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eyond the ocean: Contamination of freshwater ecosystems with (micro-)plastic particles

Author: Rachid Dris, Hannes Imhof, Wilfried Sanchez, Johnny Gasperi, François Galgani, Bruno Tassin and Christian Laforsch
Year of Publication: 2015
Published: Environmental Chemistry 12(5): 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:
Emerging contaminants, Freshwater ecosystems, Lakes, Plastic debris, Plastic separation, Polymer identification, Rivers, Sediment, Urban water

Citation:
Dris, R., Imhof, H., Sanchez, W., Gasperi, J., Galgani, F., Tassin, B., Laforsch, C., 2015b. Beyond the ocean: Contamination of freshwater ecosystems with (micro-)plastic particles. Environmental Chemistry 12(5): 539–550.

Link:
https://www.publish.csiro.au/EN/EN14172

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Sources and fate of microplastics in urban areas: A focus on Paris megacity

Author: Rachid Dris, Johnny Gasperi and Bruno Tassin
Year of Publication: 2018
Published: Wagner M., Lambert S. (eds.). Freshwater Microplastics. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 58. Springer, Cham

Abstract:
Since the beginning of the 2010s, the number of investigations on microplastics in freshwater increased dramatically. However, almost no study aims at investigating the various sources and fate of microplastics in a catchment. This chapter aims at analyzing the various sources and fate of microplastics for an urban catchment and its hydrosystem (sewage, runoff, etc.). It presents the results obtained during a 3-year study of the Paris Megacity. Such a study required the development of appropriate sampling strategies for each compartment. It was highlighted that fibers are highly concentrated in the studied area, and therefore a focus in this category of microplastics was carried out. The atmospheric fallout exhibited important levels of fibers. However, at the scale of the Parisian agglomeration, wastewater treatment plant disposals and combined sewer overflows represent the major sources (number of fibers introduced per year) among the studied ones.

Keywords:
Fibers, Freshwater, Microplastics, Plastic pollution, Urban areas, Urban impact

Citation:
Dris, R., Gasperi, J., Tassin, B., 2018c. Sources and fate of microplastics in urban areas: A focus on Paris megacity. In: Wagner M., Lambert S. (eds.). Freshwater Microplastics. The Handbook of Environmental Chemistry, vol 58. Springer, Cham.

Link:
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-61615-5_4#citeas

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Synthetic fibers in atmospheric fallout: A source of microplastics in the environment?

Author: Rachid Dris, Johnny Gasperi, Mohamed Saad, Cécile Mirande and Bruno Tassin
Year of Publication: 2016
Published: Marine Pollution Bulletin 104: 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:
Microplastics, Urban environment, Atmospheric fallout, Microplastic sources, Synthetic fibers

Citation:
Dris, R., Gasperi, J., Saad, M., Mirande, C., Tassin, B., 2016. Synthetic fibers in atmospheric fallout: A source of microplastics in the environment? Marine Pollution Bulletin 104: 290–293.

Link:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X16300066

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

Author: Rachid Dris, Johnny Gasperi, Vincent Rocher and Bruno Tassin
Year of Publication: 2018
Published: Science of the Total Environment 618: 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:
Fibers, Freshwater, Microplastic sampling, Microplastics, Synthetic fibers

Citation:
Dris, R., Gasperi, J., Rocher, V., Tassin, B., 2018b. Synthetic and non-synthetic anthropogenic fibers in a river under the impact of Paris Megacity: Sampling methodological aspects and flux estimations. Science of the Total Environment 618: 157–164.

Link:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969717330723?via%3Dihub

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Microplastic contamination in the Seine River: Spatial and temporal variations of synthetic and non-synthetic fibers

Author: Rachid Dris, Johnny Gasperi, Vincent Rocher and Bruno Tassin
Year of Publication: 2018
Published: Techniques - Sciences - Methodes 5: 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.

Keywords:
Fibers, Microplastics, Seine River, Paris Agglomeration, Plastics

Citation:
Dris, R., Gasperi, J., Rocher, V., Tassin, B., 2018a. Microplastic contamination in the Seine River: Spatial and temporal variations of synthetic and non-synthetic fibers. Techniques – Sciences – Methodes 5: 45–53.

