2021 Fiscal Year Research-status Report
Tracking the behavior of environmental microplastic aggregates using multiple analytical approaches
| Project/Area Number |
21K21336
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| Research Institution | Japan Atomic Energy Agency |
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Principal Investigator |
Battulga Batdulam 国立研究開発法人日本原子力研究開発機構, 原子力科学研究部門 原子力科学研究所 原子力基礎工学研究センター, 博士研究員 (50907996)
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| Project Period (FY) |
2021-08-30 – 2023-03-31
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| Keywords | Microplastic / Biofilm / Radiocesium / Stable isotopes / Coastal environment |
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| Outline of Annual Research Achievements |
A new method was proposed to extract biofilms from environmental plastics, in order to evaluate the properties of biofilm-derived organic matter through stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotope signatures and their interactions with radiocesium (137Cs).
The study shows the effective extraction of biofilms from environmental plastics. The 137Cs accumulation on environmental plastics through biofilm formation provides evidence that plastics serve as a carrier for 137Cs in the coastal river environment mediated by developed biofilms. Significant differences in the δ13C and δ15N signatures were also obtained from the biofilm samples, indicating the different sources, pathways, and development processes of biofilms on plastics.
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| Current Status of Research Progress |
Current Status of Research Progress
2: Research has progressed on the whole more than it was originally planned.
Reason
The research is progressing well following the research plan. Fieldworks and laboratory analyses were carried out according to the targeted research period and obtained results were shown relatively similar patterns as the initial hypotheses. It suggests the progress and achievement of the research following the effective plan.
Furthermore, insights into the plastic-associated biofilms and adhered pollutants in the aquatic environment are provided through new method in order to fill the gaps between the knowledges in the field of plastic-related research. Considering the research advances, the study is rather smoothly progressing with new challenges and solutions.
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| Strategy for Future Research Activity |
Regarding the environmental fate and behavior of microplastics (MPs), the future work will be addressed on occurrence and characteristics of MPs and their adverse effects on ecosystem, as well as impact of plastic-associated biofilms on aquatic biogeochemical cycling. Seasonal sampling data will be provided to understand fate and dynamic behavior MPs in coastal river environment. Microbial diversity on MP samples will be compared to those from the water column and coastal sand. Results from the bacterial assemblages will provide novel aspects considering the widely distributed MP pollution in the coastal environment and their impacts in aquatic biogeochemical cycling.
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| Causes of Carryover |
Some of the field samplings was delayed due to declaration of Emergency state in order to prevent the spread of Covid-19. As a result, expenditure for the travel expenses was consumed less than the planned amount. Hence, fieldwork will be actively conduct in next Fiscal year using the remaining budget. In addition, several chemicals for laboratory analyses will be purchased using the some of remaining budget.
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