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  • Comprehensive additive release and bioaccessibility model for risk assessment of micro- and nano- plastics in the environment

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    Principal Investigator

    • Prof P. Lee Ferguson
      Duke University
      (US)

    Collaborators

    • Dr. Mark R. Wiesner
      Duke University
      (US)
    • Dr Maria del Prado Domercq
      Stockholm University
      (Sweden)

    Timeline

    October 2021 to September 2024

    Additional Information

    There is a significant gap in understanding of the environmental fate of plastics additives. These may include synthetic organic chemicals such as dyes and plasticizers, and surface coatings such as water/stain repellents. Risk assessments for these additives in aquatic environments depends on being able to measure and predict exposure of sensitive receptors – such as plants, animals, habitats and ecosystems – to these materials. Robust models are needed to assess leaching of substances from plastics into water, and to understand the fate of nano- and micro-plastics ingested by organisms. Challenges to developing models include molecular diversity among polymer-associated chemicals; varied types, sizes, and formulations of polymers; complexity in nano-/micro-plastic transport and degradation; and variability in receptor organism digestion. This project aims to address these challenges and create a robust, generalizable model to predict polymer additive release, transformation and bioaccessibility in aquatic environments. Laboratory experiments will be carried out to test the model, which is expected to advance understanding and inform risk assessments.

    Further details are available here.

    Professional Presentations

    Sipe J, Lewis A, Santizo K, Pfohl P, Lopez B, Harrison S, Wohlleben W, Wiesner M, Ferguson PL. Modeling Fragmentation and Additive Release from Polymers and Microplastics. ACS Spring Polymer Fragmentation: March 2024.

    Sipe J, Lewis A, Santizo K, Pfohl P, Lopez B, Harrison S, Wohlleben W, Wiesner M, Ferguson PL. Modeling Fragmentation and Additive Release from Polymers and Microplastics. Society of Polymer Engineers: February 2024.

    Sipe J, Lewis A, Santizo K, Pfohl P, Lopez B, Harrison S, Wohlleben W, Wiesner M, Ferguson PL. Modeling Fragmentation and Additive Release from Polymers and Microplastics. AEESP: June 2023

    Published Papers

    N/A

  • Emission factors for micro- and nano-plastics in Europe

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    • Dr. Sam Harrison
      Lancaster Environment Centre
      (UK)
    • Dr. Mark Wiesner
      Duke University
      (US)
    • Dr. Bernd Nowack
      Empa-Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology
      (Switzerland)

    Timeline

    January 2023 to December 2024

    Additional Information

    The EMIFACT MNP project is developing a model that predicts environmental emission factors for the full size range of plastics emissions, covering the full lifecycle of broad range of widely used polymers. The model will provide:

    • Environmental emission factors for Europe, taking account of regional differences in lifecycle processes such waste management to predict spatially distributed emissions factors
    • Size-distributed emission factors over relevant time periods, based on predictions of fragmentation during the entire polymer lifecycle, and building on the ongoing Cefic-LRI ECO59 FRAGMENT-MNP project
    • An analysis of the lifecycle of polymers based on complete material-flow analysis of technological applications
    • Probabilistic emission factors based on use of probabilistic material flow analysis (PMFA) pioneered by project partners

    The end-product will be a framework for generating emission factors, applied to a broad range of polymer types, which will be ready for use in environmental exposure models. The project will use previous work develop by Bernd Nowack’s team for Switzerland, here.

    Further details are available here.

    Professional Presentations

    N/A

    Published Papers

    N/A

  • Modeling fragmentation of micro- and nano-plastics in the environment

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    Principal Investigator

    • Dr. Claus Svendsen
      UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology

    Collaborators

    • Dr. Wendel Wohlleben
      BASF
      (Germany)
    • Dr. Antonia Praetorius
      University of Amsterdam
      (The Netherlands)
    • Dr. Prof Mark R Wiesner
      Duke University
      (US)

    Timeline

    October 2021 to June 2024

    Additional Information

    The ECO59 FRAGMENT-MNP (Micro and NanoPlastic FRAGMentation in the Environment) project applies physical chemistry, fluid mechanics, material science and data science to extend researchers’ experience with existing fragmentation theory. This is expected to provide a unified view of how key environmental factors affect degradation and fragmentation rates for polymer particles. The project has the following elements: bringing together a ‘cluster’ of projects being funded by Cefic-LRI to ensure interoperability and sharing of learnings; developing an open-source mechanistic model; and providing an experimental database of key parameters leveraging in-house databases, existing literature and targeted gap-filling experiments.

