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Polymer-dependent accumulation of PFASs on microplastics in Xiamen Bay: field evidence and laboratory partitioning
Summary
Scientists found that "forever chemicals" (PFASs), which are linked to health problems like cancer and immune issues, tend to stick to microplastic pieces floating in coastal waters—especially foam plastic like polystyrene, which soaked up more of these chemicals than other plastic types, and even more so after sun exposure broke it down further. This matters because it suggests plastic litter in the ocean isn't just a physical pollution problem—it can also act like a sponge that concentrates toxic chemicals, potentially making its way up the food chain to the seafood we eat.
Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are widespread in coastal waters, yet evidence for PFASs carried by microplastics (MPs) remains limited in semi enclosed bays. A method was optimized to extract and quantify MP associated PFASs and applied to Xiamen Bay. With MP standards spiked with 15 PFASs, 0.1% ammonia in methanol yielded recoveries of 76.83-109.15%. Field MPs contained eight PFASs (52.10 ± 15.79 ng g of ΣPFAS) and were dominated by foamed polystyrene (PS, 78.73%) and PE/PP (21.27%). PFAS burdens were higher on PS, with PFOS contributing disproportionately. Paired surface waters contained 13 PFASs (mean: 80.19 ng L) dominated by short chain PFCAs (PFHxA and PFPeA). MPs-water partitioning indicated moderate enrichment (1.93-3.73 of log K-WM) and slightly stronger partitioning to PS, and correlation and multivariate patterns showed PS associated compositions tracked dissolved phase variability more closely than PE/PP. Batch sorption experiments with pristine and UV aged PS confirmed stronger PFOS than PFOA sorption and enhanced uptake after aging. Spatial patterns were consistent with stronger river influence on short chain acids and more localized coastal inputs for long chain sulfonates, suggesting that aged buoyant MPs can intensify MP associated PFAS co-contamination in semi-enclosed coastal waters.