Suspended sediments mediate microplastic sedimentation in unidirectional flows

Article Environmental Sciences

Removal of microplastics from water by using magnetic sedimentation

I. A. Bakhteeva et al.

Summary: A new approach using magnetic sedimentation is proposed to remove microplastic particles from water, which proves effective in reducing their concentration by 100-fold within 15 minutes.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY (2023)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Occurrence and distribution of microplastics in wetlands br

Mahdieh Dalvand et al.

Summary: The presence of microplastic particles has been reported worldwide, even in remote areas without human activities. Wetlands, as transitional areas between terrestrial and aquatic systems, have received less attention in microplastic pollution research compared to other aquatic ecosystems. This review examines documented research on microplastic occurrence and distribution in different components of wetland systems (excluding constructed wetlands). Based on the results, wetland ecosystems are susceptible to microplastic pollution, with PE/PP as the most common chemical composition and fiber/fragment as the dominant particle shape.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2023)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Influence of typical clay minerals on aggregation and settling of pristine and aged polyethylene microplastics

Yi Wang et al.

Summary: Microplastics (MPs) are a potential threat to biological and human health. In this study, the influence of clay minerals on the aggregation-settling processes of larger size MPs was investigated. The results showed that cation type has a greater influence on the homoaggregation system, while electrostatic repulsion dominates the interaction of MPs with clay minerals in heteroaggregation systems. These findings provide new insights into the environmental fate and distribution of MPs in natural waters.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (2023)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Scavenging of polystyrene microplastics by sediment particles in both turbulent and calm aquatic environments

T. Serra et al.

Summary: Microplastic particles (MP) are widely distributed in aquatic environments, either suspended in the water column or deposited in sediment beds. Fast-settling sediment particles scavenge slow-settling MP, leading to the removal of MP from the water column in calm regions and increasing MP pollution in sediment beds. However, turbulence reduces the settling of both MP and sediment particles, causing more pollution. Therefore, understanding the interaction between MP and sediment as well as the local mixing of the water column is crucial in identifying hotspots of MP contamination in aquatic environments.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2023)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

Fate and Effects of Macro- and Microplastics in Coastal Wetlands

Xiaoguang Ouyang et al.

Summary: Coastal wetlands serve as traps for plastics, but little is known about the stocks and impacts of plastics in these areas. We conducted a comprehensive evaluation of plastic abundance in coastal wetlands, finding that the abundance of plastics in sediment and the ingestion by marine animals far exceeds that in the water column. The abundance of plastics varies across different types of coastal wetlands and is influenced by climate, geography, seasons, and population density or waste management. Plastic ingestion by fish increases with size and weight. Microplastics have negative effects on biota abundance and mangrove survival but positive effects on sediment nutrients, leaf drop, and carbon emission. It is crucial to include microplastics in assessing the health and degradation of coastal wetland ecosystems.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (2022)

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Article Limnology

Measurement of microplastic settling velocities and implications for residence times in thermally stratified lakes

Hassan Elagami et al.

Summary: This study evaluated the settling velocities, particle distributions, and residence times of microplastic particles in lakes using experiments and model calculations. The size of the particles and the depth of the lake layer were identified as the main factors influencing the residence times. It was found that the settling velocity of microplastic particles did not significantly vary between pristine and colonized particles. The results suggest that there is a high probability of small microplastic particles being taken up by lake organisms due to their long residence times.

LIMNOLOGY AND OCEANOGRAPHY (2022)

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Article Environmental Sciences

The surface degradation and release of microplastics from plastic films studied by UV radiation and mechanical abrasion

Jiaoxia Sun et al.

Summary: This study investigated the effects of solar ultraviolet radiation (UVR) and mechanical abrasion (MA) on the surface degradation and microplastics (MPs) release of plastic films. The results showed that the combination of UVR and MA resulted in accelerated surface degradation and the largest amount of MPs with the smallest particle size. Plastics with different compositions exhibited varying levels of resistance to UVR and MA, with PE films releasing more MPs than TPU films.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2022)

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Article Mechanics

Aggregation of microplastic and biogenic particles in upper-ocean turbulence

Mona Rahmani et al.

Summary: This study investigates the aggregation of microplastic and biogenic particles in upper-ocean turbulence, focusing on the flow and mixture conditions encountered in the surface boundary layer of oceans. The main findings include the distribution of the particles, collision mechanisms, and composition of resulting aggregates.

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MULTIPHASE FLOW (2022)

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Review Chemistry, Analytical

Misidentification of PVC microplastics in marine environmental samples

V. Fern et al.

Summary: The low percentages of PVC reported in academic studies may be due to various factors, highlighting the need for suitable spectroscopic databases that include PVC weathered standards.

TRAC-TRENDS IN ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY (2022)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

Integrated effects of polymer type, size and shape on the sinking dynamics of biofouled microplastics

Siguang Liu et al.

Summary: The sinking of microplastics after biofouling is an important mechanism for their transport and sedimentation in oceans and freshwaters. Smaller microplastic particles sink faster, while films and fibers do not necessarily sink faster.

