Evidence of transport of styrene oligomers originated from polystyrene plastic to oceans by runoff

Amamiya, Keiji; Saido, Katsuhiko; Chung, Seon-Yong; Hiaki, Toshihiko; Lee, Dong Hoon; Kwon, Bum Gun

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.02.383

“…Chemical constituents of microplastics may also be transported from terrestrial runoff to oceanic systems via estuaries. For example, Amamiya et al () reported styrene oligomers, derived from polystyrene, entered Tokyo Bay from land‐based sources as a function of monthly precipitation.…”

Section: Microplastics In Freshwatersmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Hale¹,

Seeley²,

Guardia³

et al. 2020

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Society has become increasingly reliant on plastics since commercial production began in about 1950. Their versatility, stability, light weight, and low production costs have fueled global demand. Most plastics are initially used and discarded on land. Nonetheless, the amount of microplastics in some oceanic compartments is predicted to double by 2030. To solve this global problem, we must understand plastic composition, physical forms, uses, transport, and fragmentation into microplastics (and nanoplastics). Plastic debris/microplastics arise from land disposal, wastewater treatment, tire wear, paint failure, textile washing, and at-sea losses. Riverine and atmospheric transport, storm water, and disasters facilitate releases. In surface waters plastics/microplastics weather, biofoul, aggregate, and sink, are ingested by organisms and redistributed by currents. Ocean sediments are likely the ultimate destination. Plastics release additives, concentrate environmental contaminants, and serve as substrates for biofilms, including exotic and pathogenic species. Microplastic abundance increases as fragment size decreases, as does the proportion of organisms capable of ingesting them. Particles <20 μm may penetrate cell membranes, exacerbating risks. Exposure can compromise feeding, metabolic processes, reproduction, and behavior. But more investigation is required to draw definitive conclusions. Human ingestion of contaminated seafood and water is a concern. Microplastics indoors present yet uncharacterized risks, magnified by the time we spend inside (>90%) and the abundance of polymeric products therein. Scientific challenges include improving microplastic sampling and characterization approaches, understanding long-term behavior, additive bioavailability, and organismal and ecosystem health risks. Solutions include improving globally based pollution prevention, developing degradable polymers and additives, and reducing consumption/expanding plastic reuse.

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“…10,17 Using 2.5 L water and 5.0 g sand dichloromethane extracts, SOs were analyzed in detail by Gas Chromatograph equipped with Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). [10][11][12][13][14] Mean SO value from coastal surveys worldwide were found to be 1613.4 µg kg -1 for sand samples and 2.7 µg L -1 for water samples. SO contamination of sand was 600 times higher than that of water.…”

Section: Worldwide Sos Contaminationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Waste Polystyrene Degradation in the World Oceans: Newly identified sources of Contamination

Saido

¹

,

Kodera

²

,

Kimukai³

et al. 2020

Preprint

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0

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Since 1970, lumps of plastic breakage into micro/nano pieces has been clearly shown a serious and large source of ocean pollution. To clarify in detail the course of this impact, thermoplastics were decomposed at natural conditions kinetically. And field surveys conducted on four thousand sand and water samples including these at deep-sea sites from around the world during the period, 2000 to 2015. All samples were found to contain styrene oligomers (SOs), that had been generated from drifting polystyrene (PS) degradation. Lumps of plastic not only break up into micro/nano-fragments but also degrade into their basic structure units of plastic. From 1950 to 2015, 4.2 billion metric tons (MT) of SOs were shown to be generated from drifting PS. The monomers are newly and highly significant source of pollution of marine ecosystem directly and global warming of planet and should be given the utmost serious attention.

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“…SOs were found present in all samples. [11][12][13][14] Using SO values for open ocean and total water volume in oceans, 4.2 billion MT of SO was calculated between 1950 to 2015. When every year 3% of PS production flows into the ocean, 1,15 currently drifting PS [2] is estimated 1.2 × 10 7 MT.…”

Section: Carpenter and Smith 3 First Reported Plastic Contamination Imentioning

confidence: 99%

Waste Polystyrene Degradation in the World Oceans: Newly identified sources of Contamination

Saido

¹

,

Kodera

²

,

Kimukai³

et al. 2020

Preprint

Self Cite

1

0

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Since 1970, lumps of plastic breakage into micro/nano pieces has been clearly shown a serious and large source of ocean pollution. To clarify in detail the course of this impact, thermoplastics were decomposed at natural conditions kinetically. And field surveys conducted on four thousand sand and water samples including these at deep-sea sites from around the world during the period, 2000 to 2015. All samples were found to contain styrene oligomers (SOs), that had been generated from drifting polystyrene (PS) degradation. Lumps of plastic not only break up into micro/nano-fragments but also degrade into their basic structure units of plastic. From 1950 to 2015, 4.2 billion metric tons (MT) of SOs were shown to be generated from drifting PS. The monomers are newly and highly significant source of pollution of marine ecosystem directly and global warming of planet and should be given the utmost serious attention.

show abstract

Evidence of transport of styrene oligomers originated from polystyrene plastic to oceans by runoff

Cited by 36 publications

References 26 publications

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Waste Polystyrene Degradation in the World Oceans: Newly identified sources of Contamination

Waste Polystyrene Degradation in the World Oceans: Newly identified sources of Contamination

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