RESUMO
While expanded polystyrene (EPS) microplastics have been widely recognized as one of the most important components of plastic litter in the intertidal zones of the global ocean, our understanding of their environmental fate on island beaches is insufficient. In this study, we intended to reveal that the latest EPS microplastic pollution status on 5 island beaches in the Pearl River Estuary, China, by comprehensively assessing the abundance, distribution, size, surface texture and carrying capacity of heavy metals (Cd, As, Cr, Ni, Cu, Pb, Mn, Fe, Al). High level of EPS microplastic abundance ranged from 328 to 82,276 particles m-2 was found, with the highest abundance at Guishan Island and the lowest at Dong'ao Island. Spatial distribution of EPS microplastic abundance was significantly different among different islands. EPS microplastics in the size range of 1-2 mm were the most abundant. The content of heavy metals in EPS microplastics collected on the beaches was greater than that in the new EPS products. The average concentrations of heavy metals in EPS microplastics from 5 islands are Cd (0.27 ± 0.19 µg g-1), As (5.50 ± 3.84 µg g-1), Cr (14.9 ± 8.25 µg g-1), Cu (15.0 ± 7.66 µg g-1), Ni (17.2 ± 17.6 µg g-1), Pb (24.8 ± 7.39 µg g-1), Mn (730 ± 797 µg g-1), Fe (8340 ± 4760 µg g-1), and Al (9624 ± 6187 µg g-1), respectively. The correlation between heavy metals in EPS microplastics and sediments was better than that between heavy metals in EPS microplastics and seawater. The study results indicated that EPS microplastics could act as a carrier for the transport of heavy metals, which might pose a threat to biological and human health.
Assuntos
Metais Pesados , Poluentes Químicos da Água , China , Conservação dos Recursos Naturais , Monitoramento Ambiental , Estuários , Sedimentos Geológicos , Humanos , Metais Pesados/análise , Microplásticos , Plásticos , Poliestirenos/análise , Rios , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análiseRESUMO
The production and use of hexabromocyclododecanes (HBCDs) have been strictly limited due to their persistence, toxicity and bioaccumulation. However, the release of HBCDs from related products and wastes would continue for a long time, which may cause many environmental problems. In this study, we investigated the occurrence and distribution of HBCDs and microplastics (MPs) in aquatic organisms inhabiting different substrates. HBCDs were measurable in the seawater, sediment, expanded polystyrene (EPS) substrates and organism samples. Mostly, the concentrations of HBCDs in organisms inhabiting EPS buoys were significantly higher than those of the same species inhabiting other substrates. Meanwhile, the diastereomeric ratio (α/γ) of HBCDs in organisms inhabiting EPS buoys was closer to that in EPS buoys. The fugacity values of HBCDs in EPS buoys were much higher than those in other media, implying that HBCDs can be transferred from EPS buoys to other media. Additionally, MPs derived from EPS buoys would be mistaken as food and ingested by aquatic organisms. The transfer of HBCDs from EPS buoys to aquatic organisms can be achieved by aqueous and dietary exposures. In combination, the contribution of MP ingestion to HBCDs for aquatic organisms should be very limited. These results supported EPS buoys as an important source of HBCDs for the aquatic ecosystem. To effectively control HBCDs pollution, it is necessary to discontinue or reduce the use of EPS buoys.
