Register      Login
Environmental Chemistry Environmental Chemistry Society
Environmental problems - Chemical approaches
RESEARCH ARTICLE

Plastic pollution in Swiss surface waters: nature and concentrations, interaction with pollutants

Florian Faure A , Colin Demars A , Olivier Wieser A , Manuel Kunz B and Luiz Felippe de Alencastro A C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL), Central Environmental Laboratory (GR-CEL), Station 2, CH-1015 Lausanne, Switzerland.

B Federal Office for the Environment (FOEN), Water Division, Water Quality Section, CH-3003 Bern, Switzerland.

C Corresponding author. Email: felippe.dealencastro@epfl.ch

Environmental Chemistry 12(5) 582-591 https://doi.org/10.1071/EN14218
Submitted: 9 October 2014  Accepted: 1 March 2015   Published: 18 August 2015

Environmental context. Plastic, and particularly microplastic, pollution is a growing environmental concern worldwide. Research regarding marine environments has led to a substantial increase in knowledge, yet little is known as regards the situation in freshwater environments. Although the occurrence of microplastics was demonstrated in Lake Geneva in 2012, the present research aims at confirming this pollution and expanding the data set for other lakes and environments of Switzerland.

Abstract. Marine microplastic (<5 mm) water pollution has met growing public and scientific interest in the last few years. The situation in freshwater environments remains largely unknown, although it appears that they play an important role as part of the origin of marine pollution. Apart from the physical impacts on biota, chemical effects are to be expected as well, especially with smaller particles. This study aims at assessing plastic abundance in Lakes Geneva, Constance, Neuchâtel, Maggiore, Zurich and Brienz, and identifying the nature of the particles, potential ingestion by birds and fishes, and the associated pollutants. Lake surface transects and a few rivers were sampled using a floating manta net, and beach sediments were analysed. Plastics were sorted by type (fragments, pellets, cosmetic beads, lines, fibres, films, foams) and composition (polypropylene, polyethylene, polystyrene, etc.); fish and water birds were dissected to assess their potential exposure, and analyses were conducted on the hydrophobic micropollutants adsorbed to the microplastics as well as some potentially toxic additives they contained. Evidence of this pollution is shown for all lakes, microplastics of all types and diverse composition having been found in all samples. Birds and fish are prone to microplastic ingestion, and all the tested chemicals (both adsorbed micropollutants and contained additives) were found above the detection limit, and often the quantification limit. The sources and their respective contribution need to be confirmed and quantified, and the ecotoxicological effects need further investigation. Other questions remain open, including the transport and fate of plastic particles in the environment.


References

[1]  C. Arthur, J. Baker (Eds), Proceedings of the Second Research Workshop on Microplastic Debris, 5–6 November 2010, Tacoma, WA, USA 2011, Marine Debris Program, Technical Memorandum NOS-OR&R-39. (NOAA: Silver Spring, MD, USA). Available at http://marinedebris.noaa.gov/sites/default/files/publications-files/TM_NOS-ORR_39.pdf [Verified 7 August 2015].

[2]  D. K. A. Barnes, F. Galgani, R. C. Thompson, M. Barlaz, Accumulation and fragmentation of plastic debris in global environments. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. B Biol. Sci. 2009, 364, 1985.
Accumulation and fragmentation of plastic debris in global environments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXpt1Skt7w%3D&md5=c29927e7454ccee2ea68a6c4ffedea9bCAS |

[3]  P. G. Ryan, C. J. Moore, J. A. van Franeker, C. L. Moloney, Monitoring the abundance of plastic debris in the marine environment. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. B Biol. Sci. 2009, 364, 1999.
Monitoring the abundance of plastic debris in the marine environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXpt1Skt70%3D&md5=b82cd325b1ccf0f6fd382aecc539530eCAS |

[4]  R. C. Thompson, Y. Olsen, R. P. Mitchell, A. Davis, S. J. Rowland, A. W. G. John, D. McGonigle, A. E. Russell, 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]  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 |

