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A special issue of Sustainability (ISSN 2071-1050). This special issue belongs to the section "Environmental Sustainability and Applications".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 January 2024) | Viewed by 9251

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Special Issue Editors

Dr. Shunan Dong

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Guest Editor

College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, China
Interests: microplastic pollution; emerging contaminants; particulate transport; contamination remediation; soil pollution
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Dr. Yi Xu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, China
Interests: ecological risks; environmental microbes; antibiotic resistance genes

Dr. Liting Sheng

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor

College of Agricultural Science and Engineering, Hohai University, Nanjing, China
Interests: riparian buffer strips; non-point-source pollutant transport and transformation; vegetation ecology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Microplastics are small plastic particles with a diameter smaller than 5 mm, and have been recognized as a new emerging contaminant. Given their recalcitrant nature, microplastics can persist for a long time in the environment. It has been found that microplastics can accumulate in food chains, with toxic effects on the reproduction and survival of various species. The potential risks and environmental fate of microplastics have been considered a global issue. As detected in soil, water, and air worldwide, microplastics are posing serious threats not only to the ecosystem, but also to human health. Moreover, microplastics can adsorb other contaminants, leading to their combined risks to the environment. To achieve a comprehensive environmental risk assessment and develop treatment technologies, in-depth knowledge of the occurrence, fate, and impact of microplastics is in urgent need.

This Research Topic intends to focus on the most recent advances in the occurrence, fate, biotoxicity, and remediation of microplastics, aiming to fill knowledge gaps in the environmental behaviors and impacts of microplastics, as well as effective remediation and treatment technologies.

We welcome submissions of all article types, with an emphasis on original research and review articles of the following topics (not an exhaustive list):

Source, occurrence, and distribution of microplastics in environment;
Fate, transport, and transformation of microplastics in the environment;
Biotoxicity and biological effect of microplastics on plants, microorganisms, and animals;
Removal and remediation of microplastics via physical, chemical, and biological methods.

Dr. Shunan Dong
Dr. Yi Xu
Dr. Liting Sheng
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Keywords

microplastic
source
distribution
fate and transport
biological effect
remediation

Published Papers (6 papers)

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Research

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20 pages, 2562 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Quantifying the Sustainability of Football (Soccer) Pitches: A Comparison of Artificial and Natural Turf Pitches with a Focus on Microplastics and Their Environmental Impacts

by Lukas Zeilerbauer, Johannes Lindorfer, Pauline Fuchs, Melanie Knöbl, Asle Ravnås, Trygve Maldal, Eimund Gilje, Christian Paulik and Jörg Fischer

Sustainability 2024, 16(8), 3487; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16083487 - 22 Apr 2024

Viewed by 690

Abstract

Recently, the European Commission announced their intention to restrict intentionally added microplastics to reduce the amount emitted by 0.5 million tons per year. Findings on microplastics indicate toxic behavior for biota, yet many mechanisms remain in the dark. Microplastics also pose a challenge in life cycle assessment as methods are actively being developed. Considering this recent decision, an anticipatory life cycle assessment was performed, comparing the impacts of natural grass pitches with artificial grass pitches using bio-based infill materials as well as polymeric ones made from recycled and virgin materials. The aim was to confirm if microplastics are in fact a considerable environmental hazard when compared to more traditional impacts. The microplastics’ impact was modeled after the MarILCA group’s work on the new midpoint of physical effects on biota. The results showed that the influence of the microplastics remains negligible when using the method provided. For most midpoint categories, the wood-based infill showed the best results, often closely tied with the infill made from recycled rubber from tires. A sensitivity analysis revealed that neither the physical effects on biota nor the greenhouse gas emissions from degradation in a marine environment are deciding factors when assessing the endpoint of ecosystem damage. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microplastic Pollution and Impact)

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17 pages, 7764 KiB

Open AccessArticle

High Salinity Alters the Adsorption Behavior of Microplastics towards Typical Pollutants and the Phytotoxicity of Microplastics to Synechococcus

by Wanxin Liu, Chunbo Gu, Jiayao Li, Yihao Zhang, Xu Zhang, Pingping Zhang and Xianhua Liu

