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The validation of analytical methods for the identification and quantification of micro and nanoplastics in environmental matrices is hindered by a lack of standard reference materials (RMs). These materials are required for the harmonisation of analytical methods and the generation of comparable and reliable data. As a result, uncertainties associated with the measurements from individual laboratories can occur due to contamination, over-estimation, and under-estimation of nano and microplastics from environmental samples affecting the comparison and interpretation of analytical data from different laboratories. Until now, the Norwegian Institute for Water Research (NIVA) has focused on making reference materials (RMs) in the microscale, i.e., from 50 μm and up to 1 mm of the following polymer types: PVC, PE, PET, PS, PP and PC as well as polymer mixtures, in the form of effervescent soda tablets. These RMs have been used in inter- laboratory comparison (ILC) studies worldwide as well as in microplastic recovery tests. The RMs have been analysed by different laboratories using different techniques, including light microscopy, μFTIR, Raman and Pyr-GC/MS. The latest ILC study including the soda tablets is the EU project EUROqCHARM, where two sets of soda tablets, one containing PE, PET and PS (50-300 μm) and the other containing PP, PC and PVC (50-300 μm) were produced. A complete characterisation of these batches was carried during production by counting the number of particles in 20 tablets obtaining a RSD of 11 % and 13 %, respectively and by measuring all the particles in 10 of the tablets for each batch to study the size distribution. In this presentation the results for the complete characterisation of the tablets will be shown. The next step in generating relevant RMs is to focus attention on the size fractions below Also see: https://micro2022.sciencesconf.org/425663/document, In MICRO 2022, Online Atlas Edition: Plastic Pollution from MACRO to nano

Microplastic reference materials can be defined as standardised and well-characterised batches of particles available for use in scientific testing. Reference materials are necessary for quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) of scientific experimentation and represent a fundamental component in facilitating harmonisation and cross comparability of analyses and hazard assessment. Existing microplastic reference materials representative of relevant agricultural sources are scarce. This represents several challenges associated with generating micronised particles from relevant source materials, obtaining relevant particle characteristics, and producing sufficiently large amounts of reference materials. There is a demand for large batches of environmentally-relevant reference materials that are sufficiently homogenous in their characteristics (e.g. size, morphology, chemical composition) that can be used by multiple laboratories and therefore facilitate harmonisation between studies. Experiences generating reference materials in two European projects addressing microplastic pollution in agricultural soil environments (IMPASSE and PAPILLONS) will be shared to identify challenges and opportunities. This includes producing different reference material types for important sources of microplastics to agricultural soils; for example, microplastic fibres from sewage sludge and fragments of mulching films. Approaches and challenges associated with simulated environmental ageing of particles in a relevant way will be discussed. Similar difficulties in producing relevant microplastic reference materials are present for different source materials (i.e. outside of agriculture). Accordingly, the development of reference materials remains an ongoing task across the whole research field. These insights represent an important step towards harmonisation. Also see: https://micro2022.sciencesconf.org/427176/document, In MICRO 2022, Online Atlas Edition: Plastic Pollution from MACRO to nano

PURPOSE: BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutated cancers (BRCAmut) have intrinsic sensitivity to PARP inhibitors due to deficiency in homologous recombination-mediated DNA repair. There are similarities between BRCAmut and BRCAwt ovarian and basal-like breast cancers. This phase I study determined the recommended phase II dose (RP2D) and preliminary efficacy of the PARP inhibitor, veliparib (ABT-888), in these patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients (n=98) were dosed with veliparib 50–500 mg twice daily (BID). The BRCAmut cohort (n=70) contained predominantly ovarian (53%) and breast (23%) cancers; the BRCAwt cohort (n=28) consisted primarily of breast cancer (86%). The MTD, DLT, adverse events, PK, PD, and clinical response were assessed. RESULTS: DLTs were grade 3 nausea/vomiting at 400 mg BID in a BRCAmut carrier, grade 2 seizure at 400 mg BID in a patient with BRCAwt cancer, and grade 2 seizure at 500 mg BID in a BRCAmut carrier. Common toxicities included nausea (65%), fatigue (45%), and lymphopenia (38%). Grade 3/4 toxicities were rare (highest lymphopenia at 15%). Overall response rate (ORR) was 23% (95% CI 13%−35%) in BRCAmut overall, and 37% (95% CI 21%−55%) at 400 mg BID and above. In BRCAwt, ORR was 8% (95% CI 1%−26%), and clinical benefit rate was 16% (95% CI 4%−36%), reflecting prolonged stable disease in some patients. PK was linear with dose and was correlated with response and nausea. CONCLUSIONS: Continuous veliparib is safe and tolerable. The RP2D was 400 mg BID. There is evidence of clinical activity of veliparib in patients with BRCAmut and BRCAwt cancers.

