Article
Plant Sciences
Arpna Kumari, Vishnu D. Rajput, Saglara S. Mandzhieva, Sneh Rajput, Tatiana Minkina, Rajanbir Kaur, Svetlana Sushkova, Poonam Kumari, Anuj Ranjan, Valery P. Kalinitchenko, Alexey P. Glinushkin
Summary: Microplastics (MPs) pose a global threat to the environment due to their persistence and widespread usage in various sectors. Despite research focusing mainly on marine and freshwater ecosystems, there is a lack of understanding about the role of terrestrial ecosystems. Additionally, the presence of MPs in arable soils is a major concern, as they can potentially affect food production and plant growth. Therefore, it is crucial to investigate the sources and interactions of MPs with agroecosystems and plants, as well as develop effective remediation strategies.
Article
Environmental Sciences
J. W. Buckingham, C. Manno, C. M. Waluda, C. L. Waller
Summary: The concentration of microplastics in the nearshore waters of South Georgia is about one order of magnitude higher than similar studies south of the Polar Front. The microplastic concentration in wastewater is similar to that in seawater. Further research on microplastic distribution, characteristics, and transport in the region is recommended to assess the risk to the ecosystem.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Manuel Uribe, Jan Brabec, Jenny J. Chaparro-Gutierrez, Carlos Hermosilla
Summary: Neglected tropical diseases pose a global threat to public health, particularly in underdeveloped countries. This study examines the occurrence of zoonotic helminths in two species of wild canids in Colombia, the bush dog and the crab-eating fox. The findings reveal the presence of canine-specific tapeworms, Spirometra mansoni cestodes, and Lagochilascaris cf. minor nematodes in these canid species, highlighting the need for monitoring and understanding the epidemiology of these neglected diseases in South America.
FRONTIERS IN VETERINARY SCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xing Gong, Lingning Tian, Peng Wang, Zhongzhong Wang, Lvdan Zeng, Jiyuan Hu
Summary: This study is the first to explore microplastic pollution in the groundwater under a bedrock island (Dawanshan Island) located in the South China Sea. The research found that despite the small scale of industrial and agricultural activities on the island, the amount of microplastics in the groundwater was relatively high, mainly originating from inland plastic usage rather than from the surrounding sea. Microplastics were mainly distributed in the water of the loose layer of porous sediment and their quantity decreased with depth. In addition, an increase in the velocity of groundwater flow resulted in an increase in the abundance of microplastics in pore groundwater. The severity of microplastic pollution in the groundwater increased with an increase and decrease in the content of total dissolved solids and dissolved oxygen, respectively.
ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH
(2023)
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)
Review
Green & Sustainable Science & Technology
Lee Tin Sin, Vineshaa Balakrishnan, Soo-Tueen Bee, Soo-Ling Bee
Summary: This review discusses the development of microplastic pollution in selected South Asian countries and its impacts on various environments. The presence of microplastic particles in drinking water and water sources for human consumption is highlighted. The review also emphasizes the contamination of water-based places like rivers, estuaries, and beaches, as well as the presence of microplastics in food items. The environmental impacts of microplastic contamination include ingestion by aquatic creatures, alteration of soil parameters, and settling on the external bodies of animals and humans in the atmospheric environment.
Article
Zoology
Matthew R. Halley, Therese A. Catanach, John Klicka, Jason D. Weckstein
Summary: We studied the species limits and taxonomy of the slaty-backed nightingale-thrush Catharus fuscater (Passeriformes: Turdidae), a polytypic complex of songbirds with a broad montane distribution in Central and South America, using datasets of genetic and phenotypic characters. We found 10 allopatric populations that have evolved independently for multiple glacial cycles. Genetic structure is correlated with divergence in phenotypic characters, including plumage colour, iris colour, maxilla (bill) colour, and the acoustic structure of vocalizations. Based on our findings, we propose a taxonomic revision that recognizes seven species in the complex, including a newly described species from eastern Panama, and four subspecies, two of which are newly described.
