Microplastics Pollution

Contamination of aquatic ecosystems by microplastics (MPs) is mainly due to the release of high levels of MP particles from treated effluents by wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs). Due to the lack of policies and regulations establishing criteria for the control and elimination of MPs from WWTP effluents, this research evaluates the presence of 38 and 150 µm MPs in influents and effluents from three WWTPs in the port of Acapulco, Mexico. Optical microscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy revealed that the MPs were polyethylene, polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyvinyl chloride. MP removal efficiencies of 82.5–98.7% (38 µm) and 86.8–97.5% (150 µm) were achieved. Moreover, the MP average daily emissions to the receiving bodies of the three WWTPs ranged from 9.5 × 10⁶ to 4.70 × 10⁸ particles, while the annual emissions ranged from 3.05 × 10⁹ to 1.72 × 10¹¹ particles. This work reveals the urgency of implementing regulatory policies to avoid the continuous emission of MPs into aquatic ecosystems from WWTPs in Acapulco, Mexico. Full article

Every year we are more and more exposed to the negative impact of microplastic. Our research aimed to determine the amount of microplastic in the snow on sledding hills in green areas of Krakow. The sledding hills in winter are very intensively used by children and it is very important to monitor the condition of these places in terms of microplastic contamination. In our research, we assessed whether children playing on sledding hills may be exposed to microplastic. Our research covered 10 sledding hills of various sizes located in the green areas of Krakow. Our research has confirmed the presence of significant amounts of microplastics in snow collected on sledding hills. Three times as much microplastic was found in the snow on the higher hills (2.78 mg/L) compared to the lower sledding hills (0.96 mg/L). In the snow collected on sledding hills from the green areas of Krakow, a large diversity of microplastic in terms of type, size, color, and shape was noted. The dominant type of microplastic found during the research was polypropylene (PP), polyurethane (PU), hydrocarbon resin (HCR), and polyester (PES). The share of two microplastic fractions of 1.1–2.0 mm and 2.1–3.0 mm accounted for over 50% of the whole amount. After melting the snow, microplastic goes to the soil surface, which can lead to changes in the properties of the soil, and due to its strong hydrophobicity, it will play an important role in the transport of toxic compounds, e.g., polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Our research suggests limiting the use of plastic sleds and replacing them with wooden sleds, which will not be a source of pollution for urban green spaces used by residents regardless of the season. Full article

Microplastic pollution poses a threat to human health. It is possible that the increase in the incidence of inflammatory bowel disease is associated with exposure to microplastics. We investigated the effect of the consumption of polystyrene microparticles with a diameter of 5 μm at a dose of 2.3 mg/kg/day for 6 weeks on morphological changes in the colons of healthy male C57BL/6 mice and of mice with acute colitis induced by a 1% dextran sulfate sodium solution (DSS). In healthy mice, microplastics caused an increase in the number of endocrine cells, an increase in the content of highly sulfated mucins in goblet cells, an increase in the number of cells in the lamina propria, and a decrease in the volume fraction of macrophages. Microplastic consumption caused more severe acute colitis, which is characterized by a greater prevalence of ulcers and inflammation and a decrease in the content of neutral mucins in goblet cells. Full article

This paper presents the outcomes derived from an environmental assessment of microplastic pollution resulting from solid waste landfills in the Akmola Region, situated in North Kazakhstan. This research represents a pioneering investigation conducted on microplastics within this specific region. This study encompasses a comprehensive examination of plastic waste disposal sites across the Akmola region, with a particular emphasis on evaluating the status of the municipal solid waste management system. To characterize the plastic content within the waste present at the landfill sites, quantitative techniques were employed. Through experimental means, the composition and fractionation of plastics within the municipal solid waste (MSW) at the landfills were determined. These data were subjected to a comparative analysis, aligning them with official statistics and previously published scientific data from both Kazakhstan and other regions globally. The methodologies employed focused on the “soft” removal of organic substances through the use of oxidants which do not damage plastics, and were tested using a water-bath therapeutic treatment. Furthermore, an analysis of soil samples taken from the landfills unveiled the ultimate retention of microplastic particles, attributed to leachate and rainwater runoff. Extracts were obtained from the subsoil samples using a density-based separation process, involving a three-step extraction followed by subsequent filtration of the resulting supernatants. In addition, the soil samples underwent examination through dry-phase particle fractional separation. The particles were meticulously enumerated and classified, and their dimensions were measured employing microscopic techniques coupled with photographic documentation. The outcomes stemming from these diverse tests will serve as fundamental input for the forthcoming numerical modeling endeavor, which aims to simulate the behavior of microplastics within both soil and water. This endeavor represents a continuation of the research project, the preliminary findings of which are expounded upon in this paper. Full article

