The global threat from plastic pollution

Science ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 373 (6550) ◽  
pp. 61-65
Author(s):  
Matthew MacLeod ◽  
Hans Peter H. Arp ◽  
Mine B. Tekman ◽  
Annika Jahnke
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Keystone Species ◽  
Nutrient Cycles ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Habitat Changes ◽  
Plastic Materials ◽  
Mineralization Processes ◽  
Biological Impacts ◽  
Societal Impacts ◽  
Global Threat

Plastic pollution accumulating in an area of the environment is considered “poorly reversible” if natural mineralization processes occurring there are slow and engineered remediation solutions are improbable. Should negative outcomes in these areas arise as a consequence of plastic pollution, they will be practically irreversible. Potential impacts from poorly reversible plastic pollution include changes to carbon and nutrient cycles; habitat changes within soils, sediments, and aquatic ecosystems; co-occurring biological impacts on endangered or keystone species; ecotoxicity; and related societal impacts. The rational response to the global threat posed by accumulating and poorly reversible plastic pollution is to rapidly reduce plastic emissions through reductions in consumption of virgin plastic materials, along with internationally coordinated strategies for waste management.

scholarly journals Chronic effects of domestic and single used plastic leachates on the microcrustacea Daphnia magna

2021 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. first
Author(s):  
Van-Tai Nguyen ◽  
Thi-Phuong-Dung Le ◽  
Thanh-Son Dao
Keyword(s):  
Trace Metals ◽  
Bisphenol A ◽  
Daphnia Magna ◽  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Environmental Issues ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Chronic Effects ◽  
Plastic Materials ◽  
Negative Effect

Plastic pollution has become one of the most serious environmental issues worldwide. Plastics can contain high amount of additives (e.g., phthalate, bisphenol A, trace metals), and they could be leached out of plastics, enter the aquatic environment and cause toxic effects to aquatic organisms (including microcrustacean). In this study, we investigated chronic effects of plastic leachates from two popular plastic materials (garbage bag and disposable raincoat) on the survival, maturation and reproduction of the microcrustcean Daphnia magna. The results showed that, the plastic leachates from the two materials at the concentration up to 1000 mg/l did not cause negative effect on survival of D. magna. However, exposed to the leachates from the garbage bag (at the concentrations of 10, 100 and 1000 mg/l) and from the disposable raincoat (at the concentration of 10 mg/l), the animals delayed their maturity ages compared to the control. Besides, the two kinds of leachates at the concentration of 1000 mg/l stimulated the reproduction of D. magna, resulting the increase of 17 – 37% of total offspring compared to the control, during 21 days of experiment. The results of this study contribute to the understanding on the toxicity of popular plastic materials to the microcrustacean, D. magna. Additionally, the plastic usage and emission into the environment should be paid more attention to protect the aquatic ecosystems and human health.

scholarly journals Engineering Microbes to Bio-Upcycle Polyethylene Terephthalate

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lakshika Dissanayake ◽  
Lahiru N. Jayakody
Keyword(s):  
Polyethylene Terephthalate ◽  
Metabolic Pathways ◽  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Value Added ◽  
Building Blocks ◽  
Chemical Recycling ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Microbial Cell Factories ◽  
Cell Factories ◽  
Value Added Products

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is globally the largest produced aromatic polyester with an annual production exceeding 50 million metric tons. PET can be mechanically and chemically recycled; however, the extra costs in chemical recycling are not justified when converting PET back to the original polymer, which leads to less than 30% of PET produced annually to be recycled. Hence, waste PET massively contributes to plastic pollution and damaging the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. The global energy and environmental concerns with PET highlight a clear need for technologies in PET “upcycling,” the creation of higher-value products from reclaimed PET. Several microbes that degrade PET and corresponding PET hydrolase enzymes have been successfully identified. The characterization and engineering of these enzymes to selectively depolymerize PET into original monomers such as terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol have been successful. Synthetic microbiology and metabolic engineering approaches enable the development of efficient microbial cell factories to convert PET-derived monomers into value-added products. In this mini-review, we present the recent progress of engineering microbes to produce higher-value chemical building blocks from waste PET using a wholly biological and a hybrid chemocatalytic–biological strategy. We also highlight the potent metabolic pathways to bio-upcycle PET into high-value biotransformed molecules. The new synthetic microbes will help establish the circular materials economy, alleviate the adverse energy and environmental impacts of PET, and provide market incentives for PET reclamation.

scholarly journals Acute and chronic toxicity of mixtures of bisphenol A and trace metals (Cd and Pb) to micro-crustacean, Daphnia magna

