Article
Environmental Sciences
Federico De Pascalis, Beatrice De Felice, Marco Parolini, Danilo Pisu, David Pala, Diego Antonioli, Elena Perin, Valentina Gianotti, Luca Ilahiane, Giulia Masoero, Lorenzo Serra, Diego Rubolini, Jacopo G. Cecere
Summary: The study assessed the ingestion of microplastics in the Mediterranean storm petrel and found that 45% of individuals had regurgitates containing microplastics. The results highlight the species' sensitivity to plastic pollution and suggest that regurgitates can be used to investigate spatio-temporal patterns of microplastic exposure in planktonic foragers.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2022)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Setyo Budi Kurniawan, Nor Sakinah Mohd Said, Muhammad Fauzul Imron, Siti Rozaimah Sheikh Abdullah
Summary: Microplastics are an emerging global concern, especially in aquatic environments. Recent research has highlighted the sources of microplastic pollution and their potential threats to the environment. Further study is needed to understand the origins, trophic transfer mechanisms, and potential risks of microplastic pollution.
ENVIRONMENTAL TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION
(2021)
Review
Environmental Sciences
Franciele O. Campos da Rocha, Sabrina T. Martinez, Vania P. Campos, Gisele O. da Rocha, Jailson B. de Andrade
Summary: Microplastics are emerging contaminants with possible adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. Despite the high abundance of microplastics in South Atlantic waters, studies on MP contamination are still scarce, and there is no consensus on the best sampling conditions.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Maria Bermudez, Cesar Vilas, Rocio Quintana, Daniel Gonzalez-Fernandez, Andres Cozar, Manuel Diez-Minguito
Summary: This study investigated the distribution patterns of microplastics in a weakly-stratified estuary, with a focus on the Guadalquivir River Estuary. The research found that the mean concentration of microplastics in the estuary was 0.041 items m(-3), with polyethylene floating microplastics being predominant. Relationships between microplastic concentration increases and local rainfall events were identified, and the convergence of transports was found to favor trapping microplastics in specific areas.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
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)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Pia M. Eibes, Friederike Gabel
Summary: The study investigated the contamination of microplastic debris in the River Ems in Northwest Germany, showing that the pollution pattern did not increase linearly with river length and indicating possible sinks due to sedimentation. Further research is needed to identify sources, sinks, and transport of microplastics in smaller rivers to find solutions to reduce microplastic loads.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
J. Lofty, D. Valero, C. A. M. E. Wilson, M. J. Franca, P. Ouro
Summary: Microplastic pollution poses a known threat to aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, but the mechanisms of MP transport in rivers remain unknown. Laboratory experiments comparing MP and natural sediment transport dynamics reveal similarities and only a few differences in saltation trajectory and collision angles. Overall, spherical MP particles behave similarly to spherical natural sediments in aquatic environments under the examined conditions, providing a foundation for further studies on MP transport.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kiani M. Perez-Alvelo, Eduardo M. Llegus, Janet M. Forestier-Babilonia, Camila V. Elias-Arroyo, Keisharie N. Pagan-Malave, Guillermo J. Bird-Rivera, Carlos J. Rodriguez-Sierra
Summary: The Caribbean islands, including Puerto Rico, are biodiversity hotspots threatened by microplastics, with urbanization, industrial activities, and river inputs identified as likely sources of plastic debris. The La Esperanza Peninsula showed the highest pollution levels, while other beaches displayed lower and similar abundance. Fibers, fragments, and foams were the predominant forms of microplastics found.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Matthew Cole, Yuri Artioli, Rachel Coppock, Giovanni Galli, Radwa Saad, Ricardo Torres, Thomas Vance, Anna Yunnie, Penelope K. Lindeque
Summary: Microplastics are a widespread environmental pollutant. Curbing microplastic pollution requires various interventions such as source reduction and curative measures. A nature-based solution involving mussels as microplastic biofilters is proposed, which can effectively remove waterborne microplastics and repurpose them into biodeposits. Experimental results and modeling suggest that this approach has the potential to significantly reduce microplastic contamination.
JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Micaela Buteler, Andrea Marina Alma, Teodoro Stadler, Ariane Carnebia Gingold, Maria Celeste Manattini, Mariana Lozada
Summary: The acute toxicity of microplastics on honeybees is low and does not lead to short-term mortality. However, honeybees' foraging behavior does not prevent them from ingesting microplastics, which could potentially have lethal long-term effects on the bees.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Muhammad Rozaimi Mohd Zaki, Syatirah Husna Mohamad Zaid, Azim Haziq Zainuddin, Ahmad Zaharin Aris
Summary: This study evaluates the abundance and distribution of microplastics in the gastropods of a tropical estuary in Malaysia, finding that microplastics mainly originate from urban areas in the estuary. The majority of microplastics are fibers with black color.