[6]  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 |

[7]  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 |

[8]  K. Syberg, F. R. Khan, H. Selck, A. Palmqvist, G. T. Banta, J. Daley, L. Sano, M. B. Duhaim, Microplastics: addressing ecological risk through lessons learned. Environ. Toxicol. Chem. 2015, 34, 945.
Microplastics: addressing ecological risk through lessons learned.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXmslyisrw%3D&md5=2a4f01571504c2852d7cb96e95626d3cCAS | 25655822PubMed |

[9]  K. Tanaka, H. Takada, R. Yamashita, K. Mizukawa, M. Fukuwaka, Y. Watanuki, Accumulation of plastic-derived chemicals in tissues of seabirds ingesting marine plastics. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2013, 69, 219.
Accumulation of plastic-derived chemicals in tissues of seabirds ingesting marine plastics.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXktl2lsA%3D%3D&md5=a381057aca6371aca6c09fac894840adCAS | 23298431PubMed |

[10]  M. C. Fossi, D. Coppola, M. Baini, M. Giannetti, C. Guerranti, L. Marsili, C. Panti, E. de Sabata, S. Clò, Large filter-feeding marine organisms as indicators of microplastic in the pelagic environment: the case studies of the Mediterranean basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) and fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). Mar. Environ. Res. 2014, 100, 17.
Large filter-feeding marine organisms as indicators of microplastic in the pelagic environment: the case studies of the Mediterranean basking shark (Cetorhinus maximus) and fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXjsF2htLc%3D&md5=8456b2a18416b689d1148542cabbfbb6CAS | 24612776PubMed |

[11]  M. Oliveira, A. Ribeiro, K. Hylland, L. Guilhermino, Single and combined effects of microplastics and pyrene on juveniles (0+ group) of the common goby Pomatoschistus microps (Teleostei, Gobiidae). Ecol. Indic. 2013, 34, 641.
Single and combined effects of microplastics and pyrene on juveniles (0+ group) of the common goby Pomatoschistus microps (Teleostei, Gobiidae).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXht1aqsL%2FM&md5=6a6d2dd9af54c4fc1428910a818422c6CAS |

[12]  A. A. Koelmans, E. Besseling, E. M. Foekema, Leaching of plastic additives to marine organisms. Environ. Pollut. 2014, 187, 49.
Leaching of plastic additives to marine organisms.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXivFClt70%3D&md5=e6c887760bdebd47d44940135dfa9ce6CAS | 24440692PubMed |

[13]  T. Gouin, N. Roche, R. Lohmann, G. Hodges, A thermodynamic approach for assessing the environmental exposure of chemicals absorbed to microplastic. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2011, 45, 1466.
A thermodynamic approach for assessing the environmental exposure of chemicals absorbed to microplastic.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhtVKns7c%3D&md5=d5bf914bcf7ef4f6604592e3a069308eCAS | 21268630PubMed |

[14]  E. Besseling, A. Wegner, E. M. Foekema, M. J. van den Heuvel-Greve, A. A. Koelmans, Effects of microplastic on fitness and PCB bioaccumulation by the lugworm Arenicola marina (L.). Environ. Sci. Technol. 2013, 47, 593.
Effects of microplastic on fitness and PCB bioaccumulation by the lugworm Arenicola marina (L.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhslaksL%2FK&md5=3c79c26259181e576f0d50d0f7941b48CAS | 23181424PubMed |

[15]  A. A. Koelmans, E. Besseling, A. Wegner, E. M. Foekema, Plastic as a carrier of POPs to aquatic organisms: a model analysis. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2013, 47, 7812.
Plastic as a carrier of POPs to aquatic organisms: a model analysis.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXptFeisbk%3D&md5=588ca2660f26b0ff83fc4fad12828a12CAS | 23758580PubMed |

