Accumulation Of Debris Research Articles

Maternal risk factors and meconium stained amniotic fluid

Background: Meconium is a sterile, thick, black-green, odourless material that results from accumulation of debris in fetal intestine during the third month of gestation. The risk factors for meconium-stained amniotic fluid (MSAF) are both maternal and fetal. MSAF is associated with higher rate of caesarean delivery, increased need for neonatal resuscitation and meconium aspiration syndrome. This observational study was undertaken so that such expecting mothers can be screened at an early stage and prompt intervention can be done to minimize neonatal morbidity and mortality.Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in department of paediatrics of Sri Guru Ram Das University from December 2014 to June 2016 included all deliveries with meconium stained amniotic fluid excluding Twins, neonates with congenital malformations, multi organ dysfunction or requiring surgical intervention.Results: The incidence of MSAF was 3.42% with 10.5% mortality. Various maternal factors including multiparity, bad obstetric history, pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH), intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR), maternal diabetes, anaemia and non-reassuring cardiotocography (CTG) record were found to be statistically important and associated with poor outcome.Conclusions: MSAF and poor neonatal outcome is related to antenatal care. Thus, good antenatal and perinatal care can prevent morbidity and mortality in neonate by early identification of signs of fetal distress and passage of meconium inutero and improve outcome.

A learning approach for river debris detection

Plastic pollution in the sea is an environmental hazard, negatively impacts marine life, and causes economic damage all over the world. It is estimated that each year 8 million tonnes of plastic are deposited in seas, the vast majority coming from rivers. In recent years, publicly available satellite imagery has been used to attempt to track floating plastic debris, using specialized hand-crafted features. In this work, we present an automatic learning approach based on satellite imagery that can detect floating plastic debris in rivers with high precision. This approach is based on well-proven image segmentation architectures, U-Net (RonnebeRger et al., 2015) and DeeplabV3+ (Chen et al., 2018), which we adapt to process high-dimensional multispectral images. To train and test the approach, we also present a dataset of images from different rivers around the world containing floating plastic debris, which is a key step to creating an automated learning solution. We test the predictive accuracy of our network, showing that our approach can correctly identify floating debris in images from regions not seen in the training set. Our results also show that a more extensive labeled dataset is necessary to generalize the approach to some types of rivers. Furthermore, we also demonstrate how our solution can also be used to monitor single areas over time to understand and predict floating debris accumulation.

Development of a Practical Evaluation Method for Tsunami Debris and Its Accumulation

Tsunami-related fires may occur in the inundation area during a huge tsunami disaster, and woody debris produced by the tsunami can cause the fires to spread. To establish a practical method for evaluating tsunami-related fire predictions, we previously developed a method for evaluating the tsunami debris thickness distribution that uses tsunami computation results and static parameters for tsunami numerical analysis. We then used this evaluation method to successfully reproduce the tsunami debris accumulation trend. We then developed an empirical building fragility function that relates the production of debris not only to inundation depth but also to the topographic gradient and the proportion of robust buildings. Using these empirical evaluation models, along with conventional tsunami numerical analysis data, we carried out a practical tsunami debris prediction for Owase City, Mie Prefecture, a potential disaster area for a Nankai Trough mega-earthquake. This prediction analysis method can reveal hazards which go undetected by a conventional tsunami inundation analysis. These results indicate that it is insufficient to characterize the tsunami hazard by inundation area and inundation depth alone when predicting the hazard of a huge tsunami; moreover, more practically, it is necessary to predict the hazard based on the effect of tsunami debris.

