Article
Engineering, Environmental
Ying-Jie He, Yan Qin, Tie-Li Zhang, Yan-Yan Zhu, Zhao-Jie Wang, Zhong-Shun Zhou, Tian-Zhen Xie, Xiao-Dong Luo
Summary: The study found that chemicals, both intentionally added and non-intentionally added substances, can migrate from microwavable plastic food containers (MPFCs) into food, some exceeding recommended limits. Additionally, high concentrations of microplastics (MPs) were detected in some MPFCs, with migration behaviors varying among different containers. This rigorous migration process could result in significant intake of chemicals and MPs if take-out food is consumed daily. Further safety evaluation studies on the migration of various chemicals from MPFCs to food during food preparation are necessary.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Geetika Bhagwat, Thi Kim Anh Tran, Dane Lamb, Kala Senathirajah, Ian Grainge, Wayne O'Connor, Albert Juhasz, Thava Palanisami
Summary: This study compared the adsorption capacity of naturally aged, biofilm-covered microplastic fibers (BMFs) for perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) and lead (Pb) at environmentally relevant concentrations. Results showed that aged MFs exhibited higher surface areas due to biomass accumulation and had higher concentrations of adsorbed Pb and PFOS, with variations among polymer types. The increased contaminant adsorption was linked with altered surface area and hydrophobic/hydrophilic characteristics of the samples.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Xiaofeng Jiang, Jing Cao, Ziqi Ye, Goran Klobucar, Mei Li
Summary: Studies have shown that aged microplastics have greater toxicity than pristine microplastics, accumulating more in earthworms and causing more severe tissue damage and increased cell membrane osmotic pressure. In addition, aged microplastics decrease the number of beneficial bacteria and increase the number of pathogenic bacteria in earthworms' gut, as well as impacting energy metabolism.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Yingxue Yu, Anil K. Battu, Tamas Varga, Adam C. Denny, Tahsin Md. Zahid, Indranil Chowdhury, Markus Flury
Summary: This study investigated the effects of incorporating polyester fibers and polypropylene granules into silt loam soil on its physical properties. It was found that microplastics had significant effects on soil physical properties only at high concentrations, and the shape of the microplastics played a role in their impact.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Siwar Abouda, Omayma Missawi, Tiziana Cappello, Iteb Boughattas, Giuseppe De Marco, Maria Maisano, Mohamed Banni
Summary: Marine ecosystems are currently facing severe threats from multiple stressors, including microplastics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. This study assessed the toxicity of environmental relevant concentrations of microplastics and benzo[a]pyrene, and found that they can accumulate in marine organisms and cause cytotoxicity, genotoxicity, and oxidative stress effects.
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Hyung Soo Kim, Ye Jin Lee, Ye Ji Koo, Eun Chul Pack, Kyung Min Lim, Dal Woong Choi
Summary: UV sterilization of kitchenware is environmentally friendly and economical, but prolonged exposure raises concerns about the release of hazardous substances. Research showed that food utensils made of melamine-formaldehyde resin released significantly more melamine and formaldehyde after 7 days of UV irradiation. In addition, there was increased migration of plastic additives and NIAS from the resin under UV exposure compared to other synthetic resins.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Barbara Rani-Borges, Richard Meitern, Paul Teesalu, Merilin Raudna-Kristoffersen, Randel Kreitsberg, Margit Heinlaan, Arvo Tuvikene, Angela Ivask
Summary: The lack of studies on the toxicity of microplastics (MP) at environmentally relevant concentrations and exposure times is concerning. In this study, the potential adverse effects of low density polyethylene (LDPE) microplastics on two species of competing amphipods were analyzed. The results showed that both amphipods effectively ingested and egested LDPE microplastics, and high concentrations of LDPE microplastics had negative impacts on mortality, swimming ability, and oxidative stress levels. G. lacustris was more sensitive to LDPE microplastics and may lose its competitiveness in MP polluted environments.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Tao Sun, Junfei Zhan, Fei Li, Chenglong Ji, Huifeng Wu
Summary: The study found that exposure to microplastics in the environment significantly reduced the locomotor ability of aquatic organisms, including average speed and moving distance, likely resulting in various physiological changes such as reduced energy reserves, metabolic disorders, and gut microbiota dysbiosis.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2021)
Article
Chemistry, Multidisciplinary
Sushant P. Sahu, Subarna Kole, Christopher G. Arges, Manas Ranjan Gartia
Summary: This study reports an electrochemical sensor with a selective perfluorinated anion exchange ionomer (PFAEI) coating for direct sensing of a type of PFAS called perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA). The sensor operates without redox probes and has a low detection limit.
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Wei Huang, Jiaqin Deng, Jie Liang, Xinghui Xia
Summary: This study compared the adsorption behavior of lead (Pb(II)) onto environmentally-relevant tire wear particles (TWP), ultraviolet-aged polylactic acid microplastics (UV-PLA), and ultraviolet-aged polystyrene microplastics (UV-PS). The results showed that aging processes significantly improved the adsorption capacity of Pb(II), with TWP having the highest adsorption amount. The mechanisms of adsorption differed for each type of microplastic, with electrostatic interaction and complexation playing important roles. Furthermore, the presence of humic acid affected the adsorption capacity, and the desorption ability of Pb(II) varied among the different microplastics.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Diego Frezzato, Gianluca Stocco, Enrico Boscaro, Marco Ferraro, Andrea Tapparo
Summary: This study investigates the diffusion and escape of a chemical species in a material through an interface. By using numerical solutions and statistical analysis, upper and lower bounds as well as an empirical approximation for the release of the species are obtained.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Cecily Szady, Grace Picarillo, Emily J. J. Davis, Donata Drapanauskaite, Kristina Buneviciene, Jonas Baltrusaitis, Juan G. G. Navea
Summary: Combustion particles, such as ash from power plants, can accumulate and become environmental concerns. In this study, iron dissolution from two types of combustion particles was compared. The results showed that the solubility of iron is influenced by the particle's surface properties and can provide iron micronutrients under different acidic conditions.
ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY
(2023)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Zahra Sobhani, Logeshwaran Panneerselvan, Cheng Fang, Ravi Naidu, Mallavarapu Megharaj
Summary: This study evaluated the effects of polyethylene microplastics (PEMP) on the soil ecosystem and earthworms for the first time. The results showed that high concentrations of PEMP significantly reduced earthworm reproduction and caused DNA damage. It was also found that earthworms exposed to PEMP-amended soils accumulated plastic additives.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Sudharsanam Abinandan, Kuppan Praveen, Kadiyala Venkateswarlu, Mallavarapu Megharaj
Summary: Microplastics (MPs) have significant ecological and bioeconomic implications at environmentally relevant concentrations, posing a threat to aquatic ecosystems and the achievement of UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This study found that the growth rate of microalgae was reduced by 10-15% in the presence of three types of MPs (PET, PVC, and PS), indicating an increased energy demand. The impacts on biochemical processes varied with concentration. Through a comprehensive analysis, it was revealed that MPs not only affect SDG 14 (Life Below Water), but also have direct and indirect influences on five other SDGs.
Review
Engineering, Environmental
Olubukola S. Alimi, Dominique Claveau-Mallet, Rafael S. Kurusu, Mathieu Lapointe, Stephane Bayen, Nathalie Tufenkji
Summary: Most studies on microplastics have been conducted using pristine particles, neglecting the effects of weathering. Current weathering protocols are not sufficient for microplastics research. There is a need to use environmentally relevant microplastics and critically assess the appropriateness of weathering methods in future research efforts.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2022)
