Microplastic contamination in an urban area: a case study in Greater Paris
Rachid Dris A C , Johnny Gasperi A , Vincent Rocher B , Mohamed Saad A , Nicolas Renault A and Bruno Tassin A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Université Paris-Est, Laboratoire Eau, Environnement, Systèmes Urbains (LEESU), UMR MA 102 – AgroParisTech, 61 Avenue du Général de Gaulle, F-94010 Créteil Cedex, France.
B Syndicat Interdépartemental pour l’Assainissement de l’Agglomération Parisienne (SIAAP), Direction du Développement et de la Prospective, 82 Avenue Kléber, F-92700 Colombes, France.
C Corresponding author. Email: drisr@leesu.enpc.fr
Environmental Chemistry 12(5) 592-599 https://doi.org/10.1071/EN14167
Submitted: 30 August 2014 Accepted: 7 January 2015 Published: 21 July 2015
Environmental context. Plastics production has increased considerably in recent years, leading to pollution by plastics, including microplastics (comprising particles smaller than 5 mm). This work addresses the issue of microplastics from urban sources and in receiving waters in Greater Paris. Microplastics were found in all urban compartments investigated, namely atmospheric fallout, waste- and treated water, and surface water.
Abstract. This study investigates the microplastic contamination of both urban compartments (wastewater and total atmospheric fallout) and surface water in a continental environment. These first investigations on an urban environment confirm the presence of microplastics in sewage, fresh water and total atmospheric fallout and provide knowledge on the type and size distribution of microplastics in the 100–5000-µm range. For the first time, the presence of microplastics, mostly fibres, is highlighted in total atmospheric fallout (29–280 particles m–2 day–1). High levels of fibres were found in wastewater (260–320 × 103 particles m–3). In treated effluent, the contamination significantly decreased to 14–50 × 103 particles m–3. In the River Seine, two sampling devices were used to collect both large and small microplastic particles: (i) a plankton net (80-µm mesh), and (ii) a manta trawl (330-µm mesh). Sampling with the plankton net showed a predominance of fibres, with concentrations ranging from 3 to 108 particles m–3. A greater diversity of both microplastic shapes and types was found during manta trawl sampling but at much lower concentrations (0.28–0.47 particles m–3). This combined approach could be relevant and implemented in future studies to provide an accurate overview of microplastic distribution in freshwater.
Additional keywords: atmospheric fallout, freshwater, rivers, synthetic fibres, urban environment.
References
[1] Plastics – The Facts 2013, an Analysis of European Latest Plastics Production, Demand and Waste Data 2013, p. 10 (Plastics Europe, Association of Plastic Manufacturers: Brussels).[2] E. J. Carpenter, S. J. Anderson, G. R. Harvey, H. P. Miklas, B. B. Peck, Polystyrene spherules in coastal waters. Science 1972, 178, 749.
| Polystyrene spherules in coastal waters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaE3sXkslGjsQ%3D%3D&md5=c89e0dc0d37775628878a6476877a376CAS | 4628343PubMed |
[3] E. J. Carpenter, K. L. Smith, Plastics on the Sargasso Sea surface. Science 1972, 175, 1240.
| Plastics on the Sargasso Sea surface.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaE387hvVaqsQ%3D%3D&md5=9d232b4421a4163cd798f076fbe3e0c6CAS | 5061243PubMed |
[4] R. C. Thompson, Y. Olsen, R. P. Mitchell, A. Davis, S. J. Rowland, A. W. G. John, D. McGonigle, A. E. Russel, Lost at sea: where is all the plastic? Science 2004, 304, 838.
| Lost at sea: where is all the plastic?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2cXjvVSntbg%3D&md5=155a0087d37591eee7bfac1da847674bCAS | 15131299PubMed |
[5] C. Arthur, J. Baker, H. Bamford, Proceedings of the International Research Workshop on the Occurrence, Effects and Fate of Microplastic Marine Debris, 9–11 September 2008, Tacoma, WA, USA, Technical Memorandum NOS-OR&R-30 2008 (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
[6] A. L. Andrady, Microplastics in the marine environment. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2011, 62, 1596.
| Microplastics in the marine environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXovFKrt74%3D&md5=023b7d5ac18234cb7abff5171550439aCAS | 21742351PubMed |
[7] M. Cole, P. Lindeque, C. Halsband, T. S. Galloway, Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment: a review. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2011, 62, 2588.
| Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhsV2gsrfM&md5=fcc64c8a0c712ffd04c42c522f208e69CAS | 22001295PubMed |
[8] L. S. Fendall, M. A. Sewell, Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face: microplastics in facial cleansers. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2009, 58, 1225.
| Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face: microplastics in facial cleansers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXoslamt78%3D&md5=5caad496b86d56a356408aa80b54e07cCAS | 19481226PubMed |
[9] M. R. Gregory, Plastic ‘scrubbers’ in hand cleansers: a further (and minor) source for marine pollution identified. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 1996, 32, 867.