WATER RESEARCH (2022)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Salt marshes as the final watershed fate for meso- and microplastic contamination: A case study from Southern Brazil

Lara M. Pinheiro et al.

Summary: Plastics pose a major threat to aquatic ecosystems, and their contamination in salt marshes is still poorly understood. This study investigated meso- and microplastic contamination in a salt marsh, finding high levels of plastics in sediment and water, as well as complex fouling communities on the surface of plastics in different marsh zones. The abundance of plastics was higher in dryer, vegetated zones, and it was possible to identify the main groups of microorganisms composing the Plastisphere communities.

SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT (2022)

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Article Water Resources

Rivers as Plastic Reservoirs

Tim van Emmerik et al.

Summary: Rivers serve as important reservoirs for plastic pollution, with only a small fraction of plastics being emitted into the ocean. Under extreme hydrological conditions, the accumulated plastics in different river compartments are emptied, influencing their fate.

FRONTIERS IN WATER (2022)

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Review Engineering, Environmental

Microplastics and associated contaminants in the aquatic environment: A review on their ecotoxicological effects, trophic transfer, and potential impacts to human health

Wei Huang et al.

Summary: Microplastic pollution and its ecological impacts in aquatic environments have become a global concern in the past decade. Microplastics can affect aquatic organisms through food chain transfer and pose potential risks to human health.

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (2021)

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Review Engineering, Environmental

A review of microplastics aggregation in aquatic environment: Influence factors, analytical methods, and environmental implications

Xinjie Wang et al.

Summary: This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the sources, analysis methods, and environmental implications of microplastic aggregation in aquatic environments, as well as recommendations for future research.

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

On the prediction of settling velocity for plastic particles of different shapes

Simona Francalanci et al.

Summary: The transport processes of plastic particles in freshwater and marine environments are important for predicting the fate of plastic in the environment. By studying the effect of different shapes on settling velocity, a new method was developed to predict the settling velocity of plastic and natural particles across a range of flow regimes. Calibration and validation with experimental data support the application of this method in various hydraulic conditions.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Seagrasses provide a novel ecosystem service by trapping marine plastics

Anna Sanchez-Vidal et al.

Summary: Strong evidence suggests that the seafloor acts as a final sink for plastic waste from land sources, where seagrass meadows can trap and aggregate plastic debris. Seagrasses help counteract marine plastic pollution, but the regression of seagrass meadows in some marine regions is becoming more severe.

SCIENTIFIC REPORTS (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Dispersal and transport of microplastics in river sediments

Beibei He et al.

Summary: This study established a model to investigate the dispersion and transport processes of common microplastics in river sediments, finding that lower density microplastics are more mobile and different types of plastics exhibit varying levels of mobility in sediment. The study results suggest that river sediments may act as pollution sinks for microplastics.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (2021)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

Dibutyl phthalate release from polyvinyl chloride microplastics: Influence of plastic properties and environmental factors

Yuanyuan Yan et al.

Summary: This study investigated the leaching behavior of phthalate plasticizer from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) microplastics and found that plastic properties had a significant impact on the release of plasticizer, while environmental factors had a minor influence. Fulvic acid was found to greatly promote phthalate release, suggesting that it can enhance phthalate solubility and solution-plastic affinity. Additionally, the coexistence of fulvic acid and NaCl resulted in more phthalate leaching, indicating a potential role of other fulvic acid-like additives in the leaching process.

WATER RESEARCH (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Burial of microplastics in freshwater sediments facilitated by iron-organo flocs

Rico Leiser et al.

Summary: Research shows that in freshwater reservoir sediments, over 85% of microplastics are stably buried, with only a small percentage being re-released into the water. This indicates the significant role of low-flow freshwater in reducing the microplastic load to the oceans.

SCIENTIFIC REPORTS (2021)

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Article Chemistry, Analytical

Microplastic Spectral Classification Needs an Open Source Community: Open Specy to the Rescue!

Win Cowger et al.

Summary: Open Specy is a free software solution for spectral classification, offering users the ability to view, process, identify, and share microplastic spectra. It stands out as the only open source software with a community library, and provides a range of tools for spectrum processing to build a diverse reference library for microplastics.

ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY (2021)

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Review Environmental Sciences

Effect of Physical Characteristics and Hydrodynamic Conditions on Transport and Deposition of Microplastics in Riverine Ecosystem

Rakesh Kumar et al.

Summary: Microplastic disposal into riverine ecosystems is a significant ecological hazard originating from land-based sources. This paper provides a detailed review of the physical processes involved in microplastic transport, highlighting the impact of physical characteristics and hydrodynamics on the distribution of microplastics in river ecosystems. The study also emphasizes the importance of empirical transport models in explaining the vertical and horizontal transport of microplastics in rivers.

WATER (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Polystyrene microplastic contamination versus microplankton abundances in two lagoons of the Florida Keys

Susan Badylak et al.

Summary: A microscopic study in two coastal lagoons in the Florida Keys unexpectedly found high concentrations of polystyrene microplastic particles, similar in density to microplanktonic algae cells. This discovery could have significant implications for the ecology of the Florida Keys if these microplastic particles persist in the pristine waters.

