Adsorption of antibiotics on microplastics (MPs) in aqueous environments: The impacts of aging and biofilms

Antibiotic desorption from microplastics in brackish water and the effect on microbial communities

Biofilms on microplastic surfaces and their effect on pollutant adsorption in the aquatic environment

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Researchers reviewed how microbial biofilms form on microplastic surfaces in aquatic environments and found that these biofilms significantly alter plastic properties — changing density, surface chemistry, and hydrophobicity — which in turn affects how microplastics attract and transport heavy metals, persistent organic pollutants, and harmful pathogens through water systems.

Adsorption behaviors and mechanisms of azithromycin on degradable and non-degradable microplastics aged with UV/sodium percarbonate

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Scientists found that when microplastics (both regular plastic and "eco-friendly" biodegradable plastic) get weathered by sunlight and cleaning chemicals used in wastewater treatment, their surfaces become rougher and chemically altered, making them up to 4 times better at soaking up azithromycin, a common antibiotic that surged in use during COVID-19. This matters because these antibiotic-loaded microplastics could act as carriers, potentially transporting drugs through water systems and the environment in ways that aren't fully understood yet, including possibly contributing to antibiotic resistance or human exposure down the line.

Interaction Between Polyurethane Microplastics and Ciprofloxacin: A Study on Adsorption Behaviour and Ecological Implications

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Polyurethane microplastics adsorb the antibiotic ciprofloxacin, creating combined pollutant complexes with potential ecological implications for aquatic environments. This interaction highlights how microplastics can serve as carriers for toxic co-contaminants, amplifying environmental risks beyond what either pollutant poses alone.

Interaction Between Polyurethane Microplastics and Ciprofloxacin: A Study on Adsorption Behaviour and Ecological Implications

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Polyurethane microplastics demonstrate significant adsorption capacity for the antibiotic ciprofloxacin, suggesting that plastic particles in aquatic environments can act as vectors for pharmaceutical pollutants. This interaction raises ecological concerns about the combined toxicity of microplastic-antibiotic complexes in waterways and their potential impacts on aquatic organisms and antimicrobial resistance.