Global Environmental Threats Research Articles

Assessing Microplastic Contamination in Shellfish: Insights from Pantai Remis Kuala Selangor, Strait of Malacca, Malaysia

Introduction: Microplastic (MP) contamination poses a global environmental threat, affecting terrestrial and marine ecosystems, and human health. This study investigates the presence, density, and composition of MPs in three commercially important shellfish species, oriental angel wing clam (Pholas orientalis), bamboo clam (Ensis leei), and blood cockles (Tegillarca granosa) at Pantai Remis Jeram, Kuala Selangor. Methods: Microplastics in shellfish were quantitatively analyzed for their abundance, colour, size, shape, and composition using microscopic techniques and micro-Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR). Standard experimental protocols were followed. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS to identify correlations between these parameters. Results and Discussion: Our findings reveal a significant presence of MP particles in shellfish with T. granosa exhibiting the highest density (2.417 particles/cm³) compared to E. leei (0.721 particles/cm³) and P. orientalis (1.449 particles/cm³). Fibers and fragments were the dominant MP morphotypes, primarily in black color. P. orientalis and T. granosa contained a majority of MPs within the 1 - 5 mm size range, totalling 41 and 56 particles, respectively. Shellfish samples contain polymers of cellulase acetate and polyethylene terephthalate, indicating possible origins from plastic bottles and textile fibres. A statistically significant difference in the mean MP densities in the different species of shellfish was found by one-way ANOVA analysis (p = 0.042, p < 0.05). Conclusion: This study provides relevant data on MP pollution in commercially significant shellfish species. To effectively mitigate this environmental concern and comprehend the long-term ecological ramifications of MP intake by shellfish, more research is required.

Determination of Tetracycline Group Antibiotics Residues in the Tigris River and Agricultural Lands Fed by Tigris River and Reduction of Unconscious Use of Antibiotics

The recent increase in environmental pollutants is contaminating important natural resources and causing irreversible damage. Due to the limitations of traditional treatment techniques, studies on the problem of micro pollutant contamination of water resources have increased significantly. Antibiotics used in medicine and veterinary medicine cause significant pollution of water resources as residues of these contaminants remain unchanged in the aqueous environment. This has recently been recognised as a global environmental health threat. The ecosystem is vulnerable to residues of these contaminants from agriculture and aquaculture. In this study, the presence of tetracycline group antibiotics, the most commonly used in veterinary medicine, was determined in the Tigris river. This is the first study to date in which antibiotics from the tetracycline group have been identified in the Tigris river. Water samples were taken from 16 different points (80 samples) along the river. Sampling points were grouped as abattoirs, livestock markets, farmland, cafes and bridges near settlements. The samples were analysed for the presence of tetracycline (TC), oxytetracycline (OTC) and chlortetracycline (CTC). With a concentration range of 0.037 to 1.756 ng/L, oxytetracycline was found in 14 of the 16 sites. A concentration of 0.004–0.014 ng/L of tetracycline was found in five samples. Chlortetracycline was found in six samples, with concentrations ranging from 0.015 to 0.097 ng/L. According to the study, the tetracycline family of antibiotics was found in the water samples, and oxytetracycline was present in the highest concentrations in most of them.

Do microplastics accumulate in penguin internal organs? Evidence from Svenner island, Antarctica

