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Although airborne urban particles are a concern for air quality and human health, little information exists on the levels and characteristics of microplastics (MPs) and microrubbers (MRs) in this setting. In the present study, MPs and MRs are quantified and characterised in road dusts and accumulations captured passively (and up to elevations of 177 cm above road level) in the steps of utility poles at 18 locations throughout the city of Shiraz, southwest Iran. Dust accumulation rates were greatest at road level (median = 45 g m

Although microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants, little is known about their occurrence and behavior in the terrestrial setting. In this study, MPs have been isolated from soils collected from various geomorphological features (yardangs, sand dunes, moving sands, seasonal lakes) of the Kavir and Lut Deserts on the Iranian plateau. The number of MPs identified in 300 g samples ranged from zero (not detected) in several yardang tops to 25 on some yardang hillsides, with an overall average abundance of about 0.02 MP g-1. The majority of MPs were of a fibrous nature with a size distribution (≤100 μm to ≥1000 μm) skewed toward the lower end, and analysis of a selection of particles by μ-Raman spectroscopy showed that polyethylene terephthalate and Nylon (polyamide) were the principal polymers. Scanning electron microscopy revealed intense degradation of some particles but limited weathering of others. With little evidence of meso- and macroplastics in the deserts, it appears that the majority of MPs are brought into these environments from distant sources via the wind, with smaller, seasonal contributions from runoff associated with the adjacent mountains. It is proposed that some windborne MPs are transported through the deserts relatively rapidly, while others are subject to internal recycling and significant photo-oxidation and mechanical weathering.

An efficient, reliable, and sensitive multiclass analytical method has been expanded to simultaneously determine 15 human pharmaceutical residues in fish and shrimp tissue samples by ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. The investigated compounds comprise ten classes, namely, analgesic, antibacterial, anticonvulsant, cardiovascular, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory, penicillins, stimulant, and sulfonamide. A simple liquid extraction procedure based on 0.1% formic acid in methanol was developed. Chromatographic conditions were optimized, and mobile phase A was 0.1% ammonium acetate, and mobile phase B was acetonitrile. The mobile phase's gradient program was as follows: 0-2 min, 15% B; 2-5 min, linear to 95% B; 5-10 min, 95% B; and 10-12 min. The limits of detection were from 0.017 to 1.371 μg/kg, while a quantification range was measured from 0.051 to 4.113 μg/kg. Finally, amoxicillin, azithromycin, caffeine, carbamazepine, ciprofloxacin, clarithromycin, diclofenac, erythromycin, furosemide, ibuprofen, ketoprofen, naproxen, sulfamethoxazole, tetracycline, and triclosan were quantifiable in fish and shrimp samples.

Samples of fresh snow (n = 34) have been collected from 29 locations in various urban and remote regions of northern Iran following a period of sustained snowfall and the thawed contents examined for microplastics (MPs) according to established techniques. MP concentrations ranged from undetected to 86 MP L−1 (mean and median concentrations ~20 MP and 12 MP L−1, respectively) and there was no significant difference in MP concentration between sample location type or between different depths of snow (or time of deposition) sampled at selected sites. Fibres were the dominant shape of MP and μ-Raman spectroscopy of selected samples revealed a variety of polymer types, with nylon most abundant. Scanning electron microscopy coupled with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis showed that some MPs were smooth and unweathered while others were more irregular and exhibited significant photo-oxidative and mechanical weathering as well as contamination by extraneous geogenic particles. These characteristics reflect the importance of both local and distal sources to the heterogeneous pool of MPs in precipitated snow. The mean and median concentrations of MPs in the snow samples were not dissimilar to the published mean and median concentrations for MPs in rainfall collected from an elevated location in southwest Iran. However, compared with rainfall, MPs in snow appear to be larger and more diverse in their shape and composition (and include rubber particulates), possibly because of the greater size but lower terminal velocities of snowflakes relative to raindrops. Snowfall represents a significant means by which MPs are scavenged from the atmosphere and transferred to soil and surface waters that warrants further attention.

