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The difference between tire wear particles and polyethylene microplastics in stormwater filtration systems: Perspectives from aging process, conventional pollutants removal and microbial communities
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Researchers compared how tire wear particles and polyethylene microplastics behave in stormwater filtration systems used to treat urban runoff. They found that tire wear particles leached more toxic chemicals and supported different microbial communities than conventional microplastics, leading to distinct effects on pollutant removal. The study highlights that tire wear particles deserve separate consideration from other microplastics when designing stormwater treatment infrastructure.
Tire wear particles (TWPs) in stormwater runoff have been widely detected and were generally classified into microplastics (MPs). TWPs and conventional MPs can be intercepted and accumulated in stormwater filtration systems, but their impacts on filtration, adsorption and microbial degradation processes of conventional pollutants (organic matters, nitrate and ammonium) have not been clarified. TWPs are different from MPs in surface feature, chemical components, adsorption ability and leaching of additives, which might lead to their different impacts on conventional pollutants removal. In this study, five different levels of aged polyethylene MPs (PEMPs) and aged TWPs contamination in stormwater filtration systems were simulated using thirty-three filtration columns. Results showed that ultraviolet aging treatment was less influential for the aging of TWPs than that of PEMPs, the specific surface area of aged PEMPs (1.603 m/g) was over two times of unaged TWPs (0.728 m/g) in the same size. Aged PEMPs and aged TWPs had different impacts on conventional pollutants removal performance and microbial communities, and the difference might be enlarged with exposure duration. The intensified aged PEMPs contamination generally promoted conventional pollutants removal, whereas aged TWPs showed an opposite trend. Mild contamination (0.01% and 0.1%, wt%) of aged PEMP/TWPs was beneficial to the richness and diversity of microbial communities, whereas higher contamination of aged PEMPs/TWPs was harmful. Aged PEMPs and TWPs had different impact on microbial community structure. Overall, the study found that TWPs were more detrimental than PEMPs in filtration systems. The research underscores the need for more comprehensive investigation into the occurrence, effects and management strategies of TWPs, as well as the importance of distinguishing between TWPs and MPs in future studies.
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A comparative analysis of the chemical composition and biofilm formation on tire wear particles from six different tire types
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Researchers analyzed the chemical composition and biofilm communities forming on tire-wear particles compared to other microplastic types, finding that tire wear particles support distinct microbial assemblages. The unique surface chemistry of tire wear particles may promote the attachment of pathogens and toxin-producing microorganisms.
Microplastics and tire wear particles in aquatic environment: A comparative review on generation, characteristics and environmental behavior
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Tiny bits of rubber worn off from car tires are actually one of the biggest sources of microplastic pollution in our water, yet they've gotten far less scientific attention than plastic microplastics from bottles and packaging. This review paper — which summarizes existing research rather than presenting new experiments — shows that tire particles behave differently, potentially leaching different chemicals and carrying pollutants in unique ways, meaning the safety testing methods designed for regular microplastics may not fully capture the risks tire particles pose to waterways and, ultimately, human health.
Tire wear particles in different water environments: occurrence, behavior, and biological effects—a review and perspectives
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This review examines tire wear particles, a major but often overlooked source of microplastics in water environments. Tire particles release toxic chemicals as they break down in water and can harm aquatic organisms, but most research has focused only on the chemical leachate rather than the particles themselves. Since tire wear contributes a large share of total microplastic pollution, understanding its full impact on water ecosystems and the food chain is important for human health.
Environmental occurrence, fate, impact, and potential solution of tire microplastics: Similarities and differences with tire wear particles
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This review examines tire microplastics, one of the most abundant types of microplastics in the environment, which come from tire wear on roads, recycled tire rubber, and tire repair dust. These particles carry a complex mix of chemicals including heavy metals and organic pollutants that can harm aquatic and soil organisms. Since tire microplastics end up in waterways and soil near roads, they represent a significant but often overlooked source of human microplastic exposure.
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Researchers compared how tire wear particles and conventional PVC microplastics adsorb and release two antibiotics, finding tire wear particles behaved differently due to their complex composition. Aging of both particle types altered their adsorption capacity, with implications for how microplastics and tire particles spread antibiotic contamination in aquatic environments.
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