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The careful design of distinctive membrane layers with specific pore structures is a crucial aspect of membrane fabrication. Previous efforts in metal–organic framework (MOF) based membranes have predominantly employed a single MOF material for improving membrane resistance to fouling due to microplastics and proteins. Here, a novel, highly specialised ultrafiltration (UF) membrane is developed through the in-situ growth of NH2-UiO-66 on the NH2-MIL-125 (MOF-on-MOF) crystals to improve membranes’ performance such as pure water flux (PWF), rejection, and antifouling properties. The developed membranes displayed multidimensional pores, leading to a significant enhancement in fouling resistance while achieving remarkable improvements in water flux. The improved MOF-on-MOF UF membranes showed increased PWF from 247 (controlled membrane) to 401 L.m−2.h−1 while maintaining rejection rates above the 94 % threshold. The MOF-on-MOF particles displayed a strong hydrophilic nature and a higher negative surface charge compared to the individual MOFs due to synergistic effect of both MOFs. That, together with their interconnected structure, contributed to their significant impact on the membranes’ performance and antifouling properties. Given that the MOF-on-MOF integration with UF membranes has not been extensively explored in existing literature, the outcome of this study offers new insights into the dynamics of these interactions and the potential to enhance these intricate membrane structures for more effective separation and purification processes.

The use of vehicle tires has been identified as a major source of microplastics in the environment and an increasing source of urban particulate air pollution. In light of increasing traffic volumes, increasingly heavier and more powerful vehicles due to trends and electrification, and the lack of tire wear regulation, methods to estimate and monitor changes in national emissions are needed as input for environmental impact assessments. Emission estimations of tire wear are made either based on the mileage approach or the sales approach. This study aims to investigate if and how the mileage approach can be improved by using emission factors for passenger cars and LDVs based on our own measurements and emission factors from the literature for HDVs and buses. An approach with emission factor adjustments based on weight and number of tires in combination with highly detailed mileage data has been evaluated. Sales approach calculations have been used to validate the method. A secondary aim was to use the new mileage approach framework to calculate the national tire wear emissions for Sweden. These calculations resulted in slightly lower total emissions than previous estimations provide, but with higher emissions for passenger cars and light-duty vehicles, and lower emissions for heavy-duty vehicles and motorcycles. Passenger cars constitute more than half of the total emissions. It is concluded that even though the framework offers greater detail, thus increasing the possibilities to adjust for changes in emission factors and mileages in specific vehicle categories, the challenges posed by such factors as the lack of measured emission factors for heavy-duty vehicles and uncertainties regarding the quality of mileage statistics makes the estimations uncertain.

Untreated stormwater is a major source of microplastics, organic pollutants, metals, and nutrients in urban water courses. The aim of this study was to improve the knowledge about the start-up periods of bioretention filters. A rain garden pilot facility with 13 bioretention filters was constructed and stormwater from a highway and adjacent impervious surfaces was used for irrigation for ∼12 weeks. Selected plants (Armeria maritima, Hippophae rhamnoides, Juncus effusus, and Festuca rubra) was planted in ten filters. Stormwater percolated through the filters containing waste-to-energy bottom ash, biochar, or Sphagnum peat, mixed with sandy loam. Influent and effluent samples were taken to evaluate removal of the above-mentioned pollutants., Research funding also provided by: COWIfonden (Ref. no. APE/knl/T-155.02)

Microplastics (MPs) accumulation in rocky shore organisms has limited knowledge. This study investigated MPs accumulation in filter-feeding oysters, herbivorous limpets and carnivorous snails to assess their performance as sentinel species in the MPs trophic transfer. The samples were obtained along a contamination gradient in the Santos Estuarine System, Brazil. All three studied species showed MPs concentrations related to the contamination gradient, being the oysters the species that showed the highest levels, followed by limpets and snails (average of less and most contaminated sites of 1.06–8.90, 2.28–5.69 and 0.44–2.10 MP g−1, respectively), suggesting that MPs ingestion rates are linked to feeding habits. MPs were mainly polystyrene and polyacetal. The polymer types did not vary among sites nor species. Despite minor differences in percentages and diversity of size, shape, and color classes, the analyzed species were equally able to demonstrate dominance of small, fiber, transparent, black and blue MPs. Thus, oysters, limpets, and snails are proposed as sentinels of MPs in monitoring assessments.

Emerging pollutants, such as pharmaceuticals and microplastics have become a pressing concern due to their widespread presence and potential impacts on ecological systems. To assess the ecosystem-level effects of these pollutants within a multi-stressor context, we simulated real-world conditions by exposing a near-natural multi-trophic aquatic food web to a gradient of environmentally relevant concentrations of fluoxetine and microplastics in large mesocosms over a period of more than three months. We measured the biomass and abundance of different trophic groups, as well as ecological functions such as nutrient availability and decomposition rate. To explore the mechanisms underlying potential community and ecosystem-level effects, we also performed behavioral assays focusing on locomotion parameters as a response variable in three species: Daphnia magna (zooplankton prey), Chaoborus flavicans larvae (invertebrate pelagic predator of zooplankton) and Asellus aquaticus (benthic macroinvertebrate), using water from the mesocosms. Our mesocosm results demonstrate that presence of microplastics governs the response in phytoplankton biomass, with a weak non-monotonic dose-response relationship due to the interaction between microplastics and fluoxetine. However, exposure to fluoxetine evoked a strong non-monotonic dose-response in zooplankton abundance and microbial decomposition rate of plant material. In the behavioral assays, the locomotion of zooplankton prey D. magna showed a similar non-monotonic response primarily induced by fluoxetine. Its predator C. flavicans, however, showed a significant non-monotonic response governed by both microplastics and fluoxetine. The behavior of the decomposer A. aquaticus significantly decreased at higher fluoxetine concentrations, potentially leading to reduced decomposition rates near the sediment. Our study demonstrates that effects observed upon short-term exposure result in more pronounced ecosystem-level effects followin

Plastic pollution is an increasing global health concern, particularly the ever-increasing amount of tiny plastic particles commonly referred to as micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs). Most research to date on MNP exposure and hazards has focused on environmental species such as aquatic organisms and, more recently, humans, leaving impacts on farm animals largely unstudied. MNPs have been detected in all environmental compartments, including agricultural environments, farm animals and food products originating from them. The health of farm animals can be directly affected by MNPs, while humans can be affected by MNPs present in animal-derived food products. In this perspective article, we argue that MNP research should give more attention to farm animals forming a critical link between the environment and human health. Here, we summarize evidence on sources, exposure routes, levels in farm animals, and potential health effects of MNPs on farm animals, and identify knowledge gaps for future research, such as effects of MNPs on reproduction and development. In particular, the bovine embryo model is a promising model to study effects of MNPs on early development of both farm animals and humans. This perspective article signals the need for follow up studies that will increase our understanding of the transfer of MNPs between environment, farm animals, and humans, and the potential of farm animals to serve as an indicator for other animals, including humans.

We report atmospheric fine micro- and nanoplastics concentrations from particulate matter (PM) samples of two size fractions (PM10, fine micro- and nanoplastics, and PM1, nanoplastics), which were collected at the remote high alpine station Sonnblick Observatory, Austria. Active sampling was performed from June 2021 until April 2022. Analysis was done using TD-PTR-MS to detect 6 different plastic types. Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene/polypropylene carbonate (PP/PPC) were found to be the dominating species. PET was detected in almost all samples, while the other plastic types occurred more episodically. Furthermore, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polystyrene (PS) and tire wear particles were detected in single samples. Considering the three main plastic types, average plastics concentrations were 35 and 21 ng m−³ with maximum concentrations of 165 and 113 ng m−³ for PM10 and PM1, respectively. Average polymer concentrations were higher in the summer/fall period than in winter/spring. In summer/fall, PM10 plastics concentrations were higher by a factor of 2 compared to PM1, while concentrations of both size classes were comparable in the winter/spring period. This suggests that in the colder season plastic particles arriving at the Eastern Alpine crests are mainly present as nanoplastics. The contribution of micro- and nanoplastics to organic matter at the remote site was found to be comparable to data determined at an urban site. We found significant correlations between the PET concentration and tracers originating from anthropogenic activities such as elemental carbon, nitrate, ammonium, and sulphate as well as organic carbon and arabitol.

