Microplastics pollution and reduction strategies

Microplastic particles smaller than 5 mm in size are of increasing concern, especially in aquatic environments, such as the ocean. Primary source is microbeads (<1 mm) used in cosmetics and cleaning agents and fiber fragments from washing of clothes, and secondary source such as broken down plastic litter and debris. These particles are mostly made from polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyesters. They are ingested by diverse marine fauna, including zooplanktons, mussel, oyster, shrimp, fish etc. and can enter human food chains via several pathways. Strategy for control of microplastics pollution should primarily focus on source reduction and subsequently on the development of cost-effective clean up and remediation technologies. Recent research results on biodegradation of plastics have revealed a potential for microbial biodegradation and bioremediation of plastic pollutants, such as PE, PS and PET under appropriate conditions.     

A new typology for Portuguese beaches: An exploratory study

Beaches are now the most popular tourist destination and increased demand in the past 40 years has led not only to beach congestion but also to a differentiation between urban (resorts, overcrowded and under huge pressure), to natural (less crowded beaches). This diversity needs to be further explored not only to characterize individual beaches in a precise way, but also to understand the distinctive characteristics responsible for options made by beach users. Some attempts have been made to create a universal beach typology but sparse research has been undertaken. The topic is of extreme importance for beach management, as most studies only take into consideration beach usage type and few consider the surrounding environment (landscape). This paper presents an exploratory work for Portuguese beaches which creates a new classification, according to usage and surrounding environment, based on several variables, measured and weighted. The results scale between zero and five and assess how a beach can be classified along an urban (0) to natural (5) spectrum. Variables studied include population density, number of hotels urban density, car park distance to the beach, etc. A pilot study applied to 100 beaches in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, found that a densely populated region, can also contain beaches with natural characteristics.     

Microplastics in mangroves and coral reef ecosystems: a review

Microplastic pollution has recently been identified as a major issue for the health of ecosystems. Microplastics have typically sizes of less than 5 mm and occur in various forms, such as pellets, fibres, fragments, films, and granules. Mangroves and coral reefs are sensitive and restricted ecosystems that provide free ecological services such as coastal protection, maintaining natural cycles, hotspots of biodiversity and economically valuable goods. However, urbanization and industrial activities have started contaminating even these preserved ecosystems. Here we review sources, occurrence, and toxicity of microplastics in the trophic levels of mangrove and coral reef ecosystems. We present detection methods, such as microscopic identification and spectroscopy. We discuss mitigating measures that prevent the entry of microplastics into the marine environment.

     

The degradation of plastic litter in rivers: Implications for beaches

Polythene sheeting is a major litter component on estuarine beaches and river banks. Sanitary towel backing strips, which are one of the commonest items of sewage related debris found on beaches, enter the riverine system via combined sewer overflows. Investigations on these items, positioned at natural riverine stranding levels, showed that after an initial rapid breakdown little further loss of tensile strength occurred. Experiments carried out on backing strips, buried in the bank suspended from a tree and tethered to the bank, showed significant change. Buried samples retained the greatest tensile strength retention, dropping no lower than 90 %, the other samples showed similar retention rates at 80%. The difference is probably due to photodegradation as biodegradation effects were minimal. Probably, the longevity of such plastics is a major reason for their abundance and widespread distribution both on river banks and beaches.     

微塑料与农药污染的联合毒性作用研究进展

近海环境中的微塑料污染问题已成为全球性的环境问题,引起了世界范围内的广泛关注。微塑料不仅能够对生物造成物理损伤,而且塑料中的添加剂如邻苯二甲酸酯、双酚A、多溴二苯醚等也会随着塑料的风化而浸出进入环境,对生物产生毒害,同时,微塑料还能吸附海洋环境中的其他污染物,从而对生物产生联合毒性作用。本文综述了微塑料与持久性有机污染物的联合作用,结果表明聚苯乙烯微塑料能够吸附海水中的持久性有机污染物如多环芳烃、多氯联苯、有机氯农药滴滴涕,从而可能导致这些污染物在海洋生物组织中富集,对人类健康存在直接或间接危害。最后本文在总结前人研究的基础上,对未来微塑料与农药污染联合毒性作用的研究方向做了简要分析和展望。     

Microplastics pollution in Bangladesh: current scenario and future research perspective

