Progress on the occurrence, migration and toxicity of airborne microplastics
ZHOU Shuai1,2,3, LI Wei-xuan1, TANG Zhen-ping2,3, GAO Yuan-yuan2, LIU Ying-jiu1,2
1. School of Civil Engineering, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China;
2. Hunan Province Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse Technology, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China;
3. Hengyang Key Laboratory of Theory and Technology of Nuclear Fuel Geological Cycle, University of South China, Hengyang 421001, China
As emerging environmental contaminants, microplastics (MPs) may cause potential hazard to global ecosphere (including water, soil and air) and human health. Here, we summarize the recent advances on the field of airborne MPs, including the methods of sampling and characterization, patterns of distribution and migration, toxic effects and corresponding mechanisms. To date, the quantitative characterization of airborne MPs mainly depends on stereomicroscopy, and the qualitative analysis of them is mainly conducted by Fourier infrared spectroscopy and Raman spectroscopy. Airborne MPs are widespread in global cities, seas, and even remote mountains. HYSPLIT4 and settling calculations back-trajectory modeling preliminary revealed the transport of airborne MPs. Risk assessment shows that human (especially children) body can inhale abundant airborne MPs. Future research should pay attention to exploit more precise, efficient and economical instruments and methods for airborne MPs, facilitate the standardization of quantitative data, and reveal the toxic effects and corresponding mechanisms of MPs and their absorbed pollutants at the cell, tissue, and organ levels.
Carpenter E J, Smith K L J. Plastics on the Sargasso sea surface[J]. Science, 1972,175(4027):1240-1241.
[2]
Colton J B, Burns B R, Knapp F D. Plastic particles in surface waters of the northwestern atlantic[J]. Science, 1974,185(4150):491-497.
[3]
Thompson R C, Olsen Y, Mitchell R P, et al. Lost at sea:Where is all the plastic?[J]. Science, 2004,304(5672):838.
[4]
Law K L, Thompson R C. Microplastics in the seas[J]. Science, 2014,345(6193):144-145.
[5]
Rochman C M. Microplastics research-from sink to source[J]. Science, 2018,360(6384):28-29.
[6]
Welden N A, Cowie P R. Degradation of common polymer ropes in a sublittoral marine environment[J]. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2017, 118(1/2):248-253.
[7]
Prata J C, Da Costa J P, Lopes I, et al. Environmental exposure to microplastics:An overview on possible human health effects[J]. Science of the Total Environment, 2020,702(134455):1-9.
[8]
United Nations Environment Programme. UNEP year book:Emerging issues in our global environment[R]. Nairobi, Kenya, 2014.
[9]
Zhang Y L, Kang S C, Allen S, et al. Atmospheric microplastics:A review on current status and perspectives[J]. Earth-Science Reviews, 2020,203(103118):1-15.
[10]
王佳佳,赵娜娜,李金惠.中国海洋微塑料污染现状与防治建议[J]. 中国环境科学, 2019,39(7):3056-3063. Wang J J, Zhao N N, Li J H. Current situation of marine microplastics pollution and prevention proposals in china[J]. China Environmental Science, 2019,39(7):3056-3063.
[11]
Galloway T S, Cole M, Lewis C. Interactions of microplastic debris throughout the marine ecosystem[J]. Nature Ecology & Evolution, 2017,1(5):1-8.
[12]
Sussarellu R, Suquet M, Thomas Y, et al. Oyster reproduction is affected by exposure to polystyrene microplastics[J]. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America, 2016,113(9):2430-2435.
[13]
Dris R, Gasperi J, Rocher V, et al. Microplastic contamination in an urban area:A case study in Greater Paris[J]. Environmental Chemistry, 2015,12(5):592-599.
[14]
Dehghani S, Moore F, Akhbarizadeh R. Microplastic pollution in deposited urban dust, Tehran metropolis, Iran[J]. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2017,24(25):20360-20371.
[15]
Cai L, Wang J, Peng J, et al. Characteristic of microplastics in the atmospheric fallout from Dongguan City, China:Preliminary research and first evidence[J]. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 2017,24(32):24928-24935.
[16]
Yukioka S, Tanaka S, Nabetani Y, et al. Occurrence and characteristics of microplastics in surface road dust in Kusatsu (Japan), Da Nang (Vietnam), and Kathmandu (Nepal)[J]. Environmental Pollution, 2020,256(113447):1-8.
[17]
Allen S, Allen D, Phoenix V R, et al. Atmospheric transport and deposition of microplastics in a remote mountain catchment[J]. Nature Geoscience, 2019,12(8):339-344.
[18]
Zhang J, Wang L, Kannan K. Microplastics in house dust from 12countries and associated human exposure[J]. Environment International, 2020,134(105314):1-7.
[19]
Liu K, Wang X, Fang T, et al. Source and potential risk assessment of suspended atmospheric microplastics in Shanghai[J]. Science of the Total Environment, 2019,675:462-471.
[20]
Vianello A, Jensen R L, Liu L, et al. Simulating human exposure to indoor airborne microplastics using a Breathing Thermal Manikin[J]. Scientific Reports, 2019,9(1):8670.