Over the centuries, the populations of human beings settled in the surroundings of water tributaries have indiscriminately disposed of their waste, throwing it into rivers, lakes, oceans, and surrounding land. When the amounts of waste, mostly biodegradable, are low, the environmental consequences and the health of biotic communities are minimal. However, the mass manufacture and disposal of non-biodegradable synthetic materials since the mid-20th century has had profound biological and environmental effects. Plastics are the most significant example of these ubiquitous synthetic materials, usually single-use, non-biodegradable and with high amounts of toxic chemical additives. Due to the high stability and resistance of plastic, it is impossible to quickly bind it in processes that allow its degradation and decomposition; for this reason, they have become half of the waste that exists on the planet today. The drift of these materials leads them, under ambient conditions, to gradually fragment into particles reaching the scales of micrometers and nanometers. These particles have been categorized as incidental contaminants: micro and nanoplastics. Today, the world is witnessing the nanotechnology boom and more and more industries are interested in the use of this emerging technology; They intentionally produce micro and nanoplastics to be incorporated into cosmetic products, textile fibers, among many other purposes. The contamination of these plastic particles of imperceptible dimensions, reaches food for human consumption through persistence in ecosystems and bioaccumulation, through different routes of exposure, mainly through ingestion in the different chains that make up the global trophic web, in addition, of the migration of the material used for the storage, preservation and packaging of food. When ingested, nanoplastics and some microplastics cross physical epithelial barriers and are distributed throughout the body, entering practically all body tissues, al, A través de los siglos, las poblaciones de seres humanos asentadas en los alrededores de afluentes hídricos han dispuesto indiscriminadamente sus desechos arrojándolos a los ríos, lagos, océanos, y terrenos aledaños. Cuando las cantidades de desechos, en su mayoría biodegradables son bajas, las consecuencias ambientales y sobre la salud de las comunidades bióticas son mínimas. Sin embargo, la fabricación y disposición en masa de materiales sintéticos no biodegradables desde mediados del siglo XX ha tenido profundos efectos biológicos y ambientales. Los plásticos son el ejemplo más significativo de estos ubicuos materiales sintéticos, usualmente de un solo uso, no biodegradables y con altas cantidades de aditivos químicos tóxicos. Debido a la alta estabilidad y resistencia del plástico, es imposible vincularlo rápidamente en procesos que permitan su degradación y descomposición; por ello, se han convertido en la mitad de los residuos que hoy existen en el planeta. La deriva de estos materiales conlleva a que, bajo condiciones ambientes, paulatinamente se vayan fragmentando en partículas alcanzando las escalas de los micrómetros y los nanómetros, a estas partículas se les ha categorizado como contaminantes incidentales: micro y nanoplásticos. Hoy en día, el mundo contempla el boom de la nanotecnología y cada vez más industrias se interesan por el uso de esta tecnología emergente; producen micro y nanoplásticos de manera intencional para ser incorporados en productos cosméticos, fibras textiles, entre muchos otros propósitos. La contaminación de estas partículas plásticas de dimensiones imperceptibles, llega a los alimentos de consumo humano a través de la persistencia en los ecosistemas y la bioacumulación, por diferentes vías de exposición, principalmente por ingesta en las diferentes cadenas que componen la red trófica mundial, además, de la migración del material empleado para el almacenamiento, preservación y empaque de los alimentos. Los nanoplásticos y algunos m

Microplastics (MPs) of various morphologies have been ubiquitously detected in the environment, food, drinking water, and biota and may pose a threat to food safety and human health. Interestingly, the highest reported concentration of MPs comes from the processing of foods in plastic packaging. MPs exposure to humans is more prevalent in infants than in any other age group due to the use of polypropylene (PP)-based products in formula preparation. Although the effect of MPs on human health is still controversial, multiple studies conducted using in vivo and in vitro animal models have suggested that MPs can lead to a variety of health problems for humans, including gastrointestinal disorders, obesity, inflammation, cardiovascular disease, disruption of the endocrine system, and damage to vital organs including the liver and spleen. In addition, MPs could disrupt the digestion and bioavailability of important nutrients such as proteins, affecting the proper functioning of the human body, or triggering chronic health diseases and allergic reactions. Meanwhile, cow’s milk forms an essential part of the diet of infants as a source of protein and other nutrients and a primary component of infant formula. MPs have been found in milk products, including prepared infant formula. Despite the overwhelming evidence of the presence of MPs in infant foods, the literature remains deficient in information relating to the impact of MPs on the digestion and absorption of proteins in infants. This research gap gave birth to the European Union’s Horizon Europe-funded Microprot project. The broad aim of the Microprot project is to investigate the impact of polypropylene-based MPs from plastic packaging material on the digestibility of proteins in adults and infants. Therefore, the occurrence of MPs in various foods and their potential effect on health will be presented, highlighting the approach and impact of the Microprot project.

Trypsin is the main protease in the intestine. Microplastics (MPs) have been previously shown to interact with and decrease the activity of some digestive enzymes, including pepsin and lipase. Red meat has been shown to be a source of allergy which has been linked to the galactose-alpha-1,3-galactose (alpha-Gal) posttranslational modification of proteins. Our aim was to investigate the effect of two types of MPs commonly found in the environment – polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) – on the digestion of protein in beef meat extract and preservation of protein harboring the alpha-Gal epitope. Digestion of beef meat extract has been performed with trypsin in simulated intestinal fluid (SIF) in the presence of MPs. After digestion was stopped with a specific inhibitor, bulk beef meat extract was separated through centrifugation from the MPs. Soft coronas were obtained by washing the MPs with SIF. The hard corona was obtained by addition of a reducing buffer for electrophoresis sample preparation to the MPs with a heating step at 95°C. All samples were analyzed with SDS-PAG electrophoresis. Selected samples were further analyzed with anti-alpha-Gal antibodies using western blot. There is an observable difference between the digestion patterns of meat extract after 1 and 2 h of digestion in the presence of MPs compared to the control. Evolution of digestion is similar for both types of MPs, without regard to plastic type. It has also been confirmed that preserved proteins possess the alpha-Gal modification. As MPs presence does not change trypsin specific activity, the change in digestion pattern is presumed to be due to steric effects and/or interplay of enzyme/protein in the corona. This study suggests that MPs presence influences trypsin digestibility of meat proteins, including alpha-Gal-bearing allergens. This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under grant agreement No 965173.

Plastic is found across the globe and ubiquitous as a pollutant in aquatic environments. The primary source of plastic for the environment is the mismanagement of waste. Through runoff, plastic eventually enters freshwater environments and becomes a hazard to aquatic life. Although plastic’s effects on organisms is well documented, it is unknown how these effects propagate through food webs and affect ecosystem functions. Biodegradable forms of plastic have been developed that may be less persistent and therefore have smaller environmental footprints. My thesis investigates the effects of one non-biodegradable thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) and two biodegradable TPUs on freshwater ecosystems using experimental pounds. In a gradient design, microplastics were added to 27 experimental ponds with zooplankton and algae communities. The concentrations of both plankton types were monitored over 97 days. We show that algal blooms and eutrophic conditions occurred consistently in ponds treated with medium to high concentrations of the petroleum TPU, and less often in those treated with the biodegradable plastics. The density and biomass of zooplankton were significantly lower in tanks above a threshold concentration of non-biodegradable TPU within 36 days of exposure (p<0.05). This threshold concentration increased over time from 0.023 grams per liter on day 36 to 0.072 grams per liter on day 97 (p<0.05). The two bioplastics had much weaker effects on zooplankton densities than the petroleum based TPU. My thesis suggests that plastic pollution could contribute significantly to degrading of water quality by promoting algal blooms and eutrophic conditions through reducing zooplankton grazing. Biodegradable plastics offer an alternative to petroleum-based plastics and have less impact on plankton communities. The spread of plastic pollution in recent decades has coincided with expanding zones of eutrophication, deoxygenation and algal blooms. My thesis is the first exp