ABSTRACT

Microplastics are emerging environmental pollutants that have gained tremendous scientific interest in recent years. These micropollutants are omnipresent both in the terrestrial and aquatic environments posing a deleterious threat to the ecosystem and biodiversity. So, it is important to develop a deep understanding of the environmental fate and potential adverse impacts of microplastics on the aquatic and terrestrial environments. By critically reviewing the previously published scientific literature, the present synthesis briefly outlines the characteristics, occurrence and potential toxic effects of microplastics on terrestrial and aquatic biota. The article also focuses on some innovative approaches for sustainable remediation of macroplastics as well as microplastics. Since the concept of microplastics pollution has yet in its infancy in Bangladesh, this synthesis provides an overview of the current scenario of microplastics pollution and some future research recommendations in the context of Bangladesh which might be helpful to the novice researchers of this field.     

Beach macro-litter monitoring on southern Baltic beaches: results,experiences and recommendations

Major objectives were to provide a comprehensive dataset on beach macro-litter for parts of the southern Baltic Sea and to analyse if the methodology is fully applicable and a suitable monitoring method in the Baltic. We carried out a regular macro litter beach monitoring (OSPAR methodology, 4 time a year) on 35 beaches along the German and Lithuanian Baltic coast over 2–5 years. Additional experiments addressed the subjectivity of the field surveys and spatio-temporal variability on different scales. We observed no seasonality of the data and a monthly compared to a 3-monthly sampling resulted in 3 times higher annual item numbers. Along the Lithuanian coast, the average number of items per survey varied between 138 and 340 and along the German Baltic coast between 7 and 404, with a median value of 47. All data showed a very high spatio-temporal variability. Using the Matrix Scoring Technique we assessed beach litter sources. With 50% tourism and recreation was the most important source. 3D–transport simulations helped to explain the minor role of shipping as a source and, compared to the North Sea, the low numbers of items on German Baltic beaches. Floating litter had a short duration time in the western Baltic Sea and offshore drift dominated. Further, the common regular beach cleanings reduced the potential for local litter accumulation and translocation. We suggest a monitoring system on 14 Baltic beaches in Germany and 2 in Lithuania and provide cost calculations. The analysis of macro-litter in cormorant nesting material and the search for beached dead animals did not show any result. We can conclude that the macro-litter beach monitoring method is less suitable for Baltic beaches and should only serve as a complementary method in combination with others.     

微塑料与有机污染物的相互作用研究进展

微塑料(粒径小于5 mm的塑料)作为海洋中一种新型的污染物正受到越来越多的关注。微塑料在全球多个海域均有检出,根据其来源分为原生微塑料和次生微塑料。原生微塑料由人工直接制造所得,常见于日常生活用品中;次生微塑料由大块塑料制品长期风化、磨损和光解形成。塑料自身含有多种有机添加剂,不断向环境中释放,污染海洋环境;微塑料表面还可吸附有机污染物,此吸附作用受两者的物理化学性质和环境条件影响,吸附污染物后的微塑料生物毒性增强。另外,聚合物复合光催化材料可加快有机污染物如染料的光降解反应速率,因而微塑料可能会促进有机污染物的光解。针对目前微塑料对有机物光降解的贡献、机理鲜见研究的问题,未来应加强以下3方面的研究:(1)微塑料对不同有机污染物光降解是否存在影响?(2)微塑料类型、尺寸以及反应条件对有机污染物光降解如何影响?(3)微塑料对有机污染物光降解影响的内在机制是什么?     

微塑料在土壤-地下水中的环境行为及其生态毒性研究进展

微塑料已成为一类新型污染物遍布全球各个角落,由此产生的环境问题日趋严峻。第二届联合国环境大会上将微塑料污染列为环境与生态科学研究领域的第二大科学问题。目前大多数研究集中在海洋环境方面,有关土壤-地下水系统中微塑料的环境行为及生态毒性相关研究还较为薄弱。本文基于大量文献调研,较系统地回顾梳理了有关土壤-地下水中微塑料的来源、迁移归趋及其生态毒理效应的研究成果,并对未来研究做出评述和展望,旨在促进土壤-地下水系统中微塑料污染的相关研究。     

