organisms, and this study found a significant presence of microplastics in the beach sand of Puerto Princesa, Philippines. The east coast showed higher abundance of microplastics compared to the west coast, with predominantly blue fiber particles identified as polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP). The presence of microplastics was detected in 71% of the sampling sites, highlighting the need for future research on the presence and effects of microplastics in the food chain, particularly seafood.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mehmood Aslam, Abdul Qadir, Saba Hafeez, Hafiz Muhammad Umer Aslam, Sajid Rashid Ahmad
Summary: This study examines the spatial distribution of microplastics (MPs) in River Ravi in Pakistan during different seasons. The results show that the concentrations of MPs in both water and sediment samples are relatively high, with urban sprawl, industrialization, improper solid waste management, and overuse of plastic products being major contributors. This study provides important scientific information for policymakers and river managers to effectively address plastic pollution.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Juris Aigars, Marta Barone, Natalija Suhareva, Ieva Putna-Nimane, Inta Dimante-Deimantovica
Summary: This study compared the distribution and composition of microplastic debris in the Gulf of Riga and the Eastern Gotland Basin in the Baltic Sea. The researchers found that the abundance of microplastic particles varied among different stations, with fibers and fragments being the predominant types, and polyethylene and polypropylene being the main polymer types encountered. The concentrations of micro-debris observed fell within the reported range of values from other regions in the Baltic Sea.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Andres Moreira-Mendieta, Odei Garcia-Garin, Juan Pablo Munoz-Perez, Diego O. Urquia, Massimiliano Drago, Asuncion Borrell, Diego Paez-Rosas
Summary: Marine debris pollution, primarily plastics, poses a global threat to biodiversity. A study on the Galapagos sea lion found a significant presence of microplastics in their scat, mainly in the form of fibers. These findings establish a baseline framework for future research and management actions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Laura M. Hernandez, Jeffrey M. Earner, Dominique Claveau-Mallet, Mira Okshevsky, Heidi Jahandideh, Sara Matthews, Ranjan Roy, Varoujan Yaylayan, Nathalie Tufenkji
Summary: This study presents an optimized procedure for using Nile red as a fluorescent staining agent to pre-screen microplastics in bottled water. The appropriate concentration of Nile red is crucial for obtaining accurate particle counts. The method was successfully used to screen microplastics in different brands of bottled water, and chemical characterization and qualitative analysis techniques were employed to identify the composition of the particles.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fabrizio Pietrini, Valentina Iannilli, Laura Passatore, Serena Carloni, Giulia Sciacca, Marina Cerasa, Massimo Zacchini
Summary: The environmental occurrence of phthalates is concerning for ecosystem and human health. This study investigates the effects of dimethyl phthalate on duckweed plants, revealing that high concentrations of DMP can inhibit growth, reduce pigment content and photosynthetic performance, and induce genotoxic damage in aquatic plants, highlighting the environmental risk associated with this compound.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marco Picone, Gabriele Giuseppe Distefano, Fabiana Corami, Piero Franzoi, Simone Redolfi Bristol, Marco Basso, Lucio Panzarin, Annamaria Volpi Ghirardini
Summary: The study investigated the concentrations of rare earth elements in the feathers of Sandwich terns in Venice's Lagoon, finding that they were higher than in other bird feathers, with lanthanum being the most abundant. The research suggested that diet is the main exposure route for young terns, and emphasized the need for more data on REEs in aquatic ecosystems.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Laura Passatore, Fabrizio Pietrini, Serena Carloni, Lorenzo Massimi, Chiara Giusto, Massimo Zacchini, Valentina Iannilli
Summary: This study investigated the toxicity effects of bismuth (Bi) on garden cress plants. The results showed that low concentrations of Bi had no significant effects, but higher concentrations caused toxicity in terms of germination index and root length reduction. Bi exposure also induced genotoxicity and metal accumulation in the plants.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fabiana Corami, Beatrice Rosso, Valentina Iannilli, Simone Ciadamidaro, Barbara Bravo, Carlo Barbante
Summary: This study is the first to investigate the ingestion of microplastics, plasticizers, additives, and particles of micro-litter by larvae of blackflies in rivers. The study found significant differences in the abundances of microplastics and plasticizers ingested by the two species under examination. Additives and plasticizers can be used as proxies for the presence of plastic polymers in the environment.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Marco Picone, Gabriele Giuseppe Distefano, Godbless Adu Benhene, Fabiana Corami, Marco Basso, Lucio Panzarin, Caterina Carabelli, Annamaria Volpi Ghirardini
Summary: A study in Venice's Lagoon found that fledgling seabirds can be used as sentinels for mercury bioavailability. Different seabird species had significant differences in mercury residues in their feathers, possibly due to different diets, with one species accumulating more mercury than the others. While average residues were below the threshold for adverse effects on birds, a majority of individuals in one species exceeded the adverse effect level, emphasizing the need for stronger mercury monitoring. Seabirds provide valuable insight into mercury transfer in food webs and the potential risks to humans when consuming exploited species.
