Publications

@article{Edo2020,

title = {Fate of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants and their environmental dispersion with effluent and sludge},

author = {Carlos Edo and Miguel González-Pleiter and Francisco Leganés and Francisca Fernández-Piñas and Roberto Rosal},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113837},

doi = {10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113837},

year  = {2020},

date = {2020-00-00},

journal = {Environmental Pollution },

abstract = {This work studied the occurrence of microplastics in primary and secondary effluents and mixed sludge of a WWTP as well as in processed heat-dried sludge marketed as soil amendment. Sampled microparticles were divided into fragments and fibres, the latter defined as those with cylindrical shape and length to diameter ratio >3. We showed the presence of 12 different anthropogenic polymers or groups of polymers with a predominance of polyethylene, polypropylene, polyester and acrylic fibres together with an important amount of manufactured natural fibres. The smaller sampled fraction, in the 25–104 μm range, was the largest in both primary and secondary effluents. Fibres displayed lower sizes than fragments and represented less than one third of the anthropogenic particles sampled in effluents but up to 84% of heat-dried sludge. The plant showed a high efficiency (>90%) in removing microplastics from wastewater. However, the amount of anthropogenic plastics debris in the 25 μm - 50 mm range still released with the effluent amounted to 12.8 ± 6.3 particles/L, representing 300 million plastic debris per day and an approximate load of microplastics of 350 particles/m3 in the receiving Henares River. WWTP mixed sludge contained 183 ± 84 particles/g while heat-dried sludge bore 165 ± 37 particles/g. The sludge of the WWTP sampled in this work, would disseminate 8 × 1011 plastic particles per year if improperly managed. The agricultural use of sludge as soil amendment in the area of Madrid could spread up to 1013 microplastic particles in agricultural soils per year.},

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}

@article{Vered2019,

title = {Using solitary ascidians to assess microplastic and phthalate plasticizers pollution among marine biota: A case study of the Eastern Mediterranean and Red Sea},

author = {Gal Vered and Aviv Kaplan and Dror Avisar and Noa Shenkar},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.12.013},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-00-00},

journal = {Marine Pollution Bulletin},

number = {138},

pages = {618-625},

abstract = {The interaction of microplastic (MP) with marine organisms is crucial for understanding the significant effect that MP and its additives may have on marine environments. However, knowledge regarding the magnitude of these pollutants in the Eastern Mediterranean Sea and the tropical Red Sea is still scarce. Here we examined the levels of phthalate acid esters (PAEs) and MP in Herdmania momus and Microcosmus exasperatus sampled along the Mediterranean and Red Sea coasts of Israel. High levels of dibutyl phthalate (DBP) and bis (2‑ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) were found in ascidians at the majority of sampling sites, and MP particles were found in ascidians at all sites. As efficient filter-feeders and being widely-distributed, invasive ascidians present fundamental opportunities for the environmental monitoring of microplastic and its additives worldwide. The high levels of pollutants revealed emphasize the need for further research into the magnitude and effects of MP and PAEs in these regions.},

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}

@article{Bordós2019,

title = {Identification of microplastics in fish ponds and natural freshwater environments of the Carpathian basin, Europe},

author = {Gábor Bordós and Béla Urbányi and Adrienn Micsinai and Balázs Kriszt and Zoltán Palotai and István Szabó and Zsolt Hantosi and Sándor Szoboszlay},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653518319714 },

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-00-00},

journal = {Chemosphere},

number = {216},

pages = {110-116},

abstract = {In the past few years, there has been a significant development in freshwater microplastic research. Pollution has been detected in lakes and rivers of several continents, but the number of papers is still marginal compared to the ones investigating marine environments. In this study, we present the first detection of microplastics (MPs) in Central and Eastern European (CEE) surface waters and, globally, the first detection in fish ponds. Samples were taken from different types of fish ponds and natural water bodies along a novel concept down to a particle size of 100 μm, then, after sample preparation, MPs were characterized using an FTIR microscope. 92% of the water samples contained MPs ranging from 3.52 to 32.05 particles/m3. MPs were detected in 69% of the sediment samples ranging from 0.46 to 1.62 particles/kg. Dominant abundance of polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene was shown in water and PP and polystyrene in sediment samples. First results also indicate that fish ponds may act as a deposition area for MPs.},

keywords = {},

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}

@article{Ambrose2019,

title = {Spatial trends and drivers of marine debris accumulation on shorelines in South Eleuthera, The Bahamas using citizen science},

author = {Kristal K. Ambrose and Carolynn Box and James Boxall and Annabelle Brooks and Marcus Eriksen and Joan Fabres and Georgios Fylakis Tony R. Walker},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X19302206},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-00-00},

journal = {Marine Pollution Bulletin},

number = {142},

pages = {145-154},

abstract = {This study measured spatial distribution of marine debris stranded on beaches in South Eleuthera, The Bahamas. Citizen science, fetch modeling, relative exposure index and predictive mapping were used to determine marine debris source and abundance. Citizen scientists quantified debris type and abundance on 16 beaches within three coastal exposures (The Atlantic Ocean, Great Bahama Bank and The Exuma Sound) in South Eleuthera. Marine debris, (~2.5 cm or larger) on each beach was monitored twice between March–May and September–November 2013 at the same locations using GPS. Approximately, 93% of all debris items were plastic with plastic fragments (≤2.5 cm) being the most common. There were spatial differences (p ≤ 0.0001) in plastic debris abundance between coastal exposures. Atlantic Ocean beaches had larger quantities of plastic debris by weight and by meter (m) of shoreline. Stranded plastic may be associated with Atlantic Ocean currents associated with leakage from the North Atlantic sub-tropical gyre.},

keywords = {},

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@article{Schnurr2019,

title = {Should Canada’s foreign aid policy help address the environmental impact of single-use plastics?},

author = {Riley E.J. Schnurr and Tony R. Walker},

url = {https://ojs.library.dal.ca/nsis/article/view/nsis50-1schnurr%2Cwalker},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-00-00},

journal = {Proceedings of the Nova Scotia Institute of Science 50(1): 35-39},

abstract = {The international community, including those from governments to environmental non-governmental organizations and from individuals to corporations have been inundated recently with talk about the environmental impacts of single-use plastics (SUPs) – especially plastic shopping bags and straws (Schnurr and Walker 2018). In Nova Scotia, marine debris collected as part of the Great Canadian Shoreline Cleanup included SUP items such as cigarette butts, food wrappers, plastic bottle caps, straws/stirrers, and plastic beverage bottles. which broadly mirror those across the rest of Canada. In addition, there were plastic fishing ropes and strapping bands (Pettipas et al. 2016). Microplastic fibers have also been found in intertidal sediments and blue mussels in Halifax Harbour (Mathalon and Hill 2014), and in most seawater grab samples collected in an ongoing study near Lunenburg (CBC News 2018). Canada’s Presidency at the 2018 G7 in Charlevoix had reducing marine plastic pollution, as one (of five) themes in “Working together on climate change, oceans and clean energy” (Government of Canada 2018; Ocean Plastics Charter 2018). After the June G7 meeting, all but two G7 leaders (including the European Union as one whole) committed to, among other announcements, an Ocean Plastics Charter (Japan and the US did not sign on, albeit for vastly different reasons) (Ocean Plastics Charter 2018). In democratic and bureaucratic fashion, the Plastics Charter contains five working areas, each with between two and six commitment actions. All are geared towards “[taking] action toward a resource-efficient lifecycle management approach to plastics in the economy” (Ocean Plastics Charter 2018). The plan is to move towards zero plastic waste, by reducing and recycling SUPs (Walker and Xanthos 2018). This is an are the most vulnerable (these two groups are often not the same). Environment Minister Catherine McKenna was optimistic the Ocean Plastics Charter could be a ‘Paris Agreement for plastics’. The Canadian leadership has spoken and has latched onto plastics as the eco-campaign of 2018. Now Canada needs to walk the talk.},

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@article{Edo2019,

title = {Occurrence and identification of microplastics along a beach in the Biosphere Reserve of Lanzarote},

author = {Carlos Edo and Miguel Tamayo-Belda and Sergio Martínez-Campos and Keila Martín-Betancor and Miguel González-Pleiter and Gerardo Pulido-Reyes and Carmen García-Ruiza and Félix Zapata and Francisco Leganés and Francisca Fernández-Piñas and Roberto Rosal},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.04.061},

doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.04.061},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-00-00},

journal = {Marine Pollution Bulletin},

number = {143},

pages = {220–227},

abstract = {This work studied the accumulation of plastic debris in a remote beach located in La Graciosa island (Chinijo archipelago, Canary Islands). Microplastics were sampled in the 1–5 mm mesh opening range. An average plastic density of 36.3 g/m² was obtained with a large variability along the 90 m of the beach (from 8.5 g/m² to 103.4 g/m²). Microplastic particles preferentially accumulated in the part of the beach protected by rocks. A total number of 9149 plastic particles were collected, recorded and measured, 87% of which corresponded to fragments. Clear colours and microscopic evidence of weathering corresponded to aged plastics wind-driven by the surface Canary Current. The chemical composition of plastics particles corresponded to PE (63%), PP (32%) and PS (3%). Higher PE/PP ratios were recorded in the more protected parts of the beach, suggesting preferential accumulation of more aged fragments.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{González-Pleiter2019,

title = {Secondary nanoplastics released from a biodegradable microplastic severely impact freshwater environments},

author = {Miguel González-Pleiter and Miguel Tamayo-Belda and Gerardo Pulido-Reyes and Georgiana Amariei and Francisco Leganés and Roberto Rosal and Francisca Fernández-Piñas},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1039/c8en01427b},

doi = {10.1039/c8en01427b},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-00-00},

journal = {Environmental Science: Nano},

volume = {6},

pages = {1382 – 1392},

abstract = {Over the last five decades, plastics production has increased as a consequence of their use in strategic sectors causing damage on aquatic ecosystems. In this context, biodegradable plastics have emerged as an ecological alternative because they are easily degradable in the environment. Despite the recent advances in the field of plastic ecotoxicology, the ecological impact of secondary nanoplastics (nanoplastics resulting from natural degradation of micro and macro plastics) in the environment remains poorly understood. Here, we have investigated the effects of secondary nanoplastics of polyhydroxybutyrate (PHB), a biodegradable plastic, on three representative organisms of aquatic ecosystems. Secondary PHB-nanoplastics were produced from PHB-microplastics by abiotic degradation under environmentally representative conditions. Secondary PHB-nanoplastics induced a significant decrease in cellular growth and altered relevant physiological parameters in all organisms. We investigated whether the observed toxicity was exerted by PHB-nanoplastics themselves or by other abiotic degradation products released from PHB-microplastics. An experiment was run in which PHB-nanoplastics were removed by ultrafiltration; the resulting supernatant was not toxic to the organisms, ruling out the presence of toxic chemicals in the PHB-microplastics. In addition, we have performed a complete physicochemical characterization confirming the presence of secondary PHB-nanoplastics in the 75–200 nm range. All results put together indicated that secondary PHB-nanoplastics released as a consequence of abiotic degradation of PHB-microplastics were harmful for the tested organisms, suggesting that biodegradable plastic does not mean safe for the environment in the case of PHB.},

