Plastic pollution in Swiss surface waters: nature and concentrations, interaction with pollutants

2015 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 582 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Faure ◽  
Colin Demars ◽  
Olivier Wieser ◽  
Manuel Kunz ◽  
Luiz Felippe de Alencastro
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waters ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Lake Surface ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Data Set ◽  
Chemical Effects ◽  
Beach Sediments ◽  
Respective Contribution ◽  
Freshwater Environments

Environmental contextPlastic, and particularly microplastic, pollution is a growing environmental concern worldwide. Research regarding marine environments has led to a substantial increase in knowledge, yet little is known as regards the situation in freshwater environments. Although the occurrence of microplastics was demonstrated in Lake Geneva in 2012, the present research aims at confirming this pollution and expanding the data set for other lakes and environments of Switzerland. AbstractMarine microplastic (<5mm) water pollution has met growing public and scientific interest in the last few years. The situation in freshwater environments remains largely unknown, although it appears that they play an important role as part of the origin of marine pollution. Apart from the physical impacts on biota, chemical effects are to be expected as well, especially with smaller particles. This study aims at assessing plastic abundance in Lakes Geneva, Constance, Neuchâtel, Maggiore, Zurich and Brienz, and identifying the nature of the particles, potential ingestion by birds and fishes, and the associated pollutants. Lake surface transects and a few rivers were sampled using a floating manta net, and beach sediments were analysed. Plastics were sorted by type (fragments, pellets, cosmetic beads, lines, fibres, films, foams) and composition (polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, etc.); fish and water birds were dissected to assess their potential exposure, and analyses were conducted on the hydrophobic micropollutants adsorbed to the microplastics as well as some potentially toxic additives they contained. Evidence of this pollution is shown for all lakes, microplastics of all types and diverse composition having been found in all samples. Birds and fish are prone to microplastic ingestion, and all the tested chemicals (both adsorbed micropollutants and contained additives) were found above the detection limit, and often the quantification limit. The sources and their respective contribution need to be confirmed and quantified, and the ecotoxicological effects need further investigation. Other questions remain open, including the transport and fate of plastic particles in the environment.

scholarly journals Knowledge about Microplastic in Mediterranean Tributary River Ecosystems: Lack of Data and Research Needs on Such a Crucial Marine Pollution Source

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (3) ◽  
pp. 216 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cristiana Guerranti ◽  
Guido Perra ◽  
Tania Martellini ◽  
Luisa Giari ◽  
Alessandra Cincinelli
Keyword(s):  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Distribution Patterns ◽  
Pollution Source ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Abundance Distribution ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Marine Systems ◽  
Final Destination ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Freshwater Environments

Plastic debris occurring in freshwater environments, which can either come from the surrounding terrestrial areas or transported from upstream, has been identified as one of the main sources and routes of plastic pollution in marine systems. The ocean is the final destination of land- based microplastic sources, but compared to marine environments, the occurrence and effects of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems remain largely unknown. A thorough examination of scientific literature on abundance, distribution patterns, and characteristics of microplastics in freshwater environments in Mediterranean tributary rivers has shown a substantial lack of information and the need to apply adequate and uniform measurement methods.

scholarly journals Spatial & Temporal Patterns of Microplastic Pollution in Wellington, New Zealand, and the Southern Ocean

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Caitlyn Shannon
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Temporal And Spatial Variation ◽  
Beach Sediments ◽  
Temporal And Spatial

