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The effect of UV exposure on conventional and degradable microplastics adsorption for Pb (II) in sediment
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Researchers studied how UV aging affects the ability of conventional polyethylene and degradable polylactic acid microplastics to adsorb lead ions from aquatic sediment. They found that UV aging increased the surface area and oxygen content of both plastic types, enhancing their capacity to adsorb heavy metals. The study suggests that weathered microplastics in the environment may be more effective carriers of heavy metal contamination than pristine particles.
Plastic discharged into the environment would break down into microplastics (MPs). However, the possible impact of MPs on heavy metals in the aquatic sediment remains unknown. In order to evaluate the potential role of MPs as carriers of coexisting pollutants, the adsorption capacity of lead ions from sediment onto aged degradable and conventional MPs were investigated as a function of lead ions concentration, contact time, temperature, MPs dosage, aging time, and fulvic acid concentration. MPs were exposed to UV to obtain aged polyethylene (A-PE) and aged polylactic acid (A-PLA). The aging treatment increased the oxygen content, specific surface area and hydrophilicity of MPs. The adsorption capacity of A-PE for Pb(II) in sediment increased from 10.1525 to 10.4642 mg g with the increasing aging time. However, the adsorption capacity of A-PLA for Pb(II) in sediment decreased from 9.3199 to 8.7231 mg g with the increasing aging time. The adsorption capacity of MPs in sediment for Pb(II) was in the following order: A-PE > PLA > PE > A-PLA. Fulvic acid could promote the adsorption of Pb(II) by MPs in sediment. These results indicated that the aging process of the plastics in the environment would affect its role as a carrier of coexisting pollutants.
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Researchers examined how UV aging changes the surface properties of polyamide and polylactic acid microplastics and affects their ability to adsorb copper ions in water. The study found that UV irradiation altered the physical and chemical characteristics of both plastic types, increasing their capacity to bind heavy metals. Evidence indicates that weathered microplastics may act as more effective carriers of heavy metal contaminants in aquatic environments compared to virgin plastics.
Adsorption of Pb(II) by UV-aged microplastics and cotransport in homogeneous and heterogeneous porous media
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Researchers found that microplastics aged by UV sunlight are better at absorbing and carrying lead (a toxic heavy metal) through soil and water than fresh microplastics. The aging process changes the microplastic surface in ways that make it grab onto more lead, potentially spreading this toxic metal further through the environment. This is relevant to human health because aged microplastics in the real world may be transporting more heavy metals into water supplies and food-growing soil than previously thought.
Effect of light irradiation on heavy metal adsorption onto microplastics
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Researchers investigated how UV light irradiation of polypropylene microplastics affected their adsorption of lead (Pb) from water, finding that photo-weathering increased surface oxidation and significantly enhanced heavy metal adsorption capacity.
Adsorption behavior of UV aged microplastics on the heavy metals Pb(II) and Cu(II) in aqueous solutions
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Researchers examined how UV aging affects the adsorption of lead and copper onto polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene microplastics, finding that aging creates new oxidation functional groups that enhance heavy metal adsorption capacity.
Aging properties of polyethylene and polylactic acid microplastics and their adsorption behavior of Cd(II) and Cr(VI) in aquatic environments
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Researchers compared how polyethylene and polylactic acid (PLA) microplastics age in the environment and how that aging affects their ability to absorb heavy metals like cadmium and chromium from water. They found that aging changed the surface chemistry of both plastic types, increasing their capacity to pick up these toxic metals. The findings matter because aged microplastics in the environment may concentrate and transport more pollutants than fresh plastic particles.
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