Plastic-associated metal(loid)s in the urban river environments of Mongolia
The widespread distribution of plastic debris in riverine environment is one of the major concerns of environmental pollution because of its potential impact on the aquatic ecosystem. In this study, we investigated the accumulation of metal(loid)s on polystyrene foam (PSF) plastics collected from th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Elsevier
2023-08-01
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| Series: | Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651323006048 |
| _version_ | 1797803996700737536 |
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| author | Batdulam Battulga Mariko Atarashi-Andoh Jun Koarashi Bolormaa Oyuntsetseg Masayuki Kawahigashi |
| author_facet | Batdulam Battulga Mariko Atarashi-Andoh Jun Koarashi Bolormaa Oyuntsetseg Masayuki Kawahigashi |
| author_sort | Batdulam Battulga |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The widespread distribution of plastic debris in riverine environment is one of the major concerns of environmental pollution because of its potential impact on the aquatic ecosystem. In this study, we investigated the accumulation of metal(loid)s on polystyrene foam (PSF) plastics collected from the floodplain of the Tuul River of Mongolia. The metal(loid)s sorbed on plastics were extracted from the collected PSF via sonication after peroxide oxidation. The size-dependent association of metal(loid)s with plastics indicates that PSFs act as vectors for pollutants in the urban river environment. The mean concentrations of metal(loid)s (i.e., B, Cr, Cu, Na, and Pb) indicate a higher accumulation of the metal(loid)s on meso-sized PSFs compared with macro- and micro-sized PSFs. In addition, the images from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated not only the degraded surface of plastics showing fractures, holes, and pits but also the adhered mineral particles and microorganisms on the PSFs. The interaction of metal(loid)s with plastics was probably facilitated by the physical and chemical properties of altered surface of plastics through photodegradation, followed by an increase in surface area by size reduction and/or biofilm development in the aquatic environment. The enrichment ratio (ER) of metals on PSF samples suggested the continuous accumulation of heavy metals on plastics. Our results demonstrate that the widespread plastic debris could be a carrier of hazardous chemicals in the environment. Considering that the negative impacts of plastic debris on environmental health are major concerns to be addressed, the fate and behavior of the plastics especially their interaction with pollutants in aquatic environments should be further studied. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-13T05:30:29Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-717c96ee7c0643a3a9b90a1a4fb36f02 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 0147-6513 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-13T05:30:29Z |
| publishDate | 2023-08-01 |
| publisher | Elsevier |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety |
| spelling | doaj.art-717c96ee7c0643a3a9b90a1a4fb36f022023-06-15T04:54:06ZengElsevierEcotoxicology and Environmental Safety0147-65132023-08-01261115100Plastic-associated metal(loid)s in the urban river environments of MongoliaBatdulam Battulga0Mariko Atarashi-Andoh1Jun Koarashi2Bolormaa Oyuntsetseg3Masayuki Kawahigashi4Department of Geography, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan; Nuclear Science and Engineering Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-1195, Japan; Corresponding author at: Department of Geography, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, Japan.Nuclear Science and Engineering Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-1195, JapanNuclear Science and Engineering Center, Japan Atomic Energy Agency, Tokai, Ibaraki 319-1195, JapanDepartment of Chemistry, School of Arts and Sciences, National University of Mongolia, Ulaanbaatar 14201, MongoliaDepartment of Geography, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Hachioji, Tokyo 192-0397, JapanThe widespread distribution of plastic debris in riverine environment is one of the major concerns of environmental pollution because of its potential impact on the aquatic ecosystem. In this study, we investigated the accumulation of metal(loid)s on polystyrene foam (PSF) plastics collected from the floodplain of the Tuul River of Mongolia. The metal(loid)s sorbed on plastics were extracted from the collected PSF via sonication after peroxide oxidation. The size-dependent association of metal(loid)s with plastics indicates that PSFs act as vectors for pollutants in the urban river environment. The mean concentrations of metal(loid)s (i.e., B, Cr, Cu, Na, and Pb) indicate a higher accumulation of the metal(loid)s on meso-sized PSFs compared with macro- and micro-sized PSFs. In addition, the images from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated not only the degraded surface of plastics showing fractures, holes, and pits but also the adhered mineral particles and microorganisms on the PSFs. The interaction of metal(loid)s with plastics was probably facilitated by the physical and chemical properties of altered surface of plastics through photodegradation, followed by an increase in surface area by size reduction and/or biofilm development in the aquatic environment. The enrichment ratio (ER) of metals on PSF samples suggested the continuous accumulation of heavy metals on plastics. Our results demonstrate that the widespread plastic debris could be a carrier of hazardous chemicals in the environment. Considering that the negative impacts of plastic debris on environmental health are major concerns to be addressed, the fate and behavior of the plastics especially their interaction with pollutants in aquatic environments should be further studied.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651323006048Polystyrene foam (PSF)Metal(loid)sElemental associationTuul River |
| spellingShingle | Batdulam Battulga Mariko Atarashi-Andoh Jun Koarashi Bolormaa Oyuntsetseg Masayuki Kawahigashi Plastic-associated metal(loid)s in the urban river environments of Mongolia Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Polystyrene foam (PSF) Metal(loid)s Elemental association Tuul River |
| title | Plastic-associated metal(loid)s in the urban river environments of Mongolia |
| title_full | Plastic-associated metal(loid)s in the urban river environments of Mongolia |
| title_fullStr | Plastic-associated metal(loid)s in the urban river environments of Mongolia |
| title_full_unstemmed | Plastic-associated metal(loid)s in the urban river environments of Mongolia |
| title_short | Plastic-associated metal(loid)s in the urban river environments of Mongolia |
| title_sort | plastic associated metal loid s in the urban river environments of mongolia |
| topic | Polystyrene foam (PSF) Metal(loid)s Elemental association Tuul River |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651323006048 |
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