Module 5 Session 1: Microplastics in Freshwater

MODULE FIVE SESSION 1 MICROPLASTICS: Gaps, Future Trends and Challenges  Course overview This course will bring you: The gaps, trends, and challenges in freshwater microplastic pollution management Risk perception and communication in surface w...

MODULE FIVE SESSION 1 MICROPLASTICS: Gaps, Future Trends and Challenges  Course overview This course will bring you: The gaps, trends, and challenges in freshwater microplastic pollution management Risk perception and communication in surface water resources management The future trends of freshwater microplastic pollution management  LEARNING OUTCOMES At the end of the course, you should be able to: 1. Appreciate the importance of understanding gaps, anticipating trends, and addressing challenges 2. Understand risk perception and communication in surface water resources management 3. Create an outlook of the future trends of freshwater microplastic pollution management  Gaps, trends, and challenges in freshwater microplastic pollution management Knowledge Gaps Understand gaps, Sampling Protocols: anticipate trends, and Standardized sampling solve problems 1. Understanding Gaps: methods are lacking, leading 1. Identifying gaps in our knowledge about to variations in data collection microplastics is crucial. and comparability. 2. These gaps may relate to sampling methods, Biotoxicity Assessment: We data comparability, or specific aspects of microplastic behavior. need more research on the 3. By understanding these gaps, we can refine toxic effects of microplastics our research and prioritize critical areas. on aquatic organisms and 2. Anticipating Trends ecosystems. 2. Staying ahead of trends allows us to adapt and Spatial and Temporal innovate. Variability: Microplastic 3. In microplastic analysis, trends may involve distribution varies across emerging techniques, new sources of different freshwater bodies contamination, or shifts in environmental policies. and seasons, but 4. Anticipating these trends helps us proactively comprehensive data are address challenges. scarce. 11/18/2024 4 PRESENT TREND OF PLASTIC POLLUTION WEIGHT WORLD POSITION COUNTRY (kg/capita/year) 1 United States 105.3 5 Thailand 69.54 6 Malaysia 67.09 10 Brazil 51.78 (World Economic Forum and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation) Addressing Challenges 1.Challenges in microplastic analysis include sample preparation, accurate quantification, and assessing ecological impacts. 2.By addressing these challenges, we enhance the reliability of our findings and contribute to effective mitigation strategies.  Gaps, trends, and challenges in freshwater microplastic pollution management Current State of Freshwater Microplastic Pollution Key findings, statistics, Ecological Impact: and trends Microplastics can harm Sources: aquatic organisms, disrupt Microplastics food webs and accumulate originate from various in benthic habitats. sources, including plastic waste, fragmentation and Human Health: The runoff. potential effects of Distribution: They are microplastics on human widespread, affecting both health are still being surface water and studied. sediments. 11/18/2024 6 Sources of MICROPLASTICS in a Shrimp Aquaculture Farm n l et I t let te r Ou a lW r s ta ate a w Co e r v Ri nal Ca ke La  Risk perception and communication in surface water resources management Risk Perception Integrated Approach 1. Definition: Risk perception refers 1.Combining risk perception and to how individuals understand and effective communication evaluate risks associated with water resources. enhances water management. 2. Subjectivity: It is inherently 2.Public Engagement: Engaging subjective and influenced by communities fosters trust and personal experiences, cultural informed decision-making. background, and cognitive biases. 3.Risk Assessment: 3. Factors: Factors affecting risk perception include familiarity, Incorporating public dread, trust in authorities, and perceptions into risk perceived control. assessments improves policy 4. Implications: Understanding public outcomes. risk perception helps tailor effective communication strategies and policy decisions. 11/18/2024 8  Risk perception and communication in surface water resources management Opportunities Risk 1. Research and Innovation: Communication Continued research on microplastics’ Purpose: Risk behaviour, sources, and impacts will inform effective management communication aims to strategies. convey information about 2. Monitoring Networks: Establishing water-related risks to comprehensive monitoring networks helps track trends and assess stakeholders, policymakers, management effectiveness. and the public. 