Characterization of anthropogenic marine macro-debris affecting coral habitat in the highly urbanized seascape of Mumbai megacity

Marine debris has become a major form of pollution and a serious ecosystem health concern. The present study evaluates the accumulation, origin, and fate of debris in intertidal coral habitats of Mumbai-one of the world's highly populated coastal cities on the west coast of India. Predominantly, seven hermatypic coral species belonging to seven genera and five families were identified and mainly represented by Pseudosidastrea, Porites, and Bernardpora. In terms of number, the mean density of marine debris was 1.60 ± 0.13 SE items/m2, which is higher than the global average. The mean density of plastic debris was 1.46 ± 0.14 SE items/m2. Approximately 9% of total coral colonies were in physical contact with debris, and 22% of these colonies showed visible signs of partial bleaching. Single use plastic bags and wrappers were dominant plastic debris. The study area was characterized as ‘very poor cleanliness’ according to the Beach Quality Indexes, which include the Clean Coast Index, General Index, and Hazardous Items Index. The numerical model indicates the influence of river discharge and probable areas of plastic accumulation with high tidal currents in this region, maneuvering the spatial advection of litter in the nearshore areas. Combined analysis of ground-truthing and model simulation implies that the possible contributing sources of litter were representatives of land-based and sea-originated. The overall results point to increasing anthropogenic stressors threatening coastal coral communities, including marine debris pollution. It is advocated to adopt an integrated coastal zone management approach supported by coordinated policy frameworks could guide the mitigation of the debris footprint in coastal environments.

Experimental investigations on the wear behaviour of micro-EDM-fabricated textured tools during dry turning of Ti6Al4V

PurposeThis paper aims to focus on analysing the wear characteristics of tungsten carbide tools on which various micro patterns are fabricated to study its effect on the machinability of Ti-6Al-4V at dry turning conditions.Design/methodology/approachMicro-patterns such as dimples, linear grooves and a novel combination of dimples and linear grooves were fabricated on rake faces of uncoated tools by micro-EDM process. Impact of these patterns on tool wear and chip morphology characteristics under dry machining conditions were analysed, and their performances were compared with the non-textured tool (NTT).FindingsEncouraging results in terms of minimal tool wear and favourable chip morphology characteristics were observed in case of all the textured tools, which demonstrated better tribological characteristics in contrast to NTT. The average flank wear was reduced by 43.5, 32 and 24.7% in dimple textured tool (DTT), linear textured tool (LTT) and hybrid textured tool (HTT), respectively, as compared to NTT. The average chip curl diameters measured for NTT, DTT, LTT, and HTT were observed to be 6.60, 3.51, 4.0 and 4.31 mm, respectively.Originality/valueThe contribution of this work lies in fabricating innovative patterns using cost-effective micro-EDM process and analysing how the patterns, depending upon their dimensional area and wear debris accumulation characteristics, influence the machinability of Ti-6Al-4V in the absence of any lubrication mediums.

Dermatosis Neglecta Involving Different Age Groups- A Series of Four Cases

Dermatosis neglecta is a benign cutaneous condition which is often misdiagnosed. It occurs due to poor local hygiene or inadequate washing of a part of the body resulting in progressive accumulation of sebum, sweat, keratin and other debris which form an adherent crust of dirt. It mainly occurs in individuals who are unable to take care of themselves, like those with physical disability or psychosis. It is usually asymptomatic and is characterised by localised hyperpigmented patch or verrucous papules and plaques. Rubbing the affected area with alcohol-soaked gauze results in complete clearance of the lesion which is both diagnostic and therapeutic. The present case series describes four patients of different age groups. The first patient was a 65-years-old female, who underwent amputation of the gangrenous toes of right foot. She did not wash that leg for several weeks following surgery and developed cornflakes-like scaly lesions. Later lesions were diagnosed as dermatosis neglecta. Second case was a 18-years-old male, who presented with lesions on neck, which was misdiagnosed initially as Pityriasis vesicolor. The third patient was a 20-yearsold female, who presented with lesions on neck and was earlier diagnosed and treated as acanthosis nigricans. The fourth patient was a two-year-old female who developed lesions on neck due to accumulation of dirt and debris. In all these patients, lesions resolved on rubbing with alcohol-soaked swab. Very little data is available in medical literature about this condition. Therefore this case series is being reported to bring awareness among dermatologists. This would enable prompt clinical recognition and obviate the need for expensive investigations and treatment strategies.

