Microplastics最新文献

{"title":"Advancements and Regulatory Situation in Microplastics Removal from Wastewater and Drinking Water: A Comprehensive Review","authors":"Vyoma Jani, Shenghua Wu, Kaushik Venkiteshwaran","doi":"10.3390/microplastics3010007","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics3010007","url":null,"abstract":"In recent years, the ubiquitous occurrence of plastic debris has become a significant environmental concern, posing considerable harm to our ecosystems. Microplastics (MPs) (1 μm–5 mm) and nanoplastics (NPs) (<1 μm) are noticeable in diverse forms, spreading throughout the environment. Notably, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) emerge as major contributors to the generation of MP and NP. Within these treatment plants, water influx from domestic and commercial sources carries a considerable load of MPs derived from items like fiber clothing, personal care products, and toothpaste. Lacking dedicated removal mechanisms, these MPs persist through the wastewater treatment process, ultimately entering natural water bodies and the soil environment. The novelty of this review lies in its detailed examination of contemporary methodologies for sampling, detecting, and eliminating MPs specifically from WWTPs. By critically assessing the efficacy of current removal techniques at various treatment stages, the review offers targeted insights into practical aspects of MP management in these facilities. As the study of micro/nano plastics is still in its early stages, this article aims to contribute by offering a comprehensive review of the methods utilized for plastic debris removal in both WWTPs and drinking water treatment plants (DWTPs). Furthermore, the article provides a comprehensive overview of the existing rules, regulations, and policies concerning MPs in the United States. This inclusion not only broadens the scope of the review but also establishes it as a valuable reference for understanding the regulatory framework related to MPs. This review uniquely combines a focused evaluation of WWTPs/DWTPs, an exploration of removal methods, and an examination of regulatory framework, making a different contribution to the review article. Through this review, we aim to enhance understanding and awareness of the multi-layered challenges posed by MPs, offering insights that can inform future research directions and policy initiatives.","PeriodicalId":503046,"journal":{"name":"Microplastics","volume":"27 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-02-08","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139850829","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"A Feasible and Efficient Monitoring Method of Synthetic Fibers Released during Textile Washing","authors":"Oskar Świątek, Agnieszka Dąbrowska","doi":"10.3390/microplastics3010005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics3010005","url":null,"abstract":"Microfibers (MFs) are one of the most common and hazardous forms of microplastic found in the aquatic environment. The methods of collecting and analyzing MFs released during washing have to be developed and standardized to understand and model the process of microfibers’ emission better. This study tests a new, innovative method to check if laundry fiber sampling can be approached comprehensively. Pieces of synthetic materials (aged and new polyester, polyester-cotton blend) were placed in chromium-nickel filters envelope-like folded. Then, textile weathering during washing was monitored by the quality and quantity of fibers found directly on the filter surface. Laundry parameters like temperature, detergent presence, and filter size were changed, and results were monitored by Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), a well-known standard in microplastic identification. In addition, ATR spectra were collected to characterize the materials in detail and evaluate their aging level. Spectroscopy can be used to detect and examine both mechanical and chemical degradation, and the collected microfibers can be assigned to the material they come from. Finally, a quantitative comparison of fibers released during different washing conditions can be used for the process optimization to minimize its environmental impact.","PeriodicalId":503046,"journal":{"name":"Microplastics","volume":"184 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"140481161","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Standard and Reverse Mode Operation of a Hydrocyclone for Microplastic Separation","authors":"T. Senfter, Andreas Walter, Lukas Dür, Florian Alber, Manuel Berger, M. Kraxner, M. Pillei","doi":"10.3390/microplastics3010002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics3010002","url":null,"abstract":"Harmonization in the analytical framework is needed to detect, define and further categorize plastics released into the environment. In the range of particles smaller than 200 μm, hydrocyclones (HCs) have proven their capacity in removing microplastics efficiently by offering technical advantages at low operational costs. This publication aims to expand scientific knowledge by introducing four commercially available, low-priced microplastics to a pilot-scale HC setting. The physicochemical characteristics of particles as well as the separation efficiency of the test rig were investigated in depth. Particles with a density of >1000 kg/m3 passed the primary vortex and were discharged into the underflow, allowing us to employ standard mode operation. Particles with a density of <1000 kg/m3 entered the secondary vortex and were removed through the overflow. As expected, separation efficiencies were found to be higher for particles revealing a greater density difference when compared with the mobile phase water. Furthermore, an increase in the inlet volume flow revealed significant positive impacts on the separation efficiency for three plastics to a certain threshold. Data on standard and reverse mode operations presented in this publication can lay out an important source for the harmonization and standardization of future HC research, with the goal of overcoming plastic pollution by developing economically competitive separation processes.","PeriodicalId":503046,"journal":{"name":"Microplastics","volume":"59 4","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139441628","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Microplastic in Drinking Water: A Pilot Study","authors":"Eleonora Brancaleone, Daniela Mattei, Valentina Fuscoletti, Luca Lucentini, Gabriele Favero, G. Cecchini, A. Frugis, Valentina Gioia, Marco Lazzazzara","doi":"10.3390/microplastics3010003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics3010003","url":null,"abstract":"In recent years, microplastic pollution has been a hot topic as these compounds have been used in various production contexts such as health, food or technology due to their chemical and physical properties and “shelf-life,” making them almost indispensable products in daily life. On the other hand, they have a negative impact on the environment