We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Sorption of pharmaceuticals over microplastics’ surfaces: interaction mechanisms and governing factors
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reviewed the sorption mechanisms by which pharmaceuticals interact with microplastic surfaces in the environment. The study found that electrostatic interactions, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic forces are the primary mechanisms governing pharmaceutical adsorption onto microplastics, suggesting that microplastics can serve as vectors for transporting pharmaceutical contaminants through ecosystems.
Microplastics are one of the emerging and ubiquitous environmental pollutants. Recent studies have proven their co-existence with pharmaceuticals in the environment wherein microplastics act as a potential vector for the transportation of pharmaceuticals. Both microplastics and pharmaceuticals are charged moieties enriched with diverse functional groups resulting in the possibility of multiple interactions. Major interactions could be electrostatic, hydrogen bonding, and hydrophobic, while minor interactions may occur through π-π interaction, cationic bridging mechanism, van der Waals interaction, partition, and pore-filling mechanism. These interactions have both short- and long-term effects over pharmaceutical sorption on microplastics and possibly, ensuing toxicity. This review analyses and summarises the currently reported interactions between microplastic particles and pharmaceuticals as well as establishes the link to various factors affecting the process, viz. pH, salinity, dissolved organic matter, and physiochemical properties of microplastics.
More Papers Like This
Sorption of pharmaceuticals on the surface of microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested the ability of four common microplastic types to adsorb nine pharmaceutical compounds frequently found as water pollutants. They found that sorption involved both hydrophobic and electrostatic interactions, but under natural environmental conditions the binding was relatively weak. The study suggests that while microplastics can interact with pharmaceutical residues, their role as carriers of these contaminants in real aquatic environments may be more limited than previously assumed.
Mini Review on Recent Advances of the Adsorption Mechanism Between Microplastics and Emerging Contaminants for Conservation of Water
AI summary Read the abstract
This mini-review examines the adsorption mechanisms between microplastics and emerging contaminants such as pharmaceuticals, highlighting how physicochemical properties like hydrophobicity and pH influence pollutant uptake onto different polymer types. The review synthesizes recent advances relevant to understanding how microplastics act as vectors for pharmaceutical contaminants in aquatic environments.
Adsorption of a diverse range of pharmaceuticals to polyethylene microplastics in wastewater and their desorption in environmental matrices
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how polyethylene microplastics adsorb pharmaceuticals in municipal wastewater and release them in environmental and biological fluids. They found that drug adsorption depended heavily on the compound's charge and hydrophobicity, with cationic and hydrophobic drugs adsorbing most readily. The study suggests that microplastics could act as vectors for certain pharmaceuticals, potentially transporting them through waterways and into organisms.
Unravelling the complex interactions between microplastics and PPCPs: The environment and health implications
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how microplastics interact with pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs), finding that the large hydrophobic surface area of microplastics enhances PPCP adsorption, increasing their persistence, bioavailability, and potential for biomagnification through food webs.
Adsorption behavior and interaction mechanism of microplastics with typical hydrophilic pharmaceuticals and personal care products
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how different types of microplastics adsorb hydrophilic pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs) in aquatic environments, finding that polymer type and surface properties governed the interaction mechanisms. The results indicate that microplastics can act as vectors for these emerging contaminants.
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.