We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics alter the migration and transformation of vanadium in the riverine sediment environment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how microplastics alter the migration and transformation of vanadium in riverine sediment environments, examining the interactions between plastic particles and this strategically important metal under controlled laboratory conditions. The study found that microplastics significantly modified vanadium mobility and speciation in sediments, raising concern about microplastic-mediated redistribution of metal contaminants in freshwater systems.
Microplastics (MPs, size <5 mm) have emerged as environmental hazards and are widespread in the environment. They can significantly alter the reactivity and mobility of co-occurring elements. Vanadium, a strategic resource, was witnessed rising in the environment because of extensive anthropogenic activities. Nevertheless, the impact of MPs on the migration and transformation of vanadium has yet been investigated. This study therefore investigated the vanadium behavior in riverine sediment and overlying river water in the presence of MPs. 1.5 g representative non-degradable MPs (polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate) and biodegradable MPs (polybutylene succinate, polyhydroxyalkanoates) were separately amended into the reactors, which contained 50 mg vanadium-rich sediment. After incubation for 60 days, vanadium in the sediments decreased substantially, while vanadium increased in the overlying water, especially in reactors amended with biodegradable MPs. The biodegradable and non-degradable MPs were found to influence vanadium behavior through distinct mechanisms. The amendment of non-degradable MPs did not substantially impact humification process, during which the mobile and reducible vanadium passively leached out from the riverine sediment and migrated into overlying water. Conversely, amendment of biodegradable MPs significantly enriched several microbial genera (e.g., Massilia) in the MPs biofilm. These genera confer heavy metal resistance and synthetic polymer degradability, and were significantly correlated with specific sediment organic matter components (C3, Ex/Em = 270/352; C4, Ex/Em = 280(370)/504). The microbial community was found to alter sediment DOM when biodegradable MPs were introduced. These changes in microbial dynamics and sediment chemistry subsequently influenced the bioavailability and mobility of vanadium within the riverine sediment.
More Papers Like This
Microbial adaptation to co-occurring vanadium and microplastics in marine and riverine environments
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied the co-occurrence of vanadium contamination and microplastics in marine and riverine environments and examined how microbial communities respond to both pollutants. They found high concentrations of both contaminants across water and sediment samples, with microplastic biofilms enriched in plastic-degrading bacteria and vanadium-reducing species. The study suggests that vanadium influences microbial community composition on microplastics both directly and indirectly through changes to environmental conditions like pH.
Influence of microplastics on nutrients and metal concentrations in river sediments
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how microplastics influence nutrient and metal concentrations in river sediments, finding that microplastics alter the distribution of pollutants through their capacity to adsorb contaminants and support biofilm formation on their hydrophobic surfaces.
Microplastics and trace metals in river sediment: Prevalence and correlation with multiple factors
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined microplastic and trace metal levels in river sediment in Vietnam and found that while metals tended to cluster together and correlate with nutrients and fine soil particles, they showed only weak connections to microplastic levels. The study suggests that microplastics and metals behave independently in river systems, each influenced by a different set of environmental factors.
Effects of virgin microplastics on the transport of Cd (II) in Xiangjiang River sediment
AI summary Read the abstract
Six types of microplastics were found to change how cadmium (a toxic heavy metal) binds to and moves through river sediments. The presence of microplastics altered cadmium adsorption behavior, suggesting that plastics in river sediments can affect the mobility and bioavailability of co-occurring heavy metal pollutants.
Microplastics in river water: occurrence, weathering, and adsorption behaviour
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined microplastics in river water, characterizing their occurrence, degree of weathering, and capacity to adsorb co-contaminants. The study highlights microplastics as vectors that can transport and re-release other pollutants in freshwater systems.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.