3. Policy Integration: Adapting existing Challenges: environmental policies to explicitly address freshwater microplastics. Communicating complex 4. Collaboration: Engaging scientific information stakeholders, scientists, policymakers, and communities fosters effective effectively is challenging management. 11/18/2024 9  Identifying Gaps Gap Analysis Best Practices  Analyze specific areas, items, and processes.  Ensure changes may affect others.  Set SMART goals for specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound recommendations.  Back up recommendations with supporting data.  Use charts for easy understanding.  Consider cost, resources, and consequences when recommending solutions.  Assign an owner to each process step.  Look beyond the obvious to explore other possible solutions. 11/18/2024 10 Methodologies for Gap Analysis Nadler-Tushman McKinsey 7Ss Framework Congruence Framework 11/18/2024 11 Methodologies for Gap Analysis SWOT Framework PESTEL Framework 11/18/2024 12 Methodologies for Gap Analysis Fishbone Framework 11/18/2024 13  Gaps in freshwater microplastic pollution research Freshwater The extent of pollution Microplastic Pollution: remains uncertain, and A Limited Research human health and Area ecological effects are Despite extensive unknown. marine microplastic Further research is studies, freshwater needed to improve microplastic pollution scientific knowledge, is under-researched. develop evidence-based Comprehensive policies, and reduce assessments at global, microplastics in regional, and basin freshwater scales are lacking. environments. 11/18/2024 14  Emerging trends and developments in freshwater microplastic pollution Growing recognition of Exploration of emerging freshwater ecosystems as contaminants and plastic additives in freshwater microplastic pollution. reservoirs for microplastic Advances in microplastic monitoring pollution. and detection techniques enhancing Intensified research to quantification and characterization of understand sources, microplastics. Development of modeling distribution, fate, and approaches and predictive tools ecological implications of improving understanding of microplastics. transport, fate, and ecological risks Spatial and temporal of microplastics. Recognition of the need for policy variability in freshwater and management interventions to microplastic pollution mitigate freshwater microplastic revealed. pollution. Research aims to understand Cross-sectoral collaboration is required among scientists, drivers of this variability and policymakers, industry stakeholders, its implications for ecosystem NGOs, and the public. health and human well-being. Interest in interactions between nano- and 11/18/2024 15  Microplastic Pollution in Freshwater Ecosystems: Management Challenges Complexity of Pollution Unknown Ecological Impacts: Pathways: Microplastic pollution The long-term ecological impacts originates from various sources, of microplastic pollution remain making it difficult to identify and poorly understood. prioritize sources. Limited Public Awareness and Limited Monitoring and Engagement: Low public Detection Techniques: Current awareness limits support for methods lack standardization, proactive measures and sensitivity, and scalability, community-based initiatives. hindering accurate assessment of Regulatory and Policy Gaps: pollution levels. Existing regulatory frameworks Nanoplastics and Small-Scale may be outdated, and lacking specific provisions for addressing Pollution: Nanoplastics pose microplastics. significant challenges for Technological and Financial detection, quantification, and Constraints: Investment in ecological risk assessment. innovative technologies, Cumulative Environmental infrastructure upgrades, and Effects: Microplastics interact capacity-building initiatives is with other pollutants, leading to required. synergistic effects on aquatic Global Nature of the Problem:16 11/18/2024 organisms and ecosystem Freshwater microplastic pollution  Potential strategies and solutions for mitigating freshwater microplastic 1. Physical Removal Methods: pollution 3. Policy and Regulation: Filtration Systems: Implementing Governmental Restrictions: Create filtration systems in wastewater legal restrictions at the governmental treatment plants to capture microplastics. level by imposing policies against Household-Based Systems: Develop microplastics. systems to prevent microplastics Global Policy Design: Discuss and from being released into sewer lines design effective global policies to or the environment at the household address microplastic pollution¹. level. 