RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Microplastics are a pervasive contaminant cycling through food webs-leading to concerns regarding exposure and risk to humans. OBJECTIVES: We aimed to quantify and characterize anthropogenic particle contamination (including microplastics) in fish caught for human consumption from the Humber Bay region of Lake Ontario. We related quantities of anthropogenic particles to other factors (e.g., fish size) that may help in understanding accumulation of microplastics in fish. METHODS: A total of 45 samples of six fish species collected from Humber Bay in Lake Ontario near Toronto, Ontario, Canada, were examined for anthropogenic particles in their gastrointestinal (GI) tracts and fillets. Using microscopy and spectroscopy, suspected anthropogenic particles were identified and characterized. RESULTS: We observed anthropogenic particles in the GI tracts and fillets of all species. Individual fish had a mean±standard deviation of 138±231 anthropogenic particles, with a single fish containing up to 1,508 particles. GI tracts had 93±226 particles/fish (9.8±32.6 particles/gram), and fillets had 56±61 particles/fish (0.5±0.8 particles/gram). Based on a consumption rate of 2 servings/week, the average yearly human exposure through the consumption of these fish fillets would be 12,800±18,300 particles. DISCUSSION: Our findings suggest that consumption of recreationally caught freshwater fish can be a pathway for human exposure to microplastics. The elevated number of particles observed in fish from Humber Bay highlights the need for large-scale geographic monitoring, especially near sources of microplastics. Currently, it is unclear what the effects of ingesting microplastics are for humans, but given that recreationally caught freshwater fish are one pathway for human exposure, these data can be incorporated into future human health risk assessment frameworks for microplastics. https://doi.org/10.1289/EHP13540.
Asunto(s)
Monitoreo del Ambiente , Peces , Lagos , Microplásticos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua , Microplásticos/análisis , Animales , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisis , Ontario , Lagos/química , Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodos , Humanos , UrbanizaciónRESUMEN
Concentrations of short- and medium-chain chlorinated paraffins (SCCPs and MCCPs) were analyzed and investigated in surficial sediment collected in 2018 from ten different nearshore sites in Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River influenced by inputs from varying urban and historical land uses. Sites were grouped into two categories of tributary and lake according to their location. Results show that tributary sites had higher concentrations of total chlorinated paraffin (CP) than lake sites. Humber Bay, a lake site, had the highest total CP concentration (55,000 ng/gTOC) followed by Humber River, a tributary site (50,000 ng/gTOC). The lowest concentrations were found in eastern Lake Ontario and Lake St. Francis in the St. Lawrence River (540 ng/gTOC). Higher concentrations of chlorinated paraffins (CPs) were found where runoff and wastewater inputs from urban areas, current industrial activities, and population were the greatest. Levels of MCCPs were higher than SCCPs at all sites but one, Lake St. Francis. Among the SCCPs, C13 and among the MCCPs C14 were the dominant chain length alkanes, with C14 being the highest among both groups. The SCCPs and MCCPs profiles suggest that they can be used to distinguish between sites impacted by local sources vs. sites impacted by short-/long-range transport of these chemicals.
Asunto(s)
Monitoreo del Ambiente , Sedimentos Geológicos , Lagos , Parafina , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua , Lagos/química , Parafina/análisis , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisis , Sedimentos Geológicos/química , Ontario , Hidrocarburos Clorados/análisisRESUMEN
Understanding microplastic exposure and effects is critical to understanding risk. Here, we used large, in-lake closed-bottom mesocosms to investigate exposure and effects on pelagic freshwater ecosystems. This article provides details about the experimental design and results on the transport of microplastics and exposure to pelagic organisms. Our experiment included three polymers of microplastics (PE, PS, and PET) ranging in density and size. Nominal concentrations ranged from 0 to 29,240 microplastics per liter on a log scale. Mesocosms enclosed natural microbial, phytoplankton, and zooplankton communities and yellow perch (Perca flavescens). We quantified and characterized microplastics in the water column and in components of the food web (biofilm on the walls, zooplankton, and fish). The microplastics in the water stratified vertically according to size and density. After 10 weeks, about 1% of the microplastics added were in the water column, 0.4% attached to biofilm on the walls, 0.01% within zooplankton, and 0.0001% in fish. Visual observations suggest the remaining >98% were in a surface slick and on the bottom. Our study suggests organisms that feed at the surface and in the benthos are likely most at risk, and demonstrates the value of measuring exposure and transport to inform experimental designs and achieve target concentrations in different matrices within toxicity tests.