<p>The global marine environment is currently facing unprecedented anthropomorphic change and stress. One such stressor is plastic pollution, which has continually increased in magnitude since mass production began in the 1940’s. An increase in plastic debris throughout the oceans not only results in an infiltration of the pollutants throughout the entirety of the marine environment, but also increases the risk that it impacts the physiological, structural, and behavioural traits of various organisms – including humans. These negative interactions are particularly likely with microplastic particles (< 5 mm), as they can enter and be transferred throughout the food web with ease. However, research in the field of microplastic pollution is extremely one-sided, with most present studies focusing on the Northern Hemisphere. Additionally, comparatively little has been investigated regarding temporal and spatial patterns of microplastic occurrence. The aim of this research was to 1) examine the abundance and distribution of synthetic particles in sub-surface waters of the Southern Ocean, across broad temporal and spatial scales and 2) examine finer-scale spatial and temporal patterns of microplastic load within the urbanised Wellington Harbour, New Zealand, using a combination of environmental and biological indicators.  To assess the broad-scales of temporal and spatial variation in the Southern Ocean, annual Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) tows were undertaken between New Zealand waters and the Ross Sea, Antarctica, over a span of 9 years (the austral summers of 2009/10 – 2017/18) and a range of 5 oceanographic zones and two frontal systems, totalling a distance of approximately 22,000 km. Overall, patterns were inconsistent, with no constant increase or decrease in load throughout the years, while spatial variation was minimal and not associated with particular oceanographic fronts or proximity to an urban area. Despite no consistent spatial variation, temporal differences did occur between years. Again, there were no identifiably consistent trends across years (i.e. a gradual increase), but there was a substantial peak in 2009/10 and a trough in 2012/13. Such changes are likely due to large-scale variations in ocean circulation systems, along with environmental drivers such as El Niño and La Niña events.  To investigate the microplastic load in a more urbanised environment, 3-monthly surveys were undertaken with surface waters, beach sediments, and M. gallloprovincialis mussels in Wellington Harbour, New Zealand, using samples from three sites for beach and mussel surveys, and two sites for the surface water tows. Weekly variation was also measured for beach sediments and mussel tissues. Again, no consistency was observed in temporal or spatial variation for any environmental or biological indicator, however the average pollutant loads were on par with reported results in other literature, particularly for M. galloprovincialis tissues. Temporally, the peak microplastic load in the tissues of the mussel, M. galloprovincialis, appeared to correlate with the peak load found within the surface waters of the harbour, indicating a possible relationship between plastic pollution in the environment and that which is found within organisms. Finally, the spatial variation observed within beach sediments was far larger than that seen throughout the mussel tissues, supporting the idea that beach sediments are microplastic sinks, but also susceptible to a range of environmental drivers including wind strength, wind direction, and sediment erosion.  Throughout the Southern Ocean and within Wellington Harbour, particle characteristics were similar, in that microfibres were the prevailing synthetic morphotype – accounting for upwards of 90% of all particles found. These results are similar to reports from other current literature, but not associated with public knowledge that is currently in the media and represented in the legislation. The results of this thesis illustrate the importance of monitoring and managing the occurrence and effect of microplastics on both fine- and broad-scales of temporal and spatial variation and helps address the knowledge gap surrounding microplastics in the Southern Hemisphere.</p>

scholarly journals Plastic Pollutions in Aquatic Environment- A Review

2021 ◽  
pp. 144-155
Author(s):  
Y. M. Mohammed ◽  
M. Hadizat ◽  
M. A. Umar ◽  
Y. Ibrahim ◽  
H. Mohammed ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Spatiotemporal Variation ◽  
Pollution Transport ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Plastic Debris ◽  
Riverine Ecosystems ◽  
The World ◽  
Freshwater Environments

Plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems is a growing environmental concern, as it has the potential to harm ecology, imperil aquatic organisms and cost ecological damage. Although rivers and other freshwater environments are known to play an important role in carrying land-based plastic trash to the world's seas, riverine ecosystems are also directly impacted by plastic pollution. A detailed understanding of the origin, movement, fate, and effects of riverine plastic waste is critical for better quantifying worldwide plastic pollution transport and effectively reducing sources and dangers. In this review, we emphasize the current scientific state of plastic debris in rivers, as well as the existing knowledge gaps, providing a basic overview of plastics and the types of polymers commonly found in rivers and the threat they bring to aquatic ecosystems. We also go through the origins and fates of riverine plastics, as well as the mechanisms and factors that affect plastic debris transit and spatiotemporal variation. We give an overview of riverine plastic transport monitoring and modeling activities, as well as examples of typical values from throughout the world. Finally, we discuss what the future holds for riverine plastic research.

scholarly journals Spatial & Temporal Patterns of Microplastic Pollution in Wellington, New Zealand, and the Southern Ocean

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Caitlyn Shannon
Keyword(s):  
New Zealand ◽  
Southern Ocean ◽  
Spatial Variation ◽  
Marine Environment ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Environmental Drivers ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Temporal And Spatial Variation ◽  
Beach Sediments ◽  
Temporal And Spatial