Magnetic properties of root, bark, and leaf of mangrove (Avicenna marina) and sediment were determined for pollution assessment at three locations in the northern coast of the Persian Gulf. The study revealed that the sources of the particles deposited on leaf surfaces can be discriminated via saturation isothermal remanent magnetization (SIRM) values and heavy metal. However, different factors including wind direction, size of the magnetic particles and crown density, play a role using SIRM for biomonitoring of atmospheric particulate matter. For leaves, the significant correlations between SIRM and leaf elemental contents indicated that the deposited particles on their surface mainly have geogenic sources. The magnetic analyses revealed that leaves are more suitable than bark for monitoring atmospheric pollution using mangrove trees due to the effect of different factors including dense crown of trees, washing of tree trunk by sea waves, and elements translocation from roots and sediments. Instead, the positive and significant correlation between the SIRM values for sediments and mangrove roots, and no or negative correlation between sediments and roots with barks and leaves indicates that the magnetic properties of the sediments and mangrove roots are suitable indicators of pollution in aquatic environment.

Dust storms are common events in arid and semi-arid regions that have a wide range of impacts on the environment and human health. This study addresses the presence, characteristics and potential sources of microplastics (MPs) in such events by analysing MPs deposited with dust particles in the metropolis of Shiraz, southwest Iran, following an intense storm in May 2018. At 22 locations throughout the city, MP concentrations on a number basis ranged from 0.04 to 1.06 per g of dust (median = 0.31 MP g−1). Particles were mainly fibrous, with a mean diameter of about 20 μm and >60% under 100 μm in length, and polymer makeup was dominated by nylon, polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate. Examination of selected MPs by scanning electron microscopy revealed varying degrees of weathering and contamination by extraneous geogenic particles amongst the samples. Using published MP concentrations in urban dusts and remote, arid soils, we estimate that between about 0.1 and 5% of MPs deposited by the dust storm are derived from local sources within the metropolis, with the remainder arising from more distant sources. HYSPLIT modelling, satellite imagery and published geochemical signatures of regional dust particles suggest that the deserts of Saudi Arabia constitute the principal distal and transboundary source. Dust storms may represent a significant means by which MPs are transported and redistributed in arid and semi-arid environments and an important source of MPs to the oceans.

Microplastics (MPs) are contaminants of emerging concern that attracted the attention of researchers over the last decade. They can occur in saliva and stool, and on scalp hair together with skin. Further, MPs can end up in the human diet through seafood, honey, salt, and mineral water. They can be taken up into the plants' roots and lead to the occurrence of MPs in fruits and vegetables. Concentration of the airborne MPs was also reported in the environment. These pieces of evidence clarify that introduction of MPs to the human body through ingestion and inhalation routes should not be overlooked. Following oral exposure to MPs, hazardous chemicals can be released in the gastrointestinal tract leading to toxicity. Inhalation route deserves more attention due to the oxidative potential of the inhaled plastic particles. Although the major characteristics of MPs are being investigated, there are currently few regulations to control concentration of MPs in the environment and their human health impacts remained unclear indicating the need for further investigation. For instance, it is not clear if the present air quality limits for PM

Pharmaceutical residues and nanoplastic and microplastic particles as emerging pollutants in the aquatic environment are a subject of increasing concern in terms of the effect on water sources and marine organisms. There is lack of information about pharmaceutical-nanoplastic and pharmaceutical-microplastic mixtures. The present study aimed to investigate the fate and effect of pharmaceutical residues and nanoplastic and microplastic particles, the results of combinations of pharmaceutical residues with nanoplastic and microplastic particles, and toxic effects of pharmaceutical residues and nanoplastic and microplastic particles. Moreover, the objective was also to introduce analytical methods for pharmaceuticals, along with instrumental techniques for nanoplastic and microplastic particles in aquatic environments and organisms. PhAC alone can affect marine environments and aquatic organisms. When pharmaceutical residues combine with nanoplastic and microplastic particles, the rate of toxicity increases, and the result of this phenomenon constitutes this kind of pollutant in wastewater. Hence, the rate of mortality in organisms enhances. This study aimed to investigate the effect of pharmaceuticals residues and nanoplastic and microplastic particles, and a mixture of pharmaceutical residues and nanoplastic and microplastic particles in aquatic biota. Another object was survey methods for recognizing pharmaceutical residues and nanoplastic and microplastic particles. The findings show that pharmaceutical residues in organisms caused cell structure damage, inflammatory response, and nerve cell apoptosis. This study aimed to investigate the effect of microplastic particles in the human food chain and their impact on human health. Moreover, this review aims to present an innovative methodology based on comprehensive analytical techniques used to determine and identify pharmaceuticals adsorbed on nano- and microplastics in aquatic ecosystems. Finally, this review addresses the knowledge gaps and provides insights into future research strategies to better understand their interactions.