2. Chemical and Biological 4. Stakeholder Actions: Approaches: Regulation and Eco-Design: Regulate Photocatalysis: Utilize green plastic production and consumption, photocatalysis using protein-based promote eco-design, and increase porous N-TiO2 semiconductors to demand for recycled plastics. degrade microplastics. Waste Collection and Recycling: Biodegradation: Explore bacteria capable of breaking down plastics, Improve waste collection systems, such as polystyrene biodegrading prioritize recycling, and encourage the bacteria use of renewable energy for recycling. Bio-Based and Biodegradable Plastics: Promote the use of bio-based and 11/18/2024 biodegradable plastics 17  MODULE FIVE SESSION 2 Classwork/Workshop/Case Studies  Course overview This course will bring you: Details of research methods currently available for freshwater microplastic pollution Equipment necessary for freshwater microplastic pollution research Outcomes of the research and impacts  LEARNING OUTCOMES At the end of the course, you should be able to: 1. Appreciate research methods currently available for freshwater microplastic pollution 2. Determine the equipment necessary for freshwater microplastic pollution research 3. Appreciate the Outcomes of the research and impacts  Case study 1: Characterization and quantification Conclusions of microplastic pollutants Title: The study examined microplastics Assessment, characterization, and (MPs) in sediments of the Kavery quantification of microplastics from river River in South India. sediments MPs were abundant and diverse, Baskaran Maheswaran, Natchimuthu with fragments dominating and Karmegam, Mysoon Al-Ansari, Ramasamy orange and white being the most Subbaiya, Latifah Al-Humaid, Joseph Sebastin Raj, Muthusamy Govarthanan prevalent colours. The paper identified six main Chemosphere, polymer types of MPs: Volume 298, 2022, polyamide, polypropylene, 134268, polyethylene, polyethylene ISSN 0045-6535, terephthalate, and polyethylene https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.chemosphere.2022.134268. glycol.  Case study 1: Methodology (in Highlights) Sampling: collection of 1 kg sediment samples from 14 sites along the Kaveri River in South India in January 2021. Samples were dried, weighed, and stored for further analysis. Extraction: use of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) method to digest the organic matter and isolate the microplastics (MPs) from the sediments. The MPs were then vacuum- filtered and dried on filter membranes. Characterization: visual inspection and classification of MPs based on their size, shape, and color. They also used attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR) to identify the polymer types of the MPs. Additionally, they used scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) to examine the surface morphology and elemental composition of the MPs. Statistical analysis: principal component analysis (PCA) and heat map used to analyze the differences and relationships among the MPs and natural substrates in the sediment samples.  Case study 1: Results (in Highlights) Microplastics in Kavery River sediments: different types of microplastics (MPs) in the sediment samples from 14 sites along the Kavery River, with a mean concentration of 386.07 ± 84.5 items·kg−1. The MPs were mostly fragments, followed by fibers, films, and foams, and the dominant colors were orange and white. Characterization of MPs: various methods to identify and characterize the MPs, such as visual inspection, ATR-FTIR, SEM-EDS, and PCA. identified six main polymer types: polyamide, polypropylene, polyethylene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyethylene glycol, and polystyrene. observed different surface features and elemental compositions of the MPs, indicating their degradation and interaction with the environment. Implications for the environment: the potential sources, transport, and fate of the MPs in the river system, as well as their ecological risks and impacts on aquatic organisms and human health.  