Mikroplaster och dess miljöeffekter är ett forskningsområde under utveckling. Provtagning och analysmetoder försvåras av att mikroplaster kan komma från olika råvaror, vilket innebär att dess innehåll, partikelstorlek samt densitet kan variera. Det är däremot tydligt att mikroplaster är ett problem i marina miljöer då intag och ackumulering av mikro- och makroplaster har registrerats i ryggradslösa djur, fiskar, däggdjur och fåglar. Mikroplaster kan påverka bland annat matsmältningen och reproduktionen för vattenlevande djur. Mikroplaster har även registrerats i föda som är relevant för människor, men vilka effekter mikroplaster har på människor är ännu oklart. I en rapport från år 2017 uppskattade Svenska Miljöinstitutet (IVL) konstgräsplaner till att vara den näst största kvantifierade källan till spridning av mikroplaster till miljön med 1638 – 2456 ton per år, efter slitage från däck och vägar. Fotboll är en av Sveriges populäraste sporter och antalet konstgräsplaner i landet uppgick år 2016 till 1336 stycken. Till följd av att konstgräsplaner anses som en viktig källa till spridning av mikroplaster är det viktigt att utröna orsakerna till hur och varför mikroplaster sprids från konstgräsplaner och även vilka åtgärder som kan sättas in för att minska spridningen. Syftet med denna studie är att identifiera orsakerna till spridning av mikroplaster samt att presentera åtgärder som kan minska den totala spridningen av mikroplaster från konstgräsplaner. Metodiken utgick från tidigare studier av mikroplaster i vattenmiljö och vattenprover inhämtades från två konstgräsplaners dräneringsbrunnar och från en konstgräsplans lysimetrar, vilka har samlat upp vatten som har infiltrerat genom planen. Utöver detta har även fältstudier med observationer utförts vid två konstgräsplaner och samtal med driftsansvariga har bidragit med ytterligare relevant information om hur mikroplaster kan spridas. Resultaten visar att mikroplaster sprids från konstgräsplaner och att de identifierade orsakerna till spridningen, utan inbördes storleksordning, främst är: Aktivitet på planen Borstning av planen Snöröjning Regn (vilket innebär infiltration genom planen samt ytavrinning) Dessa orsaker, samt möjliga spridningsvägar för mikroplaster från en konstgräsplan till omgivningen, har visualiserats i en konceptuell modell, figur 11. Modellen har två systemgränser; det inre systemet utgörs av själva konstgräsplanen, medan det yttre systemet utgörs av närområdet runt omkring planen och kan likställas med idrottsanläggningen. Det är endast mikroplaster som sprids från det yttre systemet ut till omgivningen som bedöms kunna ha ekologiska konsekvenser. Okulära mikroskopstudier av vattenprover från dräneringsbrunnar visade på förekomst av mikroplaster. Kvantifiering av mängden fast material som kan nå dräneringsbrunnar, där mikroplaster utgör en okänd andel, uppgick till maximalt 340 – 370 kg per år och konstgräsplan med måtten 105m×65m. Mängden mikroplaster som maximalt kan infiltreras genom en konstgräsplan ner till dess dränering kvantifierades till 0,003 kg per år och konstgräsplan med måtten 105m×65m. Detta indikerar att det kan krävas mer öppna transportvägar, exempelvis öppna brunnar, för att mikroplaster ska kunna nå dräneringsbrunnar i en större viktmässig omfattning. Kvantifieringen av övriga orsaker till spridning av mikroplaster från konstgräsplaner till omgivningen är osäker, men försiktiga uppskattningar visar på att de är viktmässigt omfattande. För att mäta och säkerställa antalet partiklar som sprids från konstgräsplaner skulle mer omfattande provtagningar och analyser behöva genomföras. Konkreta åtgärder som kan tillämpas för att minska den totala spridningen av mikroplaster från konstgräsplaner är att borsta av kläder och skor innan planen eller anläggningen lämnas, informera personer som uppehåller sig vid planerna om problematiken, täcka för brunnar vid driftsaktiviteter, strategisk hantering av snöröjning, återföra granulat från anläggningen till själva planen, installera filter i brunnar samt att tömma brunnar på vatten och material. För att sätta problemet med mikroplaster från konstgräsplaner i sitt sammanhang så är det viktigt att förstå problemet i sin helhet. Vidare studier föreslås fokusera på att kvantifiera ovan nämnda orsaker till spridning av mikroplaster från konstgräsplaner, samt att kartlägga och kvantifiera spridningen utifrån de olika spridningsvägarna. / Microplastics and its environmental impacts is a research area under development. Sampling and analysis methods are complicated by the fact that microplastics may come from different raw materials, which means that its content, particle size and density may vary. It is clear that microplastics is a problem in marine environments as intake and accumulation of micro- and macroplastics have been recorded in invertebrates, fish, mammals and birds. The microplastics may affect, among other things, the digestion and reproduction