Microplastics in urban New Jersey freshwaters: distribution, chemical identification, and biological affects

B. Ravit; K. Cooper; G. Moreno; B. Buckley; I. Yang; A. Deshpande; S. Meola; D. Jones; A. Hsieh; B. Ravit; K. Cooper; G. Moreno; B. Buckley; I. Yang; A. Deshpande; S. Meola; D. Jones; A. Hsieh

doi:10.3934/environsci.2017.6.809

AIMS Environmental Science

2017, Volume 4, Issue 6: 809-826. doi: 10.3934/environsci.2017.6.809

Previous Article Next Article

Research article

Microplastics in urban New Jersey freshwaters: distribution, chemical identification, and biological affects

1.
Department of Environmental Sciences, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ
2.
Department of Biochemistry and Microbiology, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ
3.
Graduate Program in Biochemistry and Microbiology, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ
4.
Environmental and Occupational Health Sciences Institute, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, Piscataway, NJ
5.
NOAA Fisheries, James J. Howard Marine Sciences Laboratory, Sandy Hook, NJ
6.
NY/NJ Baykeeper, 52 W. Front St., Keyport, NJ
7.
Undergraduate Program in Environmental Sciences, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ

Received: 21 July 2017 Accepted: 20 November 2017 Published: 27 December 2017

This proof of concept study was undertaken to test methodologies to characterize potential environmental risk associated with the presence of microplastics in surface waters. The goals of the study were to determine whether urban New Jersey freshwaters contained microplastic pollutants, and if so, to test analytic techniques that could potentially identify chemical compounds associated with this pollution. A third objective was to test whether identified associated compounds might have physiological effects on an aquatic organism. Using field collected microplastic samples obtained from the heavily urbanized Raritan and Passaic Rivers in New Jersey, microplastic densities, types, and sizes at 15 sampling locations were determined. Three types of plastic polymers were identified using pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography (Pyr-GC/MS). Samples were further characterized using solid phase micro extraction coupled with headspace gas chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/ITMS) to identify organic compounds associated with the: (i) solid microplastic fraction, and (ii) site water fraction. Identical retention times for GC peaks found in both fractions indicated compounds can move between the two phases, potentially available for uptake by aquatic biota in the dissolved phase. Patterns of tentatively identified compounds were similar to patterns obtained in Pyr-GC/MS. Embryonic zebrafish exposed to PyCG/MS- identified pure polymers in the 1–10 ppm range exhibited altered growth and heart defects. Using two analytic methods (SPME GC/MS and Pyr-GC/MS) allows unambiguous identification of compounds associated with microplastic debris and characterization of the major plastic type(s). Specific “fingerprint” patterns can categorize the class of plastics present in a waterbody and identify compounds associated with the particles. This technique can also be used to identify compounds detected in biota that may be the result of ingesting plastics or plastic-associated compounds.
- plastic pollution,
- SPME-GC-ITMS,
- pyrolysis,
- polymer,
- surface waters,
- Danio rerio,
- zebrafish,
- persistent organic pollutant
Citation: B. Ravit, K. Cooper, G. Moreno, B. Buckley, I. Yang, A. Deshpande, S. Meola, D. Jones, A. Hsieh. Microplastics in urban New Jersey freshwaters: distribution, chemical identification, and biological affects[J]. AIMS Environmental Science, 2017, 4(6): 809-826. doi: 10.3934/environsci.2017.6.809

Related Papers:

Abstract

This proof of concept study was undertaken to test methodologies to characterize potential environmental risk associated with the presence of microplastics in surface waters. The goals of the study were to determine whether urban New Jersey freshwaters contained microplastic pollutants, and if so, to test analytic techniques that could potentially identify chemical compounds associated with this pollution. A third objective was to test whether identified associated compounds might have physiological effects on an aquatic organism. Using field collected microplastic samples obtained from the heavily urbanized Raritan and Passaic Rivers in New Jersey, microplastic densities, types, and sizes at 15 sampling locations were determined. Three types of plastic polymers were identified using pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography (Pyr-GC/MS). Samples were further characterized using solid phase micro extraction coupled with headspace gas chromatography/ion trap mass spectrometry (HS-SPME-GC/ITMS) to identify organic compounds associated with the: (i) solid microplastic fraction, and (ii) site water fraction. Identical retention times for GC peaks found in both fractions indicated compounds can move between the two phases, potentially available for uptake by aquatic biota in the dissolved phase. Patterns of tentatively identified compounds were similar to patterns obtained in Pyr-GC/MS. Embryonic zebrafish exposed to PyCG/MS- identified pure polymers in the 1–10 ppm range exhibited altered growth and heart defects. Using two analytic methods (SPME GC/MS and Pyr-GC/MS) allows unambiguous identification of compounds associated with microplastic debris and characterization of the major plastic type(s). Specific “fingerprint” patterns can categorize the class of plastics present in a waterbody and identify compounds associated with the particles. This technique can also be used to identify compounds detected in biota that may be the result of ingesting plastics or plastic-associated compounds.

