Understanding the Risks of Microplastics: A Social-Ecological Risk Perspective

Author: Kramm, J.; Völker, C.
Year of Publication: 2018
Published: Handbook of Environmental Chemistry. Springer Cham.

Abstract:
The diagnosis that we are living in a world risk society formulated by Ulrich Beck 20 years ago (Beck, Kölner Z Soziol Sozialpsychol 36:119–147, 1996) has lost nothing of its power, especially against the background of the Anthropocene debate. “Global risks” have been identified which are caused by human activities, technology, and modernization processes. Microplastics are a by-product of exactly these modernization processes, being distributed globally by physical processes like ocean currents, and causing effects far from their place of origin. In recent years, the topic has gained great prominence, as microplastics have been discovered nearly everywhere in the environment, raising questions about the impacts on food for human consumption. But are microplastics really a new phenomenon or rather a symptom of an old problem? And exactly what risks are involved? It seems that the phenomenon has accelerated political action—the USA has passed the Microbead-Free Waters Act 2015—and industries have pledged to fade out the use of microbeads in their cosmetic products. At first sight, is it a success for environmentalists and the protection of our planet?

This chapter deals with these questions by adopting a social-ecological perspective, discussing microplastics as a global risk. Taking four main characteristics of global risks, we develop four arguments to discuss (a) the everyday production of risk by societies, (b) scientific risk evaluation of microplastics, (c) social responses, and (d) problems of risk management. To illustrate these four issues, we draw on different aspects of the current scientific and public debate. In doing so, we contribute to a comprehensive understanding of the social-ecological implications of microplastics.

Keywords:
Global risk, Problem structuring, Risk assessment, Social ecology, Uncertainty

Citation:
Kramm, J.; Völker, C. (2018): Understanding the risks of microplastics. A social-ecological risk perspective. In: Wagner, M. and Lambert, S. (eds.): Freshwater microplastics: Emerging environmental contaminants? Handbook of Environmental Chemistry. Springer Cham.

Link:
https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-61615-5_11

Superficial or Substantial: Why Care about Microplastics in the Anthropocene?

Author: Kramm, J.; Völker, C.; Wagner, M.
Year of Publication: 2018
Published: Environmntal Science and Technology 52 (6), 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:
microplastics, environmental toxicology and chemistry, science, society, scientific opinion

Citation:
Kramm, J.; Völker, C.; Wagner, M. (2018): Superficial or Substantial: Why Care about Microplastics in the Anthropocene? In: Environmental Science and Technology 52 (6), 3336–3337

Link:
https://pubs.acs.org/doi/pdfplus/10.1021/acs.est.8b00790

Researching marine litter on the island Phu Quoc, Vietnam

Author: Kerber, H.; Kramm J.
Year of Publication: 2018
Published: 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:
Plastic consumption, Practices, Perception, Waste Management Infrastructure

Citation:
Kerber, H.; Kramm J. (2018): Researching marine litter on the island Phu Quoc, Vietnam. In: Watersolutions 2, 26-28.

Plastics of the future? The impact of biodegradable polymers on the environment and on society

Author: Haider, T.; Völker, C.; Kramm, J.; Landfester, K.; Wurm, F.R.
Year of Publication: 2018
Published: Angewandte Chemie International Edition

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:
Microplastics, Polyester, Ppolylactic Acid, Degradation, Polymers

Citation:
Haider, T.; Völker, C.; Kramm, J.; Landfester, K.; Wurm, F.R. (2018): Plastics of the future? The impact of biodegradable polymers on the environment and on society. In: Angewandte Chemie International Edition, https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201805766.

Link:
https://doi.org/10.1002/anie.201805766

Marine Litter Prevention – Reducing plastic waste leakage into waterways and oceans through circular economy and sustainable waste management

Author: Pascal Renaud, Joachim Stretz, Jacky Lateheru, Rabah Kerbachi
Year of Publication: 2018
Published: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH

Significantly reducing marine pollution by 2025, as envisaged by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, requires concerted international action. Several international forums have adopted declarations and action plans to achieve this. A crucial challenge lies in translating global commitments into national, regional and local action. This study deals with the question of how decision-makers can improve their municipal solid waste management systems and move towards a circular economy in order to prevent plastic leakage into waterways and the ocean. It focuses on plastic waste from human settlements as a substantial share of marine litter consists of plastics stemming from land-based sources. In contrast to organic waste, which also enters waterways, plastics are durable and degrade only slowly into ever-smaller particles, which impact marine ecosystems.

