Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Microplastic Pollution in the Mediterranean Sea (Springer Water)

Microplastic pollution is a global problem, and its severity only threatens to get worse. This book presents all of the most up-to-date research on microplastic pollution, identifies issues and proposes actions to be taken and solutions to be implemented in facing down this environmental threat. The book details a host of aspects related to microplastic pollution, including: causes and effects; the impact on different environments; the emerging threat of nanoplastics; detection systems for monitoring areas subject to pollution; the ramifications in regard to other types of pollutants; green approaches for the synthesis of environmentally-friendly polymers; and socio-economic and environmental impact assessment and risk analysis, including in regard to effects on the human food chain. The primary audience for the book are scientists and decision-makers from industries, international, national and local institutions, and NGOs. It offers comprehensive information on the origin of the problem, its impact on marine environments, with particular attention to the Mediterranean Sea and Coasts, and the current research activities and ongoing projects aimed at finding technical solutions to mitigate the phenomenon. Contents 1 An Experimental Comparison Between FTIR and Raman Microspectroscopy Applied to the Morphological Analysis of Microplastics in Drinking Water 1.1 Introduction 1.2 Experimental 1.2.1 Sampling 1.2.2 Methods 1.3 Results and Discussion 1.3.1 Results 1.3.2 Discussion 1.4 Conclusions References 2 Small Microplastics (5–100 μm), Additives, and Plasticizers in Mytilus Galloprovincialis, A Potential Bioindicator for Microplastics Pollution 2.1 Introduction 2.2 Experimental 2.2.1 Sampling Sites 2.2.2 Methods 2.3 Results and Discussion 2.4 Conclusions References 3 Step-By-Step Evaluation of Matrix Effect and Sample Recovery During Pretreatment of Wastewater Samples for the Quali-Quantitation of Microplastics by Py-GC-MS 4 Challenges for Restricting Microplastics in the EU: Urgent Need for Recommendations from Scientists on the Restriction Proposal 4.1 Introduction 4.2 The Restriction Procedure Under REACH 4.2.1 Definition of Microplastics: The Lower Size Limit 4.2.2 The Exemption for Biodegradable Plastics 4.3 Discussion References 5 What Kind of International Legally Binding Instrument on Plastic Pollution Do We Need? 5.1 Introduction 5.2 The Way Forward a New Treaty on Global Plastic Pollution 5.3 Conclusions References 6 Detection and Characterization of Micro- and Nanoplastic Pollutants: A Case Study of the Adriatic Sea 6.1 Introduction 6.2 Experimental 6.2.1 Water Sampling and Storage 6.2.2 Methods 6.3 Results 6.3.1 Microplastics 6.3.2 Nanoparticles 6.3.3 Heavy Metals 6.4 Discussion 6.5 Conclusions References 7 Microplastics Determination with μ-Raman: Potential and Practical Aspects 7.1 Introduction 7.2 Experimental 7.2.1 Materials and Methods 7.2.2 Pre-treatments 7.2.3 Filtration 7.2.4 IQC 7.2.5 QA/QC 7.3 Results and Discussion 7.3.1 Pre-treatments 7.3.2 Filtration 7.3.3 IQC 7.3.4 QA/QC 7.4 Conclusions References 8 Stability of Microplastics: Detection of Potentially Harmful Compounds Produced by Microplastics During Accelerated Aging Studies 8.1 Introduction 8.2 Experimental 8.2.1 Reference Materials and Environmental Samples 8.2.2 Artificial Ageing of Reference Microplastics 8.2.3 Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Conditions (Py-GC-MS) 8.2.4 Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (GC–MS) 8.2.5 Selected Ion Flow Tube-Mass Spectrometry (SIFT-MS) 8.2.6 Infrared Spectroscopy Analysis 8.3 Results and Discussion 8.3.1 Evaluation of the Solvent-Soluble Fraction of Microplastics 8.3.2 Evaluation of the Water-Soluble Fraction of Microplastics 8.3.3 Study