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Impacts of microplastic decomposition using heat-activated persulfate on antibiotic adsorption and environmental toxicity
Summary
Researchers found that when polyamide (nylon) microplastics were broken down using a chemical treatment called heat-activated persulfate, the roughened plastic surfaces actually absorbed more antibiotics from the water. While the treatment itself showed some promise for degrading microplastics, the treated water had negative effects on seed germination and marine organisms at higher concentrations. This highlights how microplastic cleanup methods need careful evaluation to avoid creating new environmental problems.
The objective of this study was to determine microplastic-antibiotic interaction by examining how heat-activated persulfate decomposed polyamide adsorbed antibiotics and explored the environmental consequences of treated water. Sulfate radicals roughened the microplastic surfaces, significantly enhancing the adsorption capacity of polyamide. The kinetic and isotherm studies provided confirmation that electrostatic interactions were the primary mechanisms, with a minor contribution from H-bonding, highlighting that antibiotic adsorption was prone to occur, especially on the aged surface. Thermodynamic data indicated that the process was spontaneous and exothermic. The results showed significant negative effects of treated water on seed germination, copepod survival, and cell lines at only a higher concentration, due to a decrease in pH and the potential presence of polymer degradates. Our findings revealed the significant impact of decomposed polyamide on the antibiotic adsorption and offered insight into the potential harm that microplastic-treated water might cause to aquatic and marine ecosystems.
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