• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.265-275
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• 2021

Findings of microplastics and nanoplastics from diverse natural environments have increased demand for research of the fate and transport of the potentially toxic plastic particles in soils and groundwater. Weathering of microplastics would generate a significant amount of nanoplastics, but nanoplastics research is scarce because of technical difficulties in detecting nanoplastics in environments and analyzing nanoplastics adsorption to mineral surfaces. In the current study, we tested a possibility using quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) for application to nanoplastics adsorption analysis on mineral surfaces. In silica (SiO₂)-packed column experiments, a measurable adsorption capacity for polystyrene nanoparticles often requires injection of unrealistically high ionic strengths or concentrated nanoplastic particles. The current test shows that QCM can measure polystyrene nanoplastics adsorbed onto SiO₂ surface under the low ionic strengths and nanoplastics concentrations, where typical column experiments cannot. QCM is a promising tool for understanding the interaction between nanoplastics and mineral surfaces and thus transport of nanoplastics in soils and groundwater.

• Journal of Marine Life Science
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.78-86
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• 2023

Here, upon acute (96 h) and chronic (14 days) exposure, ingestion of polystyrene NPs (100 nm) and physiological, biochemical, and cholinergic modulations were analyzed in the water flea Moina macrocopa exposed to different concentrations (0.001, 0.01, 0.1, 1, 5, 10, 50, 100, and 500 ㎍ l^-1). Exposed NPs were observed in the internal organs (e.g., digestive tract and foregut) of the water flea. Chronic exposure to the relatively high concentrations resulted in significant decreases in survival, body length, and the total number of molts, whereas reproduction parameter was not affected. Significant increase in oxidative stress biomarker (malondialdehyde) and decrease in the intracellular content of endogenous antioxidant (glutathione) and enzymatic activity of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, catalase, superoxide dismutase, and glutathione S-transferase) were detected in response to relatively high concentrations of NPs. Transcriptional expression of the hsp70 gene was increased in response to relatively high concentrations of NPs, whereas acetylcholinesterase activity was lowered by the same concentrations of NPs. Taken together, NPs exposure would be a significant modulator on physiological and biochemical metabolism of water flea.

• Clean Technology
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2024

Nanoplastics (NP) exhibit distinct material properties compared to microplastics (MP), necessitating their separate recognition. Review of research outcomes and policy documents on NP reveals that most policy frameworks predominantly define MPs as solid synthetic polymer materials measuring 5 mm or less, but do not distinguish them from NP. However, recent revisions in regulations by the EU classify NPs as particles that range in size from 1 to 1,000 nm, as confirmed by some academic studies. Research on NPs often relies on experimental investigations centered around water systems, with a focus on high-concentration experimental conditions using spherical polystyrene-based NPs in behavior and impact studies. Notably, the environmental behavior characteristics of NP show differences in influence depending on the NP type, emphasizing the need for field simulation research. These challenges are mirrored in Korean society, so it is necessary to redefine NP to be distinct from MP in both research and policy. This study aimed to assess the current state of NP management globally and domestically and highlight policy considerations and issues in the existing response to NP. Upon comprehensive review, it becomes apparent that reaching an international agreement on MP faces methodological limitations, which could potentially burden efforts to precisely define NP size. Therefore, referencing the EU's recent regulatory revisions is crucial in domestic policy. Specific adjustments should commence from the MP concept through insights from the domestic industry, guidance from the academic community, and thorough discussions to ensure social acceptance.

• Membrane and Water Treatment
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.21-28
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• 2022

The use of plastics in our everyday lives have been drastically increased during the last few decades. However with the usage of commercial plastic products there is a possibility of microplastic consumption, due to the fragmentation of the products. Additionally, the potential for microplastic ingestion may also be increased by using damaged products. Hence, the current study was conducted to understand the potential release of micro/nano plastics and organic matter from damaged teabags. To check the leakage tendency, the amount of damage to the tea bags from 1-10 cm were tested along with temperatures of 25-70℃, and exposure times from 5 min to 1 hr was tested. Release of fibrous micro/nanoplastics, and organic leachate from the damaged teabags were observed to understand the outflow conditions. Results showed that with the increased degree of damage, temperature, and exposure time increased the release of fiberous matter, where the increase of temperature, and exposure time increased organic leachate. Additional analysis confirmed the leachate of nylon polymers into the heated water.

