Particulate plastics as a vector for toxic trace-element uptake by aquatic and terrestrial organisms and human health risk
Link: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0160412018329349
, , , , , Yong Sik Ok c, , Ki-Hyun Kim g, M.B. Kirkham h
Environment International Volume 131, October 2019, 104937
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envint.2019.104937
Highlights
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Particulate plastics include microplastics and nanoplastics.
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The review covers the ecological and human health impacts of particulate plastics.
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Trace-element-sorbed particulate plastics damage aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems.
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Dissolved organic matter facilitates trace element sorption onto particulate plastics.
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Particulate plastics pose human health threats by entering the food chain.
Abstract
Particulate plastics in the terrestrial and aquatic environments are small plastic fragments or beads (i.e., 5 mm down to the nanometre range). They have been frequently referred to as ‘micro-plastics’ or ‘nano-plastics’. Research has identified particulate plastics as a vector for toxic trace elements in the environment. The adsorption of toxic trace elements by particulate plastics may be facilitated by their high surface area and functionalized surfaces (e.g., through the attachment of natural organic matter). Other factors, such as environmental conditions (e.g., pH and water salinity), surface charge, and trace element oxidation status, also influence the adsorption of trace elements onto particulate plastics. Because of their small size and persistence, particulate plastics and the associated toxic trace elements are readily ingested and accumulated in many terrestrial and aquatic organisms. Thus, these plastics can have severe environmental consequences, such as the development of metal toxicity, within aquatic and terrestrial organisms. Humans could also become exposed to particulate plastics through food chain contamination and airborne ingestion. This review provides an overview of the sources of particulate plastics in the environment. To this end, we describe particulate plastics made of synthetic polymers, their origin, and characteristics with emphasis on how particulate plastics and associated toxic trace elements contaminate terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Future research needs and strategies are discussed to help reduce the environmental risks of particulate plastics as a potent vector for the transportation of toxic trace elements.
Conclusions and recommendations for future research
This review aimed to provide an overview of the origin, characteristics, sources, and fate of particulate plastics in the environment. There are two major sources of particulate plastics in terrestrial and aquatic environments, i.e., primary or secondary particulate plastics. The primary source includes synthetic particulate plastics, and the secondary source includes plastics derived from the breakdown and weathering of primary plastics.
Furthermore, this review examined the types of contaminants adsorbed to the surface of particulate plastics, and the associated uptake of particulate plastics and contaminants by terrestrial and aquatic organisms. Toxic trace elements were the main contaminant focus. Hence, the mechanisms involved to form trace element-particulate plastics complexes, including their interactions and transport in the environment, were examined. Additionally, significant attention was also given to understanding the processes involved in the uptake of particulate plastics with associated trace elements into the tissues of terrestrial and aquatic organisms. Trace elements are not readily adsorbed onto pristine particulate plastics because they are hydrophobic. However, when particulate plastics reach terrestrial and aquatic environments, they readily adsorb DOM, which serves as a vector for the subsequent adsorption and mobility of trace elements. Trace elements become toxic when soil sorbs, and aquatic organisms ingest, the particulate plastics.
Finally, this review examined human's exposure to particulate plastics and associated contaminants. Once particulate plastics and associated trace elements enter marine organisms, they can then make their way up the food chain where humans eventually ingest them. Human exposure can occur not only through the consumption of seafood but also through consuming water, beer, or salt contaminated with particulate plastics. Once in the gut, particulate plastic may have the potential to affect the digestive and immune systems of humans. However, the effects surrounding the exposure of humans to trace-element-sorbed particulate plastics are largely unknown.
A exposição humana pode ocorrer não apenas pelo consumo de frutos do mar, mas também pelo consumo de água, cerveja ou sal contaminado com partículas plásticas. Uma vez no intestino, o plástico particulado pode ter o potencial de afetar os sistemas digestivo e imunológico dos humanos. No entanto, os efeitos que cercam a exposição de seres humanos a partículas plásticas sorvidas com oligoelementos são amplamente desconhecidos.
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