References

[1]	Gregory MR (1996) Plastic 'scrubbers' in hand cleansers: a further (and minor) source for marine pollution identified. Mar Pollut Bull 32: 867-871. doi: 10.1016/S0025-326X(96)00047-1
[2]	Thompson RC, Olsen Y, Mitchell RP, et al. (2004) Lost at Sea: where is all the plastic? Science 304: 838. doi: 10.1126/science.1094559
[3]	Cole M, Lindeque P, Halsband C, et al. (2011) Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment: A review. Mar Pollut Bull 62: 2588-2597. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2011.09.025
[4]	Law KL, Thompson RC (2014) Microplastics in the seas. Science 345: 144-145. doi: 10.1126/science.1254065
[5]	Moore CJ, Lattin GL, Zellers AF (2011) Quantity and type of plastic debris flowing from two urban rivers to coastal waters and beaches of southern California. J Int Coast Zone Manage 11: 65-73.
[6]	Free CM, Jensen OP, Mason SA, et al. (2014) High levels of microplastic pollution in a large, remote, mountain lake. Mar Pollut Bull 85: 156-163. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2014.06.001
[7]	McCormick A, Hoellein TJ, Mason SA, et al. (2014) Microplastic is an abundant and distinct microbial habitat in an urban river. Environ Sci Technol 48: 11863-11871. doi: 10.1021/es503610r
[8]	Schneiderman ET (2014) Unseen Threat: How Microbeads Harm New York Waters, Wildlife, Health and Environment. Office of the Attorney General of the State of New York. Available from: https://ag.ny.gov/pdfs/Microbeads_Report_5_14_14.pdf.
[9]	Eerkes-Medrano D, Thomson RC, Aldridge DC (2015) Microplastics in freshwater systems: A review of the emerging threats, identification of knowledge gaps and prioritization of research needs. Water Res 75: 63-82. doi: 10.1016/j.watres.2015.02.012
[10]	Napper IE, Bakir A, Rowland SJ, et al. (2015) Characterisation, quantity and sorptive properties of microplastics extracted from cosmetics. Mar Pollut Bull 99: 178-185. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2015.07.029
[11]	Rochman CM, Kross SM, Armstrong JB, et al. (2015) Scientific evidence supports a ban on microbeads. Environ Sci Technol 49: 10759-10761. doi: 10.1021/acs.est.5b03909
[12]	Mason SA, Garneau D, Sutton R, et al. (2016) Microplastic pollution is widely detected in US municipal wastewater treatment plant effluent. Environ Pollut 218: 1045-1054. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2016.08.056
[13]	Fendall LS, Sewell MA (2009) Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face: Microplastics in facial cleansers. Mar Pollut Bull 58: 1225-1228. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2009.04.025
[14]	Estahbanati S, Fahrenfeld NL (2016) Influence of wastewater treatment plant discharges on microplastic concentrations in surface water. Chemosphere 162: 277-284. doi: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2016.07.083
[15]	Carr SA (2017) Sources and dispersive modes of micro-fibers in the environment. Int Environ Assess Manage 13: 466-469.
[16]	Yonkos LT, Friedel EA, Perez-Reyes AC, et al. (2014) Microplastics in four estuarine rivers in the Chesapeake Bay, U.S.A. Environ Sci Technol 48: 14195-14202. doi: 10.1021/es5036317
[17]	Hoellein TJ, Rojas M, Pink A, et al. (2014) Anthropogenic litter in urban freshwater ecosystems: Distribution and microbial interactions. PLoS One 9: e98485. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0098485
[18]	Dris R, Gasperi J, Rocher V, et al. 2015. Microplastic contamination in an urban area: a case study in Greater Paris. Environ Chem 12: 592-599.
[19]	Eriksen M, Mason S, Wilson S, et al. (2013) Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of the Laurentian Great Lakes. Mar Pollut Bull 77: 177-182. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2013.10.007