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@article{Gillibert2019,

title = {Raman Tweezers for Small Microplastics and Nanoplastics Identification in Seawater},

author = {Raymond Gillibert and Gireeshkumar Balakrishnan and Quentin Deshoules and Morgan Tardivel and Alessandro Magazzù and Maria Grazia Donato and Onofrio M. Maragò and Marc Lamy de La Chapelle and Florent Colas and Fabienne Lagarde and Pietro G. Gucciardi},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b03105},

doi = {10.1021/acs.est.9b03105},

year  = {2019},

date = {2019-00-00},

journal = {Environmental Science & Technology 53, 9003-9013},

abstract = {Our understanding of the fate and distribution of micro- and nano- plastics in the marine environment is limited by the intrinsic difficulties of the techniques currently used for the detection, quantification, and chemical identification of small particles in liquid (light scattering, vibrational spectroscopies, and optical and electron microscopies). Here we introduce Raman Tweezers (RTs), namely optical tweezers combined with Raman spectroscopy, as an analytical tool for the study of micro- and nanoplastics in seawater. We show optical trapping and chemical identification of sub-20 μm plastics, down to the 50 nm range. Analysis at the single particle level allows us to unambiguously discriminate plastics from organic matter and mineral sediments, overcoming the capacities of standard Raman spectroscopy in liquid, intrinsically limited to ensemble measurements. Being a microscopy technique, RTs also permits one to assess the size and shapes of particles (beads, fragments, and fibers), with spatial resolution only limited by diffraction. Applications are shown on both model particles and naturally aged environmental samples, made of common plastic pollutants, including polyethylene, polypropylene, nylon, and polystyrene, also in the presence of a thin eco-corona. Coupled to suitable extraction and concentration protocols, RTs have the potential to strongly impact future research on micro and nanoplastics environmental pollution, and enable the understanding of the fragmentation processes on a multiscale level of aged polymers.},

keywords = {},

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}

@article{Felsing2018,

title = {A new approach in separating microplastics from environmental samples based on their electrostatic behavior},

author = {Stefanie Felsing and Christian Kochleus and Sebastian Buchinger and Nicole Brennholt and Friederike Stock and Georg Reifferscheid},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749117316548},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-00-00},

volume = {234},

pages = {20-28},

abstract = {Numerous studies on microplastics (MPs; Ø < 5 mm) in the aquatic environment have been published, but knowledge about the occurrence and ecological risks of MPs is limited. This is in part because current data on the distribution of MPs are comparable only to a limited extent, due to the many different methods of investigation. In addition, sample preparation is often difficult such that standard procedures are lacking. The aim of this work was to simplify the preparation of different kinds of MP samples. Our method makes use of the electrostatic behavior of plastic particles to facilitate their separation from sample matter, with up to 99% of the original sample mass removed without any loss of MPs. To determine the efficacy of this approach, four different materials (quartz sand, freshwater suspended particulate matter, freshwater sediment, and beach sand) were spiked with MPs (size: 0.063–5 mm from the seven most common types of plastics, one bioplastic type, polyethylene fibers, and tire wear. A modified electrostatic metal/plastic separator was used to reduce the sample mass and concentrate the plastics based on their physical separation. The recovery achieved with this method was as high as nearly 100% for each type of material. The method was then tested on plastic particles of different shapes and types isolated from the Rhine River. These were successfully electroseparated from the four materials, which demonstrated the utility of this method. Its advantages include the simplified handling and preparation of different field samples as well as a much shorter processing time, because after the last separation step there is hardly any biological material remaining in the sample fraction.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Weber2018,

title = {PET microplastics do not negatively affect the survival, development, metabolism and feeding activity of the freshwater invertebrate Gammarus pulex},

author = {Annkatrin Weber and Christian Scherer and Nicole Brennholt and Georg Reifferscheid and Martin Wagner },

url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2017.11.014},

doi = {10.1016/j.envpol.2017.11.014},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-00-00},

journal = {Environmental Pollution},

number = {234},

pages = {181-189},

publisher = {Elsevier},

abstract = {Over the past decade, microscopic plastic debris, known as microplastics, emerged as a contaminant of concern in marine and freshwater ecosystems. Although regularly detected in aquatic environments, the toxicity of those synthetic particles is not well understood. To address this, we investigated whether the exposure to microplastics adversely affects the amphipod Gammarus pulex, a key freshwater invertebrate.



Juvenile (6–9 mm) and adult (12–17 mm) individuals were exposed to irregular, fluorescent polyethylene terephthalate fragments (PET, 10–150 μm; 0.8–4,000 particles mL−1) for 24 h. Results show that body burden after 24 h depends on the dose and age of G. pulex with juveniles ingesting more microplastics than adults. After chronic exposure over 48 d, microplastics did not significantly affect survival, development (molting), metabolism (glycogen, lipid storage) and feeding activity of G. pulex.



This demonstrates that even high concentrations of PET particles did not negatively interfere with the analyzed endpoints. These results contradict previous research on marine crustaceans. Differences may result from variations in the exposure regimes (e.g., duration, particle concentrations), plastic characteristics (e.g., type, size, shape, additives) as well as the species-specific morphological, physiological and behavioral traits. As a detritivorous shredder G. pulex is adapted to feed on non-digestible materials and might, therefore, be less sensitive towards exposure to synthetic particles. Accordingly, we argue that the autecology needs to be taken into account and that research should focus on identifying traits that render species susceptible to microplastic exposure.},

keywords = {},

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tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Haider2018,

title = {Plastics of the future? The impact of biodegradable polymers on the environment and on society},

author = {Tobias Haider and Carolin Völker and Johanna Kramm and Katharina Landfester and Frederik Roman Wurm },

url = {https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201805766},

doi = {10.1002/anie.201805766},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-00-00},

abstract = {We are living in a plastic age. For most of us, life without polymers and plastics is unthinkable. However, in recent years the littering of plastics and the problems related to their persistence in the environment have become a major focus in both research and the news. Biodegradable polymers like poly(lactic acid) are seen as a suitable alternative to commodity plastics in order to minimize the impact of plastics on the environment after disposal. However, poly(lactic acid) is basically non‐degradable in seawater. Similarly, the degradation rate of other biodegradable polymers also crucially depends on the environments they end up in, such as soil or marine water, or when used in biomedical devices. In this review, we show that biodegradation tests carried out in artificial environments lack transferability to real conditions and, therefore, highlight the necessity of environmentally authentic and relevant field‐testing conditions. In addition, we focus on ecotoxicological implications of biodegradable polymers: Are there any possible adverse effects on biota caused by degradation products of the polymers? We also consider the social aspects and ask how biodegradable polymers influence consumer behavior and municipal waste management. Taken together, this study is intended as a contribution towards evaluating the potential of biodegradable polymers as alternative materials to commodity plastics.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

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@article{Kerber2018,

title = {Researching marine litter on the island Phu Quoc, Vietnam},

author = {Heide Kerber and Johanna Kramm},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-00-00},

journal = {Watersolutions 2, 26-28},

abstract = {In the last years, marine litter has become a global political issue, discussed by various international organizations and governments. There is a broad consensus that firstly, land-based sources account for 80 per cent of marine litter worldwide and secondly, the majority of plastic enters the ocean from a specific region. Over half of it comes from five rapidly growing economies: China, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam (Jambeck et al. 2015). A growing population, long coastlines, transforming consumption patterns and the quality of waste management are primary causes of the region´s pollution potential (Ocean Conservancy 2015, Ellen MacArthur Foundation 2016, Bergmann et al. 2015). 

So, how is the situation on the ground? For a case study, the Vietnamese island Phu Quoc was selected to shed light on the waste management infrastructure, on prevalent practices of local communities with regard to plastic consumption and plastic waste handling as well as on the perceptions of waste by various actors. },

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Kramm2018,

title = {Superficial or Substantial: Why Care about Microplastics in the Anthropocene?},

author = {J. Kramm and C. Völker and M. Wagner},

url = {https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1021/acs.est.8b00790},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-00-00},

journal = {Environmntal Science and Technology},

volume = {52},

number = {6},

pages = {3336–3337},

abstract = {In his recent Viewpoint, G. Allen Burton asks why “fellow scientists continue to focus on superficial microplastics risks” as “low exposure concentrations dictate there could be no risk”. He criticizes that scientists overstate the risks of microplastics, misinform the public, and “adversely influence” policy making. While we understand Burton’s frustration with at times sensationalist media reports on microplastics, we also agree with Hale that Burton’s risk assessment is premature. However, the current discourse reveals a much more fundamental issue, namely, that the disciplines of environmentaltoxicology and chemistry have yet to find their role inthe Anthropocene. The recent microbead bans are illuminatingfor this challenge: societies have decided to take action on anenvironmental “threat” before a scientific consensus on itsrelevance has evolved. We can either bemoan this as beingmisinformed or critically reflect on why our disciplines had littlesay in it. We do the latter and respond 3-fold to Burton’s “Why care?” question.