of aquatic animals. The microplastics have also been recorded in foods that are relevant to humans, but what effects microplastics have on humans is still unclear. In a report from 2017, the Swedish Environmental Research Institute (IVL) estimated artificial turf fields to be the second largest quantified source for spreading the microplastics to the environment with 1638 - 2456 tons per year, after wear of tire and roads. Football is one of Sweden's most popular sports and the number of artificial turf fields in the country in 2016 reached 1336. Due to the fact that artificial turf fields is considered an important reason for the spreading of microplastics, it becomes important to investigate the reasons why and how microplastics are spread from artificial turf fields and also what measures can be taken to reduce the spread. The purpose of this study is to identify the reasons why microplastics are spread, as well as to present measures that can reduce the overall spread of microplastics from artificial turf fields. The methodology is based on previous studies of microplastics in aquatic environments and water samples were collected from drainage wells that belonged to two artificial turf fields and from a “water-infiltration-sampler” from a third field. In addition, field studies with observations have been carried out at two other artificial turf fields, and conversations with maintenance personal have provided additional relevant information on how microplastics can be spread. The results show that microplastics are spread from artificial turf fields and the identified reasons for this spreading, without specific order of magnitude, are mainly: Activity on the field Brushing of the fields Snow plowing of the fields Rain (which means infiltration through the field as well as surface runoff) These causes, as well as possible pathways for the spreading of microplastics from an artificial turf field to the surroundings, have been visualized in a conceptual model, Figure 11. The model has two system boundaries; the inner system consists of the field itself, while the outer system is the direct area around the field and can be equated with the sports facility. It is only microplastics that are spread from the outer system to the environment which is considered to cause ecological consequences. Ocular microscopy studies of water samples from drainage wells showed presence of microplastics. Quantification of the amount of solids that can reach the drainage wells, where microplastics constitute an unknown proportion, amounted to a maximum of 340 – 370 kg per year and artificial turf field measuring 105m×65m. The maximum amount of microplastics that can infiltrate through an artificial turf field down to its drainage system was quantified to 0,003 kg per year and artificial turf of 105m×65m. This indicates that more open transport routes, such as open wells, could be needed to allow microplastics to reach drainage wells to a greater extent. The quantification of other causes for the spreading of microplastics from artificial turf fields to the environment area is uncertain, but careful estimations show that they are weighty comprehensive. To measure and secure the number of particles that are spread from artificial turf fields, more extensive sampling and analysis would have to be carried out.

Microplastic (MP) pollution has recently been recognized as a threat to the biosphere including humans due to its widespread distribution, persistent nature and infinitesimal size. This study focused on the solid phase degradation of microplastic residues (particularly low density polyethylene, LDPE) in water through heterogeneous photocatalysis process by designed photocatalysts of zinc oxide nanorods (ZnO NRs) and platinum nanoparticles deposited on zincoxide nanorods (Pt NPs-ZnO NRs) under visible light irradiation. These photocatalysts were assessed following standard protocol (ISP 10678: 2010), and characterized using SEM, EDX andoptical spectroscopies (UV-VIS and PL). Deposition of Pt-NPs on ZnO NRs for certain minutes has been found optimum that enhanced the photodegradation process about 38% under UV irradiation and 16.5% under visible light irradiation by improving of both electrons-holes pair separation process and visible light absorption. Photocatalytic degradation of LDPE films was confirmed by FTIR spectroscopy, dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA), optical and electron microscopes. When LDPE film irradiated in presence of Pt-ZnO, degradation was found quicker than ZnO alone of similar concentration which exhibited formation of a large number of wrinkles, cracks and cavities on the film surface. Dynamic mechanical analyzer (DMA) test indicated stiffness and embrittlement of exposed LDPE films in presence of photocatalysts. Thus, the present work provides a new insight about modified catalysts for the degradation of microplastics in water using visible light.

