Are We Speaking the Same Language? Recommendations for a Definition and Categorization Framework for Plastic Debris

Hartmann, Nanna B.; Hüffer, Thorsten; Thompson, Richard C.; Hassellöv, Martin; Verschoor, Anja; Daugaard, Anders Egede; Rist, Sinja; Karlsson, Therése; Brennholt, Nicole; Cole, Matthew; Herrling, Maria Pia; Heß, Maren; Ivleva, Natalia P.; Lusher, Amy; Wagner, Martin

doi:10.1021/acs.est.8b05297

Cited by 1,759 publications

(963 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…The characterization of microplastics (MP)-i.e., of small synthetic polymer particles-is a four-dimensional challenge, consisting of (I) the broad size distribution of particles (and fibers) from 1 µm to 1 mm, (II) the variety of polymer types and natural particles, (III) the state of aging, and (IV) the variety of forms (spheres, films, fragments, fibers) (Hartmann et al, 2019). All four dimensions should ideally be detected and quantified simultaneously in one measurement (Ivleva et al, 2017;Anger et al, 2018;Koelmans et al, 2019).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simple Generation of Suspensible Secondary Microplastic Reference Particles via Ultrasound Treatment

et al. 2020

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In the environment the weathering of plastic debris is one of the main sources of secondary microplastic (MP). It is distinct from primary MP, as it is not intentionally engineered, and presents a highly heterogeneous analyte composed of plastic fragments in the size range of 1 µm−1 mm. To detect secondary MP, methods must be developed with appropriate reference materials. These should share the characteristics of environmental MP which are a broad size range, multitude of shapes (fragments, spheres, films, fibers), suspensibility in water, and modified particle surfaces through aging (additional OH, C=O, and COOH). To produce such a material, we bring forward a rapid sonication-based fragmentation method for polystyrene (PS), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polylactic acid (PLA), which yields up to 10 5 /15 mL dispersible, high purity MP particles in aqueous media. To satisfy the claim of a reference material, the key properties-composition and size distribution to ensure the homogeneity of the samples, as well as shape, suspensibility, and aging -were analyzed in replicates (N = 3) to ensure a robust production procedure. The procedure yields fragments in the range of 100 nm−1 mm (<20 µm, 54.5 ± 11.3% of all particles). Fragments in the size range 10 µm−1 mm were quantitatively characterized via Raman microspectroscopy (particles = 500-1,000) and reflectance micro Fourier transform infrared analysis (particles = 10). Smaller particles 100 nm−20 µm were qualitatively characterized by scanning electron microcopy (SEM). The optical microscopy and SEM analysis showed that fragments are the predominant shape for all polymers, but fibers are also present. Furthermore, the suspensibility and sedimentation in pure MilliQ water was investigated using ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and revealed that the produced fragments sediment according to their density and that the attachment to glass is avoided. Finally, a comparison of the infrared spectra from the fragments produced through sonication and naturally aged MP shows the addition of polar groups to the surface of the particles in the OH, C=O, and COOH region, making these particles suitable reference materials for secondary MP.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Simple Generation of Suspensible Secondary Microplastic Reference Particles via Ultrasound Treatment

et al. 2020

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“…However, concerns have been raised about the ecotoxicology not only of the macroform of plastic but also the plastic debris products in the form of micro‐ and nanometric scale particles (Martins and Guilhermino ; Mattsson et al ). There are divergences regarding the definition of particle size applied to classify microplastics and nanoplastics (Alimi et al ; Hartmann et al ). However, a broad classification defines particles <5 mm as microplastics and <1 μm as nanoplastics (da Costa et al ; Rist et al ; Alimi et al ; Hartmann et al ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…There are divergences regarding the definition of particle size applied to classify microplastics and nanoplastics (Alimi et al ; Hartmann et al ). However, a broad classification defines particles <5 mm as microplastics and <1 μm as nanoplastics (da Costa et al ; Rist et al ; Alimi et al ; Hartmann et al ). An alternative definition for nanoplastics as particles with at least one dimension between 1 and 100 nm is also frequently cited (Alimi et al ; Mattsson et al ; Pinto da Costa et al ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Toxicological Evaluation and Quantification of Ingested Metal‐Core Nanoplastic by Daphnia magna Through Fluorescence and Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometric Methods