[21]
Dris R, Gasperi J, Saad M, et al. Synthetic fibers in atmospheric fallout:A source of microplastics in the environment?[J]. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2016,104(1/2):290-293.
[22]
Zhou Q, Tian C, Luo Y. Various forms and deposition fluxes of microplastics identified in the coastal urban atmosphere[J]. Chinese Science Bulletin, 2017,62(33):3902-3909.
[23]
Wright S L, Ulke J, Font A, et al. Atmospheric microplastic deposition in an urban environment and an evaluation of transport[J]. Environment International, 2020,136(105411):1-7.
[24]
Stanton T, Johnson M, Nathanail P, et al. Freshwater and airborne textile fibre populations are dominated by ‘natural’, not microplastic, fibres[J]. Science of the Total Environment, 2019,666:377-389.
[25]
Klein M, Fischer E K. Microplastic abundance in atmospheric deposition within the Metropolitan area of Hamburg, Germany[J]. Science of the Total Environment, 2019,685:96-103.
[26]
Dris R, Gasperi J, Mirande C, et al. A first overview of textile fibers, including microplastics, in indoor and outdoor environments[J]. Environmental Pollution, 2017,221:453-458.
[27]
Liu K, Wang X, Wei N, et al. Accurate quantification and transport estimation of suspended atmospheric microplastics in megacities:Implications for human health. Environment International, 2019, 132(105127):1-10.
[28]
Li Y, Shao L, Wang W, et al. Airborne fiber particles:Types, size and concentration observed in Beijing[J]. Science of the Total Environment, 2020,705(135967):1-9.
[29]
Liu K, Wu T, Wang X, et al. Consistent transport of terrestrial microplastics to the ocean through atmosphere[J]. Environmental Science & Technology, 2019,53(18):10612-10619.
[30]
Wang X, Li C, Liu K, et al. Atmospheric microplastic over the South China Sea and East Indian Ocean:Abundance, distribution and source[J]. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2020,389(121846):1-9.
[31]
Abbasi S, Keshavarzi B, Moore F, et al. Distribution and potential health impacts of microplastics and microrubbers in air and street dusts from Asaluyeh County, Iran[J]. Environmental Pollution, 2019, 244:153-164.
[32]
Abbasi S, Keshavarzi B, Moore F, et al. Investigation of microrubbers, microplastics and heavy metals in street dust:A study in Bushehr city, Iran[J]. Environmental Earth Sciences, 2017,76(23):1-19.
[33]
Liu C, Li J, Zhang Y, et al. Widespread distribution of PET and PC microplastics in dust in urban China and their estimated human exposure[J]. Environment International, 2019,128:116-124.
[34]
Sun J, Dai X, Wang Q, et al. Microplastics in wastewater treatment plants:Detection, occurrence and removal[J]. Water Research, 2019,152:21-37.
[35]
王昆,林坤德,袁东星.环境样品中微塑料的分析方法研究进展[J]. 环境化学, 2017,36(1):27-36. Wang K, Lin K D, Yuan D X. Research progress on the analysis of microplastics in the environment[J]. Environmental Chemistry, 2017,36(1):27-36.
[36]
Magnusson K, Norén F. Screening of microplastic particles in and down-stream a wastewater treatment plant[R]. Stockholm:Swedish Environmental Research Institute, 2014.
[37]
Mccormick A, Hoellein T J, Mason S A, et al. Microplastic is an abundant and distinct microbial habitat in an urban river[J]. Environmental Science & Technology, 2014,48(20):11863-11871.
[38]
周倩,田崇国,骆永明.滨海城市大气环境中发现多种微塑料及其沉降通量差异[J]. 科学通报, 2017,62(33):3902-3909. Zhou Q, Tian C G, Luo Y M. Various forms and deposition fluxes of microplastics identified in the coastal urban atmosphere[J]. Chinese Science Bulletin, 2017,62(33):3902-3909.
[39]
Nel H A, Froneman P W. A quantitative analysis of microplastic pollution along the south-eastern coastline of South Africa[J]. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2015,101(1):274-279.
[40]
Song Y K, Hong S H, Jang M, et al. A comparison of microscopic and spectroscopic identification methods for analysis of microplastics in environmental samples[J]. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2015,93(1/2):202-209.
[41]
Shim W J, Hong S H, Eo S E. Identification methods in microplastic analysis:A review[J]. Analytical Methods, 2017,9(9):1384-1391.
[42]
Löder M G J, Kuczera M, Mintenig S, et al. Focal plane array detector-based micro-Fourier-transform infrared imaging for the analysis of microplastics in environmental samples[J]. Environmental Chemistry, 2015,12(5):563-581.
[43]
Schymanski D, Goldbeck C, Humpf H, et al. Analysis of microplastics in water by micro-Raman spectroscopy:Release of plastic particles from different packaging into mineral water[J]. Water Research, 2018, 129:154-162.
[44]
Besseling E, Wang B, Lürling M, et al. Nanoplastic affects growth of S. obliquus and reproduction of D. magna[J]. Environmental Science & Technology, 2014,48(20):12336-12343.