It is estimated that 75 million tons of plastics waste is currently in the ocean and expects to increase in line with plastic consumption. Plastic items in natural or aquatic environments are fragmented into smaller pieces called microplastics. Microplastics can enter rivers and lakes through sewage water to end up in wetlands where they sediment. Due to lack of standard monitoring tools, microplastics in a Scanian context are rather uninvestigated. The current work therefore studies microplastics’ abundance in eleven wetlands along the Sege river and Kävlinge river. The aim is with available methods and tools to examine microplastics in sediment and examine if determined microplastics concentrations can relate to urbanization in the two catchments. The study also looked into wetlands position in relation to stream order to test if microplastics concentrations increase downstream. In the study, density separation has been used to extract microplastics from soil samples and analyzed using correlation. The result showed microplastics concentrations in all sampling sites. There was weak negative or no correlation with degree of urbanization nor a relation to higher concentration further downstream along Sege river and Kävlinge river. However, the study concludes that microplastics do appear in Scanian wetlands and not necessarily in the vicinity of human activity which complies with microplastics' ability to travel long distances. / Idag finns det cirka 75 miljoner ton plastavfall i haven, som förväntas öka i samband med ökad plastkonsumtion. Plastföremål i naturliga eller akvatiska miljöer fragmenteras till mindre bitar som kallas mikroplast. Mikroplast kan transporteras till åar och sjöar genom dagvatten eller avloppsvatten, och slutligen sedimenteras i våtmarker. Inom arbete med plastföroreningar i Skåne saknas övervakning av mikroplast koncentrationen. På grund av brist på standardverktyg för övervakning är mikroplaster i Skåne förhållandevis outforskat. Denna studie tittar därmed på mikroplast förekomsten i elva våtmarker längs Sege å och Kävlingeån. Syftet är att med tillgängliga metoder och verktyg undersöka mikroplast i sediment, om koncentrationer kan relatera till tätorter i närområdet. Studien tittar också på våtmarkernas position i förhållande till stream order för att testa om mikroplast koncentrationerna ökar nedströms. I studien har flotteringsmetoden använts för att extrahera mikroplaster från jordprover och dessa analyserades med korrelation. Resultatet visade på förekomst av mikroplaster i samtliga våtmarker. Dock kunde studien inte påvisa någon relation mellan urbanisering och högre koncentration av mikroplaster och resultaten visade också en svag negativ eller ingen korrelation mellan en ökad koncentration av mikroplaster och stream order. Vad studien kan dra för slutsatsen är att mikroplaster förekommer i skånska våtmarker som inte nödvändigtvis är i närheten av mänsklig aktivitet vilket överensstämmer med mikroplasters förmåga att färdas långa sträckor.

Mikroplastik (MPs) Partikel die kleiner als 5 mm sind, werden weltweit als neu identifizierte Gefahr auf die Umwelt betrachtet. Um geeignete Minderungsstrategien entwickeln zu können, werden diese neuartigen Umweltschadstoff hinsichtlich möglicher Eintragsquellen und potentieller Transportwege in der Umwelt zunehmend diskutiert. Gründe für eine notwendige Reduzierung von MPs in der Umwelt gibt es viele. Es werden dabei insbesondere das Transportverhalten in der Umwelt sowie deren Toxizität auf das System Mensch und Umwelt als Schlüsselkomponenten angesehen. Die in den letzten zehn Jahren gestiegene Nachfrage an synthetischen Textilien und der daraus resultierenden Produktionssteigerung hat zur Folge, dass diese Textilien eine Hauptquelle der MP-Verschmutzung im aquatischen System darstellen. Jedoch fehlen aktuell spezifische Informationen über die Größe und den Verbleib von faserigen Mikroplastikpartikeln (FMP), die aus gewaschenen Textilien des täglichen Lebens freigesetzt werden, wenn sie die Kläranlagen passieren und schließlich in Ökosysteme gelangen. Ziel dieser Arbeit ist es, die prävalent vorkommenden Größenfraktionen aus Polyethylenterephthalat (PET) FMPs, die aus synthetischen Fleecejacken beim Waschen in einer kommerziellen Waschmaschine freigesetzt werden, zu identifizieren und anschließend zu quantifizieren. Dabei soll ihr Vorkommen und ihr Verbleib in konventionellen Kläranlagen unter Berücksichtigung verschiedener Behandlungsstufen untersucht werden. Um den potenziellen Einfluss der PET-Faserlänge auf das Transportverhalten in Kläranlagen zu untersuchen, wurden zwei unterschiedlichen Größenfraktionen (1500 – 500 µm und 150 – 50 µm) in Batchtests miteinander verglichen. Darüber hinaus wurde in dieser Studie die Wirksamkeit der Koagulation, einem etablierten Verfahren aus der chemischen Abwasserbehandlung, auf die Eliminierung von FMP-PET-Fasern aus Abwässern untersucht. Unter Verwendung