Glenoid Prosthesis Design Considerations in Anatomic Total Shoulder Arthroplasty

Total shoulder arthroplasty is an increasingly popular option for the treatment of glenohumeral arthritis. Historically, the effectiveness of the procedure has largely been determined by the long-term stability of the glenoid component. Glenoid component loosening can lead to clinically concerning complications including pain with movement, loss of function, and accumulation of debris which may require surgery to revise. In response, there has been a push to optimize the design of the glenoid prosthesis. Traditional contemporary glenoid components use pegs for fixation and are made entirely of polyethylene. Variations on the standard implant include keeled, metal-backed, hybrid, augmented, and inlay designs. There is a wealth of biomechanical and clinical studies that report on the effectiveness of these different designs. The purpose of this review is to summarize existing literature regarding glenoid component design and identify key areas for future research. Knowledge of the rationale underlying glenoid design will help surgeons select the best component for their patients and optimize outcomes following TSA.

Chemotherapy- and Carcinogen-induced Cell Debris Initiates Cancer Recurrence

Chemotherapy, one of the mainstays of cancer treatment, can unfortunately act as a double-edged sword. While achieving the intended aim of killing cancerous cells, it also generates an accumulation of cell debris, which in turn, promotes tumour growth by stimulating inflammation in the tumour microenvironment. Dr Dipak Panigrahy and his colleagues from Harvard Medical School, USA, have conducted several studies in mice showing that targeting the tumour cell debris-mediated surge of proinflammatory and protumourigenic factors provides a strategy for enhancing the efficacy of chemotherapy.

Disease-associated microglial activation prevents photoreceptor degeneration by suppressing the accumulation of cell debris and neutrophils in degenerating rat retinas.

Retinitis pigmentosa initially presents as night blindness owing to defects in rods, and the secondary degeneration of cones ultimately leads to blindness. Previous studies have identified active roles of microglia in the pathogenesis of photoreceptor degeneration in RP. However, the contribution of microglia to photoreceptor degeneration remains controversial, partly due to limited knowledge of microglial phenotypes during RP.Rationale: In this study, we investigated the pathways of microglial activation and its contribution to photoreceptor degeneration in RP.Methods: A classic RP model, Royal College of Surgeons rat, was used to explore the process of microglial activation during the development of RP. An inhibitor of colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (PLX3397) was fed to RCS rats for sustained ablation of microglia. Immunohistochemistry, flow cytometry, RT-qPCR, electroretinography and RNA-Seq were used to investigate the mechanisms by which activated microglia influenced photoreceptor degeneration.Results: Microglia were gradually activated to disease-associated microglia in the photoreceptor layers of RCS rats. Sustained treatment with PLX3397 ablated most of the disease-associated microglia and aggravated photoreceptor degeneration, including the secondary degeneration of cones, by downregulating the expression of genes associated with photoreceptor function and components and exacerbating the impairment of photoreceptor cell function. Disease-associated microglial activation promoted microglia to engulf apoptotic photoreceptor cell debris and suppressed the increase of infiltrated neutrophils by increasing engulfment and inhibiting CXCL1 secretion by Müller cells, which provided a healthier microenvironment for photoreceptor survival.Conclusions: Our data highlight a key role of disease-associated microglia activation in the suppression of rod and cone degeneration, which reduces secondary damage caused by the accumulation of dead cells and infiltrated neutrophils in the degenerating retina.

Platelet Membrane-Coated Nanocarriers Targeting Plaques to Deliver Anti-CD47 Antibody for Atherosclerotic Therapy.

