scispace - formally typeset
Search or ask a question
Journal ArticleDOI

Study of Microplastics and Inorganic Contaminants in Mussels from the Montenegrin Coast, Adriatic Sea

18 May 2021-Journal of Marine Science and Engineering (Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)-Vol. 9, Iss: 5, pp 544
TL;DR: In this paper, the authors used optical and Raman microscopy to detect microplastics (MPs) and other emerging contaminants in the soft tissues of mussels collected at three locations in Boka Kotorska Bay, on the Montenegrin Adriatic coast.
Abstract: Mussels (Mytilus galloprovincialis) collected at three locations in Boka Kotorska Bay, on the Montenegrin Adriatic coast, were analyzed for the first time by optical and Raman microscopy to detect microplastics (MPs) and other emerging contaminants in their soft tissues. Concentrations of six trace metals (Cu, Zn, Mn, Fe, Cd, and Hg) were also measured in the same samples by atomic absorption spectroscopy. Mussels from a location near the urban area of Kotor were found to exhibit the highest content of MPs and other pollutants originating from anthropogenic sources, while farmed mussels showed higher carotenoid as well as nylon content. The hypothesis of MPs acting as a possible secondary route of trace metals ingress in mussels, a thus far scarcely studied topic, was evaluated based on a comparative analysis of the obtained results. In this context, it was noticed that nylon filaments originating from mussel farming equipment might contribute to higher trace metal content. The results showed that the simultaneous analysis of different contaminants in mussels can be a significant step forward in marine environment pollution monitoring and the assessment of human health risks associated with the consumption of contaminated seafood.
Citations
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , a top-down approach based on mechanical fragmentation was used to produce polyethylene terephthalate (PET) model nanoplastics, similar to those found in the marine environment.
Abstract: This work contributes to fill one of the gaps regarding nanoplastic interactions with biological systems by producing polyethylene terephthalate (PET) model nanoplastics, similar to those found in the marine environment, by means of a fast top-down approach based on mechanical fragmentation. Their size distribution and morphology were characterized by laser diffraction and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Their autofluorescence was studied by spectrofluorimetry and fluorescence imaging, being a key property for the evaluation of their interaction with biota. The emission spectra of label-free nanoplastics were comparable with those of PET nanoplastics labeled with Nile red. Finally, the suitability of label-free nanoplastics for biological studies was assessed by in vitro exposure with Mytilus galloprovincialis hemolymphatic cells in a time interval up to 6 h. The nanoplastic internalization into these cells, known to be provided with phagocytic activity, was assessed by fluorescence microscopy. The obtained results underlined that the autofluorescence of the model PET nanoplastics produced in the laboratory was adequate for biological studies having the potential to overcome the disadvantages commonly associated with several fluorescent dyes, such as the tendency to also stain other organic materials different from plastics, to form aggregates due to intermolecular interactions at high concentrations with a consequent decrease in fluorescence intensity, and to dye desorption from nanoparticles. The results of the autofluorescence study provide an innovative approach for plastic risk assessment.

7 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , a threshold-based logic algorithm is improved by differentiating the intrinsic peak intensity, using an algebra-based algorithm, and dual-PCA analysis is employed to guide and extract the multiple PCA spectra towards image merging.
Abstract: Raman imaging has advanced recently to be able to directly visualise microplastics and even nanoplastics. However, the generated scanning spectrum matrix, akin to a hyperspectral matrix, is challenging to decode. To this end, herein, logic-based, algebra-based, principal component analysis (PCA)-based, and dual-PCA-based algorithms are compared and combined as a PCA/algebra-based algorithm. Specifically, (i) to increase the signal-noise ratio, multiple images that mapped the multiple characteristic peaks of plastics are merged to cross-check each other. The threshold-based logic algorithm is improved by differentiating the intrinsic peak intensity, using an algebra-based algorithm; (ii) PCA can decode the spectrum matrix to generate PCA spectra and PCA images. The PCA spectra can suggest how to further extract information on plastics to merge the corresponding PCA images to enable the capture of microplastics and nanoplastics, by combining and following up with the algebra-based algorithm, called a PCA/algebra-based algorithm; (iii) dual-PCA analysis is employed to guide and extract the multiple PCA spectra towards image merging, to validate the PCA/algebra-based algorithm. We also show that the score percentages of the eigenvalues of PCA can be used to estimate the size amount of the microplastics and nanoplastics in the scanning area, and how to treat the reversed peaks of the PCA spectrum. Overall, the improvement of the algorithms can lead to more effective decoding of the spectrum matrix.

7 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors evaluated the possible correlation between MP accumulation in the biotic (fish) and abiotic (sediment) components of the marine environment of the Montenegrin coast (Adriatic Sea).