eines aus einer städtischen Kläranlage stammenden Inokulums wurde die biologische Abbaubarkeit von FMPs (PET) im Labormaßstab im Vergleich zu natürlichen (Baumwolle), regenerierten (Viskose), PET/Baumwoll-Mischgewebe und oxo-abbaubaren PET-Fasern untersucht. Zusätzlich wurde der Einfluss verschiedener Ausrüstungsverfahren (z.B. Reaktivfarbstoffe, Weichmacher und antimikrobielle Zusätze) auf die biologische Abbaubarkeit von Viskosefasern getestet. Der Waschtest ergab, dass die höchste Freisetzung von FMPs beim ersten Waschen auftrat und mit einer schrittweisen Reduzierung der Faseremission in weiteren Versuchen einherging. Bei einer Gesamtverteilung der PET-Faserlänge zwischen >1500 - 5 µm deckte die am häufigsten vorkommende massenbezogene Größenfraktion einen Bereich von 500 µm bis 50 µm ab. In einer Kläranlage konnte festgestellt werden, dass die Mehrheit der PET-Fasern unabhängig von der Größenverteilung mit partikulären Feststoffen abgeschieden werden (>90 % für Belebtschlamm und >99 % für Primärschlamm). Es konnte jedoch beobachtet werden, dass ein erhöhter Anteil kleiner Fasern (150 – 50 μm) in der flüssigen Phase verbleiben, was darauf hindeutet, dass kleineren Fasern nicht durch Kläranlagen zurückgehalten werden und schließlich in die Gewässer gelangen. Darüber hinaus konnte gezeigt werden, dass die Zugabe einer Koagulationschemikalie die Entfernung von großen PET Fasern (1500 – 500 μm) aus Abwässern geringfügig verbessern könnte; der Effekt war jedoch nicht signifikant. Die biologische Abbaubarkeit von Fasern in aquatischen Matrices nahm mit folgender Reihenfolge ab: Baumwolle ≥ Viskose > PET/Baumwollmischung > oxo-abbaubares PET ≥ PET. Dabei wiesen mit bestimmten Ausrüstungsmitteln behandelte Fasern im Vergleich zu unbehandelten Fasern einen niedrigeren Mineralisierungsgrad auf. Dieses zentrale Ergebnis unterstreicht die Bedeutung zur Berücksichtigung der Textilausrüstung bei der Bewertung des Umweltverhaltens von FMP. Dies ist die erste Studie, in der sich in der Abwasserbehandlung ausschließlich auf das Verhalten von PET-Fasern als eins der am häufigsten verwendeten Materialien in der Bekleidungsindustrie konzentriert wurde. Es konnte gezeigt werden, dass das Verhalten von textilbasierten FMPs bei der Abwasserbehandlung größenabhängig sein kann. Darüber hinaus wurde beobachtet, dass die Textilveredelung, je nach Haltbarkeit und Art des verwendeten Additivs, die Halbwertszeit von Faserschuppen in der Umwelt verlängern kann. Beide Erkenntnisse sind von großer Bedeutung, um nachhaltige Textilprodukte mit einer deutlich geringeren FMP-Emission in die Umwelt und im Hinblick auf eine funktionierende Kreislaufwirtschaft zu entwerfen. / Microplastics (MPs), plastic particles <5 mm, have been considered as global emerging environmental contaminants, triggering discussions regarding their sources, transport pathways and possible mitigation strategies, while fate and toxicity are recognized as key issues, including their potential threats to human health. The increased production and use of synthetic clothes over the last decade have placed synthetic textiles as one of the main sources of MP pollution in aquatic environments. However, there is still lack of information specifically on the size and fate of Fibrous Microplastic Particles (FMPs) released from washed daily-life products when they pass through Wastewater Treatment Plants (WWTPs) and eventually end up in the ecosystems. This thesis aims to investigate the amount and the dominant size fractions of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) FMPs released from synthetic fleece jackets during washing and to understand their occurrence and fate in conventional WWTPs, by considering different treatment stages. The potential influence of fibre length on the removal of PET fibres in WWTP was also investigated in batch tests, with two size fractions being compared, i.e. 1500 – 500 μm and 150 – 50 μm. Additionally, this study examined the efficacy of the coagulation, an established process of chemical treatment, on the elimination of FMP PET fibres from wastewaters. Finally, the present study evaluated the biodegradability of FMPs (PET) compared to natural (cotton), regenerated (viscose), PET/cotton blend and oxo-degradable PET fibres under laboratory conditions, by using inoculum from a WWTP, as well as the influence of different finishing processes (i.e. reactive dyes, softener and antimicrobial agent) on the biodegradability of viscose fibres. The washing test revealed that the highest release of PET fibres occurred in the first wash, with a consequent reduction of fibres’ emissions in sequential trials. PET fibre sheds collected with the aid of a filter cascade ranged from >1500 – 5 μm, with the most dominant size fraction in terms of mass ranging from 500 μm to 50 μm. Microscopic and gravimetric analysis revealed that when present in a WWTP, the majority of PET fibres were found to be associated to solids (>90% for activated and >99% for primary sludge), irrespective of their size fraction. However, small fibres (150 – 50 μm) were demonstrated to be retained in the liquid phase to a higher extent, indicating the likelihood of smaller fibres to pass through the WWTPs, entering eventually the water bodies. Moreover, our results showed that the addition of the coagulant chemical could slightly enhance the removal of large PET fibres (1500 – 500 μm) from wastewater effluents; however the effect was not significant. The biodegradability of fibres in aquatic environments decreased with the following order: cotton ≥ viscose > PET/cotton blend > “oxo-degradable” PET ≥ PET, while fibres treated with certain finishing agents displayed a lower mineralization level compared to the untreated, highlighting the importance of considering the textile finish when assessing the environmental behavior of FMPs. This is the first study giving emphasis solely on the behavior of PET fibres, one of the most common materials used in apparel industry, demonstrating that the performance of FMPs originated from textiles in wastewater treatments may be size-dependent. Moreover, it was shown that textile finishing might prolong the environmental half-lives of fibre sheds, depending on the durability and type of additive applied. Both findings are important when aiming at designing sustainable textile products with respect to a circular economy and considerably less FMPs emissions in the environment.

Microplastics are widespread and abundant. Few studies have examined the diversity and abundance of microplastics in wild organisms. This study determined the microplastic quantity and types in the organic tissues of the eastern oyster Crassostrea virginica and Atlantic mud crab Panopeus herbstii from the Indian River Lagoon (IRL). This study also investigated whether location affected the microplastic abundance and variety. Organisms were collected from three sites across Mosquito Lagoon in the northern IRL. Oysters were frozen after collection. Crabs were placed in containers for 5 days before freezing. The soft organic tissue was chemically digested using hydrogen peroxide, filtered, and examined for microplastics. Water samples collected from each study site had an average of 23.1 microplastic pieces per liter and fibers were the most common type. There was a significant interaction for microplastic type and site for both oysters and crabs (p

Plastic pollution is unavoidable in the natural environment. Consequences of plastic ingestion include exposure to environmental pollutants and toxin accumulation, causing endocrine disruption, inflammatory and physiological stress in organisms. Microplastics have been shown to transfer across food webs, however, limited studies have examined microplastic accumulation across terrestrial food webs. Furthermore, few studies have examined plastic pollution in apex predatory animals. A study was conducted to quantify the abundance of plastic pollution in the gastrointestinal tract in birds of prey. Two species were investigated, one which forages in terrestrial habitats and one which forages in aquatic environments including Buteo lineatus (red-shouldered hawk) and Pandion haliaetus (osprey), respectively. The gastrointestinal tract was necropsied, chemically digested, and examined for microplastic prevalence. Overall, microplastics are significantly more abundant per gram of gastrointestinal (GI) tract tissue in species that forage on small rodents and terrestrial reptiles (B. lineatus) as compared to species that forage on fish and aquatic invertebrates (P. haliaetus). Buteo lineatus averaged 0.81 (±0.15) fibers and 0.14 (±0.04) fragments per gram of GI tract tissue while P. halieatus averaged 0.31 (±0.09) fibers and 0.04 (±0.02) fragments per gram of GI tract tissue. There was a significant interaction between type and color in both B. lineatus and P. haliaetus GI tract tissues. Micro-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (μ-FTIR) was run on haphazardly selected samples and found that rayon was the most common polymer identified in both species. The significant difference found between species could be indicative that terrestrial raptors may experience greater bioaccumulation than aquatic species foraging at comparable trophic levels. However, the significant interaction between type and color in both species indicates a potential common source of pollution that affects both environments. Further investigation on the source of polymers is necessary in order to develop conservation and management strategies aimed at decreasing the output of synthetic fibers into the environment. Due to the abundance of polymers found in these species, understanding the potential biological and physiological effects of plastics is essential to informing superior management strategies that can better protect and preserve wildlife from increasing anthropogenic pressures.