Asunto(s)
Microplásticos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua , Zooplancton , Animales , Lagos , Ecosistema , Cadena Alimentaria , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Fitoplancton , Percas/metabolismoRESUMEN
Plastic microbeads were widely used as exfoliants in personal care products (PCPs; e.g., hand/body washes) in North America, but restrictions were imposed on their use in PCPs in the U.S. (2017) and Canada (2018). We provide the first assessment of whether restrictions are effectively reducing microbeads entering surface waters. We examined their abundance, character, and trends in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents in Toronto, Canada, from 2016 to 2019, and in adjacent Lake Ontario surface waters (2015 and 2018), encompassing the period before and after the bans. Microbeads isolated from PCPs purchased in 2015 provided a visual morphological key with "irregular" and "spherical" microbead categories. Median concentrations of irregular microbeads, composed of polyethylene plastic, declined by up to 86% in WWTP effluents from 8.4 to 14.3 particles/m3 before to 2.0-2.2 particles/m3 after the bans, while those of spherical microbeads, predominantly synthetic/polyethylene wax, ranged within 0.5-2.3 particles/m3 and did not differ before and after the bans since, as nonplastic, they were not regulated. Similarly, amounts of irregular microbeads declined relative to spherical microbeads in Lake Ontario, indicating that product changes may be influencing observations in lake waters. The results suggest that the Canadian and U.S. restrictions effectively and rapidly reduced plastic microbeads entering waters via WWTPs.
RESUMEN
Humans are exposed to differing levels of micro/nanoplastics (MNPs) through inhalation, but few studies have attempted to measure <1 µm MNPs in air, in part due to a paucity of analytical methods. We developed an approach to identify and quantify MNPs in indoor air using a novel pyrolysis gas chromatographic cyclic ion mobility mass spectrometer (pyr-GCxcIMS). Four common plastic types were targeted for identification, namely, (polystyrene (PS), polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA). The method was applied to size-resolved particulate (56 nm to 18 µm) collected from two different indoor environments using a Micro-Orifice Uniform Deposit Impactors (MOUDI) model 110 cascade impactor. Comprehensive two-dimensional separation by GCxcIMS also enabled the retrospective analysis of other polymers and plastic additives. The mean concentrations of MNP particles with diameters of <10 µm and <2.5 µm in the laboratory were estimated to be 47 ± 5 and 27 ± 4 µg/m3, respectively. In the private residence, the estimated concentrations were 24 ± 3 and 16 ± 2 µg/m3. PS was the most abundant MNP type in both locations. Nontargeted screening revealed the presence of plastic additives, such as TDCPP (tris(1,3-dichloro-2-propyl)phosphate) whose abundance correlated with that of polyurethane (PU). This is consistent with their use as flame retardants in PU-based upholstered furniture and building insulation. This study provides evidence of indoor exposure to MNPs and underlines the need for further study of this route of exposure to MNPs and the plastic additives carried with them.
RESUMEN
Background and Objectives: Patients with congenital heart disease (CHD), especially as a concomitant syndromal disease of trisomy 21 (T21), are at risk for impaired neurodevelopment. This can also affect these patients' education. However, there continues to be a research gap in the educational development of CHD patients and T21 CHD patients. Materials and Methods: In total, data from 2873 patients from the German National Register for Congenital Heart Defects were analyzed. The data are based on two online education surveys conducted among patients registered in the National Register for Congenital Heart Defects (2017, 2020). Results: Of 2873 patients included (mean age: 14.1 ± 4.7 years, 50.5% female), 109 (3.8%) were identified with T21 (mean age: 12.9 ± 4.4 years, 49.5% female). T21 CHD participants had a high demand for early specific interventions (overall cohort 49.1%; T21 cohort 100%). T21 CHD children more frequently attended special schools and, compared to non-trisomy 21 (nT21) CHD patients, the probability of attending a grammar school was reduced. In total, 87.1% of nT21 CHD patients but 11% of T21 CHD patients were enrolled in a regular elementary school, and 12.8% of T21 CHD patients could transfer to a secondary school in contrast to 35.5% of nT21 CHD patients. Most of the T21 CHD patients were diagnosed with psychiatric disorders, e.g., learning, emotional, or behavioral disorders (T21 CHD patients: 82.6%; nT21 CHD patients: 31.4%; p < 0.001). Conclusions: CHD patients are at risk for impaired academic development, and the presence of T21 is an aggravating factor. Routine follow-up examinations should be established to identify developmental deficits and to provide targeted interventions.
Asunto(s)
Síndrome de Down , Cardiopatías Congénitas , Humanos , Niño , Femenino , Adolescente , Masculino , Síndrome de Down/complicaciones , Síndrome de Down/diagnóstico , Cardiopatías Congénitas/complicaciones , Cardiopatías Congénitas/diagnóstico , Escolaridad , Instituciones Académicas , EmocionesRESUMEN
Since the phase-out of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs), large amounts of alternative halogenated flame retardants (AHFRs) have been introduced to the market. Due to their persistence and toxicity, halogenated flame retardants (HFRs) have become a concern for the ecosystem and human health. However, there remains limited assessment of the atmospheric loadings, sources, and environmental fate of HFRs in Lake Ontario, which receives urban-related inputs and cumulative chemical inputs from the upstream Great Lakes from Canada and the United States. We combined long-term measurements with a modified multimedia model based on site-specific environmental parameters from Lake Ontario to understand the trends and fate of HFRs. All HFRs were detected in the air, precipitation, lake trout, and herring gull egg samples throughout the sampling periods. General decreasing trends were found for PBDEs, while the temporal trends for AHFRs were not clear. Physical-chemical properties and emissions significantly influence the levels, profiles, and trends. Using the probabilistic modeling, HFR concentrations in lake water and sediment were predicted to be close to the measurement, suggesting a good performance for the modified model. The loadings from tributaries and wastewater effluent were the primary input pathways. Transformations in the water and sedimentation were estimated to be the dominant output pathway for the three HFRs.
Asunto(s)
Retardadores de Llama , Humanos , Ontario , Ecosistema , Éteres Difenilos Halogenados , Lagos , AguaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Physical activity is important for children with congenital heart defects (CHD), not only for somatic health, but also for neurologic, emotional, and psychosocial development. Swimming is a popular endurance sport which is in general suitable for most children with CHD. Since we have previously shown that children with CHD are less frequently physically active than their healthy peers, we hypothesized that the prevalence of non-swimmers is higher in CHD patients than in healthy children. METHODS: To obtain representative data, we performed a nationwide survey in collaboration with the German National Register of Congenital Heart Defects (NRCHD) and the Institute for Sport Sciences of the Karlsruhe Institute for Technology (KIT). The questionnaire included questions capturing the prevalence of swimming skills and the timing of swim learning and was part of the "Motorik-Modul" (MoMo) from the German Health Interview and Examination Survey for Children and Adolescents (KiGGS). A representative age-matched subset of 4569 participants of the MoMo wave two study served as a healthy control group. RESULTS: From 894 CHD-patients (mean age of 12.5 ± 3.1 years), the proportion of non-swimmers in children with CHD was significantly higher (16% versus 4.3%; p < 0.001) compared to healthy children and was dependent on CHD severity: Children with complex CHD had an almost five-fold increased risk (20.4%) of being unable to swim, whereas in children with simple CHD, the ability to swim did not differ significantly from their healthy reference group (5.6% vs. 4.3% non-swimmers (p = not significant). CONCLUSIONS: According to our results, one in five patients with complex CHD are non-swimmers, a situation that is concerning in regard of motoric development, inclusion and integration, as well as prevention of drowning accidents. Implementation of swim learning interventions for children with CHD would be a reasonable approach.
RESUMEN
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are recognized as pollutants of global concern, but so far, information on the trends of legacy POPs in the waters of the world has been missing due to logistical, analytical, and financial reasons. Passive samplers have emerged as an attractive alternative to active water sampling methods as they accumulate POPs, represent time-weighted average concentrations, and can easily be shipped and deployed. As part of the AQUA-GAPS/MONET, passive samplers were deployed at 40 globally distributed sites between 2016 and 2020, for a total of 21 freshwater and 40 marine deployments. Results from silicone passive samplers showed α-hexachlorocyclohexane (HCH) and γ-HCH displaying the greatest concentrations in the northern latitudes/Arctic Ocean, in stark contrast to the more persistent penta (PeCB)- and hexachlorobenzene (HCB), which approached equilibrium across sampling sites. Geospatial patterns of polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB) aqueous concentrations closely matched original estimates of production and use, implying limited global transport. Positive correlations between log-transformed concentrations of Σ7PCB, ΣDDTs, Σendosulfan, and Σchlordane, but not ΣHCH, and the log of population density (p < 0.05) within 5 and 10 km of the sampling sites also supported limited transport from used sites. These results help to understand the extent of global distribution, and eventually time-trends, of organic pollutants in aquatic systems, such as across freshwaters and oceans. Future deployments will aim to establish time-trends at selected sites while adding to the geographical coverage.
Asunto(s)
Contaminantes Atmosféricos , Contaminantes Ambientales , Hidrocarburos Clorados , Plaguicidas , Bifenilos Policlorados , Bifenilos Policlorados/análisis , Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodos , Hexaclorobenceno/análisis , Agua Dulce , Contaminantes Atmosféricos/análisis , Plaguicidas/análisis , Hidrocarburos Clorados/análisisRESUMEN
Previous studies have evaluated method performance for quantifying and characterizing microplastics in clean water, but little is known about the efficacy of procedures used to extract microplastics from complex matrices. Here we provided 15 laboratories with samples representing four matrices (i.e., drinking water, fish tissue, sediment, and surface water) each spiked with a known number of microplastic particles spanning a variety of polymers, morphologies, colors, and sizes. Percent recovery (i.e., accuracy) in complex matrices was particle size dependent, with â¼60-70% recovery for particles >212 µm, but as little as 2% recovery for particles <20 µm. Extraction from sediment was most problematic, with recoveries reduced by at least one-third relative to drinking water. Though accuracy was low, the extraction procedures had no observed effect on precision or chemical identification using spectroscopy. Extraction procedures greatly increased sample processing times for all matrices with the extraction of sediment, tissue, and surface water taking approximately 16, 9, and 4 times longer than drinking water, respectively. Overall, our findings indicate that increasing accuracy and reducing sample processing times present the greatest opportunities for method improvement rather than particle identification and characterization.
Asunto(s)
Agua Potable , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua , Animales , Microplásticos , Plásticos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisis , Monitoreo del AmbienteRESUMEN
OBJECTIVE: Children with congenital heart defects (CHD) are at high risk for cardiovascular disease in addition to their congenital disease, so it is important to motivate this group of patients to live a physically active lifestyle. A potential influencing determinant of younger children's physical performance is the physical self-concept. The objective of the present study was first to evaluate the correlation between the physical self-concept (PSC) and the participation in physical activities (PA) of a representative group of children with congenital heart disease (CHD), and second to point out differences in comparison to their healthy peer group. METHODS: Using the database of PA of the S-BAHn-Study we focused on physical self-concept assessed by the German version of the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire. We compare the obtained data of children with CHD to a representative age-matched sample of 3.385 participants of the Motorik Modul Study. RESULTS: N = 1.198 complete datasets could be included in the analyses. The mean age of patients was 11.6 ± 3.1 years. For the total cohort of patients with CHD and the reference group, PA correlated significantly with a positive PSC (p < 0.001). PA was significantly reduced in all groups of patients despite the severity of their heart defect (p < 0.001). Remarkably, PSC did not differ statistically significantly in patients with simple CHD from the reference collective (p > 0.24). CONCLUSIONS: According to this representative survey, there is a clear relation between PA and PSC in the cohort of healthy children and the group of children with CHD throughout the severity of their heart defects. Although PSC did not differ in patients with simple CHD and their healthy peer group, PA was significantly reduced. This gap invites us to reflect on how we could break new ground to promote a physically active lifestyle in children with CHD regardless of the severity of their cardiac defects.
RESUMEN
Microplastic categorization schemes are diverse, thereby posing challenges for cross-study comparisons. Further, categorization schemes are not necessarily aligned with and, thus, useful for applications such as source reduction initiatives. To address these challenges, we propose a hierarchical categorization approach that is "fit for purpose" to enable the use of a scheme that is tailored to the study's purpose and contains categories, which, if adopted, would facilitate interstudy comparison. The hierarchical categorization scheme is flexible to support various study purposes (e.g., to support regulation and toxicity assessment) and it aims to improve the consistency and comparability of microplastics categorization. Categorization is primarily based on morphology, supplemented by other identification methods as needed (e.g., spectroscopy). The use of the scheme was illustrated through a literature review aimed at critically evaluating the categories used for reporting microplastic morphologies in North American freshwater environments. Categorization and grouping schemes for microplastic particles were highly variable, with up to 19 different categories used across 68 studies, and nomenclature was inconsistent across particle morphologies. Our review demonstrates the necessity for a "fit for purpose" categorization scheme to guide the information needs of scientists and decision-makers for various research and regulatory objectives across global, regional, and local scales. Integr Environ Assess Manag 2023;19:422-435. © 2022 SETAC.