Microplastics are released from terrestrial surfaces into the atmosphere where they are conveyed via wind and may be deposited, remain in the atmosphere, or disperse across long ranges. Because of this high atmospheric contamination, inhalation is one of the primary exposure pathways for microplastics. Inhalation exposure is controlled by two key factors: a) the quantity of microplastics available to be emitted from terrestrial environments to the atmosphere, and b) the factors that influence the potential of this emission occurring. The reported concentrations of microplastics on terrestrial surfaces vary widely based on monitoring methodology and characteristics of the capture region, making it difficult to estimate potentially emitted microplastics. Concentrations of traditional atmospheric aerosols such as particulate matter (PM10, PM 2.5), NOx, SOx, and heavy metals, vary based on region characteristics such as climate, land use, socioeconomic vulnerability, and urban sources including landfills, wastewater treatment plants, and hazardous waste sites. However, microplastics have unique properties: low density and high hydrophobicity, which may alter their emission mechanisms and spatial distribution. Thus, it is unknown how fluctuation in these exposure factors could affect the emission potential of microplastics, influencing concentration levels in the atmosphere. Additionally, the fundamental emission mechanisms and factors that could affect the emission potential of microplastics into the atmosphere are unclear. A wide body of literature models the atmospheric emission of particulate pollutants; however, no model to date adapts these traditional emission models by accounting for the unique properties of microplastics. The overall objective of the dissertation is to improve the mechanistic understanding of microplastic emission into the atmosphere, and the factors which may affect the exposure of human populations to higher levels of emitted microplastics in

This review highlights the growing concern regarding the proliferation of microplastics (MPs) in aquatic ecosystems and their potential impact on both the environment and human health. Despite current efforts, a considerable number of MPs remain untreated due to their small size. Conventional identification and treatment methods are summarized pointing to the current limitations. Emerging technologies in microfluidics and nanotechnology are presented as potential solutions for the removal of MPs from aquatic environments. These novel technologies, which are currently being used for the development of novel point of care (PoC) diagnostic devices, can take advantage of the size and density similarities between MPs and commonly separated particles in microfluidics applications such as cells, making them promising candidates for MPs separation and recovery in wastewater treatment plants. This review evaluates the limitations of current MPs separation and recovery technologies in water treatment plants and laboratories and compares them with the promising capabilities of microfluidics and nanotechnology, providing valuable insights into future strategies for combating MPs pollution., Our research has been funded by Ministerio de Ciencia y Innovación (PID2020-114070RB-I00), Agencia Estatal de Investigación (RED2018-102829-T and CPP2021-009021), Agencia para la competitividad de la Empresa (ACE051/22/000014). Fullbright Program and European Commission with UNITE Initiative., Peer Reviewed, Postprint (published version)

The increased environmental presence of micro-/nanoplastics (MNPLs) and the potential health risks associated with their exposure classify them as environmental pollutants with special environmental and health concerns. Consequently, there is an urgent need to investigate the potential risks associated with secondary MNPLs. In this context, using “true-to-life” MNPLs, resulting from the laboratory degradation of plastic goods, may be a sound approach. These non-commercial secondary MNPLs must be labeled to track their presence/journeys inside cells or organisms. Because the cell internalization of MNPLs is commonly analyzed using fluorescence techniques, the use of fluorescent dyes may be a sound method to label them. Five different compounds comprising two chemical dyes (Nile Red and Rhodamine-B), one optical brightener (Opticol), and two industrial dyes (Amarillo Luminoso and iDye PolyPink) were tested to determine their potential for such applications. Using commercial standards of polystyrene nanoplastics (PSNPLs) with an average size of 170 nm, different characteristics of the selected dyes such as the absence of impact on cell viability, specificity for plastic staining, no leaching, and lack of interference with other fluorochromes were analyzed. Based on the overall data obtained in the wide battery of assays performed, iDye PolyPink exhibited the most advantages, with respect to the other compounds, and was selected to effectively label “true-to-life” MNPLs. These advantages were confirmed using a proposed protocol, and labeling titanium-doped PETNPLs (obtained from the degradation of milk PET plastic bottles), as an example of “true-to-life” secondary NPLs. These results confirmed the usefulness of iDye PolyPink for labeling MNPLs and detecting cell internalization, A. Villacorta was supported by PhD fellowships from the National Agency for Research and Development (ANID), from the CONICYT PFCHA/DOCTORADO BECAS CHILE/2020–72210237. L. Vela was supported by a Ph.D. fellowship from the Fundación Carolina. M. Morataya-Reyes hold a Ph.D. FI fellowship from the Generalitat de Catalunya. A. Hernández was granted an ICREA ACADEMIA award. I.H. Valido was supported by “Ayudas Margarita Salas para la formación de jóvenes doctores”, Ministerio de Universidades (Spain). This project has received funding from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme under Grant Agreement No. 965196. This work was also partially supported by the Spanish Ministry of Science and Innovation [PID2020-116789, RB-C43], and by the Generalitat de Catalunya (2021-SGR-00731 and 2021-SGR-00723), Postprint (published version)

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous pollutants of increasing concern in aquatic systems. However, little is still known about the impacts of weathered MPs on plankton at the community level after long-term exposure. In this study, we investigated the effects of weathered MPs on the structure and dynamics of a Baltic Sea planktonic community during ca. 5 weeks of exposure using a mesocosm approach (2 m3) mimicking natural conditions. MPs were obtained from micronized commercial materials of polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyamide (nylon) previously weathered by thermal ageing and sunlight exposure. The planktonic community was exposed to 2 Όg L-1 and 2 mg L-1 of MPs corresponding to measured particle concentrations (10–120 Όm) of 680 MPs L-1 and 680 MPs mL-1, respectively. The abundance and composition of all size classes and groups of plankton and chlorophyll concentrations were periodically analyzed throughout the experiment. The population dynamics of the studied groups showed some variations between treatments, with negative and positive effects of MPs exhibited depending on the group and exposure time. The abundance of heterotrophic bacteria, pico- and nanophytoplankton, cryptophytes, and ciliates was lower in the treatment with the higher MP concentration than in the control at the last weeks of the exposure. The chlorophyll concentration and the abundances of heterotrophic nanoflagellates, Astromoeba, dinoflagellate, diatom, and metazooplankton were not negatively affected by the exposure to MPs and, in some cases, some groups showed even higher abundances in the MP treatments. Despite these tendencies, statistical analyses indicate that in most cases there were no statistically significant differences between treatments over the exposure period, even at very high exposure concentrations. Our results show that weathered MPs of the studied conventional plastic materials have minimal or negligible impact on planktonic communities after l

Microplastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems is a pressing environmental issue, posing significant threats to marine life and human health. Traditional detection and remediation methods are often inadequate, necessitating the development of innovative approaches. This research aims to explore and evaluate novel techniques for detecting and mitigating microplastics in aquatic environments. The study investigates advanced detection technologies, including spectroscopy and sensor-based methods, that offer higher accuracy and efficiency compared to conventional approaches. Additionally, it explores innovative remediation techniques such as bioremediation and the use of advanced filtration systems. Field and laboratory experiments were conducted to test the effectiveness of these methods in various aquatic settings. The results indicate that these innovative approaches significantly enhance the detection and removal of microplastics, demonstrating superior performance over traditional methods. This research provides critical insights into the potential of advanced technologies in addressing microplastic pollution, highlighting their applicability and benefits for environmental conservation. By integrating these innovative solutions, we can better safeguard aquatic ecosystems and promote sustainable environmental practices.

