Micro(nano)plastics in the atmosphere of the Atlantic Ocean

Caracci, Elisa; Vega-Herrera, Albert; Dachs, Jordi; Berrojalbiz, Naiara; Buonanno, Giorgio; Abad, Esteban; Llorca, Marta; Moreno, Teresa; Farré, Marinella

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.131036

Cited by 21 publications

(15 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…For instance, the interior of Australia (Figure S3) receives 90% (50%) more hydrophobic (hydrophilic) microplastic mass for fibers with AR = 100 than for spheres. These results are in good agreement with the fact that in relatively remote regions, such as national parks, mainly microplastic fibers and other nonspherical particles have been reported, − , whereas reports of microplastic spheres are less common.…”

Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 90%

“…Several studies discuss the impact of microplastics on the oceans ,, and provide field evidence of their long-range atmospheric transport . Despite these advancements, the contribution of atmospheric transport to the contamination of microplastics in oceans remains highly uncertain .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…58 Several studies discuss the impact of microplastics on the oceans 52,59,60 and provide field evidence of their long-range atmospheric transport. 61 Despite these advancements, the contribution of atmospheric transport to the contamination of microplastics in oceans remains highly uncertain. 4 Our simulations with hydrophobic microplastics show that if all particles are spherical, 16 kt/year are deposited in the oceans, whereas for straight fibers with aspect ratios of 20, 50, and 100, the corresponding numbers are 18, 20, and 23 kt/year, respectively (Table S3).…”

Section: Simulation Of Atmospheric Dispersion Of Microplastic Fibersmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Shape Matters: Long-Range Transport of Microplastic Fibers in the Atmosphere

Tatsii,

Bucci,

Bhowmick

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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The deposition of airborne microplastic particles, including those exceeding 1000 μm in the longest dimension, has been observed in the most remote places on earth. However, their deposition patterns are difficult to reproduce using current atmospheric transport models. These models usually treat particles as perfect spheres, whereas the real shapes of microplastic particles are often far from spherical. Such particles experience lower settling velocities compared to volume equivalent spheres, leading to longer atmospheric transport. Here, we present novel laboratory experiments on the gravitational settling of microplastic fibers in air and find that their settling velocities are reduced by up to 76% compared to those of the spheres of the same volume. An atmospheric transport model constrained with the experimental data shows that shape-corrected settling velocities significantly increase the horizontal and vertical transport of particles. Our model results show that microplastic fibers of about 1 mm length emitted in populated areas are more likely to reach extremely remote regions of the globe, including the high Arctic, which is not the case for spheres of equivalent volume. We also calculate that fibers with lengths of up to 100 μm settle slowly enough to be lifted high into the stratosphere, where degradation by ultraviolet radiation may release chlorine and bromine, thus potentially damaging the stratospheric ozone layer. These findings suggest that the growing environmental burden and still increasing emissions of plastic pose multiple threats to life on earth.

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Section: Resultssupporting

confidence: 90%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Simulation Of Atmospheric Dispersion Of Microplastic Fibersmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Shape Matters: Long-Range Transport of Microplastic Fibers in the Atmosphere

Tatsii,

Bucci,

Bhowmick

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…No industrial-scale treatment has been established as yet for micro- or nanoplastics. ,− PET is chemically hydrophobic; thus, it can easily adsorb hydrophobic chemicals present in soil and wastewater. These complexes could enter human bodies through the food chains.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of Enzyme-Based Approaches for Recycling PET on an Industrial Scale

Oda,

Wlodawer

2024

Biochemistry

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Pollution by plastics such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PUR), polyamide (PA), polystyrene (PS), and poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) is now gaining worldwide attention as a critical environmental issue, closely linked to climate change. Among them, PET is particularly prone to hydrolysis, breaking down into its constituents, ethylene glycol (EG) and terephthalate (TPA). Biorecycling or bioupcycling stands out as one of the most promising methods for addressing PET pollution. For dealing with pollution by the macrosize PET, a French company Carbios has developed a pilot-scale plant for biorecycling waste PET beverage bottles into new bottles using derivatives of thermophilic leaf compost cutinase (LCC). However, this system still provides significant challenges in its practical implementation. For the micro-or nanosize PET pollution that poses significant human health risks, including cancer, no industrial-scale approach has been established so far, despite the need to develop such technologies. In this Perspective, we explore the enhancement of the low activity and thermostability of the enzyme PETase to match that of LCC, along with the potential application of microbes and enzymes for the treatment of waste PET as microplastics. Additionally, we discuss the shortcomings of the current biorecycling protocols from a life cycle assessment perspective, covering aspects such as the diversity of PET-hydrolyzing enzymes in nature, the catalytic mechanism for crystallized PET, and more. We also provide an overview of the Ideonella sakaiensis system, highlighting its ability to operate and grow at moderate temperatures, in contrast to hightemperature processes.

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“…Little is known about concentrations, transport, and impact of MP in the sea surface microlayer (SML), overlying air, and underlying water (ULW). Especially when it comes to the marine MP cycle and the transport of atmospheric MP into the marine environment. , Until now, only two mass-based studies , and seven particle number-based studies dealing with marine atmospheric MP have been published. ,− Mass loads up to 38 ng MP m –3 and particle numbers in the range of 0.01 to 85 MP particles m –3 ,− were reported. More details are summarized in the Supporting Information (SI, Table S1).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Unraveling the Marine Microplastic Cycle: The First Simultaneous Data Set for Air, Sea Surface Microlayer, and Underlying Water

Goßmann,

Mattsson,

Hassellöv

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Microplastics (MP) including tire wear particles (TWP) are ubiquitous. However, their mass loads, transport, and vertical behavior in water bodies and overlying air are never studied simultaneously before. Particularly, the sea surface microlayer (SML), a ubiquitous, predominantly organic, and gelatinous film (<1 mm), is interesting since it may favor MP enrichment. In this study, a remote-controlled research catamaran simultaneously sampled air, SML, and underlying water (ULW) in Swedish fjords of variable anthropogenic impacts (urban, industrial, and rural) to fill these knowledge gaps in the marineatmospheric MP cycle. Polymer clusters and TWP were identified and quantified with pyrolysis-gas chromatography−mass spectrometry. Air samples contained clusters of polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, and polystyrene (max 50 ng MP m −3 ). In water samples (max. 10.8 μg MP L −1 ), mainly TWP and clusters of poly(methyl methacrylate) and polyethylene terephthalate occurred. Here, TWP prevailed in the SML, while the poly(methyl methacrylate) cluster dominated the ULW. However, no general MP enrichment was observed in the SML. Elevated anthropogenic influences in urban and industrial compared to the rural fjord areas were reflected by enhanced MP levels in these areas. Vertical MP movement behavior and distribution were not only linked to polymer characteristics but also to polymer sources and environmental conditions.

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Micro(nano)plastics in the atmosphere of the Atlantic Ocean

Cited by 21 publications

References 37 publications

Shape Matters: Long-Range Transport of Microplastic Fibers in the Atmosphere

Shape Matters: Long-Range Transport of Microplastic Fibers in the Atmosphere

Development of Enzyme-Based Approaches for Recycling PET on an Industrial Scale

Unraveling the Marine Microplastic Cycle: The First Simultaneous Data Set for Air, Sea Surface Microlayer, and Underlying Water

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