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  • Understanding the mechanisms of microplastic formation

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    Principal Investigator

    • Hiejima Yusuke
      Research Division for Science and Technology
      Kanazawa University
      (Japan)

    Collaborators

    • Kuroda Shinichi
      Graduate School of Science and Engineering
      Gunma University
      (Japan)
    • Oku Hiroyuki
      Graduate School of Science and Engineering
      Gunma University
      (Japan)
    • Kuriyama Takashi
      Graduate School of Organic Materials and Systems Science
      Yamagata University
      (Japan)
    • Matsuba Go
      Graduate School of Organic Materials and Systems Science
      Yamagata University
      (Japan)
    • Kouzi Hiroaki
      Department of Science and Engineering
      Kanto Gakuin University
      (Japan)
    • Igarashi Toshio
      SC Environmental Science Co. Ltd
      (Japan)

    Timeline

    Underway since March 2019

    Additional information

    This study aimed to clarify the kinetic mechanisms by which secondary microplastics are generated from plastics, using the principles of polymer science and engineering. There are three main areas of focus: a detailed analysis of microplastics collected in the environment, along with specimens subjected to weathering; the kinetics of microplastic formation during artificially accelerated exposure tests; and the development of reference microplastics with sufficiently high throughput. These approaches will contribute to risk assessments, and will help develop efficient methods to prepare reference microplastics based on their formation mechanism

    Professional Presentations

    Shinichi K. Elucidation of the formation mechanism of microplastics. Microplastics Advance Research and Innovation Initiative (MARII) Workshop on Advancements and steps towards a holistic, quantitative risk assessment on microplastics, October 12-13, 2022.

    Published Papers

    N/A

  • Modeling the vector effect of microplastics in the environment

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    Principal Investigator

    • Yuji Oshima
      Faculty of Agriculture
      Laboratory of Marine Environmental Science
      Kyushu University
      (Japan)

    Collaborators

    • Yohei Shimaski
      Faculty of Agriculture
      Kyushu University
      (Japan)
    • Kang Ik Joon
      School of Interdisciplinary Science and Innovation
      Kyushu University
      (Japan)
    • Yuki Takai
      Faculty of Agriculture
      Kyushu University
      (Japan)

    Timeline

    Underway since March 2019

    Additional information

    Microplastics can act as vectors for other environmental contaminants, absorbing organic and inorganic pollutants. Previously, there had been no known studies examining this vector effect or related kinetics. The current project aims to construct a model for estimating the vector effect of microplastics and predicting its impact in the environment.

    Professional Presentations

    Oshima Y, Establishment of medaka kinetic model for aged microplastic and adsorbed chemical, Microplastics Advance Research and Innovation Initiative (MARII) Workshop on advancements and steps towards a holistic, quantitative risk assessment on microplastics, October 12-13, 2022.

    Takai Y, Uchida Y, Honda M, Shimasaki Y, Oshima Y. The Vector Effect of Fine Microplastics: Combined Effect of Polystyrene Microplastics and Anthracene on Java medaka. Plastic pollution in Asian waters, March 5, 2022.

    Takai Y, Honda M, Chairil AE, Shimasaki Y, Oshima Y. The Vector Effect of Fine Microplastics: Estimation of the Vector Effect on Anthracene in Java medaka. Plastic pollution in Asian waters, March 5, 2022.

    Takai Y, Tokunaga M, Komatsu K, Tominaga A, Shimasaki Y, Oshima Y. The vector effect of microplastics: size and concentration effect of microplastics on the accumulation of anthracene for Java medaka, K-INET International Symposium. Kanazawa, Japan, December 7, 2023.

    Published Papers

    Takai Y, Tokusumi H, Sato M, Inoue D, Chen K, Takamura T, Enoki S, Ueno Y, Kang I J, Shimasaki Y, Qiu X, Oshima Y. Combined effect of diazepam and polystyrene microplastics on the social behavior of medaka (Oryzias latipes), Chemosphere, 299 134403-134403.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0045653522008967?via%3Dihub

    Takai Y, Tominaga A, Honda M, Qiu X, Shimasaki Y, Joon Kang I, Oshima Y. Combined effect of anthracene and polyethylene microplastics on swimming speed and cytochrome P4501A monooxygenase expression of Java medaka (Oryzias javanicus). Ecotoxicology. 2023 Sep;32(7):948-957.
    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10646-023-02700-4

    Takai Y, Tokusumi H, Sato M, Inoue D, Chen K, Takamura T, Enoki S, Ueno Y, Kang I J, Shimasaki Y, Qiu X, Oshima Y, 2022. Combined effect of diazepam and polystyrene microplastics on the social behavior of medaka (Oryzias latipes). Chemosphere 299, 134403.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0045653522008967?via%3Dihub

    Liu Y, Qiu X, Xu X, Takai Y, Ogawa H, Shimasaki Y, Oshima Y, 2021. Uptake and reputation kinetics of microplastics with different polymer types and particle sizes in Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf. 212, 112007.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0147651321001184?via%3Dihub

    Qiu X, Saovany S, Takai Y, Akasaka A, Inoue Y, Yakata N, Liu Y, Waseda M, Shimasaki Y, Oshima, Y, 2020. Quantifying the vector effects of polyethylene microplastics on the accumulation of anthracene to Japanese medaka (Oryzias latipes). Aquat. Toxicol. 228, 105643.
    https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0166445X20303933?via%3Dihub