of the VOCs Emission from Environmental Microplastics 8.4 Conclusions References 9 Plastic Recycling and Microplastic Emissions 9.1 Introduction 9.2 Experimental 9.2.1 Materials 9.2.2 Methods 9.3 Results and Discussion 9.3.1 Results 9.3.2 Discussion 9.4 Conclusions References 10 Additives, Plasticizers, and Small Microplastics (5–100 μm) in Wet and Dry Depositions from an Urban Area of Venice, Italy 10.1 Introduction 10.2 Experimental 10.2.1 Sampling and Study Area 10.2.2 Methods 10.2.3 QA/QC 10.3 Results and Discussion 10.4 Conclusions References 11 Detection of Microplastics in Marine Sediments: Results from Three Italian Coasts 11.1 Introduction 11.2 Experimental 11.2.1 Materials 11.2.2 Methods 11.3 Results and Discussion 11.3.1 Organic Matter Removal 11.3.2 Microplastic Abundance and Characterisation 11.4 Conclusions References 12 Plastic Litter in SE Spain Beaches: Characterization and Metal Content 12.1 Introduction 12.2 Materials and Methods 12.2.1 Study Area 12.2.2 Plastics Collection 12.2.3 Screening and Classification of Plastics 12.2.4 Polymer and Degradation Status Identification 12.2.5 Determination of Trace Metals by ICP-MS 12.3 Results and Discussion 12.3.1 Plastic Items 12.3.2 Metal Content in Plastics 12.3.3 Metal Content by Plastic Classification Criteria 12.4 Conclusions References 13 Groundwater: An Endangered Invisible Resource. Microplastic Pollution in Underground Karst Systems, from Surface Watercourses to Cave Waters 13.1 Introduction 13.2 Experimental 13.2.1 Materials 13.2.2 Methods 13.3 Results and Discussion 13.3.1 Results 13.3.2 Discussion 13.4 Conclusions References 14 Evaluation of the Role of Plastic Aging on the Sorption of Pesticides and Pharmaceutical Substances on Microplastics 14.1 Introduction 14.2 Experimental 14.2.1 Materials 14.2.2 Methods 14.3 Results and Discussion 14.4 Conclusions References 15 Microplastics: What Can We Learn from Clastic Sediments? 15.1 Introduction 15.2 Particle Properties 15.2.1 Background 15.2.2 Research Goals and Tasks 15.3 Transport Processes 15.3.1 Background 15.3.2 Research Goals and Tasks 15.4 Monitoring Methods 15.4.1 Background 15.4.2 Research Goals and Tasks 15.5 Ecotoxicology 15.5.1 Background 15.5.2 Research Goals and Tasks 15.6 Conclusions References 16 Environmental Impact of Innovative Microplastics Filtration System for Washing Machines & Marinas 16.1 Introduction 16.2 Case Study Framework 16.3 Results and Discussion 16.4 Conclusions References 17 Towards a Microplastic-Free Ocean: Green Photocatalysis for Mitigation of Micro- and Nanoplastic Marine Pollution 17.1 Introduction 17.2 Experimental 17.2.1 Photocatalysts Synthesis and Characterization 17.2.2 Film Preparation 17.2.3 Microplastics Obtainment and Characterization 17.2.4 Photocatalytic Experiments 17.3 Results and Discussion 17.3.1 Photocatalysis of Primary PS NPs and MPs 17.3.2 Photocatalysis of Primary PE MPs and Secondary PET MPs 17.4 Conclusions References 18 Determination of Optimal Conditions for Biodegradation of Polystyrene by Bacteria Bacillus Cereus and Pseudomonas Alcaligenes 18.1 Introduction 18.2 Experimental 18.2.1 Materials 18.2.2 Methods 18.3 Results and Discussion 18.3.1 Results 18.3.2 Discussion 18.4 Conclusions References 19 Microplastics in Drinking Water: Italian National Working Group and Analytical Methods 19.1 Introduction 19.2 Proceedings of the First Meeting 19.3 Results and Discussion 19.4 Conclusions References 20 Ecotoxicological Assessment of Alento River Catchment a Focus on Microplastic Impact 20.1 Introduction 20.2 Materials and Methods 20.2.1 Study Area and Sample Collection 20.2.2 Ecotoxicological Bioassays 20.2.3 Microplastic Extraction and Identification 20.2.4 Ecological Risk Assessment 20.3 Results and Discussion 20.3.1 Ecotoxicological Assays 20.3.2 MPs Identification 20.3.3 Ecological Risk Assessment References 21 Compact