},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Gündoğdu2018,

title = {Contamination of table salts from Turkey with microplastics},

author = {Sedat Gündoğdu},

url = {https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/19440049.2018.1447694},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-00-00},

journal = {Food Additives & Contaminants: Part A },

volume = {35},

number = {5},

pages = {1006-1014},

abstract = {Microplastics (MPs) pollution has become a problem that affects all aquatic, atmospheric and terrestial environments in the world. In this study, we looked into whether MPs in seas and lakes reach consumers through table salt. For this purpose, we obtained 16 brands of table salts from the Turkish market and determined their MPs content with microscopic and Raman spectroscopic examination. According to our results, the MP particle content was 16–84 item/kg in sea salt, 8–102 item/kg in lake salt and 9–16 item/kg in rock salt. The most common plastic polymers were polyethylene (22.9%) and polypropylene (19.2%). When the amounts of MPs and the amount of salt consumed by Turkish consumers per year are considered together, if they consume sea salt, lake salt or rock salt, they consume 249–302, 203–247 or 64–78 items per year, respectively. This is the first time this concerning level of MPs content in table salts in the Turkish market has been reported.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Gündoğdu2018b,

title = {How microplastics quantities increase with flood events? An example from Mersin Bay NE Levantine coast of Turkey},

author = {Sedat Gündoğdu and Cem Çevik and Berna Ayat and Burak Aydoğan and Serkan Karaca},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749118300939},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-00-00},

journal = {Environmental Pollution},

volume = {239},

pages = {342-350},

abstract = {Floods caused by heavy rain carry significant amounts of pollutants into marine environments. This study evaluates the effect of multiple floods that occurred in the northeastern Mediterranean region in Turkey between December 2016 and January 2017 on the microplastic pollution in the Mersin Bay. Sampling was repeated in four different stations both before and after the flood period, and it was determined that in the four stations, there was an average of 539,189 MPs/km2 before the flood, and 7,699,716 MPs/km² afterwards, representing a 14-fold increase. Fourteen different polymer types were detected in an ATR FT-IR analysis, eight of which were not found in samples collected before the floods. The most common polymer type was identified as polyethylene both pre- and post-flood. The mean particle size, which was 2.37 mm in the pre-flood period, decreased to 1.13 mm in the post-flood period. A hydrodynamic modeling study was implemented to hindcast the current structure and the spatial and temporal distributions of microplastics within the study area. In conclusion, heavy rain and severe floods can dramatically increase the microplastic levels in the sea.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

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}

@article{Collard2018,

title = {Anthropogenic particles in the stomach contents and liver of the freshwater fish Squalius cephalus},

author = {France Collard and Johnny Gasperi and Bernard Gilbert and Gauthier Eppe and Sam Azimi and Vincent Rocher and BrunoTassin},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969718323891},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-00-00},

journal = {Science of the Total Environment},

number = {643},

pages = {1257–1264},

abstract = {Anthropogenic particles (APs) are a very broad category of particles produced directly or indirectly by human activities. Their ingestion by biota is well studied in the marine environment. In contrast, studies on AP ingestion in wild freshwater organisms are scarce despite high contamination levels in some rivers and lakes. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the ingestion of APs and the possible occurrence of APs in the liver and muscle of a freshwater fish, Squalius cephalus, from the Parisian conurbation. After isolation, the particles were analyzed using Raman spectroscopy. In sixty stomachs, eighteen APs were found, half of which were plastics and the other half were dyed particles. Twenty-five percent of sampled individuals had ingested at least one AP. The mean length of the APs was 2.41 mm. No significant difference was found between the sites upstream and downstream of Paris. Additionally, 5% of sampled livers contained one or more APs, which were characterized as microplastics (MPs). No APs were found in the muscle tissue. The majority of APs isolated from stomach contents were fibers, which is similar to the findings of a previous river contamination study. This highlights that fish could be more exposed to fibers than previously thought and that more studies on the impacts of fiber ingestion are required. Despite their low occurrence, MPs are reported, for the first time, in the liver of a wild freshwater fish species. While the pathways and impacts are still unknown, MPs also occur in liver of marine mollusks and fish. Physiological in vitro studies are needed to better evaluate the impacts of such phenomena.},

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tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Dris2018,

title = {Microplastic contamination in the Seine River: Spatial and temporal variations of synthetic and non-synthetic fibers},

author = {Rachid Dris and Johnny Gasperi and Vincent Rocher and Bruno Tassin},

url = {https://astee-tsm.fr/articles/tsm/abs/2018/04/tsm201805p45/tsm201805p45.html},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-00-00},

journal = {Techniques - Sciences - Methodes},

number = {5},

pages = {45–53},

abstract = {Processed fibers are highly present in our daily life and can be either natural, artificial (regenerated cellulose) or synthetic (made with petrochemicals). Their widespread use leads to a high contamination of the environment. Previous studies focus on plastic particles regardless of their type or shape as long as they are smaller than 5 mm. On the contrary, this study focuses exclusively on fibers using a smaller mesh size net (80 μm) to sample freshwater. First, the short term temporal variability of the fibers in the environment was assessed. While exposing the sampling net during 1 minute, a coefficient of variation of approx. 45% (with n = 6) was determined. It was of only 26% (n = 6) when the exposure was of 3 minutes. The assessment of the distribution through the section showed a possible difference in concentrations between the middle of the water surface and the river banks which could be attributed to the intense river traffic within the Paris Megacity. The vertical variability seems negligible as turbulence and current conditions homogenize the distribution of the fibers. A monthly monitoring showed concentrations of 100.6 ± 99.9 fibers/m³ in the Marne River and of 48.5 ± 98.5, 27.9 ± 26.3, 27.9 ± 40.3 and 22.1 ± 25.3 fibers/m³ from the upstream to downstream points in the Seine River. Once these concentrations are converted into fluxes, it seems that the impact generated by the Paris Megacity cannot be distinguished. Investigations on the role of sedimentation and deposition on the banks are required. This study helped fill some major knowledge gaps regarding the fibers in rivers, their sampling, occurrence, spatial-temporal distribution and fluxes. It is encouraged that future studies include both synthetic and none synthetic fibers.},

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tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Dris2018b,

title = {Synthetic and non-synthetic anthropogenic fibers in a river under the impact of Paris Megacity: Sampling methodological aspects and flux estimations},

author = {Rachid Dris and Johnny Gasperi and Vincent Rocher and Bruno Tassin},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969717330723?via%3Dihub},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-00-00},

journal = {Science of the Total Environment },

number = {618},

pages = {157–164},

abstract = {Processed fibers are highly present in our daily life and can be either natural, artificial (regenerated cellulose) and synthetic (made with petrochemicals). Their widespread use lead inevitably to a high contamination of environment. Previous studies focus on plastic particles regardless of their type or shape as long as they are comprised between 330μm and 5mm. On the contrary, this study focuses exclusively on fibers using a smaller mesh size net (80μm) to sample freshwater. Moreover, all processed organic fibers are considered, irrespective to their nature. First, the short term temporal variability of the fibers in the environment was assessed. While exposing the sampling net during 1min a coefficient of variation of approx. 45% (with n=6) was determined. It was of only 26% (n=6) when the exposure was of 3min. The assessment of the distribution through the section showed a possible difference in concentrations between the middle of the water surface and the river banks which could be attributed to the intense river traffic within the Paris Megacity. The vertical variability seems negligible as turbulence and current conditions homogenize the distribution of the fibers. A monthly monitoring showed concentrations of 100.6±99.9fibers·m-3 in the Marne River and of: 48.5±98.5, 27.9±26.3, 27.9±40.3 and 22.1±25.3fibers·m-3 from the upstream to downstream points in the Seine River. Once these concentrations are converted into fluxes, it seems that the impact generated by the Paris Megacity cannot be distinguished. Investigations on the role of sedimentation and deposition on the banks are required. This study helped fill some major knowledge gaps regarding the fibers in rivers, their sampling, occurrence, spatial-temporal distribution and fluxes. It is encouraged that future studies include both synthetic and none synthetic fibers.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Lahens2018,

title = {Macroplastic and microplastic contamination assessment of a tropical river (Saigon River, Vietnam) transversed by a developing megacity},

author = {Lisa Lahens and Emilie Strady and Thuy-ChungKieu-Le and Rachid Dris and Kada Boukermae and Emmanuel Rinnert and Johnny Gasperi and Bruno Tassin},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749117330579},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-00-00},

journal = {Environmental Pollution},

volume = {236},

pages = {661–671},

abstract = {Both macroplastic and microplastic contamination levels were assessed for the first time in a tropical river estuary system, i.e. the Saigon River, that traverses a developing South East Asian megacity, i.e. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The analysis of floating debris collected daily on the Nhieu Loc – Thi Nghe canal by the municipal waste management service shows that the plastic mass percentage represents 11–43%, and the land-based plastic debris entering the river was estimated from 0.96 to 19.91 g inhabitant−1 d−1, namely 350 to 7270 g inhabitant−1 yr−1. Microplastics were assessed in the Saigon River and in four urban canals by sampling bulk water for anthropogenic fiber analysis and 300 μm mesh size plankton net exposition for fragment analysis. Fibers and fragments are highly concentrated in this system, respectively 172,000 to 519,000 items m−3 and 10 to 223 items m−3. They were found in various colors and shapes with smallest size and surface classes being predominant. The macroplastics and fragments were mainly made of polyethylene and polypropylene while the anthropogenic fibers were mainly made of polyester. The relation between macroplastic and microplastic concentrations, waste management, population density and water treatment are further discussed.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Bordos2018,

title = {Development of a jet pump based sampling system for freshwaters},

author = {Gabór Bordos and Balazs Kriszt and Zoltan Palotai and Sandor Szoboszlay},

url = {https://micro2018.sciencesconf.org/resource/page/id/8},

isbn = {978-84-09-06477-9},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-00-00},

journal = {MICRO 2018. Fate and Impact of Microplastics: Knowledge, Actions and Solutions.},

abstract = {Freshwater studies have mainly been adopting sampling methods from marine research, thus the most commonly used tool is the plankton or manta net, usually with a mesh size of 300 µm or 333 µm. There are certain conditions when application of these sampling systems is com- plicated onsmaller freshwater bodies. Also, the filtered water volume is not obviously defined (due to clogging) even if a flow meter is used. To avoid these difficulties, another sampling approach is needed. Thetechnique using a pump and a set of filters is more common during wastewater sampling than inlakes or rivers. Until now, only a few studies have presented sampling systems that were based on asubmersible or a jet pump, including stainless steel filters. We developed a mobile sampling system that has many benefits when it is applied in inland freshwaters. The size of the complete apparatus enables sampling from a smaller boat or from the shore as well. A jet pump is operated by an aggregator. A PVC hose with a brass foot valve including a 2 mm mesh size strainer is put right under the water surface and is connected to thepump. Water is filtered through a set of 10” stainless steel filter cartridges (variable mesh size) instainless steel housing. Water quantity is measured by a flowmeter precisely. To prevent clogging of the fine mesh size filter (60 im), we coupled two cartridges and put in a 300 im pre-filter. This system enables sampling of more than 2.000 L water even if the Secchi depth is no more than 10 cm (e.g. due to flood or plankton). Project no. KFI 16-1-2017-0477 has been implemented with the support provided by the Na- tional Research, Development and Innovation Fund of Hungary, financed under the ”Vallalati KFI 16” funding scheme.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{González-Fernández2018,

