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The Composition of the Eco-corona Acquired by Micro- and Nanoscale Plastics Impacts on their Ecotoxicity and Interactions with Co-pollutants
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This review examines how the 'eco-corona' — a layer of environmental biomolecules adsorbing onto plastic particle surfaces — alters the toxicity, transport, and interaction with co-pollutants of micro- and nanoplastics, emphasizing that this biological coating fundamentally changes how plastics behave in living organisms.
Eco-corona formation on the surface of particles, whereby biomolecules with affinity for the particle surface adsorb onto the particle surface, leads to changes in the biological identity and the physiochemical properties of the particle, and to subsequent changes in the environmental distribution, xenobiotic absorption, biotransformation and toxicity. The composition of the eco-corona depends on the available biomolecules in the specific environmental compartment, and it evolves over time in response to changes in the surroundings. Understanding the changing eco-corona composition, and the drivers of this, is key to elucidating the mechanisms of toxicity and environmental fate of microplastic particles. Characterisation of the physical and chemical characteristics of the eco-corona on micro- and nanoplastic particles can be explored using a range of techniques, which have previously been established for nanoparticle coronas or for characterisation of natural organic matter, in order to further our understanding of the environmental impact of these emerging particulate pollutants.
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This review examines how nanoplastics interact with natural organic matter in the environment to form an 'eco-corona,' a coating of biomolecules on the particle surface that changes their behavior and toxicity. Researchers found that eco-corona formation alters nanoplastic stability, transport, and biological interactions in ways that can either increase or decrease their harmful effects on organisms. The study highlights the importance of considering these surface transformations when assessing the real-world environmental risks of nanoplastic pollution.
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This review examines how nanoplastics in aquatic environments interact with natural biomolecules to form an eco-corona coating that fundamentally changes their behavior and ecological impact. Researchers found that this biological coating alters the surface chemistry, transport, and toxicity of nanoplastic particles in ways that depend on environmental conditions. The study highlights that understanding eco-corona formation is essential for accurately assessing the real-world risks of nanoplastic pollution.
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