We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Synergistic Pollution: Interactions Among Polyethylene, Surfactants, and Antibiotics in an Aquatic Environment
Summary
Researchers investigated synergistic pollution effects among polyethylene microplastics, surfactants, and antibiotics in aquatic systems, finding that co-presence enhanced the environmental persistence and bioavailability of antibiotics beyond what microplastics or surfactants caused individually.
This study investigates the potential synergistic interactions in aquatic environments among three common pollutants: polyethylene microplastics, antibiotics, and surfactants. Using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, the penicillin-streptomycin concentration was monitored in solutions containing polyethylene (PE) and one of three surfactants: sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), rhamnolipids, and chitosan. The UV-Vis absorption spectra showed increases in absorbance over time for the water control and SDS samples, suggesting potential leaching of additives from the PE. In contrast, the chitosan sample showed no change in absorbance, which could indicate the chitosan acts as a barrier to potential leaching from the PE. The rhamnolipid sample, however, showed clear evidence of a chemical reaction, in the form of a precipitate and gas formation. These findings suggest that interactions among these pollutants could alter their behavior when present together. Such synergistic effects may influence pollutant transport and toxicity, impacting aquatic ecosystems and human health through contaminated water sources.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Meta-analysis unravels the complex combined toxicity of microplastics and antibiotics in aquatic ecosystems
A meta-analysis of 730 datasets found that microplastics amplify antibiotic accumulation in aquatic organisms and worsen effects on growth, development, and immune function, but paradoxically appear to mitigate reproductive toxicity from antibiotics. The impact depends on biological response pathway, microplastic concentration, antibiotic properties, and exposure time, with an inverse relationship between antibiotic toxicity and both microplastic concentration and exposure duration.
Microplastics and associated emerging contaminants in the environment: Analysis, sorption mechanisms and effects of co-exposure
Researchers reviewed how microplastics act as carriers for other environmental pollutants — including antibiotics, PFAS, and triclosan — absorbing them from surrounding water and potentially delivering higher doses to organisms that ingest the plastic, with combined toxicity effects that can be either amplified or reduced depending on the combination.
Decoding the interactions between antibiotics and microplastics-chemistry, environmental impacts, and mitigation approaches- A state-of-the-art review
This review examines how antibiotics and microplastics interact in the environment, forming complexes that can persist longer and travel farther than either pollutant alone. Researchers found that these complexes can serve as reservoirs for antimicrobial resistance and disrupt microbial communities. The study highlights an underappreciated environmental risk where two common pollutants combine to create compounding ecological and public health challenges.
Ecotoxicological Effects of Microplastics Combined With Antibiotics in the Aquatic Environment: Recent Developments and Prospects
This review examines how microplastics and antibiotics interact in water environments, finding that microplastics can absorb antibiotics onto their surfaces and carry them over long distances. When aquatic organisms encounter these antibiotic-laden microplastics, the combined toxicity can be worse than either pollutant alone. Microplastics also promote the spread of antibiotic resistance genes, which is a growing public health concern.
Insight into combined pollution of antibiotics and microplastics in aquatic and soil environment: Environmental behavior, interaction mechanism and associated impact of resistant genes
This review examines the combined pollution created when microplastics absorb antibiotics in water and soil environments. Researchers found that microplastics can concentrate antibiotics on their surfaces, and this combination promotes the spread of antibiotic-resistant genes in microbial communities. The study highlights that the interaction between these two emerging pollutants may pose greater environmental and health risks than either one alone.