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Joao Vitor Fonseca da Silva, Fernando Miranda Lansac-Toha, Bianca Trevizan Segovia, Felipe Emiliano Amadeo, Louizi de Souza Magalhaes Braghin, Luiz Felipe Machado Velho, Hugo Sarmento, Claudia Costa Bonecker
Summary: The increasing amount of plastic particles in continental aquatic environments has caught the attention of researchers worldwide. This study investigates the effects of microplastic particles of different sizes on the planktonic trophic chain and finds that their presence significantly affects the food web, with smaller particles having a higher consumption effect.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Victor Onink, Mikael L. A. Kaandorp, Erik van Sebille, Charlotte Laufkoetter
Summary: Microplastic particles move three-dimensionally through the ocean, and their transport is influenced by particle size and density. Beach-based fragmentation is the dominant process, while ocean-based fragmentation has minor influence. Fragmentation is a slow process and does not have a major impact on the large-scale distribution and mass loss of microplastics over short time periods.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Atif Khurshid Wani, Nahid Akhtar, Nafiaah Naqash, Farida Rahayu, Djajadi Djajadi, Chirag Chopra, Reena Singh, Sikandar I. Mulla, Farooq Sher, Heloisa Pine Americo-Pinheiro Juliana
Summary: Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive pollutants in the environment, with increasing accumulation in aquatic, marine, and terrestrial ecosystems due to human activities. These MPs, which degrade slowly, pose a threat to biota by increasing the probability of biomagnification of persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic substances. In order to remediate MP-pollutants, efficient strategies are needed to prevent the leaching of contaminants into water, soil, and eventually into humans. Microorganisms capable of degrading plastic polymers through enzymatic actions have been discovered, and metagenomics is an effective tool for exploring and characterizing these plastic-degrading microbial consortia and enzymes. Combined with metatranscriptomics and metabolomics, metagenomics can identify and select remediation-efficient microbes in their natural habitats. Advances in bioinformatics and sequencing tools enable rapid screening, mining, and prediction of genes involved in polymer degradation. This review provides a comprehensive summary of the growing threat of microplastics globally and emphasizes the role of metagenomics and computational biology in developing effective strategies for MP remediation.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Daniel Sol, Andrea Menendez-Manjon, Sofia Carrasco, Jacinto Crisostomo-Miranda, Amanda Laca, Adriana Laca, Mario Diaz
Summary: This study investigates the emission of microplastics (MPs) during dishwashing procedures at the household level. The results show that temperature and time significantly affect the release of MPs. Additionally, the material of dishwasher accessories and food utensils also plays a role in the amount of MPs released. Therefore, using environmentally friendly materials can help reduce MP pollution.
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND POLLUTION RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Environmental Sciences
James N. Hitchcock, Simon M. Mitrovic
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
James N. Hitchcock, Simon M. Mitrovic
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2015)
Article
Limnology
James N. Hitchcock, Simon M. Mitrovic, Wade L. Hadwen, Daniel L. Roelke, Ivor O. Growns, Ann-Marie Rohlfs
LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY
(2016)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ann-Marie Rohlfs, Simon M. Mitrovic, Simon Williams, James N. Hitchcock, Gavin N. Rees
Article
Fisheries
James N. Hitchcock, Simon M. Mitrovic, Wade L. Hadwen, Ivor O. Growns, Ann-Marie Rohlfs
MARINE AND FRESHWATER RESEARCH
(2016)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
James N. Hitchcock, Simon M. Mitrovic
ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE
(2013)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Simon M. Mitrovic, James N. Hitchcock, Alec W. Davie, David A. Ryan
JOURNAL OF PLANKTON RESEARCH
(2010)
Article
Marine & Freshwater Biology
Simon M. Mitrovic, Douglas P. Westhorpe, Tsuyoshi Kobayashi, Darren S. Baldwin, David Ryan, James N. Hitchcock
JOURNAL OF PLANKTON RESEARCH
(2014)
Article
Environmental Sciences
James N. Hitchcock, Simon M. Mitrovic
ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rachel Gray, Hugh A. Jones, James N. Hitchcock, Lorraine Hardwick, Darice Pepper, Allan Lugg, Justin R. Seymour, Simon M. Mitrovic
RIVER RESEARCH AND APPLICATIONS
(2019)
Article
Limnology
Laura E. Michie, James N. Hitchcock, Jason D. Thiem, Craig A. Boys, Simon M. Mitrovic
Article
Environmental Sciences
James N. Hitchcock
Summary: This study aimed to investigate the influence of different concentrations of microplastic fibers on phytoplankton community structure. Through two six-day experiments, it was found that high concentrations of microplastics significantly altered the structure of the phytoplankton community, increasing the abundance of certain cyanobacteria taxa while reducing the abundance of other taxa.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2022)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
J. E. Ruprecht, I. P. King, S. M. Mitrovic, K. A. Dafforn, B. M. Miller, M. Deiber, D. P. Westhorpe, J. N. Hitchcock, A. J. Harrison, W. C. Glamore
Summary: Eutrophication caused by excessive anthropogenic nutrients in waterways is a global issue, and the response of waterways to nutrient loading is influenced by hydrodynamics and microbial processing. This paper presents a coupled hydrodynamic and aquatic ecosystem response model, validated using a unique long-term water quality dataset in southeastern Australia. The results show that explicit time-varying bacterial mineralisation rates improve the understanding of aquatic ecosystem response, and the model is sensitive to boundary conditions and the presence of a microbial loop.