Traffic-derived microplastics, i.e., tyre wear particles, wear from polymer-modified bitumen, and road marking wear are assumed to be one of the largest sources of microplastic contamination. Road markings as a source of microplastic emissions are still a rather unexplored research area, and there arestill large knowledge gaps regarding annual wear, concentrations in different environments, and eventual risks for flora and fauna. This report has aimed to estimate the annual wear of road markings in Sweden and to investigate the knowledge on a municipal level related to road markings and wear. In addition, road markings from different traffic environments have been documented throughout the project, and the wear on these has been investigated. The project has also aimed to clarify which processes that contribute to the wear of road markings, as well as to map out which types of road markings that are subjected to specific types of wear. A survey was sent out to all municipalities in Sweden with questions about the type of road marking material, annual purchases, budget, wear rate, wear-prone traffic environments, and main causes of wear on road markings. In total, we received answers from 223 out of 290 municipalities. The result from the survey indicates that transverse road markings (e.g., yield lines, and pedestrian crossings), driving lines, and lines within roundabouts wear fast and that winter maintenance, use of studded tyres, and traffic loads are the main causes to wear. In general, the knowledge was low regarding annual purchases/applied amounts and many of the municipals mentioned that they do not have the budget to maintain road markings to a desirable extent. For upcoming procurements, we recommend the municipalities to make higher demands on the quality of the material, as well as adhesion and maintenance which might result in lower costs, a need for less material, and thereby also a reduced wear., Trafikrelaterad mikroplast, det vill säga däckslitage, polymermodifierad bitumen och slitage från vägmarkeringar bedöms globalt vara en av de största källorna till kontamineringen av mikroplast i miljön. Vägmarkeringar som källa till mikroplast är ett relativt outforskat område och kunskapsluckorna är stora kring slitagemängd, koncentrationer i olika miljöer och eventuella risker för flora och fauna. Syftet med rapporten har varit att uppskatta det årliga slitaget av vägmarkeringar i Sverige samt att undersöka vilken kunskap kommunerna har om vägmarkeringar och dess slitage. Därtill har vägmarkeringar från olika trafikmiljöer dokumenterats under projektets gång och slitaget av dessa har undersökts. Projektet har även syftat till att tydliggöra vilka processer som påverkar slitaget samt kartlägga vilka grupper av vägmarkeringar som utsätts för olika typer av slitage. En enkät skickades ut till Sveriges alla kommuner för att undersöka vilken kunskap kommunerna har kring typ av vägmarkeringsmaterial, årliga inköp, budget, slitagehastighet, i vilka trafikmiljöer det största slitaget sker samt vad som orsakar slitage på vägmarkeringar. Totalt svarade 223 av 290 kommuner på enkäten. Resultatet från enkäten visade att tvärgående vägmarkeringar (t.ex. stopplinjer och övergångsställen), körfältslinjer och linjer i rondeller slits fort och att vinterväghållning, dubbdäcksanvändning och höga trafikflöden är de vanligaste slitageorsakerna. Kommunerna hade dålig kunskap kring hur mycket vägmarkeringsmaterial som köps in/läggs ut varje år, majoriteten nämnde även att budgeten styr och att den inte räcker till för att underhålla vägmarkeringar i den utsträckning som de hade velat. Inför kommande upphandlingar rekommenderar vi att kommunerna ställer relevanta krav på materialets kvalitet, uppföljning och underhåll vilket på sikt skulle kunna sänka kostnaderna och minska slitaget., Kvantifiering av mängden mikroplast från vägmarkeringar/Quantification of the amount of microplastics from road marking wear

Photodegradation of plastic consumer products is known to accelerate weathering and facilitate the release of chemicals and plastic particles into the aquatic environment. However, these processes are complex. In our presented pilot study, eight plastic consumer products were leached in distilled water under strong ultraviolet (UV) light simulating eight months of Central European climate and compared to their respective dark controls (DCs). The leachates and formed plastic particles were exploratorily characterized using a range of chemical analytical tools to describe degradation and leaching processes. These techniques covered (a) microplastic analysis, showing substantial liberation of plastic particles further increased under UV exposure, (b) non-targeted mass spectrometric characterization of the leachates, revealing several hundreds of chemical features with typically only minor agreement between the UV exposure and the corresponding DCs, (c) target analysis of 71 organic analytes, of which 15 could be detected in at least one sample, and (d) metal(loid) analysis, which revealed substantial release of toxic metal(loid)s further enhanced under UV exposure. A data comparison with the US-EPA’s ToxVal and ToxCast databases showed that the detected metals and organic additives might pose substantial health and environmental concerns, requiring further study and comprehensive impact assessments.

Although Life Cycle Impact Assessment (LCIA) methods assess a wide range of environmental impacts, ecological impacts of plastic pollution are not commonly included. Here, characterization factors of Polypropylene (PP), Low density polyethylene (LDPE) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) microplastics were assessed. Fate was assessed through the multimedia fate model Simplebox4Plastics. Ecological effects were based on species sensitivity distributions. Macroplastic impacts were included though a conversion fraction. The characterization factors were included in ReCipe2016 method and applied to two consumer packaging films to show the relevance of including plastic pollution in LCAs. Plastic losses were assessed using material flow analysis. The freshwater and marine ecotoxicity midpoint indicators were dominated by plastic pollution impacts, whilst these impacts were limited on ecosystem quality as endpoint. Extending this methodology to additional polymers and additional methodological developments will help to obtain a more complete picture of plastic pollution in LCA and to identify effective mitigation options.

The soil microbiome, which is shaped by gut-related activities of earthworms, is affected by microplastic contamination. However, the influence of microplastics on earthworm gut and cast microbiomes has been poorly explored. Here, we investigated the influence of microplastics (1% in soil, w/w) on soil physicochemical properties and bacterial communities during gut passage and cast aging of Lumbricus terrestris. Microplastics used in agricultural film production were selected, i.e., low density polyethylene, polylactic acid and polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT). Different niches, including pre-ingestion soil, gut content and aged casts (from 0 to 180 days), were studied. Results showed that microplastics possibly enhanced the gut passage-derived difference between pre-ingestion soil and fresh cast in terms of pH, ammonium, nitrate and nitrite, and dissolved organic carbon. But such effects mostly faded out after 180 days of aging. The composition, as well as the alpha and beta diversity of both the total (DNA) and active (RNA) bacterial communities were decisively shaped by their niche (R2: 0.22–0.63, p < 0.001, PERMANOVA), rather than the presence/absence or the types of MPs. Nevertheless, biomarkers indicative of PBAT treatment were identified, and functional prediction for the active community showed that bacterial communities of this treatment had higher potentials for hydrocarbon degradation (4.9–7.8 times that of the microplastic-free treatment in gut and aged casts). We also identified a “Soil-related core community” and a “Gut-related core community” (contributing to 39.2%–50.2% of the cast microbiome), which possibly neutralized microplastic impacts and maintained the structure and function of bacterial communities during the soil–gut–cast transit. Our findings indicate that the tested microplastics exerted a minor influence on the bacterial communities during the cast aging process, microplastics in aged casts might not necessarily have significant

Pesticide residues and microplastics (MPs) in agricultural soils are two major concerns for soil health and food safety. The degradation of chlorpyrifos (CPF), an organophosphorus pesticide, releases phosphates. This process may be affected by the presence of MPs in the soil. The combination of CPF and MPs presence in the soil may thus produce interaction effects that alter the soil phosphorus (P) balance. This study explores the degradation pathways of CPF (6 mg kg−1, 12 mg kg−1 of CPF addition) in soils with different levels of polylactic acid MPs (PLA-MPs) (0.0 %, 0.1 %, 0.5 %, 1.0 % w/w), and analyzes soil P fractions and phosphatase enzyme activities to investigate soil P bioavailability under different treatments. Results show that the degradation of CPF fits to a first-order decay model, with half-lives (DT50) ranging from 11.0 to 14.8 d depending on PLA-MPs treatment. The concentration of its metabolite 3, 5, 6-trichloropyridine 2-phenol (TCP) reached a peak of 0.93–1.67 mg kg−1 within 7–14 days. Similarly, the degradation of CPF led to a significant transient increase in P bioavailability within 3–7 days (p < 0.05), with a peak range of 22.55–26.01 mg kg−1 for Olsen-P content and a peak range of 4.63–6.76 % for the proportions of available P fractions (H2O-P+NaHCO3-P+NaOH-P), before returning to prior levels (Olsen-P: 11.28–19.52 mg kg−1; available soil P fractions: 4.15–5.61 %). CPF degradation (6 mg kg−1) was significantly inhibited in soil with 1.0 % PLA-MPs addition. The effects of MPs and CPF on soil P fractions occur at different time frames, implying that their modes of action and interactions with soil microbes differ.