[16]  M. Wagner, C. Scherer, D. Alvarez-Muñoz, N. Brennholt, X. Bourrain, S. Buchinger, E. Fries, C. Grosbois, J. Klasmeier, T. Marti, S. Rodriguez-Mozaz, R. Urbatzka, A. D. Vethaak, M. Winther-Nielsen, G. Reifferscheid, Microplastics in freshwater ecosystems: what we know and what we need to know. Env. Sci. Eur 2014, 26, 12.
Microplastics in freshwater ecosystems: what we know and what we need to know.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[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]  M. Zbyszewski, P. L. Corcoran, Distribution and degradation of freshwater plastic particles along the beaches of Lake Huron, Canada. Water Air Soil Pollut. 2011, 220, 365.
Distribution and degradation of freshwater plastic particles along the beaches of Lake Huron, Canada.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXpvFCksbc%3D&md5=71b22e25862ad5d71914d1bb5551d1f7CAS |

[19]  M. Zbyszewski, P. L. Corcoran, A. Hockin, Comparison of the distribution and degradation of plastic debris along shorelines of the Great Lakes, North America. J. Great Lakes Res. 2014, 40, 288.
Comparison of the distribution and degradation of plastic debris along shorelines of the Great Lakes, North America.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2cXksFyrtbw%3D&md5=a54ce6c5bf92892ecfa3f1541805e3faCAS |

[20]  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 |

[21]  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 |

[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]  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 |

[24]  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 |

[25]  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. RGCI – Revista de Gestão Costeira Integrada 2011, 11, 65.
Quantity and type of plastic debris flowing from two urban rivers to coastal waters and beaches of southern California.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[26]  W. Sanchez, C. Bender, J.-M. Porcher, Wild gudgeons (Gobio gobio) from French rivers are contaminated by microplastics: preliminary study and first evidence. Environ. Res. 2014, 128, 98.
Wild gudgeons (Gobio gobio) from French rivers are contaminated by microplastics: preliminary study and first evidence.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhvV2gt7%2FE&md5=e3349563a15b5b3367bbe9eca0d52636CAS | 24295902PubMed |

[27]  F. Faure, M. Corbaz, H. Baecher, L. F. 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 |

[28]  F. Faure, V. Gagnaux, H. Baecher, V. Neuhaus, L. F. de Alencastro, Microplastiques sur les plages et la surface du Léman. Résultats préliminaires. Bulletin de l’ARPEA 2013, 49, 15.

[29]  P. Liechti, L’état des lacs en Suisse. Report number 237 1994 (Office Fédéral de l’Environnement, des Forêts et du Paysage (OFEFP): Berne, Switzerland).

[30]  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 |

[31]  M.-T. Nuelle, J. H. Dekiff, D. Remy, E. Fries, A new analytical approach for monitoring microplastics in marine sediments. Environ. Pollut. 2014, 184, 161.
A new analytical approach for monitoring microplastics in marine sediments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhvVWlt7%2FL&md5=6c46200a245f87066cf6d3f148a5a9beCAS | 24051349PubMed |

[32]  H. K. Imhof, J. Schmid, R. Niessner, N. P. Ivleva, C. Laforsch, A novel, highly efficient method for the separation and quantification of plastic particles in sediments of aquatic environments. Limnol. Oceanogr. Methods 2012, 10, 524.
| 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhtlyntrfN&md5=b2457dab3b418e16f52c1327551bf523CAS |

[33]  J. E. Baker, G. D. Foster, J. E. Masura, Methods for the analysis of microplastics in water samples. Draft 2011 (Center for Urban Waters, University of Washington: Tacoma, WA and Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, George Mason University: Fairfax, VA).