    Further details are available here.

    Professional Presentations

    Wohlleben W, Santizo K, Pfohl P, Harrison S, Cross R, Sipe JM, Wiesner M, Adediran G, Praetorius A, Catrouillet C, Lopez B, Scendsen C. Systematic comparison of environmental stresses (shear, humidity, UV, pH, temperature, enzymes) on microplastic fragmentation and release of nanoplastics and dissolved organics. SETAC Europe: May 2024. See details here.

    Sipe J, Lewis A, Santizo K, Pfohl P, Lopez B, Harrison S, Wohlleben W, Wiesner M, Ferguson PL. Breaking down Plastics: Can we predict fragmentation and release of microplastics into the environment: University of Arizona Seminar: October 2023.

    Santizo K, Pfohl P, Wohlleben W, Sipe JM, Wiesner M, Harrison S, Cross R, Adediran G, Praetorius A, Lopez B, Svendsen C. Systematic evaluation of fragmentation of five common synthetic polymers: Influence of photolysis, temperature and relative humidity on fragment size distribution and material characteristics. SETAC Europe: May 2023.

    Santizo K, Pfohl P, Wohlleben W, Sipe JM, Wiesner M, Harrison S, Cross R, Adediran G, Praetorius A, Lopez B, Svenden. Distinctions on fragmentation and degradation of six common microplastics from hydrolysis condition variations: Insights into pH, salinity and enzyme effects. SETAC Europe: May 2023.

    Sipe J, Lewis A, Santizo K, Pfohl P, Lopez B, Harrison S, Wohlleben W, Wiesner M, Ferguson PL. Breaking down the Plastic Problem: Can we predict how microplastics are fragmented and released. Brown University Seminar: March 2023.

    Published Papers

    N/A

  • Assessing long-range transport of microplastics

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    Principal Investigator

    • Dr. Antonia Praetorius
      University of Amsterdam
      (The Netherlands)

    Collaborators

    • Dr. Todd Gouin
      TG Environmental Research
      (UK)
    • Prof. Mick Whelan
      University of Leicester
      (UK)

    Timeline

    March 2019 to March 2021

    Additional Information

    The μPLANET modelling framework uses state-of-the art advances in multimedia environmental fate modelling, integrating knowledge of the fate and transport of microplastics and naturally-occurring particles with similar properties, and strengthening understanding of processes influencing long-range environmental transport. Objectives included: applying the microBETR global model to transfer of microplastics from coasts to open oceans; developing models of transfer from rivers to oceans; and devising long-range environmental transport metrics for evaluating and prioritizing microplastics. Project outputs were integrated into a flexible tool that could be integrated into the modeling framework developed by the UTOPIA project.

    Further details are available here.

    Professional Presentations

    Seijo M, Whelan M, Gouin T, Praetorius A. Beyond the Horizon: Unveling Transport Mechanisms and Residence Times of Atmospheric Micro- and Nanoplastics. SETAC Europe 2024. See details here.

    Published Papers

    N/A

  • Modelling microplastics in aquatic environments

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    Principal Investigator

    • Matthew MacLeod
      Stockholm University
      (Sweden)

    Collaborators

    • Dr. Antonia Praetorius
      University of Amsterdam
      (The Netherlands)
    • Dr. Prado Domercq
      Stockholm University
      (Sweden)
    • Dr. Sam Harrison
      Lancaster Environment Centre
      (UK)

    Timeline

    October 2021 to September 2024

    Additional Information

    The UTOPIA project set out to develop a global, open-source multimedia modeling platform to synthesize information on the environmental fate of microplastics. The platform is intended to:

    • Describe fate processes for microplastic with reference equations, including:
      • Movement between air, freshwater rivers and lakes and their underlying sediment, coastal marine areas and urban, agricultural and background soils
      • Fragmentation into smaller plastic particles
      • Association of microplastic and organic matter due to biofouling and aggregation
      • Chemical degradation into small organic molecules that do not have characteristics of plastics and can be biodegraded
    • Offer a user-friendly interface to allow non-experts to extract data on items of interest
    • Include a generic database of microplastic properties (such as size, density and shape), enabling the model’s use for scenario analysis
    • Have a modular design so that expert users can further develop and update the model
    • Provide a reference modeling platform for screening-level risk assessment, calculation of hazard indicators, and identification of knowledge gaps and drivers of uncertainty. This will support hypothesis generation for environmental monitoring and process studies

    More detail is available here.