Case study 1: FTIR spectra of selected microplastic particles collected from Kavery River sediments  Case study 2: Mitigation of microplastic pollution: Conclusions coagulation In-situ ferrate coagulation efficiently removes microplastics Title: (MPs) from water, notably PE and Highly efficient microplastics removal from water using in-situ ferrate coagulation: PET. Performance evaluation by micro-Fourier- Natural organic matter (NOM) in transformed infrared spectroscopy and water, coagulant dosage, and MP coagulation mechanism type affect MP removal Jieun Lee, Jiae Wang, Yumin Oh, Sanghyun effectiveness. Jeong Ferrate coagulation forms distinct flocs on PE and PET, affecting Chemical Engineering Journal, Volume 451, Part 2, elimination. 2023, With a lower coagulant 138556, concentration and no membrane ISSN 1385-8947, filtration, ferrate coagulation may https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2022.138556. remove >98% of MPs from surface water.  Case study 2: Methodology (in Highlights) In-situ ferrate treatment to remove microplastics (MPs) from water by inducing flocculation/coagulation processes. Sample preparation using synthetic water containing polyethylene (PE) and polyethylene terephthalate (PET) as MPs, and humic acid (HA) as natural organic matter (NOM). Application of different doses of ferrate to the water samples and measuring the removal efficiency of MPs by using a microscope equipped with Fourier- transformed infrared spectroscopy (μ-FTIR). Analysis of the floc formation and coagulation mechanism of MPs by using field emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM) and zeta potential measurements. Testing the applicability of the method to real surface water containing low concentrations of NOM and comparing the results with those of conventional coagulants. Methodology (in Highlights) Results (in Highlights) 1. Fully remove PE and PET. Ferrate coagulation-microfiltration membrane eliminated 10 mg/L PE and PET entirely. Case study 2: 2. Micro-FTIR MPs elimination efficiency. Micro-FTIR study qualified/quantified MPs elimination efficiency. 3. Different PE/PET flocs. PE and PET flocs formed differently due to ferrate coagulation. 4. Higher removal efficiency with HA. HA in water neutralised charges, promoting ferrate coagulation.  Case study 2: PE and PET removal on ferrate treatment: charge neutralization and adsorption  Case study 3: Mitigation of microplastic pollution: Conclusions Photocatalysis The Triton X-100-made TiO2 sheet mineralized polystyrene and Title: polyethylene microplastics of Complete Photocatalytic Mineralization of various sizes well. Microplastic on TiO2 Nanoparticle Film The TiO2 film's surface hydrophilicity, roughness, and Iqra Nabi, Aziz-Ur-Rahim Bacha, Kejian Li, Hanyun Cheng, Tao Wang, Yangyang Liu, Saira charge separation made it more Ajmal, Yang Yang, Yiqing Feng, Liwu Zhang active. During microplastic iScience, photodegradation, in situ DRIFTS Volume 23, Issue 7, 2020, and HPPI-TOFMS showed the 101326, formation of hydroxyl, carbonyl, ISSN 2589-0042, and carbon-hydrogen groups. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.isci.2020.101326. An environmentally friendly microplastic waste degrading technique was proposed in this study.  Case study 3: Methodology (in Highlights) Synthesis of TiO2 nanoparticle films: three types of TiO2 nanoparticle films on fluorine-doped tin oxide (FTO) substrates using different solvents were used [water (WT), ethanol (ET), and Triton X-100 (TXT)]. The films were annealed at 500°C for 2 h and characterized by various techniques. Photocatalytic degradation of microplastics: polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE) were used as model microplastics and dispersed them on the TiO 2 films. The photocatalytic degradation was performed under UV light irradiation in a closed reactor. The changes in microplastic morphology, size, and chemical structure were monitored by field-emission scanning electron microscopy (FE-SEM), Raman spectroscopy, in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS), and high-pressure photon ionization (HPPI)-TOFMS.  Case study 3: Methodology (in Highlights) The mineralization of microplastics was evaluated by gas chromatography (GC) and carbon dioxide (CO2) analyzer. Mechanism and active species investigation: The photodegradation mechanism was investigated and the role of active species by using different scavengers, such as tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) for hydroxyl radicals ( ⋅OH), ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA) for holes (h+), and anaerobic condition for oxygen (O2). The charge carrier generation and separation in the TiO 2 films were studied by amperometric technique and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS).  