106 research outputs found
First assessment of microplastic and artificial microfiber contamination in surface waters of the Amazon Continental Shelf
Chemical leaching from polyethylene mulching films to soil in strawberry farming
Mulching is a widely practiced agricultural technique able to boost crop productivity and to reduce weed growth and water evaporation. One of the most common materials used for mulching is polyethylene. Polyethylene films are known to contain phthalates, plasticizers recognized as endocrine disruptors, thus able to endanger the hormonal system. Only few data exist on the possible transfer of plasticizers from polyethylene mulching films to agricultural soil, especially in Europe, or on the potential implications for the environment and human health. In this study, we analyzed the occurrence of plasticizers such as phthalates and acetyl tributyl citrate from polyethylene mulching films and soil samples collected from strawberry fields where polyethylene films have been used. The samples were analyzed with a gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer and the results indicated that the soil exposed to polyethylene mulches contained a significantly higher concentration, compared to the control soil, of some of the most common plasticizers, including dibuthyl phthalate, benzylbutyl phthalate and acetyl tributyl citrate. These outcomes highlight the need to carry out further research to understand the potential risks that mulching practices can cause for the environment and human health.Peer reviewe
Microplastics Exposure Causes Negligible Effects on the Oxidative Response Enzymes Glutathione Reductase and Peroxidase in the Oligochaete Tubifex tubifex
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants, which are considered ubiquitous in aquatic ecosystems. The effects of MPs on aquatic biota are still poorly understood, and consequently, there is a need to understand the impacts that MPs may pose to organisms. In the present study, Tubifex tubifex, a freshwater oligochaete commonly used as a bioindicator of the aquatic environment, was exposed to fluorescent polyethylene microspheres (up to 10 µm in size) to test whether the oxidative stress status was affected. The mortality rate of T. tubifex, as well as the activities of the oxidative stress status biomarker enzymes glutathione reductase and peroxidase, were assessed. In terms of oxidative stress, no significant differences between the exposure organisms and the corresponding controls were detected. Even though the data suggest that polyethylene MPs and the selected concentrations did not pose a critical risk to T. tubifex, the previously reported tolerance of T. tubifex to environmental pollution should be taken into account and thus MPs as aquatic pollutants could still represent a threat to more sensitive oligochetes
Microplastics Exposure Causes Negligible Effects on the Oxidative Response Enzymes Glutathione Reductase and Peroxidase in the Oligochaete Tubifex tubifex
Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants, which are considered ubiquitous in aquatic ecosystems. The effects of MPs on aquatic biota are still poorly understood, and consequently, there is a need to understand the impacts that MPs may pose to organisms. In the present study, Tubifex tubifex, a freshwater oligochaete commonly used as a bioindicator of the aquatic environment, was exposed to fluorescent polyethylene microspheres (up to 10 µm in size) to test whether the oxidative stress status was affected. The mortality rate of T. tubifex, as well as the activities of the oxidative stress status biomarker enzymes glutathione reductase and peroxidase, were assessed. In terms of oxidative stress, no significant differences between the exposure organisms and the corresponding controls were detected. Even though the data suggest that polyethylene MPs and the selected concentrations did not pose a critical risk to T. tubifex, the previously reported tolerance of T. tubifex to environmental pollution should be taken into account and thus MPs as aquatic pollutants could still represent a threat to more sensitive oligochetes
PBDEs in the supralittoral environment: the sandhopper Talitrus saltator (Montagu) as biomonitor?
Occurrence of organic microcontaminants in the wastewater treatment process. A mini review
A wastewater treatment plant may receive various types of wastewater namely, urban, industrial, agricultural, washout from the streets, wet or/and dry atmospheric deposition. As such, scientists have detected in wastewaters all major categories of pollutants like persistent organic pollutants (POPs), polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pesticides, but also substances that are widely used as pharmaceuticals and cosmetics, classified as "PPCPs" (pharmaceuticals and personal care products). Finally, the latest categories of compounds to be looked upon in these types of matrices are illicit drugs (drugs of abuse, like cocaine, etc.) and doping substances. This review article summarises major categories of organic microcontaminants that have been detected in wastewaters and studies their fate during the wastewater treatment process. Occurrence of these compounds in the influents and effluents are reported, as well as percents of removal, mass balances and phase distributions
Structure and substituent effects on retention and chiral resolution of ketones and alcohols on microcrystalline cellulose triacetate plates
Editorial: Hazardous contaminants associated with plastics: occurrence and environmental effects
Hazardous contaminants in plastics contained in compost and agricultural soil
Macro-, meso-and microplastic (MAP, MEP, MP) occurrence in compost is an environmental issue whose extent and effects are not yet understood. Here, we studied the occurrence of MAPs, MEPs and MPs in compost samples, and the transfer of hazardous contaminants from plastics to compost and soil. MAPs/MEPs and MPs concentrations in compost were 6.5 g/kg and 6.6 +/- 1.5 pieces/kg; from common recommendations for compost application, we estimated similar to 4-23 x 10(7) pieces MPs and 4-29 x 10(4) g MAPs/MEPs ha(-1) per year ending into agricultural soils fertilized with such compost. Regarding contaminants, bis(ethylhexyl) phthalate, acetyl tributyl citrate, dodecane and nonanal were extracted in higher concentrations from plastics and plastic-contaminated compost than from compost where MAPs/MEPs had been removed prior to extraction and analysis. However, some contaminants were present even after MAPs/MEPs removal, ascribable to short-and long-term release by MAPs/MEPs, and to the presence of MPs. DEHP concentration was higher in soils where compost was applied than in fields where it was not used. These results, along with estimations of plastic load to soil from the use of compost, show that compost application is a source of plastic pollution into agricultural fields, and that plastic might transfer hazardous contaminants to soil.Peer reviewe
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