Article
Women's Studies
Rebecca Pearse, James N. Hitchcock, Helen Keane
WOMENS STUDIES INTERNATIONAL FORUM
(2019)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Toshimi Nakajima, Mao Kuragano, Makoto Yamada, Ryo Sugimoto
Summary: This study compared the contribution of submarine groundwater discharge (SGD) to river nutrient budgets at nearshore and embayment scales, and found that SGD-derived nutrients become more important at larger spatial scales.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Fan Liu, Lei Zhang, Chongyang Zhang, Ziguang Chen, Jingguang Li
Summary: NO2 emissions from wall-mounted gas stoves used for household heating have become a significant source of indoor pollution in Chinese urban areas. The high indoor concentration of NO2 poses potential health risks to residents. It is urgently necessary to establish relevant regulations and implement emission reduction technologies to reduce NO2 emissions from wall-mounted gas stoves.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Letter
Environmental Sciences
Hans Peter H. Arp, Raoul Wolf, Sarah E. Hale, Sivani Baskaran, Juliane Gluege, Martin Scheringer, Xenia Trier, Ian T. Cousins, Harrie Timmer, Roberta Hofman-Caris, Anna Lennquist, Andre D. Bannink, Gerard J. Stroomberg, Rosa M. A. Sjerps, Rosa Montes, Rosario Rodil, Jose Benito Quintana, Daniel Zahn, Herve Gallard, Tobias Mohr, Ivo Schliebner, Michael Neumann
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Philomina Onyedikachi Peter, Binessi Edouard Ifon, Francois Nkinahamira, Kayode Hassan Lasisi, Jiangwei Li, Anyi Hu, Chang-Ping Yu
Summary: This study investigates the relationship between dissolved organic matter (DOM) and Rare Earth Elements (REEs) in sediments from Yundang Lagoon, China. The results show four distinct fluorescent components, with protein-like substances being the most prevalent. Additionally, the total fluorescence intensity and LREE concentrations exhibit a synchronized increase from Outer to Inner to Songbai Lake core sediments. The findings demonstrate a strong correlation between DOM content and pollution levels.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Surya Gupta, Pasquale Borrelli, Panos Panagos, Christine Alewell
Summary: The objective of this study is to incorporate soil hydraulic properties into the erodibility factor (K) of USLE-type models. By modifying and improving the existing equations for soil texture and permeability, the study successfully included information on saturated hydraulic conductivity (Ksat) into the calculation of K factor. Using the Random Forest machine learning algorithm, two independent K factor maps with different spatial resolutions were generated. The results show that the decrease in K factor values has a positive impact on the modeling of soil erosion rates.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jesmin Akter, Wendy J. M. Smith, Yawen Liu, Ilho Kim, Stuart L. Simpson, Phong Thai, Asja Korajkic, Warish Ahmed
Summary: The choice of workflow in wastewater surveillance has a significant impact on SARS-CoV-2 concentrations, while having minimal effects on HF183 and no effect on HAdV 40/41 concentrations. Certain components in the workflow can be interchangeable, but factors such as buffer type, chloroform, and homogenization speed can affect the recovery of viruses and bacteria.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yu Luo, Xueting Yang, Diwei Wang, Hongmei Xu, Hongai Zhang, Shasha Huang, Qiyuan Wang, Ningning Zhang, Junji Cao, Zhenxing Shen
Summary: Atmospheric PM2.5, which can generate reactive oxygen species (ROS), is associated with cardiorespiratory morbidity and mortality. The study found that both the mass concentration of PM2.5 and the DTT activity were higher during the heating season than during the nonheating season. Combustion sources were the primary contributors to DTT activity during the heating season, while secondary formation dominated during the nonheating season. The study also revealed that biomass burning had the highest inherent oxidation potential among all sources investigated.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Erin L. Murphy, Leah R. Gerber, Chelsea M. Rochman, Beth Polidoro