The prevalence of microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) in natural environments presents a formidable global environmental threat MPs can be found from the Arctic to Antarctica, including glaciers. Despite their widespread distribution, studies on MP accumulation in apex predators inhabiting Polar Regions remain limited. The objective of this study was to conduct a comprehensive examination, for the first time, of MP bioaccumulation in various organs and tissue of Adélie penguins. This investigation comprehends the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), scat, internal organ (lung, trachea, spleen, and liver) and tissue (muscle) samples collected from Svenner Island, Antarctica during the 39th Indian expedition to Antarctica in 2019–2020. Our analyses revealed the presence of 34 MPs across the GIT, scat, lung, and trachea samples, with no MPs detected in muscle, spleen, or liver tissues. Blue-colored microfibers (>50 %) and MPs smaller than 1 mm (38 %) in size were prominently observed. Polymer characterization utilizing μ-FTIR spectroscopy identified low-density polyethylene (LDPE) (~63 %) as the predominant polymer type. The accumulation of MP fibers in the gastrointestinal tract and scat of Adélie penguins may originate from marine ambient media and prey organisms. Furthermore, the presence of LDPE fibers in the trachea and lungs likely occurred through inhalation and subsequent deposition of MPs originating from both local and long-range airborne sources. The identification of fibers ranging between 20 and 100 μm within the trachea suggests a plausible chance of cellular deposition of MPs. Overall our findings provide valuable insights into the organ-specific accumulation of MPs in apex predators. Adélie penguins emerge as promising environmental bio-monitoring species, offering insights into the potential trophic transfer of MPs within frigid environments.

The global apparel industry is a significant yet overlooked source of plastic leakage

Plastic pollution is a global environmental threat with potentially irreversible impacts on aquatic life, ecosystems, and human health. This study is a comprehensive assessment of the global apparel industry’s contribution to plastic pollution. It includes plastic leakage of packaging and end-of-life apparel waste in addition to fiber emissions during apparel production and use. We estimate that the apparel industry generated 8.3 [4.8–12.3] million tons (Mt) of plastic pollution in 2019, corresponding to 14% [5.5%–30%] of the estimated 60 Mt from all sectors. In this study, we demonstrate that the main source of plastic pollution from the apparel supply chain is synthetic clothing as mismanaged waste either in the country of its original use or in the countries receiving used apparel exports. A fundamental transformation of the apparel economy towards a circular framework and decreased synthetic apparel consumption is needed to tackle apparel-related plastic pollution.

Impact of Heavy Metal Pollution on the Environment

Pollution of the environment by the toxic heavy metals is a global issue of concern and affects the natural quality of the air, water, and soil. Anthropogenic activities are largely responsible for the widespread pollution of heavy metals in the environment, which is having a harmful impact on human health. Rapid urbanization, industrialization, population explosion, and use of advanced technology in developing countries have resulted in huge rise in waste production. Waste generation and disposal along with landfills is a serious global environmental threat resulting in heavy metal contamination of the soils, water, and plants. Heavy metals reaching in the atmosphere result to the deterioration of the quality, and contamination of the soil and groundwater along with damage to the living organisms. The present review describes the analysis of heavy metal pollution of the environment with respect to air, animals, aquatic ecosystem, plants, and soil. Special emphasis is provided on sources of heavy metals in the environment, harmful impacts of heavy metals on the environment and strategies to control heavy metal pollution of the environment. Present study is based on critical review and analysis of scientific information published by academic and professional researchers who studied the impact of heavy metal pollution on the environment. Research articles on impact of heavy metal pollution on the environment published in high impact factor journals were referred for collection of databases. This study notices that there is an urgent need for continuous monitoring of various environmental elements for heavy metals in different open dumpsites. It also recommends that nanomaterials, such as metal oxide nanoparticles, graphene and its derivatives, magnetic nanoparticles, and carbon nanotubes should be used to remove the toxic heavy metals from the air, water and soil.

Highly Reactive Peroxide Species Promoted Soot Oxidation over an Ordered Macroporous Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 Integrated Catalyzed Diesel Particulate Filter.

