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Sorption of levonorgestrel on polyethylene, polystyrene and polypropylene microplastics
Summary
Sorption of the hormonal contraceptive levonorgestrel onto polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene microplastics was studied in both ultrapure water and artificial seawater, finding all three polymers showed sorption affinity, with LDPE having the highest capacity in ultrapure water and polystyrene highest in seawater.
Sorption studies involving microplastics (MPs) are essential to understand the mechanisms implicated in contaminant retention. In this research, a complete study of the sorption behaviour of a hormonal contraceptive -levonorgestrel- in MPs of different composition in two distinct matrices was performed, using high-performance liquid chromatography coupled to a UV detector for the determination of levonorgestrel. Characterization of the studied MPs was achieved by X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy. Kinetic and isotherm studies were performed using a batch design under controlled conditions: 500 mg of MPs pellets of 3-5 mm diameter, agitation at 125 rpm, and 30 °C. The comparison of results in ultrapure water and artificial seawater, revealed changes in sorption capacity, and the predominant sorption mechanisms involved. Overall, all studied MPs showed sorption affinity towards levonorgestrel, being low-density polyethylene the one with the highest sorption capacity in ultrapure water and polystyrene in seawater.