| Plastic ‘scrubbers’ in hand cleansers: a further (and minor) source for marine pollution identified.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK2sXnvVCqtA%3D%3D&md5=573a3ce45eefd96e38231502c2ef06a6CAS |
[10] T. O’Brine, R. C. Thompson, Degradation of plastic carrier bags in the marine environment. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2010, 60, 2279.
| Degradation of plastic carrier bags in the marine environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhsVKjtL%2FF&md5=23e8887a0fbcec251ed4837ee69faef9CAS | 20961585PubMed |
[11] D. W. Laist, Impacts of marine debris: entanglement of marine life in marine debris including a comprehensive list of species with entanglement and ingestion records, in Marine Debris, Sources, Impacts, and Solutions (Eds J. M. Coe and D. B. Rogers) 1997, pp. 99–139 (Springer-Verlag: New York).
[12] J. G. B. Derraik, The pollution of the marine environment by plastic debris: a review. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2002, 44, 842.
| The pollution of the marine environment by plastic debris: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XmvVWns78%3D&md5=757914de79ed2efe1b2b0e3debf4df61CAS |
[13] M. A. Browne, A. Dissanayake, T. S. Galloway, D. M. Lowe, R. C. Thompson, Ingested microscopic plastic translocates to the circulatory system of the mussel, Mytilus edulis (L.). Environ. Sci. Technol. 2008, 42, 5026.
| Ingested microscopic plastic translocates to the circulatory system of the mussel, Mytilus edulis (L.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXmsVKhtb8%3D&md5=b4626ca3c3e4bda09b7035ddf2d396e4CAS | 18678044PubMed |
[14] A. Bakir, S. J. Rowland, R. C. Thompson, Transport of persistent organic pollutants by microplastics in estuarine conditions. Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci. 2014, 140, 14.
| Transport of persistent organic pollutants by microplastics in estuarine conditions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXltlektrs%3D&md5=341f5d0aebdaf61117d9439917eff2b5CAS |
[15] V. Hidalgo-Ruz, L. Gutow, R. C. Thompson, M. Thiel, Microplastics in the marine environment: a review of the methods used for identification and quantification. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2012, 46, 3060.
| Microplastics in the marine environment: a review of the methods used for identification and quantification.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XitVGhurY%3D&md5=2acb9685cd991453468574d7dc04148eCAS | 22321064PubMed |
[16] M. Allsopp, A. Walters, D. Santillo, P. Johnston, Plastic Debris in the World’s Oceans 2006 (Greenpeace International: Amsterdam, Netherlands).
[17] M. Eriksen, S. Mason, S. Wilson, C. Box, A. Zellers, W. Edwards, H. Farley, S. Amato, Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of the Laurentian Great Lakes. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2013, 77, 177.
| Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of the Laurentian Great Lakes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhs1yrtbrO&md5=e7ba2955d1cea1d616864efbc09ba802CAS | 24449922PubMed |
[18] F. Faure, M. Corbaz, H. Baecher, L. de Alencastro, Pollution due to plastics and microplastics in Lake Geneva and in the Mediterranean Sea. Arch. Sci. 2012, 65, 157.
| 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhsVWjsrzP&md5=4af1b656e55fa2982694c00c59b802d4CAS |
[19] H. K. Imhof, N. P. Ivleva, J. Schmid, R. Niessner, C. Laforsch, Contamination of beach sediments of a subalpine lake with microplastic particles. Curr. Biol. 2013, 23, R867.
| Contamination of beach sediments of a subalpine lake with microplastic particles.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhsF2gtbfI&md5=6e11592ca247c7597cdffb6b3d2e79b6CAS | 24112978PubMed |
[20] C. J. Moore, G. L. Lattin, A. F. Zellers, Quantity and type of plastic debris flowing from two urban rivers to coastal waters and beaches of southern California. J. Integr. Coast. Zone Manag. 2011, 11, 65.
[21] D. Morritt, P. V. Stefanoudis, D. Pearce, O. A. Crimmen, P. F. Clark, Plastic in the Thames: a river runs through it. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2014, 78, 196.
| Plastic in the Thames: a river runs through it.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhslOls7jO&md5=4561f1723610eca58a95d4461ce488f7CAS | 24239306PubMed |
[22] A. Lechner, H. Keckeis, F. Lumesberger-Loisl, B. Zens, R. Krusch, M. Tritthart, M. Glas, E. Schludermann, The Danube so colourful: a potpourri of plastic litter outnumbers fish larvae in Europe’s second largest river. Environ. Pollut. 2014, 188, 177.
| The Danube so colourful: a potpourri of plastic litter outnumbers fish larvae in Europe’s second largest river.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXjsFyqtbw%3D&md5=72efea79de3dd8cf45617ee3e236550dCAS | 24602762PubMed |
[23] S. Rech, V. Macaya-Caquilpán, J. F. Pantoja, M. M. Rivadeneira, D. Jofre Madariaga, M. Thiel, Rivers as a source of marine litter – a study from the SE Pacific. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2014, 82, 66.
