Environmental occurrences, fate, and impacts of microplastics

Wu, Panfeng; Huang, Jinhua; Zheng, Yi; Yang, Yudan; Zhang, Yue; He, Feng; Chen, Hao; Quan, Guixiang; Yan, Jinlong; Li, Tiantian; Gao, Bin

doi:10.1016/j.ecoenv.2019.109612

Cited by 276 publications

(101 citation statements)

References 179 publications

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“…Due to their environmental persistence and potential health effect, MP pollution has attracted much attention recently from the research community and the authorities; indeed, the European Commission is evaluating to restrict intentional uses of MP. Several scientific works in the last decade show the presence of MP in soil, freshwater and oceans [14,[18][19][20]. Recently, MP occurrence was also shown in the atmospheric environment, with measurements in particulate matter and in wet and dry deposition [21,22].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Synthetic fibers have generally cylindrical shape with average diameter of 10-20 µm and length up to few mm and they are generated from wear of textile material. Foams and fragments are mainly of secondary origin; they are produced by mechanical abrasion of larger plastic products and they have generally an irregular shape [14]. Shape and size have a crucial impact on the transport of MP in many environmental matrices, like atmosphere and soil; therefore, transport through the environmental compartments might be peculiar for the different types of MP [15][16][17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Atmospheric Micro and Nanoplastics: An Enormous Microscopic Problem

Bianco

Passananti

2020

Sustainability

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Atmospheric plastic pollution is now a global problem. Microplastics (MP) have been detected in urban atmospheres as well as in remote and pristine environments, showing that suspension, deposition and aeolian transport of MP should be included and considered as a major transport pathway in the plastic life cycle. This work reports an up to date review of the experimental estimation of deposition rate of MP in rural and urban environment, also analyzing the correlation with meteorological factors. Due to the limitations in sampling and instrumental methodology, little is known about MP and nanoplastics (NP) with sizes lower than 50 µm. In this review, we describe how NP could be transported for longer distances than MP, making them globally present and potentially more concentrated than MP. We highlight that it is crucial to explore new methodologies to collect and analyze NP. Future research should focus on the development of new technologies, combining the existent knowledge on nanomaterial and atmospheric particle analysis.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atmospheric Micro and Nanoplastics: An Enormous Microscopic Problem

Bianco

Passananti

2020

Sustainability

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“…Of the primary shapes of MPs that are recovered from environmental media, fibers, fragments and spheres predominant [3].…”

Section: What Type Of Microplastic To Monitor For?mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The past 20 years has seen a dramatic increase in our knowledge with respect to microplastics within our marine environments. The science has originated from first coining the term microplastics [1] to documenting their presence in all levels of marine life [2,3] to mapping the extent our marine regions have been impacted by this unique pollutant [3,4].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Use of sediment dwelling bivalves to biomonitor plastic particle pollution in intertidal regions; A review and study

Bendell

LeCadre²,

Zhou

2020

PLoS ONE

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We explore the possibility of using the varnish (Nutallia obscurata) and Manila (Venerupis philippinarum) clams as biomonitors of microplastics (MPs) pollution. A short review is first provided on the use of bivalves for biomonitoring MPs in aquatic ecosystems. From the conclusions drawn from our review we determine if the sediment dwelling varnish and Manila clam could possibly be good choices for this purpose. We sampled 8 intertidal sites located within two distinct regions of coastal British Columbia, Burrard Inlet (5 sites) and Baynes Sound (3 sites). Each intertidal region had its own particular use; within Burrard Inlet, BMP a heavily used marine park, CP, EB, J, and AP, popular local beaches, and within Baynes Sound, Met and NHB, two intertidal regions heavily exploited by the shellfish industry and RU an intertidal region with limited aquaculture activity. Microfragments were recovered from bivalves collected from all intertidal regions except for AP. Microspheres were recovered primarily from bivalves sampled from Baynes Sound at NHB where high numbers of spheres within sediments had previously been reported. BMP and Met had the highest number of particles present within individual clams which were predominantly high density polyethylene (HDPE) and a polypropylene composite (PPC). Both polymers are extensively used by the shellfish industry in all gear types, as well as in industrial and recreational marine activities. The spatial distribution of recovered MPs was indicative of the anthropogenic use of the intertidal region suggesting these bivalves, for microfragments and microspheres, may be suitable as biomonitors and could prove to be useful tools for determining whether reduction policies for plastics use are having a positive effect on their release into marine environments.

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“…Thus, studying the effect of leached chemicals in accumulation zones of plastic (such as landfilling sites, wastewater treatment plants, and agricultural areas) is likely a useful and productive next step for microplastic research. Several studies have also advocated further research regarding the transport and fate of MPs in land [8,37].…”

Section: Chemical Additivesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Review of Microplastic Pollution in the Environment and Emerging Recycling Solutions

Reimonn¹,

Lu²,

Gandhi³

et al. 2019

Journal of Renewable Materials

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Microplastic pollution represents a side-effect stemming from a global plastic waste mismanagement problem and includes degraded particles or mass produced plastic particles less than 5 mm in largest dimension. The small nature of microplastics gives this area of pollution different environmental concerns than general plastic waste in the environment. The biological toxicity of particles, their internal components, and their surface level changes all present opportunities for these particles to adversely affect the environment around them. Thus, it is necessary to review the current literature surrounding this topic and identify areas where the study of microplastic can be pushed forward. Here we present current methods in studying microplastics, some of the ways by which microplastics affect the environment and attempt to shed light on how this research can continue. In addition, we review current recycling methods developing for the processing of mixed-plastic waste. These methods, including hydrothermal processing and solvent extraction, provide a unique opportunity to separate plastic waste and improve the viability of the plastics recycling industry.

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Environmental occurrences, fate, and impacts of microplastics

Cited by 276 publications

References 179 publications

Atmospheric Micro and Nanoplastics: An Enormous Microscopic Problem

Atmospheric Micro and Nanoplastics: An Enormous Microscopic Problem

Use of sediment dwelling bivalves to biomonitor plastic particle pollution in intertidal regions; A review and study

Review of Microplastic Pollution in the Environment and Emerging Recycling Solutions

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