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Transport of microplastic-antibiotic co-contaminants in tidal zones

Environmental Pollution 2025 11 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 58 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Min Yang, Min Yang, Min Yang, Hemeihui Zhao, Baiyu Zhang, Min Yang, Min Yang, Min Yang, Hemeihui Zhao, Min Yang, Min Yang, Min Yang, Baiyu Zhang, Baiyu Zhang, Bo Liu, Bing Chen Baiyu Zhang, Baiyu Zhang, Baiyu Zhang, Bing Chen Bing Chen Bing Chen Min Yang, Min Yang, Min Yang, Baiyu Zhang, Bo Liu, Bing Chen Baiyu Zhang, Min Yang, Min Yang, Min Yang, Min Yang, Min Yang, Min Yang, Bing Chen Baiyu Zhang, Bing Chen Bo Liu, Hemeihui Zhao, Hemeihui Zhao, Bo Liu, Bing Chen Bing Chen Bo Liu, Bo Liu, Baiyu Zhang, Baiyu Zhang, Bing Chen Min Yang, Baiyu Zhang, Baiyu Zhang, Bing Chen Bing Chen Baiyu Zhang, Baiyu Zhang, Bing Chen Bo Liu, Baiyu Zhang, Bo Liu, Bing Chen Bing Chen Baiyu Zhang, Bing Chen Min Yang, Baiyu Zhang, Baiyu Zhang, Baiyu Zhang, Baiyu Zhang, Baiyu Zhang, Bo Liu, Bing Chen

Summary

Researchers studied how microplastics carrying the antibiotic tetracycline move through tidal zone environments. They found that tidal conditions influenced how effectively microplastics adsorbed and transported the antibiotic, with factors like salinity and sediment type playing important roles. The study highlights that microplastics can serve as vehicles for spreading antibiotic contamination through sensitive coastal ecosystems.

Polymers

Study Type Environmental

Microplastics (MPs) and antibiotics (ATs) are emerging contaminants with recognized negative effects on marine ecosystems. MPs can adsorb and transport ATs, posing combined toxic effects to marine organisms. Despite growing concerns, research remains limited on the MP-AT co-contaminants in tidal zones, which are home to numerous aquatic species and represent a particularly susceptible ecosystem. This study used polyethylene (PE) MPs and tetracycline (TC) to investigate the influence under various conditions, including sediment sizes, tidal cycles, and MP sizes, on the transport of MP-AT co-contaminants in tidal zones using a tidal cycle simulation system, which was designed to replicate the tidal dynamics and provide insights into the movement and behavior of contaminants. It was observed that MP-AT co-contaminants in tidal sediments exist in three distinct transport states. Smaller MP-AT co-contaminants (State 1) pass through sand pores and are widely distributed in the upper sediment layers, whereas larger MP-AT co-contaminants (State 2) concentrate in layers 1-5 due to size limitations. Agglomerated MP-AT co-contaminants (State 3), unable to pass through sand pores, accumulate at the bottom. Tidal cycles enhance MP-AT co-contaminant retention, while sand size (125-212 μm) limitedly affects their distribution. MP size played a crucial role, with larger MPs settling in layers 1-5 and smaller MPs remaining more dispersed. These findings emphasize the importance of MP size in affecting contaminant transport in tidal environments. Results from this research will contribute to the development of transport models and help predict the long-term environmental impact of MP-AT co-contaminants.

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