We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Rapid and high-throughput analysis of PAHs and pesticides adsorbed on microplastics using SPME-MS through a microfluidic open interface coupled to liquid electron ionization mass spectrometry
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a rapid, low-waste analytical method to measure how well common pesticides and industrial chemicals stick to microplastic particles in water. They found that plastic type and chemical structure both influence adsorption strength, with the pesticide chlorpyrifos clinging especially tightly to polyethylene — a concern given its known toxicity.
• Microplastic and transport of organic pollutants across the environment. • SPME-MS analysis for miniaturization and greenness of the analytical protocol. • Liquid Electron Ionization for the analysis of liquid flows with EI ion source. • Adsorption of PAHs on MPs depends on non-polar interactions. • Compounds adsorption on MPs is conditioned by structure-dependent interactions. Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive contaminants in aquatic environments, capable of adsorbing and transporting hazardous chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and pesticides. Understanding these adsorption processes is crucial for evaluating their ecological and health risks. In this study, a green analytical approach with a high-throughput, solid-phase microextraction coupled with a microfluidic open interface and liquid electron ionization mass spectrometry (SPME-MOI-LEI-MS), was applied to investigate the kinetics and thermodynamics of PAHs and pesticides adsorption on low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polypropylene (PP) microplastics. Method optimization and validation demonstrated intraday RSD values below 15% and limits of quantification below 10 μg/L. Results revealed that PAHs adsorb predominantly through non-polar interactions, with adsorption efficiency correlating with analyte hydrophobicity. For pesticides, adsorption patterns were more diverse, reflecting differences in molecular structure and physicochemical properties. Notably, chlorpyrifos exhibited high affinity for LDPE (95% recovery), raising concern due to its toxicity. Competition experiments further highlighted how strongly adsorbing molecules can inhibit the uptake of weaker ones as adsorption capacity at the equilibrium of atrazine, metalaxyl, dichlorvos and alachlor increases in absence of chlorpyrifos.
More Papers Like This
Assessment of pesticide sorption to common microplastics in aqueous media via non-depletive solid phase microextraction
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists developed a more accurate way to measure how pesticides stick to microplastic particles in water, without disturbing the sample during testing. This matters because microplastics can act like sponges, soaking up pesticides and other chemicals and potentially carrying them into our water and food supply. Understanding this process better helps researchers predict where these combined pollutants end up and how they might affect human health.
Monitoring microplastic–contaminant sorption processes in real-time using membrane introduction mass spectrometry
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used membrane introduction mass spectrometry for the first time to monitor in real time how contaminants like polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and nonylphenol sorb onto microplastics, finding that sorption rates scaled with contaminant hydrophobicity and varied by plastic type with LDPE absorbing contaminants 4–10 times faster than polystyrene.
Sorption of pesticides onto polyethylene microplastics in different aqueous matrices
AI summary Read the abstract
This thesis examined how pesticides adsorb onto polyethylene microplastics in different aqueous matrices, finding that water chemistry significantly affects the binding behavior and potential for microplastics to carry agricultural chemicals.
Adsorption behaviors of atrazine and imidacloprid on high temperature aged microplastics: Mechanism and influencing factors
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how aged polyethylene microplastics — the kind that have been weathered by UV light and heat in the environment — adsorb common agricultural pesticides, finding that microplastics can accumulate pesticides like atrazine and imidacloprid at high concentrations through hydrophobic (water-avoiding) interactions. This "Trojan horse" effect means microplastics can carry and potentially concentrate pesticides as they move through water environments.
Assessing the adsorption coefficient of diverse chemicals on polyethylene microplastics through a QSPR approach
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) model using 3D molecular descriptors to predict the adsorption coefficients of diverse organic chemicals — including persistent, mobile, and toxic compounds — onto polyethylene microplastics, finding that adsorption correlated positively with lipophilicity and negatively with hydroxyl groups and polarity, with strict external validation confirming model reliability.
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.