This study aimed to investigate the distribution of microplastics (MPs) within the Shiwuli River in Hefei, a Chinese inland city. Water and sediment samples were collected during flood season (from May to September) and non-flood season (from October to April) at 10 representative points along the truck stream. The electron microscope, the laser direct infrared chemical imaging system (LDIR), and the scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to observe and quantify the colour and shape of the MPs, to identify the number, size, and polymer composition of the MPs, and to observe the microstructures of typical MP particles, respectively. The polymer risk index (RI) model and the pollution load index (PLI) model were used to assess the polymer-related risks and the overall extent of MP pollution in the river, respectively. Analysis of MP abundance for different sampling points showed that the water of Shiwuli River had an average abundance of MPs of 8.4 ± 2.5 particles/L during the flood season and 5.8 ± 1.7 particles/L during the non-flood season; the sediment had an average abundance of MPs of 78.9 ± 8.3 particles/kg during the flood season and 63.9 ± 7.1 particles/kg during the non-flood season. The abundance of MPs of different points was investigated. Result show that the more abundances of MPs were found at confluences with tributaries (S4, S5, and S6), where they are also close to the residential and industrial development, while lower values were found in agricultural areas (S8) and wetland ecological regions (S9 and S10). In water, the maximum appeared at S5 with 21.7 ± 4.6 particles/L during the flood season and 15.9 ± 4.2 particles/L during the non-flood season, respectively; the minimum appeared at S9 with 1.8 ± 1.0 particles/L during the flood season and 2.2 ± 0.4 particles/L during the non-flood season, respectively. In sediment, the maximum appeared at S5 with 174.1 ± 10.1 particles/kg during the flood season and 143.6 ± 10.4 particles/kg during the non-flood season, respectively; the minimum appeared at S8 with 10.3 ± 2.8 particles/kg during the flood season and at S9 with 12.1 ± 3.2 particles/kg during the non-flood season, respectively. MP characteristics were also studied. Results show that the MPs mainly exhibited a fibroid morphology (27.90–34%), and red-coloured particles (19.10%) within the smaller size less than 500 μm (38.60%) were more prevalent. Additionally, the result of LDIR scanning shows that a total of eleven types of MP polymers were found in the river water and sediment, including acrylates (ACR), chlorinated polyethylene (CPE), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyurethane (PU), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), and silicon. The most common particle was PE (19.3–21.6%). Furthermore, the environmental risk assessment demonstrated that the PS polymer posed a Level-III risk in the water samples and a Level-II risk in the sediment samples from the Shiwuli River. The remaining polymer types exhibited Level-I risk. The PLI_zone value for water was 2.24 during the flood season, indicating heavy pollution, and 1.66 during the non-flood season, indicating moderate pollution. Similarly, the PLI_zone value for sediments was 2.34 during the flood season and 1.91 during the non-flood season, both suggesting a heavy pollution. These findings highlight the potential risk posed by MP pollution in the Shiwuli River to the quality of drinking water sources in Chaohu Lake in Hefei. They provide valuable insights into management, pollution control, and integrated management strategies pertaining to MPs in urban inland rivers in Hefei. Full article

Microplastic contamination has become a concerning topic of study in recent decades. This review discusses the development of microplastic pollution based on a selection of South Asian countries consisting of Bangladesh, Iran, Philippines, Thailand, India, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The condition of microplastic pollution related to the abundance of microplastic found in various environments as well as the presence of microplastics in food and the air, is covered in this review. Several reports found that drinking water sourced from taps was found to have about 83% of microplastic particles in the year 2017 based on results from 14 nations, and in the year 2018, 260 bodies of water for human consumption in 11 countries were found to have about 93% of microplastic particles. Micro debris pollution in seas and oceans worldwide is predicted to be at an amount of 236,000 metric tons based on a statistical report. A mean value of 30 micro debris per liter of glacier water was recovered from the top of Mount Everest, whereas about 2200 small particles per liter were discovered in the deep waters of the Mariana Trench. The main environments that are severely microplastic-contaminated are water-based places such as rivers, estuaries, and beaches. The presence of microplastics in food items, such as tea bags, sugar, shrimp paste, and salt packets, has been reported. In terms of impacts on the environment, microplastic contamination includes the ingestion of microplastics by aquatic creatures in water environments. The impacts on terrestrial environments relate to microplastics sinking into the soil, leading to the alteration of the physicochemical parameters of soil. Meanwhile, the impacts on the atmospheric environment include the settling of microplastics on the external bodies of animals and humans. Full article

