Steps Scientists Can Take to Inform Aquatic Microplastics Management: A Perspective Informed by the California Experience

Wyer, Holly; Polhemus, Darrin; Moore, Shelly; Weisberg, Stephen B.; Coffin, Scott; Rochman, Chelsea M.

doi:10.1177/0003702820946033

Cited by 12 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 36 publications

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“…The framework was populated using a meta-analysis of the peerreviewed literature to estimate threshold values for two different effect mechanisms, food dilution and translocation. The workshop addresses the State of California legislative mandates for enhanced MPs management [63] Fig. 1 Proposed tiered management framework to implement health-based thresholds for microplastics and advances risk assessment analysis by introducing a tiered management framework that defines four thresholds based on varying levels of MPs in surface waters and corresponding to different levels of concern and management responses.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk-based management framework for microplastics in aquatic ecosystems

Coffin²,

et al. 2022

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Microplastic particles (MPs) are ubiquitous across a wide range of aquatic habitats but determining an appropriate level of risk management is hindered by a poor understanding of environmental risk. Here, we introduce a risk management framework for aquatic ecosystems that identifies four critical management thresholds, ranging from low regulatory concern to the highest level of concern where pollution control measures could be introduced to mitigate environmental emissions. The four thresholds were derived using a species sensitivity distribution (SSD) approach and the best available data from the peer-reviewed literature. This included a total of 290 data points extracted from 21 peer-reviewed microplastic toxicity studies meeting a minimal set of pre-defined quality criteria. The meta-analysis resulted in the development of critical thresholds for two effects mechanisms: food dilution with thresholds ranging from ~ 0.5 to 35 particles/L, and tissue translocation with thresholds ranging from ~ 60 to 4100 particles/L. This project was completed within an expert working group, which assigned high confidence to the management framework and associated analytical approach for developing thresholds, and very low to high confidence in the numerical thresholds. Consequently, several research recommendations are presented, which would strengthen confidence in quantifying threshold values for use in risk assessment and management. These recommendations include a need for high quality toxicity tests, and for an improved understanding of the mechanisms of action to better establish links to ecologically relevant adverse effects.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Risk-based management framework for microplastics in aquatic ecosystems

Coffin²,

et al. 2022

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“…Plastics pose a significant risk to marine ecosystems and biota through entanglement, transportation of invasive species or contaminants (Barnes et al, 2009). The ingestion of plastic can damage the digestive tract, reduce growth rates, and cause starvation which can sometimes lead to death of wildlife (Lavers et al, 2014;Wilcox et al, 2018). Plastics can also act as a vector for chemicals that are absorbed from surrounding waters, or incorporated during the manufacturing process (Lithner et al, 2011;Turner, 2017).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessing plastic size distribution and quantity on a remote island in the South Pacific

Nichols

Lavers

Archer-Rand

et al. 2021

Marine Pollution Bulletin

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“…The current scenario that divides the LRET vector issue between those wanting to demonstrate that the process is of significant importance and those arguing that it is potentially not of significance only creates barriers that prevent an important constructive dialogue and which, in my opinion, only negatively impacts advances in scientific understanding and reducing uncertainties. Moving forward it is thus critically important to identify research opportunities that bring groups and expertise together to address data gaps necessary to inform effective and tangible actions that decision makers and risk managers can apply with a high level of confidence [143].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Addressing the importance of microplastic particles as vectors for long-range transport of chemical contaminants: perspective in relation to prioritizing research and regulatory actions

Gouin

2021

Micropl.&Nanopl.

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Over the last several years there has been increasing concern regarding the environmental fate and potential global transport of plastic debris, particularly in the form of microplastic particles (MPs). The global transport of MPs has also triggered concerns regarding the potential role that its mobility may represent towards influencing the long-range environmental transport (LRET) of particle-bound chemicals, particularly the large number of chemicals known to be added to plastic. This perspective considers the various lines-of-evidence that might be used towards understanding the LRET of persistent organic pollutants (POPs). For instance, it has been proposed that the LRET of POPs is facilitated by global fractionation processes that facilitate the mobility of chemicals from source regions towards remote locations, such as the polar regions, where they have the potential to accumulate. These processes are influenced by the physicochemical properties of POPs and can result in various transport mechanisms influencing environmental fate and transport. Here I suggest that there are similarities that can be drawn, whereby knowledge of how differences in the physicochemical properties of MPs relative to different emission scenarios, can influence the relative importance of sequestration processes that may result in global fractionation of MPs. Several challenges are identified throughout the perspective, with an urgent need towards the development and application of standard sampling and analytical methods being identified as critical for enabling datasets to be reliably compared for use in better understanding potential source-receptor relationships, as well as advancing the characterization and quantification of various environmental fate processes. In many instances, it is suggested that advances in our understanding can be facilitated based on knowledge obtained in other areas of research, such as in relation to studies developing tools to evaluate the mobility of particulate organic matter in aqueous environments or from studies investigating the fate and mobility of atmospheric particulates. Recognizing that not all MPs are equal, with respect to environmental fate and toxicological effects, knowledge regarding which types of MPs are likely to be subject to LRET can only strengthen our ability to evaluate their role as vectors of transport for plastic associated chemicals and the associated risks that their LRET may represent. Nevertheless, several outstanding issues remain that would benefit from constructive discussions between all stakeholders. It is anticipated that this perspective can play a role in initiating those discussions.

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Steps Scientists Can Take to Inform Aquatic Microplastics Management: A Perspective Informed by the California Experience

Cited by 12 publications

References 36 publications

Risk-based management framework for microplastics in aquatic ecosystems

Risk-based management framework for microplastics in aquatic ecosystems

Assessing plastic size distribution and quantity on a remote island in the South Pacific

Addressing the importance of microplastic particles as vectors for long-range transport of chemical contaminants: perspective in relation to prioritizing research and regulatory actions

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