<p>The global marine environment is currently facing unprecedented anthropomorphic change and stress. One such stressor is plastic pollution, which has continually increased in magnitude since mass production began in the 1940’s. An increase in plastic debris throughout the oceans not only results in an infiltration of the pollutants throughout the entirety of the marine environment, but also increases the risk that it impacts the physiological, structural, and behavioural traits of various organisms – including humans. These negative interactions are particularly likely with microplastic particles (< 5 mm), as they can enter and be transferred throughout the food web with ease. However, research in the field of microplastic pollution is extremely one-sided, with most present studies focusing on the Northern Hemisphere. Additionally, comparatively little has been investigated regarding temporal and spatial patterns of microplastic occurrence. The aim of this research was to 1) examine the abundance and distribution of synthetic particles in sub-surface waters of the Southern Ocean, across broad temporal and spatial scales and 2) examine finer-scale spatial and temporal patterns of microplastic load within the urbanised Wellington Harbour, New Zealand, using a combination of environmental and biological indicators.  To assess the broad-scales of temporal and spatial variation in the Southern Ocean, annual Continuous Plankton Recorder (CPR) tows were undertaken between New Zealand waters and the Ross Sea, Antarctica, over a span of 9 years (the austral summers of 2009/10 – 2017/18) and a range of 5 oceanographic zones and two frontal systems, totalling a distance of approximately 22,000 km. Overall, patterns were inconsistent, with no constant increase or decrease in load throughout the years, while spatial variation was minimal and not associated with particular oceanographic fronts or proximity to an urban area. Despite no consistent spatial variation, temporal differences did occur between years. Again, there were no identifiably consistent trends across years (i.e. a gradual increase), but there was a substantial peak in 2009/10 and a trough in 2012/13. Such changes are likely due to large-scale variations in ocean circulation systems, along with environmental drivers such as El Niño and La Niña events.  To investigate the microplastic load in a more urbanised environment, 3-monthly surveys were undertaken with surface waters, beach sediments, and M. gallloprovincialis mussels in Wellington Harbour, New Zealand, using samples from three sites for beach and mussel surveys, and two sites for the surface water tows. Weekly variation was also measured for beach sediments and mussel tissues. Again, no consistency was observed in temporal or spatial variation for any environmental or biological indicator, however the average pollutant loads were on par with reported results in other literature, particularly for M. galloprovincialis tissues. Temporally, the peak microplastic load in the tissues of the mussel, M. galloprovincialis, appeared to correlate with the peak load found within the surface waters of the harbour, indicating a possible relationship between plastic pollution in the environment and that which is found within organisms. Finally, the spatial variation observed within beach sediments was far larger than that seen throughout the mussel tissues, supporting the idea that beach sediments are microplastic sinks, but also susceptible to a range of environmental drivers including wind strength, wind direction, and sediment erosion.  Throughout the Southern Ocean and within Wellington Harbour, particle characteristics were similar, in that microfibres were the prevailing synthetic morphotype – accounting for upwards of 90% of all particles found. These results are similar to reports from other current literature, but not associated with public knowledge that is currently in the media and represented in the legislation. The results of this thesis illustrate the importance of monitoring and managing the occurrence and effect of microplastics on both fine- and broad-scales of temporal and spatial variation and helps address the knowledge gap surrounding microplastics in the Southern Hemisphere.</p>

scholarly journals Microplastics distribution in the Eurasian Arctic is affected by Atlantic waters and Siberian rivers

2021 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Evgeniy Yakushev ◽  
Anna Gebruk ◽  
Alexander Osadchiev ◽  
Svetlana Pakhomova ◽  
Amy Lusher ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Surface Water ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Water Masses ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Siberian River ◽  
Highest Weight ◽  
Surface Samples ◽  
Atlantic Origin ◽  
Type Size

AbstractPlastic pollution is globally recognised as a threat to marine ecosystems, habitats, and wildlife, and it has now reached remote locations such as the Arctic Ocean. Nevertheless, the distribution of microplastics in the Eurasian Arctic is particularly underreported. Here we present analyses of 60 subsurface pump water samples and 48 surface neuston net samples from the Eurasian Arctic with the goal to quantify and classify microplastics in relation to oceanographic conditions. In our study area, we found on average 0.004 items of microplastics per m3 in the surface samples, and 0.8 items per m3 in the subsurface samples. Microplastic characteristics differ significantly between Atlantic surface water, Polar surface water and discharge plumes of the Great Siberian Rivers, allowing identification of two sources of microplastic pollution (p < 0.05 for surface area, morphology, and polymer types). The highest weight concentration of microplastics was observed within surface waters of Atlantic origin. Siberian river discharge was identified as the second largest source. We conclude that these water masses govern the distribution of microplastics in the Eurasian Arctic. The microplastics properties (i.e. abundance, polymer type, size, weight concentrations) can be used for identification of the water masses.