SCIENTIFIC REPORTS (2021)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

More than 1000 rivers account for 80% of global riverine plastic emissions into the ocean

Lourens J. J. Meijer et al.

Summary: Research shows that plastic waste in the marine environment mainly comes from rivers, with a model approach predicting the probability of plastic waste entering the ocean and identifying regions likely to emit plastic into the ocean. It is estimated that over 1000 rivers globally contribute to 80% of plastic waste emissions, with small urban rivers being the most polluting.

SCIENCE ADVANCES (2021)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Wetland soil microplastics are negatively related to vegetation cover and stem density

Ryan Helcoski et al.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (2020)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

Transport and Burial of Microplastics in Deep-Marine Sediments by Turbidity Currents

Florian Pohl et al.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (2020)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

Infiltration Behavior of Microplastic Particles with Different Densities, Sizes, and Shapes-From Glass Spheres to Natural Sediments

Kryss Waldschlaeger et al.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (2020)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Identification and distribution of microplastics in the sediments and surface waters of Anzali Wetland in the Southwest Caspian Sea, Northern Iran

Majid Rasta et al.

MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN (2020)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Trace metal comparative analysis of sinking particles and sediments from a coastal environment of the Jiaozhou Bay, North China: Influence from sediment resuspension

Jin Liu et al.

CHEMOSPHERE (2019)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Mediated food and hydrodynamics on the ingestion of microplastics by Daphnia magna

Jordi Colomer et al.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (2019)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

Interactions between nano/micro plastics and suspended sediment in water: Implications on aggregation and settling

Yang Li et al.

WATER RESEARCH (2019)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

Analysis of suspended microplastics in the Changjiang Estuary: Implications for riverine plastic load to the ocean

Shiye Zhao et al.

WATER RESEARCH (2019)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Seasonality of riverine macroplastic transport

Tim van Emmerik et al.

SCIENTIFIC REPORTS (2019)

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Review Engineering, Environmental

Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Aquatic Environments: Aggregation, Deposition, and Enhanced Contaminant Transport

Olubukola S. Alimi et al.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (2018)

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Article Oceanography

Occurrence of microplastics in surface waters of the Gulf of Lion (NW Mediterranean Sea)

Natascha Schmidt et al.

PROGRESS IN OCEANOGRAPHY (2018)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Fate of nano- and microplastic in freshwater systems: A modeling study

Ellen Besseling et al.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (2017)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

Export of microplastics from land to sea. A modelling approach

Max Siegfried et al.

WATER RESEARCH (2017)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

Production, use, and fate of all plastics ever made

Roland Geyer et al.

SCIENCE ADVANCES (2017)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Microplastic interactions with freshwater microalgae: Hetero-aggregation and changes in plastic density appear strongly dependent on polymer type

Fabienne Lagarde et al.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (2016)

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Article Marine & Freshwater Biology

Modelling accumulation of marine plastics in the coastal zone; what are the dominant physical processes?

Kay Critchell et al.

ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE (2016)

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Article Chemistry, Multidisciplinary

Towards validation of the NanoDUFLOW nanoparticle fate model for the river Dommel, The Netherlands

Jeroen J. M. de Klein et al.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE-NANO (2016)

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Article Oceanography

Experimental observations on sediment resuspension within submerged model canopies under oscillatory flow

Alex Ros et al.

CONTINENTAL SHELF RESEARCH (2014)

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Article Multidisciplinary Sciences

The deep sea is a major sink for microplastic debris

Lucy C. Woodall et al.

ROYAL SOCIETY OPEN SCIENCE (2014)

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Article Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

Sediment accretion and organic carbon burial relative to sea-level rise and storm events in two mangrove forests in Everglades National Park

Joseph M. Smoak et al.

CATENA (2013)

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Article Environmental Sciences

Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments

Lisbeth Van Cauwenberghe et al.

ENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION (2013)

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Article Marine & Freshwater Biology

Microplastic particles in sediments of Lagoon of Venice, Italy: First observations on occurrence, spatial patterns and identification

A. Vianello et al.

ESTUARINE COASTAL AND SHELF SCIENCE (2013)

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Article Ecology

Modelled transport of benthic marine microplastic pollution in the Nazare Canyon

A. Ballent et al.

BIOGEOSCIENCES (2013)

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Review Engineering, Environmental

Microplastics in the Marine Environment: A Review of the Methods Used for Identification and Quantification

Valeria Hidalgo-Ruz et al.

ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY (2012)

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Article Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

Identifying the role of tides, rainfall and seasonality in marsh sedimentation using long-term suspended sediment concentration data

S Murphy et al.

MARINE GEOLOGY (2006)

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Article Geosciences, Multidisciplinary

Effects of a turbid hydrothermal plume on the sedimentation rates in a karstic lake

T Serra et al.

GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH LETTERS (2002)

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Article Engineering, Environmental

Evaluation of laser in situ scattering instrument for measuring concentration of phytoplankton, purple sulfur bacteria, and suspended inorganic sediments in lakes

T Serra et al.

JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERING (2001)

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Suspended sediments mediate microplastic sedimentation in unidirectional flows

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