Microplastics Are Contaminants of Emerging Concern in Freshwater Environments: An Overview

The widespread occurrence of microplastics in the aquatic environment is well documented through international surveys and scientific studies. Further degradation and fragmentation, resulting in the formation of nanosized plastic particles -nanoplastics -has been highlighted as a potentially important issue. In the environment, both microplastics and nanoplastics may have direct ecotoxicological effects, as well as vector effects through the adsorption of co-contaminants. Plastic additives and monomers may also be released from the polymer matrix and cause adverse effects on aquatic organisms. Although limited information regarding the ecotoxicological effects of nano-and microplastics is available at present, their small size gives rise to concern with respect to the adverse effects and dislocation of these particles inside organisms -similar to issues often discussed for engineered nanomaterials. In the same way, transport of co-contaminants and leaching of soluble substances are much debated issues with respect to the ecotoxicology of nanomaterials.In this chapter, we draw on existing knowledge from the field of ecotoxicology of engineered nanomaterials to discuss potential ecotoxicological effects of nanoand microplastics. We discuss the similarities and differences between nano-and microplastics and engineered nanomaterials with regard to both potential effects and expected behaviour in aquatic media. One of the key challenges in ecotoxicology of nanomaterials has been the applicability of current test methods, originally intended for soluble chemicals, to the testing of particle suspensions. This often requires test modifications and special attention to physical chemical characterisation and data interpretation. We present an overview of lessons learned from This chapter has been externally peer-reviewed.

Section: Sources Emissions and Regulationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Aquatic Ecotoxicity of Microplastics and Nanoplastics: Lessons Learned from Engineered Nanomaterials

Rist

Hartmann

2017

“…The authors found that the science communication part of the IPW program was so effective that it could be used to generate awareness of both plastic debris and POPs. These two types of pollution are interconnected to some extent, since POPs tend to adsorb strongly to plastic debris, making plastic debris a potential vector for environmental transport of POPs [58] (also discussed by [59,60]). Since plastic pollution is often visible (especially for meso-and macroplastic), the environmental risk is more readily perceived than risk from hazardous chemicals such as POPs.…”

Section: Citizen Science and Plastic Pollutionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk Perception of Plastic Pollution: Importance of Stakeholder Involvement and Citizen Science

Syberg

Hansen

Christensen

et al. 2017

Risk perception has a significant impact on how society reacts to a given risk. There have been cases where a mismatch between the actual risk and the perception of it has led to poor decisions on societal initiatives, such as inappropriate regulatory measures. It is therefore important that the perception of risk is based on an informed foundation acknowledging the biases and drivers that inevitably go with risk perception. Plastic pollution differs in regard to other classical risks, such as those posed by chemicals or genetically modified organisms (GMOs), since the pollution is more visible and already has a significant magnitude. At the same time, everyone is familiar with using plastic, and our daily lives are highly dependent on the use of plastic. This offers some potential to strengthen the societal risk perception and subsequently implement effective measures to address the pollution.In this chapter, we define eight risk perception drivers (voluntariness, control, knowledge, timing, severity, benefit, novelty, and tangibility) and relate these drivers to plastic pollution. We discuss the process in which plastic pollution has been recognized as an important environmental problem by scientists, the public, and policy makers and elaborate on how the eight risk drivers have influenced this process. Plastic pollution has several of the characteristics that can enhance people's perception of the risk as being important and which has generated great awareness of the problem. The chapter finally discusses how risk perception can be improved by greater stakeholder involvement and utilization of citizen science and thereby improve the foundation for timely and efficient societal measures.

“…Hence, expectations rose to find solutions and regulations, which could consider all materials summarized by this single term. In contrast, the term "microplastics" refers to a large group of polymers with various chemical and physical properties, originating from different sources and entering the environment via different pathways (see [3,59]). Accordingly, these differences among MP particles apply to their environmental fate and persistence and, consequently, also to their bioavailability and potential impacts to organisms.…”

Section: A Precondition For Regulation: the Definition Of Microplasticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…However, currently (micro)plastics enter freshwater systems, and monitoring programs need to evaluate the environmental status quo to develop adequate measures. For instance, the type of (micro)plastic and its entry path into the environment should be considered: Depending on their application, plastics enter the environment as macroplastics, secondary microplastics, or primary microplastics (for definition, see [3]). The regulation of primary MP seems to be closer related to the regulation of chemical pollutants: production, application, and entry into the environment are traceable to a certain extent.…”

Section: General Regulation Options By Environmental Policymentioning

confidence: 99%

Freshwater Microplastics: Challenges for Regulation and Management

Brennholt

Heß

Reifferscheid

2017

The accumulation of plastic debris in aquatic environments is one of the major but least studied human pressures on aquatic ecosystems. Besides the general waste burden in waterbodies, (micro)plastic debris gives rise to ecological and social problems. Related to marine ecosystems, these problems are already in the center of interest of science, policy, and public. The United Nations Environment Programme, for instance, drafted a joint report on "marine plastic debris and microplastics," and the European Community included the issue into the European Marine Strategy Framework Directive, descriptor 10 "marine litter."However, (micro)plastic litter in freshwater systems is not yet explicitly addressed in the respective regulations, although the issue is relevant for many international and national policy instruments and initiatives. Many conventions, agreements, regulations, strategies, action plans, programs, and guidelines refer to "all wastes" in general. This should also concern (micro)plastic waste.This chapter provides an overview of the regulatory instruments developed at different levels to address freshwater (micro)plastic litter. Beyond that, specific management options and measures that are either compulsory or voluntary are presented. Nevertheless, only few options have been realized so far. Reasons are numerous, first and foremost the lack of consensus on the definition of microplastics. The complexity of these particulate stressors with very heterogeneous physicochemical characteristics poses new challenges for regulation and management. We highlight the most important questions from the perspective of freshwater monitoring. Furthermore, we discuss a possible adaption of existing environmental policy instruments and potential management options for single categories of (micro)plastics.