• 한국지하수토양환경학회지:지하수토양환경
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• 제24권3호
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• pp.1-12
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• 2019

Plastics have become essential materials in human life for several decades. Meanwhile, the inadvertent spread of plastic debris from the use of many plastic products has raised global environmental concerns. The risk of microplastics in subsurface environment has received little attention because soil is considered to confine microplastics within the matrix. However, the concentration of microplastics in soil unavoidably increased as a result of an increase in plastic production and use. Based on lab experiments, several researches claimed that microplastics possibly penentrate soil layers. Recently, a few researches reported the occurrence of microplastics in groundwater. This study reviewed the recent reports of microplastic occurrences in soil and groundwater, and the modeling studies for simulating transport of microplastics. Additionally, the difficulties and limits in microplastics researches in soil and groundwater are discussed. Finally, several perspectives on microplastic studies in subsurface environment are suggested.

• 식품과학과 산업
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• 제54권1호
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• pp.2-10
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• 2021

Microplastics with a size of less than 5 mm have emerged as an important environmental and food safety issue, as they have been detected not only in marine but also in terrestrial ecosystem and drinking water. Although many studies have been conducted on the exposure of microplastics and the effects on human health, the lack of standardized experimental methods for microplastics has been reviewed as a major problem. In order to overcome this, European countries such as the Netherlands and Germany are conducting a project to develop detection methods for microplastics as well as to establish the risk assessment methodologies for microplastics. Being the microplastics suggested to have a substantially potential risk on human health, reliable risk assessments should be conducted considering the various sources of microplastics, chemical pollutants and biological factors. In addition, international standards and regulations should be applied.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제46권5호
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• pp.610-626
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• 2020

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the concept of microplastics and their occurrence, transport, biological effects, and management methods in the ocean. Methods: I reviewed articles on microplastics in the ocean by using the Google Scholar database. Results: Plastic litter has been reported as a ubiquitous pollutant in the ocean due to the extensive consumption of plastics and the mismanagement of plastic wastes. Microplastics are generally defined as synthetic polymer particles <5 mm in size. Microplastics generated from the degradation of plastic litter are currently a serious global concern since they spread easily all over the ocean, transfer to different tissues inside contaminated animals, and even across different trophic levels inside the food web. An additional concern is the ability of microplastics to adsorb organic and inorganic pollutants and subsequently release them into the ocean. Thus, alternatives to reduce microplastics in the ocean are discussed. Conclusions: This paper summarizes the concept of microplastics and their behavior in the ocean and suggests management methods for microplastics in support of a cleaner ocean.

• 한국해양학회지:바다
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• 제22권3호
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• pp.135-149
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• 2017

미세플라스틱은 5 mm 미만의 플라스틱 조각으로서 의도적으로 제조한 1차 미세플라스틱과 물리 화학적 파쇄나 분해에 의해 만들어진 2차 미세플라스틱으로 나눌 수 있다. 본 연구에서는 인간의 활동으로 인해 미세해진 플라스틱을 발생시키는 배출원을 미세플라스틱의 1차 배출원으로 정의했다. 본 연구에서 미세플라스틱의 1차 배출원을 문헌을 이용하여 정리하고, 각 배출원에서의 발생잠재량을 추정하고자 하였다. 그 결과, 6만 3천~21만 6천 ton/year의 미세플라스틱이 환경으로 유입되는 것으로 나타났다. 그중 선박수송, 타이어분진, 세탁에 의한 배출이 큰 비중을 차지하였다.

• Advances in environmental research
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• 제9권4호
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• pp.275-284
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• 2020

We provide the first study on the occurrence of microplastics in Dal lake, Kashmir, India. Microplastics act as catastrophe that trigger many environmental problems. The key origins of microplastics are larger plastics, which split into smaller plastics after UV light disintegration. There is relatively little work carried out on the existence of microplastics. The present work has been undertaken on the occurrence of microplastics at four pre-selected sites (surface water) in Dal lake, Kashmir. The samples were taken to the laboratory to dissolve organic matter by using H2O2 (6%). To speed up the organic digestion; the treated mixture was heated on a hot plate at 70℃. The mixture was then subjected to density separation. The supernatant obtained was observed under the microscope (10X) and measurements were taken. At site-I, the microplastics ranged from 2-3 mm, site-II 5-6 mm, site-III 3-4 mm, site-IV 4-5 mm in thickness, indicating the presence of microplastics in the lake. The presence of microplastics indicated that the lake has undergone an anthropogenic change over a period of time. Our research highlights the value of enhancing the quality of the drainage system and sewage disposal. This work can be helpful to recognize successful microplastic control management techniques and possible threats associated with the Dal lake. So far, no such data on the presence of microplastics in Kashmir lakes is available.