| Rivers as a source of marine litter – a study from the SE Pacific.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXlvFeksbs%3D&md5=a18b68588cd70c2c3daad312f2183504CAS | 24726186PubMed |
[24] K. A. V. Zubris, B. K. Richards, Synthetic fibers as an indicator of land application of sludge. Environ. Pollut. 2005, 138, 201.
| Synthetic fibers as an indicator of land application of sludge.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2MXmvVCgsbs%3D&md5=4a01d6706df2928766b9338bb6cc4dc8CAS |
[25] M. Meybeck, L. Lestel, P. Bonté, R. Moilleron, J. L. Colin, O. Rousselot, D. Hervé, C. de Pontevès, C. Grosbois, D. Thévenot, Historical perspective of heavy metals contamination (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Zn) in the Seine River basin (France) following a DPSIR approach (1950–2005). Sci. Total Environ. 2007, 375, 204.
| Historical perspective of heavy metals contamination (Cd, Cr, Cu, Hg, Pb, Zn) in the Seine River basin (France) following a DPSIR approach (1950–2005).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD2sXjt1Sgtb0%3D&md5=9d9c1c5d500920a0a5c08cb1e87de131CAS | 17306338PubMed |
[26] V. Rocher, C. Paffoni, A. Goncalves, S. Guerin, S. Azimi, J. Gasperi, R. Moilleron, A. Pauss, Municipal wastewater treatment by biofiltration: comparisons of various treatment layouts. Part 1: assessment of carbon and nitrogen removal. Water Sci. Technol. 2012, 65, 1705.
| Municipal wastewater treatment by biofiltration: comparisons of various treatment layouts. Part 1: assessment of carbon and nitrogen removal.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XptFWgur8%3D&md5=6430efc25ce9fd3120781fcc1c7577d1CAS | 22508136PubMed |
[27] F. Norén, Small Plastic Particles in Coastal Swedish Waters 2007 (KIMO Sweden). Available at http://www.kimointernational.org/WebData/Files/Small%20plastic%20particles%20in%20Swedish%20West%20Coast%20Waters.pdf [Verified 14 April 2015].
[28] C. M. Free, O. P. Jensen, S. A. Mason, M. Eriksen, N. J. Williamson, B. Boldgiv, High levels of microplastic pollution in a large, remote, mountain lake. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2014, 85, 156.
| High levels of microplastic pollution in a large, remote, mountain lake.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhtlarurbJ&md5=3e7a706e1c1c4479f8eef370965c083bCAS | 24973278PubMed |
[29] M. A. Browne, P. Crump, S. J. Niven, E. Teuten, A. Tonkin, T. Galloway, R. C. Thompson, Accumulation of microplastic on shorelines woldwide: sources and sinks. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2011, 45, 9175.
| Accumulation of microplastic on shorelines woldwide: sources and sinks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXht1Gks7bN&md5=0004f85a816e01343ea841b1c13ca432CAS | 21894925PubMed |
[30] D. Habib, D. C. Locke, L. J. Cannone, Synthetic fibers as indicators of municipal sewage sludge, sludge products, and sewage treatment plant effluents. Water Air Soil Pollut. 1998, 103, 1.
| Synthetic fibers as indicators of municipal sewage sludge, sludge products, and sewage treatment plant effluents.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1cXhvVGhsbo%3D&md5=8939f52d20cefd15e7def92b2c46e866CAS |
[31] L. Vilmin, N. Flipo, C. De Fouquet, M. Poulin, Pluri-annual sediment budget in an urbanized river system: the Seine River. Sci. Total Environ. 2015, 502, 48.
| Pluri-annual sediment budget in an urbanized river system: the Seine River.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhsFeit7%2FM&md5=d9e9c2b3eef46baeb692f997be359730CAS | 25241208PubMed |
[32] J. Gasperi, R. Dris, T. Bonin, V. Rocher, B. Tassin, Assessment of floating plastic debris in surface water along the Seine River. Environ. Pollut. 2014, 195, 163.
| Assessment of floating plastic debris in surface water along the Seine River.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXhsFCitrfL&md5=3ff3b7dfc390b99d6841ded3ec54891fCAS | 25240189PubMed |
[33] S. S. Sadri, R. C. Thompson, On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary, south-west England. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2014, 81, 55.
| On the quantity and composition of floating plastic debris entering and leaving the Tamar Estuary, south-west England.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXjvFWiu7c%3D&md5=14a858d6bd2c72ad84cf8cfd17d81dd1CAS | 24613232PubMed |
[34] S. L. Wright, R. C. Thompson, T. S. Galloway, The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms: a review. Environ. Pollut. 2013, 178, 483.
| The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXltVCrtLc%3D&md5=e8d21e474857816bde6b082a00007f7bCAS | 23545014PubMed |
