scholarly journals Tissue translocation, multigenerational and population effects of microplastics in Daphnia magna

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
◽  
Schür Christoph
Keyword(s):  
Water Column ◽  
Daphnia Magna ◽  
Food Limitation ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Lipid Storage ◽  
Fluorescence Signal ◽  
Naturally Occurring ◽  
Plastic Materials ◽  
Population Effects

The last century saw the widespread adoption of plastic materials throughout nearly every aspect of our lives. Plastics are synthetic polymers that are made up of monomer chains. The properties of the monomer in conjunction with chemical additives allow plastics to have a sheer endless variety of features and use cases. They are cheap, lightweight, and extremely durable. Plastic materials are often engineered for single-use and in conjunction with high production volumes and insufficient waste management and recycling across the globe, this leads to a large number of plastics entering the environment. Marine ecosystems are considered sinks. However, freshwater ecosystems as entry pathways are highly affected by plastic waste as well. Throughout the past decade, the impact of plastic waste on human and environmental health has received a lot of attention from the ecotoxicological community as well as the public. Small plastic fragments (< 1 mm called microplastics) are a large part of this emerging field of research. Within this, the water flea Daphnia magna is probably the most common organism that is used to assess microplastics toxicity. As a filter-feeding organism, it indiscriminately ingests particles from the water column and is thus highly susceptible to microplastics. For this thesis, we identified some gaps in the available data on the ecotoxicity of microplastics to daphnids. To illuminate some of those gaps the present thesis was aimed at five main aspects: (1) Tissue translocation of spherical microplastics in Daphnia magna (2) Investigation of the toxicity of irregularly shaped microplastics (3) Multigenerational and population effects of microplastics (4) Comparison of the toxicity of microplastics and natural particles (5) Effects of particle-aging on microplastics toxicity The thesis is comprised of three peer-reviewed articles and one so-far unpublished study as “additional results”. The first study was aimed at understanding tissue translocation of spherical microplastics to lipid storage droplets of daphnids. The crossing of biological membranes is discussed as a prerequisite to eliciting tissue damage and an inflammatory response. Previously, researchers reported the translocation of fluorescently labeled spherical microplastics to lipid storage droplets of daphnids, even though no plausible biological mechanism to explain this occurrence. Therefore, in order to learn more about this process and potentially illuminate the mechanism we replicated the study. We were able to observe a fluorescence signal inside the lipid droplets only after increasing the exposure concentrations. Nonetheless, it appeared to be independent of particles. This led to the hypothesis, that the lipophilic fluorescent dye uncoupled from the particles and subsequently accumulated in lipid storage droplets. The hypothesis was further confirmed through an additional experiment with a silicone-based passive sampling device showing that the fluorescence occurred both independent of particles and digestive processes. Accordingly, we concluded that the reported findings were a microscopic artifact caused by the uncoupling of the dye from the particles. Therefore, a fluorescence signal alone is not a sufficient proxy to assume that particles have translocated. It needs to be coupled with additional methods to ensure that the observation is indeed caused by the translocation of particles. It is still unclear whether the toxicity profile of microplastics is different from that of naturally occurring particles or if they are “just another particle”, as there are innumerable amounts in the natural environment surrounding an organism. The goal of the second study was to compare the toxicity of irregularly shaped polystyrene microplastics to that of the natural particle kaolin. The environment is full of natural non-food particles that daphnids ingest more or less indiscriminately and therefore are well adapted to deal with. Daphnids have a short generation time and usually experience food limitation in nature. Therefore, short-term studies only looking at acute toxicity with ad libitum food availability are not representative of the exposure scenario in nature. For a more realistic scenario, we, therefore, used a four-generation multigenerational design under food limitation to investigate how effects translate from one generation to the next. We observed concentration-dependent effects of microplastics but not of natural particles on mortality, reproduction, and growth. Some of the effects increased from generation to generation, leading to the extinction of two treatment groups. Here, microplastics were more toxic than natural particles. At least part of this difference can be explained by physical properties leading to the quick sedimentation of the kaolin, while microplastics remained in the water column. Nonetheless, buoyancy and sedimentation would also affect exposure in the environment and are likely different for most microplastics than for most naturally occurring particle types. ...

scholarly journals Potential Chemicals from Plastic Wastes

Molecules ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 26 (11) ◽  
pp. 3175
Author(s):  
Ravindra Prajapati ◽  
Kirtika Kohli ◽  
Samir K. Maity ◽  
Brajendra K. Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Protection Agency ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Chemical Production ◽  
Protection Agency ◽  
Medical Apparatus ◽  
Plastic Materials ◽  
Future System ◽  
Plastic Wastes ◽  
The U.S