Assuntos
Hidrocarbonetos Bromados , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Poliestirenos/análise , Ecossistema , Plásticos , Monitoramento Ambiental , Hidrocarbonetos Bromados/análise , Organismos Aquáticos , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análiseRESUMO
In recent years, microplastics (MPs) as emerging carriers for environmental pollutants have attracted increasing worldwide attention. However, the adsorption of heavy metals on MPs, especially for biodegradable MPs, has been still poorly understood in estuarine environments. In this study, we investigated the aging of biodegradable and conventional MPs in the Pearl River Estuary after long-term exposure and their impacts on the adsorption of heavy metals from seawater. The results showed that the changes in surface characteristics were more prominent on biodegradable MPs than on conventional MPs after aging. Both biodegradable and conventional MPs could adsorb heavy metals, and their adsorption capacities fluctuated greatly on different MPs and different exposure times. The adsorption capacities of Cu, Pb, and As on biodegradable MPs were higher than those on conventional MPs, whereas Mn, Cr, and Co had lower adsorption on biodegradable MPs after 9-12 months by inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). The aging characteristics (CI, O/C, and Xc) of MPs accounted for a contribution of 51.0% on heavy metal adsorption, while the environmental factors (temperature, salinity, pH, and heavy metal concentration) only contributed to 13.2%. Therefore, the present study can provide important evidence on the environmental behaviors and ecological risks of biodegradable and conventional MPs in estuarine systems.
Assuntos
Metais Pesados , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Microplásticos/química , Plásticos , Adsorção , Rios , Estuários , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Metais Pesados/análise , ChinaRESUMO
Microplastic contamination is an emerging global threat for various marine organisms. Marine invertebrates such as bivalve mollusks are more susceptible to the widespread presence of microplastics due to their limited abilities to escape from pollution exposure and they can readily ingest environmental pollutants like microplastics through their filter-feeding behaviors. In this study, microplastic contamination in bivalves related to species, spatial, and temporal variability were conducted. Results showed that the frequency of microplastic occurrence varied from 86.7 % to 93.3 % in six species of bivalves, and the average abundance of microplastics ranged from 3.5 to 8.6 items per individual or from 0.2 to 3.1 items per gram tissues wet weight. No significant difference was observed in microplastic abundances of bivalves collected from different research regions and sampling seasons. However, the sediment-dwelling bivalves had higher microplastics abundances than the water-dwelling bivalves. Microplastic features with various shapes, colors, sizes, and polymer types detected in bivalves were similar with those in seawater and sediment environments that they are living in. The potential risk assessment of microplastics in bivalves basing on polymer hazard index (PHI) was in the risk levels of II-III, implying that microplastic contamination in bivalves may pose health risk to human via seafood consumption.
Assuntos
Bivalves , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Animais , Organismos Aquáticos , Baías , Monitoramento Ambiental/métodos , Humanos , Microplásticos , Plásticos , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análiseRESUMO
Microplastics are ubiquitous in the aquatic environment. However, the occurrence of microplastics in farmed fish is under-researched. Herein, microplastic abundance in the stomach and intestine of marine-cultured hybrid groupers (Epinephelus fuscoguttatus × Epinephelus lanceolatus) in the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) was examined. Microplastics were detected in all fish samples, with an average abundance of 35.36 n/individual or 0.62 n/g. The fish intestine contained more microplastics (23.91 n/individual, i.e., 1.10 n/g) than the stomach (12.80 n/individual, i.e., 0.37 n/g). In addition, the ingested microplastics were predominantly fibre-shaped (70.1%), and nearly 70% were smaller than 1 mm in diameter. Potential factors affecting the ingestion of microplastics by farmed hybrid groupers include fish diet and the availability of microplastics in their feeding habitat.
Assuntos
Microplásticos , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Animais , China , Monitoramento Ambiental , Estuários , Peixes , Plásticos , Rios , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análiseRESUMO
The prevalence of microplastics in the marine environment has attracted extensive attention. So far, no information is known regarding the temporal and spatial variations of microplastics in Zhongsha Atoll. This study, for the first time, comprehensively investigated the occurrence and distribution of microplastics in the surface seawater in Zhongsha Atoll based on two ocean cruises. The abundances of microplastics measured in the surface seawater of Zhongsha Atoll were in the ranges of not detected (ND) to 67 items/m3, and ND to 160 items/m3 in 2019 and 2020, respectively. All microplastics detected in Zhongsha Atoll were fibers, most of which were transparent and less than 2 mm. Polyethylene terephthalate was the dominating composition of microplastics. These results suggested that sewage, surface runoff, atmospheric deposition by neighboring land, and fishing activities may be the primary pollution sources. This study provides critical information on microplastic pollution in Zhongsha Atoll for the first time, calling for more research in the management of marine plastic debris in the future.