Particulate matter, represented by soot particles, poses a significant global environmental threat, necessitating efficient control technology. Here, we innovatively designed and elaborately fabricated ordered hierarchical macroporous catalysts of Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 (OM CZO) integrated on a catalyzed diesel particulate filter (CDPF) using the self-assembly method. An oxygen-vacancy-enriched ordered macroporous Ce0.8Zr0.2O2 catalyst (VO-OM CZO) integrated CDPF was synthesized by subsequent NaBH4 reduction. The VO-OM CZO integrated CDPF exhibited a markedly enhanced soot oxidation activity compared to OM CZO and powder CZO coated CDPFs (T50: 430 vs 490 and 545 °C, respectively). The well-defined OM structure of the VO-OM CZO catalysts effectively improves the contact efficiency between soot and the catalysts. Meanwhile, oxygen vacancies trigger the formation of a large amount of highly reactive peroxide species (O22-) from molecular oxygen (O2) through electron abstraction from the three adjacent Ce3+ (3Ce3+ + Vö + O2 → 3Ce4+ + O22-), contributing to the efficient soot oxidation. This work demonstrates the fabrication of the ordered macroporous CZO integrated CDPF and reveals the importance of structure and surface engineering in soot oxidation, which sheds light on the design of highly efficient PM capture and removal devices.

Genome-wide identification of Shaker K+ channel family in Nicotiana tabacum and functional analysis of NtSKOR1B in response to salt stress.

Soil salinization poses a mounting global ecological and environmental threat. The identification of genes responsible for negative regulation of salt tolerance and their utilization in crop improvement through gene editing technologies emerges as a swift strategy for the effective utilization of saline-alkali lands. One efficient mechanism of plant salt tolerance is maintaining the proper intracellular K+/Na+ ratio. The Shaker K+ channels play a crucial role in potassium absorption, transport, and intracellular potassium homeostasis in plant cells. Here, the study presents the first genome-wide identification of Shaker K+ channels in Nicotiana tabacum L., along with a detailed bioinformatic analysis of the 20 identified members. Transcriptome analysis revealed a significant up-regulation of NtSKOR1B, an outwardly-rectifying member predominantly expressed in the root tissue of tobacco seedlings, in response to salt stress. This finding was then confirmed by GUS staining of ProNtSKOR1B::GUS transgenic lines and RT-qPCR analysis. Subsequently, NtSKOR1B knockout mutants (ntskor1) were then generated and subjected to salt conditions. It was found that ntskor1 mutants exhibit enhanced salt tolerance, characterized by increased biomass, higher K+ content and elevated K+/Na+ ratios in both leaf and root tissues, compared to wild-type plants. These results indicate that NtSKOR1B knockout inhibits K+ efflux in root and leaf tissues of tobacco seedlings under salt stress, thereby maintaining higher K+/Na+ ratios within the cells. Thus, our study identifies NtSKOR1B as a negative regulator of salt tolerance in tobacco seedlings.

Advancing microplastic surveillance through photoacoustic imaging and deep learning techniques

Microplastic contamination presents a significant global environmental threat, yet scientific understanding of its morphological distribution within ecosystems remains limited. This study introduces a pioneering method for comprehensive microplastic assessment and environmental monitoring, integrating photoacoustic imaging and advanced deep learning techniques. Rigorous curation of diverse microplastic datasets enhances model training, yielding a high-resolution imaging dataset focused on shape-based discrimination. The introduction of the Vector-Quantized Variational Auto Encoder (VQVAE2) deep learning model signifies a substantial advancement, demonstrating exceptional proficiency in image dimensionality reduction and clustering. Furthermore, the utilization of Vector Quantization Microplastic Photoacoustic imaging (VQMPA) with a proxy task before decoding enhances feature extraction, enabling simultaneous microplastic analysis and discrimination. Despite inherent limitations, this study lays a robust foundation for future research, suggesting avenues for enhancing microplastic identification precision through expanded sample sizes and complementary methodologies like spectroscopy. In conclusion, this innovative approach not only advances microplastic monitoring but also provides valuable insights for future environmental investigations, highlighting the potential of photoacoustic imaging and deep learning in bolstering sustainable environmental monitoring efforts.