title = {Floating Macro Litter in European Rivers – Top Items},

author = {Daniel González-Fernández and Georg Hanke and RiLON network},

url = {https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/a0475f87-fc2d-11e8-a96d-01aa75ed71a1/language-en},

doi = {10.2760/316058},

isbn = {978-92-79-96373-5},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-00-00},

journal = {Publication office of the European Union, Luxembourg},

abstract = {The JRC exploratory project RIMMEL provides information about litter, mainly plastic waste, entering the European Seas through river systems. RIMMEL has collected data on riverine floating macro litter inputs to the sea. Data acquisition was based on the Riverine Litter Observation Network (RiLON) activities, which collected data from rivers in the European marine basins over a period of one year (September 2016 – September 2017). Data was collected by visual observations and documented with the JRC Floating Litter Monitoring Application for mobile devices, allowing a harmonized reporting,… compatible with the MSFD Master List of Categories for Litter Items. This report includes the Top Items lists of riverine floating macro litter, based on the total amount of litter items identified during RiLON activities and ranked by abundance. Top Items lists have been elaborated considering the whole database for the European Seas and further detailed for each individual European regional sea: Baltic Sea, Black Sea, Mediterranean Sea and North-East Atlantic. The North-East Atlantic and the Mediterranean Sea regions showed similar litter categories in their Top 20 Items. These two regions provided most of the available data, influencing the general Top Items list. In the Black Sea and Baltic Sea regions, where data availability was limited, the Top Items lists showed more differences among the different regions. Overall, the general Top Items list for the European Seas showed a predominance of plastic item categories (artificial polymer materials). As a whole, plastic items made up to 80.8% of all objects, with plastic and polystyrene fragments comprising 45% of the identified items in the database. Additionally, Single Use Plastics such as bottles, cover/packaging and bags were also ranked among the most frequently found floating litter. The similarities in the Top 10 and Top 20 items for the different regions, and the appearance of Single Use Plastics scoring high in the ranking, support the need for common actions against plastic pollution at EU level. },

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Crosti2018,

title = {‘Down to the river’: amount, composition, and economic sector of litter entering the marine compartment, through the Tiber river in the Western Mediterranean Sea},

author = { Roberto Crosti and Antonella Arcangeli and Ilaria Campana and Miriam Paraboschi and Daniel González-Fernández},

url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12210-018-0747-y},

doi = {10.1007/s12210-018-0747-y},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-00-00},

journal = {Rendiconti Lincei. Scienze Fisiche e Naturali},

number = {29},

pages = {859-866},

abstract = {Land-based activities are, undoubtedly, the main source of marine litter, particularly in a highly populated closed sea basin, such as the Mediterranean Sea. Rivers, consequently, act as a pathway of mismanaged waste to the sea. While quantification of inputs is a difficult task, the assessment of abundance, composition trends and baselines, and the identification of sources and main sectors producing marine litter are of crucial importance to support the ability of policy makers to improve waste reduction measures. For this reason, the Joint Research Centre (JRC/RIMMEL) coordinated a network of several research bodies that monitored floating litter (> 2.5 cm) from fixed observation points located on rivers near the sea using the same systematic research protocol. In Italy, one of the surveyed rivers was the Tiber, the third longest river on the peninsula, which after running through the city of Rome divides into two branches before flowing into the Tyrrhenian Sea. Results of 1 year of monitoring, September 2016–August 2017, highlight that 82% of the floating items were plastic and belong to the food and cosmetic sector, and it was estimated that 85.4% (± 9.4) of litter items get into the sea each hour from the Tiber river canal in Fiumicino, of which approximately 30% were already fragmented.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Walker2018,

title = {China’s ban on imported plastic waste could be a game changer (online). China’s ban could curb plastic waste (print)},

author = {Tony R. Walker},

url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-018-00933-6},

doi = {10.1038/d41586-018-00933-6},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-00-00},

journal = {Nature 553(7689)},

abstract = {China’s ban on imports of recycled plastic from developed countries takes effect this month. It could be a game changer if it weans us off plastic and forces us to seek sustainable alternatives. With no suitable strategies in place for dealing with this extra unexpected plastic, countries must quickly devise and implement alternative waste-management solutions (see also C. M. Rochman et al. Nature 494, 169–171; 2013). Many jurisdictions have legislation that prohibits dumping of plastic waste into landfill. And stockpiling plastic refuse is ill-advised, given the fire risk at storage sites (see, for example, go.nature.com/2dh3mbg). Moves to change consumer behaviour and implement strategies to cut plastic usage are gaining momentum. International policies and financial disincentives to curb the proliferation of single-use plastics (plastic bags and microbeads) are already showing positive results (D. Xanthos and T. R. Walker Mar. Pollut. Bull. 118, 17–26; 2017). These should be extended to include a ban on other items such as plastic drinking straws, and by widely introducing deposit-and-return schemes for plastic bottles.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Karbalaei2018,

title = {Occurrence, sources, human health impacts and mitigation of microplastic pollution},

author = {Samaneh Karbalaei and Parichehr Hanachi and Tony R. Walker and Matthew Cole},

url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s11356-018-3508-7},

doi = {10.1007/s1135},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-00-00},

journal = {Environmental Science and Pollution Research 25(36): 36046–36063},

abstract = {The presence and accumulation of plastic and microplastic (MP) debris in the natural environment is of increasing concern and has become the focus of attention for many researchers. Plastic debris is a prolific, long-lived pollutant that is highly resistant to environmental degradation, readily adheres hydrophobic persistent organic pollutants and is linked to morbidity and mortality in numerous aquatic organisms. The prevalence of MPs within the natural environment is a symptom of continuous and rapid growth in synthetic plastic production and mismanagement of plastic waste. Many terrestrial and marine-based processes, including domestic and industrial drainage, maritime activities agricultural runoff and wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) effluent, contribute to MP pollution in aquatic environments. MPs have been identified in food consumed by human and in air samples, and exposure to MPs via ingestion or inhalation could lead to adverse human health effects. Regulations in many countries have already been established or will soon be implemented to reduce MPs in aquatic environments. This review focuses on the occurrence, sources, and transport of MPs in terrestrial and aquatic environments to highlight potential human health effects, and applicable regulations to mitigate impacts of MPs. This study also highlights the importance of personality traits and cognitive ability in reducing the entry of MPs into the environment.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Schnurr2018,

title = {Reducing marine pollution from single-use plastics (SUPs): A review},

author = {Riley E.J. Schnurr and Vanessa Alboiu and Meenakshi Chaudhary and Roan A. Corbett and Meaghan E. Quanz and Karthikeshwar Sankar and Harveer S. Srain and Venukasan Thavarajah and Dirk Xanthos and Tony R. Walker},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X18307033},

doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.10.001},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-00-00},

journal = {Marine Pollution Bulletin 137: 157-171},

abstract = {Single-use plastics, or SUPs (plastic bags, microbeads, cutlery, straws and polystyrene) are substantial sources of plastic marine pollution, yet preventable via legislative and non-legislative interventions. Various international legislative strategies have been reported to address plastic marine pollution from plastic bags and microbeads, but these have since been accompanied by recent increasing public awareness triggered by international agencies and organizations. The Sixth International Marine Debris Conference highlighted increasing intervention strategies to mitigate SUP pollution. This study presents new multi-jurisdictional legislative interventions to reduce SUPs since 2017 and incorporates emergence of new non-legislative interventions to mitigate other types of SUPs at individual and private-sector levels that complement or influence legislative interventions. Further, effectiveness of SUP bag interventions (e.g., bans vs. levies) to help reduce SUP marine pollution are presented and range between 33 and 96% reduction in bag use.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Zhe2018,

title = {Are exports of recyclables from developed to developing countries waste pollution transfer or part of the global circular economy?},

author = {Liu Zhe and Michelle Adams and Tony R. Walker},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921344918301368},

doi = {10.1016/j.resconrec.2018.04.005},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-00-00},

journal = {Resources, Conservation and Recycling},

number = {136},

pages = {22-23},

abstract = {CE has benefitted the global economy for years, including China. For example, developed countries benefitted from cost savings associated with exporting waste to China where there were less stringent Chinese environmental laws, but developed countries failed to incorporate true environmental costs. China also benefitted by importing recyclable waste to supplement its domestic manufacturing industries, yet imported plastic waste was considered inferior, and often unusable (i.e., generating more waste), compared to domestic waste by China’s manufacturing industries. In future, the key will be to establish fair-trading systems for waste reutilization across countries globally to reduce waste generation. Firstly, we argue that to reduce waste generation in developed countries, reduced consumption is imperative, since current per capita waste generation in developed countries is much higher than in developing countries. Developed countries, like Canada, need to adopt zero plastic waste strategies by reducing and recycling single-use plastics (Walker and Xanthos, 2018). Secondly, developed countries need to help developing countries deal with their environmental issues, caused by waste reutilization, by transferring waste management and recycling technologies, investing in R&D and training local employees to mitigate potential environmental risks. Thirdly, from a global perspective, implementing extended producer responsibility (EPR) systems across developed and developing countries to help reshape and rebalance the global CE should be undertaken.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Walker2018b,

title = {A call for Canada to move toward zero plastic waste by reducing and recycling single-use plastics},

author = {Tony R. Walker and Dirk Xanthos},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0921344918300612},

doi = {10.1016/j.resconrec.2018.02.014.},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-00-00},

journal = {Resources, Conservation & Recycling},

number = {133},

pages = {99-10},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Walker2018c,

title = {Drowning in debris: Solutions for a global pervasive marine pollution problem},

author = {Tony R. Walker},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X17309967},

doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.039},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-00-00},

journal = {Marine Pollution Bulletin},

volume = {126},

number = {1},

pages = {338},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Das2018,

title = {Geochemical Characterization and Mineralogical Assemblage of Burhi-Dihing and Noa-Dihing - The Largest South Bank Tributaries of the Brahmaputra River},

author = {Aparna Das and Sumi Handique and Monalisa Chaowlu and Manish Kumar},

url = {https://content.iospress.com/articles/asian-journal-of-water-environment-and-pollution/ajw160034},