Assuntos
Microplásticos , Poluentes Químicos da Água , China , Monitoramento Ambiental , Plásticos , Água do Mar , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análiseRESUMO
Considering the magnitude of pollution caused by marine plastics, the present study assessed their abundance, distribution, surface morphology and polymer type in ten sandy beaches spread across three states (Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa) along the west coast of India (WCI). The total abundance of plastics (â¼1-100 mm) in the studied beaches ranged from 4.1 to 23.4% (19±1-346 ± 2 items/m2). Location-wise, the abundances of both micro (43.6 ± 1.1-346 ± 2 items/m2) and macroplastics (21.6±3-195 ± 6 items/m2) were relatively higher in beaches along the Maharashtra coast. Surface morphology-wise, fragments were predominantly abundant in both micro (76±2-346 ± 2 items/m2) and macroplastics (50.6 ± 1.5-195 ± 6 items/m2) followed by pellets (43.3 ± 2.5-245.6 ± 2 items/m2). Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis of plastics revealed a dominance of polyethylene (PE) followed by polypropylene (PP). IR spectra of the collected plastics at absorption band at 1750-1700 cm-1 reflect minimal surface oxidation. White-colored plastics were observed most frequently, followed by pale-yellow, dark-brown, green, blue, transparent and red. A short-term (72 h) experimental study to assess the toxicity of PE microbeads (â¼1 mm) in a commercially important shrimp species, Litopenaeus vannamei revealed toxicological changes. An elevated level of lipid peroxidation (LPX)-the tagged biochemical marker, was recorded only at the maximum dose (0.15 mg/L) of PE microbeads. A moderate increase in the levels of enzymatic antioxidants (catalase and glutathione S-transferase) was also recorded at the same dose. Comprehensive information on marine plastics, including ecotoxicity provided in this study, would help in evolving strategies in minimizing plastic pollution along the WCI.
Assuntos
Monitoramento Ambiental , Plásticos/análise , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Poluição Ambiental/análise , Poluição Ambiental/estatística & dados numéricos , Índia , Microplásticos , Polietileno/análise , Polímeros , Polipropilenos , Espectroscopia de Infravermelho com Transformada de Fourier , Resíduos/análiseRESUMO
The estuaries of populated catchments have been documented as hotspots of plastic pollution. In this study, microplastics (0.355-5.0 mm) and large plastic debris (>5.0 mm) of surface water collected from the Inner Lingding Bay of the Pearl River Estuary (PRE) were quantified and categorized according to their size, shape, colour and composition. Both microplastics and large plastic debris were detected at all sampling sites with mean abundances of 2.376 ± 0.700 n/m3 and 0.110 ± 0.039 n/m3, respectively. Microplastics constitute 95.4% of the total abundance by number. The average microplastic concentration in the inner PRE was almost 3.5 times higher than that in the central PRE, indicating a positive correlation between plastic concentration and proximity to the river mouth. This result reveals the important role of rivers in transporting plastic debris from land to the oceans.
Assuntos
Plásticos , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , China , Monitoramento Ambiental , Estuários , Microplásticos , Oceanos e Mares , RiosRESUMO
Chemical pollution in the plastic debris is an increasing global concern as most pollutants might transfer from the environment to living organisms via plastic debris. In this study, biocides in the plastic debris floating on the surface water of the Pearl River system were investigated. The abundances of large plastic debris and microplastics in the surface water were 0.07 ± 0.13 and 0.94 ± 1.87 items/m3, respectively. Totally, 15 and 16 out of 19 biocides were detected in the large plastic debris and microplastics, with the concentration of each biocide in the ranges of 22.6-2460 ng/g and 16.9-2890 ng/g, respectively. Meanwhile, the concentration ranges of the detected biocides were 0.01-215 ng/L in surface water. Triclosan, triclocarban, methylparaben, and N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET) were the frequently detected compounds in the plastic samples and surface water. The partition coefficients (Kd) of biocides between the plastic debris and surface water showed a weak positive correlation with Kow values. Biocides were also detected on the natural floats (tree leaves and branches) at concentrations of 13.7-786 ng/g. The annual mass load of biocides in plastic debris at each site was up to 265 g/y, thereby suggesting that plastic debris might be an important carrier for the emerging contaminants, such as biocides.