and, consequently, on biota and human health. It is therefore necessary to assess the actual presence of microplastics in drinking water by analysing real samples in order to estimate the possible exposure through drinking water consumption. In this pilot study, drinking water from different aqueous matrices was examined for the presence of microplastics and characterized in terms of shape, size, abundance and polymer type by Raman microspectroscopy analysis. Not all samples analysed were found to be contaminated with microplastics, indeed, some, as in the case of water kiosk samples, were found to be free of such contaminants. The results for the various matrices showed that the microplastics content ranged from less than 2 particles/L to a maximum of 5 + 1.5 particles/L, with sizes ranging from 30 to 100 μm and consisted of the most common polymers such as polyethylene, polypropylene or polyethylene terephthalate.","PeriodicalId":503046,"journal":{"name":"Microplastics","volume":"14 12","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2024-01-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139444044","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Presence of Microplastics in the Vaquita Marina Protection Zone in Baja California, Mexico","authors":"Arely Areanely Cruz-Salas, J. C. Alvarez-Zeferino, Jocelyn Tapia-Fuentes, Sheila Liliana Dafne Lobato-Rocha, A. Vázquez-Morillas, S. Ojeda-Benítez, Samantha E. Cruz-Sotelo","doi":"10.3390/microplastics2040031","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics2040031","url":null,"abstract":"Microplastics (MP) have been evidenced in marine and coastal areas worldwide, including the Gulf of California in Mexico, where the Vaquita Marina refuge area is located, which in turn borders the protected natural area Alto Golfo de California y Delta del Rio Colorado. This research aimed to determine the concentrations of microplastics in the Vaquita protection zone, analyzing samples of ten transects of surface water and samples in the sand of five beaches on the coast surrounding the Vaquita protection polygon. The total concentrations of MP in the surface water transects were from 0.000 to 0.020 MP/m3 and their most recurrent characteristics were fragments (69.0%), the chemical composition of polyethylene (60.0%), the blue color (39.0%) and a size of 2.1–3.0 mm (31.0%). While for the beaches, these corresponded to averages ranging from 28.2 ± 36.4; 17.6 to 200.7 ± 77.9; 193.7 MP/m2, the most common characteristics of MP from beaches were filaments (33.2%), PE (32.3%), white (28.0%), and a size of 4.1–5.0 mm (32.0%). The results suggest that part of the MP on the beaches and in the Vaquita Marina refuge area could come from urban areas such as the Gulf of California and activities such as fishing. It is recommended to study all the transects of the Vaquita Marina polygon and more beaches surrounding it in different seasons to better understand the status of MP pollution.","PeriodicalId":503046,"journal":{"name":"Microplastics","volume":"877 32","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-16","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139177078","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Abundance and Characteristics of Fibrous Microplastics and Microfibers Isolated in Mullus barbatus from the Adriatic Sea—Preliminary Investigation","authors":"Serena Santonicola, Michela Volgare, M. Cocca, G. Colavita","doi":"10.3390/microplastics2040030","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics2040030","url":null,"abstract":"Despite the wide distribution of textile microfibers in the marine environment, there is still limited knowledge on microfiber ingestion in fish species intended for human consumption, mostly due to analytical issues. The present study aims to assess the occurrence of microfibers in red mullet (Mullus barbatus) samples collected from the Italian waters of the central Adriatic Sea. M. barbatus is a bottom fish that lives in contact with sediment and therefore was proposed as a sentinel species for the monitoring plastic pollution. A visual approach based on the evaluation of specific microfiber surface morphology was applied for the identification of particles of different origins. The preliminary findings showed the presence of microfibers in 80% of red mullet samples with a mean of 5.95 microfibers/individual. The majority (>80%) of the isolated microfibers were of natural/artificial origin, while the dominant colors were blue and black. The obtained results confirmed that benthic fish species are susceptible to microfiber ingestion and indicate the high availability of these particles in the Adriatic basin. Considering the spectroscopic drawbacks in microfiber analyses and the need to improve the current knowledge on the rate of contamination of fishery products, the visual approach could be a feasible, easy, and accessible method in the study of microfiber pollution, and the assessment of consumer health risks.","PeriodicalId":503046,"journal":{"name":"Microplastics","volume":"106 ","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-12-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139180171","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"The Impact of Microplastics on Global Food Production: A Brief Overview of This Complex Sector","authors":"T. R. Corrêa, C. Gaylarde, J. A. Baptista Neto, J. F. Delgado, L. S. Lima, D. Cunha, E. M. da Fonseca","doi":"10.3390/microplastics2040028","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics2040028","url":null,"abstract":"Environmental pollution management combined with food safety represents two of the main challenges of the last decades. Soil and water contamination has historically threatened food safety. As ubiquitous pollutants, microplastics (MPs) have attracted increasing attention over the last few years. These particles can affect the balance of terrestrial, aquatic, and aerial ecosystems. Their negative impacts are intensified when they adsorb and carry toxic chemicals. They can circulate through organisms and accumulate in human beings via food and water. Physiological dysfunctions in all species continue to be reported, both in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. This article considers how this might be affecting the global production of food. It reports the adverse effects induced by MPs in soils, their properties and organisms growing within and upon them, including livestock and the pollinating agents necessary for plant growth. A separate section discusses the effects of MPs on aquaculture, mentioning effects on wild species, as well as farmed fish. The growing concern of the food production sector with MPs mimics that of the world with global warming; the danger is real and requires urgent attention.","PeriodicalId":503046,"journal":{"name":"Microplastics","volume":"34 2","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2023-11-15","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"139273166","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}