scholarly journals Analysis of Water Retention Changes in Selected Lake-Wetland Catchments of West Polesie Based on Historical Documents

2018 ◽  
Vol 18 (2) ◽  
pp. 59-75 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarzyna Mięsiak-Wójcik
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waters ◽  
Water Retention ◽  
Field Research ◽  
Google Earth ◽  
Modern State ◽  
Lake Surface ◽  
Data Bases ◽  
Entire Area ◽  
Surface Areas

Abstract The paper presents analysis results concerning changes in the range of areas of surface and transitional retention, here corresponding with wetlands, in two small lake catchments in the western part of West Polesie. The cartometric research was performed on maps covering the period from the 19th to the early 21st century. The analyses were referred to the modern state of investigation recorded on orthophotomaps in data bases disclosed in Geoportal Krajowy and in the Google Earth Pro application. Lake surface retention showed no substantial changes, and the differences result from the scale of maps used in the study, and therefore from the degree of detail of the presented objects. In the catchment of Lake Czarne Gościnieckie it occupied from 13.61 to 15.64% of its area, and in the catchment of Lake Brzeziczno from 0.96 to 1.28%. The greatest discrepancies in the area of wetlands result from the cartographic method of presentation, and generalisation of maps. In the catchment of Lake Czarne Gościnieckie, areas of transitional retention could be identified on 11 out of 13 maps, and in the catchment of Lake Brzeziczno on 12. In the case of the former catchment, transitional retention occupies from 17.35 to 34.00% of its area, and in the catchment of Brzeziczno from 4.81 to 24.00%. Such different surface areas of wetlands measured on maps, however, do not signify evident tendencies for change. Over the last 200 years, no substantial changes occurred in the studied catchments regarding the range of surface waters and wetlands, as confirmed by field research conducted in the years 2006-2012. The quantity and quality of maps and the variability of their scales encourage a careful interpretation of obtained information. In such a case, it is necessary to supplement cartographic analyses with investigating procedures of map preparation, and also to collect written documents concerning the entire area.

scholarly journals Transforming the Global Plastics Economy: The Role of Economic Policies in the Global Governance of Plastic Pollution

2022 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 26
Author(s):  
Diana Barrowclough ◽  
Carolyn Deere Birkbeck
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Global Governance ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
Environmental Law ◽  
Economic Policies ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
International Policy ◽  
Progressive Development ◽  
Views And Perceptions ◽  
Governance Processes

International policy discussions on plastic pollution are entering a new phase, with more than 100 governments calling for the launch of negotiations for a new global plastics agreement in 2022. This article aims to contribute to efforts to identify effective international policy levers to address plastic pollution. It takes stock of the evolution of views and perceptions on this complex and multi-faceted topic—from concerns about marine pollution and waste management towards new strategic directions that involve the entire plastics life-cycle and include climate and health impacts associated with the proliferation of plastics. It also traces the progressive development of responses—from voluntary approaches invovling multiple stakeholders to national and international approaches focused on regulation. The paper is informed by desk research, a literature review and participation by the authors in informal and formal global governance processes on plastic pollution, the environment and development in the United Nations and World Trade Organization between 2019 and 2021. It also draws on empirical findings from a novel and original database on the life-cycle of plastic trade created by the authors. The paper argues that the important focus on downstream dimensions of plastic pollution—and strategies to address them—needs to be complemented by a broad life-cycle and “upstream” perspective that addresses plastic pollution at its source. It highlights the political economy tensions and inconsistencies at hand, observing that while some countries are taking concerted efforts to reduce pollution (including through bans on certain kinds of plastic and plastic products); to promote more circular plastic economies; and to reduce the carbon footprint of plastics (as part of a wider effort to decarbonize their economies), trade and investment in the plastic industry continues to rise. The paper argues that to reduce plastic pollution, emerging global governance efforts must integrate international environmental law and cooperation with a complementary and enabling global framework that addresses the economic, financial, industrial and trade policies needed to drive the necessary transformation of the plastics sector.