Plastic is referred to as a “material of every application”. From the packaging and automotive industries to the medical apparatus and computer electronics sectors, plastic materials are fulfilling demands efficiently. These plastics usually end up in landfills and incinerators, creating plastic waste pollution. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), in 2015, 9.1% of the plastic materials generated in the U.S. municipal solid waste stream was recycled, 15.5% was combusted for energy, and 75.4% was sent to landfills. If we can produce high-value chemicals from plastic wastes, a range of various product portfolios can be created. This will help to transform chemical industries, especially the petrochemical and plastic sectors. In turn, we can manage plastic waste pollution, reduce the consumption of virgin petroleum, and protect human health and the environment. This review provides a description of chemicals that can be produced from different plastic wastes and the research challenges involved in plastic waste to chemical production. This review also provides a brief overview of the state-of-the-art processes to help future system designers in the plastic waste to chemicals area.

scholarly journals Simple quality control technique to identify dissolved oxygen diffusion issues with biochemical oxygen demand bottle incubations

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johnathan Daniel Maxey ◽  
Neil David Hartstein ◽  
Dorathy Penjinus ◽  
Alan Kerroux
Keyword(s):  
Dissolved Oxygen ◽  
Water Column ◽  
Biochemical Oxygen Demand ◽  
Oxygen Demand ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Control Technique ◽  
Community Respiration ◽  
Parallel Diffusion ◽  
Quality Control Technique

Stratified estuaries are home to expanding aquaculture activities whose ecological footprints can be observed through trends in microbial community respiration in the water column. Bottle incubations are widely used to measure water column community respiration in marine and freshwater ecosystems by measuring the flux of dissolved oxygen occurring in the bottle over a period of time. When in situ dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations are markedly different than DO concentration of the incubation medium the potential for diffusion of oxygen across the bottle opening is great and may be especially pronounced in strongly stratified systems with relatively low rates of pelagic oxygen consumption. We incubated 60 Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) bottles filled with sterilized water with DO concentrations ranging from 2.51 mg O2 L-1 to 10.03 mg O2 L-1 for 24 hours in a temperature controlled water bath. There was a significant relationship when DO flux was set as a function of initial DO (DO Flux = -0.0017x + 0.0085, r2 = 0.72, p < 2.2 e-16). DO fluxes ranged from -0.012 mg O2 L-1 hour-1 to 0.005 mg O2 L-1 hour-1 for bottles incubated with initial DO ranging from 10.03 mg O2 L-1 to 3.31 mg O2 L-1, respectively. These results suggest that diffusion across the ground glass seal of BOD bottles is possible and that extra precaution through parallel diffusion controls should be considered when measuring pelagic respiration using BOD bottle incubations in systems with relatively low or relatively high in situ DO concentrations.

scholarly journals The role of methanotrophy in the microbial carbon metabolism of temperate lakes

2022 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Paula C. J. Reis ◽  
Shoji D. Thottathil ◽  
Yves T. Prairie
Keyword(s):  
Water Column ◽  
Carbon Metabolism ◽  
Volume Fraction ◽  
Specific Activity ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Carbon Consumption ◽  
Temperate Lakes ◽  
Relative Contribution ◽  
Methane Oxidizing Bacteria ◽  
Microbial Carbon

AbstractPrevious stable isotope and biomarker evidence has indicated that methanotrophy is an important pathway in the microbial loop of freshwater ecosystems, despite the low cell abundance of methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) and the low methane concentrations relative to the more abundant dissolved organic carbon (DOC). However, quantitative estimations of the relative contribution of methanotrophy to the microbial carbon metabolism of lakes are scarce, and the mechanism allowing methanotrophy to be of comparable importance to DOC-consuming heterotrophy remained elusive. Using incubation experiments, microscopy, and multiple water column profiles in six temperate lakes, we show that MOB play a much larger role than their abundances alone suggest because of their larger cell size and higher specific activity. MOB activity is tightly constrained by the local methane:oxygen ratio, with DOC-rich lakes with large hypolimnetic volume fraction showing a higher carbon consumption through methanotrophy than heterotrophy at the whole water column level. Our findings suggest that methanotrophy could be a critical microbial carbon consumption pathway in many temperate lakes, challenging the prevailing view of a DOC-centric microbial metabolism in these ecosystems.

scholarly journals Combustibles alternativos para motores de combustión interna obtenidos a partir de residuos plásticos

