Jump to main content
US EPA
United States Environmental Protection Agency
Search
Search
Main menu
Environmental Topics
Laws & Regulations
About EPA
Health & Environmental Research Online (HERO)
Contact Us
Print
Feedback
Export to File
Search:
This record has one attached file:
Add More Files
Attach File(s):
Display Name for File*:
Save
Citation
Tags
HERO ID
6392813
Reference Type
Journal Article
Title
Shedding light on the invisible: addressing the potential for groundwater contamination by plastic microfibers
Author(s)
Re, V
Year
2019
Is Peer Reviewed?
Yes
Journal
Hydrogeology Journal
ISSN:
1431-2174
EISSN:
1435-0157
Publisher
SPRINGER
Location
NEW YORK
Volume
27
Issue
7
Page Numbers
2719-2727
DOI
10.1007/s10040-019-01998-x
Web of Science Id
WOS:000502730500026
Abstract
The processes of microplastic fiber pollution in groundwater are unknown. The recent research on this contaminant threat is generally focused on surface waters (mainly oceans and rivers), while aquifer contamination is only marginally mentioned as an issue needing further investigation. Synthetic microfibers can be introduced into soils in different ways (e.g. wastewater treatment plants or greywater discharge, septic tank outflows, direct injection of contaminated water in cases of managed aquifer recharge, losing streams, etc.), and can thus reach aquifer systems due to leaching or infiltration in soil pores. Microfibers can then adsorb persistent bioaccumulative and toxic chemicals, which include persistent organic pollutants and metals, and become a carrier of harmful substances in the aquifer system, hence contributing to the overall contamination in both urban and rural areas. For this reason, it is of paramount importance, not only to assess the occurrence and fate of microplastic fibers in groundwater, but also to study the role of microplastics as carriers of contaminants within the aquifer and to advance standardization and organization of monitoring campaigns. Only by addressing these key challenges can hydrogeologists contribute to the state of the art on microplastic pollution and ensure that groundwater is not neglected in the environmental assessments tackling this contaminant of emerging concern.
Keywords
Emerging pollutants; Microplastic; Groundwater monitoring; Water-resources conservation; Contamination
Tags
OPPT REs
•
OPPT_Asbestos, Part I: Chrysotile_Supplemental Search
LitSearch: Sept 2020 (Undated)
WoS
Legacy Uses
Health Outcomes
Exposure
Home
Learn about HERO
Using HERO
Search HERO
Projects in HERO
Risk Assessment
Transparency & Integrity