水环境中的微塑料：环境危害的本证和反证及主要研究空白

科学界与公众对微塑料(microplastics, MPs)的污染越来越重视。我们对文献进行了系统综述,以评价MPs对环境危害的证据权重。我们发现MPs在地表水和沉积物中均有存在。主要以珠状组成为主的碎片和纤维只是检测到的MP形态中的一小部分。检测出的MPs环境浓度很低,与能够影响生物分子水平上的毒性终点、以及摄食、繁殖、生长、组织炎症和死亡率的浓度有数量级的差别。MPs作为疏水性有机化合物的携带者使其在生物体中富集的作用很弱。现有数据表明MPs对环境造成的危害并不明显。实验室毒性实验中使用的MPs与环境中检测到的MPs在颗粒形态、尺寸范围和浓度等方面都有差距。研究中环境介质的选择少受关注。我们亟需开展更高质量的整体监测和更多实际环境效应的研究。只有这样,我们才能够全面表征MPs的环境风险,以便制定实施真正改善环境质量的管控措施。 精选自Emily E. Burns, Alistair B.A. Boxall. Microplastics in the aquatic environment: Evidence for or against adverse impacts and major knowledge gaps. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry,2018,37:2776–2796.
详情请见 https://doi.org/10.1002/etc.4268
     

水环境中微塑料表面细菌群落特征研究进展

微塑料因其比表面积大、难降解等特点,在水环境中长期存在,可作为水环境中微生物的独特栖息地。以细菌群落为主的微生物可定殖在微塑料表面,对生态系统和人类健康产生潜在风险。本文综述了国内外海水、淡水环境中微塑料表面细菌群落特征的研究进展,阐述了微塑料表面细菌群落的研究方法和结构多样性,分析了暴露时间、地点及塑料理化性质对微塑料表面细菌群落多样性的影响,探讨了水环境中微塑料表面细菌群落的生态效应和健康风险。后续研究应采用宏基因组学全面地探究水环境中的“微塑料圈”,并关注远洋、入海口和内陆地表水微塑料表面微生物群落,从全球尺度上探索水环境中微塑料表面微生物群落的定殖规律及其生态效应。此外,鉴于微塑料表面存在降解菌,需进一步明确定殖在微塑料表面的微生物参与微塑料降解的效率及其机制,可为了解微塑料在水环境中的归宿问题提供科学依据。     

微塑料对双齿围沙蚕生理代谢的影响研究

为探讨微塑料对双齿围沙蚕生理代谢的影响,本文研究了聚丙烯(PP)、聚酰胺(PA)和聚氯乙烯(PVC)3种微塑料在不同浓度(0.1％、1％和5％)和暴露时间下对双齿围沙蚕体内过氧化氢酶(CAT)、乙酰胆碱酯酶(AchE)活性以及代谢指标排氨率和呼吸速率的影响.结果表明,随微塑料浓度的升高,双齿围沙蚕体内CAT活性显著提升,5％浓度下双齿围沙蚕体内CAT活性最高;PVC对双齿围沙蚕体内AchE活性表现为低浓度(0.1％)抑制、高浓度(5％)促进的作用;PP和PA在不同浓度下对双齿围沙蚕体内AchE酶活性均表现为促进作用;随着微塑料浓度的升高,双齿围沙蚕的排氨率和呼吸速率显著升高(P<0.05).综上,微塑料在高浓度条件下,在一定时间内可以对双齿围沙蚕产生氧化胁迫作用,并一定程度上影响其排氨率和呼吸速率.     

Microplastics removal strategies: A step toward finding the solution

• Physical, chemical and biological methods are explored for MPs removal. • Physical methods based on adsorption/filtration are mostly used for MPs removal. • Chemical methods of MPs removal work on coagulation and flocculation mechanism. • MBR technology has also shown the removal of MPs from water. • Global policy on plastic control is lacking. Microplastics are an emerging threat and a big challenge for the environment. The presence of microplastics (MPs) in water is life-threatening to diverse organisms of aquatic ecosystems. Hence, the scientific community is exploring deeper to find treatment and removal options of MPs. Various physical, chemical and biological methods are researched for MPs removal, among which few have shown good efficiency in the laboratory. These methods also have a few limitations in environmental conditions. Other than finding a suitable method, the creation of legal restrictions at a governmental level by imposing policies against MPs is still a daunting task in many countries. This review is an effort to place all effectual MP removal methods in one document to compare the mechanisms, efficiency, advantages, and disadvantages and find the best solution. Further, it also discusses the policies and regulations available in different countries to design an effective global policy. Efforts are also made to discuss the research gaps, recent advancements, and insights in the field.     

