We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
When polyethylene terephthalate microplastics meet Perfluorooctane sulfonate in thermophilic biogas upgrading system: Their effect on methanogenesis
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how PET microplastics and PFOS (a forever chemical) interact in a biogas treatment system that converts carbon dioxide to methane. Rather than harming the process, both pollutants actually improved methane production, and some PFOS was broken down when iron was added. While focused on waste treatment rather than health, the findings are relevant because they show how microplastics and forever chemicals behave together in waste streams, which affects how these pollutants are managed before reaching the environment.
Microplastics (MPs) and Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) are two hard-biodegradable pollutants widely existing in the waste streams treated by anaerobic digestion. However, their synergistic effect on methanogenic metabolism is still unknown. This study investigated the impact of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) MPs alone and co-existing with PFOS on CO2 conversion to CH4 in a thermophilic biogas upgrading system. The results showed that either PET MPs addition alone or coexisting with PFOS improved the ultimate CH4 percentage and increased CO2 utilization rate. When Fe0 was added into the reactors with PET to enhance the interspecies electron transfer, a potential defluorination was observed with a defluorination rate of 15.88 ± 1.53%. Exposure of the reactor to PFOS of 300 μg/L could change the methanogenic pathway, resulting in a newly emerged Methanomassiliicoccus with dominance of 16%. Furthermore, under the exposure of PFOS, the number of predicted genes regulating enzymes in methanogenic steps from CO2 increased. These results suggest that the co-existence of PET MPs and PFOS will not inhibit the activity of hydrotrophic methanogenes, and a portion of PFOS may be biodegraded during the methanogenesis under Fe0 regulation.
More Papers Like This
Single and combined effects of amino polystyrene and perfluorooctane sulfonate on hydrogen-producing thermophilic bacteria and the interaction mechanisms.
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how amino polystyrene nanoplastics and the industrial chemical PFOS interact with hydrogen-producing bacteria used in bioenergy production, finding that nanoplastics disrupted bacterial metabolism and their combined toxicity with PFOS was greater than either alone. The results raise concerns about the impact of nanoplastic contamination on anaerobic bioprocesses used for renewable energy.
Molecular-Scale Insights into the Interactions between Perfluoroalkyl Substances and Polyethylene
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found that tiny plastic particles called microplastics can strongly attract and hold onto toxic "forever chemicals" called PFAS, which are already found in drinking water and food. This means microplastics in our environment could act like sponges that collect these harmful chemicals and potentially transport them to new places, including into our bodies. The research helps explain why these two types of pollution might work together to create bigger health risks than either one alone.
Microplastics as carriers of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in aquatic environment: interactions and ecotoxicological effects
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed how microplastics serve as carriers for per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), sometimes called forever chemicals, in aquatic environments. The study found that PFAS can attach to microplastic surfaces and accumulate in organisms through the food chain, potentially amplifying the toxic effects of both pollutants. The findings suggest that the combined presence of microplastics and PFAS poses a greater environmental and health risk than either pollutant alone.
Thermally aged PET microplastics disrupt methanogenic syntrophy via toxic leachates: Microbial assembly dynamics unravel biotoxicity in anaerobic digestion
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that thermally aged PET microplastics disrupted methane production during anaerobic digestion more severely than pristine microplastics. The aging process increased reactive oxygen species levels and released toxic chemical compounds that interfered with the microbial communities responsible for biogas production, with longer aging periods causing greater inhibition of methane upgrading.
Microplastic and nanoplastic interactions with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in soils: a critical review of main findings and knowledge gaps.
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastics in soil (from things like compost, sewage sludge, and irrigation water) can sometimes team up with "forever chemicals" (PFAS) and carry them further into the environment, but this review of 37 studies found it's not a guaranteed effect, since it depends heavily on the type of plastic, soil conditions, and chemical properties involved. This matters because PFAS and microplastics both end up in the food we grow, but scientists still don't know exactly when or how much plastics make PFAS contamination worse, so more real-world (not just lab) testing is needed before we can say how big a risk this combo poses to our food and health
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.