We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Adsorption of azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin onto degradable and non-degradable microplastics: Performance and mechanism
Summary
Researchers studied how two common fungicide pesticides attach to both biodegradable and conventional microplastics in soil environments. They found that non-degradable microplastics absorbed more pesticide and released it more slowly than biodegradable alternatives. The study suggests that microplastics in agricultural soil may act as reservoirs for pesticides, potentially prolonging their environmental presence and ecological impact.
Microplastics (MPs) exist after agricultural operations and thus present potential hazards to the environment and human health. However, the ecological risks posed by MPs carrying pesticides remain unclear. In this study, the adsorption and desorption behaviors of two pesticides, azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin, on degradable and non-degradable MPs of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and polyethylene (PE) were compared before and after UV aging. Additionally, the bioaccessibility of MPs carrying pesticides within a condition simulating gastrointestinal fluids was evaluated. The results showed that, after UV aging, the adsorption capacity of PBAT for pesticides decreased, while that of PE increased. Moreover, PBAT possessed higher adsorption ability towards both the pesticides due to its higher specific surface area, pore volume, contact angle, and lower crystallinity, as well as stronger van der Waals forces, electrostatic interactions, and hydrogen bonding indicated by theoretical calculation. Bioaccessibility experiments showed that azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin had a higher risk of desorption from PBAT than PE, which is mainly dependent on the LogKow of pesticides according to the random forest analysis. In brief, the study highlights the potential risks of degradable MPs carrying pesticides to human health and the ecosystem, especially when compared to their non-degradable counterparts, manifesting that the ecological risk posed by degradable MPs should not be ignored.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Interactions of traditional and biodegradable microplastics with neonicotinoid pesticides
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.
Strong sorption of two fungicides onto biodegradable microplastics with emphasis on the negligible role of environmental factors
Researchers found strong sorption of two fungicides onto biodegradable microplastics, with partition coefficients largely unaffected by environmental variables such as pH, ionic strength, and temperature, suggesting that biodegradable plastic alternatives may still facilitate pesticide transport in agricultural and aquatic environments.
Adsorption behavior of azole fungicides on polystyrene and polyethylene microplastics
Researchers studied how polystyrene and polyethylene microplastics adsorb azole fungicides commonly used in agriculture. The study found that smaller microplastic particle sizes led to stronger adsorption capacity, and factors like pH, ionic strength, and the presence of organic acids all influenced how readily pesticides bind to microplastic surfaces.
Insight into the effect of microplastics on the adsorption and degradation behavior of thiamethoxam in agricultural soils
Researchers found that microplastics in agricultural soil alter both the adsorption and degradation behavior of the pesticide thiamethoxam, with different plastic types showing varying effects on how the pesticide binds to soil and breaks down over time.
Adsorption behavior and mechanism of five pesticides on microplastics from agricultural polyethylene films
Researchers studied how five common pesticides adsorb onto polyethylene microplastics derived from agricultural soil films. They found that all five pesticides bind to microplastic surfaces, with the process driven by both physical and chemical interactions. The study suggests that microplastics in agricultural soils could act as carriers for pesticide contamination, with adsorption capacity varying depending on the pesticide's chemical properties.