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A growing number of studies have confirmed that microplastics (MPs) contamination represents a worrisome issue of global concern. MPs have been detected in the atmosphere, in aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, as well as in the biota. Moreover, MPs have been recently detected in some food products and in drinking water. However, only limited information is currently available for beverages, although they are largely consumed by humans and might contribute to the ingestion of MPs. Thus, estimating the contamination in beverages represents a crucial step in assessing human MP ingestion. The aim of the present study was to explore the presence of MPs in nonalcoholic beverages, namely soft drinks and cold tea, of different brands purchased in supermarkets and to estimate the contribution of beverage consumption to MP ingestion by humans. The results of the present study confirmed the presence of MPs, mainly fibers, in most of the analyzed beverages, with a mean (± SEM) number of 9.19 ± 1.84 MPs/L. In detail, the number of MPs detected in soft drinks and cold tea was 9.94 ± 0.33 MPs/L and 7.11 ± 2.62 MPs/L, respectively. Our findings confirmed that beverage consumption can be considered one of the main pathways for MP ingestion by humans.

Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the most favorable polymer used as packaging material (e.g., drinking water bottle). PET items continue to be marketed for four decades but their uncorrect disposal represents an underestimated environmental problem. Moreover, in the environment PET can be degraded by diverse environmental factors, resulting in the formation of PET microplastics (PET-µPs). Microplastics, plastic particles < 5 mm, represent a major concern in the marine ecosystems because they are the predominant form of plastic debris and are small enough to be ingested by and potentially threathen marine organisms. Several monitoring studies have demonstrated the presence of PET-µPs in marine sediments and their ingestion in diverse marine species worldwide. However, there is a dearth of information on PET-µPs potential ecotoxicity. This study aimed at exploring the ingestion and potential effects on oxidative status (i.e., pro-oxidant production, modulation of antioxidant enzyme activity and oxidative damage) caused by a 7-days exposure to two concentrations (0.125 and 12.5 µg/mL) of PET-µPs in the clam Ruditapes philippinarum. Although PET-µPs were efficiently ingested and egested by clams, null or negligible effects on oxidative status were found, suggesting a low risk towards our model species, at least at the tested concentrations and for short-term exposure periods.

The present work aimed at decorating halloysite nanotubes (HNT) with magnetic Fe

A growing number of studies has shown that the exposure to microplastics (MPs) of different polymeric compositions can induce diverse adverse effects towards several aquatic species. The vast majority of such studies has been focused on the effects induced by the administration of MPs made by polystyrene (PS; hereafter PS-MPs). However, despite the increase in the knowledge on the potential toxicity of PS-MPs, there is a dearth of information concerning their role in affecting energy resources and/or their allocation. The present study aimed at exploring the impact of 21-days exposure to three concentrations (0.125, 1.25 and 12.5 μg mL

Microplastics are increasingly pervasive pollutants, particularly abundant in the neuston where they drift with currents. We assessed dietary microplastic ingestion in the Mediterranean storm petrel (Hydrobates pelagicus melitensis), a small pelagic seabird that forages on plankton and inhabit the Mediterranean sea, one of the most polluted seas worldwide. We collected spontaneous regurgitates from 30 chick-rearing individuals and used GPS tracking data from 7 additional individuals to locate foraging areas. Birds foraged in pelagic areas characterized by water stirring and mixing, and regurgitates from 14 individuals (i.e. 45 %) contained microplastics. Fibers were the dominant shape (56 %), with polyester, polyethylene and nylon being the most frequent polymers. Our findings highlight the potential sensitivity of this species of conservation interest to plastic pollution and suggest that storm petrel regurgitates can be a valuable matrix to investigate microplastic ingestion in planktonic foragers, providing a characterization of spatio-temporal patterns of microplastic exposure in pelagic environments.

Microplastic (MP) contamination is ubiquitous and widespread in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, including remote areas. However, information on the presence and distribution of MPs in high-mountain ecosystems, including glaciers, is still limited. The present study aimed at investigating presence, spatial distribution, and patterns of contamination of MPs on three glaciers of the Ortles-Cevedale massif (Central Alps, Northern Italy) with different anthropic pressures, i.e., the Forni, Cedec and Ebenferner-Vedretta Piana glaciers. Samples of supraglacial debris were randomly collected from the glaciers and MPs were isolated. The mean amount (±SE) of MPs measured in debris from Forni, Cedec and Ebenferner-Vedretta Piana glaciers was 0.033 ± 0.007, 0.025 ± 0.009, and 0.265 ± 0.027 MPs g−1 dry weight, respectively. The level and pattern of MP contamination from the Ebenferner-Vedretta Piana glacier were significantly different from those of the other glaciers. No significant spatial gradient in MP distribution along the ablation areas of the glaciers was observed, suggesting that MPs do not accumulate toward the glacier snout. Our results confirmed that local contamination can represent a relevant source of MPs in glacier ecosystems experiencing high anthropic pressure, while long-range transport can be the main source on other glaciers.