Pollution characteristics and associated ecological risks of PAHs in sediments from Brunei Bay, Brunei were investigated. The concentrations of ∑16 PAHs ranged from 826.7 to 2955.3 μg kg

Despite the significance of groundwater to the hydrological cycle and as a source of potable water, very little information exists on microplastics (MPs) in this environment. In the present study, MPs have been determined in ten well samples obtained from an alluvial aquifer in a semi-arid region (Shiraz, Iran) following filtration, digestion and inspection under a binocular microscope. A total of 96 MPs were identified, and concentrations ranged from 0.1 to 1.3 MP L

Microplastics and nanoplastics have a range of impacts on the aquatic environment and present major challenges to their mitigation and management. Their transport and fate depend on their composition, form, and the characteristics of the receiving environment. We explore the spatial and temporal dynamics of plastic particles in the world's second-largest hypersaline lake, combining information from microscopic, thermal gravimetric, and fractional methods. Studies on microplastic and nanoplastic pollution in these important environments are scarce, and there is limited understanding of their dynamics and fate. Our results for Urmia Lake (Iran) in 2016 and 2019 show a discrepancy in the composition and quantity of microplastics measured in river tributaries to the lake and the lake itself, suggesting an active microplastic sink. Potential sink mechanisms in hypersaline lakes are explored. The present study indicates that microplastics have different transport mechanisms and fate in these extreme environments, compared to lake and ocean environments.

In the middle of May 2018, an unprecedented dust storm occurred in the Shiraz metropolis. After the storm, several samples were collected from dust that settled around the city. These dust samples were analysed for potentially toxic elements (PTEs), rare earth elements (REEs), and radionuclides. This work is the first study that considered rare earth elements (REEs) for source identification and radionuclide contamination of Shiraz dust event. Hysplit model analysis and NASA and NOAA satellite maps illustrated that the air mass affecting Shiraz was moving mainly through the Saudi Arabian deserts. In addition, REE results of the dust that settled in Shiraz showed a trend similar to shale, sandstone, and especially Saudi Arabian soils. Ti/Al (0.01), Fe/Al (0.92), and Mg/Al (0.55) ratios and the values of LaN/SmN (0.91–0.98), GdN/YbN (1.8–2), LaN/YbN (1.7–1.9), HREE/LREE (0.52–0.6), Ce/Ce∗ (1.09–1.13), Eu/Eu∗ (1.03–1.18), Pr/Pr∗ (0.85–0.87), Gd/Gd∗ (1.1–1.15), and MREEs/MREE∗ (4.3–4.5) ratios provided insights into dust sources. These values indicated that Shiraz dust was affected by Asaluyeh and Iraq soils during transport and the main source of the dust that settled in Shiraz on the May 13, 2018 was Saudi Arabian soil. The concentrations of Mo, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni, Co, Mn, As, Cd, Ti, Al, Sc, and Fe in the settled dust were 0.24, 47.67, 67.33, 244, 70.27, 19.33, 664, 8.39, 0.65, 537.33, 40933.33, 11.54, and 37800 mg/kg, respectively. According to the enrichment factor (EF), coefficient variation, and Positive Matrix Factorization (PMF) model the Mo, Cu, Pb, Zn, and Cd mainly originated from exhaust emissions and industrial activities. The activity concentrations of the radionuclides 7Be, 4 K, 137Cs, and 235U in the Shiraz-settled dust were 814, 421, 14, and 5.4 Bq kg−1, respectively and the activity concentration of 4 K was higher than the crustal average. Health risk assessment indices for the elements considering all three pathways revealed the following trend: dermal contact (HQderm)< inhalation (HQinh)< ingestion (HQing). The values of HQinh and HQing for children were higher than adults, while the values for the skin adsorption pathway for adults were higher than for children.

