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Interactions of traditional and biodegradable microplastics with neonicotinoid pesticides
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Researchers investigated how both traditional and biodegradable microplastics interact with neonicotinoid pesticides in agricultural environments. They found that all microplastic types could adsorb the pesticide thiacloprid, but biodegradable microplastics showed different sorption behavior and higher desorption rates compared to conventional plastics. The study suggests that biodegradable microplastics may actually increase pesticide mobility in soils, creating a previously unrecognized pathway for agricultural chemical contamination.
Neonicotinoid pesticides (NNPs) and microplastics (MPs) are two emerging contaminants in agricultural environment. However, the interaction between MPs (especially biodegradable plastics) and NNPs is currently unclear. Therefore, taking thiacloprid (THI) as an example of NNPs, this study explores the adsorption-desorption process and mechanism of NNPs on MPs (traditional and biodegradable plastics), and analyzed the main factors affecting the adsorption (pH, salinity and dissolved organic matter). In addition, by using diffusive gradients in thin-films device, this study assessed the impact of MPs on the bioavailability of NNPs in soil. The results showed that the maximum adsorption capacity of polyamide 6 (96.49 μg g) for THI was greater than that of poly (butylene adipate co-terephthalate) (88.78 μg g). Aging increased the adsorption amount of THI (5.53 %-15.8 %) due to the higher specific surface area and reduced contact angle of MPs, but the adsorption mechanism remained unchanged. The desorption amount of THI from MPs in simulated intestinal fluid is 1.30-1.36 times. The MPs in soil alter the distribution of THI in the soil, increasing the bioavailability of THI while inhibiting its degradation. The results highlighted the significance of examining the combined pollution caused by MPs and NNPs.
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