Cocaine (COC) and its main metabolite, the benzoylecgonine (BE), are the main illicit drugs measured in aquatic system worldwide, with concentrations up to hundreds of ng/L. Although their current environmental concentrations are low these molecules can induce adverse effects at sub-individual level in non-target organisms. In contrast, the information at individual and behavioral level are still scant. The present study aimed at investigating biochemical and behavioral effects induced by 14-days exposure to environmentally relevant concentrations (50 ng/L and 500 ng/L) of COC and BE towards Procambarus clarkii. At sub-individual level, the activity of antioxidant and detoxifying (superoxide dismutase - SOD, catalase - CAT, glutathione peroxidase - GPx and glutathione S-transferases - GST) enzymes, as well as the levels of lipid peroxidation (LPO), were measured as oxidative stress-related endpoints. We also measured the acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity to check for neurotoxic effect of COC and BE. At individual level, the modulation of some behavioral tasks (i.e., response to external stimuli, changes in feeding activity and exploration of a new environment) were assessed. Although both COC and BE exposure did not induce an oxidative stress situation, a significant inhibition of AChE activity was noted, resulting in behavioral changes in crayfish exposed to COC only. Crayfish exposed to the higher COC concentration showed an increase in the boldness and a decrease in the feeding activity, suggesting that COC may act according to its psychotropic mode of action.

The presence and potential toxicity of nanoplastics (NPs) in aquatic ecosystems is an issue of growing concern. Although many studies have investigated the adverse effects of short-term exposure to high concentrations of NPs to aquatic organisms, the information on the consequences caused by the administration of low NPs concentrations over long-term exposure is limited. The present study aimed at investigating the effects induced by a long-term exposure (21-days) to two sub-lethal concentrations of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs; 0.05 and 0.5 µg/mL) on Daphnia magna. A multi-level approach was performed to assess potential sub-individual (i.e., molecular and biochemical) and individual (i.e., behavioural) adverse effects. At molecular level, the modulation of the expression of genes involved in antioxidant defence, response to stressful conditions and specific physiological pathways was investigated. Oxidative stress (i.e., the amount of pro-oxidants, the activity of antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes and lipid peroxidation) and energetic (i.e., protein, carbohydrate, lipid and total caloric content) biomarkers were applied to assess effects at the biochemical level, while swimming activity was measured to monitor changes in individual behavior. Although the 21-days exposure to PS-NPs induced a slight modulation of gene involved in oxidative stress response, biochemical analyses showed that D. magna individuals did not experience an oxidative stress condition. Significant changes in energy reserves of individuals exposed for 21 days to both the PS-NPs concentrations were observed, but no alterations of swimming activity occurred. Our results highlighted that the exposure to low concentrations of PS-NPs could pose a limited risk to D. magna individuals and suggested the importance of a multi-level approach to assess the risks of NPs on aquatic organisms.

The environmental accumulation of plastic wastes has become one of the most discussed topics in the scientific community. The development of new strategies to tackle this issue is of crucial importance, and different approaches are being investigated to effectively reduce plastic waste generated by improper or inefficient disposal. In addition to the efforts addressing the development of biodegradable plastics, the research is currently focused on the development of innovative recycling approaches. Indeed, although most plastic materials are potentially recyclable, only 15% of the worldwide plastic waste is currently recycled, while the remaining 85% is usually incinerated to recover thermal energy or landfilled. The hurdles to efficient recycling come from improper management of end-of-life plastic goods. Moreover, the highly heterogeneous nature and versatility of plastic and polymeric materials have led to the development of multilayered materials, composites, blends and many other different species, whose management and/or reprocessing to yield high-value products is extremely challenging. Thus, although these materials are extremely valuable from an industrial point of view, they add a high degree of complexity to the recycling process because each one of them is different from the other, but they cannot be separated efficiently. The aim of the present review is to return a comprehensive overview of environmental and management issues related to the complex and heterogeneous mixture of plastic waste that is generated at the end of the sorting procedures in Italian plastic recycling plants, the so-called ‘Plasmix’. This review lists the difficulties and limitations related to the management of non-recyclable Plasmix and highlights the strategies for the proper, sustainable and valuable use of this plastic waste.