Microplastics and organic micropollutants are two emerging contaminants that interact with each other in environmental and engineered systems. Sorption of organic micropollutants, such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides and industrial compounds, to microplastics can modify their bioavailability and biodegradation. The present study investigated the capacity of ultra-high density polyethylene particles (125 µm in diameter), before and after aging, to sorb 21 organic micropollutants at different environmentally relevant concentration. Furthermore, the biodegradation of these organic micropollutants by a biofilm microbial community growing on the microplastic surface was compared with the biodegradation by a microbial community originating from activated sludge. Among all tested organic micropollutants, propranolol (70%), trimethoprim (25%) and sotalol (15%) were sorbed in the presence of polyethylene particles. Growth of a biofilm on the polyethylene particles had a beneficial effect on the sorption of bromoxynil, caffeine and chloridazon and on the biodegradation of irbesartan, atenolol and benzotriazole. On the other hand, the biofilm limited the sorption of trimethoprim, propranolol, sotalol and benzotriazole and the biodegradation of 2,4-D. These results showed that ultra-high density polyethylene particles can affect both in a positive and negative way for the abiotic and biotic removal of organic micropollutants in wastewater. This project highlights the need for further investigation regarding the interaction between microplastics and organic micropollutants in the aquatic environment.

The increasing prevalence of microplastics (MP) in urban environments has raised concerns over their negative effects on ecosystems and human health. Stormwater runoff, and road dust and sediment, act as major vectors of these pollutants into natural water bodies. Sustainable urban drainage systems, such as permeable pavements, are considered as potential tools to retain particulate pollutants. This research evaluates at laboratory scale the efficiency of permeable interlocking concrete pavements (PICP) and porous concrete pavements (PCP) for controlling microplastics, including tire wear particles (TWP) which constitute a large fraction of microplastics in urban environments, simulating surface pollution accumulation and Mediterranean rainfall conditions. Microplastic levels in road dust and sediments and stormwater runoff inputs were 4762 ± 974 MP/kg (dry weight) and 23.90 ± 17.40 MP/L. In infiltrated effluents, microplastic levels ranged from 2.20 ± 0.61 to 5.17 ± 1.05 MP/L; while tire wear particle levels ranged between 0.28 ± 0.28 and 3.30 ± 0.89 TWP/L. Distribution of microplastics within the layers of PICP and PCP were also studied and quantified. Microplastics tend to accumulate on the pavements surface and in geotextile layers, allowing microplastic retention efficiencies from 89 % to 99.6 %. Small sized (< 0.1 mm) fragment shaped microplastics are the most common in effluent samples. The results indicate that permeable pavements are a powerful tool to capture microplastics and tire wear particles, especially by surface and geotextile layers. The study aims to shed light on the complex mobilisation mechanisms of microplastics, providing valuable insights for addressing the growing environmental concern of microplastic pollution in urban areas.

Microplastics, recognized as some of the most pervasive and enduring pollutants, have emerged as a potential threat to environmental eco-health. While much is known about the effects of microplastics on soil microorganisms, our understanding of how they interact with terrestrial organisms and the underlying mechanisms remains limited. In this study, the effects of polyethylene microplastics at a concentration of 0.5 % (w/w) on the antioxidant enzymes, gut microbiota of Eisenia fetida and the soil microbiota on days 1, 3, 7, 15, and 30 were investigated. The results indicated that exposure to microplastics slightly increased the activities of superoxide dismutase (1.22-fold on day 3, 1.12-fold on day 7) and catalase (1.10-fold on day 3, 1.09-fold on day 7) in E. fetida, while exposure markedly decreased peroxidase activity (1.33- to 1.79-fold) throughout the whole period. Both the soil microbiota and the gut microbiota of E. fetida in terms of diversity and composition were significantly affected by the microplastic amendment, and their structure tended to be similar throughout the exposure time. The family Nocardiaceae was significantly enriched in both the soil and E. fetida gut biota with microplastic exposure. Our results demonstrated that the antioxidant enzyme response of E. fetida was closely related to both the microbiota, although this relationship with the gut microbiota may have been weakened by microplastic exposure. Overall, this study furnishes new perspectives on the ecotoxicity of microplastics, revealing significant implications for the vitality of soil-dwelling organisms and the overarching health of terrestrial ecosystems. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.

Microplastics are accumulating rapidly in aquatic ecosystems, providing habitats for pathogens and vectors for antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs), potentially increasing pathogenic risks. However, few studies have considered microplastics as particulate organic matter (POM) to elucidate their pathogenic risks and underlying mechanisms. Here, we performed microcosm experiments with microplastics and natural POM (leaves, algae, soil), thoroughly investigating their distinct effects on the community compositions, functional profiles, opportunistic pathogens, and ARGs in Particle-Associated (PA) and Free-Living (FL) bacterial communities. We found that both microplastics and leaves have comparable impacts on microbial community structures and functions, enriching opportunistic pathogens and ARGs, which may pose potential environmental risks. These effects are likely driven by their influences on water properties, including dissolved organic carbon, nitrate, DO, and pH. However, microplastics uniquely promoted pathogens as keystone species and further amplified their capacity as hosts for ARGs, potentially posing a higher pathogenic risk than natural POM. Our research also emphasized the importance of considering both PA and FL bacteria when assessing microplastic impacts, as they exhibited different responses. Overall, our study elucidates the role and underlying mechanism of microplastics as an emerging POM in intensifying pathogenic risks of aquatic ecosystems in comparison with conventional natural POM. © 2024 Elsevier B.V.

The ubiquitous and global ecological footprint arising from the rapidly increasing rates of plastic production, use, and release into the environment is an important modern environmental issue. Of increasing concern are the risks associated with at least 16,000 chemicals present in plastics, some of which are known to be toxic, and which may leach out both during use and once exposed to environmental conditions, leading to environmental and human exposure. In response, the United Nations member states agreed to establish an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, the global plastics treaty. The resolution acknowledges that the treaty should prevent plastic pollution and its related impacts, that effective prevention requires consideration of the transboundary nature of plastic production, use and pollution, and that the full life cycle of plastics must be addressed. As a group of scientific experts and members of the Scientists' Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, we concur that there are six essential “pillars” necessary to truly reduce plastic pollution and allow for chemical detoxification across the full life cycle of plastics. These include a plastic chemical reduction and simplification, safe and sustainable design of plastic chemicals, incentives for change, holistic approaches for alternatives, just transition and equitable interventions, and centering human rights. There is a critical need for scientifically informed and globally harmonized information, transparency, and traceability criteria to protect the environment and public health. The right to a clean, healthy, and sustainable environment must be upheld, and thus it is crucial that scientists, industry, and policy makers work in concert to create a future free from hazardous plastic contamination.

