Article
Environmental Sciences
Lingshi Yin, Xiaofeng Wen, Danlian Huang, Guangming Zeng, Rui Deng, Ruyi Liu, Zhenyu Zhou, Jiaxi Tao, Ruihao Xiao, Heming Pan
Summary: This study reveals the accumulation of microplastics in freshwater reeds, with varying levels of abundance in different areas. Lake water and fisheries are identified as significant sources of microplastics.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Zhijie Chen, Xiaoqing Liu, Wei Wei, Hong Chen, Bing-Jie Ni
Summary: This review comprehensively discusses recent developments in the separation and degradation of micro/nanoplastics in urban waters. Efficient separation techniques and various degradation methods are summarized, along with the factors influencing their efficiency. The current challenges and future prospects in separating, degrading, and further upgrading micro/nanoplastics in urban waters are outlined.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Fabianne Ribeiro, Maria D. Pavlaki, Susana Loureiro, Renato Almeida Sarmento, Amadeu M. V. M. Soares, Paula S. Tourinho
Summary: Nano- and microplastic fragments (NMPs) are widely present in various environmental compartments and can interact with other environmental contaminants in freshwater ecosystems. They can translocate and be absorbed by freshwater organisms, potentially affecting the bioaccumulation of environmental contaminants. This review focuses on the influence of NMPs on bioaccumulation in freshwater organisms and discusses the findings of 46 papers, identifying knowledge gaps and future research directions.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Peng Li, Yujian Lai, Rong-gang Zheng, Qing-cun Li, Xueying Sheng, Sujuan Yu, Zhineng Hao, Ya-qi Cai, Jingfu Liu
Summary: A novel method combining TMAH digestion and DCM dissolution has been developed to extract small microplastics and nanoplastics embedded in soils, sediments, and sludges. The feasibility of this method has been verified and it shows promise for evaluating small solid-embedded microplastic and nanoplastic pollution.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Natalia P. Ivleva
Summary: Microplastics and nanoplastics have emerged as significant particulate pollutants, raising concerns due to their presence in global environments, drinking water, and food. The complex and diverse nature of these particles highlights the importance of reliable methods for their chemical identification, quantification, and characterization.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Ling Yang, Yulan Zhang, Shichang Kang, Zhaoqing Wang, Chenxi Wu
Summary: This paper summarizes the occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in freshwater sediments, highlighting their ubiquitous presence and varying abundance in rivers, lakes, and reservoirs. The dominant shape of microplastics in freshwater sediment is fibers with a diameter less than 1 mm, with white/transparent and PE/PS as the most frequently recorded colors and types. The consistency in morphological characteristics and components of microplastics between marine and freshwater sediments may indicate their interlinkages and source-pathways.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Ngoc Nam Phuong, Thi Thuy Duong, Thi Phuong Quynh Le, Trung Kien Hoang, Ha My Ngo, Ngoc Anh Phuong, Quoc Tuan Pham, Thi Oanh Doan, Tu Cuong Ho, Nhu Da Le, Thi Anh Huong Nguyen, Emilie Strady, Vincent Fauvelle, Melanie Ourgaud, Natascha Schmidt, Richard Sempere
Summary: Plastic pollution in freshwater ecosystems, particularly microplastics, is a significant issue in Asia due to rapid economic and demographic growth. The abundance of microplastics varies greatly in water, sediment, and biota, with polyethylene and polypropylene being predominant components. Most microplastics in Asian freshwater ecosystems originate from domestic wastewater/runoff, industrial emissions, fisheries, and aquaculture wastewater.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Mengjie Zhao, Yanxiao Cao, Tiantian Chen, Honghu Li, Yifei Tong, Wenbo Fan, Yuwei Xie, Ye Tao, Jingcheng Zhou
Summary: This review summarizes the characteristics, sources and transport pathways of microplastics (MPs) in Chinese freshwater systems, including surface water and sediment. The research mainly focuses on the middle and lower reaches of the Yangtze River and lakes and reservoirs along its course. MPs in Chinese freshwater systems are mainly composed of polyethylene and polypropylene, with fibers and fragments being the most common morphologies. The source-sink-pathway model helps to identify the migration of MPs from sources to freshwater systems.