The study outlines potential approches to prevent marine plastic litter and analyses the situation in two local contexts in Southeast Asia and North Africa. It is based on an extensive literature review as well as field visits, observations and interviews in Sidoarjo Regency, Indonesia, and Annaba Province, Algeria. A methodological approach is elaborated to assess plastic waste leakage in qualitative and quantitative terms, enabling deeper understanding of these characteristically chaotic plastic waste flows. While the context of each case study is different, the analyses and recommendations will also be relevant for other municipalities and regions.

The two case studies underline the need for action at local and regional level. They show that plastic waste enters into the riverine and marine environment through various pathways. Sidoarjo in Indonesia generated an estimated 7’616 t of marine plastic litter in 2017 or 3.17 kg per inhabitant. This is equivalent to one plastic bottle of 30g thrown into the ocean every 3 to 4 days by each of its inhabitants. It is estimated that the Algerian province of Annaba contributed 1’494 t of marine plastic litter in 2017 or 2.09 kg per capita – the same as throwing one plastic bottle into the ocean every 5 days. Whilst demonstrating the need to act, these two case studies also show that marine litter can be avoided if stakeholders take appropriate measures.

Keywords:
reducing marine pollution, solid waste management system, circular economy, plastic waste, land-based sources, Indonesia, Algeria

Citation:
Renaud, P.,  Stretz, J., Lateheru, J., Kerbachi, R., 2018. Marine Litter Prevention – Reducing plastic waste leakage into waterways and oceans through circular economy and sustainable waste management.

Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, https://www.giz.de/de/downloads/giz2018_marine-litter-prevention_web.pdf

Impact of polyethylene microbeads on the floating freshwater plant duckweed

Author: Kalčíková Gabriela, Andreja Žgajnar Gotvajn, Aleš Kladnik, Anita Jemec Kokalj
Year of Publication: 2017
Published: Environmental pollution, 2017, vol. 230, str. 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: Cosmetics, Floating plants, Microbeads, Microplastics

Citation:
Kalčíková Gabriela, Andreja Žgajnar Gotvajn, Aleš Kladnik, Anita Jemec Kokalj (2017): Impact of polyethylene microbeads on the floating freshwater plant duckweed Lemna minor. Environmental pollution, vol. 230, str. 1108-1115

Kalčikova_2017_ MPs_duckweed

Wastewater treatment plant effluents as source of cosmetic polyethylene microbeads to freshwater

Author: Kalčíková Gabriela, Branko Alič, Tina Skalar, Mirco Bundschuh, Andreja Žgajnar Gotvajn
Year of Publication: 2017
Published: Chemosphere, Volume: 188, Page: 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:
Cosmetics, Freshwater, Microplastics, Polyethylene microbead

Citation:
Kalčíková Gabriela, Branko Alič, Tina Skalar, Mirco Bundschuh, Andreja Žgajnar Gotvajn (2017): Wastewater treatment plant effluents as source of cosmetic polyethylene microbeads to freshwater. Chemosphere, vol. 188, str. 25-31

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0045653517313541

Kalčikova_2017_microbeads

Occurrence and concentrations of microplastics in an urban river

Author: Claudia Campanale, Carmine Maddarelli, Giuseppe Bagnuolo, Vito Felice Uricchio
Year of Publication: 2018
Published: SETAC Europe 28th Annual Meeting

Abstract:
The term ‘microplastics’ was first used in 2004 to describe very small fragments of plastic (~ 50 m³) in the water column and in sediments. In 2009, Arthur et al. proposed that microplastics should include all fragments < 5 mm. Over the past decade, microplastic debris in both marine and freshwater systems has become an emerging environmental issue. Although 70 – 95 % of the marine litter, including microplastics, come from land environment, studies of microplastics in freshwater systems are limited respect to those focused on marine habitats. Rivers and inland waters may transport microplastics to marine habitats and may be a novel vector for the downstream transport of organic persistent pollutants suggesting an overlooked and potentially significant component of the global microplastic life cycle. Herein we report results from a monitoring study with the main objective of evaluate the occurrence and concentration of microplastics in an italian urban river and assess the hypotheses that microplastics amount could vary in response to temporal and seasonal trends. In order to monitor the trend of microplastic concentrations, two seasonal sampling campaigns have been planned (February and April 2017).