Assuntos
Desinfetantes/análise , Monitoramento Ambiental , Plásticos/análise , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Carbanilidas , China , Parabenos , Rios/química , Triclosan/análise , Resíduos/análiseRESUMO
Microplastics are widespread across the global oceans, yet the potential risks of the ubiquitous environmental contaminant to marine organisms has been less known. Accumulation of microplastics and associated contaminants in marine fish, may pose adverse impacts to human health via seafood consumption. This study evaluated microplastic contamination in 24 fish species collected from Beibu Gulf, one of the world's largest fishing grounds in South China Sea. Microplastics were detected in 12 fish species at an abundance of 0.027-1.000 items individual-1 and found in fish stomach, intestines and gills with the count percentage of 57.7%, 34.6% and 7.7%, respectively. Transparent fibers were observed as the predominant microplastics, which might be ingested accidently by fish or transferred through other animals at lower trophic levels. Majority of microplastics were identified as polyester (44%) and nylon (38%), whereas polypropylene (6%), polyethylene (6%), and acrylics (6%) were also found. Relatively, higher microplastic abundances were found in demersal fish compared to the pelagic species. Overall, the abundance of microplastics was documented as relatively low in the commercial fish collected from the open water of Beibu Gulf, South China Sea.
Assuntos
Peixes , Trato Gastrointestinal , Brânquias , Microplásticos/análise , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análise , Animais , China , Monitoramento Ambiental , Oceanos e MaresRESUMO
Microplastics (MPs) are widespread in marine and estuarine environments, but the contamination of MPs in mangrove wetlands is relatively unknown. Here, we quantify the presence of MPs in fish collected from Zhanjiang mangrove wetland, the largest mangrove in South China, which provide baseline data on MPs accumulation in fish in mangrove environment as the first evidence in China. MPs were found in 30 out of 32 fish species at an average abundance of 2.83⯱â¯1.84â¯items individual-1, ranged from 0.6 to 8.0â¯items individual-1 in each species. MPs were detected in gills, stomach and intestine, and not found in muscles and livers. Positive relationship was found between MPs abundance and body length or weight of mangrove fish. The dominant polymers identified by micro-FTIR were polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polypropylene and cellophane. MPs consisted primarily of fibers and with the prominent size range of 0.02-1â¯mm. The body sizes, living habitats and feeding habits of fish are important factors affecting MPs accumulation in different fish species. This study revealed the wide presences of MPs in fish species within a mangrove wetland.
Assuntos
Poluentes Químicos da Água , Áreas Alagadas , Animais , China , Monitoramento Ambiental , Peixes , MicroplásticosRESUMO
Microplastic accumulation in estuarine environments is considered the dominant input of land-based plastics into the oceans. In this study, the level of microplastic contamination was evaluated in 26 species of wild fish from the Pearl River Estuary, South China. Results showed that microplastics abundance ranged from 0.17 items individual-1 (Boleophthalmus pectinirostris & Acanthogobius flavimanus) to 1.33 items individual-1 (Plectorhynchus cinctus) among different species. The distribution of microplastic abundance in the gills and gastrointestinal tracts was not significantly different. Microplastics in gills are strongly related to the filtration area of gills in 15 fish species. Fibers were the dominant shapes accounting for 93.45% of the total shapes. The majority of microplastics were <3 mm in size. The most common polymer composition was polyethylene terephthalate (38.2%) and the most common color was black (30.36%). The findings of this study provide baseline data for microplastic contamination in wild fish from an urban estuary.