Monitoring methods for large micro- and meso-litter and applications at Baltic beaches

To complement existing micro-, meso and macro-litter monitoring strategies at sandy beaches, two user-friendly methods were further-developed and tested. The Rake-method and the Frame-method focus on large-micro (>2 mm) and meso-litter (5–25 mm) in the 30–50 mm upper sediment layer and were applied at 58 surveys at 15 sandy beaches of the German and Lithuanian Baltic Sea coast between 2014 and 2016. The Rake-method investigates sandy sediments to a depth of up to 50 mm. In average, we found 2.6 items / m² in Germany (65% micro and meso-litter) and 0.6 items / m² in Lithuania (66% micro and meso-litter). Using the Frame-method, covering the upper 30 mm, we received 1.8 items / m² in Germany (64% micro and meso-litter) and 5.3 items / m² in Lithuania (86% micro and meso-litter). Mostly found were cigarette butts, artificial polymers and in Lithuania paraffin. To test the reliability of both methods, recovery experiments were carried out. Depending on color and structure between 31 and 100% of all items were recovered by the Frame-method and 31–77% by the Rake-method. Using the Matrix Scoring Technique, tourism was identified as major pollution source. Both methods turned out to be suitable for sandy beaches, even if they are regular cleaned, and to assess pollution hot-spots. Both methods do not require elaborated equipment or a laboratory, are low in costs and can be carried out by volunteers. In comparison, the Rake method turned out to be more robust and cost-effective.     

微塑料与有毒污染物相互作用及联合毒性作用研究进展

随着塑料产品的广泛应用,微塑料(microplastics,MPs)污染已经成为全球关注的重大环境问题.海洋中的MPs能够与有毒污染物(如有机污染物、重金属和纳米颗粒等)发生相互作用,对海洋生物产生复合效应.因此,MPs与环境中有毒污染物的联合毒性效应越来越引起人们的关注.本文首先概括总结出MPs对海洋生物的毒性效应及...     

Accommodation space limits plant invasion: Ammophila arenaria survival on New Zealand beaches

Purpose

Ammophila arenaria (marram grass) may invade remote beach-dune systems by the marine dispersal of rhizomes. In New Zealand, and elsewhere, the conservation of the remaining dune systems of high conservation value would be advanced by predicting where this species might successfully establish and undertaking appropriate surveillance. This paper examines the ability of A. arenaria to sustain growth in the stressful back-beach environment.

Methods

Shoots developed from rhizomes were subjected to burial, depth, salt spray and desiccation treatments in the glasshouse. Plants were also subjected to salt water inundation. Two field populations of A. arenaria were surveyed for a period of almost 3 years, following rhizome stranding in July 2007.

Results

Shoots were able to emerge from depths of up to 40 cm. Rhizomes failed to produce shoots when the moisture content of rhizomes was less than 18.25 %, which occurred after 3 days of drought. The survival of buried plants was significantly reduced compared to non-buried plants when burial exceeded 80 % of the plant height. No plants survived when burial exceeded 100 % of the plant height. No tillers survived without water for more than 3 weeks. Exposure to salt spray had no effect on shoot survival. Immersion in seawater significantly reduced survival—exposure to seawater, equivalent to only one high tide immersion event, was sufficient to reduce plant survival in the glasshouse.

Conclusions

Burial, desiccation and salt-spray may, on occasion, be responsible for either preventing the regeneration of A. arenaria rhizomes or limiting the survival of the resultant plants, but exposure to wave activity determines the viability of a population.     

