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Adsorption of lead(II) onto PE microplastics as a function of particle size: Influencing factors and adsorption mechanism
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Researchers studied how lead ions attach to polyethylene microplastics of different sizes in water. They found that smaller microplastic particles had greater capacity to adsorb lead, primarily through chemical bonding mechanisms like hydrogen bonding and surface complexation. The findings suggest that microplastics in the environment can act as carriers for toxic heavy metals, with smaller particles posing a greater risk.
The adsorption of Pb ions, on high-density polyethylene (PE) microplastics (MPs) with the diameter of 48-500 μm, was examined in this study. According to the Langmuir isotherm, MP of the smallest size, 48 μm, had the greatest adsorption capacity of 0.38 μmol g. The mechanism of Pb ions adsorption onto PE MPs was chemical adsorption, in particular, hydrogen bonding and surface complexation. Pb adsorption onto PE particles was proceeded at a rapid rate, as predicted by the pseudo-second-order rate model (R > 0.99). The PE 48 μm had the maximum adsorption capacity of 0.44 μmol g-1 (or 0.2 mol m) at pH 5. While humic acid can operate as a bridging agent, boosting heavy metal adsorption on the surface of PE MPs, fulvic acid has the reverse effect. The findings indicated that PE particles may serve as a carrier of heavy metals in the aquatic environment, posing perceived risks to the environment and public health.
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