[45]
Araujo C F, Nolasco M M, Ribeiro A M P, et al. Identification of microplastics using Raman spectroscopy:Latest developments and future prospects[J]. Water Research, 2018,142:426-440.
[46]
Nuelle M, Dekiff J H, Remy D, et al. A new analytical approach for monitoring microplastics in marine sediments[J]. Environmental Pollution, 2014,184(SI):161-169.
[47]
Matsuguma Y, Takada H, Kumata H, et al. Microplastics in sediment cores from asia and africa as indicators of temporal trends in plastic pollution[J]. Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology, 2017,73(2):230-239.
[48]
吴文楠,高俊敏,沈茜,等.生物体微塑料提取方法比选研究[J]. 中国环境科学, 2019,39(10):4343-4349. Wu W N, Gao J M, Shen Q, et al. Comparison of microplastic extraction methods from organisms[J]. China Environmental Science, 2019,39(10):4343-4349.
[49]
Fok L, Lam T W L, Li H, et al. A meta-analysis of methodologies adopted by microplastic studies in China[J]. Science of the Total Environment, 2020,718(135371):1-10.
[50]
Chen G, Feng Q, Wang J. Mini-review of microplastics in the atmosphere and their risks to humans. Science of the Total Environment, 2020,703(135504):1-6.
[51]
Prata J C. Airborne microplastics:Consequences to human health?[J]. Environmental Pollution, 2018,234:115-126.
[52]
Song Y, Li X, Du X. Exposure to nanoparticles is related to pleural effusion, pulmonary fibrosis and granuloma[J]. European Respiratory Journal, 2009,34(3):559-567.
[53]
Gasperi J, Wright S L, Dris R, et al. Microplastics in air:Are we breathing it in?[J]. Current Opinion in Environmental Science & Health, 2018,1:1-5.
[54]
Zauner W, Farrow N A, Haines A. In vitro uptake of polystyrene microspheres:Effect of particle size, cell line and cell density[J]. Journal of Controlled Release, 2001,71(1):39-51.
[55]
Kruth H S, Chang J, Ifrim I, et al. Characterization of patocytosis:Endocytosis into macrophage surface-connected compartments[J]. European Journal of Cell Biology, 1999,78(2):91-99.
[56]
Geiser M, Rothen-Rutishauser B, Kapp N, et al. Ultrafine particles cross cellular membranes by nonphagocytic mechanisms in lungs and in cultured cells[J]. Environmental Health Perspectives, 2005,113(11):1555-1560.
[57]
Chiu H W, Xia T, Lee Y, et al. Cationic polystyrene nanospheres induce autophagic cell death through the induction of endoplasmic reticulum stress[J]. Nanoscale, 2015,7(2):736-746.
[58]
Rochman C M, Kurobe T, Flores I, et al. Early warning signs of endocrine disruption in adult fish from the ingestion of polyethylene with and without sorbed chemical pollutants from the marine environment[J]. Science of the Total Environment, 2014,493:656-661.
[59]
杨婧婧,徐笠,陆安祥,等.环境中微(纳米)塑料的来源及毒理学研究进展[J]. 环境化学, 2018,37(3):383-396. Yang J J, Xu L, Lu A X, et al. Research progress on the sources and toxicology of micro (nano) plastics in environment[J]. Environmental Chemistry, 2018,37(3):383-396.
[60]
Ormsby R T, Cantley M, Kogawa M, et al. Evidence that osteocyte perilacunar remodelling contributes to polyethylene wear particle induced osteolysis[J]. Acta Biomaterialia, 2016,33:242-251.
[61]
Deng Y, Zhang Y, Lemos B, et al. Tissue accumulation of microplastics in mice and biomarker responses suggest widespread health risks of exposure[J]. Scientific Reports, 2017,7(1):46687.
[62]
Xu H. Role of residual additives in the cytotoxicity and cytokine release caused by polyvinyl chloride particles in pulmonary cell cultures[J]. Toxicological Sciences, 2003,72(1):92-102.
[63]
Ashton K, Holmes L, Turner A. Association of metals with plastic production pellets in the marine environment[J]. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 2010,60(11):2050-2055.
[64]
Mato Y, Isobe T, Takada H, et al. Plastic resin pellets as a transport medium for toxic chemicals in the marine environment[J]. Environmental Science & Technology, 2001,35(2):318-324.
[65]
Parthasarathy A, Tyler A C, Hoffman M J, et al. Is plastic pollution in aquatic and terrestrial environments a driver for the transmission of pathogens and the evolution of antibiotic resistance?[J]. Environmental Science & Technology, 2019,53(4):1744-1745.
[66]
张铭健,曹国庆,冯昕.室内微生物污染水平预测关键技术研究综述[J]. 中国环境科学, 2018,38(11):4040-4049. Zhang M J, Cao G Q, Feng X, et al. Review of key technologies for forecast of indoor microbial contamination levels[J]. China Environmental Science, 2018,38(11):4040-4049.