The role of sea ice for plastic pollution in the Arctic

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ilka Peeken ◽  
Elisa Bergami ◽  
Ilaria Corsi ◽  
Benedikt Hufnagl ◽  
Christian Katlein ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sea Ice ◽  
Arctic Ocean ◽  
Long Range ◽  
Environmental Concern ◽  
Ice Cores ◽  
Atlantic Water ◽  
The Arctic ◽  
Polar Regions ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
The Arctic Ocean

&lt;p&gt;Marine plastic pollution is a growing worldwide environmental concern as recent reports indicate that increasing quantities of litter disperse into secluded environments, including Polar Regions. Plastic degrades into smaller fragments under the influence of sunlight, temperature changes, mechanic abrasion and wave action resulting in small particles &lt; 5mm called microplastics (MP). Sea ice cores, collected in the Arctic Ocean have so far revealed extremely high concentrations of very small microplastic particles, which might be transferred in the ecosystem with so far unknown consequences for the ice dependant marine food chain.&amp;#160; Sea ice has long been recognised as a transport vehicle for any contaminates entering the Arctic Ocean from various long range and local sources. The Fram Strait is hereby both, a major inflow gateway of warm Atlantic water, with any anthropogenic imprints and the major outflow region of sea ice originating from the Siberian shelves and carried via the Transpolar Drift. The studied sea ice revealed a unique footprint of microplastic pollution, which were related to different water masses and indicating different source regions. Climate change in the Arctic include loss of sea ice, therefore, large fractions of the embedded plastic particles might be released and have an impact on living systems. By combining modeling of sea ice origin and growth, MP particle trajectories in the water column as well as MPs long-range transport via particle tracking and transport models we get first insights &amp;#160;about the sources and pathways of MP in the Arctic Ocean and beyond and how this might affect the Arctic ecosystem.&lt;/p&gt;

scholarly journals Exponential increase of plastic burial in mangrove sediments as a major plastic sink

2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (44) ◽  
pp. eaaz5593 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Martin ◽  
F. Baalkhuyur ◽  
L. Valluzzi ◽  
V. Saderne ◽  
M. Cusack ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Red Sea ◽  
Surface Waters ◽  
Sediment Cores ◽  
Arabian Gulf ◽  
Avicennia Marina ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Mangrove Sediments ◽  
Burial Rate ◽  
Exponential Increase ◽  
Accretion Rates

Sequestration of plastics in sediments is considered the ultimate sink of marine plastic pollution that would justify unexpectedly low loads found in surface waters. Here, we demonstrate that mangroves, generally supporting high sediment accretion rates, efficiently sequester plastics in their sediments. To this end, we extracted microplastics from dated sediment cores of the Red Sea and Arabian Gulf mangrove (Avicennia marina) forests along the Saudi Arabian coast. We found that microplastics <0.5 mm dominated in mangrove sediments, helping explain their scarcity, in surface waters. We estimate that 50 ± 30 and 110 ± 80 metric tons of plastic may have been buried since the 1930s in mangrove sediments across the Red Sea and the Arabian Gulf, respectively. We observed an exponential increase in the plastic burial rate (8.5 ± 1.2% year−1) since the 1950s in line with the global plastic production increase, confirming mangrove sediments as long-term sinks for plastics.

scholarly journals Liability and Compensation for Marine Plastic Pollution: Conceptual Issues and Possible Ways Forward

AJIL Unbound ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 114 ◽  
pp. 206-211
Author(s):  
Sandrine Maljean-Dubois ◽  
Benoît Mayer
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Ad Hoc ◽  
Marine Pollution ◽  
General Assembly ◽  
Expert Group ◽  
Economic Activities ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Marine Litter ◽  
Un General Assembly ◽  
Conceptual Problems

The UN General Assembly and the UN Environment Assembly (UNEA) have expressed concerns about the pollution of the sea by plastics, which adversely impacts ecosystems, some economic activities (e.g., tourism and fishing), and possibly public health (e.g., consumption of contaminated fish). In December 2017, the UNEA decided to establish the Ad Hoc Open-Ended Expert Group on Marine Litter and Microplastics to examine ways to combat marine plastic pollution. The group met three times in 2018 and 2019, and at least two more meetings are planned. Among potential responses to the issue of marine pollution, the group briefly considered—but eventually dismissed—the possibility of creating a liability or compensation regime. This essay evaluates the prospects for such a regime. As the essay will show, compensation faces significant conceptual problems, not the least of which is the absence of an obvious recipient. However, some form of liability could be imposed on corporations that produce plastic, or on states that fail to regulate them. Such a liability regime, even without financial compensation, could foster the prevention of further marine plastic pollution.

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