Microplastics and nanoplastics in the marine-atmosphere environment

Abstract

The discovery of atmospheric micro(nano)plastics transport and ocean-atmosphere exchange points to a highly complex marine plastic cycle, with negative implications for human and ecosystem health. Yet observations are currently limited. In this Perspective, 4 of 23 07/04/2022, 15:41 we quantify the marine-atmospheric micro(nano)plastics cycle processes and fluxes, with the aim of highlighting the remaining unknowns in atmospheric micro(nano)plastics transport. Between 0.013 and 25 million metric tons per year of micro(nano)plastics are potentially being transported within the marine atmosphere and deposited in the oceans. However, the high uncertainty in these marine-atmospheric fluxes is related to data limitations and a lack of study intercomparability. To address the uncertainties and remaining knowledge gaps in the marineatmospheric micro(nano)plastics cycle, we propose a future global marine-atmospheric micro(nano)plastics observation strategy, incorporating novel sampling methods and the creation of a comparable, harmonized and global dataset. Together with long-term observations and intensive investigations, this strategy will help to define the trends in marine-atmospheric pollution and any responses to future policy and management actions.Editor's Summary Atmospheric transport of microplastics could be a major source of plastic pollution to the ocean, yet observations currently remain limited. This Perspective quantifies the known budgets of the marine-atmospheric micro(nano)plastics cycle and proposes a future global observation strategy.

Nanoplastics in Aquatic Environments: Impacts on Aquatic Species and Interactions with Environmental Factors and Pollutants

“…Pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry was first used to determine the presence and the chemical composition of NPs in seawater samples from the North Atlantic Subtropical Gyre [22]. Later, thermal-desorption proton-transfer-reaction mass spectrometry was used to quantify the NPs concentrations and characterize their composition in surface water samples from lakes and streams in Siberia (mean 51 µg L −1 ) and Sweden (mean 563 µg L −1 ) [23]. Furthermore, other studies have reported the release of NPs from the fragmentation of larger plastics (see review [24]), implying that NPs will likely emerge over time from the plastic litter polluting our water bodies.…”

“…Furthermore, other studies have reported the release of NPs from the fragmentation of larger plastics (see review [24]), implying that NPs will likely emerge over time from the plastic litter polluting our water bodies. Recently, the role of atmospheric transport of NPs (as well as MPs) from coastal and urban areas to the ocean was proposed as an important contributor to the cycle and burden of small plastics in the oceans [23]. As a result, various studies have indicated that NPs have the potential to pollute aquatic environments, which could lead to a negative impact on these ecosystems.…”

Nanoplastics as an Invisible Threat to Humans and the Environment

“…Besides, the inhaled nanoplastics can be responsible for plenty of respiratory problems such as irritation, dyspnea, decreased lung capacity, interstitial fibrosis, and granulomatous lesions [87,88]. In one study [89], bronchial epithelial BEAS-2B cells were treated with different sizes of nanoplastics.…”

Toxicity of nanoplastics to zooplankton is influenced by temperature, salinity, and natural particulate matter

“…11 Although current concentrations of nanoplastics in the environment are generally unknown, the expected continuing influx of plastics into oceans and its degradation may cause concentrations of small plastic particles to rise. 12,13 Understanding the impact of nanoplastics in shoreline ecosystems is thus of particular importance both generally, and especially to organisms dwelling these ecosystems.…”