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Molecular characteristics and biological effects of dissolved organic matter leached from microplastics during sludge hydrothermal treatment
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Researchers analyzed the dissolved organic matter that leaches from microplastics during sludge hydrothermal treatment, a common waste processing method. The study found that higher treatment temperatures produced more complex and diverse chemical mixtures from the microplastics, some of which showed toxic effects on plants and aquatic organisms. The results highlight a previously overlooked source of chemical pollution from microplastic-containing waste.
Previous knowledge of dissolved organic matter leached from microplastics (MP-DOM) was mainly based on the aquatic environment. The molecular characteristics and biological effects of MP-DOM in other environments have rarely been examined. In this work, FT-ICR-MS was applied to identify MP-DOM leached from sludge hydrothermal treatment (HTT) at different temperatures, and the plant effects and acute toxicity were investigated. The results showed that the molecular richness and diversity of MP-DOM increased with rising temperature, accompanied by molecular transformation in the meantime. The oxidation was crucial whereas the amide reactions mainly occurred at 180-220 C. MP-DOM promoted root development of Brassica rapa (field mustard) by affecting the expression of genes and the effect was enhanced with rising temperature. Specifically, the lignin-like compounds in MP-DOM down-regulated Phenylpropanoids biosynthesis, while CHNO compounds up-regulated the nitrogen metabolism. Correlation analysis presented that alcohols/esters leached at 120-160 C were responsible for the promotion of root, while glucopyranoside leached at 180-220 C was vital for root development. However, MP-DOM produced at 220 C showed the acute toxicity to luminous bacteria. Considering the further-treatment of sludge, the optimum HTT temperature could be controlled at 180 C. This work provides novel insight into the environmental fate and eco-environmental effects of MP-DOM in sewage sludge.
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