Car and truck tire wear particles in road dust samples - A quantitative comparison with traditional microplastic polymer mass loads

This data set provides quantitative mass loads of tire wear particles (TWP) and traditional microplastics (C-PE, C-PP, C-PS, C-PVC, C-PMMA, C-PET, C-PC, C-MDI-PUR) in the urban environment. A differentiation between car and truck tire wear (CTT and TTT) was presented. The C-PVC cluster might be interfered by additional anthropogenic sources, as the C-PVC indicator naphthalene is highly unspecific, accordingly the given results primarily reflect the order of magnitude. In this study, road dusts were analyzed and measured with pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectronomy (Py-GC/MS). Pyrolysis was performed at 590°C in a micro-furnace pyrolizer (EGA/Py-3030D, FrontierLabs) connected to an auto-shot sampler (AS-1020E, FrontierLabs). A gas chromatograph (6890 N, Agilent) equipped with a DB-5MS column was used for separation. The mass spectrometer (MSD 5973, Agilent) operated with full-scan mode. A gas chromatograph (6890 N, Agilent) equipped with a DB-5MS column was used for separation. The mass spectrometer (MSD 5977A) operated with full-scan mode. Additional information are found in the supplementary information of the related study. Road dust samples were collected in a mid-sized German city (Oldenburg). Road dust were contaminated with traditional microplastics and tire wear particles. The here presented data are part of a study, which has been published in February 2021 (doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145667)

Nanomaterial Fate in Seawater: A Rapid Sink or Intermittent Stabilization?

Coastal seas and oceans receive engineered nanoparticles that are released from nano-enabled consumer and industrial products and incidental nanoparticles that are formed as byproducts of combustion and friction. The marine environment is often perceived as a rapid sink for particles, because of the high salinity promoting the attachment between particles producing heavy agglomerates that sediment on the seafloor. In this work the effect of seasonal production of extracellular polymeric substances (EPS) on particle stability is tested using seawater collected from the Gullmarn fjord in the winter, spring, and summer. A novel approach is used that is based on light scattering of the bulk particle population for tracking agglomerates and of single particles for tracking particles smaller than approximately 300 nm. Results show that organic particles formed from EPS during algal blooms are capable of stabilizing nanoparticles in marine waters for at least 48 h. In contrast, particles agglomerate rapidly in the same seawater that has previously been filtered through 0.02 mu m pore size membranes. Furthermore, particles with fibrillar shape have been detected using atomic force microscopy, supporting the argument that organic particles from EPS are responsible for the stabilization effect. These results suggest that seasonal biological activity can act as an intermittent stabilization factor for nanoparticles in marine waters

A magnetic compass that might help coral reef fish larvae return to their natal reef

Many coral reef fish larvae spend days to months in the open ocean before settlement on coral reefs [1]. Early in development, larvae have limited swimming capabilities and will therefore be greatly affected by currents. This can potentially result in dispersal distances of tens of kilometers [2]. Nevertheless, up to 60 % of surviving larvae have been shown to return to their natal reefs [2]. To home, the larvae must develop strong swimming capabilities and appropriate orientation mechanisms. Most late-stage larval reef fish can, after being passively drifted for days to weeks, swim strongly [3], and Ostorhinchus doederleini larvae have been shown to use chemotaxis to identify their natal reef once in its vicinity [2] and a sun compass for longer distance orientation [4] during the day. But how do they orient at night? Here, we show that newly settled fish caught at One Tree Island (OTI) at the Capricorn Bunker Reef Group (Great Barrier Reef) can use geomagnetic compass information to keep a south-east heading. This behavior might help them return to their natal reef in the absence of any celestial cues at night

Microplastics in two German wastewater treatment plants: Year-long effluent analysis with FTIR and Py-GC/MS