Sustainability 2024, 16(3), 1107; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16031107 - 28 Jan 2024

Viewed by 1394

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in marine environments, and seawater desalination releases large amounts of concentrated saline water. However, little is known about how MPs alter their adsorption behavior towards other pollutants in high-salinity environments. Meanwhile, there is a lack of knowledge about the combined effect of MPs and high salinity on marine phytoplankton. In this work, the impact of high salinity on the adsorption behaviors of two types of MPs (polyethylene MPs (PE-MPs) and polyvinyl chloride MPs (PVC-MPs)) towards three typical water pollutants (Pb²⁺, 4-chlorophenol, and levofloxacin) was investigated, and the combined effect of MPs and high salinity on Synechococcus was evaluated. The adsorption of Pb²⁺ and levofloxacin by PE-MPs and PVC-MPs decreased at high salinity, and the adsorption of 4-chlorophenol by PE-MPs also decreased, however, the adsorption of 4-chlorophenol by PVC-MPs increased. The SOD, CAT activities and GSH content of Synechococcus exposed to MPs were increased by the increasing salinity. When the MPs concentration was low, the increase in salinity decreased the content of chlorophyll-a. Our results demonstrated that high salinity significantly changes the adsorption behavior of common pollutants onto MPs and alters the toxic effect of MPs on Synechococcus. This study provides important information necessary for environmental risk assessments with regard to the combined stress of MPs and high salinity, promoting the sustainable development of desalination industries. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microplastic Pollution and Impact)

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14 pages, 12466 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Investigation on Microplastics in Soil near Landfills in the Republic of Korea

by Won-Kyu Kim, Hanbai Park, Kazuei Ishii and Geun-Yong Ham

Sustainability 2023, 15(15), 12057; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151512057 - 7 Aug 2023

Viewed by 1289

Abstract

Microplastics can cause physical, chemical, biological, and structural problems in soil. In this study, microplastics were identified in the soil near two landfills where contamination by microplastics was expected. Pretreatment was performed to remove organic matter and to separate microplastics from the soil samples. FT-IR microscope analysis was performed to confirm the quantity and types of microplastics. The colors and shapes of microplastics in the soil were analyzed using a digital microscope. Averages of 73.4 MPs(ea)/kg and 97.8 MPs(ea)/kg of microplastics were identified in the soil at the two landfills. The main shapes of microplastics were fragments, fibers, and films, and it was confirmed that secondary plastics were found at a high rate. The major plastic types were identified as PP and PE, ranging from 62.5 to 65.3% in proportion, followed by PET, PS, nylon, PMMA, and PVC. As for the colors of microplastics, black had the highest percentage, while other microplastics were identified as being white, blue, transparent, gray, green, red, and yellow. These results can be taken as important data indicating that microplastics in the soil around landfills can be affected by landfill waste. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microplastic Pollution and Impact)

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17 pages, 10582 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Effects of Polystyrene Microparticles on Growth and Physiological Metabolism of Microalgae Scendesmus obliquus

by Weimu Wang, Haolin Liu, Hui Liu, Jiaxin Chen, Xiaohui Xu, Jihong Xia and Peng Zhang

Sustainability 2023, 15(14), 11223; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151411223 - 19 Jul 2023

Viewed by 1273

Abstract

Plastic products are widely used due to their lightness, durability, low cost, and malleability, and their threat to the environment is becoming increasingly apparent. However, the detailed mechanism of such an effect is unclear. Due to improper treatment, microplastic contamination is very much studied in the areas around sewage outfalls or some plastic manufacturers, and its content is high. To investigate the ecological impact of microplastics in this particular area, we evaluated the toxic effect of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) on the microalgae Scenedesmus obliquus (S. obliquus). In particular, the cell growth, photosynthesis, antioxidant enzyme activity, membrane permeability, and morphology of the microalgae in the presence of different PS-MP concentrations were monitored. These new data revealed an increase in microalgae cell growth as an early response to low-dose PS-MP exposure with a maximum inhabitation rate of −3.33%. In contrast, a higher concentration of PS-MP solution leads to a significant inhibition within the test concentration, with a maximum inhabitation rate of 43.62%. Meanwhile, a decreased photosynthesis activity of S. obliquus was observed during the exposure. Moreover, PS-MPs induced oxidative damage to the algae cells, exhibiting decreased antioxidant activities and enhanced lipid peroxidation reactions, as evidenced by the reduction in the superoxide dismutase (SOD) level and increased malondialdehyde (MDA) content, as well as damaged cell membrane and soluble protein. Collectively, our study systematically investigates the toxicity of microplastics on microalgae, providing a deep insight into the possible influences of plastic pollution on the whole food web in the aquatic ecosystem. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microplastic Pollution and Impact)

