Microplastics: Finding a consensus on the definition

Frias, João; Nash, Róisín

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.11.022

Cited by 1,250 publications

(485 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…Defining which types of particles can best be characterized as microplastic particles remains a topic of current debate (Verschoor 2015; Kramm et al 2018; Frias and Nash 2019; Rochman et al 2019). As generally defined, microplastic particles are synthetic plastic particles <5 mm in size.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toward an Improved Understanding of the Ingestion and Trophic Transfer of Microplastic Particles: Critical Review and Implications for Future Research

Gouin

2020

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

122

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Microplastic particles have been observed in the environment and routinely detected in the stomachs and intestines of aquatic organisms over the last 50 yr. In the present review, information on the ingestion of plastic debris of varying sizes is collated, including data for >800 species representing approximately 87 000 individual organisms, for which plastic debris and microplastic particles have been observed in approximately 17 500, or 20%. The average reported number of microplastic particles/individual across all studies is estimated to be 4, with studies typically reporting averages ranging from 0 to 10 particles/individual. A general observation is that although strong evidence exists for the biological ingestion of microplastic particles, they do not bioaccumulate and do not appear to be subject to biomagnification as a result of trophic transfer through food webs, with >99% of observations from field‐based studies reporting that microplastic particles are located within the gastrointestinal tract. Overall, there is substantial heterogeneity in how samples are collected, processed, analyzed, and reported, causing significant challenges in attempting to assess temporal and spatial trends or helping to inform a mechanistic understanding. Nevertheless, several studies suggest that the characteristics of microplastic particles ingested by organisms are generally representative of plastic debris in the vicinity where individuals are collected. Monitoring of spatial and temporal trends of ingested microplastic particles could thus potentially be useful in assessing mitigation efforts aimed at reducing the emission of plastic and microplastic particles to the environment. The development and application of standardized analytical methods are urgently needed to better understand spatial and temporal trends. Environ Toxicol Chem 2020;39:1119–1137. © 2020 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.

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Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toward an Improved Understanding of the Ingestion and Trophic Transfer of Microplastic Particles: Critical Review and Implications for Future Research

Gouin

2020

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

122

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“…The percentages and most common products are assessed and calculated based on data from Schwarz et al (2019), Textileworld (2019), and PlasticsEurope (2018 For plastic sizes, consistent terming and dimensions lack throughout plastic pollution studies. Most used terms are nanoplastics, microplastics, mesoplastics, macroplastics, and megaplastics (Blettler et al, 2017;Frias & Nash, 2019;Lebreton et al, 2018). Dividing plastics by size is still useful in terms of determining the source and to assess the final environmental impact.…”

Section: Defining Plasticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plastic debris in rivers

2019

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Plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems is an emerging environmental risk, as it may negatively impacts ecology, endangers aquatic species, and causes economic damage. Rivers are known to play a crucial role in transporting land‐based plastic waste to the world's oceans, but riverine ecosystems are also directly affected by plastic pollution. To better quantify global plastic pollution transport and to effectively reduce sources and risks, a thorough understanding of origin, transport, fate, and effects of riverine plastic debris is crucial. In this overview paper, we discuss the current scientific state on plastic debris in rivers and evaluate existing knowledge gaps. We present a brief background of plastics, polymer types typically found in rivers, and the risk posed to aquatic ecosystems. Additionally, we elaborate on the origin and fate of riverine plastics, including processes and factors influencing plastic debris transport and its spatiotemporal variation. We present an overview of monitoring and modeling efforts to characterize riverine plastic transport, and give examples of typical values from around the world. Finally, we present an outlook to riverine plastic research. With this paper, we aim to present an inclusive and comprehensive overview of riverine plastic debris research to date and suggest multiple ways forward for future research. This article is categorized under: Science of Water > Water Quality Water and Life > Stresses and Pressures on Ecosystems

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“…Lusher et al [5] reported 0.1 µm to be the upper limit for nanoparticles. Recently Frias and Nash [6] defined microplastics as "any synthetic solid particle or polymeric matrix, with regular or irregular shape and with size ranging from 1 µm to 5 mm, of either primary or secondary manufacturing origin, which are insoluble in water". To date microplastics have been detected in water [7,8], and sediments [9] coming from different environments worldwide: sea surface and water column [10], lakes and rivers [4,11], coastal areas [12], harbours [13], marine protected areas [14], deep oceans [15], polar ecosystems [16], and coral reefs [17].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microparticles in Table Salt: Levels and Chemical Composition of the Smallest Dimensional Fraction

Renzi¹,

Grazioli²,

Bertacchini³

et al. 2019

JMSE

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This study evaluates the chemical composition of microplastic materials (MPs) and non-synthetic particles in different table salts of marine origin by the µFT-IR technique. This research focuses on the microparticles fraction within 10–150 µm of size. Eleven commercial trademarks coming from Italy (IT = 6) and Croatia (CRO = 5) were grouped in two different cost ranges, cheap (n = 5) and expensive (n = 6) and were analysed in replicates (n = 3). Levels and chemical composition of microparticles measured in commercial products were correlated on a statistical basis to some factors of variability of potential scientific interest (geographical origin of marine salt, cost of commercial products, etc.). Results of analyses performed on the tested size fraction of microparticles (10–150 µm) evidence that: (i) levels of MPs are within 0.17–0.32 items/g (IT) and 0.07–0.20 items/g (CRO); (ii) non-synthetic particles detected are mostly made by fibres made of cellulose acetate; (iii) Nations show a different chemical composition of MPs recovered in analysed trademarks (PET and PVC from Italy; PA, PP, and nylon from Croatia); (iv) the annual amount ingested by humans from marine salt consumption ranges between 131.4–372.3 items/y (CRO) and 306.6–580.35 items/y (IT) considering a dose of 5 g of salt per day; (v) statistics performed on factors of interest evidenced that the geographical origin of marine salt do not affect neither levels nor chemical composition of MPs in tested trademarks; while slight correlations are recorded with non-synthetic particles. Further studies are needed to better explore on statistical basis if both levels and chemical composition of MPs in table salts of marine origin can be used or not as good indicators of marine pollution.

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Microplastics: Finding a consensus on the definition

Cited by 1,250 publications

References 16 publications

Toward an Improved Understanding of the Ingestion and Trophic Transfer of Microplastic Particles: Critical Review and Implications for Future Research

Toward an Improved Understanding of the Ingestion and Trophic Transfer of Microplastic Particles: Critical Review and Implications for Future Research

Plastic debris in rivers

Microparticles in Table Salt: Levels and Chemical Composition of the Smallest Dimensional Fraction

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