[CA] En els darrers anys ha hagut una preocupació creixent per la contaminació de plàstics i la seua capacitat de transportar contaminats als ecosistemes aquàtics. El plàstics tarda centenars d anys a descompondre s i, mentrestant, destrueix pot tindre un efecte negatiu sobre el medi ambient. Els residus de plàstic poden tindre diferents formes o mides, però els microplàstics (<1 mm) representen un risc encara més gran. Aquestes partícules poden danyar els organismes aquàtics i afectar altres factors ambientals. Actualment, les estacions de depuració d aigües residuals són una de les fonts més importants de microplàstics en el medi ambient. Encara que s ha demostrat una alta eficiència d eliminació durant el funcionament, els microplàstics també es poden unir als fangs actius durant el tractament, sent alliberats al medi normalment de forma directa al sòl. Tanmateix, és necessària més investigació en aquesta àrea, doncs gran part d aquest mecanisme encara és desconegut. Ja que la utilització de fangs activats en els plans de tractament d aigües residuals s aplica cada volta més, l objectiu d aquesta tesi és avaluar els mecanismes d adsorció dels microplàstics en fangs activats per intentar entendre millor les interaccions i variables que afecten aquest mètode. La investigació inclou diferents experiments d adsorció i estudis d isotermes que ajuden a analitzar la interacció físico-química entre els microplàstics i els fangs activats. Els resultats mostren que els microplàstics s eliminen de forma correcta d aigües residuals mitjançant un tractament amb fangs activats. A més, la posterior oxidació Fenton ajuda a també a degradar els contaminants retinguts a les aigües residuals, millorant encara més l eficiència del procés. Per concloure, els tractaments amb fangs activats han demostrat ser efectius per eliminar (micro)plàstics de les depuradores d aigües residuals. No obstant, s ha de prosseguir la investigació sobre el tema per tal de millorar l eficàcia i reduir la, [EN] In recent years, there has been growing concern about plastic pollution and its ability to carry pollutants into aquatic ecosystems. Plastic takes hundreds of years to decompose and can have a negative impact on the environment. Plastic debris in the environment comes in different shapes and sizes, but microplastics (<1 mm) pose an even greater risk due to their small size and therefore bioavailability. These particles can harm aquatic organisms and have an indirect impact on the entire ecosystem. Nowadays, wastewater treatment plants are one of the most important sources of microplastics in the environment. Most of the microplastics that enter the wastewater treatment plant are retained during the secondary treatment, where they come into contact with the activated sludge. Microplastics are adsorbed to the surface of the activated sludge due to various forces, but the mechanisms responsible for the binding are not yet known. In this context, the aim of the thesis was to investigate the adsorption mechanisms of microplastics to activated sludge to better understand the interactions and variables that influence these interactions. We studied batch adsorption with different concentrations of activated sludge and similar percentage of microplastics was adsorbed to activated sludge. In addition, the experimental data best fitted to the Freundlich isotherm model, which assumes weak physical interactions between microplastics and activated sludge. The results of the thesis provided a more detailed insight into the mechanisms of adsorption of microplastics to activated sludge. This process is a particularly important segment in the retention of microplastics in wastewater treatment plants. In the following, we should investigate the intensity of microplastic binding in more detail and, above all, analyse what long-term effects microplastics have on the activated sludge and to what extent we may be contaminating agricultural land when using contaminated activated sludg

[ES] El estudio consistía en determinar cómo interactuaban los microplásticos con los fangos activos procedentes de una planta de agua residuales. Los microplásticos son pequeñas partículas capaces de acumular sustancias peligrosas para el medio ambiente. Comprender como se adhieren a los fangos activos es esencial para mejorar los métodos de tratamiento de aguas residuales y proteger el medio ambiente. La investigación consistió en sintetizar microplásticos a partir de gránulos de plástico de polietileno y determinar su distribución por tamaños. Además, se garantizó la cantidad adecuada de fangos activos para que las condiciones experimentales fueran precisas. Además, para determinar eficazmente la cinética de la reacción se llevaron a cabo varios experimentos con tratamientos como la oxidación Fenton. El objetivo principal de estos experimentos era observar cómo se adhieren los microplásticos al fango activo a lo largo del tiempo. Con los resultados finales se concluyó que el fango activo es un absorbente muy eficaz para los microplásticos. Este estudio sirve para hacer más eficaces los tratamientos de aguas residuales y por tanto, un mundo más limpio y seguro., [EN] Microplastics are widespread contaminants and represent a risk for the environmental and human health. They enter the environment from a variety of sources, but one of the most important is wastewater. With wastewater, different microplastics from cosmetics, personal care products, and synthetic fibres released during laundry are carried out to wastewater treatment plant where they interact with activated sludge. But the understanding of these interactions is limited. Therefore, the aim of the work was to prepare and properly characterize polyethylene microplastics and to evaluate their adsorption on activated sludge to provide a deeper understanding of the process. Results showed that polyethylene microplastics adsorbed immediately to activated sludge, as 46% was removed from the water phase in the first minute of the contact. Afterwards, microplastics started to desorb from the activated sludge, but after 180 minutes the desorption stopped, and it remained stable by the end of the experiment (360 minutes). This indicated that polyethylene microplastics can be efficiently retained by activated sludge and many of them stay adsorbed. This needs to be taken into account when activated sludge is used as fertilizer as microplastics can be then transported into terrestrial environment.

This research critically reviewed the influence of textile characteristics, including textile content (fiber composition), yarn construction, material structure, and treatment type, on microplastic release from textile products during washing. To date, the predominant focus of research has been on the washing parameters rather than the intrinsic characteristics of textiles. The findings of this review revealed that natural, man-made, and mixed-composition fabrics tend to release more microfibers compared to pure synthetic fabrics. Divergent results have been observed in studies on the release of microplastics from recycled synthetic fabrics. Woven fabrics release less microplastic compared to knitted fabrics. However, it is evident that yarn construction has more impact on microplastic release than textile composition or structure, and high-twist filament yarns reduce microplastic formation. Mechanical finishes tend to enhance microplastic release, while synthetic and biodegradable reduce it, but their sustainability and durability aspects need further investigation. The impact of different types of dyes on microplastic release remains unclear. All of the textile characteristics specified in this article are of pivotal importance in microplastic research. Overlooking the significance of any of these details can complicate the development of microplastic mitigation strategies.

Tyre wear has been identified as a major road-related pollutant source, with road runoff transporting tyre wear particles (TWP) to adjacent soil, watercourses, or further through stormwater systems. The aim of this study was to investigate the occurrence and transport of TWP along a stormwater system. Water and sediment have been sampled at selected points (road runoff, gully pots, wells, outlet to a ditch, and stream) through a stormwater system situated along a highway in Sweden during November and December 2022, and March 2023. As there is limited data on the size distribution of TWP in different environmental media, especially in the size fraction <20 m, the samples were fractioned into a fine (1.6-20 mu m) and a coarse (1.6-500 mu m) size fraction. The samples were analysed using a combination of marker compounds (benzene, alpha-methylstyrene, ethylstyrene, and butadiene trimer) for styrene-butadiene rubbers with PYR-GC/MS from which TWP concentration was calculated. Suspended solids were analysed in the water samples, and organic content was analysed in the sediment samples. TWP was found at nearly all locations, with concentrations up to 17 mg/L in the water samples and up to 40 mg/ g in the sediment samples. In the sediment samples, TWP in the size fraction 1.6-20 mu m represented a significant proportion (20-60%). Correlations were found between TWP concentration and suspended solids in the water samples (r = 0.87) and organic content in the sediment samples (r = 0.72). The results presented in this study demonstrate that TWP can be transported to the surrounding environment through road runoff, with limited retention in the studied stormwater system.

Plastic pollution poses a critical global environmental challenge, and within this context, nanoplastics (NPs), the smallest plastic fragments, remain poorly understood. The progress in studying NP toxicity and developing analytical methods highly depends on access to well-defined NP materials. Herein, a straightforward and eco-friendly method for fabricating NP particles and fibrils using polymer blends as templates is presented. The process began with blending plastics with a water-soluble polymer (polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)), followed by the dissolution of the PVA matrix in water and the isolation of the NPs through a two-stage filtration process. NP materials from three widely used plastics, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene, were prepared, underscoring the versatility of this method. The resulting NPs were primarily submicron in size, and their size distribution was tuned by varying the blend ratio. Furthermore, by incorporating a stretch operation during the extrusion, the NP shape could be varied, enabling the fabrication of NP fibril materials. This method, which does not rely heavily on specialized equipment and avoids the use of harsh solvents, offers a viable and eco-friendly approach to fabricating NP samples suitable for a broad range of research applications., Financial support from the Formas Research Council [grant no. 2023-01416 to M. Hedenqvist and X. Wei], National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 52002401 , to Z. Feng) and the Independent Innovation Research Project of China University of Petroleum (East China) (No. 20CX06003A , to Z. Feng) is gratefully acknowledged.

This is a reply to the recently published paper Road markings and microplastics - A critical literature review. In our opinion, that paper presented a deceptive picture, of why we found it necessary to write a short reply where we comment on two major flaws: the stated lack of road markings in environmental samples, and the definition of microplastics. We discuss possible reasons for the absence of positive findings in environmental samples and relate that to two of the major issues within the research area of microplastics- the complexity of environmental samples and the analytical difficulties. We also argue that it can be relevant for upcoming studies to report both total microplastic concentration and polymer content to facilitate the comparison between studies since the definition of microplastics might change over time.

