Microplastics in the Great Lakes: Environmental, Health, and Socioeconomic Implications and Future Directions

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are tiny pieces of plastic (<5 mm) that have been manufactured, shed from textiles, or formed as the degradation products of macroplastics. They can be taken up by aquatic organisms, leading to their incorporation into the food chain. Humans can consume MPs from fish as well as other impacted sources including bottled and tap water. MPs may pose risks to exposed organisms, and they can also act as vectors carrying additional adsorbed chemical pollutants and pathogens. MPs are an especially important focus regarding the Great Lakes because plastics comprise most of the litter, and the Great Lakes serve as a source of drinking water for 40 million people. This perspective summarizes the current state of MP pollution in the Great Lakes and potential risks posed to the environment, wildlife, and humans. A survey of detection, separation, and quantification methods is included. Potential remedies are explored, focusing on policy, human behavior, and the goal of a circular economy. Further research directions include standardizing detection and removal methods, assessing the health risk of MPs in the Great Lakes, and evaluating mitigation options.

Informing the Public about Microplastics through a University and Museum Partnership

“…The Great Lakes provide drinking water to 40 million people in the United States and Canada, hence microplastics in this freshwater source should be of interest to its regional citizens, businesses, and governments. A placard describes a paper by Chen and co-workers, which details the environmental, wildlife, and human impacts of microplastics in the Great Lakes region. Then, a thought-provoking display with an image of a kitchen sink and a collection of discarded plastic water bottles (Figure b and Figures S7 and S8) is used to reveal how drinking exclusively bottled water (as opposed to solely tap water) can lead to an annual difference of ∼2000% more microplastics consumed (90,000 versus 4,000 microplastics per year) .…”

Biodegradable Microplastics in Municipal Wastewater and Sludge Treatment Processes: A Review on Occurrence, Fate, and Effects

“…The majority of the additives that were detected in the sludge of these WWTPs emanated from conventional microplastics due to their ubiquity and endurance. 60 However, with the enforcement of plastic taxation and plastic reduction policies, coupled with the escalating utilization of biodegradable plastics, it is conceivable that the future residue of plastics shall predominantly emanate from biodegradable plastics. 61 Unfortunately, in order to refine and enhance the performance of biodegradable plastics, various additives continued to be incorporated into the production process.…”

“…Plasticizers, flame retardants, stabilizers, antioxidants, and pigments have all been detected in sludge samples from WWTPs worldwide (Table S1). The majority of the additives that were detected in the sludge of these WWTPs emanated from conventional microplastics due to their ubiquity and endurance . However, with the enforcement of plastic taxation and plastic reduction policies, coupled with the escalating utilization of biodegradable plastics, it is conceivable that the future residue of plastics shall predominantly emanate from biodegradable plastics .…”

Characteristics and ecological risks of microplastic pollution in a tropical drinking water source reservoir in Hainan province, China

“…13 However, the issue of microplastics in inland freshwater has garnered increased attention. Currently, the presence of microplastics has been identified in diverse freshwater environments, ranging from rivers, 14 estuaries, 15 and lakes 16 to small waterbodies. 17 Simultaneously, previous research demonstrated the occurrence of microplastic pollution in reservoirs, including Feilaixia Reservoir, Danjiangkou Reservoir, and the Three Gorges.…”