UNLABELLED: Microplastic is now ubiquitous in freshwater, sediment and biota, globally. This is as a consequence of inputs from, for example, waste mismanagement, effluents from wastewater treatment plants and surface runoff from agricultural areas. In this study, we investigated point source pollution of plastic to an upland stream, originating from a recycling plant that recycles polyethylene film in a remote area of Norway. Sediment (~2 kg) and macroinvertebrates (549 individuals in total) were sampled at one site upstream and two sites downstream of the recycling plant to study microplastic deposition and food web uptake. In total, 340 microplastic films were identified through a combination of visual and µFTIR analysis in the sediment samples. This corresponded to a concentration of 0.23 (± 0.057) items per g sediment upstream of the plastic recycling plant and 0.45 (± 0.017) and 0.58 (± 0.34) items per g downstream. The dominant plastic polymer was polyethylene, which increased significantly downstream of the plastic recycling plant. This indicates the role of the plastic recycling plant as a point source for microplastic in this catchment. Among the three sites investigated, a fairly constant concentration of polypropylene was found, indicating a diffuse source of polypropylene films across the catchment possibly relating to low-intensity agricultural land-use. Low levels of polyethylene were also observed upstream, which may be linked to either local or longer-distance atmospheric transport. Despite the considerable presence of microplastic in sediments, concentrations in macroinvertebrates were extremely low with only a single microplastic particle identified in the total of 549 macroinvertebrates-belonging to three different feeding groups-investigated. Our study suggests that: 1) microplastic pollution can be transferred to remote areas as unintended losses from recycling facilities, 2) remote areas with limited land-use pressure still have detectable levels of microplastic and 3) microplastic is only taken up by stream macroinvertebrates to a limited degree despite relatively high sediment concentrations, and thus there are no strong indications for ecological risks posed by microplastic to this ecological group at this location.SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s43591-022-00045-z.

Prosjektleder Jannike Falk-Andersson The Norwegian Environment Agency (NEA) aims to strengthen environmental monitoring of macroplastic and litter pollution in Norway. Macroplastic and litter are items above 25 mm. Monitoring of litter in the Northern Fulmar is included (1-25 mm) as this is an established indicator representing biota. The other environmental compartments covered in this report are coastal waters, oceans, lakes, rivers, and terrestrial environments. This report identifies international obligations and national needs for knowledge on litter, reviews international harmonisation efforts for monitoring of litter and evaluates their technological readiness levels for implementation in monitoring programs. Data availability, on-going monitoring activities and initiatives that could contribute to collecting data on litter in Norway is mapped, and the cost of expanding existing monitoring is evaluated. Based on this mapping recommendations are given on how monitoring of macroplastic and litter could be strengthened in the future in Norway. Norwegian Environment Agency

Given the increasing attention on the occurrence of microplastics in the environment, and the potential envi-ronmental threats they pose, there is a need for researchers to move quickly from basic understanding to applied science that supports decision makers in finding feasible mitigation measures and solutions. At the same time, they must provide sufficient, accurate and clear information to the media, public and other relevant groups (e.g., NGOs). Key requirements include systematic and coordinated research efforts to enable evidence-based decision making and to develop efficient policy measures on all scales (national, regional and global). To achieve this, collaboration between key actors is essential and should include researchers from multiple disciplines, policy-makers, authorities, civil and industry organizations, and the public. This further requires clear and informative communication processes, and open and continuous dialogues between all actors. Cross-discipline dialogues between researchers should focus on scientific quality and harmonization, defining and accurately communi-cating the state of knowledge, and prioritization of topics that are critical for both research and policy, with the common goal to establish and update action plans for holistic benefit. In Norway, cross-sectoral collaboration has been fundamental in supporting the national strategy to address plastic pollution. Researchers, stakeholders and the environmental authorities have come together to exchange knowledge, identify knowledge gaps, and set targeted and feasible measures to tackle one of the most challenging aspects of plastic pollution: microplastic. In this article, we present a Norwegian perspective on the state of knowledge on microplastic research efforts. Norway’s involvement in international efforts to combat plastic pollution aims at serving as an example of how key actors can collaborate synergistically to share knowledge, address shortcomings, and outline ways forward to address environmental challenges. publishedVersion

Project Manager/Main Author: Hans Fredrik Veiteberg Braaten Research on plastic leakage and marine debris has developed significantly the last few years, but our knowledge on the scope of the problem, environmental and societal effects, and potential solutions is still limited. Accurate data on plastic waste generation, leakage to rivers and waterways, and total flux to the marine environment is lacking. The ASEAN-Norwegian cooperation project on local capacity building for reducing plastic pollution in the ASEAN region (ASEANO) provides research and knowledge to develop regional reduction measures and actions necessary for a global decrease of plastic waste pollution. Here, a summary of waste management, frameworks and environmental awareness in Indonesia and the Philippines is presented, in addition to an overview of relevant industries for plastic waste. Finally, we point to key future knowledge needs for effects on plastic pollution reduction to be seen globally.