Atherosclerosis, the principle cause of cardiovascular disease (CVD) worldwide, is mainly characterized by the pathological accumulation of diseased vascular cells and apoptotic cellular debris. Atherogenesis is associated with the upregulation of CD47, a key antiphagocytic molecule that is known to render malignant cells resistant to programmed cell removal, or “efferocytosis.” Here, we have developed platelet membrane-coated mesoporous silicon nanoparticles (PMSN) as a drug delivery system to target atherosclerotic plaques with the delivery of an anti-CD47 antibody. Briefly, the cell membrane coat prolonged the circulation of the particles by evading the immune recognition and provided an affinity to plaques and atherosclerotic sites. The anti-CD47 antibody then normalized the clearance of diseased vascular tissue and further ameliorated atherosclerosis by blocking CD47. In an atherosclerosis model established in ApoE−/− mice, PMSN encapsulating anti-CD47 antibody delivery significantly promoted the efferocytosis of necrotic cells in plaques. Clearing the necrotic cells greatly reduced the atherosclerotic plaque area and stabilized the plaques reducing the risk of plaque rupture and advanced thrombosis. Overall, this study demonstrated the therapeutic advantages of PMSN encapsulating anti-CD47 antibodies for atherosclerosis therapy, which holds considerable promise as a new targeted drug delivery platform for efficient therapy of atherosclerosis.

Atherosclerosis: Pathogenesis and Key Cellular Processes, Current and Emerging Therapies, Key Challenges, and Future Research Directions.

Atherosclerosis is the principal cause of cardiovascular disease that continues to be a substantial drain on healthcare systems, being responsible for about 31% of all global deaths. Atherogenesis is influenced by a range of factors, including oxidative stress, inflammation, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia, and is ultimately driven by the accumulation of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol within the arterial wall of medium and large arteries. Lipoprotein accumulation stimulates the infiltration of immune cells (such as monocytes/macrophages and T-lymphocytes), some of which take up the lipoprotein, leading to the formation of lipid-laden foam cells. Foam cell death results in increased accumulation of dead cells, cellular debris and extracellular cholesterol, forming a lipid-rich necrotic core. Vascular smooth muscle cells from the arterial media also migrate into the intima layer and proliferate, taking up the available lipids to become foam cells and producing extracellular matrix proteins such as collagen and elastin. Plaque progression is characterized by the formation of a fibrous cap composed of extracellular matrix proteins and smooth muscle cells, which acts to stabilize the atherosclerotic plaque. Degradation, thinning, and subsequent rupture of the fibrous cap leads to lumen-occlusive atherothrombosis, most commonly resulting in heart attack or stroke. This chapter describes the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis, current and emerging therapies, key challenges, and future directions of research.

Bioactives and functional food ingredients with promising potential for the management of cerebral and myocardial ischemia: a comprehensive mechanistic review.

Ischemia is a deadly disease featured by restricted perfusion to different organs in the body. An increase in the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and cell debris is the driving force for inducing many oxidative, inflammatory and apoptotic signaling pathways. However, the number of therapeutics existing for ischemic stroke patients is limited and there is insufficient data on their efficiency, which warrants the search for novel therapeutic candidates from natural sources. Herein, a comprehensive survey was done on the reported functional food bioactives (ca. 152 compounds) to manage or protect against health consequences of myocardial and cerebral ischemia. Furthermore, we reviewed the reported mechanistic studies for their anti-ischemic potential. Subsequently, network pharmacology- and in silico-based studies were conducted using the reported myocardial and cerebral ischemia-relevant molecular targets to study their complex interactions and highlight key targets in disease pathogenesis. Subsequently, the most prominent 20 compounds in the literature were used in a comprehensive in silico-based analysis (inverse docking, ΔG calculation and molecular dynamics simulation) to determine other potential targets for these compounds and their probable interactions with different signaling pathways relevant to this disease. Many functional food bioactives, belonging to different chemical classes, i.e., flavonoids, saponins, phenolics, alkaloids, iridoids and carotenoids, were proven to exhibit multifactorial effects in targeting the complex pathophysiology of ischemic conditions. These merits make them valuable therapeutic agents that can outperform the conventional drugs, and hence they can be utilized as add-ons to the conventional therapy for the management of different ischemic conditions; however, their rigorous clinical assessment is necessary.