Case study 3: Results Structure, Morphology, and Optical A TiO2 nanoparticle film made with Properties of WT, ET and TXT Triton X-100 achieved complete mineralization (98.40%) of 400-nm polystyrene (PS) microspheres within 12 hours. Degradation rates for varying sizes of PS were also studied. Polyethylene (PE) degradation experiment showed a high photodegradation rate after 36 hours, with CO2 as the main end product. In situ analysis revealed the generation of hydroxyl, carbonyl, and carbon- hydrogen groups during the photodegradation of PS.  Case study 4: Mitigation of microplastic pollution: Conclusions Bioreaction Urban wastewater contains Title: microplastics (MPs), which require Membrane bioreactor and rapid sand extensive treatment to decrease filtration for the removal of microplastics in their environmental effect. an urban wastewater treatment plant Membrane bioreactor (MBR) and Javier Bayo, Joaquín López-Castellanos, Sonia rapid sand filtration (RSF) can Olmos remove MPs from wastewater, although they are similar. Marine Pollution Bulletin, Microfibers may evade MBR and Volume 156, 2020, RSF, making them the hardest MPs 111211, to remove. ISSN 0025-326X, MBR and RSF did not remove MPs https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.marpolbul.2020.111211. better than traditional sewage treatment.  Case study 4: Methodology (in Highlights) Wastewater samples were collected from three stages of a full-scale WWTP in Southeast Spain: influent, membrane bioreactor (MBR), and rapid sand filtration (RSF). The volume of each sample were measured and filtered them through a paper filter or a density separation method to isolate microparticles. The microparticles were examined under a microscope and to determine their color, shape, and size. Polymer types of the microparticles were identified using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and compared them with reference spectra from polymer libraries. A comparison was made on the concentration, removal efficiency, and distribution of microplastics among the different stages and seasons.  Case study 4: Results (in Highlights) The average microplastic concentration in the influent of the WWTP was 4.40 ± 1.01 MP L−1, and it decreased to 0.92 ± 0.21 MP L−1 and 1.08 ± 0.28 MP L−1 after MBR and RSF, respectively. The removal efficiency of microplastics was 79.01% for MBR and 75.49% for RSF, without statistically significant differences between them. Fibers were the most abundant microplastic form (61.09%), followed by films (31.5%), fragments (6.7%), and beads (0.6%). Fibers increased their relative abundance after MBR (96.72%) and RSF (90.79%). The average microplastic size increased from 1.05 ± 0.05 mm in the influent to 1.39 ± 0.15 mm in the MBR and 1.15 ± 0.08 mm in the RSF, indicating a selective removal of smaller particles. Fourteen different polymer types were identified, with low-density polyethylene (LDPE) being the most common one (70.61%), followed by high-density polyethylene (HDPE), acrylate, polypropylene, and polystyrene.  Case study 4: FTIR spectra with references polymers and microplastics (a) Fragment of poly(styrene), dicarboxy terminated INF (b) Film of poly(ethylene:pro pylene) (60% ethylene) INF (c) Fragment of styrene- butadiene copolymer INF (82.15% match)  Case study 5: Policy statements on microplastics pollution Highlights Policies: The paper presents a timeline of policies that directly or indirectly tackle microplastic contamination, such as the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the United Nations resolutions, the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA) proposal, and the bans on microbeads in personal care products in several countries. Upstream responses: preventive strategies to reduce the sources of microplastic pollution, such as circular economy, behavioral changes, bio-based polymers, market-based instruments, and source-specific measures for clothing, tires, paints and recreational activities. Downstream responses: mitigation strategies to remove or degrade microplastics from the environment, such as waste to energy, degradation, water treatment plants and litter clean-up initiatives. Multifaceted responses: integrated approaches that combine prevention and mitigation actions, such as the Fishing for Litter scheme, the Clean Oceans Initiative, and the Plastic Leak Project.  Case study 5: Policies on microplastics APPRECIATION