Summary: Plastic pollution has devastating consequences for marine organisms. This study uses a trait-based framework to develop a vulnerability index for marine mammals, seabirds, and sea turtles in Hawai'i. The index ranks 63 study species based on their vulnerability to macroplastic pollution, providing valuable information for species monitoring and management priorities.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Kenji Maurice, Amelia Bourceret, Sami Youssef, Stephane Boivin, Liam Laurent-Webb, Coraline Damasio, Hassan Boukcim, Marc-Andre Selosse, Marc Ducousso
Summary: Growing pressure from climate change and agricultural land use is destabilizing soil microbial community interactions. Little is known about microbial community resistance and adaptation to disturbances, hindering our understanding of recovery latency and implications for ecosystem functioning. This study found that anthropic disturbance and natural disturbance have different effects on the topology and stability of soil microbial networks.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yunhao Li, Yali Feng, Haoran Li, Yisong Yao, Chenglong Xu, Jinrong Ju, Ruiyu Ma, Haoyu Wang, Shiwei Jiang
Summary: Deep-sea mining poses a serious threat to marine ecosystems and human health by disturbing sediment and transmitting metal ions through the food chain. This study developed a new regenerative adsorption material, OMN@SA, which effectively removes metal ions. The adsorption mechanism and performance of the material for metal ion fixation were investigated.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Antonio Medici, Margherita Lavorgna, Marina Isidori, Chiara Russo, Elena Orlo, Giovanni Luongo, Giovanni Di Fabio, Armando Zarrelli
Summary: Valsartan, a widely used antihypertensive drug, has been detected in high concentrations in surface waters due to its unchanged excretion and incomplete degradation in wastewater treatment plants. This study investigated the degradation of valsartan and identified 14 degradation byproducts. The acute and chronic toxicity of these byproducts were evaluated in key organisms in the freshwater trophic chain.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Jiang Lin, Lianbao Chi, Qing Yuan, Busu Li, Mingbao Feng
Summary: This study investigated the photodegradation behavior and product formation of two representative pharmaceuticals in simulated estuary water. The study found that the formed transformation products of these pharmaceuticals have potential toxicity on marine organisms, including oxidative stress and damage to cellular components.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Hua Fang, Dongdong Jiang, Ye He, Siyi Wu, Yuehong Li, Ziqi Zhang, Haoting Chen, Zixin Zheng, Yan Sun, Wenxiang Wang
Summary: This study revealed that exposure to lower levels of air pollutants led to decreased pregnancy rates, with PM10, NO2, SO2, and CO emerging as the four most prominent pollutants. Individuals aged 35 and above exhibited heightened susceptibility to pollutants.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Ali Shaan Manzoor Ghumman, Rashid Shamsuddin, Amin Abbasi, Mohaira Ahmad, Yoshiaki Yoshida, Abdul Sami, Hamad Almohamadi
Summary: In this study, inverse vulcanized polysulfides (IVP) were synthesized by reacting molten sulfur with 4-vinyl benzyl chloride, and then functionalized using N-methyl D-glucamine (NMDG). The functionalized IVP showed a high mercury adsorption capacity and a machine learning model was developed to predict the amount of mercury removed. Furthermore, the functionalized IVP can be regenerated and reused, providing a sustainable and cost-effective adsorbent.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Rita Bonfiglio, Renata Sisto, Stefano Casciardi, Valeria Palumbo, Maria Paola Scioli, Erica Giacobbi, Francesca Servadei, Gerry Melino, Alessandro Mauriello, Manuel Scimeca
Summary: This study investigated the presence of aluminum in human colon cancer samples and its potential association with biological processes involved in cancer progression. Aluminum was found in tumor areas of 24% of patients and was associated with epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) and cell death. Additional analyses revealed higher tumor mutational burden and mutations in genes related to EMT and apoptosis in aluminum-positive colon cancers. Understanding the molecular mechanisms of aluminum toxicity may improve strategies for the management of colon cancer patients.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2024)