  • Sources, emissions and environmental risk of microplastics

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    Principal Investigator

    • Wataru Naito
      National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology
      (AIST ; Japan)

    Collaborators

    • Masashi Gamo
      AIST
      Research Institute of Science for Safety and Sustainability
      (RISS; Japan)
    • Kiyotaka Tsunemi
      AIST
      RISS
      (Japan)
    • Hideo Kajihara
      AIST
      RISS
      (Japan)
    • Kyoko Ono
      AIST
      RISS
      (Japan)
    • Isamu Ogura
      AIST
      RISS
      (Japan)
    • Bin-Le Lin
      AIST
      RISS
      (Japan)
    • Xue Mianqiang
      AIST
      RISS
      (Japan)
    • Yuichi Iwasaki
      AIST
      RISS
      (Japan)
    • Yuriko Ishikawa
      AIST
      RISS
      (Japan)
    • Yutaka Kameda
      Chiba Institute of Technology
      (Japan)

    Timeline

    Underway since March 2023

    Additional information

    This research project aims to facilitate realistic and effective risk management strategies to mitigate microplastic pollution. The project focuses on analyzing the load and sources of microplastics in Tokyo Bay, and conducting practical risk assessments. Leveraging material flow analysis and precise field data, the researchers’ goal is to quantitatively assess the sources of microplastic pollution in marine environments. A second aim is to quantify the temporal changes in microplastic-related environmental risks and the efficacy of various mitigation measures. The researchers have proposed an environmental risk assessment methodology tailored to the unique characteristics of microplastics, drawing from practical case studies in Tokyo Bay and the latest insights from Japanese and international sources.

    Professional Presentations

    Ueda K, Iwasaki Y, Uesaka M, Naito W. Which concentration unit should be used for environmental risk assessment of microplastics? 57th Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Water Environment, Poster Presentation, March 2023, Univ. Ehime, Japan.

    Naito W, Iwasaki Y, Ono K, Ogura I. Framework of environmental risk assessment for microplastics and an illustrative example. 57th Annual Meeting of Japanese Society of Water Environment, Oral Presentation, March 2023, Univ. Ehime, Japan.

    Ono K, Naito W, Xue M, Tsunemi K, Ogura I. Estimation of Emission and Transfer of Microplastics to Tokyo Bay, Japan by Material Flow Analysis. SETAC EU 33rd Annual Meeting, Dublin, Ireland, April 30-May 4, 2023.

    Naito W, Gamo M, Ishikawa Y et al. Quantifying environmental emission and risk of microplastics in a semi-enclosed bay: A Tokyo Bay case study. SETAC EU 33rd Annual Meeting, Dublin, Ireland, April 30-May 4, 2023.

    Naito W. Characterizing Composition Profiles and Environmental Risk of Microplastics in Tokyo Bay, 2023 ICCA MARII WORKSHOP, Alexis Royal Sonesta Hotel, Seattle, USA, June 12-14, 2023

    Published Papers

    Ono K, Naito W, Ogura I, Xue M, Kato E, Uesaka M, Tsunemi K (2023). Estimation of microplastic emission and transfer into Tokyo Bay, Japan, using material flow analysis. Marine Pollution Bulletin. 194. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115440

    Iwasaki Y, Takeshita K.M, Ueda K, Naito W. Estimating species sensitivity distributions for microplastics by quantitatively considering particle characteristics using a recently created ecotoxicity database. Micropl.& Nanopl. 3, 21 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s43591-023-00070-6

  • Ecotoxicological risk assessment for microplastics

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    Principal Investigator

    • Yoshifumi Horie
      Research Center for Inland Seas
      Kobe University
      (Japan)

    Collaborators

    • Hideo Okamura
      Research Center for Inland Seas
      Kobe University
      (Japan)
    • Christopher Gomez
      Graduate School of Maritime Sciences
      Kobe University
      (Japan)
    • Akira Ijiri
      Graduate School of Maritime Sciences
      Kobe University
      (Japan)
    • Kazuyo Yamaji
      Graduate School of Maritime Sciences
      Kobe University
      (Japan)

    Timeline

    Underway since March 2023

    Additional Information

    There is currently a lack of data on risks posed by microplastics in natural ecosystems. The purpose of this project is to assess the ecological risk posed by microplastics using Osaka Bay as a model case. First, researchers investigated microplastic residues in the surface water of the sea in the Osaka Bay area as a measure of ecosystem exposure to microplastics. Second, they examined whether the time required to remove microplastics is affected when ingestion occurs through a food chain. Third, the effects of microplastics on the life cycles of aquatic organisms (Daphnia and fish) were investigated. Finally, the researchers explored whether microplastics in the water are harmful to aquatic organisms

    Profession Presentations

    N/A

    Published Papers

    Horie Y, Dorcas U, Mitsunaga K, Akkajit P, Ríos JM, Naija A. Food chain-mediated variation in excretion times of microplastics: Unraveling the interactions with plasticizers. Regional Studies in Marine Science. 69, 103343. 2024. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rsma.2023.103343

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