We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics contributed much less than organic matter to the burial of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by sediments in the past decades: a case study from an urban lake
Summary
Researchers analyzed sediment cores from an urban Chinese lake to understand how microplastics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) have accumulated over recent decades. They found that microplastics contributed relatively little to PAH burial compared to organic matter, but microplastic abundance increased steadily alongside industrialization.
The role of microplastics in burying hydrophobic organic compounds remains largely unknown. Sediment cores collected from the center of a typical urban lake (Lake Qianhu) in China were chosen to explore the contribution of microplastics to the burial of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) by sediments, and to elucidate how this contribution changed with microplastic composition and the hydrophobicity of PAHs on a decade scale. Our results showed that the concentration of individual PAHs adsorbed by microplastics varied from detection limit (LOD) to 7.2 mg g-1 MP, which was much higher than the LOD to 31.0 μg g-1 TOC buried by total organic carbon. However, the amount of individual PAHs adsorbed by microplastics only contributed to 0-34.2% of that in sediments. Changes in the composition of microplastics, including the increased proportion of polyethylene and polypropylene : polyethylene polymer in sediments, resulted in the average microplastic sediment burial ratios (MSBRs) of most PAHs increasing by 0.13% to 2.7% in the period from 1997 to 2018 compared with those in the period from 1975 to 1996. The average MSBRs varied with the hydrophobicity of PAHs, which increased with log Kow value if it varied from 3.45 to 5.20, but decreased with log Kow if it was in the range of 5.30 to 6.50. Our study provides novel knowledge on the contribution of microplastics to the burial of PAHs by sediments.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Ecological regime shifts enhanced the contribution of microplastics to the burial of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons by sediments
Researchers examined sediment cores from Lagoon Pinqing, China's largest lagoon, to understand how ecological regime shifts influence the role of microplastics in burying polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in sediments. They found that microplastic contributions to PAH burial varied from 0 to 67.2% across different periods, driven by shifts between phytoplankton and macrophyte dominance that altered sediment organic matter aromaticity.
Occurrence, distribution and risk assessment of microplastics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in East lake, Hubei, China
Researchers surveyed microplastics and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in East Lake, China's second largest urban lake, and found both pollutants widespread in water and sediment samples. Microplastic concentrations exceeded 3,300 particles per cubic meter in water, with fibers and polypropylene being the dominant types. The study found a potential link between microplastic and PAH distribution patterns, suggesting these pollutants may interact in urban freshwater environments.
Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons in the Water Bodies of Dong Lake and Tangxun Lake, China: Spatial Distribution, Potential Sources and Risk Assessment
Researchers surveyed two of China's largest urban inland lakes for polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon contamination and found these toxic compounds present in water samples from both lakes. Using source analysis models, they determined that the contamination primarily came from petroleum combustion and industrial activities in the surrounding urban areas. While focused on chemical pollutants rather than microplastics directly, the study illustrates how urban lakes accumulate multiple types of environmental contaminants simultaneously.
Rapid urbanization affects microplastic communities in lake sediments: A case study of Lake Aha in southwest China
Researchers investigated how rapid urbanization affects microplastic communities in Lake Aha sediments in southwest China, using sediment core slicing to reveal that urbanization significantly increased microplastic abundance and altered polymer composition over time.
Occurrence, Composition, and Risk Assessment of Microplastics and Adsorbed Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons (PAHs) in Urban Drainage Sediments Along the Yangtze River, China
Urban drainage sediments from three Yangtze River cities contained 130–564 microplastic particles per 100 grams, with the highest concentrations near commercial and campus areas, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were found adsorbed to many particles. Microplastics acting as carriers for toxic PAHs in stormwater systems represent a compounded threat to aquatic ecosystems and drinking water sources.