Asunto(s)
Microplásticos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua , Plásticos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisis , Monitoreo del Ambiente/métodosRESUMEN
INTRODUCTION: The rapid growth in the worldwide use of plastics has resulted in a vast accumulation of microplastics in the air, soil and water. The impact of these microplastics on pregnancy and fetal development remains largely unknown. In pregnant mice, we recently demonstrated that exposure to micro- and nanoplastics throughout gestation resulted in significant fetal growth restriction. One possible explanation for reduced fetal growth is abnormal placental metabolism. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of maternal exposure to microplastics on placental metabolism. METHODS: In the present study, CD-1 pregnant mice were exposed to 5 µm polystyrene microplastics in filtered drinking water at one of four concentrations (0 ng/L (controls), 102 ng/L, 104 ng/L, 106 ng/L) throughout gestation (n = 7-11/group). At embryonic day 17.5, placental tissue samples were collected (n = 28-44/group). Metabolite profiles were determined using 1 H high-resolution magic angle spinning magnetic resonance spectroscopy. RESULTS: The relative concentration of lysine (p = 0.003) and glucose (p < 0.0001) in the placenta were found to decrease with increasing microplastic concentrations, with a significant reduction at the highest exposure concentration. Multivariate analysis identified shifts in the metabolic profile with MP exposure and pathway analysis identified perturbations in the biotin metabolism, lysine degradation, and glycolysis/gluconeogenesis pathways. CONCLUSION: Maternal exposure to microplastics resulted in significant alterations in placental metabolism. This study highlights the potential impact of microplastic exposure on pregnancy outcomes and that efforts should be made to minimize exposure to plastics, particularly during pregnancy.
Asunto(s)
Microplásticos , Placenta , Humanos , Embarazo , Femenino , Animales , Ratones , Placenta/metabolismo , Microplásticos/metabolismo , Poliestirenos/metabolismo , Plásticos/metabolismo , Exposición Materna/efectos adversos , Lisina/metabolismo , MetabolómicaRESUMEN
Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the school careers of patients with congenital heart disease (CHD) and microcephaly. Methods: An exploratory online survey was conducted on patients from a previous study on somatic development in children with CHD in 2018 (n = 2818). A total of 750 patients participated in the online survey (26.6%). This publication focuses on 91 patients (12.1%) diagnosed with CHD and microcephaly who participated in the new online survey. Results: Microcephaly was significantly associated with CHD severity (p < 0.001). Microcephalic patients suffered from psychiatric comorbidity two times as often (67.0%) as non-microcephalic patients (29.8%). In particular, the percentage of patients with developmental delay, intellectual debility, social disability, learning disorder, or language disorder was significantly increased in microcephalic CHD patients (p < 0.001). A total of 85.7% of microcephalic patients and 47.6% of non-microcephalic patients received early interventions to foster their development. The school enrollment of both groups was similar at approximately six years of age. However, 89.9% of non-microcephalic but only 51.6% of microcephalic patients were enrolled in a regular elementary school. Regarding secondary school, only half as many microcephalic patients (14.3%) went to grammar school, while the proportion of pupils at special schools was eight times higher. Supportive interventions, e.g., for specific learning disabilities, were used by 52.7% of microcephalic patients and 21.6% of non-microcephalic patients. Conclusion: Patients with CHD and microcephaly are at high risk for impaired educational development. Early identification should alert clinicians to provide targeted interventions to optimize the developmental potential.
