Source- and polymer-specific size distributions of fine microplastics in surface water in an urban river.

There is increasing concern about the environmental behaviors of microplastics (MPs), in particular fine MPs (FMPs), such as their concentrations, sources, size distributions, and fragmentation by weathering in waters. However, there is little information about size distributions of MP polymer types and their relationships to their sources. Here, we analyzed concentrations, compositions, and size distributions of 18 polymer types of MPs of >20 μm by micro-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy with a novel pretreatment method in surface waters at five sites from the headwaters to the mouth of a Japanese river, and in influent and effluent from a sewage treatment plant (STP).

Neonicotinoids disrupt aquatic food webs and decrease fishery yields.

Invertebrate declines are widespread in terrestrial ecosystems, and pesticide use is often cited as a causal factor. Here, we report that aquatic systems are threatened by the high toxicity and persistence of neonicotinoid insecticides. These effects cascade to higher trophic levels by altering food web structure and dynamics, affecting higher-level consumers.

Occurrence and assessment of the risk of ultraviolet filters and light stabilizers in Victorian estuaries.

This reconnaissance study was undertaken to examine the occurrence of common ultraviolet filters (UVF) and light stabilizers (UVLS), and preservatives in four different estuaries in Port Philip Bay, Victoria, for the first time. In total, 11 UV filters, 10 UV stabilizers, 12 preservatives and a metabolite, and one fragrance were screened in grab samples of water and sediment using a combination of solid phase extraction and gas and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry measurement techniques. In that context, 16 of the UVF and UVLS and 5 of the preservatives screened were observed in water and/or sediment samples.

Contribution of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) to whole toxicity of water samples collected in effluent-dominated urban streams.

Water samples were collected from effluent-dominated urban streams in Tokushima, Kyoto, and Saitama in Japan to roughly determine the contribution of pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) and surfactants to whole toxicity of the water. Approximately 100 PPCPs including anionic surfactants such as linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), were chemically analyzed. Using 14 water samples, chronic or sub-chronic toxicity tests were conducted on three aquatic species, the green alga Raphidocelis subcapitata, the cladoceran Ceriodaphnia dubia, and the zebrafish Danio rerio.

Occurrence of preservatives and antimicrobials in Japanese rivers.

We established a method for the simultaneous analysis of seven preservatives and five antimicrobials in water. These chemicals are widely used in cosmetics, and their presence in river water is of concern. We used the method to test 13 sites in Japanese rivers and streams contaminated by domestic wastewater, effluent, or industrial wastewater.

Ecological risk assessment of urban creek sediments contaminated by untreated domestic wastewater: potential contribution of antimicrobials and a musk fragrance.

Despite the fact that some hydrophobic pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) have been found to accumulate in river sediments, little is known about the contribution of these compounds to the toxicity of the whole sediment. We sampled river sediments from two urban creeks with an unsewered drainage area to investigate the toxicity for a benthic organism, Chironomus yoshimatsui. The concentrations of selected hydrophobic PPCPs, triclosan (TCS), triclocarban (TCC) and galaxolide (HHCB) were analysed using gas chromatographic mass spectroscopy or liquid chromatographic mass spectroscopy and were found to lie within the range 50 to 200 ng g(-1).

Concentration of organic sun-blocking agents in seawater of beaches and coral reefs of Okinawa Island, Japan.

The concentration of UV filters (UVFs) and UV light stabilizers (UVLSs) were measured in seawater and river water collected from sites at four beaches, two reefs, and one river on Okinawa Island, Japan. UVFs and/or UVLSs of 8-10 types were detected in beaches samples and 6-9 types were detected in reef samples. The total UVF concentrations at the beach sites were highest either in July or August with a maximum of 1.

Ecotoxicity and screening level ecotoxicological risk assessment of five antimicrobial agents: triclosan, triclocarban, resorcinol, phenoxyethanol and p-thymol.

Acute and chronic (or sub-chronic) toxicity of five selected antimicrobial agents, including triclosan (TCS), triclocarban (TCC), resorcinol, phenoxyethanol and p-thymol, was investigated using the conventional three-aquatic-organism battery. These compounds are widely used in cosmetics and other personal care products and their ecological risk has recently become a significant concern. As results of toxicity tests, TCS was found to be most strongly toxic for green algae [e.

Occurrence and profiles of organic sun-blocking agents in surface waters and sediments in Japanese rivers and lakes.

Sun-blocking agents including eight UV filters (UVF) and 10 UV light stabilizers (UVLS) were measured in water and sediment collected from 22 rivers, four sewage treatment plant effluents (STPE) and three lakes in Japan. Total sun blocking agents levels ranged from N.D.

Atmospheric polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: size distribution, estimation of their risk and their depositions to the human respiratory tract.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in the atmosphere may be one of the causes of lung cancer. However, in many countries including Japan, only benzo[a]pyrene is regulated, though more toxic PAHs than benzo[a]pyrene have been reported. Therefore, it is necessary to characterize the risk of atmospheric PAHs and to find major contributing compounds that can act as suitable indicators for estimating and monitoring the risk of PAHs as a whole.