The increasing amount of microplastics found in the environment have underscored the urgency to identify, develop and deploy scenarios in which municipal wastewater treatment plants (MWWTPs) limit the release of urban microplastics into the environment. Simultaneously, the global trend towards a circular economy has defined the conditions for these scenarios in relation to the water-energy- nutrient nexus. This study has created a novel framework between studies into treatment technologies for microplastics removal in wastewater streams and circular economic objectives from policymakers with regard to the water-energy-nutrient nexus. The results of this study build on the existing evidence that MWWTPs release significant amounts of microplastics to both terrestrial and aquatic environments. This study has demonstrated how Multi-criteria Analysis (MCA) can be applied to analyse wastewater treatment scenarios for their ability to limit microplastic pollution from MWWTPs, whilst taking the water-energy- nutrient nexus into account. The MCA has identified MBR inci-eco as the best performing circular economic scenario for limiting microplastic pollution from MWWTPs in to be constructed plants. This scenario includes a Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) with Anaerobic Digestion, energy recovery through incineration and Phosphorus recovery through Ecophos. If already existing MWWTPs aim to upgrade their facility to limit microplastic pollution, CASPACUF with Pyreg as an energy-nutrient recovery is seen as the best performing scenario. The powder activated carbon with ultra filtration (PAC-UF) system would then be installed as an additional polishing step to an existing conventional activated sludge (CAS) system, significantly reducing upfront investment costs. Academia can build upon these results to initiate additional research into novel microplastic filtration specific technologies, business model innovation for wastewater treatment and microplastic pollution prevention at the source and in stormwaters. National and international policymakers should ban the distribution and sale of biosolids for direct land application to limit the pollution of microplastics from bio-solids. Furthermore, efforts should be put in place to limit microplastic pollution at the source by stimulating policies for a ban on the use of microbeads, limit tyre wear and improving design for e.q. washing machines. / Den ökande mängden mikroplast som finns i miljön har understrukit brådskan i att identifiera, utveckla och tillämpa strategier där kommunala avloppsreningsverk (MWWTP) begränsar utsläpp av urbana mikroplaster. Samtidigt har den globala trenden mot en cirkulär ekonomi definierat villkoren för dessa scenarier i förhållande till vatten-energi-näring-näxan. Denna studie har tagit fram ett nytt ramverk mellan studier om reningsteknologier för avlägsnande av mikroplast i avloppsvattenströmmar och cirkulära ekonomiska mål från beslutsfattare med avseende på water-energy-nutrient nexus. Resultaten av denna studie bygger på befintliga bevis på att kommunala avloppsreningsverk släpper ut betydande mängder mikroplast i både mark- och vattenmiljöer. Denna studie har visat hur Multi-Criteria Analysis (MCA) kan användas för att analysera avloppsreningsscenarier utifrån deras förmåga att begränsa mikroplastföroreningar från reningsverk, samtidigt som man tar hänsyn till vatten-energi-näring-näxan. MCA har identifierat MBR-inci-eco som det bäst presterande cirkulära ekonomiska scenariot för att begränsa mikroplastföroreningar från nya verk. Detta scenario inkluderar en Membrane Bioreactor (MBR) med anaerobisk nebrytning, energiåtervinning genom förbränning och fosforåtervinning genom Ecophos. Om redan befintliga verk ska uppgradera sin anläggning för att begränsa mikroplastföroreningar, ses CASPACUF med Pyreg som energi-näringsåtervinning som det bästa scenariot. Det pulveraktiverade kolet med ultrafiltreringssystemet (PAC-UF) skulle sedan installeras som ett ytterligare poleringssteg till ett befintligt konventionellt system för aktiverat slam (CAS), vilket avsevärt minskar investeringskostnaderna. Framtida forskning kan använda dessa resultat för att undersöka nya mikroplastfiltreringsspecifika tekniker, affärsmodellinnovation för avloppsrening och förebyggande av mikroplastförorening vid källan och i stormvatten. Nationella och internationella beslutsfattare bör förbjuda distribution och försäljning av biosolids för direkt markanvändning för att begränsa mikroplastföroreningar från biosolids. Vidare bör åtgärder vidtas för att begränsa mikroplastföroreningar vid källan genom att stimulera policyer för ett förbud mot användning av mikrokulor, begränsa däckslitage och förbättra designen för e.q. tvättmaskiner.