[34]  A. G. J. Driedger, H. H. Dürr, K. Mitchell, P. Van Cappellen, Plastic debris in the Laurentian Great Lakes: a review. J. Great Lakes Res. 2015, 41, 9.
Plastic debris in the Laurentian Great Lakes: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC2MXptVSisQ%3D%3D&md5=f05ee47c9c12d6578c9d07033ce96059CAS |

[35]  J. G. 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 | 12405208PubMed |

[36]  T. Kukulka, G. Proskurowski, S. Morét-Ferguson, D. W. Meyer, K. L. Law, The effect of wind mixing on the vertical distribution of buoyant plastic debris. Geophys. Res. Lett. 2012, 39, L07601.
The effect of wind mixing on the vertical distribution of buoyant plastic debris.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[37]  C. Moore, S. Moore, S. Weisberg, G. Lattin, A. Zellers, A comparison of neustonic plastic and zooplankton abundance in southern California’s coastal waters. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2002, 44, 1035.
A comparison of neustonic plastic and zooplankton abundance in southern California’s coastal waters.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD38XosVSmur0%3D&md5=69a1fc66546dd3f9a3cf992f0faa25f5CAS | 12474963PubMed |

[38]  P. Vonlanthen, G. Périat, O. Seehausen, L. Rüber, Projet Lac – den Fischen in unseren Seen auf der Spur 2012 (Eawag: Dübendorf, Switzerland). Available at http://www.eawag.ch/forschung/fishec/gruppen/lac/index_EN [Verified 24 April 2015].

[39]  J. Reisser, J. Shaw, C. Wilcox, B. D. Hardesty, M. Proietti, M. Thums, C. Pattiaratchi, Marine plastic pollution in waters around Australia: characteristics, concentrations, and pathways. PLoS One 2013, 8, e80466.
Marine plastic pollution in waters around Australia: characteristics, concentrations, and pathways.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24312224PubMed |

[40]  D. G. Shaw, R. H. Day, Colour- and form-dependent loss of plastic microdebris from the North Pacific Ocean. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 1994, 28, 39.
Colour- and form-dependent loss of plastic microdebris from the North Pacific Ocean.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[41]  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 |

[42]  H. Hirai, H. Takada, Y. Ogata, R. Yamashita, K. Mizukawa, M. Saha, C. Kwan, C. Moore, H. Gray, D. Laursen, E. R. Zettler, J. W. Farrington, C. M. Reddy, E. E. Peacock, M. W. Ward, Organic micropollutants in marine plastics debris from the open ocean and remote and urban beaches. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2011, 62, 1683.
Organic micropollutants in marine plastics debris from the open ocean and remote and urban beaches.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXovFKrtb4%3D&md5=d9ea2694acd16e4b034f8901971694c8CAS | 21719036PubMed |

[43]  J. N. Miller, J. C. Miller, Statistics and Chemometrics for Analytical Chemistry, 6th edn 2010 (Pearson Education: Harlow, UK).

[44]  U. Lemmin, N. D’Adamo, Summertime winds and direct cyclonic circulation: observations from Lake Geneva. Ann. Geophys. 1996, 14, 1207.
Summertime winds and direct cyclonic circulation: observations from Lake Geneva.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[45]  J.-C. Druart, G. Balvay, Le Léman et sa Vie Microscopique 2007 (Editions Quae: Versailles, France).

[46]  Banque Hydro – MEDDE, SYNTHESE: données hydrologiques de synthèse (1920–2013) 2014 (Ministère de l’Écologie, du Développement durable et de l’Énergie). Available at http://www.hydro.eaufrance.fr/stations/V7200010&procedure=synthese [Verified 12 May 2014].

[47]  C. Moore, S. Moore, M. Leecaster, S. Weisberg, A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2001, 42, 1297.
A comparison of plastic and plankton in the North Pacific central gyre.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3MXovFGgtL0%3D&md5=e9d29e2cb460847a5809773bf08a5f1cCAS | 11827116PubMed |

[48]  A. Collignon, J.-H. Hecq, F. Glagani, P. Voisin, F. Collard, A. Goffart, Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the north-western Mediterranean Sea. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2012, 64, 861.
Neustonic microplastic and zooplankton in the north-western Mediterranean Sea.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XkvFaht74%3D&md5=1099effbf47ac2616704a807fe89b6dcCAS | 22325448PubMed |

[49]  R. Schelker, P. Geisselhardt, Projekt ‘Kunststoff-Verwertung Schweiz’, Bericht Module 1 und 2 2011 (REDILO: Basel, Switzerland).

