Organic fertilizer as a vehicle for the entry of microplastic into the environment

Weithmann, Nicolas; Möller, Julia; Löder, Martin G. J.; Piehl, Sarah; Laforsch, Christian; Freitag, Ruth

doi:10.1126/sciadv.aap8060

Cited by 785 publications

(317 citation statements)

References 27 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

303

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Nizzetto et al () estimated that the amount of microplastics added to European and North American soils via such applications exceeds the global burden now present in oceanic surface waters. Weithmann et al () observed that composts derived from household and commercial sources contained up to 895 microplastics kg −1 . The smallest microplastics examined by these authors were 1,000 μm, so the actual abundances were likely much higher.…”

Section: Microplastics In the Indoor And Terrestrial Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Hale¹,

Seeley²,

Guardia³

et al. 2020

JGR Oceans

736

270

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Society has become increasingly reliant on plastics since commercial production began in about 1950. Their versatility, stability, light weight, and low production costs have fueled global demand. Most plastics are initially used and discarded on land. Nonetheless, the amount of microplastics in some oceanic compartments is predicted to double by 2030. To solve this global problem, we must understand plastic composition, physical forms, uses, transport, and fragmentation into microplastics (and nanoplastics). Plastic debris/microplastics arise from land disposal, wastewater treatment, tire wear, paint failure, textile washing, and at-sea losses. Riverine and atmospheric transport, storm water, and disasters facilitate releases. In surface waters plastics/microplastics weather, biofoul, aggregate, and sink, are ingested by organisms and redistributed by currents. Ocean sediments are likely the ultimate destination. Plastics release additives, concentrate environmental contaminants, and serve as substrates for biofilms, including exotic and pathogenic species. Microplastic abundance increases as fragment size decreases, as does the proportion of organisms capable of ingesting them. Particles <20 μm may penetrate cell membranes, exacerbating risks. Exposure can compromise feeding, metabolic processes, reproduction, and behavior. But more investigation is required to draw definitive conclusions. Human ingestion of contaminated seafood and water is a concern. Microplastics indoors present yet uncharacterized risks, magnified by the time we spend inside (>90%) and the abundance of polymeric products therein. Scientific challenges include improving microplastic sampling and characterization approaches, understanding long-term behavior, additive bioavailability, and organismal and ecosystem health risks. Solutions include improving globally based pollution prevention, developing degradable polymers and additives, and reducing consumption/expanding plastic reuse.

show abstract

Section: Microplastics In the Indoor And Terrestrial Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Hale¹,

Seeley²,

Guardia³

et al. 2020

JGR Oceans

736

270

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…In addition to these almost 13 million metric tons of direct plastic contaminants that enter the environment each year [34], the usually durable commodity polymers also undergo incomplete disintegration caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, mechanical abrasion, and biological degradation [35]. This process produces microplastic polymer particles (MPPs), which are <5 mm fragments (fibres and spheres) resulting from their incomplete degradation (Figure 4), causing direct harm by their bioaccumulation and also indirect harm due to the toxic additives and microorganisms they carry on their large surface areas, which enter the food web and consequently, human food [36,37]. [30] with permission from The Royal Society of Chemistry.…”

Section: Sustainability and Safety Assessmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Keratin Associations with Synthetic, Biosynthetic and Natural Polymers: An Extensive Review

Donato

Mija

2019

Polymers

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Among the biopolymers from animal sources, keratin is one the most abundant, with a major contribution from side stream products from cattle, ovine and poultry industry, offering many opportunities to produce cost-effective and sustainable advanced materials. Although many reviews have discussed the application of keratin in polymer-based biomaterials, little attention has been paid to its potential in association with other polymer matrices. Thus, herein, we present an extensive literature review summarizing keratin’s compatibility with other synthetic, biosynthetic and natural polymers, and its effect on the materials’ final properties in a myriad of applications. First, we revise the historical context of keratin use, describe its structure, chemical toolset and methods of extraction, overview and differentiate keratins obtained from different sources, highlight the main areas where keratin associations have been applied, and describe the possibilities offered by its chemical toolset. Finally, we contextualize keratin’s potential for addressing current issues in materials sciences, focusing on the effect of keratin when associated to other polymers’ matrices from biomedical to engineering applications, and beyond.

show abstract

“…In a study on macro-and microplastics in agricultural soil, up to 205 macroplastic pieces per hectare (ha) and 0.34 ± 0.36 MPs pieces per kilogram soil (dry weight) were detected; illustrating the vast extent of soil contamination [11]. Entry routes of MPs into terrestrial systems are not well known; however, initial studies have attempted to elucidate these possible pathways, such as, for example, via the use of organic fertilizers as a vehicle for MP entry [12,13].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The Influence of New and Artificial Aged Microplastic and Leachates on the Germination of Lepidium sativum L.

Pflugmacher

Sulek

Mader

et al. 2020

Plants

104

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

With the increase in environmental monitoring and assessing, we are gaining insight into the extent of microplastic pollution in our environment. The threat posed by microplastics to biota could come, e.g., from leached substances. As some plastic materials have been decaying in nature for extended periods already, the toxic effects of leaching compounds need to be investigated. It is furthermore essential to understand the adverse effects of new plastic and how these effects differ from the effects elicited by old plastic material. Therefore, in the present study, the effects of exposure to leachates from new and artificial aged polycarbonate as well as new and aged polycarbonate granules on various germination parameters of Lepidium sativum were studied. Germination, root, and shoot length, as well as the calculated germination rate index as a measure for germination speed, was negatively influenced in substrate-free and substrate containing exposures. From an ecological and agricultural point of view, this implies possible yield losses with less germinating seeds, slower plant germination speed, and smaller seedlings in general.

show abstract

Organic fertilizer as a vehicle for the entry of microplastic into the environment

Abstract: Organic fertilizer from recycled biowaste was identified as a vehicle for entry of microplastic particles into the environment.

Cited by 785 publications

References 27 publications

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Keratin Associations with Synthetic, Biosynthetic and Natural Polymers: An Extensive Review

The Influence of New and Artificial Aged Microplastic and Leachates on the Germination of Lepidium sativum L.

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About