2022 ◽  
Vol 964 (1) ◽  
pp. 012012
Author(s):  
V T Nguyen ◽  
A T Huynh ◽  
T S Dao
Keyword(s):  
Trace Metals ◽  
Bisphenol A ◽  
Daphnia Magna ◽  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Life History Traits ◽  
Feeding Rate ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Antagonistic Effect ◽  
Ecological Impacts ◽  
Plastic Materials

Abstract The occurrence of plastic additives and their ecological impacts have attracted much attention in recent years globally. Among plastic additives, the trace metals (e.g., Cd, Pb) are widely used as color pigments and stabilizers, whereas bisphenol A (BPA) is added to enhance the desired physical characteristics of plastic products. However, these additives can easily leach out of plastic materials and enter the aquatic environment causing risks to aquatic ecosystems. Although the toxicity of a single additive on various aquatic organisms has been studied, the responses of zooplankton exposed to the mixed plastic additives have not been fully understood. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate the effects of the binary mixtures (BPA+Cd, BPA+Pb) and trinary mixture (BPA+Pb+Cd) at the metal concentrations of 5 µg/L and BPA level of 50 µg/ L on the life history traits and food feeding rate of the freshwater micro-crustacean, Daphnia magna. The results showed exposures to these mixtures for 24h could significantly enhance the food feeding rate of D. magna from 2.5 – 5.8 times higher than the control. The survival rate was decreased from 50 – 90% in the organisms exposed to these mixtures after 18 incubated days. We found a synergistic effect of BPA+Pb but an antagonistic effect of BPA+Pb+Cd on the survivorship of D. magna. Similarly, the organisms in the exposures delayed their maturity age and reduced their reproduction. The potent impact order of the mixtures on D. magna was BPA+Cd > BPA+Pb+Cd > BPA+Pb. Our results evidenced the adverse effects of plastic additive mixtures on aquatic organisms. Therefore, the use and disposal of plastic materials and plastic additives should be paid more attention to protect the environment, ecosystem, and human health. Moreover, our findings proved that the toxicity of multi-contaminants on organisms could be unpredictable even the toxicity of a single contaminant is known.

scholarly journals The development of the eutrophication process in Dobczyce reservoir

2018 ◽  
Vol 45 ◽  
pp. 00055 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elena Neverova-Dziopak ◽  
Zbigniew Kowalewski
Keyword(s):  
Surface Waters ◽  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Trophic Status ◽  
Low Cost ◽  
State Assessment ◽  
Dam Reservoir ◽  
Dam Reservoirs ◽  
Abatement Strategies ◽  
Global Threat ◽  
Primary Problem

Eutrophication is currently a global threat to all types of aquatic ecosystems leading to a disturbance of their ecological balance and a deterioration of water quality. This problem is especially true for dam reservoirs, which play a key role in the economy of each country, being an important source of water supply. It is also a primary problem for all types of surface waters in Poland. Effective eutrophication abatement strategies should be based on reliable information about the actual trophic status of waters which in turn should be obtained with fast, accurate and low-cost monitoring. The aim of this paper is to investigate the possibility of the application of aggregated numerical indicators as an effective tool for the assessment of water trophic status and prove it using the example of the trophic state assessment of the Dobczyce dam reservoir. For this purpose, three numerical indicators elaborated by different authors were used.

A country's response to tackling plastic pollution in aquatic ecosystems: The Chilean way

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M.A. Urbina ◽  
G. Luna‐Jorquera ◽  
M. Thiel ◽  
T. Acuña‐Ruz ◽  
M.A. Amenábar Cristi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Plastic Pollution

scholarly journals Toxic phytoplankton as a keystone species in aquatic ecosystems: stable coexistence to biodiversity

Oikos ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 125 (5) ◽  
pp. 735-746 ◽  
Author(s):  
Subhendu Chakraborty ◽  
A Ramesh ◽  
Partha Sharathi Dutta
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Keystone Species ◽  
Toxic Phytoplankton ◽  
Stable Coexistence

Plastic Pollution and Its Effect on the Environment

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-28
Author(s):  
Trinath Biswal ◽  
Pravin Kumar Kar
Keyword(s):  
Water Pollution ◽  
Drinking Water ◽  
Surface Water ◽  
Polymer Composites ◽  
Water Bodies ◽  
Toxic Substances ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Plastic Materials ◽  
Surface Water Bodies ◽  
Surrounding Soil

Chlorinated plastics releases harmful chemicals and toxic substances into the surrounding soil, which can then seep into ground water or other surrounding surface water bodies in the form of a black thick liquid known as leachate causing sever water pollution. This water, if used as drinking water, causes serious harm to both plants and animals. Many advanced polymer composites used in various fields can leach into water forming hurdles. Plastic pollution is potentially poisonous to animals, which can then affect human food supplies. Plastic materials contain a number and variety of chemicals that are carcinogenic and mutagenic in nature. The five R's (recycle, reuse, reduce, remove, and refuse) can control the plastic pollution in our environment. This chapter explores plastic pollution and its effect on the environment.