The objectives of the current study are to investigate the concentration, biological risks, chemical speciation, and mobility of of heavy metals and also the determination of their distribution, physicochemical characteristics, and abundance of microplastics in coastal sediments and edible bivalves in the Persian Gulf, the coastal area of Hormozgan Province. Sampling points were selected considering the location of industrial, urban and Hara forest protected areas. In November 2017, a total of 18 sediment samples from coastal sediments (top 0-10 cm) and the most consumed bivalve species in the region were collected from two stations, Lengeh and Bandar Abbas Ports. The average concentration of heavy metals (except for Ni and Cd) in the sediments were lower than their average shale and the upper continental crust. Enrichment factors revealed significant enrichment of Ni, Mn, Cr, Cd and As. The fractionation of heavy metals using the Community Bureau of Reference (BCR) sequential extraction scheme indicated the high bioavailability of Zn, As, Mn, and Co. In general, the highest concentration of Mo, Cd, Pb, Zn, Cr, Cu, Mn, Hg, and Sb was detected in areas with frequent human activities including Shahid Rajaee Port, Shahid Bahonar Port, and Tavanir station. Shahid Rajaee and Shahid Bahonar Ports are the most important ports on the coast of Hormozgan province. The Risk Assessment Code calculated for the study elements indicates that As, Co, Zn, and Cu pose a moderate environmental risk a threat to the aquatic biota. Health risks of most heavy metals arising from bivalves consumption were safe, except for As which is associated with the high target cancer risk values. With reference to the type of microplastics found, they were mainly fibeours with lengths ranging between 100 and 250 μm in sediments and bivalves. Most of the microfibers found in the sediments were made of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP), and the fibers found in the bivalves were made of PP. [Abstract copyright: Crown Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.]

The current study is the intented to investigate the intensity of pollution, source characterization, oxidative potential, and human health risks of fourteen potentially toxic elements in the street dust of the Middle East oldest oil refinery zone. Thirty five street dust samples were collected from various regions in Abadan and Khorramshahr cities. The mean concentration of As, Mo, Cu, Pb, Hg, Zn, Cd, and Sb in Abadan street dust were 5.55, 3.39, 83.68, 49.82, 4493.54, 281.24, 1.15,and 1.17, while in Khorramshahr As, Mo, Cu, Pb, Hg, Zn, Cd, and Sb were.14, 2.58, 74.35, 56.50, 0.74, 214.26, 0.62, and 1.18, respectively. The concentration of these elements in both cities is higher than the local background values. Potential ecological risk index and pollution load index at all stations of both cities are greater than 1, indicating a high pollution load in the study area. Calculated enrichment factor showed high enrichment of Hg, Sb, Cd, Mo, Cu, Pb, and Zn in both areas. Of particular concern is the enrichment factor for mercury which proved to be 3370.54 ppb in the vicinity of the petrochemical unit in Abadan city (EF > 40). The results of positive matrix factorization receptor model together with geochemical maps and multivariate statistics indicated that industrial activities (especially petrochemical industries) are responsible for Hg, Cu, and Zn pollution, while exhaust emissions are responsible for Mo, Pb, Cd, and Sb, and natural sources for Al, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, and Ni. The percentage of OPAA in the region ranged from 15.1 to 26.4 and OPGSH ranged from 9.5 to 24.4. The percentage of OPTOTAL/μg (OPAA/μg + OPGSH/μg) values varied between 0.6 and 1. The health risk evaluation models indicated that specific attention should be paid to Hg, Cd, Pb, and Zn and that the higher oxidative potential of street dust recovered from polluted locations is also a matter of concern in Abadan and Khorramshahr Cities.