Microplastic concentrations in surface water and wastewater collected from Daugavpils and Liepaja cities in Latvia, as well as Klaipeda and Siauliai cities in Lithuania, were measured in July and December 2021. Using optical microscopy, polymer composition was characterized using micro-Raman spectroscopy. The average abundance of microplastics in surface water and wastewater samples was 16.63 ± 20.29 particles/L. The dominant shape group of microplastics in water was fiber, with dominant colors found to be blue (61%), black (36%), and red (3%) in Latvia. Similar distribution in Lithuania was found, i.e., fiber (95%) and fragments (5%) with dominant colors, such as blue (53%), black (30%), red (9%), yellow (5%), and transparent (3%). The micro-Raman spectroscopy spectra of visible microplastics were identified to be polyethylene terephthalate (33%) and polyvinyl chloride (33%), nylon (12%), polyester (PS) (11%), and high-density polyethylene (11%). In the study area, municipal and hospital wastewater from catchment areas were the main reasons for the contamination of microplastics in the surface water and wastewater of Latvia and Lithuania. It is possible to reduce pollution loads by implementing measures such as raising awareness, installing more high-tech wastewater treatment plants, and reducing plastic use. Full article

Single-use plastic waste has become a growing concern in daily life. Community leaders are implementing programs to reduce the use of single-use plastic and change consumer behavior. This study, using the social cognitive theory framework for sustainable consumption, examines the reciprocal relationship among the following three factors: personal (green consumer values), environmental (bans and rebate/reward programs), and behavioral (consumer decision-making related to single-use plastic waste). The study surveyed consumers (N = 330) across the United States who watched a video on the effects of single-use plastic waste on health and well-being. The results indicate that states with bans or rebate/reward programs tend to have higher green consumer values and consumers in those states report less use of single-use plastic waste. Education level also has a significant impact on green consumer values and plastic waste usage. The study provides a resource guide for decision makers to implement programs in five areas: (1) Business Resources, (2) Public Policy Resources, (3) Non-Profit Resources, (4) Education Resources, and (5) Personal Resources. The study also suggests potential areas for future research. Full article

Since microplastics are considered harmful to the human body, studies on their samplings, pretreatments and analyses environmental media, such as water, are continuously being conducted. However, a standard sampling and pretreatment method must be established, particularly because microplastics of a few micrometers in size are easily affected by external contamination. In this study, a microplastic sampling device was designed and developed to obtain a high recovery rate of microplastics and prevent plastics contamination during all processes. For the evaluation of the developed device, microplastic reference materials were produced and used, and computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis was performed. This device has not only been applied to the relatively large previously studied microplastics (100 µm) but also to microplastics of approximately 20 µm that are vulnerable to contamination. A recovery rate of 94.2% was obtained using this device, and the particles were separated by filtration through a three-stage cassette. In conclusion, we propose a method to increase the accuracy and reproducibility of results for microplastic contamination in the environment. This method is able to consistently obtain and manage microplastics data, which are often difficult to compare using various existing methods. Full article

As one of the primary nodes in the flow of micro-plastics (MPs) in the environment, it is critical to examine and assess the Sewage Treatment, occurrence, and removal of MPs in waste treatment plant (WWTP). This research explored the shape, size, and composition of MPs at various stages of the WWTP process in the south of the city of Hefei, China, in dry and rainy weather conditions, as well as the removal effectiveness of MPs in a three-stage process. The collected MPs were quantitatively and qualitatively examined using an Osmosis electron microscope and micro-FTIR. The pollution risk of MPs in WWTP was assessed using the EU classification, labelling and packaging (CLP) standard and the pollution load index (PLI). The findings revealed that the average abundance of fibrous MPs was greatest in WWTP sewage and sludge, 49.3% and 39.7% in dry weather, and 50.1% and 43.2% in rainy weather, respectively. The average distribution of MPs in the 0–500 μm range was highest in WWTP wastewater and sludge, 64.9% and 60.4% in dry weather and 67.9% and 69.0% in rainy weather, respectively. Finally, the overall removal rate was 87.7% and 83.5%. At the same time, it has been demonstrated that MPs with varied compositions are strongly tied to human activities, and environmental conditions (such as rainy weather) also influence their source. In both dry and wet weather, the amount of polymers and the risk score were linked to the pollution risk of MPs in WWTP. In wet weather, the MPS pollution index was more variable. The pollution indices of MPs in row water and tail water were 2.40 and 2.46, respectively, which were heavily contaminated, and 1.0 and 1.2, which were moderately polluted. MPs in dewatered sludge had severely polluted indexes of 3.5 and 3.4, respectively. As a result, there is still MPs efflux or buildup in sludge during and after the WWTP process, which presents an ecological contamination concern. Full article

