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Effect of microplastics on bioaccumulation of tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and tetrabromobisphenol S (TBBPS) and their analogues in earthworms: Types of microplastics and aging
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Scientists found that weathered microplastics in soil can pick up more toxic flame-retardant chemicals (used in electronics and furniture) and pass them to earthworms more easily, especially when the plastic has been broken down by sunlight, mimicking real-world conditions. Since earthworms are a key part of the food chain and soil health, this matters because it suggests plastic pollution in soil could help spread harmful chemicals further into the environment and potentially into the food we eat.
Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive vectors for hydrophobic organic contaminants in soil ecosystems, yet their ecological impacts under environmentally relevant conditions remain insufficiently characterized. This study investigated effects of ultraviolet aging on polyethylene (PE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) MPs, focusing on changes in their physico- chemical properties, the associated effect on adsorption of Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) and tetrabromobisphenol S (TBBPS), and bioaccumulation of TBBPA/S in earthworms. Aging increased the surface roughness and abundance of oxygen-containing surface functional groups on PE MPs, and significantly increased the adsorption of TBBPA (24.9%) and TBBPS (10.6%). In contrast, only limited enhancement in TBBPA/S adsorption was observed for PVC MPs, while the time to reach adsorption equilibrium for TBBPA was shortened significantly due to the optimized pore connectivity brought by aging. The bioaccumulation of TBBPA/S in earthworms was strongly influenced by the type of MPs, aging status, and exposure conditions. Results of biokinetic modeling show that the inherent polymer properties of MPs play a dominant role in the uptake of TBBPA/S by earthworms. With high free volume, PE MPs mainly promoted TBBPA/S bioaccumulation through MP intake (up to 97%), while bioaccumulation of TBBPA/S mainly occurred through skin adsorption in the presence of the rigid-chained PVC MPs (up to 99.8%). The pollutant's hydrophobicity also impact its bioaccumulation pathways, with the MP-affiliated uptake playing a more important role in the case of pollutant with higher Kow. These findings help better understand the ecological and toxicological implications of combined microplastic and organic pollutant contamination in soil systems.
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Adsorption behaviors and bioavailability of tetrabromobisphenol A in the presence of polystyrene microplastic in soil: Effect of microplastics aging
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Researchers studied how aging changes the ability of polystyrene microplastics to absorb and release a flame retardant chemical called TBBPA in soil. They found that aged microplastics had a greater capacity to adsorb the chemical but also released it more readily, increasing the bioavailability of this toxic compound to soil organisms. The study reveals that as microplastics weather in the environment, they may actually become more effective carriers of harmful chemicals into the food chain.
Insight into Bioaccumulation of Decabromodiphenyl Ethane in Eisenia fetida Increased by Microplastics
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Researchers found that microplastics made from electronics casings significantly increased the accumulation of a brominated flame retardant chemical in earthworms over time. While the microplastics initially slowed absorption of the chemical, after 28 days they promoted greater bioaccumulation by altering the soil environment and the earthworms' gut bacteria. The study suggests that the co-occurrence of electronic waste microplastics and flame retardants in soil may amplify chemical exposure in soil organisms.
Aging enhancement and synergistic effect on toxicity to soil fauna by polystyrene microplastics-tetrabromobisphenol A toxicity exposure
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Researchers investigated the combined toxicity of aged polystyrene microplastics and the flame retardant tetrabromobisphenol A on earthworms, finding that aging enhanced the microplastics' ability to adsorb and deliver the toxic chemical. The co-exposure produced synergistic effects including increased oxidative stress, gut microbiome disruption, and tissue damage beyond what either contaminant caused alone. The study highlights that weathered microplastics in contaminated soils may amplify the toxicity of co-occurring industrial chemicals.
Aging Changes theVector Effects of Various Microplasticson the Bioaccumulation of Decabromodiphenyl Ethane in Earthworms
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Researchers found that UV aging of polyethylene and polylactic acid microplastics changes how they carry the flame retardant DBDPE into earthworm intestines, with aged biodegradable PLA-MPs increasing intestinal bioaccumulation by 15% while aged PE-MPs decreased it by 21%, showing polymer-specific vector effects.
Aging Changes the Vector Effects of Various Microplastics on the Bioaccumulation of Decabromodiphenyl Ethane in Earthworms
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Researchers examined how UV aging of polyethylene and polylactic acid microplastics changes their ability to carry the flame retardant DBDPE into earthworm intestines, finding that aged biodegradable PLA-MPs increased bioaccumulation by 15% while aged PE-MPs decreased it by 21%, demonstrating polymer-specific vector effects.
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