Evaluation of Residual Debris and Smear layer After Root Canal Preparation by Three Different Methods: A Scanning Electron Microscopy Study.

This study investigated the amount of debris and smear layer remaining followed chemomechanical preparation using three systems: ProTaper Universal, reciprocating SafeSider, and hand K-Flexofiles with scanning electron microscope (SEM). Sixty-five mandibular molars with mesiobuccal canal curvature (25 to 40°) were extracted and divided into one control group (n=5), and three experimental groups (n=20) according to the preparation method; K-Flexofile, ProTaper Universal and SafeSider instruments. All canals were irrigatedwith 3 ml of 5.25% sodium hypochlorite solution and 3 mL of 17% EDTA. Subsequently, the canals were irrigated with 5 ml of normal saline. Then the teeth were examined under the scanning electron microscope (SEM). Kruskal-Wallis, Dunn-Q Bonferroni, and Friedman tests were used for statistical analysis of results. To assess the accumulation of debris, statistically significant differences were observed only in the coronal area among ProTaper Universal, SafeSider, K-Flexofile, and the control group. (P=0.029). To evaluate the residual smear layer amount, statistically significant differences were observed only in the coronal and middle areas, following the preparation of the canals using ProTaper Universal, SafeSider, and hand K-Flexofiles and control groups (P=0.019). Based on the present in vitro study, we can declare that the canals were utterly cleaned of debris and smear layer in none of the groups. Manual Flexofile and ProTaper Universal groups result in cleaner canal walls than reciprocal SafeSider, in the coronal and middle thirds.

Wpływ powodzi z 2010 roku na morfologię południowej części dna Zbiornika Jeziorsko

Issues related to the transport of fluvial debris and deposition of alluvia in reservoirs have been the subject of intense research in many centres around the world for about a century. Studies of the silting rate of dammed reservoirs and the sedimentological characteristics of the deposited material are important from the point of view of the service life of these reservoirs. A reduction in capacity of 80% or even, according to many scholars, of 50% reduces the capacity of reservoirs to fulfil various important functions for which they are designed. In the case of the Jeziorsko Reservoir (central Poland), the problem of sediment accumulation was investigated by Wicher- -Dysarz and Dysarz (2016) after 30 years of its existence. The scholars applied several research procedures, adopting geodesic profiling as the main method. The data they obtained varied depending on the applied method, which indicates significant differences in their precision. For this reason, new methods must be sought. This article attempts to determine geomorphological and sedimentological changes in the southern part of the Jeziorsko Reservoir that occurred in the years 2009–20011 mainly as a result of the flood in the Warta River valley in May and June 2010. The flood was one of the largest in this valley in the last century. The main source of data was LiDAR measurements carried out in the years 2009 and 2011, i.e. one year before and one year after the catastrophic flood. Certain spatial data were visualised, including the extent of depositional processes, volume and distribution of sediment thickness, altered shapes of relief forms in the upper part of the reservoir, as well as other related environmental changes. Aerial and satellite photography taken throughout the reservoir’s existence and archival cartographic, geological, hydrological and botanical data were used for this purpose. It was found that the results of the flood included partial filling of channels within the delta, the disregulation of the outline of previously originated relief forms, and the formation of hundreds of fine hills of between several and twenty metres in diameter and rarely exceeding 1 metre in height. The thickness of the sediments deposited as a result of the flood in the vast majority of the area is 0.5–0.7 m, with the occurrence of small areas of slight depressions. The extent of flood-related debris accumulation was found to be linked with the most elevated, middle and northern part of the delta, particularly in the zone of tall vegetation. The authors also conducted a discussion of the previous research results from other authors, mainly in the context of silting of the reservoir. The effectiveness of sediment deposition as a result of the flood was primarily influenced by the following: existing depressions in the form of channels, existing narrowings or broadenings of the flood water flow zone (constrained flow, free flow), and concentrations of vegetation – especially tall (riparian and scrub) vegetation. It was found that, although lidar data are more precise than those obtained using other methods, one must take into account the possibility of errors that are difficult to estimate. This applies mainly to water-covered areas and, to a lesser extent, to accumulations of small convex forms. Due to this, part of he area was excluded from further analyses. Measurement using the trapezoidal rule in Golden Software Surfer 16 revealed 667 986 m3 of deposited material. This means that the overall cubic capacity of debris deposited during the 2010 flood may exceed the entire accumulation to date. For this reason, siltation analyses should account for the possible occurrence of catastrophic events, especially floods.

