A critical review of environmental factors influencing the transport dynamics of microplastics in riverine systems: implications for ecological studies
- Owowenu, Enahora K, Nnadozie, Chika F, Akamagwuna, Frank C, Noundou, Xavier S, Uku, Jude E, Odume, Oghenekaro N
- Authors: Owowenu, Enahora K , Nnadozie, Chika F , Akamagwuna, Frank C , Noundou, Xavier S , Uku, Jude E , Odume, Oghenekaro N
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/484452 , vital:78907 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-023-10029-7
- Description: Microplastics (MPs) in rivers present an ecological risk. In this paper, we review hydro-geomorphological, biological, and allochthonous factors that may influence the distribution and transport of MPs in riverine systems. We also review MPs characteristics that may impact their distribution and transport. At the reach scale, hydraulic biotopes and their key features such as flow velocity, bed roughness, depth, and channel morphology are important features that shape the distribution and transport of MPs in riverine systems and should be considered in the design of MPs studies. Microbial-MPs interaction may impact MPs density, aggregation and thus transport dynamics. Instream vegetation may act as a physical trap of MPs, which may impact their horizontal transport and aggregation. Lateral transport of MPs is impacted mostly by precipitation, run-off, point and non-point discharges. The polymer density, size and shapes of MPs are critical factors that influence their transport dynamics in riverine systems. Microplastic sampling protocols should be designed to reflect hydro-geomorphological considerations. The unique interaction of MPs physical characteristics and hydraulic biotopes creates differential exposure of riverine organisms to MPs and should be used to unravel potential impacts. Biomonitoring studies should integrate the complex MPs-hydraulic interaction for ecologically meaningful investigation into organismal exposure to MPs in their preferred biotopes. Overall, our review indicates the influences of hydro-geomorphological features on the transport dynamics of MPs and their ecological significance for the study of MPs in rivers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023
- Authors: Owowenu, Enahora K , Nnadozie, Chika F , Akamagwuna, Frank C , Noundou, Xavier S , Uku, Jude E , Odume, Oghenekaro N
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/484452 , vital:78907 , https://doi.org/10.1007/s10452-023-10029-7
- Description: Microplastics (MPs) in rivers present an ecological risk. In this paper, we review hydro-geomorphological, biological, and allochthonous factors that may influence the distribution and transport of MPs in riverine systems. We also review MPs characteristics that may impact their distribution and transport. At the reach scale, hydraulic biotopes and their key features such as flow velocity, bed roughness, depth, and channel morphology are important features that shape the distribution and transport of MPs in riverine systems and should be considered in the design of MPs studies. Microbial-MPs interaction may impact MPs density, aggregation and thus transport dynamics. Instream vegetation may act as a physical trap of MPs, which may impact their horizontal transport and aggregation. Lateral transport of MPs is impacted mostly by precipitation, run-off, point and non-point discharges. The polymer density, size and shapes of MPs are critical factors that influence their transport dynamics in riverine systems. Microplastic sampling protocols should be designed to reflect hydro-geomorphological considerations. The unique interaction of MPs physical characteristics and hydraulic biotopes creates differential exposure of riverine organisms to MPs and should be used to unravel potential impacts. Biomonitoring studies should integrate the complex MPs-hydraulic interaction for ecologically meaningful investigation into organismal exposure to MPs in their preferred biotopes. Overall, our review indicates the influences of hydro-geomorphological features on the transport dynamics of MPs and their ecological significance for the study of MPs in rivers.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023
Microplastics as vectors of chemical contaminants and biological agents in freshwater ecosystems: Current knowledge status and future perspectives
- Tumwesigye, Edgar, Nnadozie, Chika F, Akamagwuna, Frank C, Noundou, Xavier S, Nyakairu, George W A, Odume, Oghenekaro N
- Authors: Tumwesigye, Edgar , Nnadozie, Chika F , Akamagwuna, Frank C , Noundou, Xavier S , Nyakairu, George W A , Odume, Oghenekaro N
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/484484 , vital:78917 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121829
- Description: Microplastics (MPs) are becoming ubiquitous, and their environmental fate is becoming an issue of concern. Our review aims to synthesize current knowledge status and provide future perspectives regarding the vector effect of MPs for chemical contaminants and biological agents. The evidence in the literature indicates that MPs are a vector for persistent organic pollutants (POPs), metals and pharmaceuticals. Concentrations of chemical contaminant in orders of six-fold higher on MPs surfaces than in the surrounding environmental waters have been reported. Chemical pollutants such as perfluoroalkyl substances (PAFSs), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), exhibiting polarities in the range of 3.3–9 are the commonest chemicals reported on MP surfaces. Regarding metals on MPs including chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), the presence of C–O and N–H in MPs promote a relatively high adsorption of these metals onto MP surfaces. Regarding pharmaceuticals, not much has been done, but a few studies indicate that commonly used drugs such as ibuprofen, ibuprofen, diclofenac, and naproxen have been associated with MPs. There is sufficient evidence supporting the claim that MPs can act as vectors for viruses, bacterial and antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes, and MPs act to accelerate horizontal and vertical gene transfer. An area that deserves urgent attention is whether MPs can act as vectors for invertebrates and vertebrates, mainly non-native, invasive freshwater species. Despite the ecological significance of invasive biology, little research has been done in this regard. Overall, our review summarises the state of the current knowledge, identifies critical research gaps and provides perspectives for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023
- Authors: Tumwesigye, Edgar , Nnadozie, Chika F , Akamagwuna, Frank C , Noundou, Xavier S , Nyakairu, George W A , Odume, Oghenekaro N
- Date: 2023
- Subjects: To be catalogued
- Language: English
- Type: text , article
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10962/484484 , vital:78917 , https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121829
- Description: Microplastics (MPs) are becoming ubiquitous, and their environmental fate is becoming an issue of concern. Our review aims to synthesize current knowledge status and provide future perspectives regarding the vector effect of MPs for chemical contaminants and biological agents. The evidence in the literature indicates that MPs are a vector for persistent organic pollutants (POPs), metals and pharmaceuticals. Concentrations of chemical contaminant in orders of six-fold higher on MPs surfaces than in the surrounding environmental waters have been reported. Chemical pollutants such as perfluoroalkyl substances (PAFSs), hexachlorocyclohexane (HCHs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), exhibiting polarities in the range of 3.3–9 are the commonest chemicals reported on MP surfaces. Regarding metals on MPs including chromium (Cr), lead (Pb), cobalt (Co), the presence of C–O and N–H in MPs promote a relatively high adsorption of these metals onto MP surfaces. Regarding pharmaceuticals, not much has been done, but a few studies indicate that commonly used drugs such as ibuprofen, ibuprofen, diclofenac, and naproxen have been associated with MPs. There is sufficient evidence supporting the claim that MPs can act as vectors for viruses, bacterial and antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes, and MPs act to accelerate horizontal and vertical gene transfer. An area that deserves urgent attention is whether MPs can act as vectors for invertebrates and vertebrates, mainly non-native, invasive freshwater species. Despite the ecological significance of invasive biology, little research has been done in this regard. Overall, our review summarises the state of the current knowledge, identifies critical research gaps and provides perspectives for future research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2023
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