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Heavy metals and microplastic in freshwater ponds
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Researchers investigated whether marine plastic debris stranded on Norwegian coastal islands carries heavy metals and other toxic chemicals into the freshwater ponds located on these islands. The study found that plastic waste near and in ponds introduced contaminants that would not otherwise be present in these isolated freshwater systems. The findings highlight an overlooked pathway by which marine plastic pollution can transfer environmental chemicals into inland freshwater habitats.
Marine waste is carried with the ocean and coastal currents. Coastal islands act as a filter, and large volumes of marine plastic strands, are blown ashore and are left in the terrain and in the freshwater ponds on the islands. Along the Norwegian coast this has been going on for several decades. There is a lack of documentation which environmental chemicals and toxic elements marine plastic waste in nature contains, and to which these can leach from the plastic and contaminate to the surrounding environment. In this study we analyzed the concentrations of microplastics and Arsen (As), Lead (Pb), Cadmium (Cd), Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr), Mercury (Hg), Nickel (Ni), and Zinc (Zn) in water-samples from freshwater ponds on islands on the outer coast of Central Norway. We also analyzed the elemental concentrations in the marine plastic waste and in the freshwater pond sediments. The element concentrations were analyzed with ICP-MS, and the microplastic concentrations with GC-MS. The results were evaluated against environmental quality standards in freshwater and freshwater sediments, and show results above limit values for As, Cd, Pb, Ni and Zn in water, and Zn in sediments. The heavy metals which show particularly high values in the marine plastic waste in freshwater ponds were Pb, Cd, Cu, Cr, Ni and Zn. Microplastics in water consists of the polymers Polypropylene (PP), Polyethylene (PE) and Polystyrene (PS). Also see: https://micro2022.sciencesconf.org/425383/document
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Microplastics and toxic elements in small freshwater lakes and ponds in coastal Norway.
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Researchers studied small lakes and ponds on islands off coastal Norway, testing water, sediment, nearby soil, and washed-up marine plastic for microplastics and toxic metals. Plastic litter contained very high levels of metals like cadmium, lead, chromium, and zinc, and these metals also showed up in nearby water, sediment, and soil, suggesting plastic debris can transfer contaminants into these environments. Pollution levels varied widely even between nearby ponds, depending on local conditions.
Organic contaminants and toxic elements in marine plastic debris, water and sediments in small freshwater lakes in a Norwegian coastal archipelago
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Researchers investigated freshwater lakes in a Norwegian coastal archipelago and found that nearby marine plastic debris was leaching harmful chemicals — including PFAS, bisphenol A, heavy metals, and cancer-linked PAHs — into the water and sediment at concerning levels. The study demonstrates that plastic pollution on coastlines can contaminate inland freshwater ecosystems far from the ocean.
Macroplastic in soil and peat. A case study from the remote islands of Mausund and Froan landscape conservation area, Norway; implications for coastal cleanups and biodiversity
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Researchers documented macroplastic accumulation in soil and peat on the remote Norwegian islands of Mausund and Froan, finding that marine plastic litter transported to these coastal conservation areas poses threats to terrestrial biodiversity and complicates cleanup efforts.
Occurrence, fate and removal of microplastics as heavy metal vector in natural wastewater treatment wetland system
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Researchers studied microplastic contamination in a natural wastewater treatment wetland system in Eastern India, finding high concentrations in both water and sediments along with toxic heavy metals adsorbed onto the plastic particles. The study found that microplastics acted as vectors for heavy metal contamination in fish and that the treatment ponds removed approximately 53% of surface water microplastics, highlighting the need to account for microplastic pollution in natural wastewater treatment systems.
Prevalence, Fate and Effects of Plastic in Freshwater Environments
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This review summarizes the prevalence, environmental fate, and biological effects of plastics in freshwater ecosystems, an area that has received less attention than marine plastic pollution. Freshwater bodies are major pathways for microplastics to reach marine environments and are themselves affected by plastic contamination.
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