Forecasting plastic mobilization during extreme hydrological events

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jasper Roebroek ◽  
Shaun Harrigan ◽  
Tim van Emmerik
Keyword(s):  
Recent Work ◽  
Environmental Risk ◽  
Extreme Events ◽  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
The World ◽  
Forecasting System ◽  
Extreme Hydrological Events ◽  
Awareness System

<p>Plastic pollution of aquatic ecosystems is an emerging environmental risk. Land-based plastics are considered the main source of plastic litter in the world’s oceans. Quantifying the emission from rivers into the oceans is crucial to optimize prevention, mitigation and cleanup strategies. Although several studies have focused on estimating annual plastic emission based on average hydrology, the role of extreme events remains underexplored. Recent work has demonstrated that floods can mobilize additional plastics. For example, the 2015/2016 UK floods resulted in a 70% decrease of microplastic sediments in several catchments. In this project, the use of the Global Flood Awareness System (GloFAS) flood forecasting system to assess additional mobilization of plastic pollution will be explored.</p>

scholarly journals Toxic oligopeptides in the cyanobacterium Planktothrix agardhii-dominated blooms and their effects on duckweed (Lemnaceae) development

2018 ◽  
pp. 41 ◽  
Author(s):  
Barbara Pawlik-Skowrońska ◽  
Magdalena Toporowska ◽  
Hanna Mazur-Marzec
Keyword(s):  
Aquatic Ecosystems ◽  
Cyanobacterial Bloom ◽  
Aquatic Organisms ◽  
Taxonomic Composition ◽  
Toxic Effects ◽  
Freshwater Macrophytes ◽  
Planktothrix Agardhii ◽  
Spirodela Polyrhiza ◽  
Fresh Biomass ◽  
Global Threat

Cyanobacterial toxins are a global threat to aquatic organisms; however, they represent only one group of bioactive cyanobacterial metabolites. Very little is known about the effects of other cyanobacterial products (e.g., non-ribosomal oligopeptides) on freshwater macrophytes. Our experimental study revealed that the development of young duckweed Spirodela polyrhiza was inhibited by two aquatic extracts of cyanobacterial bloom samples predominated by Planktothrix agardhii and pure microcystin-LR (MC-LR). The extracts differed considerably in the content of MCs and other oligopeptides; they contained three or four MC variants and several other oligopeptides such as anabaenopeptins, aeruginosins, and planktocyclin. Their toxic effects on young plants (first frond area, root number, fresh biomass, and chlorophyll a content) were different. The more phytotoxic extract obtained from a higher cyanobacterial biomass contained a lower total MC concentration and different anabaenopeptin variants (e.g., anabaenopeptin H, G, HU892, and E/F) as well as planktocyclin, which were not present in another extract with a higher MC concentration. The obtained results suggested that P. agardhii oligopeptides other than MCs are harmful to young duckweeds and may exert even stronger toxic effects than MC-LR. The production of various variants of MCs together with other oligopeptides, and their toxicity to aquatic plants varied over seasons depending on the taxonomic composition of the cyanobacterial bloom. Germinated turions of S. polyrhiza can be used as a sensitive bioindicator of the cyanobacterial threat in aquatic ecosystems.

scholarly journals The Influence of the Plastic Bags on the Environment

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (4) ◽  
pp. 595-599
Author(s):  
Valentina Constanta Tudor ◽  
Ancuta Marin ◽  
Diana Zamfir Vasca ◽  
Marius Mihai Micu ◽  
Dragos Ion Smedescu
Keyword(s):  
European Union ◽  
Case Studies ◽  
The European Union ◽  
Plastic Pollution ◽  
Plastic Bags ◽  
Plastic Materials ◽  
The World ◽  
European Union Countries ◽  
Global Mapping ◽  
Plastic Products

It is known, as well as a rule, that plastic materials can not instictively and naturally degrade when released into the environment. Due to the persistence of plastics to degradation and also to propagation in industry, the problem of plastic pollution has progressed considerable in order to become a threat to global ecology, on land and sea. The present study presents a global mapping of actions brought in to reduce the use of plastic, plastic bags and foamed plastic products, followed by selected case studies from each region of the world, with more attention offered to the European Union countries and the strategies elaborated by them to provide a cleaner and safer environment.

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