year  = {2018},

date = {2018-00-00},

journal = {Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution},

volume = {13},

number = {4},

pages = {13-24},

abstract = {Mineralogical studies are valuable in understanding past weathering regimes induced by changing climatic conditions. Information about the bedrock lithology, weathering regimes, erosion and sedimentation rates are fundamental issues for better understanding of the river catchment behaviours. In this context, therefore, major ions, trace metals and clay mineral compositions of the sediment and water of Noa-Dihing and Burhi-Dihing rivers, the southbank tributaries of the Brahmaputra river, have been examined. Chemical index of alteration (CIA) values of both Noa-Dihing and Burhi-Dihing rivers suggests the prevalence of moderate chemical weathering events and formation of minerals such as muscovite, illite and smectite in the river catchment. Metal distribution in both rivers shows highly toxic metals, comprised of 32% of total mineral composition, and are less abundant with respect to moderately toxic metals (37%) except Zr, which comprises 37% and 32% respectively of the total mineral compositions. Comparison of sediment chemistry with composition of source rocks and average Upper Continental Crust (UCC) suggests higher depletion of CaO, Na2O, P2O5, Al2O3, SiO2, MgO and MnO signifying the dominance of mafic mineral phases. Loss of these metal oxides from the bed rocks during weathering and/or less abundance of clay in bed sediments compared to that in UCC may also be attributed to depleted values of these minerals. This is further substantiated by grain size analysis i.e. more abundance of sandy silt as compared to clay minerals in the overbank and channel sediments of Noa-Dihing and Burhi-Dihing rivers. Chemical Index of Alteration (CIA) varies significantly from 64.49 to 81.21, indicating large spatial variability in the intensity of chemical weathering of upper Brahmaputra basin. Multivariate analysis suggests that natural weathering processes of alkaline earth metals can be associated with release of trace metals in a riverine system and releasing mechanism of transition metal and their oxides are same and that of alkali and alkaline earth metal are similar.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Gabriela2017,

title = {Impact of polyethylene microbeads on the floating freshwater plant duckweed},

author = {Kalčíková Gabriela and Andreja Žgajnar Gotvajn and Aleš Kladnik and Anita Jemec Kokalj},

url = {https://www.plastic-network.org/aw-pl18_A-nEt/wp-content/uploads/2019/01/Kalcikova_2017_-MPs_duckweed.pdf},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-00-00},

urldate = {2017-00-00},

journal = {Environmental pollution},

volume = {230},

pages = {1108-1115},

abstract = {Microplastics (MP), small plastic particles below 5 mm, have become one of the central concerns of environmental risk assessment. Microplastics are continuously being released into the aquatic environment either directly through consumer products or indirectly through fragmentation of larger plastic materials. The aim of our study was to investigate the effect of polyethylene microbeads from cosmetic products on duckweed (Lemna minor), a freshwater floating plant. The effects of microbeads from two exfoliating products on the specific leaf growth rate, the chlorophyll a and b content in the leaves, root number, root length and root cell viability were assessed. At the same time, water leachates from microbeads were also prepared to exclude the contribution of cosmetic ingredients on the measured impacts. Specific leaf growth rate and content of photosynthetic pigments in duckweed leaves were not affected by polyethylene microbeads, but these microbeads significantly affected the root growth by mechanical blocking. Sharp particles also reduced the viability of root cells, while the impact of microbeads with a smooth surface was neglected. It was concluded that microbeads from cosmetic products can also have negative impacts on floating plants in freshwater ecosystems.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Gabriela2017b,

title = {Wastewater treatment plant effluents as source of cosmetic polyethylene microbeads to freshwater},

author = {Kalčíková Gabriela and Branko Alič and Tina Skalar and Mirco Bundschuh and Andreja Žgajnar Gotvajn},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653517313541

},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-00-00},

journal = {Chemosphere},

volume = {188},

pages = {25-31},

abstract = {Microplastics in the environment are either a product of the fractionation of larger plastic items or a consequence of the release of microbeads, which are ingredients of cosmetics, through wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents. The aim of this study was to estimate the amount of microbeads that may be released by the latter pathways to surface waters using Ljubljana, Slovenia as a case study. For this purpose, microbeads contained in cosmetics were in a first step characterized for their physical properties and particle size distribution. Subsequently, daily emission of microbeads from consumers to the sewerage system, their fate in biological WWTPs and finally their release into surface waters were estimated for Ljubljana. Most of the particles found in cosmetic products were <100 μm. After application, microbeads are released into sewerage system at an average rate of 15.2 mg per person per day. Experiments using a lab-scale sequencing batch biological WWTP confirmed that on average 52% of microbeads are captured in activated sludge. Particle size analyses of the influent and effluent confirmed that smaller particles (up to 60–70 μm) are captured within activated sludge while bigger particles were detected in the effluent. Applying these data to the situation in Ljubljana indicates that about 112,500,000 particles may daily be released into the receiving river, resulting in a microbeads concentration of 21 particles/m3. Since polyethylene particles cannot be degraded and thus likely accumulate, the data raise concerns about potential effects in aquatic ecosystems in future.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Brennholt2017,

title = {Freshwater microplastics: challenges for regulation and management. In: Martin Wagner & Scott Lambert (Eds.): Freshwater microplastics: Emerging environmental contaminants?},

author = {Nicole Brennholt and Maren Heß and Georg Reifferscheid},

url = {https://www.springer.com/de/book/9783319616148},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-00-00},

journal = {Martin Wagner & Scott Lambert (Eds.): Freshwater microplastics: Emerging environmental contaminants? The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry. Springer-Verlag},

abstract = {The accumulation of plastic debris in aquatic environments is one of the major but least studied human pressures on aquatic ecosystems. Besides the general waste burden in waterbodies, (micro)plastic debris gives rise to ecological and social problems. Related to marine ecosystems, these problems are already in the center of interest of science, policy, and public. The United Nations Environment Programme, for instance, drafted a joint report on “marine plastic debris and microplastics,” and the European Community included the issue into the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive, descriptor 10 “marine litter.”



However, (micro)plastic litter in freshwater systems is not yet explicitly addressed in the respective regulations, although the issue is relevant for many international and national policy instruments and initiatives. Many conventions, agreements, regulations, strategies, action plans, programs, and guidelines refer to “all wastes” in general. This should also concern (micro)plastic waste.



This chapter provides an overview of the regulatory instruments developed at different levels to address freshwater (micro)plastic litter. Beyond that, specific management options and measures that are either compulsory or voluntary are presented. Nevertheless, only few options have been realized so far. Reasons are numerous, first and foremost the lack of consensus on the definition of microplastics.



The complexity of these particulate stressors with very heterogeneous physicochemical characteristics poses new challenges for regulation and management. We highlight the most important questions from the perspective of freshwater monitoring. Furthermore, we discuss a possible adaption of existing environmental policy instruments and potential management options for single categories of (micro)plastics.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Scherer2017,

title = {Interactions of microplastics with freshwater biota. In: Martin Wagner & Scott Lambert (Eds.): Freshwater microplastics: Emerging environmental contaminants?},

author = {Christian Scherer and Annkatrin Weber and Scott Lambert and Martin Wagner},

url = {https://www.springer.com/de/book/9783319616148},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-00-00},

journal = {Martin Wagner & Scott Lambert (Eds.): Freshwater microplastics: Emerging environmental contaminants?  The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry. Springer-Verlag.},

abstract = {The ubiquitous detection of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems promotes the concern for adverse impacts on freshwater ecosystems. The wide variety of material types, sizes, shapes, and physicochemical properties renders interactions with biota via multiple pathways probable.



So far, our knowledge about the uptake and biological effects of microplastics comes from laboratory studies, applying simplified exposure regimes (e.g., one polymer and size, spherical shape, high concentrations) often with limited environmental relevance. However, the available data illustrates species- and material-related interactions and highlights that microplastics represent a multifaceted stressor. Particle-related toxicities will be driven by polymer type, size, and shape. Chemical toxicity is driven by the adsorption-desorption kinetics of additives and pollutants. In addition, microbial colonization, the formation of hetero-aggregates, and the evolutionary adaptations of the biological receptor further increase the complexity of microplastics as stressors. Therefore, the aim of this chapter is to synthesize and critically revisit these aspects based on the state of the science in freshwater research. Where unavailable we supplement this with data on marine biota. This provides an insight into the direction of future research.



In this regard, the challenge is to understand the complex interactions of biota and plastic materials and to identify the toxicologically most relevant characteristics of the plethora of microplastics. Importantly, as the direct biological impacts of natural particles may be similar, future research needs to benchmark synthetic against natural materials. Finally, given the scale of the research question, we need a multidisciplinary approach to understand the role of microplastics in a multiple-particle world.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Scherer2017b,

title = {Feeding strategy and development drive the ingestion of microplastics by freshwater invertebrates},

author = {Christian Scherer and Nicole Brennholt and Georg Reifferscheid and Martin Wagner },

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-00-00},

journal = {Scientific Reports},

volume = {7},

abstract = {Microscopic plastic items (microplastics) are ubiquitously present in aquatic ecosystems. With decreasing size their availability and potential to accumulate throughout food webs increase. However, little is known on the uptake of microplastics by freshwater invertebrates. To address this, we exposed species with different feeding strategies to 1, 10 and 90 µm fluorescent polystyrene spheres (3–3 000 particles mL−1). Additionally, we investigated how developmental stages and a co-exposure to natural particles (e.g., food) modulate microplastic ingestion. All species ingested microplastics in a concentration-dependent manner with Daphnia magna consuming up to 6 180 particles h−1, followed by Chironomus riparius (226 particles h−1), Physella acuta (118 particles h−1), Gammarus pulex (10 particles h−1) and Lumbriculus variegatus (8 particles h−1). D. magna did not ingest 90 µm microplastics whereas the other species preferred larger microplastics over 1 µm in size. In C. riparius and D. magna, size preference depended on the life stage with larger specimens ingesting more and larger microplastics. The presence of natural particles generally reduced the microplastics uptake. Our results demonstrate that freshwater invertebrates have the capacity to ingest microplastics. However, the quantity of uptake depends on their feeding type and morphology as well as on the availability of microplastics.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Völker2017,

title = {More Than a Potential Hazard – Approaching Risks from a Social-Ecological Perspective},

author = {Carolin Völker and Johanna Kramm and Heide Kerber and Engelbert Schramm and Martina Winker and Martin Zimmermann},

url = {https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/a7dd/1d75f0d03eff1a8953d355fb7302cd423144.pdf},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-00-00},

journal = {Sustainability. Special Issue “Social Ecology. State of the Art and Future Prospects” 9 (7), 1039},

abstract = {Risks have been classically understood as a probability of damage or a potential hazard resulting in appropriate management strategies. However, research on environmental issues such

as pollutants in the aquatic environment or the impacts of climate change have shown that classical management approaches do not sufficiently cover these interactions between society and nature.

