The propagation of the COVID-19 pandemic worldwide has been alarming in the last months. According to recommendations of the World Health Organization (WHO), the use of face masks is essential for ...slowing down the transmission rate of COVID-19 in human beings. This pandemic has generated a substantial increase in the use, as well as in the production, of face masks and other elements (gloves, face protectors, protective suits, safety shoes) manufactured with polymeric materials, including antiviral textiles most of which will end as microplastic pools. Focusing on South America, the use and mismanagement of this type of personal protective equipment (PPE) represents an environmental problem. Added to this issue are the increase in the use of single-use plastic, and the reduction of plastic recycling due to the curfew generated by the pandemic, further aggravating plastic pollution on coasts and beaches. Recently, researchers have developed antiviral polymeric textile technology composed of Ag and Cu nanoparticles for PPE to reduce the contagion and spread of COVID-19. Antiviral polymeric textile wastes could also have long-term negative repercussions on aquatic environments, as they are an important emerging class of contaminants. For this reason, this work provides reflections and perspectives on how the COVID-19 pandemic can aggravate plastic pollution on beaches and coastal environments, consequently increasing the damage to marine species in the coming years. In addition, the potential impact of the pandemic on waste management systems is discussed here, as well as future research directions to improve integrated coastal management strategies.
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•The unprecedented increase in face mask production is a current global environmental concern caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.•The plastic waste from single use face masks is hazardous for marine species.•Textile fibers impregnated with Ag and Cu nanoparticles could have long-term adverse effects on aquatic environments.•Deficiencies in Solid Waste Management in South America were accentuated during COVID-19.•Recommendations were suggested to improve waste management practices in South American countries.
Microplastics (plastics <5 mm) contamination is of worldwide concern and represents a threat to the environment, biota, and humans. Also, they are potential carriers of other contaminants, increasing ...their adverse effects. In this study, it was analyzed for the first time the chemical composition and abundance of microplastics (MPs) in the commercial shrimp Pleoticus muelleri. Fibers were the predominant plastics (mean: 1.31 fibers g−1 wet weight) in the abdominal muscle of the shrimps being black, the dominant colour. μ-Raman showed that fibers were composed of polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and cellulose. Also, weathering and topography of the fibers were analyzed through wide-field confocal microscopy. C, O, Si, Al, K, as well as Fe, Zn, S, Ba, Br, and Ti on the plastic surface were detected with SEM/EDS, indicating potential carriers of contaminants.
The shrimp Pleoticusmuelleri ingests fibers with different chemical elements adsorbed on the plastic surface.
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•First study of the chemical characterization of microplastics in Pleoticus muelleri•Shrimps ingest mainly synthetic fibers.•Ba, Br, Zn, and Fe found in the MPs, could outline a potential health concern.•MPs in the edible part of the shrimps may be transferred to humans.
This study assesses for the first time the concentrations of microplastics (MPs) in sediments, water and two human-consumed mussels with different ecological traits (Amarilladesma mactroides and ...Brachidontes rodriguezii) in a touristic sandy beach of Argentina. MPs were characterized through FTIR and SEM/EDX techniques. All the samples presented MPs with similar concentrations as other human-impacted coastal areas of the world, being black and blue fibers of < 0.5 and 0.5-1 mm the most abundant. SEM images exhibited cracks and fractures with clay minerals and microorganisms adhered to MPs surface. EDX spectrums showed potentially toxic elements, such as Cr, Ti, and Mo. FTIR identified polymers such as cellulose, polyamides, and polyacrylates in most of the samples analyzed. Our study demonstrates that microplastic pollution is a common threat to sandy beaches in Argentina, worsened by plastic particles carrying metal ions with potential toxic effects to the biota, including A. mactroides, an endangered species.
•Meso/microplastics were found in waters, sediments, and bivalves in Argentina.•Microplastics ranged from 0.15–0.5 item g ww-1 in mussels.•Cr, Mo, Ti, Al, and Fe were detected on the surface of fibers.•The most abundant microplastics were cellulose, polyamides, and polyacrylates.
The contamination of estuaries by heavy metals from anthropogenic activities in the industrial, domestic, and agricultural sectors is a global concern. In this study, the Cr, Fe, and Mn levels in the ...suspended particulate matter (SPM) were analyzed in estuarine waters from Bahia Blanca Estuary, during 2014–2015. The values of particulate Cr ranged from 7.33 to 35.20 μg g−1, which could be associated to several anthropogenic sources. The positive correlations found between Cr and Chlorophyll-a, and Cr and particulate organic carbon (POC) suggest the strong influence of phytoplankton on the adsorption of this metal and on the increase of particulate Cr. Negative correlations were found between Cr and DO and between Cr and pH, which could indicate an increasing trend in the dissolved form of Cr. This study suggests that the physical-chemical characteristics of the water column as well as phytoplankton and POC dynamics influence the behavior of Cr in this estuary.