Vicentini

Nogueira

Melegari

et al. 2019

Enviro Toxic and Chemistry

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There are few studies on nanoplastic that propose quantification of the amount ingested combined with evaluation of the toxic effects on aquatic organisms. We propose 2 methods to quantify the amount of polystyrene nanoplastic (PSNP) ingested by Daphnia magna: fluorescence intensity, where a fluorescent monomer (F) is added to the PSNP and quantified through fluorescence light microscopy, and total aluminum quantification, where PSNP is synthesized with Al2O3 metal‐core nanoparticles and used for quantification of the nanoplastic ingested by the organism Daphnia magna using inductively coupled plasma‐mass spectrometry. In addition, the PSNP was functionalized with palmitic acid to simulate the environmental conditions leading to biological and chemical transformations. Acute and chronic toxicity tests were performed with fluorescent PSNP (PSNP/F) and palmitic acid‐functionalized PSNP/F (PSNP/F‐PA). The ingestion quantified was higher by factors of 2.8 and 3.0 for PSNP/F‐PA and 1.9 and 1.7 for PSNP/F applying the fluorescence intensity and total Al quantifying methods, respectively, when compared to PSNP. These results are consistent with the data obtained in the toxicity tests, which showed an approximately 3 times increase in the adverse effect of PSNP/F‐PA on the mobility and reproduction of the organisms. Thus, the strong inhibition of D. magna reproduction caused by PSNP/F‐PA in the chronic toxicity tests could be associated with a greater amount of this nanoplastic being ingested by the organisms. Environ Toxicol Chem 2019;38:2101–2110. © 2019 SETAC.

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“…Increased industrialization and urbanization have contributed to increased anthropogenic pollution in coastal habitats, including fertilizers, chemicals, sediment, and microplastics (MP, 0.1 μm-5 mm; Arthur et al 2009;Hartmann et al …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…As plastic production increases, mussel exposure to MP will increase, potentially reducing energy transfer, benthic-pelagic coupling, and water clarity.Increased industrialization and urbanization have contributed to increased anthropogenic pollution in coastal habitats, including fertilizers, chemicals, sediment, and microplastics (MP, 0.1 μm-5 mm; Arthur et al 2009;Hartmann et al Mussels can filter microalgae, natural sediment like silt, and now, microplastic.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Impacts of microplastic vs. natural abiotic particles on the clearance rate of a marine mussel

Harris

Carrington

2019

Limnol Oceanogr Letters

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In coastal habitats, mussels are exposed to microplastics (MP; plastic 0.1 μm–5 mm) and silt, two abiotic particles that are similarly sized and lack nutrition. The addition of MP or silt may change the functional response of mussels. We measured clearance rate (CR) of Mytilus trossulus in three particle treatments (algae, MP + algae, and silt + algae) across four concentrations to (1) determine if the effects of MP and silt are similar and (2) disentangle the effects of particle type, particle concentration, and proportion of abiotic particles. CR decreased by 62% at high MP concentrations (> 1250 particles mL−1) but was not affected at equivalent silt concentrations. These findings suggest high MP concentrations inhibit mussel CR, more than expected by changes in particle concentration or the proportion of abiotic particles. As plastic production increases, mussel exposure to MP will increase, potentially reducing energy transfer, benthic‐pelagic coupling, and water clarity.

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Are We Speaking the Same Language? Recommendations for a Definition and Categorization Framework for Plastic Debris

Cited by 1,759 publications

References 48 publications

Simple Generation of Suspensible Secondary Microplastic Reference Particles via Ultrasound Treatment

Simple Generation of Suspensible Secondary Microplastic Reference Particles via Ultrasound Treatment

Toxicological Evaluation and Quantification of Ingested Metal‐Core Nanoplastic by Daphnia magna Through Fluorescence and Inductively Coupled Plasma‐Mass Spectrometric Methods

Impacts of microplastic vs. natural abiotic particles on the clearance rate of a marine mussel

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