The aim of this study was to assess if lichens (Flavoparmelia caperata) surrounding a landfll dumping site in Italy accumulated higher amounts of microplastics compared with lichens at more distant sites. Lichen samples were collected at three sites along a transect from the landfll: close (directly facing the landfll), intermediate (200 m), and remote (1500 m). Anthropogenic microparticles (fbres and fragments) were determined visually after wet peroxide digestion of the samples, and microplastics were identifed based on a hot needle test; the type of plastic was identifed by micro-Raman analysis. The results showed that lichens collected in the vicinity of the landfll accumulated the highest number of anthropogenic microfbres and fragments (147 mp/g dw), and consequently microplastics (79 mp/g dw), suggesting that the impact of landfll emissions is spatially limited. The proportion of fbres and fragments identifed as microplastics was 40% across all sites and the most abundant polymer type was polyester or polyethylene terephthalate (68%). These results clearly indicated that lichens can efectively be used to monitor the deposition of microplastics.

Loppi, S., Roblin, B., Paoli, L., Aherne, J. (2021). Accumulation of airborne microplastics in lichens from a landfill dumping site (Italy). SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 11 [10.1038/s41598-021-84251-4].

Accumulation of airborne microplastics in lichens from a landfill dumping site (Italy)

Loppi, Stefano;
2021-01-01

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess if lichens (Flavoparmelia caperata) surrounding a landfll dumping site in Italy accumulated higher amounts of microplastics compared with lichens at more distant sites. Lichen samples were collected at three sites along a transect from the landfll: close (directly facing the landfll), intermediate (200 m), and remote (1500 m). Anthropogenic microparticles (fbres and fragments) were determined visually after wet peroxide digestion of the samples, and microplastics were identifed based on a hot needle test; the type of plastic was identifed by micro-Raman analysis. The results showed that lichens collected in the vicinity of the landfll accumulated the highest number of anthropogenic microfbres and fragments (147 mp/g dw), and consequently microplastics (79 mp/g dw), suggesting that the impact of landfll emissions is spatially limited. The proportion of fbres and fragments identifed as microplastics was 40% across all sites and the most abundant polymer type was polyester or polyethylene terephthalate (68%). These results clearly indicated that lichens can efectively be used to monitor the deposition of microplastics.
2021
Loppi, S., Roblin, B., Paoli, L., Aherne, J. (2021). Accumulation of airborne microplastics in lichens from a landfill dumping site (Italy). SCIENTIFIC REPORTS, 11 [10.1038/s41598-021-84251-4].
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11365/1130397