Microplastics are abundant in agricultural soils and have significant impacts on rainfall infiltration and soil water-retaining capacity. To explore the effect of microplastics on agricultural soil permeability by simulating the rainfall irrigation process, a one-dimensional vertical soil column rainfall infiltration test device was used to study the unsaturated infiltration characteristics of loess soil imbued with microplastics under rainfall conditions. The following conclusions could be obtained: the microplastic content (q), the microplastic particle size (p), and the soil density (γ) have effects on rainfall infiltration; the soil water-retaining capacity would be weakened owing to the existence of microplastics; and intermittent rainfall is preferred in agricultural irrigation. Finally, the permeability coefficient (k) and average flow rate (V) of the unsaturated soil are deduced together, and the relationship between the permeability coefficient (k) and the matrix suction (ψ) of the unsaturated loess soil containing microplastics is calculated by an example, proving good consistency between the experimental results and theoretical calculations. Microplastics represent negative effects on rainfall infiltration and soil water retention, so it is recommended to dispose of them. Full article

Microplastic pollution is a common problem in the coastal and marine environment, especially in the transferential process through trophic levels. This study analyzed the characteristics of microplastics in the seawater, sediments, and green mussels (Perna viridis) around Sri Racha Bay, Thailand, during the dry and wet season in 2020. This area is a semi-enclosed bay highly affected by extensive green mussel farms and anthropogenic activities. Qualitative and quantitative analysis of microplastics was undertaken using a stereomicroscope and micro-Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (ATR-μ-FT-IR). During the wet season (July), the average abundance of microplastics was found to be relatively higher in water (2.06 ± 1.78 particles/m³) and sediment (69.35 ± 22.29 items/Kg D.W.) than those found in the dry season (April) (0.85 ± 0.25 items/m³ in water and 48.30 ± 28.17 items/Kg D.W.). Overall, the most abundant microplastic polymers were PE, PP, and poly in water, but PE, nylon, and PP in sediments. In green mussels, microplastic counts were 0.15 ± 0.41 and 0.22 ± 0.57 items/individual in the dry and wet season, respectively, and PET, PP, and nylon were the three most abundant. Some inter-specific differences were found, but no evidence for a sampling sites or seasons was highlighted, although the tendency was higher during the wet season. The excessive riverine freshwater discharge transported terrestrial plastic debris into the estuarine system; hence, higher microplastic contamination in surface seawater and sediment was evidenced. The presence of colorants in organisms revealed an anthropogenic origin through the use of a wide array of applications. This study provides thoughtful insights for coastal area management and food-safety planning. Full article

As two environmental pollutants of great concern, polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) and nonylphenol (NP) often coexist in the environment and cause combined pollution. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out by varying parameters such as pH, the particle sizes of the PS-MPs, the initial concentration of NP, and metal ion content. The results showed that the particle size of the PS-MPs in the range tested (0.1, 1, 10, 50, and 100 μm) had a significant effect on their NP adsorption capacity. The NP adsorption process of the PS-MPs was best described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model, while the intraparticle diffusion and Bangham models were also involved in determining the NP adsorption process of 0.1 μm PS-MPs. Both PS-MPs and NP significantly affected cell proliferation, which had been confirmed by reduced cell viability, a blocked cell cycle G1 phase, and elevated apoptosis by affecting the basic cell functions. Furthermore, the negative effects of 0.1 μm PS-MPs on cell proliferation and function were aggravated after the adsorption of NP. Further research on the potential health risks of PS-MPs combined with NP or other environmental contaminants is needed. Full article