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First evaluation of neustonic microplastics in Black Sea waters

Author: Ulgen Aytan, Andre Valente, Yasemen Senturk, Riza Usta, Fatma Basak Esensoy Sahin, Rahsan Evren Mazlum and Ertugrul Agirbas
Year of Publication: 2016
Published: Marine Environmental Research 119, 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:
Microplastic, Zooplankton, Neuston, Bioavailability, MSFD, Black Sea

Citation:
Aytan, U., Valente, A., Senturk, Y., Usta, R., Esensoy, Sahin, F. B., Mazlum, R. E., Agirbas, E., 2016. First evaluation of neustonic microplastics in Black Sea waters. Marine Environmental Research, 119, 22-30, http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2016.05.0 09

Link:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marenvres.2016.05.009

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Recep Tayyip Erdogan University, Faculty of Fisheries, Turkey

Project name:
Composition, Distribution, Sources and Ecological Interactions of Micro- and nanoplastics in the Southeastern Black Sea Ecosystem” funded by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK)

Project description:
This project aims to assess seasonal distribution, composition, abundance of micro- and nanoplastics in sea surface, water column and sediment with their possible sources in the Southeastern Black Sea which represents an important fisheries area. River mouth and coastal areas as representative areas of land-based pollution are investigated in spatial and temporal scale. This project also aims to investigate possible pathways of micro- and nanoplastics to enter food web and their effects on function of lower trophic levels of pelagic food funded by The Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBITAK) web. Effect of physical environment on distribution of plastics are also evaluated. Project will provide data to fill the gap on micro- and nanoplastics and their effects in Black Sea ecosystem within the scope of EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive which aims to achieve Good Environmental Status in European Seas.

Project name:
“Assessment of microplastic ingestion by zooplankton in the South Eastern Black Sea“

Project description:
This project aims to assess the microplastic ingestion by two dominant copepod species (Calanus euxinus and Acartia clausi) in the Black Sea. Temporal and spatial distribution of microplastics concentration and those of zooplankton groups in the water column were also evaluated.

Project name:
Assessment of riverine input of microplastics in the South Eastern Black Sea

Project description:
This project aims to assess microplastics input by a selected river in the SE Black Sea.

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Raman Tweezers for Small Microplastics and Nanoplastics Identification in Seawater

Author: Raymond Gillibert, Gireeshkumar Balakrishnan, Quentin Deshoules, Morgan Tardivel, Alessandro Magazzù, Maria Grazia Donato, Onofrio M. Maragò, Marc Lamy de La Chapelle, Florent Colas, Fabienne Lagarde and Pietro G. Gucciardi
Year of Publication: 2019
Published: 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:
Raman, Microplastic, Nanoplastic, Seawater

Citation:
Gillibert, R., Balakrishnan, G., Deshoules, Q., Tardivel, M., Magazzù, A., Donato, M. G., Maragò, O. M., Lamy de La Chapelle, M., Colas, F., Lagarde, F., Gucciardi, P. G., 2019. Raman Tweezers for Small Microplastics and Nanoplastics Identification in Seawater. Environmental Science & Technology 53, 9003-9013.

Link:
https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.9b03105

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National Research Council (CNR), Institute for Chemical and Physical processes (IPCF), Messina, Italy

Project name:
MERLIN-MICROPLASTIQUES, funded by Institut Français de Recherche pour l’Exploitation de la Mer (IFREMER)

Project description:
The IFREMER Merlin-Microplastiques  project is a research project dedicated to the investigations of microplastics in marine environments aimed at: tracking the smallest plastics particles, understand their evolution and assess their impacts in marine ecosystems.

