25 November, 2017
Threats to human health by great ocean garbage patches
Marine plastic pollution has been considered a remote environmental problem. However, a latent threat to marine life has become an acute threat to human health. Biochemical pathways of degraded and decomposed materials and xenobiotics released by great ocean garbage patches are clear enough to alert us and stimulate us to work on prevention of an otherwise immense health problem.
Thomas Efferth, Norbert W Paul. The Lancet Planetary Health, Vol. 1, No. 8, e301–e303
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/S2542-5196(17)30140-7
http://www.thelancet.com/journals/lanplh/article/PIIS2542-5196(17)30140-7/fulltext
Challenges in characterizing the environmental fate and effects of carbon nanotubes and inorganic nanomaterials in aquatic systems
The release of highly persistent carbon nanotubes (CNTs) from nanocomposites is determined to be a potential source of environmental contamination. Furthermore, the nanomaterials play a role in dissolution and the contribution of ions versus particles to nanomaterials toxicity. A phenomenon of particular relevance for the environment is photoactivation of nanomaterials. This is elucidated with regard to its consequences in complex aquatic ecosystems.
Peter Laux et al., Environmental Science, 2017, in press
https://www.sintef.no/publikasjoner/publikasjon/?pubid=CRIStin+1502455