RESUMEN
Microscopy is often the first step in microplastic analysis and is generally followed by spectroscopy to confirm material type. The value of microscopy lies in its ability to provide count, size, color, and morphological information to inform toxicity and source apportionment. To assess the accuracy and precision of microscopy, we conducted a method evaluation study. Twenty-two laboratories from six countries were provided three blind spiked clean water samples and asked to follow a standard operating procedure. The samples contained a known number of microplastics with different morphologies (fiber, fragment, sphere), colors (clear, white, green, blue, red, and orange), polymer types (PE, PS, PVC, and PET), and sizes (ranging from roughly 3-2000 µm), and natural materials (natural hair, fibers, and shells; 100-7000 µm) that could be mistaken for microplastics (i.e., false positives). Particle recovery was poor for the smallest size fraction (3-20 µm). Average recovery (±StDev) for all reported particles >50 µm was 94.5 ± 56.3%. After quality checks, recovery for >50 µm spiked particles was 51.3 ± 21.7%. Recovery varied based on morphology and color, with poorest recovery for fibers and the largest deviations for clear and white particles. Experience mattered; less experienced laboratories tended to report higher concentration and had a higher variance among replicates. Participants identified opportunity for increased accuracy and precision through training, improved color and morphology keys, and method alterations relevant to size fractionation. The resulting data informs future work, constraining and highlighting the value of microscopy for microplastics.
Asunto(s)
Microplásticos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Humanos , Microscopía , Plásticos/análisis , Polímeros , Cloruro de Polivinilo/análisis , Agua/análisis , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisisRESUMEN
Pathways for microplastics to aquatic ecosystems include agricultural runoff, urban runoff, and treated or untreated wastewater. To better understand the importance of each pathway as a vector for microplastics into waterbodies and for mitigation, we sampled agricultural runoff, urban stormwater runoff, treated wastewater effluent, and the waterbodies downstream in four regions across North America: the Sacramento Delta, the Mississippi River, Lake Ontario, and Chesapeake Bay. The highest concentrations of microplastics in each pathway varied by region: agricultural runoff in the Sacramento Delta and Mississippi River, urban stormwater runoff in Lake Ontario, and treated wastewater effluent in Chesapeake Bay. Material types were diverse and not unique across pathways. However, a PERMANOVA found significant differences in morphological assemblages among pathways (p < 0.005), suggesting fibers as a signature of agricultural runoff and treated wastewater effluent and rubbery fragments as a signature of stormwater. Moreover, the relationship between watershed characteristics and particle concentrations varied across watersheds (e.g., with agricultural parameters only being important in the Sacramento Delta). Overall, our results suggest that local monitoring is essential to inform effective mitigation strategies and that assessing the assemblages of morphologies should be prioritized in monitoring programs to identify important pathways of contamination.
Asunto(s)
Microplásticos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua , Ecosistema , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Plásticos , Aguas Residuales , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisisRESUMEN
Offshore and nearshore sediment samples from Lake Huron, North America, were analysed for microplastics. Normalized abundances ranged from 59 to 335,714 particles per kg of dry weight sediment (p kg-1 dw). Of the four main basins of Lake Huron, the North Channel contained the greatest microplastic abundances, averaging 47,398 p kg-1 dw, followed by Georgian Bay (21,390 p kg-1 dw), the main basin (15,910 p kg-1 dw) and Saginaw Bay (1592 p kg-1 dw). Results indicate that greater lake depths (p = 0.004), associated with finer grained sediment (p = 0.048), are significant zones of deposition. Regression analysis reveals that source-driven factors generally do not account for microplastic abundances and distribution. Instead, process-driven hydrodynamic forces such as waves and surface currents could be driving distribution and deposition into the offshore environment. The findings suggest that these often overlooked processes should be considered when investigating microplastics quantity in bottom sediment of large lakes.
Asunto(s)
Microplásticos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Sedimentos Geológicos , Lagos , Plásticos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisisRESUMEN
Freshwater ecosystems, generally adjacent to human population and more contaminated relative to adjacent marine ecosystems, are vulnerable to microplastic contamination. We sampled 7 species of fish from Lake Ontario and Lake Superior and assessed their gastrointestinal (GI) tracts to quantify ingested microplastics and other anthropogenic particles. A subset of the microparticles were chemically analyzed to confirm polymer types and anthropogenic origins. We documented the highest concentration of microplastics and other anthropogenic microparticles ever reported in bony fish. We found 12,442 anthropogenic microparticles across 212 fish (8 species) from nearshore Lake Ontario, 943 across 50 fish (1 species) from Humber River, and 3094 across 119 fish (7 species) from Lake Superior. Fish from Lake Ontario had the greatest mean abundance of anthropogenic microparticles in their GI tracts (59 particles/fish [SD 104]), with up to 915 microparticles in a single fish. Fish from Lake Superior contained a mean [SD] of 26 [74] particles/fish, and fish from Humber River contained 19 [14] particles/fish. Most particles were microfibers. Overall, ≥90% of particles were anthropogenic, of which 35-59% were microplastics. Polyethylene (24%), polyethylene terephthalate (20%), and polypropylene (18%) were the most common microplastics. Ingestion of anthropogenic particles was significantly different among species within Lake Ontario (p < 0.05), and the abundance of anthropogenic particles increased as fish length increased in Lake Ontario (ρ = 0.62). Although we cannot extrapolate the concentration of microplastics in the water and sediments of these fish, the relatively high abundance of microplastics in the GI tracts of fish suggests environmental exposure may be above threshold concentrations for risk.
