We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic-water partitioning of two states halogenated PAHs: Solute and sol
AI summary Read the abstract
This study examined how halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) partition between microplastics and water, finding that plastic type and contaminant chemistry both influence sorption behavior. Understanding how microplastics absorb and transport toxic chemicals is important for assessing the ecological risks they pose.
The complex interactions of contaminants with microplastics significantly affect ecological risk assessments. Studies of the sorption behavior of freely dissolved hydrophobic organic contaminants (HOCs) on microplastics are common. However, concentrations of HOCs in the actual aquatic environment sometimes exceed their water solubility. A possible explanation is that a microplastic-sol-water three-phase medium (TPM) is formed in the actual water environment. Both states HOCs (in solute and sol) have the potential to migrate to particles suspended in water. To confirm this view, four kinds of microplastics and eight halogenated polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (HPAHs) were selected to examine the partitioning of HPAHs between microplastics and water (sol and solute). Both monolayer and multilayer coverage of HPAHs onto microplastics occurred, and chemical sorption dominated the pseudo-sorption mechanism. The microplastic-water partition ratios of HPAHs (0.12-0.74) were approximately four to five orders of magnitude lower than their corresponding K values, suggesting that mechanisms other than sorption were involved. Apparently, the sol HPAHs contributed almost identically large increments to both microplastics and water, and closed the gap. For microplastic-supported HPAHs, the contribution of the sol fraction was more than triple that of the dissolved fraction; the key influencing factor was the water solubility of HPAHs.
More Papers Like This
Different partition of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon on environmental particulates in freshwater: Microplastics in comparison to natural sediment
AI summary Read the abstract
This study investigated how the polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon phenanthrene partitions between water and three common plastic types, finding that polymer composition strongly influences sorption behavior. The results help explain how microplastics act as vectors for toxic organic compounds in aquatic environments.
Comparison of one-time spiking, multiple spiking and dialysis tubing methods for the determination of plastic-water partition coefficient of one polycyclic hydrocarbons on microplastic
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared three laboratory methods for determining how polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) sorb onto microplastics in water, addressing the challenge posed by PAHs' very low water solubility. The study provides methodological guidance for studying how microplastics act as vectors for persistent organic pollutants in aquatic environments.
Sorption of Pyrene and Fluoranthene onto Common Microplastics Under Freshwater Conditions
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how two common polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, pyrene and fluoranthene, bind to six different types of microplastic polymers under freshwater conditions. The study found significant differences in sorption capacity across polymer types, confirming that microplastics can act as vectors for transporting harmful organic pollutants through aquatic environments.
Laboratory Measurements of Pyrene and Acenaphthene Partition into Microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Laboratory experiments measured how quickly and extensively three polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) — pyrene, phenanthrene, and acenaphthene — sorb onto pellets of five common plastic types. PAH uptake had half-lives of around 10 hours, with polypropylene absorbing the most and PVC absorbing the least. The results confirm that microplastics act as concentration vectors for toxic organic pollutants in the environment, and that weathering and oxidation of plastic surfaces increases their capacity to carry these chemicals into aquatic food chains.
Investigation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) absorption from seawater to model microplastic particles
AI summary Read the abstract
Tiny plastic particles floating in seawater can act like sponges, soaking up toxic pollutants called PAHs (chemicals linked to cancer that come from sources like oil spills and burning fuel). This study found that certain plastics and pollutant combinations stick together more than others, meaning microplastics could be hitching a ride for these toxins through the ocean and potentially into the seafood we eat. Understanding which plastics absorb the most pollution helps scientists predict where these combined risks might be highest.
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.