ZOOLOGICAL JOURNAL OF THE LINNEAN SOCIETY
(2023)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Julia Dusaucy, David Gateuille, Yves Perrette, Emmanuel Naffrechoux
Summary: Research on microplastic pollution in lakes has been increasing in recent years, with lakes being of high interest for biodiversity, ecology, and the economy. Contamination of freshwater ecosystems and lakes is a new and rising topic compared to focus on oceans, requiring consensus between scientific teams.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Shameeza Alfred, Mark Ram, Rovindra Lakenarine, Devya Hemraj, Gyanpriya Maharaj
Summary: This study assessed the occurrence and type of microdebris found in three commercially important fish species from different landing sites along Guyana's coast. Forty percent of the fishes examined had microdebris present in their bodies. The microdebris particles observed included pellets, microbeads, fragments, fiber (wool), films, and foams. Most of the collected materials were large microdebris (>1 to 5 mm) that resembled pellets and microbeads.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Xiaoyong Zhang, Xiongjian Xia, Ming Dai, Jianwei Cen, Lei Zhou, Jiefen Xie
Summary: This study systematically characterized microplastic pollution in coastal sediments from South China and found a relatively high level of abundance, with white/blue microplastics dominating. The relationship between microplastics and bacterial community was explored, showing positive correlations with potential pathogens and negative correlations with environmentally friendly bacteria, suggesting an increase in ecological risks. The results may help to understand the impact of microplastic pollution on microbial communities in coastal sediments.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mohammad Gholizadeh, Alessandra Cera
Summary: The occurrence, abundance, size, and polymer types of microplastics in the sediments of the Qarasu estuary were assessed. The study found that microplastics were widely present, with fibers being the dominant shape. The most abundant colors were black and white, and the identified polymer types included polypropylene, polyethylene, polyamide, and polystyrene.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Idris Sener, Murat Yabanli
Summary: This study aimed to evaluate the abundance and diversity of macro- and microplastics in sand samples collected from eight different recreational beaches on the South Aegean coasts of Turkiye during summer and winter. The results showed that microplastic in fiber shape was dominant on all the beaches. The highest abundance of microplastics was found at Oludeniz Kumburnu Beach in summer and Aktur Beach in winter. The study also found a significant positive correlation between microplastic amounts and wind speed in winter.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiehan Duan, Jie Han, Siu Gin Cheung, Richard Kong Yuen Chong, Chui-Man Lo, Fred Wang-Fat Lee, Steven Jing-Liang Xu, Yang Yang, Nora Fung-yee Tam, Hai-Chao Zhou
Summary: The distribution of microplastics in mangrove sediments is influenced by plant species, with a significant positive correlation between pneumatophore density and fiber abundance. Fibers were found to be more abundant at the forest fringe than in the interior or mudflat, indicating the importance of the fringe effect.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Mancuso Monique, Panarello Giuseppe, Falco Francesca, Di Paola Davide, Serena Savoca, Capillo Gioele, Romeo Teresa, Presti Giovanni, Gullotta Eleonora, Spano Nunziacarla, Bono Gioacchino, Salvatore Giuliano, Bottari Teresa
Summary: Plastic pollution has a significant impact on marine organisms, including sharks. This study examines the ingestion of microplastics by a Mediterranean shark species and finds that it does not significantly affect the health and composition of amino acids and fatty acids in the fish.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Tariqul Islam, Yanliang Li, Md Mahfuzur Rob, Hefa Cheng
Summary: This review summarizes the research progress on separation and characterization of microplastics, as well as their occurrence and sources in Bangladesh. Despite the first total ban on plastic bags in the world, microplastics are still widely detected in the country's inland and marine environment, mainly derived from secondary sources. The dominant microplastics observed in Bangladesh are fibers, mainly from textile sources. Polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene, and polyvinylchloride are the most abundant polymers found in microplastics in the marine and freshwater environment of Bangladesh.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