[50]  D. Lithner, Å. Larsson, G. Dave, Environmental and health hazard ranking and assessment of plastic polymers based on chemical composition. Sci. Total Environ. 2011, 409, 3309.
Environmental and health hazard ranking and assessment of plastic polymers based on chemical composition.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXotlGiur4%3D&md5=c84731a4a985f301ad18b2020c4b57c6CAS | 21663944PubMed |

[51]  W. Ambrosetti, L. Barbanti, A. Rolla, L. Castellano, N. Sala, Hydraulic paths and estimation of the real residence time of the water in Lago Maggiore (N Italy): application of massless markers transported in 3D motion fields. J. Limnol. 2012, 71, 2.
Hydraulic paths and estimation of the real residence time of the water in Lago Maggiore (N Italy): application of massless markers transported in 3D motion fields.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |

[52]  E. L. Teuten, J. M. Saquing, D. R. U. Knappe, M. A. Barlaz, S. Jonsson, A. Björn, S. J. Rowland, R. C. Thompson, T. S. Galloway, R. Yamashita, D. Ochi, Y. Watanuki, C. Moore, P. H. Viet, T. S. Tana, M. Prudente, R. Boonyatumanond, M. P. Zakaria, K. Akkhavong, Y. Ogata, H. Hirai, S. Iwasa, K. Mizukawa, Y. Hagino, A. Imamura, M. Saha, H. Takada, Transport and release of chemicals from plastics to the environment and to wildlife. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. B Biol. Sci. 2009, 364, 2027.
Transport and release of chemicals from plastics to the environment and to wildlife.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXpt1Skt7o%3D&md5=b2a10b23de098527275cf3f0e38787cbCAS |

[53]  Y. Mato, T. Isobe, H. Takada, H. Kanehiro, C. Ohtake, T. Kaminuma, Plastic resin pellets as a transport medium for toxic chemicals in the marine environment. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2001, 35, 318.
Plastic resin pellets as a transport medium for toxic chemicals in the marine environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD3cXosFyqt70%3D&md5=1f1dfc41306b8562a15cac65ed97b43aCAS | 11347604PubMed |

[54]  C. M. Rochman, E. Hoh, B. T. Hentschel, S. Kaye, Long-term field measurement of sorption of organic contaminants to five types of plastic pellets: implications for plastic marine debris. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2013, 47, 1646.
| 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhvFWgt77N&md5=88c37842e9dc7566d03bb2324a8a59c2CAS | 23270427PubMed |

[55]  M. C. Fossi, C. Panti, C. Guerranti, D. Coppola, M. Giannetti, L. Marsili, R. Minutoli, Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics? A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2012, 64, 2374.
Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics? A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhsFyiu7nM&md5=ff468a680b832f9a1f9326171e5b4777CAS | 22964427PubMed |

[56]  A. Van, C. M. Rochman, E. M. Flores, K. L. Hill, E. Vargas, S. A. Vargas, E. Hoh, Persistent organic pollutants in plastic marine debris found on beaches in San Diego, California. Chemosphere 2012, 86, 258.
Persistent organic pollutants in plastic marine debris found on beaches in San Diego, California.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38Xit1Cnuw%3D%3D&md5=726738dad88ec81b737d2c89376aee9dCAS | 22014466PubMed |

[57]  L. M. Rios, P. R. Jones, C. Moore, U. V. Narayan, Quantitation of persistent organic pollutants adsorbed on plastic debris from the Northern Pacific Gyre’s ‘eastern garbage patch’. J. Environ. Monit. 2010, 12, 2226.
Quantitation of persistent organic pollutants adsorbed on plastic debris from the Northern Pacific Gyre’s ‘eastern garbage patch’.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhsFWisbvE&md5=edd50c80b46ed384f3826db24b2c181aCAS | 21042605PubMed |