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Structure-dependent surface catalytic degradation of cephalosporin antibiotics on the aged polyvinyl chloride microplastics
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Researchers discovered that aged polyvinyl chloride microplastics can act as catalysts that accelerate the breakdown of certain antibiotics in water. The study found that hydrogen bonds between the microplastic surface and the antibiotic cefazolin sped up its chemical degradation, suggesting that microplastics may actively alter the fate of pharmaceutical contaminants in aquatic environments.
Microplastics (MPs) have been recognized as a global concern due to their potential health effect, as MPs could adsorb and carry various pollutants in aquatic environment. In the present study, a new environmental behavior related to polyvinyl chloride microplastics (PVC-MPs) and the underlying mechanism were described. Our results showed that the photo-aged PVC-MPs could affect the transformation of cephalosporin antibiotics. For instance, the presence of altered PVC-MPs significantly accelerated the hydrolysis of cefazolin (CFZ), but exhibited negligible effect on the degradation of cephalexin (CFX). As indicated by in situ Fourier transform infrared spectra and theoretical calculations, hydrogen bonds could be formed between β-lactam carbonyl of CFZ and the oxygen-containing moieties on the aged PVC-MP surfaces. The hydrogen-bonding was able to significantly increase the positive atomic Mulliken charge on the β-lactam carbonyl carbon, thus narrowing the energy gap of CFZ hydrolysis and subsequently enhancing the disruption of β-lactam ring. While for CFX, instead of the β-lactam carbonyl, the amide amino group was involved in the hydrogen-bonding due to the structural difference. Therefore, in addition to increasing the adsorption capacity, the aged PVC-MPs could act as the catalyst to mediate the transformation of antibiotics. Our study would help improve the understanding for interactions between contaminants and MPs in natural environments.
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Researchers found that aged polystyrene micro and nanoplastics significantly speed up the breakdown of common antibiotics (cephalosporins) in water when exposed to sunlight. The aged plastic surfaces generate reactive chemicals that attack the antibiotics, and the effect depends on how the antibiotic molecule binds to the plastic surface. This is important because it shows microplastics can actively change the chemical environment around them, potentially affecting how pollutants behave in waterways.
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When PVC plastic breaks down in water, it releases dissolved substances that can trap antibiotics or, under sunlight, break them apart into new byproducts—but these breakdown products can actually be more toxic to aquatic algae than the original antibiotics. This matters because it shows microplastics aren't just passive pollution; they actively change how antibiotics behave in the environment, potentially creating new toxic chemicals and influencing the spread of antibiotic-resistant bacteria that can affect drinking water and food sources.
Sorption of antibiotics onto aged microplastics in freshwater and seawater
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Aged microplastics were found to sorb antibiotics from fresh and saltwater, with aging processes altering the surface properties of the plastic and increasing antibiotic binding capacity in some cases. The adsorption of antibiotics onto aged microplastics could facilitate their transport and delivery to aquatic organisms, potentially contributing to antibiotic resistance in environmental bacteria.
Quantitative assessment of interactions of hydrophilic organic contaminants with microplastics in natural water environment
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Researchers quantified how microplastics interact with common antibiotic pollutants in natural water conditions, comparing virgin and environmentally aged polystyrene particles. They found that aged microplastics absorbed significantly more antibiotics than new ones due to increased surface area and chemical changes from weathering. The study suggests that as microplastics age in the environment, they become more effective at concentrating and transporting other harmful pollutants.
Photoaging processes of polyvinyl chloride microplastics enhance the adsorption of tetracycline and facilitate the formation of antibiotic resistance
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Researchers found that UV photoaging of PVC microplastics significantly enhanced their ability to adsorb the antibiotic tetracycline and facilitated the development of antibiotic resistance in surrounding microorganisms, raising concerns about aged microplastics in aquatic environments.
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