几类有机污染物的微塑料/水分配系数的线性溶解能关系模型

水体中的微塑料会吸附其中的有机污染物,影响有机污染物和微塑料的环境归趋和生态毒性。研究微塑料对有机污染物的吸附行为,对于评价有机污染物和微塑料的环境赋存、迁移及生物有效性有重要意义。污染物在微塑料与水之间的平衡分配系数(Kd),是表征微塑料对有机污染物吸附能力的重要参数。实验方法难以逐个测定众多有机污染物的Kd值,有必要发展其预测模型。本研究搜集了有机污染物的线性溶解能关系(LSER)参数及Kd值,构建了可预测有机污染物在聚丙烯微塑料与海水、聚乙烯微塑料与海水、聚乙烯微塑料与淡水之间Kd值的LSER模型。模型具有良好的拟合优度(R2adj介于0.794~0.903)、稳健性(Q2LOO和Q2BOOT分别介于0.763~0.863和0.720~0.804)和预测能力(R2ext和Q2ext分别介于0.886~0.971和0.825~0.954),能够用于预测多氯联苯、多环芳烃、六氯环已烷和氯苯类有机污染物的Kd值。     

Physical factors controlling abundance of meiofauna on tidal and atidal beaches

Quantitative samples of interstitial sand beach meiofauna were collected from Morocco along the North African coast (Algeria and Tunisia) and northwards to Lebanon, Turkey and Cyprus. Data on the sediment median diameter, sorting coefficient and beach temperature were used to construct multiple-regression equations relating these factors to the total meiofaunal numbers. Curvilinear regression was found to give a significantly better fit than linear regression in all cases but one. Treating the whole Mediterranean data, the equation explained 9.3% of the variance in meiofaunal abundance. Within narrower geographical areas, however, the equations explained significantly more of the variance: 56.70% of Moroccan tidal beach data, 75.60% of South Tunisian tidal beach data, and 62.3% of South Tunisian atidal beach data. For the tidal beach equations sorting was the most important factor, followed by temperature and median diameter. It is suggested that the factors controlling meiofaunal abundance on these beaches are likely to be wave, tide and current action which also control sorting. The lack of fit of most atidal beach data suggests that here biological interactions such as competition and predation may control meiofaunal abundance. The detection of beaches affected by pollutants may also be possible using regression techniques. Beaches having a significantly enriched population (sewage-induced) or depleted population (pollutant-induced) can be readily detected.     

微塑料对环境中有机污染物吸附解吸的研究进展

微塑料已成为新的全球性环境污染问题。作为强吸附剂,微塑料可以吸附共存的有机污染物,进而改变其环境行为和毒性;也可以通过解吸作用促进污染物在不同介质中的迁移。因而,微塑料与有机污染物的相互作用强度和机理是全面评估两者的环境风险和深度研究微塑料毒性机制的必要信息。目前微塑料研究处于快速发展的起始阶段,加之微塑料本身成分、粒径、表面风化情况的复杂性及共存有机污染物的多样性使两者的相互作用十分复杂,亟需理清微塑料吸附解吸作用的影响因素和相关机制。因而,本文详细综述了微塑料对有机污染物吸附解吸作用的研究进展,并着重从微塑料性质(成分、粒径和表面风化)、有机污染物性质和水环境介质性质方面探讨了吸附的影响因素和相互作用机制,希望为微塑料吸附有机污染物及吸附的后续影响研究提供借鉴与参考。     

Supralittoral amphipod abundances across habitats on Mediterranean temperate beaches

Community complexity and abiotic conditions are key components of environmental heterogeneity that affect the abundance and distribution of species. In this study we evaluated how environmental conditions affect abundances of supralittoral amphipods (Talitridae) in four habitats (sandy beach, rivermouth, wrack and lakeshore), along the Italian peninsula in the Mediterranean Sea. All samplings covered a 12 month period, and used the same sampling methodology thereby enabling comparison of abundances and species composition and richness. Four species (Talitrus saltator (Montagu, 1808), Orchestia gammarellus (Pallas, 1766), O. montagui Audouin 1826, O. cf. cavimana Heller 1865) were collected in the different habitats, but most species were found or were abundant in only one of the four habitats. Abundances of talitrids (numbers per sampling hour) differed significantly among the habitats with highest abundances found in the wrack and on the riverbank in proximity to an estuary, and lowest abundances observed on four sandy beach sites. Environmental conditions (temperature, moisture, substrate penetrability) differed among the habitats and were associated with some of the among-site variability in abundances. Our findings demonstrate that talitrids thrive better in some supralittoral habitats than others, and that some habitats could be considered to be “hotspots” of talitrid ecology and biodiversity.