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Spotlight on the vertical migration of aged microplastics in coastal waters

Journal of Hazardous Materials 2024 20 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 55 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.

Zhikun Chen, Guohe Huang, Xiaohan Yang, Xiaohan Yang, Zhikun Chen, Xiaohan Yang, Xiaohan Yang, Guohe Huang, Feng Qi, Feng Qi, Feng Qi, Feng Qi, Feng Qi, Feng Qi, Zhikun Chen, Zhikun Chen, Zhikun Chen, Chunjiang An, Chunjiang An, Chunjiang An, Chunjiang An, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Chunjiang An, Chunjiang An, Chunjiang An, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Guohe Huang, Chunjiang An, Guohe Huang, Chunjiang An, Guohe Huang, Chunjiang An, Chunjiang An, Guohe Huang, Zhikun Chen, Feng Qi, Chunjiang An, Feng Qi, Feng Qi, Chunjiang An, Xiaohan Yang, Xiaohan Yang, Feng Qi, Feng Qi, Feng Qi, Chunjiang An, Chunjiang An, Chunjiang An, Chunjiang An, Chunjiang An, Chunjiang An, Linxiang Lyu, Linxiang Lyu, Xiaohan Yang, Chunjiang An, Guohe Huang, Chunjiang An, Chunjiang An, Huifang Bi, Xiaohan Yang, Zhikun Chen, Siyuan Zhou Chunjiang An, Chunjiang An, Feng Qi, Linxiang Lyu, Xiaohan Yang, Xiaohan Yang, Huifang Bi, Linxiang Lyu, Feng Qi, Linxiang Lyu, Huifang Bi, Linxiang Lyu, Chunjiang An, Siyuan Zhou

Summary

This study examined how aging and weathering processes change the physical and chemical properties of microplastics, which in turn affects whether they sink or float in coastal waters. Researchers found that different aging pathways, such as UV exposure and biofouling, alter particle density and surface characteristics in ways that drive vertical movement, helping explain why microplastics distribute throughout the water column rather than staying at the surface.

Coastal waters are complex and dynamic areas with unique environmental attributes that complicate the vertical migration of microplastics (MPs). The MPs that enter coastal waters from diverse sources, including terrestrial, riverine, oceanic, and shoreline inputs undergo various aging pathways. In this study, the variations in the physiochemical characteristics of MPs undergoing various aging pathways and their vertical migration under dynamic conditions subjected to the effects of different MP characteristics and coastal environmental features were comprehensively explored. Opposite effects of aging on the vertical migration of hydrophobic and hydrophilic MPs were observed, with aging appearing to promote the dispersion of hydrophobic MPs but enhance the vertical migration of hydrophilic ones. The positive role of salinity and the negative role of humic acid (HA) concentrations on MP vertical migration were identified, and the mechanisms driving these effects were analyzed. Notably, intense turbulence not only promoted the floating of positively buoyant MPs but also reversed the migration direction of negatively buoyant MPs from downward to upward. Aging-induced changes in MP characteristics had a limited effect on MP vertical migration. The inherent characteristics of MPs and the surrounding environmental features, however, played major roles in their vertical migration dynamics. ENVIRONMENTAL IMPLICATION: Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a significant global environmental concern and the coastal zones are the hotspots for MP pollution due to their high population density. This study comprehensively investigated the variations in the physiochemical characteristics of MPs undergoing various aging pathways. Their vertical migration patterns under dynamic conditions subjected to the effects of different MP characteristics and coastal environmental features were revealed. The roles of turbulence and MP density in their migration were identified. The findings of this study have important implications for understanding the transport and determining the ecological risks of MPs in coastal waters.

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