We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The role of microplastics in altering arsenic fractionation and microbial community structures in arsenic-contaminated riverine sediments
AI summary Read the abstract
The addition of microplastics to arsenic-contaminated riverine sediments altered arsenic fractionation and shifted microbial community structures, with biodegradable plastics producing different effects compared to conventional polymers. The study demonstrates that microplastics can modify the environmental behavior of co-existing toxic metals in sediment ecosystems.
The ability of microplastics (MPs) to interact with environmental pollutants is of great concern. Riverine sediments, as sinks for multi-pollutants, have been rarely studied for MPs risk evaluation. Meanwhile, MPs generated from biodegradable plastics are questioning the safety of the promising materials. In this study, we investigated the effects of typical non-degradable polyethylene (PE) and biodegradable polylactic acid (PLA) MPs on sediment enzymes, arsenic (As) fractionation, and microbial community structures in As-contaminated riverine sediments. The results indicated that the presence of MPs (1% and 3%, w/w) led As transformed into more labile and bioavailable fractions in riverine sediments, especially under higher As and MPs levels. Analysis on microbial activities and community structures confirmed the strong potential of MPs in inhibiting microbial activities and shifting bacterial community succession patterns through enrichment of certain microbiota. Moreover, biodegradable PLA MPs presented stronger alterations in arsenic fractionation and microbial community structures than PE MPs did, which might be jointly attributed to adsorption behaviors, microbial alterations, and potential PLA degradation behaviors. The study indicated that MPs contamination increased As mobility and bioavailability, and shifted microbial communities in riverine sediments. Moreover, biodegradable MPs might lead to stronger microbial alterations and increases in As bioavailability, acting as a threat to ecological safety, which needed further exploration.
More Papers Like This
Regulatory mechanism of microplastics on arsenic bioavailability in a subtropical estuary, China
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated the regulatory mechanisms by which microplastics influence arsenic bioavailability in sediments of the Min River estuary, a subtropical estuary in China, finding that microplastic pollution alters the dynamics of bioavailable arsenic through interactions with sediment geochemistry and microbial communities.
Conventional and biodegradable microplastics affected arsenic mobility and methylation in paddy soils through distinct chemical-microbial pathways
AI summary Read the abstract
A 98-day paddy soil experiment found that conventional microplastics reduced arsenic in porewater but increased methylated arsenic fractions, while biodegradable microplastics increased both porewater arsenic and methylation, suggesting distinct chemical-microbial pathways affecting arsenic mobility and toxicity.
Microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter modulates microbial nitrate and arsenate reduction: Extracellular electron transfer and intracellular metabolic responses
AI summary Read the abstract
As microplastics break down in sunlight, they release chemicals that can change how bacteria in soil and water handle pollutants like arsenic and nitrate. This study found that these chemicals sped up bacterial reactions that produce more toxic forms of arsenic, meaning microplastic pollution could make contaminated water or soil more hazardous. The type of plastic mattered too, showing this is a complex problem worth watching as plastic waste keeps accumulating in the environment.
Water-dependent effects of biodegradable microplastics on arsenic fractionation in soil: Insights from enzyme degradation and synchrotron-based X-ray analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined water-dependent effects of biodegradable microplastics on arsenic fractionation in soil, finding that moisture regime significantly modifies how biodegradable plastic additions alter arsenic mobility and bioavailability.
Polystyrene and low-density polyethylene pellets are less effective in arsenic adsorption than uncontaminated river sediment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that polystyrene and low-density polyethylene microplastic pellets adsorb significantly less arsenic than natural river sediment, suggesting microplastics may actually reduce arsenic mobility when mixed with contaminated sediments.
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.