Robinia pseudoacacia L. (Black Locust) Leaflets as Biomonitors of Airborne Microplastics

Author:

Jafarova Mehriban1ORCID,Grifoni Lisa12,Renzi Monia3ORCID,Bentivoglio Tecla4,Anselmi Serena4,Winkler Aldo2ORCID,Di Lella Luigi Antonello1,Spagnuolo Lilla2,Aherne Julian5,Loppi Stefano1ORCID

Affiliation:

1. Department of Life Sciences, University of Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy

2. Istituto Nazionale di Geofisica e Vulcanologia, 00143 Rome, Italy

3. Department of Life Science, University of Trieste, Via L. Giorgieri, 10, 34127 Trieste, Italy

4. Bioscience Research Center, Via Aurelia Vecchia, 32, 58015 Orbetello, Italy

5. School of Environment, Trent University, Peterborough, ON K9L 0G2, Canada

Abstract

Here we investigate the suitability of Robinia pseudoacacia L. (black locust) leaflets as a novel biomonitor of airborne microplastics (MPs) including tyre wear particles (TWPs). Leaflets were collected from rural roadside locations (ROs, n = 5) and urban parks (UPs, n = 5) in Siena, Italy. MPs were removed by washing, identified by stereomicroscope, and analysed for polymer type by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. Daily MP deposition was estimated from leaf area. The mass magnetic susceptibility and the bioaccumulation of traffic-related potentially toxic elements (PTEs) were also analysed. The total number of MPs at ROs was significantly higher at 2962, dominated by TWPs, compared with 193 in UPs, where TWPs were not found. In contrast, total microfibres were significantly higher in UPs compared with ROs (185 vs. 86). Daily MP deposition was estimated to range from 4.2 to 5.1 MPs/m2/d across UPs and 29.9–457.6 MPs/m2/d across ROs. The polymer types at ROs were dominated by rubber (80%) from TWPs, followed by 15% polyamide (PA) and 5% polysulfone (PES), while in UPs the proportion of PES (44%) was higher than PA (22%) and polyacrylonitrile (11%). The mean mass magnetic susceptibility, a proxy of the bioaccumulation of traffic-related metallic particles, was higher at ROs (0.62 ± 0.01 10–8 m3/kg) than at UPs (–0.50 ± 0.03 10–8 m3/kg). The content of PTEs was similar across sites, except for significantly higher concentrations of Sb, a tracer of vehicle brake wear, at ROs (0.308 ± 0.008 µg/g) compared with UPs (0.054 ± 0.006 µg/g). Our results suggest that the waxy leaflets and easy determination of surface area make Robinia an effective biomonitor for airborne MPs including TWPs.

Funder

MUR

Publisher

MDPI AG

Subject

General Agricultural and Biological Sciences,General Immunology and Microbiology,General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

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