• 한국환경보건학회지
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• 제47권5호
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• pp.446-453
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• 2021

Background: Plastic particles less than 5 mm in diameter (microplastics) are well-known for causing various toxicities such as lung inflammation, oxidative stress, genotoxicity, and reproductive toxicity. As microplastics become smaller, they can move across cell membranes, the placenta, and the blood-brain barrier. Objectives: We evaluated the toxicities of polyethylene microplastics (PE-PMs) in dams and neonates through intragastric intubation of pregnant ICR mice. Methods: Low concentrations (0.01 mg/mouse/day) and high concentrations (0.1 mg/mouse/day) of polyethylene microplastics were administered from the ninth day of pregnancy to postnatal day seven. The control group was administered with distilled water. On the day of sacrifice, the weight of dams and neonates and the organ weight of neonates was measured. Further, acetylcholinesterase levels and glutathione peroxidase levels were evaluated by using a blood sample obtained on the sacrifice day. Results: No significant difference in the number of neonates was found, but the body weight gain of dams was seen to be lower in the low-dose group. On the other hand, we observed a consecutively declining trend in the weight gain and organ weight of neonates among the high-, control, and low-dose groups. Meanwhile, the serum acetylcholinesterase and glutathione peroxidase level were higher in the low-dose group compared to the control group. Further, the dose-dependent accumulation of microplastics in the organs of neonates revealed the transport of plastic particles from dams to their offspring. Conclusions: Although the exact mechanism of toxicity caused by microplastics could not be confirmed, it was validated that exposure to microplastics during pregnancy and lactation causes its migration between generations and accumulation throughout the body. Hence, it is necessary to evaluate the systemic toxicity of microplastics and assessment of co-morbidities such as second-generation toxicity, neurotoxicity, and depression following long-term exposure.

• 한국물환경학회지
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• 제40권1호
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• pp.36-46
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• 2024

Microplastics in water resources have been recognized as a serious problem. The discharge of microplastics from wastewater treatment plants is considered a major contributor to environmental pollution in water resources. However, a reliable analytical method for quantifying microplastics in wastewater treatment plants has not yet been established. This study proposes a reliable, quick, and easy analytical method for quantifying microplastics. For the removal of organic particles, preprocessing steps were applied including oxidation, sonication, washing, and sieving. Nile Red staining was used to visualize microplastics, and quantitative analysis was conducted using fluorescent imaging. The stained microplastics were ultimately quantified through image analysis software. Among the preprocessing steps, sonication and washing stages were particularly effective in efficiently removing interfering substances from wastewater, enhancing the accuracy of the microplastic analysis. Additionally, various solvents (methanol, acetone, and N-hexane) for the Nile Red staining solution were tested. When N-hexane was applied as the solvent, the quantity of stained microplastics was lower compared to methanol and acetone. This suggests that N-hexane has a greater potential of reducing false staining and counting of non-plastic particles. In summary, this research demonstrates a robust method for quantifying microplastics in wastewater treatment plants by employing effective preprocessing steps and optimizing the staining process with Nile Red and N-hexane.

• 한국환경농학회지
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• 제41권4호
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• pp.276-281
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• 2022

BACKGROUND: Plastics that are used in our daily lives largely end up in the environment. In agricultural environments, plastic wastes and microplastics can be found due to the uses and improper management of plastic products (e.g., vinyl greenhouses and mulching vinyl). Microplastics can also interact with contaminants in the agricultural environment. Therefore, this study was set to investigate the sorption characteristics of tetracycline, one of widely used antibiotics, on microplastics. METHODS AND RESULTS: The sorption tests were carried out with the tetracycline solutions (0-30 mg L^-1) and microplastic films prepared from low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The residual tetracycline concentrations were analyzed and fitted to the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The tetracycline sorption patterns on LDPE and PVC films were described better with the Freundlich isotherm model than the Langmuir isotherm model. The isotherm model parameters suggested that the maximum sorption amount of tetracyline was greater for PVC, while the sorption affinity was greater for LDPE. CONCLUSION(S): Different types of microplastics can have different sorption characteristics of tetracycline. Therefore, there is a need for continuous research on the interaction of various types and shapes of microplastics and contaminants in the environment.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제33권2호
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• pp.216-226
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• 2023

