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A perspective on the algae-derived dissolved organic matter and its dynamic influence on the aggregation of nanoplastics in eutrophic waters

Chemosphere 2024 1 citation

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This perspective examines how algae-derived dissolved organic matter (DOM) in eutrophic waters dynamically influences the aggregation behavior of nanoplastics, as DOM can adsorb onto nanoplastic surfaces and alter their colloidal stability. The authors discuss how DOM molecular composition and hydrophilicity change with phytoplankton bloom progression, affecting nanoplastic fate and transport in eutrophic aquatic systems.

The aggregation behavior of nanoplastics (NPs) is crucial in determining their fate in aquatic environments. Dissolved organic matter (DOM), characterized by its complex molecular structure and diverse functional groups, can spontaneously absorb on the surface of NPs, thus altering their colloidal stability. In eutrophic waters, DOM primarily originates from metabolic byproducts released by phytoplankton, and its molecular composition and hydrophilic properties change dynamically as the progression of algal blooms. This perspective aims to summarize the heterogeneity of DOM during the initiation, outbreak and recession of algal blooms. And we investigate the influence of molecular-level variations in DOM composition on the aggregation behavior of NPs. Additionally, this study provides insights into the underlying mechanisms relating to the interactions between DOM and NPs. Ultimately, it tackles the challenges and future directions, highlighting the necessity for comprehensive studies to understand the fate of NPs in eutrophic waters.

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