• Korean Journal of Mineralogy and Petrology
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• v.33 no.4
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• pp.463-475
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• 2020

Presence of microplastics in soil and groundwater has recently been reported and environmental concerns are raised as to the plastic pollution. In the subsurface environment, clay minerals and metal oxide minerals are commonly found as finely dispersed states. Because the minerals have high sorption capacities for diverse pollutants, interactions with mineral surface play an important role in the transport of microplastics in groundwater. Accordingly, environmental mineralogy investigating the interactions between microplastics and mineral surfaces is the essential research area to understand the fate and transport of microplastics in the subsurface environment. The microplastic-mineral surface research requires molecular- to nano-scale analyses to be able to probe the relatively weak interactions between them. The current report introduces a nano-scale analysis tool called quartz crystal microbalance (QCM) that can measure the sorbed/desorbed mass of nanoplastics on mineral surfaces at the level of a few nanograms (~10-9 g). This report briefly reviews the main principles in the QCM measurement and discusses applications of QCM to the environmental mineralogy research.

• Korean Journal of Environmental Biology
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.386-399
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• 2023

Microplastics and nanoplastics (NMPs) are considered one of hazardous contaminants in marine ecosystems due to their toxic effects, such as reproduction disorder and oxidative stress, on marine organisms. Although water temperature is rising due to global climate change, little information on the toxicological interaction between NMPs and temperature is available. Therefore, in this study, we confirmed the toxicity of NMPs (polystyrene [PS] beads; 0.05- and 6-㎛) on brackish water fleas (Diaphanosoma celebensis) depending on increased temperature (30℃ and 35℃) at individual and molecular levels. In the chronic toxicity test, the group exposed to high temperatures showed an earlier first reproduction time compared to the normal temperatures group, but it was delayed by co-exposure to NMPs at 35℃. Notably, the total reproduction decreased significantly only after 0.05-㎛ PS beads exposure at 30℃. Interaction analysis showed that first reproduction time, modulation of the antioxidant-related gene (GSTS1), heat shock gene (Hsp70), and ecdysteroid pathway-related genes (EcR_A, EcR_B, and CYP314A1) were closely related to temperature and PS beads size. These results indicate that microplastics have size-dependent toxicity, and their toxicity can be enhanced at high temperatures. In addition, higher temperatures and PS beads exposure may have negative effects on reproduction. This study suggests that various factors such as water temperature should be considered when evaluating the toxicity of microplastics in marine ecosystems, and provides an understanding of the complex toxic interaction between water temperature and microplastics for marine zooplankton.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.34 no.8
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• pp.594-607
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• 2024

Plastic products have long been widely used in both industrial and household applications. However, tiny plastic particles derived from plastic products, such as microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs), can infiltrate the human body through inhalation, ingestion, or skin contact. Once inside cells via endocytosis, MPs and NPs (MNPs) can trigger autophagy, but lysosomal dysfunction can block autophagic flux. Accumulating in the cytoplasm, these particles induce cellular stress, including oxidative stress from free radicals, mitochondrial dysfunction, and increased inflammatory response. Meanwhile, cellular senescence is a hallmark of aging and is defined as the stable termination of the cell cycle in response to cell damage and stress. In particular, the accumulation of oxidative stress, a key factor in inducing cellular senescence, induces the expression of major senescence markers. Senescent cells increase the secretion of senescence-associated secretory phenotype, including inflammatory cytokines and chemokines. Despite growing interest in how MNPs induce cellular senescence, there remains a gap regarding their onset and therapeutic targets. Therefore, this review focuses on identifying recent research trends on how MNPs induce cellular aging in key human cell types and proposes future research directions to overcome these challenges.

• Journal of Korean Society of Water and Wastewater
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.429-436
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• 2019

Since the discovery of the first artificial synthetic plastic, bakelite, polymer materials have been recognized as one of the most innovative fields of research. The plastic debris that is being piled up on the earth (called abandoned plastic litters) is now being observed everywhere on Earth, becoming an increasingly serious environmental threat. The term 'microplastics', created in 2004, now refers to plastic particles that are smaller than 5 mm, including all nano-sized plastic particles. However, there is no legal regulation, and there is still a lack of comprehensive definitions that practically include microplastic size standards. In this study, we will refer to "microplastics" as the English name, and look at how to identify these microplastics and propose new definitions that focus on their size. This study is expected to contribute to the domestic consensus on scientific definitions of microplastics.