Marine Micro & Nanoplastics

Topic Information

Dear Colleagues,

Plastics are the main constituent of the marine litter that is present in the oceans and seas of the planet. The main ecological problem linked to plastic contamination is represented by the direct and indirect impact of the smallest dimensional fraction represented by micro and nanoplastics. In recent years, progress has been made regarding the knowledge on the environmental level and the effects induced by exposure to microplastics; on the contrary, scientific knowledge on nanoplastics is still far from being considered exhaustive. The purpose of this Special Issue is to collect contributions aimed at clarifying the still little-known aspects of the levels of contamination and of the biological effects induced by exposure to micro and nanoplastics, as well as of their role as carriers for chemical micro-contaminants (Trojan-horse effect), biological agents (pathogens) in the contamination of marine ecosystems and food webs and their actions as vectors for the spread of alien species. Papers focusing on these aspects of micro and nanoplastics in marine environments are welcome.

Dr. Monia Renzi
Dr. Cristiana Guerranti
Dr. Manuela Piccardo
Dr. Francesca Provenza
Dr. Andrea Broccoli
Topic Editors

Article processing charge will be waived for all accepted manuscripts in Oceans and Microplastics.

Keywords

Participating Journals

Journal Name	Impact Factor	CiteScore	Launched Year	First Decision (median)	APC
Journal of Marine Science and Engineering jmse	2.7	4.4	2013	16.4 Days	CHF 2600
Microplastics microplastics	-	-	2022	27.5 Days	CHF 1000
Oceans oceans	1.5	3.1	2020	23.3 Days	CHF 1600
Toxics toxics	3.9	4.5	2013	18.3 Days	CHF 2600

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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16 pages, 2858 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Intra-Laboratory Calibration Exercise for Quantification of Microplastic Particles in Fine-Grained Sediment Samples: Special Focus on the Influence of User Experience

by Manuela Piccardo, Gabriele Salvatore Priami, Serena Anselmi, Stanislao Bevilacqua and Monia Renzi

Microplastics 2022, 1(3), 440-455; https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics1030032 - 15 Aug 2022

Cited by 6 | Viewed by 2916

Abstract

An intra-laboratory calibration to quantify microplastic in fine-grained marine sediments was performed with two objectives: (a) to determine the recovery rate of self-produced microplastics characterized by a size ranging from 220 µm to 5 mm and differing in color (pink, orange, gray, yellow, [...] Read more.

An intra-laboratory calibration to quantify microplastic in fine-grained marine sediments was performed with two objectives: (a) to determine the recovery rate of self-produced microplastics characterized by a size ranging from 220 µm to 5 mm and differing in color (pink, orange, gray, yellow, silver), shape (fragments, filaments, spheres, films), and chemical composition (polystyrene, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene, polypropylene, poly(methyl methacrylate)) artificially introduced into real samples; and (b) to analyze whether operator experience can be a key factor in the quality of the results. To answer this question, the same protocol was assigned to an experienced and an inexperienced operator. The results of this comparison are detailed in terms of root mean square and percent error. Possible strategies to increase the recovery rate are presented, and an ad hoc category, namely “glitter”, was created to adjust the results with respect to this unique type of microplastic usually ignored and excluded from the analysis. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Marine Micro & Nanoplastics)

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11 pages, 1877 KiB  

Open AccessCommunication

Microplastics and Macroplastic Debris as Potential Physical Vectors of SARS-CoV-2: A Hypothetical Overview with Implications for Public Health

by Juan José Alava, Ana Tirapé, Karly McMullen, Miguel Uyaguari and Gustavo A. Domínguez

Microplastics 2022, 1(1), 156-166; https://doi.org/10.3390/microplastics1010010 - 1 Feb 2022

Cited by 11 | Viewed by 5413

Abstract

COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, was declared a global pandemic on 11 March 2020 by the World Health Organization. The pandemic has triggered an unprecedented increase in the production, consumption and disposal of multiple types of plastic-based personal protective equipment (PPE) as a measure [...] Read more.

COVID-19, caused by SARS-CoV-2, was declared a global pandemic on 11 March 2020 by the World Health Organization. The pandemic has triggered an unprecedented increase in the production, consumption and disposal of multiple types of plastic-based personal protective equipment (PPE) as a measure to reduce the infection. Recent research shows that plastic surfaces can serve as a fomite for coronavirus transmission as it can remain stable and be viable on polypropylene for up to 72 h or on other plastic surfaces for up to 9 days. While it is unknown whether or to what extent macroplastic debris and ubiquitous microplastics emitted into the environment can serve as physical vectors or fomites of pathogenic viruses, recent studies have reported that both macroplastic and microplastics can serve as vectors for harmful pathogens and invasive species (biological pollution). Here, hypothetical scenarios based on the weight of evidence are proposed to plausibly state the role of plastic debris (e.g., single-use-plastics), discarded PPE supplies, including facemasks, sanitizer bottles, gloves, and plastic bags, as well as microplastics as potential physical vectors of SARS-CoV-2, serving as a route of exposure to humans and wildlife in the terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Marine Micro & Nanoplastics)

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11 pages, 1208 KiB  

Open AccessArticle

Prevalence of Microplastics in the Eastern Oyster Crassostrea virginica in the Chesapeake Bay: The Impact of Different Digestion Methods on Microplastic Properties

by Thet Aung, Inayat Batish and Reza Ovissipour

Toxics 2022, 10(1), 29; https://doi.org/10.3390/toxics10010029 - 10 Jan 2022

Cited by 12 | Viewed by 4195

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the microplastic prevalence in eastern oysters (C. virginica) in three sites in the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia and optimize the digestion methods. The digestion results illustrate that the lowest recovery rate and digestion recovery were related [...] Read more.

This study aimed to determine the microplastic prevalence in eastern oysters (C. virginica) in three sites in the Chesapeake Bay in Virginia and optimize the digestion methods. The digestion results illustrate that the lowest recovery rate and digestion recovery were related to enzymatic, enzymatic + hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), and HCl 5% treatments, while the highest digestion recovery and recovery rate were observed in H₂O₂ and basic (KOH) treatments. Nitric acid digestion resulted in satisfying digestion recovery (100%), while no blue polyethylene microplastics were observed due to the poor recovery rate. In addition, nitric acid altered the color, changed the Raman spectrum intensity, and melted polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). In order to determine the number of microplastics, 144 oysters with an approximately similar size and weight from three sites, including the James River, York River, and Eastern Shore, were evaluated. Fragments were the most abundant microplastics among the different microplastics, followed by fibers and beads, in the three sites. A significantly higher number of fragments were found in the James River, probably due to the greater amount of human activities. The number of microplastics per gram of oyster tissue was higher in the James River, with 7 MPs/g tissue, than in the York River and Eastern Shore, with 6.7 and 5.6 MPs/g tissue. Full article

(This article belongs to the Topic Marine Micro & Nanoplastics)

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