BULLETIN OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONTAMINATION AND TOXICOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Beatrice Rosso, Fabiana Corami, Carlo Barbante, Andrea Gambaro
Summary: The atmosphere plays a crucial role in the transportation of plastic particles and micro-litter particles from their sources to other environmental compartments. There is a lack of standardized methods for quantification and identification of airborne microplastics and micro-litter components. This study developed and optimized a pre-treatment method to simultaneously extract small microplastics and airborne micro-litter particles from urban aerosol samples. The results will contribute significantly to the establishment of standardized methods for quantification and identification of airborne microplastics and micro-litter particles.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Beatrice Rosso, Fabiana Corami, Luca Vezzaro, Stefano Biondi, Barbara Bravo, Carlo Barbante, Andrea Gambaro
Summary: Highway stormwater runoff serves as a significant pathway for microplastics and other micro-litter to enter the surrounding environment. The concentrations and distribution of small microplastics (SMPs) and other components of micro-litter in highway stormwater runoff vary due to rainfall events. Assessing SMPs and other micro-litter in highway stormwater runoff is important for evaluating their potential impact on water bodies and air compartments.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Zoology
G. Battistin, L. Latella, V. Iannilli
Summary: Plastic pollution has become a global concern, especially in terms of water contamination. The Talitrid Amphipod Cryptorchestia garbinii, living on the shores of Garda Lake in Italy, was found to ingest microplastics, possibly mistaking them for food. The presence of ingested microplastics in all analyzed samples indicates their presence in the food web. This species can serve as a valuable natural model for studying plastic exposure and assessing the impacts of microplastic contamination.
EUROPEAN ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Beatrice Rosso, Elena Gregoris, Lucio Litti, Federico Zorzi, Maurizio Fiorini, Barbara Bravo, Carlo Barbante, Andrea Gambaro, Fabiana Corami
Summary: This study conducted chemical identification of tire wear particles (TWPs) in highway stormwater runoff through cross-validation techniques for the first time. A pre-treatment method was provided to extract TWPs without degradation and denaturation, ensuring accurate identification and quantification. Specific markers and various analytical techniques were used for TWPs identification, and the complex composition of these particles was confirmed through elemental analysis. This study contributes significantly to the understanding of TWPs in the environment and highlights the importance of cross-validation techniques for their identification and quantification.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Elena Gregoris, Gaia Gallo, Beatrice Rosso, Rossano Piazza, Fabiana Corami, Andrea Gambaro
Summary: This study tested the use of Py-GC/MS to detect polymers in atmospheric aerosol, and found the presence of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene in the samples. The direct analysis of sampling filters was suggested as an exploratory technique, but further research is needed for a comprehensive characterization of polymers in atmospheric aerosol.
JOURNAL OF ANALYTICAL AND APPLIED PYROLYSIS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Valentina Iannilli, Laura Passatore, Serena Carloni, Francesca Lecce, Giulia Sciacca, Massimo Zacchini, Fabrizio Pietrini
Summary: The widespread occurrence of microplastics has raised concerns about their potential toxicity on animal and plant cells and their transfer to humans through the food web. Laboratory assays were conducted to evaluate the effects of polyethylene microparticles on an aquatic plant and a type of shrimp. The results showed that microplastics had minimal effects on plants but had significant genotoxic effects on shrimp, and the presence of microplastic particles was observed in the shrimp's digestive tracts after consuming microplastic-treated plants. These findings provide new insights into the potential impacts of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Giulia Cesarini, Fabiana Corami, Beatrice Rosso, Massimiliano Scalici
Summary: Microplastics, plasticizers, and additives were found to accumulate in freshwater bivalves Anodonta cygnea, highlighting the plastic pollution caused by small microplastics. The gills and gastrointestinal tract of the bivalves contained a high concentration of polyamide, indicating the presence of microplastics in rivers. Additionally, the presence of natural and synthetic fibers in rivers suggests the need for further investigation of the sources of microplastics.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Camilla Ciotti, Andrea Setini, Francesca Lecce, Valentina Iannilli
Summary: This study aims to develop an effective protocol for assessing the ingestion of microplastics by talitrid amphipods and evaluating the biological effects. The researchers validated the method of delivering microplastics to the amphipods using DECOTABs and measured the impact on energy metabolism. It highlights the suitability of the talitrid amphipod as a model organism for studying microplastic uptake and its effects.