There have been several attempts to develop interdisciplinary approaches to risk that include natural as well as social science contributions. In this paper, the authors aim at developing a social-ecological

perspective on risk by drawing on the concept of societal relations to nature and the model of provisioning systems. This perspective is used to analyze four cases, pharmaceuticals, microplastics,

semicentralized water infrastructures and forest management, with regard to risk identification, assessment and management. Finally, the paper aims at developing a perspective on risks which

takes into account non-intended side-effects, system interdependencies and uncertainty.

},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Gündoğdu2017,

title = {Micro-and mesoplastics in Northeast Levantine coast of Turkey: the preliminary results from surface samples},

author = {Sedat Gündoğdu and Cem Çevik},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X17302084},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-00-00},

journal = {Marine Pollution Bulletin},

volume = {118},

number = {1-2},

pages = {341-347},

abstract = {The determination of the microplastic distribution will be beneficial as a measure of the potential effects on the environment. The Mediterranean Sea had a high risk of pollution as it was enclosed by highly populated and industrialized countries. Here, we determined the level of micro- and mesoplastic pollution in Iskenderun and Mersin Bays, located in the Northeastern Levantine coast of Turkey. The average level of both micro- and mesoplastic was determined to be 0.376 item/m2 at seven stations. The highest level was determined in Mersin Bay at the mouth of the Seyhan river (Station no. 7, with 906 items), and the lowest level was found in Station no. 4 in Iskenderun Bay (78 items). As a result of this study, it was determined that the microplastic pollution level in the Mediterranean coast of Turkey was similar to the other regions of the Mediterranean Sea.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Gündoğdu2017b,

title = {Fouling assemblage of benthic plastic debris collected from Mersin Bay, NE Levantine coast of Turkey},

author = {Sedat Gündoğdu and Cem Çevik},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X17306045},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-00-00},

journal = {Marine Pollution Bulletin},

volume = {124},

number = {1},

pages = {147-154},

abstract = {The Mediterranean is an ecosystem that faces more and more microplastic pollution every day. This causes the whole of the Mediterranean to face the negative effects of plastic pollution. This study examines the state of plastic debris and fouling organisms found on it in one of the areas most affected by plastic pollution, Mersin Bay. As a result, a total of 3.88 kg plastic (mean = 0,97 kg; \emph{n} = 120; 2670 item/km²; 86,3 kg/km²) was collected and based on the ATR-FTIR analysis, it was determined that this total contained 9 types of plastics. 17 different fouling \emph{sp}ecies belonging to 6 phylum (Annelida, Arthropoda, Bryozoa, Chordata, Cnidaria, Mollusca) 7 class and 11 order were discovered on plastics. Spirobranchus triqueter, Hydroides sp. and Neopycnodonte cochlear were the most abundant species. In the end, the example of Mersin Bay shows that plastic debris as a substrate can contain a very high diversity of life just like natural substrates.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Gündoğdu2017c,

title = {High level of micro-plastic pollution in the Iskenderun Bay NE Levantine coast of Turkey},

author = {Sedat Gündoğdu},

url = {http://www.egejfas.org/issue/29803/329228},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-00-00},

journal = {Ege Journal of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences},

volume = {34},

number = {4},

pages = {401 – 408},

abstract = {Microplastic pollution is a global problem. The Mediterranean Sea, especially, has high pressure of pollution as it is enclosed by highly populated and industrialized countries. In this study, we have determined the level of microplastic pollution in the Iskenderun Bay, located in the Northeastern Levantine coast of Turkey. The average level of microplastic has been determined to be 1,067,120 particles/km² at fourteen stations. The highest level has been determined at the M4 station in the middle of the bay (with 1820 items; 2,888,889 particles/km²), and the lowest level has been found at the M11 station (62 items; 98,412 particles/km²). As a result of this study, it was determined that the microplastic pollution level in the Iskenderun Bay is higher than the other regions of the Mediterranean Sea.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Syberg2017,

title = {Risk Perception of Plastic Pollution: Importance of Stakeholder Involvement and Citizen Science},

author = {Kristian Syberg and Steffen Foss Hansen and Thomas Budde Christensen and Farhan R. Khan},

url = {https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-61615-5_10},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-00-00},

journal = {Wagner M., Lambert S. (eds.). Freshwater Microplastics. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 58. Springer, Cham},

publisher = {Freshwater Microplastics. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 58. Springer, Cham},

abstract = {Risk perception has a significant impact on how society reacts to a given risk. There have been cases where a mismatch between the actual risk and the perception of it has led to poor decisions on societal initiatives, such as inappropriate regulatory measures. It is therefore important that the perception of risk is based on an informed foundation acknowledging the biases and drivers that inevitably go with risk perception. Plastic pollution differs in regard to other classical risks, such as those posed by chemicals or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), since the pollution is more visible and already has a significant magnitude. At the same time, everyone is familiar with using plastic, and our daily lives are highly dependent on the use of plastic. This offers some potential to strengthen the societal risk perception and subsequently implement effective measures to address the pollution.



In this chapter, we define eight risk perception drivers (voluntariness, control, knowledge, timing, severity, benefit, novelty, and tangibility) and relate these drivers to plastic pollution. We discuss the process in which plastic pollution has been recognized as an important environmental problem by scientists, the public, and policy makers and elaborate on how the eight risk drivers have influenced this process. Plastic pollution has several of the characteristics that can enhance people’s perception of the risk as being important and which has generated great awareness of the problem. The chapter finally discusses how risk perception can be improved by greater stakeholder involvement and utilization of citizen science and thereby improve the foundation for timely and efficient societal measures.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Dris2017,

title = {A first overview of textile fibers, including microplastics, in indoor and outdoor environments},

author = {Rachid Dris and Johnny Gasperi and Cécile Mirande and Corinne Mandin and Mohamed Guerrouache and Valérie Langlois and Bruno Tassin},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749116312325},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-00-00},

journal = {Environmental Pollution},

number = {221},

pages = {453–458},

abstract = {Studies about microplastics in various environments highlighted the ubiquity of anthropogenic fibers. As a follow-up of a recent study that emphasized the presence of man-made fibers in atmospheric fallout, this study is the first one to investigate fibers in indoor and outdoor air. Three different indoor sites were considered: two private apartments and one office. In parallel, the outdoor air was sampled in one site. The deposition rate of the fibers and their concentration in settled dust collected from vacuum cleaner bags were also estimated. Overall, indoor concentrations ranged between 1.0 and 60.0 fibers/m³. Outdoor concentrations are significantly lower as they range between 0.3 and 1.5 fibers/m³. The deposition rate of the fibers in indoor environments is between 1586 and 11,130 fibers/day/m² leading to an accumulation of fibers in settled dust (190–670 fibers/mg). Regarding fiber type, 67% of the analyzed fibers in indoor environments are made of natural material, primarily cellulosic, while the remaining 33% fibers contain petrochemicals with polypropylene being predominant. Such fibers are observed in marine and continental studies dealing with microplastics. The observed fibers are supposedly too large to be inhaled but the exposure may occur through dust ingestion, particularly for young children.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{González-Fernández2017,

title = {Toward a Harmonized Approach for Monitoring of Riverine Floating Macro Litter Inputs to the Marine Environment},

author = {Daniel González-Fernández and Georg Hanke},

url = {https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fmars.2017.00086/full},

doi = {10.3389/fmars.2017.00086},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-00-00},

journal = {Frontiers in Marine Science},

volume = {4},

number = {86},

pages = {1-7},

abstract = {A high percentage of the litter entering the marine environment is assumed to come from land-based sources, but freshwater litter inputs have not been quantified. The lack of data and knowledge on fluxes of riverine litter to the sea, i.e., quantities and sources, hinders implementation of appropriate environmental regulations and mitigation measures. Estimations of riverine litter inputs require a consistent and harmonized approach to gather comparable data. The visual observation of floating litter on rivers has been selected as a simple and robust methodology for litter monitoring. A collaborative network of 36 institutions has been set-up for large spatial coverage. Currently 58 rivers are being observed regularly. A tablet computer application has been developed for the monitoring of floating macro litter (>2.5 cm) to harmonize the visual observations. The application allows recording of the observed items, their size and geo-position data during monitoring sessions. A common agreed list of litter items and size ranges is used, providing a common harmonized approach for data collection and reporting. },

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Xanthos2017,

title = {International policies to reduce plastic marine pollution from single-use plastics (plastic bags and microbeads): A review},

author = {Dirk Xanthos and Tony R. Walker},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X17301650},

doi = {10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.02.048},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-00-00},

journal = {Marine Pollution Bulletin. 118(1-2): 17-26},

abstract = {Marine plastic pollution has been a growing concern for decades. Single-use plastics (plastic bags and microbeads) are a significant source of this pollution. Although research outlining environmental, social, and economic impacts of marine plastic pollution is growing, few studies have examined policy and legislative tools to reduce plastic pollution, particularly single-use plastics (plastic bags and microbeads). This paper reviews current international market-based strategies and policies to reduce plastic bags and microbeads. While policies to reduce microbeads began in 2014, interventions for plastic bags began much earlier in 1991. However, few studies have documented or measured the effectiveness of these reduction strategies. Recommendations to further reduce single-use plastic marine pollution include: (i) research to evaluate effectiveness of bans and levies to ensure policies are having positive impacts on marine environments; and (ii) education and outreach to reduce consumption of plastic bags and microbeads at source.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Walker2017,

title = {Marine debris surveys at Bird Island, South Georgia 1990-1995},

author = {Tony R. Walker and Keith Reid and John P.Y. Arnould and John P. Croxall},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X96000537},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-00-00},

journal = {Marine Pollution Bulletin. 34(1): 61-65},

abstract = {The Antarctic marine environment has relatively few direct sources of man-made marine debris; however, there is concern over the dangers posed to wildlife by increasing amounts of such debris. Between 1990 and 1995 beached debris was monitored at Bird Island, South Georgia. This was part of a programme developed by the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) to monitor compliance with waste disposal under MARPOL and the effectiveness of additional regulations to reduce entanglement of marine mammals and birds. Overall, and in all but one year, the highest incidence of debris occurred during the winter months when 75% of all items were collected. The most numerous category overall (76%), and in all samples since 1991, was pieces of synthetic line as used in the long-line fishery for the Patagonian toothfish Dissostichus eleginoides around South Georgia. Packaging bands (6%) and polythene bags (6%) were the next commonest items. There was a substantial increase in the number of items found ashore in 1995 which coincided with an apparent increase in the long-line fishing effort in the area. The increase in the incidence of synthetic line found ashore corresponds to the increase in the proportion of Antarctic fur seal Arctocephalus gazella entangled in this material at South Georgia in a parallel study. An increasing use of environmentally-aware scientific observers on all fishing vessels, leading to an increased awareness of existing legislation, should result in less man-made debris entering the marine environment in the area around South Georgia.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Handique2017,