Review
Environmental Sciences
Muhammad Adli Hanif, Naimah Ibrahim, Farrah Aini Dahalan, Umi Fazara Md Ali, Masitah Hasan, Aishah Abdul Jalil
Summary: This paper focuses on the removal process of microplastics and nanoplastics, discussing various quantification and analysis methods, as well as different mitigation methods such as filtration, capture, and degradation. The parameters affecting removal performance and international patents related to this field are also reviewed.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ondrej Pencik, Katarina Molnarova, Michaela Durdakova, Martina Kolackova, Daniel Klofac, Attilla Kucsera, Petr Capal, Pavel Svec, Zuzana Bytesnikova, Lukas Richtera, Martin Brtnicky, Vojtech Adam, Dalibor Huska
Summary: This research focuses on the impact of PET-MPs on green microalgae and cyanobacteria. The study found that C. reinhardtii is the most sensitive to PET-MPs, while the cyanobacteria have the highest adsorption of PET-MPs. Additionally, all tested organisms showed cell damage after exposure to PET-MPs, with the cyanobacteria being the least affected. Further long-term experiments on environmentally relevant organisms are needed to study the effects of PET-MPs.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wenzhu Zhang, Xiaomei Liu, Linan Liu, Huixia Lu, Lan Wang, Jingchun Tang
Summary: Microplastics have significant effects on greenhouse gas emissions, nutrient cycling, and microbial communities in freshwater sediment systems. Different diameters of microplastics particles can lead to different effects, such as increased carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide emissions for smaller diameter particles, and increased carbon dioxide emissions for larger diameter particles. Microplastics also alter the organic carbon content in sediment and increase the abundance of microorganisms capable of degrading complex organics.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Haesung Lee, Sanghyeon Kim, Aebin Sin, Gwangmin Kim, Sanaullah Khan, Mallikarjuna N. Nadagouda, Endalkachew Sahle-Demessie, Changseok Han
Summary: This paper reviews the pretreatment methods currently used for microplastics (MPs) analysis in soil and freshwater sediments. It includes sample processing, pretreatment, and characterization methods, as well as analytical tools, MPs characteristics, and quantity. Although the advantages of each pretreatment method have been investigated, it is still challenging to determine a universal pretreatment method due to sample variability. Standard pretreatment methods are highly required for various environmental matrices.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Maisto, Maria Antonietta Ranauda, Daniela Zuzolo, Maria Tartaglia, Alessia Postiglione, Antonello Prigioniero, Alessandra Falzarano, Pierpaolo Scarano, Rosaria Sciarrillo, Carmine Guarino
Summary: This study investigates the effect of sediment texture on the efficiency of density separation for extracting microplastics (MPs). The results show that the extraction efficiency is dependent on the structure of the sediment, with the highest recovery rates observed after a settling time of 1-6 hours. The number of extraction cycles required also varies depending on the clay content of the sediment. The study also establishes the minimum level of MPs pollution that can be detected using the method employed.
JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Mohammad Wazne, Florian Mermillod-Blondin, Manon Vallier, Frederic Hervant, Adeline Dumet, Holly A. Nel, Anna Kukkola, Stefan Krause, Laurent Simon
Summary: This study investigated the impact of microplastics on the bioturbator Tubifex tubifex and the biogeochemical processes at the sediment-water interface. The results showed that medium concentration of microplastics had significant effects on the oxidative stress response of the worms, leading to a reduction in their bioturbation activities and the stimulation of water fluxes at the sediment-water interface. Therefore, microplastics significantly reduced the contributions of the worms to organic matter mineralization and nutrient fluxes.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
C. J. Weber, C. Opp, J. A. Prume, M. Koch, T. J. Andersen, P. Chifflard
Summary: The contamination of oceans, freshwaters, and soils by microplastics has become a major challenge in the Anthropocene. This study investigates the spatial distribution of microplastic particles in floodplain soils and advances our understanding of their deposition and relocation at the aquatic-terrestrial interface.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Loris Pietrelli, Patrizia Menegoni, Patrizia Papetti
Summary: The ability of seven herbaceous species to accumulate heavy metals was studied, and significant relationship between heavy metals content in soil and plant species was found.