5 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper , the authors monitor the abundance, distribution, and sources of microplastics and identify present polymers in the surface sediment of the Montenegrin coast, as well as comparison with previous research.
Abstract: Plastic pollution in the world has led to an abundance of microplastics (MPs) and has been identified as a potential factor that can lead to serious environmental problems, especially in oceans and seas. Information on the current status of MPs pollution along the Montenegrin coast is insufficiently investigated. This study monitors the abundance, distribution, and sources of MPs, and identifies present polymers in the surface sediment of the Montenegrin coast, as well as comparison with previous research.Ten sampling sites along the Montenegrin coast were selected to collect surface sediment samples. The upper layer of sediment (0-5 cm) was collected by a Petite ponar grab. The samples were dried, and density separation was performed using a NaCl solution. The abundance and morphological characteristics of MPs were determined using an optical microscope (DP-Soft software), while FT-IR analysis was done to identify the polymer type.Microplastics were identified in all sediment samples with an average abundance of 307 ± 133 (SD) MPs/kg in dry sediment. The highest abundance of MPs was found in locations in the vicinity of highly populated areas, near wastewater discharges, and areas with high fishing and tourist activities. The most dominant shape types of MPs in all samples were filaments and fragments. The most common colors of MPs were blue and red, while the dominant MPs sizes were 0.1-0.5 mm and 0.5-1.0 mm. Of the eight identified polymers, PP, PE, and PET were the most common.This study reveals MPs characteristics (abundance, distribution, shape type, colors, size, polymers type) in surface sediment along the Montenegrin coast, as well as the most significant sources of MPs pollution, and provides important data for further research on MPs to identify the effects of MPs pollution on the quality, health, and functionality of the marine environment.

5 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this article , a review of simultaneous analysis of the abundance of MPs and organic/inorganic contaminants in aquatic organisms in the natural environment has been collected and bibliometric analysis was performed.

3 citations

References
More filters
Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: Raman spectra are reported from single crystals of graphite and other graphite materials as mentioned in this paper, and the Raman intensity of this band is inversely proportional to the crystallite size and is caused by a breakdown of the k-selection rule.
Abstract: Raman spectra are reported from single crystals of graphite and other graphite materials. Single crystals of graphite show one single line at 1575 cm−1. For the other materials like stress‐annealed pyrolitic graphite, commercial graphites, activated charcoal, lampblack, and vitreous carbon another line is detected at 1355 cm−1. The Raman intensity of this band is inversely proportional to the crystallite size and is caused by a breakdown of the k‐selection rule. The intensity of this band allows an estimate of the crystallite size in the surface layer of any carbon sample. Two in‐plane force constants are calculated from the frequencies.

9,373 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: There is potential for microplastics to impact human health, and assessing current exposure levels and burdens is key to guide future research into the potential mechanisms of toxicity and hence therein possible health effects.
Abstract: Microplastics are a pollutant of environmental concern Their presence in food destined for human consumption and in air samples has been reported Thus, microplastic exposure via diet or inhalation could occur, the human health effects of which are unknown The current review article draws upon cross-disciplinary scientific literature to discuss and evaluate the potential human health impacts of microplastics and outlines urgent areas for future research Key literature up to September 2016 relating to accumulation, particle toxicity, and chemical and microbial contaminants was critically examined Although microplastics and human health is an emerging field, complementary existing fields indicate potential particle, chemical and microbial hazards If inhaled or ingested, microplastics may accumulate and exert localized particle toxicity by inducing or enhancing an immune response Chemical toxicity could occur due to the localized leaching of component monomers, endogenous additives, and adsorbed enviro

1,515 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In this paper, the anatase and rutile phases of polycrystalline titanium dioxide using an argon ion laser as exciter were recorded at room temperature for the first-order Raman spectra.

784 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: A suite of methods for extracting microplastics ingested by biota, including dissection, depuration, digestion and density separation are evaluated, and the urgent need for the standardisation of protocols is discussed to promote consistency in data collection and analysis is discussed.
Abstract: Microplastic debris (<5 mm) is a prolific environmental pollutant, found worldwide in marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. Interactions between biota and microplastics are prevalent, and there is growing evidence that microplastics can incite significant health effects in exposed organisms. To date, the methods used to quantify such interactions have varied greatly between studies. Here, we critically review methods for sampling, isolating and identifying microplastics ingested by environmentally and laboratory exposed fish and invertebrates. We aim to draw attention to the strengths and weaknesses of the suite of published microplastic extraction and enumeration techniques. Firstly, we highlight the risk of microplastic losses and accumulation during biotic sampling and storage, and suggest protocols for mitigating contamination in the field and laboratory. We evaluate a suite of methods for extracting microplastics ingested by biota, including dissection, depuration, digestion and density separation. Lastly, we consider the applicability of visual identification and chemical analyses in categorising microplastics. We discuss the urgent need for the standardisation of protocols to promote consistency in data collection and analysis. Harmonized methods will allow for more accurate assessment of the impacts and risks microplastics pose to biota and increase comparability between studies.

669 citations

Journal ArticleDOI
TL;DR: In two separate mussel analyses, significantly more microplastics were enumerated in farmed mussels compared to wild ones, and concentrations from polychaete fecal casts resembled concentrations quantified from low tide sediments.

624 citations