title = {Spatial and Temporal Variations in the Geochemistry of the Brahmaputra River Water},

author = {Sumi Handique and Pragyan Sharma and Kushal K. Baruah and Jayant K. Tripathi},

url = {https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=76684},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-00-00},

journal = {International Journal of Geosciences},

volume = {8},

number = {05},

pages = {756},

abstract = {Spatial and temporal variation in the major ion composition of the waters in the Brahmaputra River has been measured to understand chemical weathering and the factors controlling these processes. Samples were collected from the Brahmaputra mainstream at five stations Pasighat, Dibrugarh, Tezpur, Guwahati and Dhubri during monsoon and post monsoon seasons. The total dissolved solids in the waters of the Brahmaputra system ranges between 62.5 and 192.5mgl−1. The (Total dissolved solids) TDS of the Brahmaputra measured in this study are less than the values reported by earlier workers. Gibbs plot was plotted to investigate the dominant process controlling the water chemistry of the Brahmaputra. The plots of TDS vs. (Na + K)/(Ca + Na + K) and TDS vs. Cl Cl + HCO3− indicate that rock weathering is the main process controlling the chemistry of water in the Brahmaputra River. Factor analysis was done to study the factors controlling the water chemistry of the Brahmaputra.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{S.2017,

title = {Biological Weathering and Geochemical Fractionation by Termites: A Case Study of Loessic Sediments},

author = {Singh S. and Chaudhary A. and Handique S. and Singh S.K. and Jayant K. Tripathi},

url = {https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320099496_Biological_Weathering_and_Geochemical_Fractionation_by_Termites_A_Case_Study_of_Loessic_Sediments_from_Jawaharlal_Nehru_University_New_Delhi_India},

year  = {2017},

date = {2017-00-00},

journal = {Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. Earth Science India. Vol. 10 (III): 94 -107},

abstract = {Termites are ecosystem engineers who transform soil and sediments and make mounds. They transport and mix large quantities of sediments across the horizons of the mounds, modify their immediate environment at different depths. We have tried to understand the role of termites in weathering and geochemical transformations of homogeneous sediments of termite mounds of Delhi ridge area. The samples and respective parent sediments were collected from the seven locations of Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. It has been observed that bioturbation of termites caused fining of the mound samples compared to the parent sediments. The mound samples show higher weathering than the parent sediments. Carbonate precipitation in the alkaline conditions imposed by termites could have enriched Ca and Mg. Whereas, the clay enrichment caused K, Al enrichment. Fe got enriched in the oxic condition of mounds. Ti and Zr got enriched by the enrichment of finer grains of their minerals already present in the parent material. The enrichment of Co, Ni, Cu, Cr, and V show the biogeochemical role of the termites. The organic carbon brought by the termites, and iron oxides, both enriched phosphorus in the mounds. It has found that the termite mounds also have potential in sequestering CO2 by accumulating organic matter, precipitating carbonate minerals, and increasing chemical weathering of silicate minerals.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Dris2016,

title = {Synthetic fibers in atmospheric fallout: A source of microplastics in the environment?},

author = {Rachid Dris and Johnny Gasperi and Mohamed Saad and Cécile Mirande and Bruno Tassin},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X16300066},

year  = {2016},

date = {2016-00-00},

journal = {Marine Pollution Bulletin},

number = {104},

pages = {290–293},

abstract = {Sources, pathways and reservoirs of microplastics, plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, remain poorly documented in an urban context. While some studies pointed out wastewater treatment plants as a potential pathway of microplastics, none have focused on the atmospheric compartment. In this work, the atmospheric fallout of microplastics was investigated in two different urban and sub-urban sites. Microplastics were collected continuously with a stainless steel funnel. Samples were then filtered and observed with a stereomicroscope. Fibers accounted for almost all the microplastics collected. An atmospheric fallout between 2 and 355 particles/m²/day was highlighted. Registered fluxes were systematically higher at the urban than at the sub-urban site. Chemical characterization allowed to estimate at 29% the proportion of these fibers being all synthetic (made with petrochemicals), or a mixture of natural and synthetic material. Extrapolation using weight and volume estimates of the collected fibers, allowed a rough estimation showing that between 3 and 10 tons of fibers are deposited by atmospheric fallout at the scale of the Parisian agglomeration every year (2500 km²). These results could serve the scientific community working on the different sources of microplastic in both continental and marine environments.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{González2016,

title = {Riverine Litter Monitoring – Options and Recommendations},

author = {Daniel González and Georg Hanke and Gijsbert Tweehuysen and Bert Bellert and Marloes Holzhauer and Andreja Palatinus and Philipp Hohenblum and Lex Oosterbaan},

url = {https://publications.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/-/publication/816a2049-dbb8-11e6-ad7c-01aa75ed71a1/language-en},

doi = {10.2788/461233},

year  = {2016},

date = {2016-00-00},

journal = {JRC Technical Report. EUR28307 EN},

abstract = {Marine litter is an issue of global concern, as recognised by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). In order to establish programmes of measures that aim to reduce plastics and their possible impacts, sources of litter and their pathways to the marine environment need to be identified and quantified. Riverine litter input is estimated to be a major contributor to marine litter, but there is no comprehensive information about the amount of litter being transported through rivers to the sea. Furthermore, there are no harmonised methodologies for providing quantitative data for… comparable assessments of riverine litter. This technical report compiles the options for monitoring riverine litter and quantifying litter fluxes, focusing on anthropogenic litter. It includes the current scientific and technical background regarding litter in river systems, their flow regime and basic properties. The document aims to provide recommendations for monitoring approaches and methodologies. It also provides indications on the issues which need to be further developed in a collaborative approach. An extensive literature review has been performed in order to identify the existing options for the monitoring of litter items in rivers. Different monitoring methods are used in two environmental compartments: river water bodies and riverbanks. For a river water body, the river water surface can be monitored by visual observation and image acquisition, while collection methodologies of the water column include the use of retaining structures and sampling using grids, nets and filtration systems (with different mesh sizes and openings) at different water depths. Riverbank monitoring comprises the observation and eventual collection of litter items and sediment samples from the riverbanks. Methodologies are described and technical details are reported whenever available. As methodologies are further developed and basic research is ongoing, it is currently not possible to provide clear guidance on how to monitor riverine litter, though some initial recommendations can be made. General recommendations highlight the need for additional scientific knowledge, which should be made accessible to facilitate communication and coordination among key players in order to harmonise efforts and provide guidance at international level in a collaborative way. Knowledge gaps should be filled by analysing the outcome of these ongoing activities (the recommendations include a list of identified gaps). As there are no agreed monitoring methodologies at the international level, guidance on the monitoring of riverine litter is needed, including metadata requirements and reporting units. In order to quantify riverine litter input to the marine environment, monitoring methods have to provide data that can be related to river flow in order to be able to calculate litter fluxes (e.g. visual observation of the river water surface and collection method for the river water body).},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Pettipas2016,

title = {A Canadian policy framework to mitigate plastic marine pollution},

author = {Shauna Pettipas and Meagan Bernier and Tony R. Walker},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X16300665},

doi = {10.1016/j.marpol.2016.02.025},

year  = {2016},

date = {2016-00-00},

journal = {Marine Policy 68: 117-122},

abstract = {Marine pollution from plastic debris is a global problem causing negative impacts in the marine environment. Plastic marine debris as a contaminant is increasing, especially in Canada. While the impacts of macroplastics are well known in the literature, there are relatively few policy studies related to mitigating microplastic toxicity in the environment. Despite overwhelming evidence of the threat of plastic in the marine environment, there remains inadequate or limited policies to address their mitigation, particularly microplastic debris. Existing policies for waste management, marine debris monitoring and awareness campaigns were evaluated from other jurisdictions. Policies and recommendations were developed for the Canadian context. Recommendations include improved practices for: (1) law and waste management strategies; (2) education, outreach and awareness; (3) source identification; and (4) increased monitoring and further research.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Aytan2016,

title = {First evaluation of neustonic microplastics in Black Sea waters},

author = {Ulgen Aytan and Andre Valente and Yasemen Senturk and Riza Usta and Fatma Basak Esensoy Sahin and Rahsan Evren Mazlum and Ertugrul Agirbas},

url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2016.05.009},

doi = {10.1016/j.marenvres.2016.05.009},

year  = {2016},

date = {2016-00-00},

journal = {Marine Environmental Research},

number = {119},

pages = {22-30},

abstract = {The Black Sea has a high risk of plastic pollution given the high river discharge of several industrialized countries into this semi-enclosed sea. Here, for the first time, the occurrence and distribution of microplastics are reported for the Black Sea. Microplastics were assessed from zooplankton samples taken during two cruises along the south eastern coast of the Black Sea in the November of 2014 and February of 2015. In each cruise neuston samples were collected at 12 stations using a WP2 net with 200 μm mesh. Microplastics (0.2–5 mm) were found in 92% of the samples. The primary shapes were fibres (49.4%) followed by plastic films (30.6%) and fragments (20%), and no micro beads were found. Average microplastic concentration in November (1.2 ± 1.1 × 103 par. m−3) was higher than in February (0.6 ± 0.55 × 103 par. m−3). Reduced concentrations in February were possibly caused by increased mixing. The highest concentrations of microplastics were observed in offshore stations during November sampling. The heterogeneous spatial distribution (0.2 × 103–3.3 × 103 par. m−3 for all samples) and accumulation in some stations could be associated to transport and retention mechanisms linked with wind and the dynamics of the rim current, as well by different sources of plastic. There were no statistically significant differences in MP concentration between sampling stations and sampling periods (t-test, p < 0.05).The relatively high microplastic concentrations suggest that Black Sea is a hotspot for microplastic pollution and there is an urgency to understand their origins, transportation and effects on marine life.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Herrmann2015,

title = {Determination of spatially differentiated water balance components including groundwater recharge on the Federal State level – A case study using the mGROWA model in North Rhine-Westphalia (Germany)},

author = {Frank Herrmann and Luise Keller and Ralf Kunkel and Harry Vereecken and Frank Wendland},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2214581815000804},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-00-00},

journal = {Journal of Hydrology: Regional Studies 4 Part B: 294-312},

abstract = {Study region: The Federal State of North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW), Germany.