    Professional Presentations

    del Prado Domercq M, MacLeod M, Praetorius A, Harrison S. UTOPIA: Advancing Microplastic Understanding Through-Based Mass-Balance Modeling. SETAC Europe 2024. Available May 2024.

    Published Papers

    MacLeod M, Domercq P, Harrison S, Praetorius A. Computational models to confront the complex pollution footprint of plastic in the environment. Nature Computational Science, 2023, 3, 486-494. DOI: 10.1038/s43588-023-00445-y. Available May 2024.

  • Modelling microplastics in aquatic environments

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    Principal Investigator

    • Matthew MacLeod
      Stockholm University
      (Sweden)

    Collaborators

    • Dr Antonia Praetorius
      University of Amsterdam
      (The Netherlands)
    • Dr Maria del Prado Domercq
      Stockholm University
      (Sweden)

    Timeline

    March 2019 to March 2021

    Additional Information

    Environmental fate models can provide exposure predictions, improve process understanding and evaluate future scenarios. Existing modelling approaches for engineered nanoparticles offer a suitable starting point for nano- and microplastic fate models. Adjustments are required to account for wider size range, typically lower density of plastic particles, and possible weathering and fragmentation. This project set out to extend models of the environmental fate and transport of nanoparticles to open-source models for microplastics in aquatic systems, hence the project name of Nano2Plast. Predicted environmental concentrations and distributions between environmental compartments were calculated using these models for various microplastics. The microplastics model will be used with an open-source model of a regional-scale river, and integrated into BETR Global, an open-source, global-scale multimedia contaminant fate model.

    Further details are available here.

    Professional Presentations

    Praetorius A, McLeod M. Fate and transport models for nano- and microplastics. SETAC Europe SciCon 30th Annual Meeting, May 2020, online. Available here

    Published Papers

    Domercq P, Praetorius A, MacLeod M. The Full Multi: An open-source framework for modelling the transport and fate of nano- and microplastics in aquatic systems. Environmental Modelling & Software, Volume 148, 2022, 105291, ISSN 1364-8152. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envsoft.2021.105291. Available here.

  • 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

  • Assessing microplastic deposition in sediment cores from a contiguous water system (microDETECT)

    April 16, 2024

    Researchers / Institutional Affiliations

    Principal Investigator

    • Andy Booth
      Chief Scientist
      SINTEF Ocean
      (Trondheim, Norway)

    Collaborators

    • J.K. Patterson Edward
      Director
      Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute
      (Tamil Nadu, India)
    • Stefania Piarulli
      Researcher
      SINTEF Ocean
      (Trondheim, Norway)
    • Astrid Strunk
      Post-doctoral Researcher
      Lund University (Lund, Sweden)
    • Jamila Patterson
      Professor
      Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute
      (Tamil Nadu, India)
    • Stephan Kubowicz
      Senior Researcher
      SINTEF Industry
      (Trondheim, Norway)
    • Lisbet Sørensen
      Senior Researcher
      SINTEF Ocean
      (Trondheim, Norway)
    • R.L. Laju
      Assistant Professor
      Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute (Tamil Nadu, India)
    • K. Immaculate Jeyasanta
      Assistant Professor
      Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute
      (Tamil Nadu, India)
    • Navamani Gladwin Gnana Asir
      Assistant Professor
      Suganthi Devadason Marine Research Institute
      (Tamil Nadu, India)

    Timeline

    The project runs from early 2024 to early 2026 (24 months).

    Additional information

    It will assess how the composition and abundance of transported MP have changed over time by determining deposition rates in riverine, estuarine and marine sediment cores collected from multiple sampling sites, as well as the contribution from different anthropogenic sources along the contiguous water system.

    Professional Presentations

    N/A

    Published Papers

    N/A

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