Effects of Landscape Fragmentation on Soil Loss in the Cerrado Biome, Brazil

Soil loss stands as a critical global challenge, posing economic and environmental threats to soil and water conservation. This study aimed to assess the impact of landscape changes on soil loss in the Descoberto River basin, encompassing 62 watersheds in the Cerrado biome in central Brazil. We analysed a 32-year time series (1985-2017) of land use and land cover data based on geostatistical techniques and spatiotemporal weighted regression analysis. Principal component analysis condensed 16 landscape metrics into three factors: aggregation/diversity, dispersion/adjacency, and patchiness. The average annual total soil loss across all 62 analysed watersheds was estimated at 73.3 ± 78.2 (standard deviation) ton ha−1. A significant positive correlation was observed between landscape fragmentation and soil erosion, indicating that, as fragmentation increases, soil losses also increase. Furthermore, our analysis revealed a decreasing trend in soil loss rates in recent years, primarily attributed to the recovery of native vegetation since no significant soil management practices were widely implemented in the study area during the study period.

Internalizing negative environmental externalities through environmental technologies: The contribution of renewable energy in OECD countries

Due to human achievements, global environmental threats are becoming more complex and interconnected, affecting people, ecosystems, and economies worldwide. Using remittances, economic growth, and trade openness as indicators, we examine the impact of environmental technology and renewable energy consumption on CO2 emissions for OECD countries from 1994 to 2019. This study utilizes advanced econometric methodologies of the second generation to develop a comprehensive empirical analysis. We find that environmental technology, renewable energy, and remittances are statistically negatively related to CO2 emissions of selected OECD countries. On the other hand, economic growth and trade openness positively influence those emissions. These findings suggest that environmental technology, renewable energy, and remittances positively impact the environment. Conversely, economic growth and trade exposure deteriorate it. As a result of this empirical evidence, green energy should be generated, or endangered species should be monitored. The key to reducing air pollution is reducing our reliance on imported fuel and diversifying our energy supply. Moreover, integrating economic and sustainability goals produces concrete, measurable results across both pillars while considering the social consequences of greening economies. There is a discussion of limitations and future directions.

Physicochemical alterations on UV aged polymers leading to microplastics formation: A multi-tiered study of polyester, polycarbonate and polyamide

Plastic, once a revolutionary material, has progressively converted into a global environmental threat possessing ubiquitous distribution, with microplastics (MPs) pollution being in the center of intense multidisciplinary research. Within the framework of the present study, we systematically investigated the physicochemical properties of three widely used commercial polymers, namely poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), polycarbonate (PC) and polyamide (PA) after UV exposure for certain intervals, as to enlighten the aging processes of these polymer types and ameliorate the understanding of their performance through a couple of analytical techniques. The studied polymers were UV-B aged for specific time periods and the photodegradation was initially evaluated by Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), proving signs of oxidation, while the crystallinity and thermal properties’ modifications during the weathering were also assessed by X-Ray diffraction (XRD) and Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC) analyses. Additionally, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and water contact angle measurements demonstrated the significant morphological and hydrophilicity differences of the irradiated samples compared to the pristine ones, while mechanical performance deterioration was displayed as evidence that UV irradiation induces the reduction of plastics performance and their progressive fragmentation, possibly inducing the MPs formation. The relative abundance of the pyrolysis products fluctuated throughout the UV exposure experiments as determined by Pyrolysis‒Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (Py‒GC/MS) analysis, while the quantity of the pyrolytic marker compounds for the investigated polymers extensively utilized nowadays in MPs analysis also changed with the time of photo-aging, suggesting the imperative further exploration of aging processes on the well-known polymeric types, since severe risk exists with the reliability of MPs quantification in real environmental samples.

Biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics: chemical nature, biodegradation pathways and environmental strategy.