Related links:
homepage of the project @ IFREMER
https://wwz.ifremer.fr/Actualites-et-Agenda/Toutes-les-actualites/Archives/2016/Le-projet-de-recherche-MERLIN-Microplastiques-est-lance

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Biological Weathering and Geochemical Fractionation by Termites: A Case Study of Loessic Sediments

Author: Singh S., Chaudhary A., Handique S., Singh S.K. and Jayant K. Tripathi
Year of Publication: 2017
Published: 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:
Termite, Bioturbation, Geochemistry, Weathering, Trace elements

Citation:
Swati Singh, Anurag Chaudhary, Sumi Handique, Singh S.K., Tripathi J.K. (2017): Biological Weathering and Geochemical Fractionation by Termites: A Case Study of Loessic Sediments. Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi, India. Earth Science India. Vol. 10 (III): 94 -107

Link:
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

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Spatial and Temporal Variations in the Geochemistry of the Brahmaputra River Water

Author: Sumi Handique, Pragyan Sharma, Kushal K. Baruah and Jayant K. Tripathi
Year of Publication: 2017
Published: International Journal of Geosciences 8(05): 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:
Spatial, Temporal, Weathering, TDS, Brahmaputra

Citation:
Handique, S., Sharma, P., Baruah, K. K., Tripathi, J. K. (2017): Spatial and Temporal Variations in the Geochemistry of the Brahmaputra River Water. International Journal of Geosciences 8(05): 756.

Link:
https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation.aspx?paperid=76684

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Geochemical Characterization and Mineralogical Assemblage of Burhi-Dihing and Noa-Dihing – The Largest South Bank Tributaries of the Brahmaputra River

Author: Aparna Das, Sumi Handique, Monalisa Chaowlu and Manish Kumar
Year of Publication: 2018
Published: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution 13(4): 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:
Geochemistry, Mineralogy, Noa-Dihing, Burhi-Dihing, Grain size analysis, X-ray diffraction, Cluster analysis

Citation:
Das, A., Handique, S., Chaowlu, M., Kumar, M. (2016): Geochemical Characterization and Mineralogical Assemblage of Burhi-Dihing and Noa-Dihing—The Largest South Bank Tributaries of the Brahmaputra River. Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution 13(4): 13-24.

Link:
https://content.iospress.com/articles/asian-journal-of-water-environment-and-pollution/ajw160034

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Tezpur University, India

Project name:
To study the sediment geochemistry of the Brahmaputra River

Project description:
To study the surface water geochemistry of the Brahmaputra river as well as the suspended sediment geochemistry. Understanding the mechanism of weathering and erosion processes affecting the geochemistry of the surface water and quantification of denudation rates in the Brahmaputra river.

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Fate of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants and their environmental dispersion with effluent and sludge

Author: Carlos Edo, Miguel González-Pleiter, Francisco Leganés, Francisca Fernández-Piñas and Roberto Rosal
Year of Publication: 2020
Published: 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.

Keywords:
Microplastics, wastewater treatment plants, sewage sludge, wastewater effluent, removal efficiency

Citation:
Edo, C., González-Pleiter, M., Leganés, F:, Fernández-Piñas, F., Rosal, R. (2020): Fate of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants and their environmental dispersion with effluent and sludge. Environmental Pollution.

Link:
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.113837

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Secondary nanoplastics released from a biodegradable microplastic severely impact freshwater environments

Author: Miguel González-Pleiter, Miguel Tamayo-Belda, Gerardo Pulido-Reyes, Georgiana Amariei, Francisco Leganés, Roberto Rosal and Francisca Fernández-Piñas
Year of Publication: 2019
Published: Environmental Science: Nano

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.

Keywords:
Nanoplastic, biodegradable microplastic, freshwater environments

Citation:
González-Pleiter, M., Tamayo-Belda, M., Pulido-Reyes, G., Amariei, G., Leganés, F., Rosal, R., Fernández-Piñas, F. (2020): Secondary nanoplastics released from a biodegradable microplastic severely impact freshwater environments. Environmental Science: Nano 2019 (6): 1382 – 1392

Link:
https://doi.org/10.1039/c8en01427b