Batdulam Battulga, Takahiro Nakanishi, Mariko Atarashi-Andoh, Shigeyoshi Otosaka, Jun Koarashi
{"title":"Biofilm-mediated interactions between plastics and radiocesium in coastal environments.","authors":"Batdulam Battulga, Takahiro Nakanishi, Mariko Atarashi-Andoh, Shigeyoshi Otosaka, Jun Koarashi","doi":"10.1007/s11356-024-35164-y","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>A ubiquitous distribution of plastic debris has been reported in aquatic and terrestrial environments; however, the interactions between plastics and radionuclides and the radioactivity of environmental plastics remain largely unknown. Here, we characterize biofilms developing on the surface of plastic debris to explore the role of plastic-associated biofilms as an interaction medium between plastics and radiocesium (<sup>137</sup>Cs) in the environment. Biofilm samples were extracted from plastics (1-50 mm in size) collected from two contrasting coastal areas in Japan. The radioactivity of plastics was estimated based on the <sup>137</sup>Cs activity concentration of the biofilms and compared seasonally with surrounding environmental samples (i.e., sediment and sand). <sup>137</sup>Cs traces were detected in biofilms with activity concentrations of 21-1300 Bq·kg<sup>-1</sup> biofilm (dry weight), corresponding to 0.04-4.5 Bq·kg<sup>-1</sup> plastic (dry weight). Our results reveal the interaction between <sup>137</sup>Cs and plastics and provide evidence that organic and mineral components in biofilms are essential in <sup>137</sup>Cs retention in environmental plastics. Given the ubiquitous distribution of plastic debris in the environment, more attention should be directed to bioaccumulation and the radioecological impacts of plastic-associated radionuclides on ecosystems.</p>","PeriodicalId":545,"journal":{"name":"Environmental Science and Pollution Research","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":5.8000,"publicationDate":"2024-10-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Environmental Science and Pollution Research","FirstCategoryId":"93","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-024-35164-y","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"环境科学与生态学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"0","JCRName":"ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
A ubiquitous distribution of plastic debris has been reported in aquatic and terrestrial environments; however, the interactions between plastics and radionuclides and the radioactivity of environmental plastics remain largely unknown. Here, we characterize biofilms developing on the surface of plastic debris to explore the role of plastic-associated biofilms as an interaction medium between plastics and radiocesium (137Cs) in the environment. Biofilm samples were extracted from plastics (1-50 mm in size) collected from two contrasting coastal areas in Japan. The radioactivity of plastics was estimated based on the 137Cs activity concentration of the biofilms and compared seasonally with surrounding environmental samples (i.e., sediment and sand). 137Cs traces were detected in biofilms with activity concentrations of 21-1300 Bq·kg-1 biofilm (dry weight), corresponding to 0.04-4.5 Bq·kg-1 plastic (dry weight). Our results reveal the interaction between 137Cs and plastics and provide evidence that organic and mineral components in biofilms are essential in 137Cs retention in environmental plastics. Given the ubiquitous distribution of plastic debris in the environment, more attention should be directed to bioaccumulation and the radioecological impacts of plastic-associated radionuclides on ecosystems.
期刊介绍:
Environmental Science and Pollution Research (ESPR) serves the international community in all areas of Environmental Science and related subjects with emphasis on chemical compounds. This includes:
- Terrestrial Biology and Ecology
- Aquatic Biology and Ecology
- Atmospheric Chemistry
- Environmental Microbiology/Biobased Energy Sources
- Phytoremediation and Ecosystem Restoration
- Environmental Analyses and Monitoring
- Assessment of Risks and Interactions of Pollutants in the Environment
- Conservation Biology and Sustainable Agriculture
- Impact of Chemicals/Pollutants on Human and Animal Health
It reports from a broad interdisciplinary outlook.