Increasing pollution of plastic waste is one of the major global environmental threats, deteriorating our land, water and air. The shift towards biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics is considered a green alternative to petroleum-based plastic due to its renewable source or biodegradability. However, there is a misconception about biodegradable plastics and their degradability and behaviour after service life. Biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics offer various benefits such as less carbon footprint, energy efficiency, independence and eco-safety. On the other hand, there are some disadvantages such as higher cost, limited recycling, misuse of terms and lack of legislation. Also, there is an urgent need for comparable international standard methods to define these materials as biodegradable material, or biocompostable material. There are some standards currently available, however, an in-depth detail and explanation of these standards is still missing. This review outlines the basic definition and chemical structure of biobased, biodegradable and compostable plastics; describes the degradation pathways of biodegradable and compostable plastics; and summarises current key applications of these materials together with possible future applications in different industries. Finally, strategies are developed for minimising the environmental impacts and the need for future research is proposed.

Nutritional condition and nutrient intake predict moral condemnation of food wasting

People believe that food wasting behaviour is immoral. This judgment could be partially driven by increasing awareness of global environmental threats associated with the current scale of food waste. Recent research indicates that moral judgments of food wasting behaviour may also reflect higher levels of food insecurity—potentially serving an adaptive role in harsh environments. In our research, we tested this hypothesis at both the population and individual levels. The study was conducted among individuals from subsistence-economy populations: the Hadza hunter-gatherers (n = 72) and the Datoga pastoralists (n = 70), where levels of food insecurity are higher than in industrialised populations. To infer about food insecurity at the individual level, we analysed body composition, muscle strength, and nutrient intake. We found that individuals who had lower levels of muscle strength and those who consumed less calorie-dense foods judged food wasting behaviour as more immoral. These findings show that food wasting moral judgments reflect the short-term nutritional condition and current nutrient intake. We also found that individuals with greater muscle mass—likely shaped by activities associated with food provisioning—judged food-wasting behaviour as more immoral. The study supports the idea that food wasting moral judgments are shaped by food insecurity and points to some novel social factors that may also influence these judgments.

Characterization of As(III)-oxidizing bacteria Acinetobacter sp. TMKU7 having plant growth promoting features for possible application in arsenic-contaminated crop field

Arsenic pollution is considered as one of the global environmental threats. Arsenic is found in nature mostly in two different valence states, namely arsenite [As(III)] and arsenate [As(V)], the former is more toxic due to its solubility and reactivity. Certain microbial communities inhabiting in the As-rich environment contribute a lot in the geochemical cycling of As. This study focuses on the isolation and identification of As(III) oxidizing bacteria from soil sample, and furthermore assessment of its As(III) transforming potential. The study was also aimed to hunt its plant growth promoting features for possible application to promote crop yield As-contaminated soil. Among the 28 bacterial isolates, a strain designated as TMKU7 could transform ∼80% As(III) to As(V) under culture condition. Based on morphological, biochemical, and molecular characterization, the strain was identified as Acinetobacter sp. Arsenite oxidase, the key player for As(III) to As(V) conversion was found to be constitutive in this strain, and the enzymatic activity was mostly found in the periplasmic fraction. The K m and V max of the partially purified As(III) oxidase were determined to be 41.43 μM and 0.19 μM min−1 μg−1 protein, respectively. The presence of As(III) oxidase gene (aioA) in the genomic DNA was further confirmed by PCR amplification. Agarose entrapped partially purified enzyme showed a potential for As(III) removal from water as well. The expression of various plant growth promoting traits have added additional importance to this As-resistant strain, which could be utilized as a prospective As-detoxification candidate in the As-contaminated crop field for sustainable agriculture.

Soil erosion on arable land: An unresolved global environmental threat

Rationale and scope: Although soil erosion was recognised as a serious problem in antiquity and research into erosion started in the early 20th century, it remains a substantial problem for agriculture and the environment across the globe. It disrupts agricultural production, threatening food production, increases the severity of floods and droughts and impacts on soil biology and biogeochemical cycling. This review describes the different processes and manifestations of erosion on arable land and the availability of global data. It points out that while there is a good understanding of the processes of erosion, the causes are complex and even if agronomic and landscape solutions are available, their implementation is challenging and needs tailored approaches to account for the specific local socio-economic, political, and institutional contexts.