Study focus: On behalf of the Federal State Agency for Nature, Environment and Consumer Protection of North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany (LANUV) the mGROWA model is applied, in order to simulate the water balance components actual evapotranspiration, total runoff, direct runoff and groundwater recharge at Federal State level. mGROWA-simulations were performed in daily time steps for the hydrological reference period 1971–2000 and in a spatial resolution of 100 by 100 m. mGROWA results for groundwater recharge and State-wide recorded groundwater withdrawal rates have been used to assess the extent of groundwater exploitation in NRW.



New hydrological insights: Simulated groundwater recharge levels are presented as long-term annual averages and as long-term monthly values in order to indicate the seasonal fluctuation of groundwater recharge rates. Quantitative statistics indicate that mGROWA enables the simulation of total runoff and groundwater recharge without significant tendency of over- or underestimation. Against this background mGROWA simulation results are used by LANUV to support regional water resources management, e.g. for determining the status of groundwater exploitation in NRW. The majority of groundwater bodies in NRW are at present not at risk of unsustainable groundwater usage. A small number of groundwater bodies along the river Rhine, however, have been assessed as being close to unsustainable groundwater exploitation.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Dris2015,

title = {Microplastic contamination in an urban area: A case study in Greater Paris},

author = {Rachid Dris and Johnny Gasperi and Vincent Rocher and Mohamed Saad and Nicolas Renault and Bruno Tassin},

url = {https://www.publish.csiro.au/EN/EN14167},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-00-00},

journal = {Environmental Chemistry},

volume = {12},

number = {5},

pages = {592-599},

abstract = {This study investigates the microplastic contamination of both urban compartments (wastewater and total atmospheric fallout) and surface water in a continental environment. These first investigations on an urban environment confirm the presence of microplastics in sewage, fresh water and total atmospheric fallout and provide knowledge on the type and size distribution of microplastics in the 100–5000-µm range. For the first time, the presence of microplastics, mostly fibres, is highlighted in total atmospheric fallout (29–280 particles m–2 day–1). High levels of fibres were found in wastewater (260–320 × 103 particles m–3). In treated effluent, the contamination significantly decreased to 14–50 × 103 particles m–3. In the River Seine, two sampling devices were used to collect both large and small microplastic particles: (i) a plankton net (80-µm mesh), and (ii) a manta trawl (330-µm mesh). Sampling with the plankton net showed a predominance of fibres, with concentrations ranging from 3 to 108 particles m–3. A greater diversity of both microplastic shapes and types was found during manta trawl sampling but at much lower concentrations (0.28–0.47 particles m–3). This combined approach could be relevant and implemented in future studies to provide an accurate overview of microplastic distribution in freshwater.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Dris2015b,

title = {Beyond the ocean: Contamination of freshwater ecosystems with (micro-)plastic particles},

author = {Rachid Dris and Hannes Imhof and Wilfried Sanchez and Johnny Gasperi and François Galgani and Bruno Tassin and Christian Laforsch},

url = {https://www.publish.csiro.au/EN/EN14172},

year  = {2015},

date = {2015-00-00},

urldate = {2015-00-00},

journal = {Environmental Chemistry},

volume = {12},

number = {5},

pages = {539–550},

abstract = {Massive accumulation of plastic particles has been reported for marine ecosystems around the world, posing a risk to the biota. Freshwater ecosystems have received less attention despite most plastic litter being produced onshore and introduced into marine environments by rivers. Some studies not only report the presence of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems, but show that contamination is as severe as in the oceans. In continental waters, microplastics have been observed in both sediments (predominantly lake shores but also riverbanks) and water samples (predominantly surface water of lakes and rivers). This review highlights recent findings and discusses open questions, focussing on the methodology of assessing this contaminant in freshwater ecosystems. In this context, method harmonisation is needed in order to obtain comparable data from different environmental compartments and sites. This includes sampling strategies (at spatial and temporal scales), sample treatment (taking into consideration high levels of organic matter and suspended solids) and reliable analytical methods to identify microplastics.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Martin2014,

title = {Editorial: (Micro)Plastics and the environment},

author = {Martin Wagner and Magnus Engwall and Henner Hollert},

url = {http://www.enveurope.com/content/26/1/16},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-00-00},

journal = {Environmental Sciences Europe},

volume = {26:16},

abstract = {(Micro)Plastics in the aquatic environment are an issue of emerging concern. However, to date, there is considerable lack of knowledge on the abundance and toxicity of plastic debris in aquatic ecosystems, especially with regard to the freshwater situation. In this editorial, we briefly discuss important aspects of the research on environmental (micro)plastics to stimulate research and call for papers.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Wagner2014,

title = {Microplastics in freshwater ecosystems: what we know and what we need to know},

author = {Martin Wagner and Christian Scherer and Diana Alvarez-Muñoz and Nicole Brennholt and Xavier Bourrain and Sebastian Buchinger and Elke Fries and Cécile Grosbois and Jörg Klasmeier and Teresa Marti and Sara Rodriguez-Mozaz and Ralph Urbatzka and A. Dick Vethaak and Margrethe Winther-Nielsen and Georg Reifferscheid},

url = {http://www.enveurope.com/content/26/1/12/abstract},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-00-00},

journal = {Environmental Sciences Europe 26:12},

abstract = {Background

While the use of plastic materials has generated huge societal benefits, the ‘plastic age’ comes with downsides: One issue of emerging concern is the accumulation of plastics in the aquatic environment. Here, so-called microplastics (MP), fragments smaller than 5 mm, are of special concern because they can be ingested throughout the food web more readily than larger particles. Focusing on freshwater MP, we briefly review the state of the science to identify gaps of knowledge and deduce research needs.



State of the science

Environmental scientists started investigating marine (micro)plastics in the early 2000s. Today, a wealth of studies demonstrates that MP have ubiquitously permeated the marine ecosystem, including the polar regions and the deep sea. MP ingestion has been documented for an increasing number of marine species. However, to date, only few studies investigate their biological effects.



The majority of marine plastics are considered to originate from land-based sources, including surface waters. Although they may be important transport pathways of MP, data from freshwater ecosystems is scarce. So far, only few studies provide evidence for the presence of MP in rivers and lakes. Data on MP uptake by freshwater invertebrates and fish is very limited.



Knowledge gaps

While the research on marine MP is more advanced, there are immense gaps of knowledge regarding freshwater MP. Data on their abundance is fragmentary for large and absent for small surface waters. Likewise, relevant sources and the environmental fate remain to be investigated. Data on the biological effects of MP in freshwater species is completely lacking. The accumulation of other freshwater contaminants on MP is of special interest because ingestion might increase the chemical exposure. Again, data is unavailable on this important issue.



Conclusions

MP represent freshwater contaminants of emerging concern. However, to assess the environmental risk associated with MP, comprehensive data on their abundance, fate, sources, and biological effects in freshwater ecosystems are needed. Establishing such data critically depends on a collaborative effort by environmental scientists from diverse disciplines (chemistry, hydrology, ecotoxicology, etc.) and, unsurprisingly, on the allocation of sufficient public funding.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Gasperi2014,

title = {Assessment of floating plastic debris in surface water along the Seine River},

author = {Johnny Gasperi and Rachid Dris and Tiffany Bonin and Vincent Rocher and Bruno Tassin},

url = {https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749114003807},

year  = {2014},

date = {2014-00-00},

journal = {Environmental Pollution 195:163–166.},

abstract = {This study is intended to examine the quality and quantity of floating plastic debris in the River Seine through use of an extensive regional network of floating debris-retention booms; it is one of the first attempts to provide reliable information on such debris at a large regional scale. Plastic debris represented between 0.8% and 5.1% of total debris collected by weight. A significant proportion consisted of food wrappers/containers and plastic cutlery, probably originating from voluntary or involuntary dumping, urban discharges and surface runoff. Most plastic items are made of polypropylene, polyethylene and, to a lesser extent, polyethylene terephthalate. By extrapolation, some 27 tons of floating plastic debris are intercepted annually by this network; corresponding to 2.3 g per Parisian inhabitant per year. Such data could serve to provide a first evaluation of floating plastic inputs conveyed by rivers.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Tetzlaff2009,

title = {Modelling phosphorus inputs from agricultural sources and urban areas in river basins},

author = {Björn Tetzlaff and Harry Vereecken and Ralf Kunkel and Frank Wendland},

url = {https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00254-008-1293-1},

year  = {2009},

date = {2009-00-00},

journal = {Environmental Geology 57: 183-193},

abstract = {An area-differentiated model approach (MEPhos) for the quantification of mean annual P-inputs from point and diffuse sources is presented. The following pathways are considered: artificial drainage, wash-off, groundwater outflow, soil erosion, rainwater sewers, combined sewer overflows, municipal waste water treatment plants and industrial effluents. Two retention functions for rivers and reservoirs are included in order to model P-sinks within a river basin. This allows a complete record of P-loads in heterogeneous meso- and macroscale river basins and enables validation of modeling results with water quality data on a load basis. The model is applied to the River Ruhr basin (4,485 km²) in Germany, which includes contrasting natural conditions, land use patterns as well as population and industry densities. Based on validated modelling results sub-areas of high P-loads are localized and management options for the reduction of P-inputs to surface waters are proposed taking into account the site conditions of the sub-areas relevant for high P-inputs into surface waters.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}

@article{Walker2006,

title = {Accumulation of marine debris on an intertidal beach in an urban park (Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia)},

author = {Tony R. Walker and Jon Grant and Marie-Claude Archambault},

url = {https://iwaponline.com/wqrj/article-abstract/41/3/256/39831},

year  = {2006},

date = {2006-00-00},

journal = {Water Quality Research Journal of Canada 41(3): 256-262},

abstract = {This study evaluated monthly accumulation rates and types of marine debris washed ashore at a recreational beach in Point Pleasant Park, Halifax Harbour, between April and September 2005. Black Rock Beach is 70 m long and a total of 2129 marine debris items were collected and sorted, representing a mean accumulation rate of 355 (±68 SE) items month-1. The total weight of debris items was only 10.8 kg (mean 2 kg ±0.4 SE), however eighty-six percent of this debris was plastic material. The types of litter found included: tampon applicators, condoms (i.e., sewage-related debris [SRD]); plastic fast food packaging, confectionary wrappers, Styrofoam fragments, plastic bottles and caps, items of clothing, soft drink cans, cigarettes and cigarette holders (i.e., recreational or land-based debris); packing bands, nylon rope and nets (i.e., shipping- or fishing-related debris). These items were generated by recreational use of the park (52%), sewage disposal (14%) and from shipping and fishing activities (7%). It is suggested that a significant reduction in marine debris at recreational beaches may arise by improving public awareness of the environmental and aesthetic impacts of marine litter and future improvements to the municipal sewage disposal system.},

keywords = {},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}