•Phytoplankton and particulate organic carbon (POC) strongly drive the dynamic of particulate Cr in the estuarine waters.•The environmental variables of estuarine waters benefit the presence of dissolved Cr.•Fe does not seem to be related to Cr in the SPM.
Microplastics have been a global concern due to their potential and widespread risks to organisms and environments. In this study, we investigated the abundance, distribution, and characteristics of ...microplastics (MPs) in the surface waters of the Bahía Blanca Estuary (BBE), specifically in its inner and middle zone. The results showed the dominant shape of MPs were fibers, being black, transparent, and blue the main colors. The concentrations of MPs ranged from 182 to 33,373 items m–3 with a mean value of 6162 items m–3. The highest concentrations of MPs were detected in the middle zone of the estuary, a site that receives untreated sewage effluents from the city. The most abundant size ranges were from 0.5 to 1.5 mm (44.21%) and ˂0.5 mm (40.21%) and were predominant at all the sampling sites. The concentration of mesoplastics in the inner zone (16 items m–3) presented larger values than in the middle zone (5 items m–3). A wide variety of polymeric materials with predominance of microfibers such as cellulose-based, polyacrylonitrile, polyethylene terephthalate, and polypropylene were identified. Polyester/alkyd resins and poli(vinyl chloride) were also found. The analysis of MPs surface through SEM/EDX detected a variety of elements such as C, O, Si, Al, K, Ca, Cl, Ti, Fe, S, and P, indicating potential contaminant carriers in the water column. Some plastic particles presented a high degree of degradation on their surface morphology. Untreated sewage discharges appear to be a significant input of MPs. Therefore, the results provided in the present study should be considered by stakeholders interested in the management and conservation of this large coastal wetland with significant ecological and economic value.
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•A mean of 6162 items m-3 was found in the surface waters of the estuary.•Cellulose, polyacrylonitrile, and polyesters were the most common polymers.•Mesoplastics (˃5 mm) were more abundant in the inner part of the estuary.•Black and transparent microplastics were the most conspicuous.•Sewage waters seemed to be the main input source of microplastics pollution.
Synthetic microdebris (particles of <5 mm) are a worldwide concern because they can affect the community structure of the aquatic ecosystems, organisms, and even food webs. For the biomonitoring of ...synthetic microdebris (especially microplastics, MPs), mainly benthic invertebrates are used, but crabs have been less studied in the literature. We studied the synthetic microdebris contamination in water, sediments, and three representative intertidal crabs (Neohelice granulata, Cyrtograpsus angulatus and Leptuca uruguayensis) with different lifestyles from the Bahía Blanca estuary, Argentina. The results obtained show the presence of cotton-polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) in surface waters. In sediments, we identified cellulose modified (CE), polyester (PES), polyethylene (PE), and alkyd resin, while in crabs, cotton-PA and CE were the predominant ones. The MPs abundance ranged from 8 to 68 items L−1 in surface water, from 971 to 2840 items Kg−1 in sediments, and from 0 to 2.58 items g−1 ww for the three species of crabs. Besides, paint sheets ranged from 0 to 17 in the total samples, with Cr, Mo, Ti, Pb, Cu, Al, S, Ba and Fe on their surface. There were significant differences between the microdebris abundances in the abiotic matrices but not among crabs species. The ecological traits of the different crabs helped to understand the accumulation of synthetic microdebris, an important characteristic when determining the choice of a good biomonitor.
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•First multi-compartment approach of MPs and other synthetic microdebris in the BBe•Cr, Mo, Ti, Pb, Cu, Ba, and Fe were detected on the surface of paint sheets.•Cellulose and cotton-PA were the most common synthetic microdebris.•Bioaccumulation in crabs might be dependent on their lifestyle and feeding spectrum.
Estuarine coastal water and sediments collected from multiple locations within the middle Río de la Plata (RDLP) estuary were analyzed in order to identify the presence of microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) ...and mesoplastics (MePs, 5–25 mm) in one of the most significant estuaries in the Southwestern Atlantic. The present study represents one of the first researches to survey MPs and MePs contamination in key stations at RDLP estuary. Average concentrations of 14.17 ± 5.50 MPs/L and 10.00 MePs/L were detected in water samples, while 547.83 ± 620.06 MPs/kg (dry weight) and 74.23 ± 47.29 MePs/kg d.w. were recorded in sediments. The greatest abundances were observed in the more anthropized areas, near urban settlements. Fibers were the most conspicuous plastic items in water and sediments, followed by fragments. On the other hand, surface sediments, and 50 cm and 100 cm-depth sediments also presented MPs and MePs indicating they could serve as a stratigraphic indicator for recently formed sediments. The main polymer type identified were acrylic fibers, followed by polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Besides, SEM-EDX detected the presence of Si, Fe, Ti, Al and Cl onto the plastics' surface. These elements may serve as additives to enhance the plastics' properties, such as in the case of Ti, or they could originate from the environment, like biogenic Si or Fe, and Al possibly as a component of the suspended particles or sediments adhered to the micro or meso plastics. Finally, the results of the present study showed that MPs and MePs are commonly found in waters and also tend to be trapped in sediments of the RDLP estuary supporting the assertion that these areas play a substantial role in influencing the transport, dispersion, and buildup of MPs in estuarine regions.