This paper seeks to establish and assess the link between microplastics and human rights. An empirical understanding of the topic is constructed through the collection and presentation of emerging research on the impact of microplastic pollution on the environment, health, well-being, and reproduction. A sociological and environmental justice perspective and understanding of the topic is established through a presentation of previous cases of pollution and issues of global health. These theoretical and empirical perspectives are then explored through the lens of a human rights framework to establish an understanding of the potential threat posed to human rights by the issue of microplastic pollution.

Les poissons sont parmi les modèles aquatiques les plus utilisés pour l’évaluationdes dangers des substances chimiques avant leur mise sur le marché européen(REACh (Registration, Evaluation, Autorisation and Restriction of CHemicals)).Actuellement, cette réglementation ainsi que la directive européenne sur la protectiondes animaux utilisés à des fins scientifiques (2010/63/UE) promeuvent la mise enplace de méthodes alternatives en expérimentation animale. Ces méthodes ont pourbut de remplacer les modèles animaux chaque fois que cela est possible, de réduirele nombre d’animaux utilisés en expérimentation et d’optimiser la méthodologieappliquée aux animaux. Cette thèse vise à comparer la sensibilité de deux de cesoutils alternatifs, les lignées cellulaires et les tests embryo-larvaires poissons, enutilisant des toxiques modèles puis mettre en oeuvre ces outils pour évaluer la toxicitéde mélanges environnementaux de polluants : microplastiques et hydrocarbures(pétrole Arabian Light). Les composés modèles (B(a)P, Cd, MMS, PCB126) ont permisde valider trois biomarqueurs : la production d’espèces réactives de l’oxygène surlignées cellulaires de poissons, le test micronoyaux par cytométrie en flux et lechallenge infectieux sur larves de Médaka. Ces biomarqueurs associés à des analyseschimiques, biochimiques et physiologiques ont permis d’évaluer la toxicité demélanges environnementaux d’hydrocarbures (extrait aqueux de pétrole Arabian =WAF) et de microplastiques. Les WAF présentent une toxicité sur les lignéescellulaires de poissons (induction de l’activité EROD, génotoxicité) ainsi que surembryons et larves de Médaka (comportement, biométrie, EROD, génotoxicité). Lespoissons comme les cellules sont particulièrement sensibles au WAF de l’ArabianLight. La contamination aux microplastiques (MP) environnementaux a révélé unetoxicité des contaminants associés au MP sur les lignées cellulaires et les larves depoisson. L’ingestion de particules de plastiques par les larves a induit des effets létauxet sublétaux (biométrie, comportement et EROD). L’ingestion des particules plastiquespar les larves a été confirmée par microscopie biphotonique. Cette étude a permisd’évaluer la sensibilité et la complémentarité de ces outils in vitro pour l’évaluation desdangers et des risques associés aux substances chimiques. / Fish are among the most widely used aquatic model for assessing the chemicalthreat before they are placed on the European market (REACh (Registration,Evaluation, Authorization and Restriction of CHemicals)). Currently, this regulation aswell as the European directive on the protection of animals used for scientific purposes(2010/63/EU) promote the establishment of alternative methods in animal testing.These methods are intended to replace animal models whenever possible, to reducethe number of animals used in experiments and to optimize the methodology appliedto animals. This thesis aims to compare the sensitivity of two of these alternative tools,cell lines and fish embryo-larval tests, using