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13 pages, 3425 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Vertical Profiles of Microplastics in the Hyporheic Zone Sediment: A Case Study in the Yangtze River, Nanjing Section

by Kun Bao, Hui Jiang, Pengpeng Su, Ping Lu and Zhenhua Yan

Sustainability 2023, 15(10), 7895; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15107895 - 11 May 2023

Cited by 3 | Viewed by 1715

Abstract

Microplastics are ubiquitous in the river environment, although their abundance in sediment profiles has received little attention. The river hyporheic zone (HZ) sediment is the area influenced by surface and groundwater flow dynamics, and pollutants are more likely to be transported vertically in this area, thus entering the groundwater. Understanding the microplastic abundance and composition in the HZ sediment is crucial for microplastic pollution management. Hence, this study investigated the vertical distribution and characteristics of microplastic in the HZ sediment of the Yangtze River (Nanjing section). The results show that the abundance of microplastics in the HZ sediment ranged from 207 ± 95 to 1817 ± 467 items/kg dry wet in a vertical profile. With the increase of sediment depth, the abundance of microplastics decreased obviously in most sites, whereas the proportions of pellet shapes and smaller sizes of microplastics increased only at S1. No significant variation was found in the microplastic colors between different depth layers. Polypropylene and polyethylene were the dominant polymer types in all sediment samples. These results provided insights into the understanding of the microplastic fates in a river HZ region. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microplastic Pollution and Impact)

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Review

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23 pages, 1572 KiB

Open AccessReview

Recent Advances on Multilevel Effects of Micro(Nano)Plastics and Coexisting Pollutants on Terrestrial Soil-Plants System

by Yuanhao Yue, Xiaohui Li, Zhenggui Wei, Tongyu Zhang, Huanli Wang, Xi Huang and Shijie Tang

Sustainability 2023, 15(5), 4504; https://doi.org/10.3390/su15054504 - 2 Mar 2023

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2034

Abstract

Microplastics and nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) are posing emerging potential threats to global ecosystems and human health. Recently, the individual effects of MPs/NPs and combined effects of MPs/NPs-coexisting pollutants on soil–terrestrial plant systems have attracted increasing attention. Based on the latest research progress, this review firstly summarized the sources of MPs/NPs and the interaction between MPs/NPs and coexisting pollutants in soil environment, and then systematically induced their multilevel impacts on soil properties and terrestrial plants. Soil and agroecosystem are major long-term sinks of primary and secondary MPs/NPs, with extensive sources. MPs/NPs exhibit universal adsorption capacities and can further serve as the vectors for varied heavy metal, organic and biological contaminants. Generally, MPs/NPs and the combination with coexisting contaminants may affect soil physical, chemical and microbiological properties, soil structure and functions, while the specific impacts and degree depend on MP/NP characteristics including polymer type, size, shape, concentration and degradability. Increasing evidence confirmed the uptake and translocation of MPs/NPs in terrestrial plants and proved their influence on growth performance, metabolism and physiological toxicity, as well as cytotoxicity and genotoxicity. The specific effects vary as a function of MP/NPs properties, plant species and environmental conditions. The joint effects of MPs/NPs and coexisting pollutants are complex, and synergistic, antagonism and neutralization effects have been reported at different circumstances. Further comprehensive and in-depth studies are urgently needed to fulfill the current knowledge gaps, especially the deficiency in the inherent mechanisms. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Microplastic Pollution and Impact)

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