Acquired PARP inhibitor (PARPi) resistance in BRCA1- or BRCA2-mutant ovarian cancer often results from secondary mutations that restore expression of functional protein. RAD51C is a less commonly studied ovarian cancer susceptibility gene whose promoter is sometimes methylated, leading to homologous recombination (HR) deficiency and PARPi sensitivity. For this study, the PARPi-sensitive patient-derived ovarian cancer xenograft PH039, which lacks HR gene mutations but harbors RAD51C promoter methylation, was selected for PARPi resistance by cyclical niraparib treatment in vivo. PH039 acquired PARPi resistance by the third treatment cycle and grew through subsequent treatment with either niraparib or rucaparib. Transcriptional profiling throughout the course of resistance development showed widespread pathway level changes along with a marked increase in RAD51C mRNA, which reflected loss of RAD51C promoter methylation. Analysis of ovarian cancer samples from the ARIEL2 Part 1 clinical trial of rucaparib monotherapy likewise indicated an association between loss of RAD51C methylation prior to on-study biopsy and limited response. Interestingly, the PARPi resistant PH039 model remained platinum sensitive. Collectively, these results not only indicate that PARPi treatment pressure can reverse RAD51C methylation and restore RAD51C expression, but also provide a model for studying the clinical observation that PARPi and platinum sensitivity are sometimes dissociated.

The restoration effort to clean up the river, known as “Citarum Harum” requires monitoring to estimate both the composition and the volumes of plastic pollution. The objective of the monitoring is to obtain a scientific baseline of marine plastics from Citarum River as a function of other influencing aspects. A static net trawl (60 m x 10 m, mesh size 2.5 cm, and about 1 meter submerged) was installed under the New Muara Gembong Bridge for eight consecutive days in March and April 2021 or during the rainy season. The trapped debris was collected manually into boxes using two boats and simple tools. After the drying, weighting, classification processes and by excluding natural organics (leaves/branches), plastics contributed as the most dominant for both abundance (83%) and weight (31%) followed by textiles, hazardous materials, construction materials and rubbers. The hydrological conditions as well as the tides were also observed to be one of dominant parameters. The quantification of macro-plastic litter transport from River Citarum into the Java Sea is also an aim for the ASEANO project (ASEAN – Norway cooperation project on local capacity building for reducing plastic pollution in the ASEAN region).

Supplemental material, sj-pdf-1-asp-10.1177_0003702820930733 for Is It or Isn't It: The Importance of Visual Classification in Microplastic Characterization by Amy L. Lusher, Inger Lise N. Bråte, Keenan Munno, Rachel R. Hurley and Natalie A. Welden in Applied Spectroscopy

Prosjektleder Markus Lindholm Rapporten gir en oversikt over mulige miljøproblemer knyttet til plast i miljøet, med fokus på Norge. Kunnskapsbasert forvaltning av dette globale miljøproblemet vil både lokalt/kommunalt og nasjonalt avhenge av at man kjenner kilder, transportveier og plastenes videre skjebne i miljøet. En kompliserende faktor i vurdering av plast som miljøproblem er at ulike typer plast må antas å representere ganske ulike miljøproblemer, både biokjemisk og fordi de oppfører seg helt ulikt i miljøet. Enn videre responderer makroplast, mikroplast og nanoplast ganske ulikt på miljøfaktorer. Det gis en oppdatert kunnskapsstatus basert på norsk og over internasjonal forskning, både om kilder, transportmekanismer i miljøet, og havmiljø, og det pekes på betydelige kunnskapshull på flere nivåer, som gjør det vanskelig å konkludere og iverksette tiltak. Ulike miljøkonsekvenser drøftes, med særlig fokus på plast i vann og vassdrag, og deres funksjon som transportårer for spredning av plast til miljøet og til havet. Det gis videre en oversikt over hvilke metoder som så langt har vært prøvd ut for kartlegging av plastsøppel. Fremtidig overvåking av plastproblemet vil til dels kreve ny teknologi, og ulike eksempler på slike drøftes. Det gis anbefalinger for hvilke tiltak som bør prioriteres, og forslag til egnet kartleggings- og overvåkingsmetodikk.

Miljødirektoratet tasked NIVA to investigate methods used for the extraction of microplastics from environmental samples of blue mussels and marine sediment. Presented here are the results of methods tested, as well as NIVAs recommendations for future monitoring of microplastics in the Norwegian environment. Based on the current literature and this study, Mytilus spp. appears to be a promising bioindicator for the smallest sized microplastic (

Project manager Marianne Olsen The main objective of this project was to characterize microplastics in sewage sludge from Norwegian domestic wastewater treatment plants applying different wastewater and sludge treatment technologies. WWTPs were selected to cover the threemain domestic WWTP categories in Norway and the main applied sludge treatment processes. Fenton’s reagent was used to remove organic matter and density separations were employed to extract microplastics from sludge samples. Plastics were found in all ten sludge samples investigated from eight WWTPs. The overall average plastic abundance was 6 077 particles kg-1 (d.w.) (1701 – 19 837) or 1 176 889 particles m-3 (470 270 – 3 394 274). Based on the average microplastic abundance and the present application of sewage sludge in Norway, it was estimated that over 500 billion microplastics are released into the environment via sewage sludge application each year, to agricultural soils, green areas and soil producers. This likely represents a significant source of microplastics to terrestrial and marine systems. Miljødirektoratet