Microplastics (MP) have been recorded in various environments around the globe. For a better understanding of distribution patterns and for providing a basis for risk assessments, detailed data on MP concentrations and polymer compositions are required. This study investigated the effluents of two German wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) monthly over one year, in order to better understand their temporal input of MP into the receiving river systems. MP item data down to 11 μm were obtained by means of Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy under the application of an improved polymer database. Complementary mass data were obtained by pyrolysis gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) (for one WWTP). Both FTIR and Py-GC/MS analysis revealed a homogeneous polymer composition over the year, with a general dominance of polyolefins. Elevated MP item and mass concentrations (maximum: 3 × 104 items m−3 and 3.8 × 103 μg m−3) were observed during winter months and were accompanied by either heavy rainfall (increased discharge and total organic carbon) or elevated turbidity values. These observations emphasize the need for the assessment of background parameters in future MP monitoring studies. By providing monthly data over one year on MP items and masses in WWTP effluents, this study helps enhancing the understanding of temporal MP dynamics and can act as a valuable reference point for future assessments

Microplastics in Waste Water Treatment Plants: Monthly analysis with FTIR and Py-GC/MS and methodological improvements

Microplastics (MP) were shown to be present in various environments around the world. In order to better understand distribution patterns and to provide a solid basis for risk assessments of this organic pollutant, comprehensive datasets on MP concentrations and chemical compositions are needed. This study focussed on the effluents of two German wastewater treatment plants (WWTP) and investigated the temporal input of MP into the receiving river systems by performing a year-long sampling campaign with monthly sampling events. MP item data (minimum size: 11 μm) were generated using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, under the application of an improved polymer database. The database adaptation allowed for an improved data quality, as it counteracted matrix interferences due to residual plant material on measurement filters. Beside item data, complementary MP mass data were gained by the application of pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) (for one WWTP). Both item and mass data showed homogeneous polymer compositions over the sampling year, generally dominated by polyolefins. Elevated MP item and mass concentrations occurred during winter months, and were accompanied by either heavy rainfall (resulting in increased discharge), total organic carbon or elevated turbidity values. These findings underline the necessity for the integration of background parameters in MP monitoring studies. Finally, by providing monthly data over one year on MP masses and items, this work contributes to the current knowledge on temporal MP dynamics in WWTP effluents, and can therefore be a useful baseline for future monitoring studies

Abundances of large microplastics (L-MP, 500-5000 µm) in surface waters of the Weser estuary and the German North Sea (April 2018)

In order to assess pollution with large microplastics (L-MP, 500-5000 µm) in the Lower Weser and transition to the German North Sea, surface water samples were collected with the RV Otzum (ICBM, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment), as well as with the RV Uthörn (AWI, Alfred-Wegener-Institute) in April 2018. Sampling was performed using a microplastic net (mesh size: 300 µm), followed by filtration in the laboratory over a 500 µm stainless steel sieve. Putative MP items in the size range 500-5000 µm were analysed by means of Attenuated Total Reflection - FTIR in order to determine the underlying synthetic polymer. Dominant polymer type in the L-MP sample fraction was polyethylene. Concentrations ranged between 1 × 10-2 m-3 and 9.8 × 10-1 m-3. The highest MP concentration was measured upstream the Weser Weir

Abundances of small microplastics (S-MP, 11-500 µm) in surface waters of the Weser estuary and the German North Sea (April 2018)

In order to assess pollution with small microplastics (S-MP, 11-500 µm) in the Lower Weser and transition to the German North Sea, surface water samples were collected with the RV Otzum (ICBM, Institute for Chemistry and Biology of the Marine Environment), as well as with the RV Uthörn (AWI, Alfred-Wegener-Institute) in April 2018. Sampling was performed using a pumping system containing of a floating suction basket (mesh size: 500 µm) for pre-filtration, followed by the concentration onto a 15 µm stainless steel screen. Samples were isolated from the filter screens in the laboratory, thoroughly processed and measured via µFTIR imaging. Dominant polymer type in the S-MP sample fraction was acrylates/polyurethanes/varnish, and concentrations ranged between 2.3 × 10¹ and 9.7 × 10³ m⁻³, with maximum values in the area of the turbidity Maximum Zone of the River Weser

Microplastic pollution in the Weser estuary and the German North Sea

Microplastics (MP) are defined as synthetic organic pollutants sized 500 µm fraction was dominated by polyethylene. Estimated MP concentrations generally increased in the Turbidity Maximum Zone (TMZ) and decreased towards the open sea. This study contributes to the current research by providing novel insights into the MP pollution of the estuary and lower stretch of an important European river and provides implications for future MP monitoring measures