We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Aging behavior of microplastics affected DOM in riparian sediments: From the characteristics to bioavailability
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined how aging of microplastics in riparian sediments affects dissolved organic matter characteristics and bioavailability, finding that accumulated and weathered microplastics alter carbon cycling functions in these critical river-land interface zones.
Riparian zone is a hub for microplastics (MPs), and MPs accumulation also changes the function of the riparian zone (e.g., carbon pool) to pose a great threat to river ecosystems. Although it is known that MPs can be aged for changing their characteristic after accumulating in riparian sediment, the effect of MP aging behavior on sediment dissolved organic matter (DOM) bioavailability and carbon emission has not been elucidated. In this study, effects of pristine and aged MPs on the DOM characteristics and components were investigated in sediment. The results showed that pristine MPs increased DOM humification and promoted the formation of larger molecular weight components, thereby reducing DOM bioavailability by approximately 16~23% and inducing negative priming effect. However, inhibition of MPs on DOM bioavailability and the priming effect decreased with aging behavior. Mathematical models revealed that the fulvic acid-like substance of sediment DOM was the driven factor in the influence of sediment carbon stability. Further microbial analysis found that higher carbohydrate metabolism promoted DOM humification, thereby reducing CO emissions approximately by 19~26% after MPs accumulation. Thus, this study provided an integrated picture to understand the risk of MPs accumulation in sediment for a long term on terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems.
More Papers Like This
Which sediment fraction mainly drives microplastics aging process: Dissolved organic matter or colloids?
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined the aging process of microplastics in riparian sediment and found that dissolved organic matter, rather than colloids, is the primary driver of microplastic surface degradation, increasing oxygen content by 268% and altering pollutant adsorption behavior.
Microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter and its biogeochemical behaviors in aquatic environments: A review
AI summary Read the abstract
This review examines how microplastics release dissolved organic matter (MP-DOM) as they break down in water, and how these released chemicals affect water ecosystems. MP-DOM can interact with other pollutants and alter carbon cycling in natural waters, with the type and amount varying based on plastic composition and weathering conditions. Understanding what microplastics release into water as they degrade is important because these dissolved chemicals may have their own toxic effects on aquatic life and water quality.
Interactions between Microplastics and Dissolved Organic Matter in the Fresh Water Environment
AI summary Read the abstract
This review explores how microplastics interact with dissolved organic matter (DOM) — the complex mixture of carbon compounds found in rivers and lakes — and what that means for freshwater ecosystems. Microplastics readily bind to DOM, altering its distribution in sediments and affecting the microbial communities that depend on it for food and energy. DOM can also change how far microplastics travel and how available they are to aquatic organisms. The interplay between these two classes of contaminant complicates efforts to predict microplastic behavior in the environment.
Microplastics and benthic animals reshape the geochemical characteristics of dissolved organic matter by inducing changes in keystone microbes in riparian sediments
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that microplastics and benthic animals together reshape the geochemical characteristics of dissolved organic matter in riparian sediments. The study revealed that both stressors altered keystone microbial communities, leading to changes in how organic matter is processed in river ecosystems, with implications for pollutant behavior and nutrient cycling.
Advancing understanding of microplastics-derived dissolved organic matter release: From source-dependent behavior to micro-interfacial processes
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared dissolved organic matter released by microplastics from river-collected versus newly purchased plastics under UV aging, finding that environmentally pre-aged plastics released chemically more oxidized DOM while fresh plastics preferentially shed higher-molecular-weight, aromatic humic-like compounds — with salinity amplifying these source-dependent differences in seawater conditions.
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.