model toxicants. Then, these tools wereused to evaluate the toxicity of environmental mixtures of pollutants: microplastics andhydrocarbons (Arabian Light oil). The model compounds (B(a)P, Cd, MMS, PCB126)valid three biomarkers: reactive oxygen species (ROS) production on fish cell lines,micronucleus assay by flow cytometry and infectious challenge on Medaka larvae andjuveniles. These biomarkers combined with chemical, biochemical and physiologicalanalyzes have assessed toxicity of environmental mixtures of hydrocarbons (aqueousextract of Arabian oil = WAF) and microplastics. WAF are toxic to fish cell lines (ERODactivity induction and genotoxicity) as well as to Medaka embryos and larvae (behavior,biometrics, EROD, genotoxicity). Fish like cells seem to be particularly susceptible toArabian Light WAF. Contamination with environmental microplastics (MP) hasrevealed a toxicity of MP-associated contaminants on cell lines and fish larvae. Theingestion of plastic particles by the larvae induced lethal and sublethal effects(biometrics, behavior and EROD). The ingestion of the plastic particles by the larvaewas confirmed by two-photon microscopy. This study assessed the sensitivity andcomplementarity of these in vitro tools for assessing hazards and risks associated withchemicals.

L'augmentation de la production de matière plastique depuis les années 1950 combinée à une mauvaise gestion des déchets plastiques ainsi qu'aux mauvais comportements des citoyens conduit à la contamination des écosystèmes terrestres comme marins. L'ingestion par des organismes marins de particules plastiques mesurant moins de 5 mm, appelées microplastiques, a été décrite. L'objectif de ces travaux de thèse était d'évaluer le danger "microplastique" pour le consommateur de produits de la pêche. Afin de répondre à cet objectif, la sélection et la caractérisation d'une méthode permettant de digérer les tissus des produits de la pêche a été. En parallèle, une méthode de Pyrolyse-GC/MS a été optimisée afin d'identifier les microplastiques les plus petits possibles. Ses limites d'applications ont été calculées puis la méthode a été appliquée sur des microplastiques provenant de différents produits de la pêche. Ces deux méthodes ont été appliquées dans la recherche de microplastiques dans deux espèces de bivalves et trois espèces de poissons. Pour les bivalves, la contamination aux microplastiques était comprise entre 0.15 et 0.74 MP/g de chair humide alors que pour les poissons la contamination était assez faible : 0,01 MP/g de tractus gastro-intestinal et 0,001 MP/g de filet. Pour finir, une étude exploratoire de la lixiviation d'un additif plastique en utilisant un modèle de digestion in vitro a été entreprise. Globalement, ces travaux de thèse permettent de proposer des voies d'harmonisation des méthodes pour l'étude des microplastiques dans les produits de la pêche pour, in fine, évaluer le danger pour le consommateur. / Increase in plastic production since the 1950's in combination with plastic waste mismanagement lead to the presence of plastic particle in terrestrial and marine environment. Plastic particles measuring less than 5 mm, called microplastics, are ingested by a wide range of organisms. The goal of this PhD thesis was to evaluate the microplastic hazard for seafood consumers. firstly, method for digesting seafood tissue without degrading plastic polymer was selected and applications limits were determined for digestion of fish digestive tracts. Concurrently, a Pyrolysis-GC/MS method was optimized, limit of detection were determined and this method was applied on environmental samples. Both methods were used to study microplastics contamination in bivalve and fish species used for human consumption. Bivalve contamination was between 0.15 and 0.74 MP/g of tissue wet weight whereas contaminations in fish were low. Indeed, digestive tracts were contaminated by in mean 0.01 MP/g of tissue wet weight and muscles were contaminated by in mean 0.001 MP/g of tissue wet weight. Lately, leaching of a plastic additive was studied using an in vitro enzymatic model of digestion. However, such phenomenon was not highlighted. Overall, these results will help to standardize the study of microplastics in seafood products.