폴리아미드 수지인 나일론 66이 개발되어 칫솔모에 적용된 이래로 플라스틱 소비는 매년 급격하게 증가하고 있으며, 이와 더불어 폐기되는 플라스틱의 양이 증가하고 있다. 플라스틱의 분해에 의해 생성되는 다양한 플라스틱 분해물 중에서 5 mm 이하 크기에 해당하는 미세플라스틱은 환경 내에서 광범위하게 분포하고 있으며, 이로 인해 환경뿐만 아니라 동물과 나아가 인간에게 위협이 되는 존재가 되고 있다. 미세플라스틱이 인체로 유입되는 경로로는 물과 식품을 통한 섭취, 공기로 부터의 흡입 및 피부 접촉으로 알려져 있으며, 인체에 유입된 미세플라스틱은 인간의 건강에 영향을 주고 있다. 최근 들어 미세플라스틱과 관련된 연구중에서 식품과 관련된 연구들이 보고되기 시작하고 있으며, 통조림 식품, 김, 음료, 맥주, 우유, 설탕, 꿀 등의 가공식품에 미세플라스틱의 존재 및 이와 관련된 플라스틱 종류에 대한 분석 연구가 진행되고 있는 상황이다. 본 총설에서는 미세플라스틱의 발생 동향, 인체 유입 경로와 인체 위험성, 그리고, 제한적이긴 하지만 최근 보고되고 있는 가공식품에 존재하는 미세플라스틱에 대하여 제시하였다. 현재까지 가공식품에 존재하는 미세플라스틱과 위해평가와 관련된 연구는 미비한 실정이지만, 미세플라스틱은 환경에만 영향을 주는 위해 인자에서 식품에도 영향을 끼치는 위해 인자로 점차 인식되고 있는 상황이며 향후의 연구들을 통해 가공식품 내 존재하는 미세플라스틱에 대한 규제에 영향을 줄 것으로 전망된다.

• 생명과학회지
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.442-451
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• 2021

미세 플라스틱은 입자의 크기가 5 mm 이하인 플라스틱 조각을 말하며 미세 플라스틱의 오염은 해양 생태계와 인간의 건강과 관련되어 전 세계적인 관심사이다. 광범위하게 오염되어 있는 관계로, 미세 플라스틱은 물고기, 담치, 굴, 조개, 가리비와 같이 다양한 동물에 섭취되어 체내에 축적된다. 게다가, 섭취된 미세 플라스틱은 소장, 간, 신장 그리고 심지어 뇌에서도 높은 농도로 관찰된다. 해산물은 인간에게 있어 주요 단백질 공급원 중 하나이므로, 해산물의 소비는 인간이 미세 플라스틱에 노출되는 경로가 될 수 있다. 많은 근거들은 설치류에서 미세 플라스틱의 반복적인 경구 투여가 생식, 심장, 소화기, 내분비 그리고 심지어 신경계에서 병리적, 기능적 변화를 유도함을 가리킨다. 더욱이, 임신기와 수유기 동안 모체가 미세 플라스틱에 노출되면 새끼에서 대사의 항상성에 변화가 일어난다. 해산물은 세계적으로 3억 1천만 명 이상의 사람들에게 20% 이상의 단백질 공급원이라는 사실을 고려할 때, 미세 플라스틱은 인간의 몸에 축적되어 생리적 기능에 장애를 유발할 수 있다고 가정하는 것이 타당하다. 본 리뷰에서 우리는 해양에서 미세 플라스틱 오염의 현재 실태와 해양 동물 및 설치류에서 미세 플라스틱의 축적과 독성, 그리고 인간에게의 노출과 인간 건강에 미치는 잠재적인 영향에 대해 요약하였다.