Rethinking microplastics as a diverse contaminant suite

Rochman, Chelsea M.; Brookson, Cole B.; Bikker, Jacqueline; Djuric, Natasha; Earn, Arielle; Bucci, Kennedy; Athey, Samantha N.; Huntington, A. K.; McIlwraith, Hayley K.; Munno, Keenan; Frond, Hannah De; Kolomijeca, Anna; Erdle, Lisa M.; Grbić, Jelena; Bayoumi, M. S.; Borrelle, Stephanie B.; Wu, Tina; Santoro, Samantha; Werbowski, Larissa M.; Xia, Zhengui; Giles, Rachel K.; Hamilton, Bonnie M.; Thaysen, Clara; Kaura, Ashima; Klasios, Natasha; Ead, Lauren; Kim, Joel; Sherlock, Cassandra; Ho, Annissa; Hung, Charlotte

doi:10.1002/etc.4371

Cited by 836 publications

(518 citation statements)

References 8 publications

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“…Other factors that should be considered include polymer type (including mixtures of multiple polymer types), shape (fiber, fragment, sphere), and chemicals associated with the plastics (Rochman et al. ).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Finally, it is worth noting that dose and size are not the only factors that should be considered when assessing environmental relevancy of laboratory experiments. Other factors that should be considered include polymer type (including mixtures of multiple polymer types), shape (fiber, fragment, sphere), and chemicals associated with the plastics (Rochman et al 2019).…”

Section: A Deeper Dive Into Studies Testing the Effects Of Microplasticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…, Rochman et al. ). Whether or not an effect is detected is likely dependent on these factors in addition to others, including the species used for testing, the dose used during the exposure, and the duration of the exposure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

“…Additionally, the effects of microplastics seem to be exacerbated when organisms are exposed to plastic with sorbed contaminants (Rochman et al 2013, Mart ınez-G omez et al 2017. The discrepancy in whether or not microplastics cause an effect may be a consequence of treating microplastics as one contaminant rather than a class of contaminants with differences in polymer type, shape, size, and chemical cocktail (Foley et al 2018, Paul-Pont et al 2018, Rochman et al 2019). Whether or not an effect is detected is likely dependent on these factors in addition to others, including the species used for testing, the dose used during the exposure, and the duration of the exposure.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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What is known and unknown about the effects of plastic pollution: A meta‐analysis and systematic review

Bucci

Túlio

Rochman

2020

Ecological Applications

453

263

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As a consequence of the global ubiquity of plastic pollution, scientists, decision‐makers, and the public often ask whether macroplastics (>5 mm) and microplastics (<5 mm) have a realized ecological threat. In 2016, we conducted a systematic review of the literature and made a call for further research testing hypotheses about ecological effects. In the subsequent years, the amount of relevant research has risen tremendously. Here, we reassess the literature to determine the current weight of evidence about the effects of plastic pollution across all levels of biological organization. Our data spans marine, freshwater, and terrestrial environments. We extracted data from 139 lab and field studies testing 577 independent effects across a variety of taxa and with various types, sizes, and shapes of plastic. Overall, 59% of the tested effects were detected. Of these, 58% were due to microplastics and 42% were due to macroplastics. Of the effects that were not detected, 94% were from microplastics and 6% were from macroplastics. We found evidence that whether or not an effect is detected, as well as the severity and direction of the effect, is driven by dose, particle shape, polymer type, and particle size. Based on our analyses, there is no doubt that macroplastics are causing ecological effects, however, the effects of microplastics are much more complex. We also assessed the environmental relevancy of experimental studies by comparing the doses used in each exposure to the concentrations and sizes of microplastics found in the environment. We determined that only 17% of the concentrations used in experimental studies have been found in nature, and that 80% of particle sizes used in experiments fall below the size range of the majority of environmental sampling. Based on our systematic review and meta‐analysis, we make a call for future work that recognizes the complexity of microplastics and designs tests to better understand how different types, sizes, shapes, doses, and exposure durations affect wildlife. We also call for more ecologically and environmentally relevant studies, particularly in freshwater and terrestrial environments.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: A Deeper Dive Into Studies Testing the Effects Of Microplasticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 2 more Smart Citations

What is known and unknown about the effects of plastic pollution: A meta‐analysis and systematic review

