We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Adsorption of some hazardous aromatic hydrocarbons by various pristine and heat-activated aged microplastics as potential pollutant carriers in aquatic environment
Summary
Researchers examined how pristine and heat-aged microplastics of four polymer types adsorb hazardous aromatic hydrocarbons, finding that aging significantly altered adsorption capacity. The results demonstrate that weathered microplastics may act as more effective pollutant vectors than pristine particles in aquatic environments.
Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems and persistent micropollutants of concern. Their persistence poses risks to ecosystems, human health, and organisms, while they can facilitate the migration and transformation of persistent organic pollutants by acting as vectors for their transportation into the environment and living organisms. This study examined the adsorption/desorption behavior of three nonpolar polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (pyrene, anthracene, and fluorene) on pristine and aged MPs, i.e., polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) through a series of batch adsorption experiments conducted under different pH values, contact times, and salinities. Results indicate that PS adsorbs higher amounts of PAHs than other MPs due to its rough surface, pores, and aromatic configuration strong π-π interactions. The PAHs adsorption followed a pseudo-second-order model, and fit best with the Freundlich isotherm due to multilayer adsorption. Aging with K₂S₂O₈ for 5 days enhanced adsorption on PMMA through surface roughening, reduced sorption on PVC due to oxidation, while PS exhibited minimal impact. The study examined PAHs desorption from MPs in fasted state simulated gastric fluid (FaSSGF), deionized water, and river water. (FaSSGF) showed the highest desorption rates, with pepsin enhancing desorption through micelle formation and weakening π-π interactions,. These findings highlight how organic pollutants are transported by both pristine and aged microplastics, and demonstrate the risk of desorption of these contaminants in aqueous and gastric environments, which may impact on ecosystems and human health.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Seasonal variation and spatial distribution of microplastics in tertiary wastewater treatment plant in South Korea
Researchers studied the sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) onto weathered polypropylene microplastics in seawater, finding that weathering increased surface area and adsorption capacity compared to pristine particles. This suggests environmental aging enhances microplastics as vectors for hydrophobic pollutants.
Evaluating the effect of different modified microplastics on the availability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons
Researchers investigated how weathering processes alter the ability of polyethylene microplastics to affect the bioavailability of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, finding that etching and UV aging increased surface oxygen groups, specific surface area, and pore volume. Free PAH concentrations decreased with increasing microplastic concentration for most hydrophobic PAHs, and UV aging only slightly altered sorption coefficients compared to pristine microplastics.
The effect of polymer aging on the uptake of fuel aromatics and ethers by microplastics
Researchers found that UV weathering and aging of microplastics significantly increased their sorption of fuel-related aromatic contaminants (BTEX) and ethers compared to virgin plastics. The results suggest that aged microplastics in the environment, which have higher surface oxidation, accumulate higher concentrations of fuel-related contaminants than fresh plastic particles.
Different partition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon on environmental particulates in freshwater: Microplastics in comparison to natural sediment
This study investigated how the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon phenanthrene partitions between water and three common plastic types, finding that polymer composition strongly influences sorption behavior. The results help explain how microplastics act as vectors for toxic organic compounds in aquatic environments.
Sorption of Pyrene and Fluoranthene onto Common Microplastics Under Freshwater Conditions
Researchers investigated how two common polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pyrene and fluoranthene, bind to six different types of microplastic polymers under freshwater conditions. The study found significant differences in sorption capacity across polymer types, confirming that microplastics can act as vectors for transporting harmful organic pollutants through aquatic environments.