2019 ◽  
pp. 22-29
Author(s):  
José Manuel Riesco-Ávila ◽  
David Alejandro Rodríguez-Valderrama ◽  
Diana Marcela Pardo-Cely ◽  
Francisco Elizalde- Blancas
Keyword(s):  
High Density Polyethylene ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Low Density Polyethylene ◽  
Distillation Process ◽  
Pyrolysis Process ◽  
Mechanical Recycling ◽  
Heavy Hydrocarbons ◽  
Plastic Materials ◽  
Rapid Pyrolysis

Of the different methods for recycling plastic, pyrolysis offers the possibility to overcome the limitations of mechanical recycling, which requires large amounts of clean, separate and homogeneous plastic waste to ensure the quality of the final product. Pyrolysis is the chemical decomposition of plastic materials by thermal degradation in the absence of oxygen. The plastic waste is introduced into a chamber, where it is subjected to high temperatures, and the gases generated are condensed in order to obtain a distillate hydrocarbon. This paper presents the results obtained from the pyrolysis of plastic waste mixtures of polypropylene, high density polyethylene, and low density polyethylene. In a first stage, the plastic waste is subjected to a rapid pyrolysis process at temperatures of 440-450 °C, obtaining a mixture of heavy hydrocarbons. Subsequently, these hydrocarbons are subjected to a distillation process, first at a temperature of 180 °C, where a hydrocarbon with properties similar to those of gasoline is obtained, and then at a temperature of 360 °C, yielding a hydrocarbon with properties similar to those of diesel.

Identifying global hotspots of plastic waste accumulation along river networks

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesus Gomez-Velez ◽  
Stefan Krause
Keyword(s):  
Multiple Scales ◽  
Transport Model ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
River Network ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Trapping Efficiency ◽  
River Networks ◽  
Clear Understanding ◽  
Relative Location ◽  
Plastic Pollution

&lt;p&gt;Global plastic pollution is affecting ecosystems and human health globally. Proposing solutions and coping strategies for this threat requires a clear understanding of the processes controlling the fate and transport of mismanaged plastics at multiple scales, going from watersheds to regions and even continents. River corridors are the primary conveyor and trap for mismanaged plastic produced within the landscape and eventually released to the ocean. New approaches that apply technological sensing innovations for monitoring plastic waste in aquatic environments can improve observations and plastic waste datasets globally. However, our understanding of when, where, and how to target monitoring is limited, reducing the benefit gained. There is therefore a critical demand for predictions of hotspots (as well as hot moments) of plastic accumulation along river networks globally, in order to optimize observational capacity. &amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&amp;#160;&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;Here, we present a new global flow and transport model for plastic waste in riverine environments. Our model predicts that only a small fraction (roughly 2.5%) of the global mismanaged plastic that entered rivers since the 1950s has been delivered to the ocean by 2020, with an overwhelming majority sequestered in freshwater ecosystems. Furthermore, we predict the patterns of mismanaged plastic accumulation and its residence time depend on (i) the topology and geometry of the river network, (ii) the relative location of plastic sources, and (ii) the relative location and trapping efficiency of flow regulation structures, primarily large dams. Our results highlight the role of rivers as major sinks for plastic waste and the need for targeted remedial strategies that consider the structure of the river network and anthropogenic regulation when proposing intervention measures and sampling efforts.&lt;/p&gt;

Places and Causes of Mismanaged Plastic Materials in the Life Cycle of Flexible Plastic Packaging Based on Mechanical Recycling Context

2021 ◽  
Vol 888 ◽  
pp. 129-138
Author(s):  
Munzir Hadengganan ◽  
Djoko Sihono Gabriel
Keyword(s):  
Life Cycle ◽  
Plastic Material ◽  
Life Cycles ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Production Cycle ◽  
Mechanical Recycling ◽  
Rigid Plastic ◽  
Plastic Packaging ◽  
Quality Degradation ◽  
Plastic Materials

Plastic waste has become a big issue in the world for its large amount of plastic waste in the sea. Most of the plastic waste is plastic packaging which consists of flexible and rigid plastic packaging. This research discusses flexible plastic packaging. Until now, most researches on the loss of plastic materials discuss how to manage plastic waste disposal once it has been used by community: only a few discuss production cycle: while none of them discusses flexible plastic packaging area. This research aims to examine the number of mismanaged materials throughout flexible plastic packaging life cycle using a combination of Material Flow Analysis (MFA) and Life Cycle Analysis (LCA). Based on the literature review, interviews and observations conducted by the author to all stakeholders in the life cycle of flexible plastic packaging, mismanagement of plastic material occurred in each cycle, mostly caused by quality degradation of flexible plastic that could cause plastic waste was not acceptable in the mechanical recycle. The results of this study show that: (1) mismanaged material occurred in all cycles throughout the life cycles of flexible plastic packaging, (2) quality degradation is the main caused of mismanaged material in several cycles, and (3) the mismanaged materials in the life cycle of flexible plastic packaging were 98.29%.

