Occurrence of tire and bitumen wear microplastics on urban streets and in sweepsand and washwater

Järlskog, Ida; Strömvall, Ann-Margret Hvitt; Magnusson, Kerstin; Gustafsson, Mats; Polukarova, Maria; Galfi, Helen; Aronsson, Maria; Andersson-Sköld, Yvonne

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.138950

Cited by 173 publications

(85 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Expectedly, also the terrestrial system is charged with microplastics. Microplastics are present in cities in the form of tire abrasion [ 20 , 21 ], agricultural sites, with fibers having the largest share [ 10 ], as well as in remote regions like the French Pyrenees [ 2 ], the arctic [ 22 ], and groundwater [ 23 , 24 ]. Finally, atmospheric transport distributes microplastics worldwide, even in regions with no or sparse human population, by wet and dry deposition [ 2 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conceptions of university students on microplastics in Germany

Raab

Bogner

2021

PLoS ONE

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Microplastics are a global challenge and a frequently studied environmental issue. Hence, the knowledge body about microplastics within the scientific community is growing fast and challenges an elaborated knowledge transfer from science to the general public. Just as well-informed people are the basis for reducing microplastics’ impact on the environment, knowledge of the audience’s conceptions is the basis for an accurate and successful dissemination of scientific findings. However, insights into the publics’ perceptions of microplastics are still rare. The present study aimed to capture students’ conceptions about microplastics based on their individual experiences following qualitative inductive, exploratory research. Therefore, 267 students of a state university in Germany responded to a paper-and-pencil questionnaire containing open and closed questions on microplastic-related conceptual understanding, risk perception, information behavior, sources, and sinks. The inductive classifying of all responses by a qualitative content analysis revealed six basic concepts: 1) Microplastics are mainly understood as small plastic particles. 2) Microplastics are closely associated with its negative consequences. 3) The most labeled source in households is plastic packaging. 4) Compared to other water bodies, microplastics are rarely suspected in groundwater. 5) A high threat awareness exists in classifying microplastics as very dangerous and dangerous. 6) Media such as TV or the Internet are the most crucial information sources while the school has less importance in acquiring information. It is precisely this pattern that indicates the need for profound science communication to establish a joint and scientifically sound knowledge base in society. Knowledge about conceptions of potential “customers” allows tailor-made scientific knowledge transfers to shape public awareness, initiate changes in thoughts and prepare the field for collaborative behavior.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Conceptions of university students on microplastics in Germany

Raab

Bogner

2021

PLoS ONE

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“…Non-exhaust particles from tire-, road-, and break wear have been recognized as an important source of particulate matter pollution in the 2.5 to 10 µm diameter range [2][3][4][5][6][7][8]. More recently, tire and bitumen asphalt road wear particles have emerged as a major microplastics (MP) source to the environment [9][10][11], and the largest MP contributor to aquatic environments [12], accounting for 5-10% of all plastics in the oceans, with country estimates ranging from 0.9% in The Netherlands to 32% in Norway [13]. Over 30% of the coarse airborne tire and break wear particles (≤10 µm diameter, PM 10 ) is ultimately deposited in the world's oceans; a similar order of magnitude as direct and riverine transport [14].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Mitigation of Suspendable Road Dust in a Subpolar, Oceanic Climate

et al. 2021

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Tire and road wear particles (TRWP) are a significant source of atmospheric particulate matter and microplastic loading to waterways. Road wear is exacerbated in cold climate by the widespread use of studded tires. The goal of this research was to assess the anthropogenic levers for suspendable road dust generation and climatic conditions governing the environmental fate of non-exhaust particles in a wet maritime winter climate. Sensitivity analyses were performed using the NORTRIP model for the Capital region of Reykjavík, Iceland (64.1° N). Precipitation frequency (secondarily atmospheric relative humidity) governed the partitioning between atmospheric and waterborne PM10 particles (55% and 45%, respectively). Precipitation intensity, however, increased proportionally most the drainage to waterways via stormwater collection systems, albeit it only represented 5% of the total mass of dust generated in winter. A drastic reduction in the use of studded tires, from 46% to 15% during peak season, would be required to alleviate the number of ambient air quality exceedances. In order to achieve multifaceted goals of a climate resilient, resource efficient city, the most important mitigation action is to reduce overall traffic volume. Reducing traffic speed may help speed environmental outcomes.

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“…Secondary MPs are produced when larger plastic materials degrade (break down) in the atmosphere or the aquatic environment due to natural weathering processes. For example, tire, road wear particles and municipal sewage sludge have been identified as potentially significant sources of microplastics in the environment [ 5 , 6 ]. Given the vast amount of MPs entering the environment, most MPs in the environment are thought to be secondary MPs [ 7 , 8 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Are Honey Bees at Risk from Microplastics?

Naggar

Brinkmann

Sayes

et al. 2021

Toxics

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Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous and persistent pollutants, and have been detected in a wide variety of media, from soils to aquatic systems. MPs, consisting primarily of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polyacrylamide polymers, have recently been found in 12% of samples of honey collected in Ecuador. Recently, MPs have also been identified in honey bees collected from apiaries in Copenhagen, Denmark, as well as nearby semiurban and rural areas. Given these documented exposures, assessment of their effects is critical for understanding the risks of MP exposure to honey bees. Exposure to polystyrene (PS)-MPs decreased diversity of the honey bee gut microbiota, followed by changes in gene expression related to oxidative damage, detoxification, and immunity. As a result, the aim of this perspective was to investigate whether wide-spread prevalence of MPs might have unintended negative effects on health and fitness of honey bees, as well as to draw the scientific community’s attention to the possible risks of MPs to the fitness of honey bees. Several research questions must be answered before MPs can be considered a potential threat to bees.

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Occurrence of tire and bitumen wear microplastics on urban streets and in sweepsand and washwater

Cited by 173 publications

References 37 publications

Conceptions of university students on microplastics in Germany

Conceptions of university students on microplastics in Germany

Mitigation of Suspendable Road Dust in a Subpolar, Oceanic Climate

Are Honey Bees at Risk from Microplastics?

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