Link:
https://astee-tsm.fr/articles/tsm/abs/2018/04/tsm201805p45/tsm201805p45.html

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Microplastic contamination in an urban area: A case study in Greater Paris

Author: Rachid Dris, Johnny Gasperi, Vincent Rocher, Mohamed Saad, Nicolas Renault and Bruno Tassin
Year of Publication: 2015
Published: Environmental Chemistry 12(5): 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:
Atmospheric fallout, Freshwater, Rivers, Synthetic fibres, Urban environment

Citation:
Dris, R., Gasperi, J., Rocher, V., Saad, M., Renault, N., Tassin, B., 2015a. Microplastic contamination in an urban area: A case study in Greater Paris. Environmental Chemistry 12(5): 592–599.

Link:
https://www.publish.csiro.au/EN/EN14167

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A first overview of textile fibers, including microplastics, in indoor and outdoor environments

Author: Rachid Dris, Johnny Gasperi, Cécile Mirande, Corinne Mandin, Mohamed Guerrouache, Valérie Langlois and Bruno Tassin
Year of Publication: 2017
Published: Environmental Pollution 221: 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:
Indoor air, Outdoor air, Microplastics, Dust, Synthetic fibers

Citation:
Dris, R., Gasperi, J., Mirande, C., Mandin, C., Guerrouache, M., Langlois, V., Tassin, B., 2017. A first overview of textile fibers, including microplastics, in indoor and outdoor environments. Environmental Pollution 221: 453–458.

Link:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0269749116312325

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Anthropogenic particles in the stomach contents and liver of the freshwater fish Squalius cephalus

Author: France Collard, Johnny Gasperi, Bernard Gilbert, Gauthier Eppe, Sam Azimi, Vincent Rocher and BrunoTassin
Year of Publication: 2018
Published: Science of the Total Environment 643: 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.

Keywords:
Microplastics, Fibers, Seine River, European chub, Muscle, Liver

Citation:
Collard, F., Gasperi, J., Gilbert, B., Eppe, G., Azimi, S., Rocher, V., Tassin, B., 2018. Anthropogenic particles in the stomach contents and liver of the freshwater fish Squalius cephalus. Science of the Total Environment 643: 1257–1264.

Link:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969718323891

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Approach for analysis of environmental impact of geosynthetics in aquatic systems by example of the Baltic Sea

Author: Franz-Georg Simon, B. Chubarenko and I. Purina
Year of Publication: 2018
Published: 7th IEEE/OES Baltic Symposium, Clean and Safe Baltic Sea and Energy Security for the Baltic countries, Klaipeda, Lithuania, 12-15 June 2018.

Abstract:
Whereas the behavior of geosynthetics in landfill engineering is well studied and documented since decades, little is known on application in applications such as coastal protection or ballast layers for wind energy plants. However, due to the rapid expansion of offshore wind energy, rising water levels and more extreme weather conditions as a result of climate change more and more hydraulic engineering projects will be realized in the future. Construction with geosynthetics has various advantages, but it has to be ensured that there is no negative environmental impact from the application of geosynthetics in hydraulic engineering. It is expected that any effect will be visible only on the long-term. Therefore, accelerated testing is needed to derive requirements for geosynthetics in hydraulic engineering.

Keywords:
Geosynthetics, Aquatic system, Baltic Sea

Citation:
Simon, F.-G., Chubarenko, B. and Purina, I. (2018). Approach for analysis of environmental impact of geosynthetics in aquatic systems by example of the Baltic Sea, 7th IEEE/OES Baltic Symposium, Clean and Safe Baltic Sea and Energy Security for the Baltic countries, Klaipeda, Litauen, 12.-15.06.2018.

Link:
https://opus4.kobv.de/opus4-bam/frontdoor/index/index/docId/45206

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Modelling phosphorus inputs from agricultural sources and urban areas in river basins

Author: Björn Tetzlaff, Harry Vereecken, Ralf Kunkel and Frank Wendland
Year of Publication: 2009
Published: 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:
Eutrophication, Diffuse sources, Point sources, p-modelling, Large river basins, River Ruhr

Citation:
Tetzlaff, B., H. Vereecken, R. Kunkel, Wendland, F., 2009. Modelling phosphorus inputs from agricultural sources and urban areas in river basins. Environmental Geology 57: 183-193.

Link:
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs00254-008-1293-1