scholarly journals Effects of a treated sewage effluent on behavioural traits in Diamesa cinerella and Daphnia magna

2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Villa ◽  
Valeria Di Nica ◽  
Francesco Bellamoli ◽  
Tanita Pescatore ◽  
Claudia Ferrario ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Daphnia Magna ◽  
Early Warning ◽  
Test Organism ◽  
Warning System ◽  
Early Warning Systems ◽  
Freshwater Ecosystems ◽  
Video Tracking ◽  
Laboratory Population ◽  
Cumulative Distance ◽  
Treated Effluent

Recently, the use of Daphnia magna has been proposed in on-line and real-time biomonitoring programmes as an early warning system for evaluating the effluent quality of sewage treatment plants (STPs). These systems are based on recording behavioural changes in the test organism resulting from the stress caused by the effluents. Indeed, altered behavioural signals could be induced at sublethal concentrations that are significantly lower than the corresponding EC50. However, at present, it is unknown whether the sensitivity of D. magna can be representative of that of other aquatic organisms, particularly benthic macroinvertebrates. An experiment was designed to verify whether D. magna can be employed in biomonitoring programmes for STPs located in alpine areas as a surrogate for cold freshwater best-adapted species. The responses of survival and behaviour alteration to exposure to the effluent of the Tonale Pass plant (Trentino, Italian Alps, 46°N, 10°E; 1799 m a.s.l.) were compared in a laboratory population of D. magna and a wild population of the chironomid Diamesa cinerella. These larvae were collected from the Vermigliana stream 50 metres upstream of the effluent input. Both organisms were exposed for 24 and 48 hrs to the effluent as it is and to three dilutions (/10, /100, /1000). The mortality rate and behavioural responses (using video tracking systems) were recorded. No significant mortality or change in behaviour was observed in the two species when exposed to the undiluted effluent. Exposure to serial dilutions of the treated effluent did not affect the survival of either species but notably altered their behaviour at both exposure times (e.g., the time spent in activity in D. magna and the average speed of movement and the cumulative distance travelled in both), especially when exposed to the ten-times-diluted effluent. Overall, the findings of this study emphasize that even though D. magna and D. cinerella use different behavioural strategies to cope with adverse environmental conditions, their overall sensitivity to treated effluents is similar. Accordingly, the use of D. magna in biological early warning systems protocols seems to also be sufficiently protective for local, cold-adapted species of alpine freshwater ecosystems.

Plastic waste as a significant threat to environment – a systematic literature review

2018 ◽  
Vol 33 (4) ◽  
pp. 383-406 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Ilyas ◽  
Waqas Ahmad ◽  
Hizbullah Khan ◽  
Saeeda Yousaf ◽  
Kifayatullah Khan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Systematic Literature Review ◽  
Large Body ◽  
Quality Criteria ◽  
Plastic Waste ◽  
Modern World ◽  
Waste Plastics ◽  
Plastic Materials ◽  
Literature Reviews ◽  
Review Protocol

Abstract Context Materials which exceed the balance of their production and destruction lead to the deterioration in the environment. Plastic is one such material which poses a big threat to the environment. A huge amount of plastic is produced and dumped into the environment which does not readily degrade naturally. In this paper, we address the organization of a large body of literature published on the management of waste plastics being the most challenging issue of the modern world. Objectives To address the issue of the management of waste plastics, there is a dire need to organize the literature published in this field. This paper presents a systematic literature review on plastic waste, its fate and biodegradation in the environment. The objective is to make conclusions on possible practical techniques to lessen the effects of plastic waste on the environment. Method A systematic literature review protocol was followed for conducting the present study [Kitchenham B, Brereton OP, Budgen D, Turner M, Bailey J, Linkman S. Systematic literature reviews in software engineering – A systematic literature review. Inf Softw Technol 2009;51(1):7–15.]. A predefined set of book sections, conference proceedings and high-quality journal publications during the years 1999 to September 2017 were used for data collection. Results One hundred and fifty-three primary studies are selected, based on predefined exclusion, inclusion and quality criteria. These studies will help to identify the fate of different waste plastics, their impact and management and the disposal techniques frequently used. The study also identifies a number of significant techniques and measures for the conversion of waste plastic materials into useful products. Conclusion Five fundamental strategies are used for the handling of plastic waste. These strategies include: recycling, depositing in landfill, incineration, microbial degradation and conversion into useful materials. All of these methods have their own limitations, due to which there is need to explore the studies for optimum solutions of the management of plastics waste.

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