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Battulga, B.; Munkhbat, D.*; Matsueda, Makoto; Atarashi-Andoh, Mariko; Oyuntsetseg, B.*; Koarashi, Jun; Kawahigashi, Masayuki*
Environmental Pollution, 357, p.124427_1 - 124427_10, 2024/09
Times Cited Count:0 Percentile:0.00(Environmental Sciences)The occurrence and characteristics of plastic debris in aquatic and terrestrial environments have been extensively studied. However, there is still limited information on the properties and dynamic behavior of plastic-associated biofilms in the environment. In this study, we collected plastic samples from an inland river system in Mongolia and extracted biofilms from the plastics to uncover the characteristics of the biofilms using analytical, isotopic, and thermogravimetric techniques. Mixtures of organic and mineral particles were detected from extracted biofilms, revealing the plastic as a carrier for exogenous substances including contaminants in the river ecosystem. The present study provides insights into the characteristics and environmental behavior of biofilms which are useful to elucidate the impact of plastic-associated biofilms on organic matter and material cycling in the aquatic ecosystems.
Battulga, B.; Atarashi-Andoh, Mariko; Koarashi, Jun; Bolormaa, O.*; Kawahigashi, Masayuki*
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, 261, p.115100_1 - 115100_10, 2023/08
Times Cited Count:1 Percentile:19.24(Environmental Sciences)The widespread distribution of plastic debris in the riverine environment is one of the major concerns of environmental pollution because of its potential impact on the aquatic ecosystem. In this study, we investigated accumulation of metal(loid)s on polystyrene foam (PSF) plastics collected from the Tuul River shore of Mongolia. Sorbed metal(loid)s on plastics have been extracted from collected PSF by sonication after peroxide oxidation. Size-dependent association of metal(loid)s indicated that PSFs act as vectors for the pollutants in the urban river environment. In addition, images from scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicated not only the degraded surface of plastics showing fractures, holes, and pits, but also adhered mineral particles and microorganisms on PSFs. Interaction of metal(loid)s with plastics may be facilitated by altered surface physical and chemical properties of the plastics through photodegradation followed by an increase in surface area by size reduction and/or biofilm development in the aquatic environment. Enrichment ratio (ER) of metals on PSF samples suggested continuous accumulation of heavy metals on plastics. Our results demonstrate that the widespread plastic debris could be one of the carriers for hazardous chemicals in the environment. Since the influences of plastic debris on environmental health are major concerns to be solved, the fate and behavior of hetero-aggregates of plastics in aquatic environments should be continuously studied.
Munkhbat, D.*; Battulga, B.; Oyuntsetseg, B.*; Kawahigashi, Masayuki*
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Munkhbat, D.*; Kawahigashi, Masayuki*; Battulga, B.; Bolormaa, O.*; Sainjargal, B.*
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