Unmanned aerial vehicles and deep learning for assessment of anthropogenic marine debris on beaches on an island in a semi-enclosed sea in Japan

The increasing prevalence of marine debris is a global problem, and urgent action for amelioration is needed. Identifying hotspots where marine debris accumulates will enable effective control; however, knowledge on the location of accumulation hotspots remains incomplete. In particular, marine debris accumulation on beaches is a concern. Surveys of beaches require intensive human effort, and survey methods are not standardized. If marine debris monitoring is conducted using a standardized method, data from different regions can be compared. With an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and deep learning computational methods, monitoring a wide area at a low cost in a standardized way may be possible. In this study, we aimed to identify marine debris on beaches through deep learning using high-resolution UAV images by conducting a survey on Narugashima Island in the Seto Inland Sea of Japan. The flight altitude relative to the ground was set to 5 m, and images of a 0.81-ha area were obtained. Flight was conducted twice: before and after the beach cleaning. The combination of UAVs equipped with a zoom lens and operation at a low altitude allows for the acquisition of high resolution images of 1.1 mm/pixel. The training dataset (2970 images) was annotated by using VoTT, categorizing them into two classes: ‘anthropogenic marine debris’ and ‘natural objects.’ Using RetinaNet, marine debris was identified with an average sensitivity of 51% and a precision of 76%. In addition, the abundance and area of marine debris coverage were estimated. In this study, it was revealed that the combination of UAVs and deep learning enables the effective identification of marine debris. The effects of cleanup activities by citizens were able to be quantified. This method can widely be used to evaluate the effectiveness of citizen efforts toward beach cleaning and low-cost long-term monitoring.

Marine Debris Accumulation in the Mar Chiquita Coastal Lagoon (Biosphere Reserve, Mab-Unesco), a Unique Wetland in Northern Argentina

Marine Debris Accumulation in the Mar Chiquita Coastal Lagoon (Biosphere Reserve, Mab-Unesco), a Unique Wetland in Northern Argentina

Oil as an Enabler for Efficient Materials Removal in Three-Dimensional Scanning Probe Microscopy Applications

The ever-increasing complexity of semiconductor devices requires innovative three-dimensional materials characterization techniques for confined volumes. Multiple atomic force microscopy (AFM)-based methodologies, using a slice-and-measure approach have been proposed to meet this demand. They consist of scanning AFM probes that erode locally the sample’s material at a relatively high load while sensing with the secondary AFM channel, thus accessing in-depth information compared to the standard surface-limited analysis. Nonetheless, the rapid tip apex wear caused by the high forces involved, and the debris accumulation at the tip apex and inside/around the scan area, have been identified as major limitations to the accuracy and repeatability of the existing tomographic AFM sensing methods. Here we explore the use of oil as a suitable medium to overcome some of the issues such as the scan debris accumulation and the removal variability when working in air. We show how the use of oil preserves the tomographic operation while improving the efficiency in material removal for large depth sensing at a reduced debris accumulation. This is reported by comparing the results between air and oil environments, where the removal rate, depth accuracy, and tip-contamination are benchmarked. Finally, we provide the first demonstration of electrical AFM sensing using scanning spreading resistance microscopy (SSRM) in oil.