Bucci

Túlio

Rochman

2020

Ecological Applications

453

263

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“…While spatial distribution of microplastics in the environment is highly complex, areas with high human population, coastal recreation, and tourism pressures generally yield high environmental microplastics (Barnes et al 2009;Hantoro et al 2019). Microplastics represent a diverse set of contaminants which encompass infinite combinations of plastic densities, sizes, shapes, surface textures, and chemical properties (Rochman et al 2019). Once transmitted into the environment, microplastics are subjected to an array of dynamic hydrological, biological, and atmospheric processes, including surface currents, tides, biofouling, mechanical and ultraviolet degradation, precipitation, storm events, and more.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastic Concentrations in Two Oregon Bivalve Species: Spatial, Temporal, and Species Variability

Baechler¹,

Granek²,

Hunter³

et al.

Environmental Science and Management Datasets

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Microplastics are an ecological stressor with implications for ecosystem and human health when present in seafood. We quantified microplastic types, concentrations, anatomical burdens, geographic distribution, and temporal differences in Pacific oysters (Crassostrea gigas) and Pacific razor clams (Siliqua patula) from 15 Oregon coast, U.S.A. sites. Microplastics were present in organisms from all sites. On average, whole oysters and razor clams contained 10.95 ± 0.77 and 8.84 ± 0.45 microplastic pieces per individual, or 0.35 ± 0.04 pieces g−1 tissue and 0.16 ± 0.02 pieces g−1 tissue, respectively. Contamination was quantified but not subtracted. Over 99% of microplastics were fibers. Material type was determined using Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy. Spring samples contained more microplastics than summer samples in oysters but not razor clams. Our study is the first to document microplastics in Pacific razor clams and provides important coast‐wide data to compare microplastic burden across species, seasons, and sites.

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Microplastics in the Olfactory Bulb of the Human Brain

Amato-Lourenço,

Dantas,

Júnior

et al. 2024

JAMA Netw Open

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ImportanceMicroplastic (MP) pollution is an emerging environmental and health concern. While MPs have been detected in various human tissues, their presence in the human brain has not been documented, raising important questions about potential neurotoxic effects and the mechanisms by which MPs might reach brain tissues.ObjectiveTo determine the presence of MPs in the human olfactory bulb and to analyze their characteristics such as size, morphology, color, and polymeric composition.Design, Setting, and ParticipantsThis case series study used a cross-sectional design involving the analysis of olfactory bulb tissues obtained from deceased individuals during routine coroner autopsies. The sampling procedures were conducted at São Paulo City Death Verification Service, with laboratory analysis carried out at the Brazilian Synchrotron Light Laboratory (LNLS). Participants included 15 adult individuals who had been residents of São Paulo for more than 5 years and underwent coroner autopsies. Exclusion criteria included previous neurosurgical interventions. Data analysis was performed in April 2024.ExposureThe primary exposure assessed was the presence of MPs in the olfactory bulb, analyzed through direct tissue examination and digested tissue filtration followed by micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.Main Outcomes and MeasuresThe main outcomes were the identification and characterization of MPs within the olfactory bulb, including their size, morphology, color, and polymeric composition.ResultsThe median age of the 15 deceased individuals was 69.5 years, ranging from 33 to 100 years, with 12 males and 3 females. MPs were detected in the olfactory bulbs of 8 out of 15 individuals. A total of 16 synthetic polymer particles and fibers were identified, with 75% being particles and 25% being fibers. The most common polymer detected was polypropylene (43.8%). Sizes of MPs ranged from 5.5 μm to 26.4 μm for particles, and the mean fiber length was 21.4 μm. Polymeric materials were absent in procedural blank and negative control filters, indicating minimal contamination risk.Conclusions and RelevanceThis case series provides evidence of MPs found in the human olfactory bulb, suggesting a potential pathway for the translocation of MPs to the brain. The findings underscore the need for further research on the health implications of MP exposure, particularly concerning neurotoxicity and the potential for MPs to bypass the blood-brain barrier.

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Rethinking microplastics as a diverse contaminant suite

Cited by 836 publications

References 8 publications

What is known and unknown about the effects of plastic pollution: A meta‐analysis and systematic review

What is known and unknown about the effects of plastic pollution: A meta‐analysis and systematic review

Microplastic Concentrations in Two Oregon Bivalve Species: Spatial, Temporal, and Species Variability

Microplastics in the Olfactory Bulb of the Human Brain

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