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•Spatial and vertical distribution of plastics in RDLP estuary was investigated.•14.17 ± 5.50 MicroPs/L and 10.00 MesoPs/L were detected in water of the estuary.•547.83 ± 620.06 MicroPs/kg dw and 74.23 ± 47.29 MesoPs/kg dw were in sediments.•Fibers constituted the predominant particle type found in water and sediments.•Synthetic polymers were predominant both in sediments and waters.
The worldwide spread of the SARS-CoV-2 caused an unprecedented lockdown measures in most countries with consequences on the world society, economy, and sanitary systems. This situation provided an ...opportunity to identify the effects of human confinement on natural environments, like touristic sandy beaches, which are stressed due to anthropogenic pressures. Based on previous articles about heavy metals sources and levels in these ecosystems, this paper discusses the dynamic of these pollutants and a regulatory scenario associated with COVID-19 sanitation policies. The main findings suggest that 39% of the studies were on Asian sandy beaches, 16% from Europe, while America and Africa with 23% each. Also Co, Cd, Cu, Cr, Zn, Pb, Ni, Fe and Mn were the most frequently analyzed metals in sediments and in several cases their concentrations exceed international guidelines assessment. Finally, even though beaches are under several metals inputs, tourism plays a key role in these ecosystems quality. After analyzing the potential indirect effect of COVID-19 measures on metals dynamics, we propose some key recommendations and management strategies to mitigate heavy metal pollution on sandy tourist beaches. These proposals are useful for decision-makers and stakeholders to improve sandy beach management, mainly those beaches not addressed from a management perspective; and their implementation should be adapted according to the regulations and legislation of each country.
•Because of tourism, heavy metal pollution, threatens sandy beaches' sustainability.•Metal pollution data on touristic sandy beaches still lacks systematization and is scarce.•COVID-19 pandemic measures indirectly affect metals sources and levels in these environments.•Management tools are proposed to mitigate metal pollution in touristic sandy beaches.•The “new normality” offers a unique opportunity to design the transition towards sustainable tourism.
In this study, we surveyed the presence of personal protective equipment (PPE) waste on the streets of Bogotá-Colombia, Lima-Perú, and Mar del Plata-Argentina. Furthermore, this work is also focused ...on the release capacity of Ag, Cu, and Zn metals associated with nanoparticles, and microplastics (MPs) from textile face masks (TFMs) and disposable face masks. According to our results, an association between low-income areas and PPE waste was found, which may be related to the periodicity of waste collection and economic activity. Polymers, like polypropylene, cotton-polyester, and additives, such as CaCO3, MgO, and Ag/Cu as nanoparticles, were identified. TFMs released high levels of Cu (35,900–60,200 μg·L−1), Zn (2340–2380 μg·L−1), and MPs (4528–10,640 particles/piece). Metals associated with nanoparticles leached by face masks did not present any antimicrobial activity against P. aeruginosa. Our study suggests that TFMs may leach large amounts of polluting nano/micromaterials in aquatic environments with potential toxicological effects on organisms.
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•Densities of PPE were high in localities with predominant low-economic income.•Pandemic had overwhelming effects on South America urban solid waste management.•Textile masks can leach nano/micromaterials potentially dangerous to organisms.•High levels of Cu and Zn associated with nanoparticles were leached from face masks.
A wide range of contaminants of emerging concern such as micro/nanoplastics (MPs/PNPs) and metal-nanoparticles (Me-NPs) from anthropogenic activities have been identified in aquatic environments. The ...hazardous effects of these micro/nanomaterials as pollutants in organisms and the lack of knowledge about their behavior in aquatic environments have generated growing concern in the scientific community. The nanomaterials have a colloidal-type behavior due to their size range but with differences in their physicochemical properties. This review comprises the behavior of micro/nanomaterials pollutants and the physicochemical interactions between MPs/PNPs and Me-NPs in aquatic environments, and their potential toxicological effects in organisms. Moreover, this article describes the potential use of Me-NPs to remove MPs/PNPs present in the water column due to their photocatalytic and magnetic properties. It also discusses the challenge to determine harmful effects of micro/nanomaterials pollutants in organisms and provides future research directions to improve integrated management strategies to mitigate their environmental impact.
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•The potential toxicity of micro/nanomaterials on organisms is a global concern.•The interaction between the pollutants depends on their nature and the environment.•The interactions between MPs/PNPs and Me-NPs may alter their individual toxicity.•The photodegradation of MPs/PNPs using Me-NPs is summarized.
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