Occurrence and concentrations of microplastics in an urban river
Occurrence and concentrations of microplastics in an urban river

Superficial waters samples were collected with three surface plankton nets fixed in the middle of the river simultaneously for two different time slot (11:00-13:00 and 13:00-15:00) for a total of six replicates for each campaign. After sample extraction and purification, validation of visually based microplastics identification was achieved using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Pyrolysis GCMS). The composition of microplastic was studied in term of size, shape, color and polymer type. Results from the six replicates are expressed as mean values (± DEV. ST.) of number of particles per cubic meter (p/m³). Microplastics were found in each net sample for a total amount of 22152 items collected, photographed, enumerated and categorized. Sample concentrations ranged from 3.52 to 13.43 p/m³ showing significantly higher abundances during February than April campaign (Mann?Whitney U Test = 18.00; p-value = 0.028). A total of five polymer have been characterized: PE, PP, PS, PVC and TDI-PUR. All samples contained at least three polymer types: PE, PP and PS. PE accounted for 77% of the total particles identified, followed by PS (12%), PP(10%), PVC (0.9%) and PU (0.4%).

Citation:
SETAC Europe 28th Annual Meeting, May 2018

Keywords:
Microplastics, occurrence, concentration, urban river, Italy

Campanale_SETAC2018

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/325764010_Occurrence_and_concentration_of_microplastics_in_an_urban_river?_sg=SUfuufVNvTCfFs5xKPnMOVeIpDgZ36Fi5QS6qiJCnY-GsOwmgdn1NwQMsQ_p81eMAdWYzZKbtS_oT3a2GJ1spaE8CO6yjvwHbZAGgoC4.wLLKbFvq7qlv_vv2NiiyX8Sl3ACNFikFxmGyfBR_PqtIFGsShO5X-GQ7yzTxAPYl_pbFZSeiL-Vz52wubNweSA

European conference on plastics in freshwater environments

Author: Beate Bänsch-Baltruschat, Nicole Brennholt, Christian Kochleus, Georg Reifferscheid & Jan Koschorreck
Year of Publication: 2017
Published: UBA-DOKUMENTATION 05/2017

Abstract:
In 2016 the German Environment Agency (UBA) and the German Federal Institute of Hydrology (BfG) organised a conference on plastics in freshwater environments on behalf of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Building and Nuclear Safety (BMUB). 220 attendants from 20 European and two non-European countries attended the conference. The objective was to exchange knowledge on plastics in European freshwater environments and to discuss its environmental and societal implications. In preparation of the conference an informal questionnaire was sent to water management agencies in Europe with questions on monitoring, risk awareness and management options. The results of this survey are presented in this issue paper.

Keywords:
Microplastics, occurrence, concentration, urban river, Italy

Citation:
Beate Bänsch-Baltruschat, Nicole Brennholt, Christian Kochleus, Georg Reifferscheid & Jan Koschorreck (2017): European conference on plastics in freshwater environments. UBA-DOKUMENTATION 05/2017.

https://www.umweltbundesamt.de/en/publikationen/conference-on-plastics-in-freshwater-environments

Editorial: (Micro)Plastics and the environment

Author: Martin Wagner, Magnus Engwall & Henner Hollert
Year of Publication: 2014
Published: Environmental Sciences Europe 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:
Plastic, MicroplasticsToxicity, Abundance, Aquatic environment, Risk assessment

Citation:
Martin Wagner, Magnus Engwall & Henner Hollert (2014): Editorial: (Micro)Plastics and the environment. Environmental Sciences Europe 26:16

http://www.enveurope.com/content/26/1/16