[20]	Wagner M, Scherer C, Alvarez-Munoz D, et al. (2014) Microplastics in freshwater ecosystems: what we know and what we need to know. Environ Sci Europe 26: 12. doi: 10.1186/s12302-014-0012-7
[21]	Browne MA, Dissanayake GTS, Lowe DM, et al. (2008) Ingested microscopic plastic translocates to the circulatory system of the mussel, Mytilus edulis (L). Environ Sci Technol 42: 5026-5031. doi: 10.1021/es800249a
[22]	Farrell P, Nelson K (2013) Trophic level transfer of microplastic: Mytilus edulis (L.) to Carcinus maenas (L.). Environ Pollut 177: 1-3.
[23]	Wright SL, Thompson RC, Galloway TS (2013) The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms: A review. Environ Pollut 178: 483-492. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2013.02.031
[24]	Auta HS, Emenike CU, Fauziah SH (2017) Distribution and importance of microplastics in the marine environment: A review of the sources, fate, effects, and potential solutions. Environ Intern 102: 165-176. doi: 10.1016/j.envint.2017.02.013
[25]	Lusher AL, McHugh M, Tompson RC (2013) Occurance of microplastics in the gastrointestinal track of pelagic and demersal fish from the English Channel. Mar Pollut Bull 67: 94-99. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2012.11.028
[26]	Rochman CM, Hah E, Kurobe T, et al. (2013) Ingested plastic transfers hazardous chemicals to fish and induces hepatic stress. Sci Rep 3: 1-7.
[27]	Sanchez W, Bender C, Porcher JM (2014) Wild gudgeons (Gobio gobio) from French rivers are contaminated by microplastics: Preliminary study and first evidence. Environ Res 128: 98-100. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2013.11.004
[28]	Van Cauwenberghe L, Janssen CR (2014) Microplastics in bivalves cultured for human consumption. Environ Pollut 193: 65-70. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2014.06.010
[29]	Teuten EL, Rowland SJ, Galloway TS, et al. (2007) Potential for plastics to transport hydrophobic contaminants. Environ Sci Technol 41: 7759-7764. doi: 10.1021/es071737s
[30]	Rochman CM, Hoh E, Hentschel BT, et al. (2013) Long-term field measurements of sorption of organic contaminants to five types of plastic pellets: implications for plastic marine debris. Environ Sci Technol 47: 1646-1654.
[31]	Bakir A, Rowland SJ, Thompson RC (2014) Transport of persistent organic pollutants by microplastics in estuarine conditions. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 140: 14-21. doi: 10.1016/j.ecss.2014.01.004
[32]	Potthoff A, Oelschlägel K, Schmitt-Jansen M, et al. (2017) From the sea to the laboratory: Characterization of microplastic as prerequisite for the assessment of ecotoxicological impact. Int Environ Assess Manage 13: 500-504. doi: 10.1002/ieam.1902
[33]	Wistendahl WA (1958) The flood plain of the Raritan River. Ecol Monogr 28: 129-153. doi: 10.2307/1942206
[34]	Newcomb DJ, Stanuikynas TJ, Van Abs DJ (2000) Setting of the Raritan River Basin: a Technical Report for the Raritan Basin Watershed Management Project. Available from: https://rucore.libraries.rutgers.edu/rutgers-lib/33248/.
[35]	Aronson MFJ, Hatfield CA, Hartman JM (2004) Plant community patterns of low-gradient forested floodplains in a New Jersey urban landscape. J Torrey Bot Soc 131: 232-242. doi: 10.2307/4126953
[36]	Fries E, Dekiff JH, Willmeyer J, et al. (2013) Identification of polymer types and additives in marine microplastic particles using pyrolysis-GC/MS and scanning electron microscopy. Environ Sci: Processes Impacts 15: 1949-1956. doi: 10.1039/c3em00214d
[37]	Filella M (2015) Questions of size and numbers in environmental research on microplastics: methodological and conceptual aspects. Environ Chem 12: 527-538. doi: 10.1071/EN15012

Reader Comments

your name:*

Email:*
© 2017 the Author(s), licensee AIMS Press. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0)