Microplastic (MP) pollution is a persisting global problem. Accurate analysis is essential in quantifying the effects of microplastic pollution and develop novel technologies that reliably and reproducibly measure microplastic content in various samples. The most common methods for this are FTIR and Raman spectroscopy. Coloured, standardized beads are often used for method validation tests, which limits the conclusions to a very specific case rarely observed in the natural environment. This study focuses on the preparation of reference micro- and nanoplastics via cryogenic milling and shows their use for FTIR and Raman method validation studies. MPs can now be reproducibly milled from various plastics, offering the advantages of a better representation of MPs in real environment. Moreover, this study highlights issues with the current detection methods, up to now considered as the most reliable ones for MP detection and identification. Such issues, e.g. misidentification, will need to be addressed in the future. Additionally, milled MPs were used in experiments with commercial high-resolution imaging device, enabling a possible in-situ optical detection of microplastics. These experiments represent a step forward in understanding MPs in a water sample and provide a basis for a more accurate detection and identification directly from water, which would considerably reduce the time of analysis.

In aquatic environments, microplastics pose alarming threat to the environment since they actively convey hazardous contaminants and aggregate into biota. Although studies on microplastics in freshwater ecosystems have increased recently, there are still many concerns about the origins, sources, fate, and distribution of MPs. This thorough review includes 167 studies (2017–2024) with an aim to provide knowledge of the type, sources, and detection of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems, along with their consequences on aquatic species and human health. The main sources of microplastic in freshwater ecosystems include improperly disposed plastic trash, industrial raw materials, personal care items, and synthetic fabrics. Factors like retention time, flow rate, and seasonal variations influence their permanence in freshwater (FW) ecosystems, ultimately leading to their transport through river networks. The most hazardous polymers identified are PUR, PAN, PVC, Epoxy resin, and ABS. Previous studies have confirmed their ‘Trojan horse effect’ due to their ability to adorb drugs (e.g., acyclovir, atenolol, sulfamethoxazole, and ibuprofen), heavy metals (As, Cd), pesticides (difenoconazole, buprofezin, imidacloprid), antibiotic-resistant genes and microorganisms. Microplastics carrying above pollutants may possess carcinogenic properties and other health risks, considering their entry into the human body through FW-sourced water and food products. Currently, there is a lack of standardized protocols for the identification, assessment, and quantification of MPs in freshwater ecosystems. The common identification techniques are spectroscopy, Microscopy, mass spectroscopy, and novel methods like staining and AFM-IR spectroscopy. The multifaceted impact of microplastics on FW ecosystems, from contaminant transmission to human health, underscores the intricate interactions within this environmental challenge., QC 20240619

An aberration-free line scanning confocal Raman imager (named AFLSCRI) is developed to achieve rapid Raman imaging. As an application example, various types and sizes of MPs are identified through Raman imaging combined with a machine learning algorithm. The system has excellent performance with a spatial resolution of 2 µm and spectral resolution of 4 cm−1. Compared to traditional point-scanning Raman imaging systems, the detection speed is improved by 2 orders of magnitude. The pervasive nature of MPs results in their infiltration into the food chain, raising concerns for human health due to the potential for chemical leaching and the introduction of persistent organic pollutants. We conducted a series of experiments on various types and sizes of MPs. The system can give a classification accuracy of 98% for seven different types of plastics, and Raman imaging and species identification for MPs as small as 1 µm in diameter were achieved. We also identified toxic and harmful substances remaining in plastics, such as Dioctyl Phthalate (DOP) residues. This demonstrates a strong performance in microplastic species identification, size recognition and identification of hazardous substance contamination in microplastics., QC 20240604

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in unprecedented plastic pollution from single-used personal protective equipment (PPE), especially face masks, in coastal and marine environments. The secondary pollutants, microplastics from face masks (mask MP), rise concern about their detrimental effects on marine organisms, terrestrial organisms and even human. Using a mouse model, oral exposure to mask MP at two doses, 0.1 and 1 mg MP/day for 21 days, caused no change in animal locomotion, total weight, or sperm counts, but caused damage to sperm motility with increased curvilinear velocity (VCL). The high-dose mask MP exposure caused a significant decrease in linearity (LIN) of sperm motility. Further testicular transcriptomic analysis revealed perturbed pathways related to spermatogenesis, oxidative stress, inflammation, metabolism and energy production. Collectively, our findings substantiate that microplastics from face masks yield adverse effects on mammalian reproductive capacity, highlighting the need for improved plastic waste management and development of environmentally friendly materials.

Microplastics (MPs) and artificial fibers (AFs) have been detected suspended tens of meters above ground level in the atmosphere, yet empirical data on them remain scarce. This study aimed to investigate the presence of MPs and AFs in the digestive and respiratory systems of two abundant bird species, the Common House Martin (Delichon urbicum) and the Common Swift (Apus apus), within the Community of Madrid, Spain. Given that these birds spend the majority of their lives airborne, engaging in activities such as mating and sleeping during flight, the research sought to assess the potential of using these bird species as bioindicators for suspended atmospheric MPs and AFs. Samples were obtained from necropsies of birds (N = 24) collected primarily between spring and summer from 2021 to 2023. Only individuals that died within the initial 24-hour period and had not been fed were selected for examination to avoid contamination. MPs and AFS were identified by micro-FTIR, characterized and quantified. Results revealed that 75 % of the sampled birds exhibited at least one MPs in their respiratory and/or digestive system. All identified MPs were fibers, with polyester (PES) being the most predominant (48 %), followed by acrylic fibers (ACR; 28 %), and polyethylene (PE; 18 %). The average concentrations in the respiratory system were 1.12 ± 0.45 MPs/specimen and 2.78 ± 1.04 AFs/specimen for Common Swift and 0.75 ± 0.30 MPs/specimen and 0.75 ± 0.36 AFs/specimen for House Martin. In the digestive system, these were 1.92 ± 0.72 MPs/specimen and 3.42 ± 0.69 AFs/specimen for Common Swift, and 1.34 ± 0.50 MPs/specimen and 1.39 ± 0.47 AFs/specimen for House Martin. Birds collected areas with high population density located in the direction of the prevailing winds showed a concentration of MPs significantly higher in the digestive system. Taken together, these findings confirmed the potential use of these birds as bioindicators for monitoring of suspended atmospheric MPs and AFs., Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades (España), Plastics Europe, Enviroplanet, Sección Deptal. de Farmacología y Toxicología (Veterinaria), Fac. de Veterinaria, TRUE, pub

Low-density polyethylene (LDPE) is widely used in food packaging and agricultural mulching, but its disposal generates macro, meso and microplastics that infiltrate the food chain and carry harmful substances. The present study aimed to improve remediation strategies for soils contaminated with LDPE and enhance the survivability of Eisenia fetida. The study dissolved LDPE in trichloroethylene and treated it with starch, hydrogen peroxide, nitric acid and acetic acid, initiating thermo-oxidative reactions. The treatment decreased LDPE's crystallinity index from 48.48% to 44.06% (single treatment), 44.06% to 40.02% (double treatment) and 40.02% to 32.98% (triple treatment), achieving a 15.5% reduction in crystallinity. LDPE microplastics with 40.02% crystallinity showed lower mortality rates in Eisenia fetida earthworms compared to those with 44.06% and 32.98% crystallinity and untreated LDPE. When introduced to E. fetida, microbiota in the earthworm casts included unidentified species from Pseudomonas and Zoopagomycota, known polyethylene degraders. Microbial analysis of treated LDPE microplastics showed changes in gut microbiota, including potential degraders from Aeromonas and Malassezia restricta. XRD (X-ray diffraction techniques analyses) and FTIR(Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) analyses provided insights into distinct LDPE degradation patterns, identifying hydroxyl and carboxylic groups as functional groups. The study also investigated the ability of altered microflora with treated microplastics to degrade LDPE, favouring decreased earthworm mortality rates. The crystallinity index of treated polyethylene further reduced from 40.02% to 23.58% after 21 days of exposure to E. fetida. This research advances the understanding of oxidised plastics' ecological impacts and will help to develop environmentally sustainable and biodegradable LDPE.