Modeling of Plastic Debris Particle Trajectory During Pre and Post Reclamation in Jakarta Bay

The primary source of environmental problems in Jakarta Bay’s waters is the change in hydrodynamics caused by reclamation and land-derived waste from the 13 watersheds that discharge into the bay. In June and December 2006 and 2015, hydrodynamic and trajectory simulations were conducted in Jakarta Bay to determine the distribution of plastic debris in pre- and post-reclamation conditions. The hydrodynamic conditions and particle trajectory in Jakarta Bay were described numerically using the Hamburg Shelf Ocean Model (HAMSOM). Secondary tidal data and primary ADCP data are used to validate the simulation results. The distribution of plastic debris released during the simulation depicts a distribution that follows the monsoon pattern, moving west during the east monsoon and moving east in the west monsoon and spreading along the coastline in both conditions. The percentage of plastic debris increased by 21.42% in June and 4.07% in December. The increase in the percentage of plastic debris that remains in the waters of Jakarta Bay is due to a 0.03 - 0.05 m/s decrease in current velocity following the formation of the reclamation island. Due to the decrease in current velocity within the bay, trajectory simulations indicate that plastic debris will take an additional 69.52 – 304.25 hours to exit. The accumulation of plastic debris around the reclamation islands demonstrates that the islands act as waste traps, necessitating proper waste cleanup, particularly in the canal area and around the reclamation island.

Embryotoxicity of polystyrene microplastics in zebrafish Daniorerio

In the recent years, increasing scientific and societal concern has been raised over the presence and accumulation of plastic debris in the environment and the effects of microplastics (MPs) that can easily interact with biota. In order to elucidate the impact of MPs at the critical development stages of freshwater fish species, a fish embryo toxicity test was herein performed on the zebrafish Danio rerio, exposed to 10 μm polystyrene MPs at 200 particles/mL for 120 hpf. After exposure, accumulation of MPs in larvae was measured, survival, hatching and larvae development were monitored and the oxidant/anti-oxidant responses and cellular detoxification evaluated. No impact on survival of developing zebrafish was revealed, but a moderate delay in hatching was observed. Alterations in larvae development were recorded with zebrafish exhibiting serious deformities, mainly at the level of column and tail, as well as a compromised integrity of the visual structure of the eyes. Moreover, increased levels of gene transcription involved in the oxidative stress (sod1, sod2 and cat) and in cellular detoxification (gst and cyp) were also detected in MPs-exposed zebrafish larvae. Overall, this research work provides new insights on the ecotoxicological impact of polystyrene MPs on the critical developmental stages of a freshwater fish species, therefore enhancing the current knowledge of the environmental risk posed by MPs to the aquatic ecosystem.

Model-based estimation of plastic debris accumulation in Banten Bay, Indonesia, using particle tracking - Flow model hydrodynamics approach

Coastal pollution caused by marine debris in Banten Bay is increasing and threatening the environmental and ecological sustainability of the bay's coastal area. This study aims to simulate the particle tracking of floating plastic debris within Banten Bay and to estimate the coastal debris accumulation for the period 2018 to 2028 based on numerical spatial modeling. To determine the dominant direction of plastic debris flow, we recorded floating plastic waste at four locations (Bojonegara port, Karangantu Estuary, Cibanten Estuary, and the Sunda Straits) by releasing wooden drifters. The numerical model was developed using a Particle Tracking module based on the Langevin equation. In comparison to data provided by the drifter survey, the particle tracking showed a similar distribution trace that tended to move westward during the northeast monsoon and eastward during the southwest monsoon. During the northeast monsoon, marine debris intake peaked, ranging from 2.25 kg to 5.75 kg. We estimated that over the ten years modeled plastic debris accumulation would increase by approximately 11%, to a maximum rate of 9.42 kg/day. Of particular concern, it is modeled that 41% of Banten Bay will be covered by plastic debris in 2028 if effective mitigations are not immediately applied. We recommend conducting a coastal cleanup operation every ten days so that coastal debris deposits can be well-controlled.