Assuntos
Estuários , Poluentes Químicos da Água , Animais , China , Monitoramento Ambiental , Microplásticos , Oceanos e Mares , Plásticos , Poluentes Químicos da Água/análiseRESUMO
Biodegradable plastics, as alternatives to conventional plastics, are increasingly used, but their interactions with organic pollutants are still unknown. In this study, the sorption and desorption behaviors on a type of biodegradable plastic-poly(butylene adipate co-terephtalate) (PBAT) were investigated, and at the same time two types of conventional plastics-polyethylene (PEc and PEv) and polystyrene (PS) were used for comparison. Phenanthrene (PHEN) was chosen as one of representative organic pollutants. Results indicated that the sorption and desorption capacities of PBAT were not only higher than those of the other types of microplastics, but also higher than those of carbonaceous geosorbents. The surface area normalized results illustrated that sorption and desorption of the microplastics were positively correlated with their abundance of rubbery subfraction. The sorption kinetic results showed that the sorption rates of PBAT and PEc were higher than PEv and PS. The effects of water chemistry factors including salinity, dissolved organic matter and Cu2+ ion on the sorption process displayed the same trend, but the degrees of influence on the four microplastics differed. The degrees of influence were mainly dependent on the abundance of rubbery subfraction for microplastics. These findings indicate that the biodegradable poly(butylene adipate co-terephtalate) microplastics are actually stronger vectors than the conventional microplastics, and crystallization characteristics of the microplastics have great influences on the vector effect.
Assuntos
Fenantrenos/química , Fenantrenos/isolamento & purificação , Plásticos/química , Poliésteres/química , Poluentes Químicos da Água/química , Poluentes Químicos da Água/isolamento & purificação , AdsorçãoRESUMO
Plastic debris in the oceans is a major and growing problem in global environmental pollution. There are increasing concerns that plastic debris is a source of contaminant, either added during manufacturing or adsorbed from the environment. However, there is little information about the acute toxicity of leachates from plastic debris on marine organisms. In this study, we conducted experiments to evaluate the toxicity of leachates from two single-use polyethylene plastic bags (PB1 and PB2) with the embryo and larvae of the commercial clam Meretrix meretrix. Results showed that fertilization of the embryos was not affected by plastic leachates, but the developments of D-veliger larvae, including survival, deformity, and shell height, were significantly affected by plastic leachates from both PB1 and PB2 compared to the controls of filtered seawater. We speculate that compounds leaching from plastic bags are responsible for the observed toxicity. Therefore, leaching toxicity from plastic debris should be considered when assessing the risks of plastic pollution in the oceans.
Assuntos
Bivalves/efeitos dos fármacos , Polietileno/toxicidade , Poluentes Químicos da Água/toxicidade , Animais , Bivalves/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Larva/efeitos dos fármacos , Larva/crescimento & desenvolvimento , Alimentos Marinhos , Água do MarRESUMO
As a transitional zone between riverine and marine environments, an estuary plays an important role for the sources, accumulation and transport of microplastics. Although estuarine environments are hotspots of microplastic pollution, the correlation between microplastic pollution and aquatic organisms is less known. Here we investigated microplastic pollution in wild oysters Saccostrea cucullata from 11 sampling sites along the Pearl River Estuary in South China. The microplastic abundances in oysters ranged from 1.4 to 7.0 items per individual or from 1.5 to 7.2 items per gram tissue wet weight, which were positively related to those in surrounding waters. The oysters near urban areas contained significantly more microplastics than those near rural areas. Fibers accounted for 69.4% of the total microplastics in oysters. Microplastic sizes varied from 20 to 5000⯵m and 83.9% of which were less than 100⯵m. Light color microplastics were significantly more common than dark color ones. Based on the results, oysters are recommended as a biomonitor for the microplastic pollution in estuaries.