Commercially-important species of fish and a crustacean from four sites in the Musa estuary and a site in the Persian Gulf have been analysed for the presence and location of microplastics (MPs). A total of 828 MPs were detected in the guts (gastrointestinal tracts), skin, muscle, gills and liver of demersal and pelagic fish (Platycephalus indicus, Saurida tumbil, Sillago sihama, Cynoglossus abbreviatus) from all five sites and in the exoskeleton and muscle of the tiger prawn, Penaeus semisulcatus, from three sites. On an individual basis, MPs were most abundant in P. indicus (mean = 21.8) and least frequently encountered in P. semisulcatus (mean = 7.8), but when normalized on a mass basis, MPs ranged from 0.16 g-1 for C. abbreviatus to 1.5 g-1 for P. semisulcatus. Microscopic analyses (polarized light, fluorescence, SEM/EDS) revealed that MPs were mainly fibrous fragments (with a few angular fragments) of various colour and size ( 1000 μm) and with strong C and O signatures. Additional particles detected that were distinctly different in colour, morphology, brittleness and elemental composition (part-metallic, and containing Cu) were suspected of being fragments of antifouling paint. The means of entry of MPs into tissues not involved in digestion are unclear but could be related to translocation or adherence. Regardless of the mode of accumulation, the presence of MPs in heavily fished species of fish and crustacean raises concerns about the potential transfer of synthetic materials into humans.

Exposure of microplastics (MPs) to a cohort of adults of various demographics from different regions of Iran has been quantitatively assessed. Specifically, MPs were retrieved from filtered washes of the hand and face skin, head hair and saliva of individuals (n = 2000) after an exposure period of 24 h and were counted and, in a selected number of cases, characterised for shape-form and size microscopically. A total of over 16,000 MPs were recorded in the study, with head hair returning the most samples (> 7000, or, on average, >3.5 MPs per individual per day), saliva returning the least samples (about 650, or on average 0.33 MPs per individual), and MPs about twice as high in males than females. The number of MPs was similar amongst residents of different urbanised regions, albeit with evidence of greater quantities captured in more humid settings, and was considerably lower in residents of a remote and sparsely populated area. Polyethylene-polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene fibres of < 100 μm in length, likely derived from clothing and soft furnishings in the indoor setting and a wider range of sources in the exterior environment, were the most abundant type of MP in all body receptors. Daily sampling of receptors from six participants over a seven-day period revealed that, despite these broad trends, both inter- and intra-individual exposure was highly heterogeneous. Although the present study has demonstrated the ubiquity of MP exposure, the resulting impacts on human health are unknown.

While the distribution and effects of microplastics (MPs) have been extensively studied in aquatic systems, there exits little information on their occurrence in the terrestrial environment and their potential impacts on human health. In the present study, street dust and suspended dust were collected from the city and county of Asaluyeh, Iran. Samples were characterized by various microscopic techniques (fluorescence, polarized light, SEM) in order to quantify and classify MPs and microrubbers (MRs) in the urban and industrial environments that are potentially ingestible or inhalable by humans. In

The geochemical nature and health hazards of potentially toxic elements (PTEs) and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the street dust of Bandar Abbas, Iran, are investigated in this study based on 27 street dust samples. Mean concentrations of Cu, Pb, Zn, As, Sb, and Hg revealed elevated concentrations as compared to the world soil average. Calculated enrichment factors (EFs) indicated that there is very high contamination in dust particles owing to anthropogenic emissions. Two main sources of PTEs are traffic emissions (Cu, Pb, Zn, Co, Mn, Fe, As, Cd, Sb, and Hg) and resuspended soil particles (Al, Ti, Ni, and Cr). Statistical analysis shows that Al, Mn, Ni, Ti, Cr, Fe, and Co are geogenic, whereas PAHs are mainly derived from traffic emissions. Values of incremental lifetime cancer risk (ILCR), as derived from a modified model of the United State Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), indicate that Bandar Abbas residents are potentially exposed to high cancer risk, especially via dust ingestion and dermal contact, whereas the level of hazard index (HI), hazard quotients (HQ), and cancer risk associated with exposure to the elements in street dust fall lower than threshold values representative of health risks.