Shotgun metagenomics and computational profiling of the plastisphere microbiome: unveiling the potential of enzymatic production and plastic degradation.

Plastic pollution is one of the most resilient types of pollution and is considered a global environmental threat, particularly in the marine environment. This study aimed to identify plastic-degrading bacteria from the plastisphere and their pharmaceutical and therapeutic potential. We collected samples from soil and aquatic plastisphere to identify the bacterial communities using shotgun metagenomic sequencing and bioinformatic tools. Results showed that the microbiome comprised 93% bacteria, 0.29% archaea, and 3.87% unidentified microbes. Of these 93% of bacteria, 54% were Proteobacteria, 23.9% were Firmicutes, 13% were Actinobacteria, and 2.1% were other phyla. We found that the plastisphere microbiome was involved in degrading synthetic and polyhydroxy alkanoate (PHA) plastic, biosurfactant production, and can thrive under high temperatures. However, no association existed between thermophiles, synthetic plastic or PHA degraders, and biosurfactant-producing bacterial species except for Pseudomonas. Other plastisphere inhabiting plastic degrading microbes include Streptomyces, Bacillus, Achromobacter, Azospirillum, Bacillus, Brevundimonas, Clostridium, Paenibacillus, Rhodococcus, Serratia, Staphylococcus, Thermobifida, and Thermomonospora. However, the plastisphere microbiome showed potential for producing secondary metabolites that were found to act as anticancer, antitumor, anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, and enzyme stabilizers. These results revealed that the plastisphere microbiome upholds clinical and environmental significance as it can open future portals in a multi-directional way.

Ligustrum lucidum invasion alters the soil water dynamic in a seasonally multi-specific dry forest

Plant invasion is one of the major global environmental threats with the potential to alter the ecosystem stability and functioning. In water-limited ecosystems, the impacts of non-native invasive trees on the water balance are particularly relevant since they can compromise the use of water by native taxa of the ecosystem and water provision for humans. In this paper, we assessed the hydrological impacts of the Ligustrum lucidum (Chinese glossy privet) invasion on a mountain seasonally dry forest of the Chaco region (Central Argentina). More specifically, we determined volumetric soil water content, runoff, and actual evapotranspiration, and their relations to the size of rainfall events in native forest stands and its adjacent invaded stands. We combined three-years field measurements and remote sensing data. L. lucidum stands showed less water content through the soil profiles than the native forest (0–70 cm depth; 19.6 and 23.1 %, respectively), particularly during the dry conditions. The drier condition in the deeper soil layers compared to the upper ones in the invaded stands indicated less rainwater percolation throughout the soil profile over the year, independently of the magnitude of the rainfall events. Daily variation of deep-water content (60–70 cm depth), only observed in L. lucidum stands, showed nightly increase and day-time decrease in dry conditions. Runoff was similar and almost nil in both native and invaded forests, even after large rainfall events (>30 mm). L. lucidum stands showed ∼ 18% higher annual actual evapotranspiration rates than native stands. Based on our results, relatively higher water consumption for mono-specific L. lucidum stands in periods when photosynthetic activity of multi-specific native dry forest is still low may represent a competitive advantage in terms of plant invasion, and at the same time it generates negative impacts on water resources, reducing soil water content and limiting deep-water recharge in a water-limited ecosystem.

Environmental horticulture for domestic and community gardens—An integrated and applied research approach