WATER AIR AND SOIL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Luca Gallitelli, Corrado Battisti, Loris Pietrelli, Massimiliano Scalici
Summary: Anthropogenic plastic litter is widespread in all environments, with particular emphasis on aquatic habitats. However, there is limited research on freshwater mammals and microplastics (MP). This study presents the first evidence of anthropogenic particles, including MP, in coypu feces, suggesting their potential use as a bioindicator for MP pollution in wetlands and freshwaters.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Virginia Menicagli, Elena Balestri, Greta Biale, Andrea Corti, Jacopo La Nasa, Francesca Modugno, Valter Castelvetro, Claudio Lardicci
Summary: Beached microplastics can release phytotoxic chemicals that inhibit plant growth and have adverse effects on coastal ecosystems.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Francesca Di Pippo, Simona Crognale, Caterina Levantesi, Luca Vitanza, Maria Sighicelli, Loris Pietrelli, Stefania Di Vito, Stefano Amalfitano, Simona Rossetti
Summary: This study provides new insights into microbial diversity and biofilm structure on plastic microspheres in lake waters. The presence of eukaryotic core members and their relationship with biofilm-forming bacteria on plastic microspheres were investigated for the first time. The study also suggests that plastic microspheres may serve as potential vectors for the dispersal of harmful organisms and antibiotic resistance genes.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Giulia Giaganini, Mario Cifelli, Denise Biagini, Silvia Ghimenti, Andrea Corti, Valter Castelvetro, Valentina Domenici, Tommaso Lomonaco
Summary: Microplastics and nanoplastics are a major environmental issue due to their ubiquity and potential danger to ecosystems and human life. This study investigates the effect of temperature and light on five types of reference polymers using a solar box. A multi-analytical approach was used to analyze the degradation products of these microplastics.
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
Biochemical Research Methods
Andrea Corti, Jacopo La Nasa, Greta Biale, Alessio Ceccarini, Antonella Manariti, Filippo Petri, Francesca Modugno, Valter Castelvetro
Summary: The mass of synthetic polymers present as microplastic pollutants in interconnected aquatic environments in Tuscany, Italy, was determined using the Polymer Identification and Specific Analysis (PISA) procedure. Various types of synthetic polymers, including polyolefins, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyamides, were identified and quantified. The highest concentrations of microplastics were found in the beach dune sector, while lower concentrations were found throughout the beach transect zones. Positive correlations were observed between certain polymers and phthalates, indicating absorption from polluted environments. PET and nylons were also found in the lakebed and estuarine seabed hot spots.
ANALYTICAL AND BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Polymer Science
David Barsi, Elena Buratti, Antonio Tarantino, Franco Dinelli, Valter Castelvetro, Monica Bertoldo
Summary: Photochromic spiropyran-amylose (ASP) biobased polymers with different spiropyran (SP) grafting density were synthesized through azide-alkyne cycloaddition. These polymers are poorly soluble in most solvents but soluble in selected solvents, and can reversibly switch the grafted SP into a merocyanine (MC) form. Among them, ASP(40) shows significant photochromism and reduction of solubility.
MACROMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY AND PHYSICS
(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
Polymer Science
Francesca Romana Scuto, Clarissa Ciarlantini, Viviana Chiappini, Loris Pietrelli, Antonella Piozzi, Anna M. Girelli
Summary: Recycling of agro-industrial waste, such as rice husk, for obtaining high value products has gained attention in recent years. In this study, silica was successfully extracted from rice husk ash (RHA) and used as a carrier for laccase immobilization. The resulting nano-silica was characterized and incorporated into a chitosan/alginate scaffold for easier recovery after reuse. The immobilized enzyme showed good stability and activity retention after multiple reuses, and the biocatalytic system effectively oxidized syringic acid in 24 hours.
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.
Article
Education & Educational Research
Valentina Domenici
Summary: Non-formal learning environments, such as science museums, play a fundamental role in science education and have high potential as ideal contexts for science teachers' training. A project-based learning methodology based on the STEAM philosophy was optimized and experimented at the University of Pisa, involving a total of 171 pre-service chemistry teachers. The methodology involved interdisciplinary and creative activities, including laboratories and chemistry-centered activities designed and carried out by the future chemistry teachers in non-formal contexts. The effectiveness of this training methodology was discussed in terms of participants' motivation, interest, and feedback, highlighting the positive impact of non-formal contexts in teaching and learning chemistry.
EDUCATION SCIENCES
(2022)