Contaminación por Microplásticos en Peces de los Grandes Lagos Resumen Los ecosistemas de agua dulce, generalmente contiguos a poblaciones humanas y más contaminados en relación con los ecosistemas marinos adyacentes, son vulnerables a la contaminación por microplásticos. Muestreamos siete especies de peces del Lago Ontario y del Lago Superior y analizamos sus tractos gastrointestinales (GI) para cuantificar los microplásticos ingeridos, además de otras partículas antropogénicas. Un subconjunto de las micropartículas fue analizado químicamente para confirmar los tipos de polímero y los orígenes antropogénicos. Documentamos la concentración más alta de microplásticos y de otras micropartículas antropogénicas jamás reportada en peces óseos. Encontramos 12,442 micropartículas antropogénicas en 212 peces (ocho especies) del Lago Ontario, 943 en 50 peces (una especie) en el Río Humber y 30,094 en 119 peces (siete especies) del Lago Superior. Los peces del Lago Ontario tuvieron la mayor abundancia promedio de micropartículas antropogénicas en sus tractos GI (59 partículas/pez [DS 104]), con hasta 915 micropartículas en un solo pez. Los peces del Lago Superior tuvieron un promedio [DS] de 26 [74] partículas/pez y los peces del Río Humber tuvieron 19 [14] partículas/pez. La mayoría de las partículas eran microfibras. En general, ≥90% de las partículas eran antropogénicas, de las cuales el 35-39% eran microplásticos. El polietileno (24%), el tereftalato de polietileno (20%) y el polipropileno (18%) fueron los microplásticos más comunes. La ingesta de partículas antropogénicas tuvo una diferencia significativa entre las especies del Lago Ontario (p < 0.05) y la abundancia de las partículas antropogénicas incrementó conforme aumentó la longitud de los peces en el Lago Ontario (ρ = 0.62). Aunque no podemos extrapolar la concentración de microplásticos en el agua y los sedimentos para estos peces, la abundancia relativamente alta de microplásticos en los tractos GI de los peces sugiere que la exposición ambiental puede estar por encima del umbral de concentraciones para el riesgo.
Asunto(s)
Microplásticos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua , Animales , Conservación de los Recursos Naturales , Ecosistema , Monitoreo del Ambiente , Lagos , Plásticos , Contaminantes Químicos del Agua/análisisRESUMEN
BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: For adult men with congenital heart disease (ACHD), data on erectile dysfunction (ED) is limited. We aimed to assess the frequency of ED, its role in patient-physician communication and to identify parameters predicting ED. METHODS: Male ACHD ≥18 years registered at the German National Register for Congenital Heart Defects were invited to participate in an online questionnaire about sexual health. Participants with presumed ED according to International Index of Erectile Function Score were compared to patients without ED. RESULTS: The 371 patients responded to the questionnaire (83% with moderate to highly complex ACHD). The 43% presented with more than mild ED. When ED was present, patients complained about general anxiety to be sexually active more often (p<0.05) and underwent sexual activity less frequently compared to those without ED (p<0.05). Age ≥40 years (odds ratio [OR], 3.04; p=0.002), being single (OR, 6.82; p<0.0001), anxiety to be sexually active (OR, 2.64; p=0.0002) and psychiatric disease (OR, 4.33; p<0.0007) emerged as independent predictors for ED. Overall, patients sought medical advice in 6.7% of cases, whilst 29.6% would appreciate an active approach by the physician to address this sensitive topic. CONCLUSIONS: ED is affecting one third to one half of male ACHD according to a questionnaire-based analysis. Older age, being single, fear of sexual activity due to ACHD and psychiatric disorder emerged as independent predictors for ED. These parameters can easily be assessed to identify patients at risk. ED should be addressed proactively by health professionals.