Holographic Imaging and Machine Learning for Microfibers Quantification in Laundry Wastewater 21.1 Introduction 21.2 Experimental 21.2.1 Data Acquisition 21.2.2 Data Processing Pipeline 21.3 Results and Discussion 21.4 Conclusions References 22 Microplastic in Drinking Water: A Pilot Study 22.1 Introduction 22.2 Experimental 22.2.1 Materials 22.2.2 Methods 22.3 Results and Discussion 22.3.1 Results 22.3.2 Discussion 22.4 Conclusions References 23 Microplastics and Associated Plasticizers: Presence and Detection in Cnidarians Used as Possible Bioindicators for Microplastic Contamination in Marine Environments 23.1 Introduction 23.2 Experimental 23.2.1 Materials 23.2.2 Methods 23.3 Results and Discussion 23.3.1 Results 23.3.2 Discussion 23.4 Conclusions References 24 Random or not? Comparing Microplastic Ingestion and Preys in Scomber colias and Trachurus trachurus 24.1 Introduction 24.2 Experimental 24.2.1 Quality Assurance and Quality Control 24.2.2 Data and Statistical Analysis 24.3 Results and Discussion 24.4 Conclusions References 25 May Mesopelagic Fishes Play an Important Role as Vector of Microplastics Across the Mediterranean Trophic Web? A Case of Study in the Strait of Messina 25.1 Introduction 25.2 Experimental 25.2.1 Sample Collection 25.2.2 Isolating Microplastics 25.3 Results and Discussion 25.4 Conclusions References 26 Microplastic Fiber Content in Mullus barbatus from the Tyrrhenian Sea: Preliminary Results 26.1 Introduction 26.2 Experimental 26.2.1 Materials 26.2.2 Methods 26.3 Results and Discussion 26.3.1 Results 26.3.2 Discussion 26.4 Conclusion References 27 Temporal Variability of Microplastics and Their Attached Community Along the Campania Coast 27.1 Introduction 27.2 Sampling Technique and Storage 27.2.1 Microplastics Counting and Classification 27.2.2 DNA Extraction, Sequencing and Bioinformatic Analyses 27.3 Results and Discussions: Microplastics Characteristics 27.3.1 Results and Discussions: Plastisphere 27.4 Conclusions References 28 The Vertical Distribution of Riverine Microplastics: The Role of Turbulence 28.1 Introduction 28.2 Methods 28.2.1 Physical Modelling 28.2.2 Numerical Modelling 28.3 Anticipated Outcomes References 29 Degradation of Biodegradable Plastic in Marine Environment 29.1 Introduction 29.2 Experimental 29.2.1 Materials 29.2.2 Methods 29.2.3 Analytical Technique 29.3 Results and Discussion 29.3.1 Results 29.3.2 Discussion 29.4 Conclusions References 30 Resin Pellets Aging and Degradation Investigation from Long Term in Situ Experiment: First Results 30.1 Introduction 30.2 Experimental 30.2.1 Materials 30.2.2 Methods 30.3 Results and Discussion 30.3.1 Results 30.3.2 Discussion 30.4 Conclusions References 31 Quantification of Polyethylene in Mussel Hemolymph and Its Limited Additive Effect on Immune Function Induced by Bezafibrate 31.1 Introduction 31.2 Experimental 31.2.1 Materials 31.2.2 Methods 31.3 Results and Discussion 31.3.1 Results 31.3.2 Discussion 31.4 Conclusions References 32 Mechanical Recycling of Polyethylene-Rich Plastic Fraction Recovered from Marine Environment to Mitigate Plastic and Microplastic Pollution 32.1 Introduction 32.2 Materials and Methods 32.2.1 Materials 32.2.2 Processing of PE-rf-Based Materials 32.2.3 Techniques 32.3 Results and Discussion 32.3.1 Preliminary Analysis of PE-rf Composition 32.3.2 Mechanical Testing 32.3.3 Morphological Analysis 32.4 Conclusions References 33 Does Calibration with Pristine PET Allow the Identification and Quantification of Aged PET Microplastic Particles by DSC? 33.1 Introduction 33.2 Experimental 33.2.1 Materials 33.2.2 Methods 33.3 Results and Discussion 33.3.1 Results 33.3.2 Discussion 33.4 Conclusions References 34 Mitigation Effect of Detergent on Microfiber Release 34.1 Introduction 34.2 Experimental 34.2.1 Materials 34.2.2 Methods 34.3 Results and Discussion 34.4 Conclusions References: