Generating environmental sampling and testing data for micro- and nanoplastics for use in life cycle impact assessment

The Science of The Total Environment, vol. 859, pp. 160038

Abstract

Ongoing efforts focus on quantifying plastic pollution and describing and estimating the related magnitude of exposure and impacts on human and environmental health. Data gathered during such work usually follows a receptor perspective. However, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) represents an emitter perspective. This study examines existing data gathering and reporting approaches for field and laboratory studies on micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) exposure and effects relevant to LCA data inputs. The outcomes indicate that receptor perspective approaches do not typically provide suitable or sufficiently harmonised data. Improved design is needed in the sampling, testing and recording of results using harmonised, validated and comparable methods, with more comprehensive reporting of relevant data. We propose a three-level set of requirements for data recording and reporting to increase the potential for LCA studies and models to utilise data gathered in receptor-oriented studies. We show for which purpose such data can be used as inputs to LCA, particularly in life cycle impact assessment (LCIA) methods. Implementing these requirements will facilitate proper integration of the potential environmental impacts of plastic losses from human activity (e.g. litter) into LCA. Then, the impacts of plastic emissions can eventually be connected and compared with other environmental issues related to anthropogenic activities.

Authors 13

1. Cecilia Askham corresponding

   Norwegian Institute for Sustainability Research

   Affiliation as printed

   Norwegian Institute for Sustainability Research (NORSUS), Stadion 4, 1671 Kråkerøy, Norway. Electronic address: cecilia@norsus.no

   Norwegian Institute for Sustainability Research (NORSUS), Stadion 4, 1671 Kråkerøy, Norway

2. Valentina H. Pauna

   Parthenope University of Naples · Norwegian Institute for Sustainability Research

   Affiliation as printed

   Norwegian Institute for Sustainability Research (NORSUS), Stadion 4, 1671 Kråkerøy, Norway; International PhD Programme/UNESCO Chair "Environment, Resources and Sustainable Development", Department of Science and Technology, Parthenope University of Naples, Centro Direzionale, Isola C4, 80143 Naples, Italy

   International PhD Programme/UNESCO Chair "Environment, Resources and Sustainable Development", Department of Science and Technology, Parthenope University of Naples, Centro Direzionale, Isola C4, 80143 Naples, Italy

   Norwegian Institute for Sustainability Research (NORSUS), Stadion 4, 1671 Kråkerøy, Norway

3. Anne‐Marie Boulay

   CIRAIG · Polytechnique Montréal

   Affiliation as printed

   CIRAIG, Chemical Engineering Department, Polytechnique Montreal, Canada

4. Peter Fantke

   Technical University of Denmark

   Affiliation as printed

   Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

5. Olivier Jolliet

   Technical University of Denmark

   Affiliation as printed

   Quantitative Sustainability Assessment, Department of Environmental and Resource Engineering, Technical University of Denmark, Produktionstorvet 424, Kgs. Lyngby, Denmark

6. Jérôme Lavoie

   CIRAIG

   Affiliation as printed

   CIRAIG, UQÀM/ISE-Institute of Environmental Sciences, Montreal, Canada

   CIRAIG, UQÀM/ISE–Institute of Environmental Sciences, Montreal, Canada

7. Andy M. Booth

   SINTEF Ocean

   Affiliation as printed

   SINTEF Ocean, Trondheim, Norway

8. Claire Coutris

   Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research

   Affiliation as printed

   NIBIO Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research, Division of Environment and Natural Resources, Ås, Norway

9. Francesca Verones

   Norwegian University of Science and Technology

   Affiliation as printed

   Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Trondheim, Norway

10. Miriam Weber
    Affiliation as printed

    HYDRA Marine Sciences GmbH, Bühl, Germany

11. Martina G. Vijver Aachen Institute of Environmental Sciences (CML)

    Leiden University

    Affiliation as printed

    Leiden University, Institute of Environmental Sciences, the Netherlands

12. Amy Lusher

    Norwegian Institute for Water Research · University of Bergen

    Affiliation as printed

    Norwegian Institute of Water Research (NIVA), Oslo, Norway; Department of Biological Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

    Department of Biological Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway

    Norwegian Institute of Water Research (NIVA), Oslo, Norway

13. Carla Hajjar

    CIRAIG · Polytechnique Montréal

    Affiliation as printed

    CIRAIG, Chemical Engineering Department, Polytechnique Montreal, Canada