Societal Impact StatementDaunting global challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss may seem overwhelming. However, gardeners have a secret weapon—gardens, balconies, indoor planting, yards and allotments are mini‐ecosystems that offer opportunities to counter perceptions of helplessness, inadequacy and resultant inaction by using those spaces to ‘Do what we can, with what we have, where we are’. Minimising gardening ‘footprints’ to mitigate harmful impacts, whilst maximising gardening ‘handprints’ to enhance benefits, is readily achievable. With this in mind, the Royal Horticultural Society is leading research into environmental horticulture for gardens, and benefits for individual wellbeing.SummaryThis article presents an integrated and applied research approach to the unique and multi‐disciplinary area of science referred to here as environmental horticulture. It does this by: (a) providing an institutional perspective (The Royal Horticultural Society) on a research approach for this particular area, emphasising why domestic and community gardens are important in the context of global environmental threats; (b) presenting four primary research focus areas and project examples; and (c) highlighting interdisciplinary linkages, future research needs, public engagement/knowledge sharing opportunities, and ‘Green Skills’ development in the area of environmental horticulture. Research focus areas discussed are: (1) responding to the changing climate (adaptation, mitigation and resilience solutions in gardens); (2) ‘plants for purpose’ (harnessing the potential of horticultural plant diversity, and gardening, to help regulate environmental conditions); (3) sustainability and climate risk reduction through effective and efficient resource management (reduction, re‐use, recycling and repurposing); and (4) gardening and cultivated plant choice for human health and wellbeing. We argue that a key research priority is improving our understanding of the linkages and interactions between soil, water, plants, weather and people. These crucial linkages affect above and below ground processes, for both outdoor and indoor plants. They impact the effectiveness with which water and nutrient cycling takes place, the extent to which ecosystem services may be delivered, and the resultant capacity of gardens and gardening to provide environmental and human health benefits.

A Comprehensive Review of Plastics in Agricultural Soils: A Case Study of Castilla y León (Spain) Farmlands

Plastics, especially microplastics, are a diverse group of polymer-based particles, currently emerging as a global environmental threat—plastic pollution. An attempt was made to search for the presence of plastics in soils, particularly in a traditionally agricultural region such as Castilla y León (CYL). This study aimed to evaluate the use of plastics in agricultural soils in general, with an emphasis on CYL, by analyzing the present state and future perspectives on the addition of plastic waste to some agricultural soils in CYL. Surprisingly, many agricultural soils, including arable lands, irrigation, and especially greenhouse soils, receive plastic residues every day, which can lead to contaminants. By analyzing government data, we discovered that the volume of plastic waste from intensive agriculture is increasing (49,131 t in 2020) and that the current management system does not meet the needs of the sector. From this review, it can be inferred that plastics affect cultivated soils in CYL; this could affect both the economy and the soil itself and, by extension, the trophic food chain, food, and human health.

Assessment of plastic waste generated by the aquaculture industry: The case study of pearl farming in French Polynesia

In remote and scattered islands, where space and resources for waste treatment are limited, the mismanagement of plastic waste gives rise to significant global environmental threats. Addressing this issue requires a clear understanding of how plastic waste accumulates over the year, particularly in areas heavily reliant on industries such as aquaculture. While the aquaculture sector is often of primary economic and social importance in these regions, it is also a major contributor to pollution due to its extensive use of plastic rearing structures. However, the extent of this contribution is often not accurately quantified. Our study aims to bridge this knowledge gap, focusing on the pearl farming industry in French Polynesia, which plays a vital economic and social role in the country. The surveys conducted among pearl farmers of three major Polynesian pearl farming islands revealed a wide diversity of practices. On this basis, we have developed an original methodology to estimate the potential plastic waste flow from this industry, taking into account these multiple practices. Our study showed that the pearl farming industry in French Polynesia may generate around 1603 tons of plastic waste annually. Moreover, this investigation raised concerns regarding unsustainable practices, revealing that 75% of the plastic waste generated is mismanaged, with half of it (46%) at risk of entering the ocean. In addition to structural waste management problems in these isolated islands, our work suggested that a lack of environmental awareness (expressed by 38% of surveyed pearl farmers) significantly contributes to this situation. These results highlight the urgent need to enhance waste management practices within the pearl farming industry in order to mitigate its environmental impact. Finally, the present work pioneers the quantification of plastic waste flows from a specific aquaculture industry characterized by multiple practices, establishing a foundation for future research in this field.