This thesis explores the aesthetics of microplastics in climate art – art specifically produced to point up issues related to climate change or perceived as addressing these issues – and reflects on the perceptual challenge posed by the often invisible presence of microplastics despite their profound environmental impacts. The study focuses on how two artworks, Pyroplastics and Plastic Air render microplastics both visible and comprehensible, aiming to bridge the gap between scientific information and public engagement. This dissertation introduces the idea of the microplastic gaze, an analytical framework that examines how microplastics interact with their environments through artistic representations. The approach transcends visual analysis, engaging the senses and intellect to illuminate the usually unseen prevalence of microplastics. Employing a phenomenological understanding grounded in vital materialist and object-oriented aesthetics, this study integrates sensory experiences with theoretical insights. The study divulges that Plastic Air and Pyroplastics not only make the invisible microplastics visible and tangible but also profoundly alter perception through the microplastic gaze. This interpretative framework demonstrates that by using this lens it becomes possible to grasp the interconnectedness of all entities, human, nonhuman and objects, as active contributors within the mentioned artworks. The findings suggest that integrating artistic expression with scientific research and a broadened perceptual stance provides a powerful tool for communicating multifaceted environmental issues.

Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are pervasive environmental pollutants found in marine water, freshwater, agroecosystems, atmosphere, food, drinking water, and biota. Despite their widespread presence, comprehensive data on MNPs prevalence and impact remain limited due to analytical challenges. Beyond their physical presence, MNPs carry adsorbed contaminants such as organic pollutants, heavy metals, and microbes, raising concerns about their potential health risks. The European Union’s Horizon 2020 Imptox project – “An innovative analytical platform to investigate the effect and toxicity of micro and nanoplastics combined with environmental contaminants on the risk of allergic disease in preclinical and clinical studies” - under the European Research Cluster to understand the health impacts of micro and nanoplastics (CUSP), consists of consortium of 12 partners from 8 European countries, and addresses these concerns by focusing on the indirect hazards of MNPs, specifically through adsorbed contaminants like allergenic proteins, pathogenic bacteria, and combined hazards. Allergies, affecting over 150 million Europeans, are on the rise, with predictions indicating that half the EU population may be affected by 2025. Understanding whether environmental MNPs contribute to this increase is critical. Project key objectives include the production and characterization of high-quality in-house MNPs, development of protocols for biological material digestion, innovative labeling for NPs tracking, and the conduct of large-scale environmental studies and a clinical trial on pediatric exposure assessment. Imptox aims to improve our understanding of MNPs exposure through ingestion and inhalation, provide risk assessment scenarios, inform policy, and enhance communication strategies between scientists and stakeholders. By focusing on vulnerable populations and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, Imptox will contribute to societal, health, and environmental advancements.

Enligt EU:s klimatlag ska regionen till år 2050 vara klimatneutral, och som en del i det arbetet har Sveriges riksdag upprättat ett nationellt mål om att Sverige år 2040 ska ha enbart förnybar elproduktion. Därför har Energimyndigheten i samarbete med Naturvårdsverket tagit fram en strategi för en hållbar utbyggnad av vindkraften. Större vindkraftsetableringar för med sig ingrepp i miljön som kan påverka såväl djur och natur som människor. I media och andra forum, såsom på hemsidor för olika organisationer mot vindkraft, pågår en debatt kring vindkraftens för- och nackdelar, och syftet med den här studien var att undersöka huruvida de farhågor rörande miljö och hälsa som uttrycks inför landbaserade vindkraftsetableringar stämmer överens med forskning och upplevelsen hos människor som lever med vindkraft i sin närhet. Argument mot vindkraft identifierades genom sökning i dagspress, och information om vindkraftens konsekvenser samlades in genom en enkätundersökning med personer som bodde i närheten av vindkraft och med hjälp av vetenskapliga artiklar och rapporter från statliga myndigheter. Argumenten avgränsades till negativa effekter på människors hälsa med avseende på ljus, buller (inklusive infraljud) och utsläpp av mikroplaster och kemikalier; påverkan på naturen inklusive djurlivet, samt förändring av människors närmiljö. Respondenterna i enkätundersökningen var generellt sett positiva till vindkraft, och det som störde var främst ljudet, vilket för alla utom en endast upplevdes i begränsad omfattning. De vetenskapliga artiklar som studerades visade ett liknande resultat. De hälsorelaterade effekter som visades ha ett samband med vindkraft handlade om irritation och sömnstörningar på grund av ljudet. Sambandet konstaterades dock som komplext då andra faktorer såsom attityd också kunde ha en påverkan, vid sidan av ljudet som sådant. Vindkraften tycktes inte stå för några betydande utsläpp av, According to the European Climate Law the region should be climate neutral by 2050, and as a part of that effort the Swedish parliament has set up a national goal that by the year 2040 Sweden should have only renewable electricity production. Therefore, the Swedish Energy Agency together with the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency has developed a strategy for a sustainable expansion of wind power. Larger installations of wind turbines entail interventions in the environment which can affect animals and nature as well as human beings. In media and other forums, like web sites for different organizations against wind power, there is an ongoing debate about the pros and cons of wind power, and the purpose of this study was to investigate if the concerns about the environment and health that comes up ahead of land-based wind power installations corresponds with science and the experience of people who live nearby wind turbines. Argument against wind power wad identified through searching in daily newspaper, and information about the consequences of wind power was gathered through a survey with people living near wind turbines, and reports from government agencies. The arguments were limited to negative as well as through scientific articles effects on human health regarding to light, noise (including infrasound) and release of microplastics and chemicals; impact on nature including wildlife, and changes in people’s immediate environment. The respondents in the survey were generally positive towards wind power, and the main disturbance was the noise, which for all but one was experienced only to a limited extent. The scientific articles studied showed a similar result. The health-related effects associated with wind power were related to irritation and sleep disturbances due to the noise. However, the relationship was considered complex as other factors such as attitude also could have an impact beside the actual noise. Wind power did not seem to contribute to any

This paper seeks to establish and assess the link between microplastics and human rights. An empirical understanding of the topic is constructed through the collection and presentation of emerging research on the impact of microplastic pollution on the environment, health, well-being, and reproduction. A sociological and environmental justice perspective and understanding of the topic is established through a presentation of previous cases of pollution and issues of global health. These theoretical and empirical perspectives are then explored through the lens of a human rights framework to establish an understanding of the potential threat posed to human rights by the issue of microplastic pollution.

Challenges in characterizing and quantifying nanoplastics within the human body hinder understanding of their transport, biotransformation, and potential for cellular penetration and barrier crossing. By implementing an innovative analytical workflow, including incorporation of gadolinium (Gd) as a tracer into the polymer matrix of nanoplastics, the fate of nanoplastics relative to an in vitro blood-brain barrier (BBB) model is elucidated in the absence or presence of a biomomolecule corona. The nanoplastics were incubated in human plasma for 5 min, 1 h, 6 h, and 24 h, after which the absorbed proteins and lipids (biocorona) were determined. A total of 268 proteins were identified in the biological coronas on polystyrene (PS) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) nanoplastics, with the initial compositions being broadly similar on both PS and PVC. Both nanoplastics exhibited a strong affinity for phosphatidylcholines (PC) and lysophosphocholines (LPC) from human plasma. The inherent chemical composition of the nanoplastics plays a pivotal role in the corona’s evolution over time. Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived endothelial cells (iECs) and astrocytes were exposed for 2 h to 5 µg L−1 of pristine nanoplastics or nanoplastics covered with a biological corona (following incubation in plasma for 6 h). A relatively low concentration of PS and PVC nanoplastics was determined to be present within the cellular layer of the BBB. The number of PVC nanoplastics crossing the BBB was higher than the number of PS nanoplastics. The presence of a biological corona on these particles decreases their uptake and transcytosis. This understanding might further the development of preventive measures or therapeutic strategies to counteract potential nanoplastic-induced neurotoxicity, and provide a foundation for development of in silico models to predict the neurotoxic implications of nanoplastics.