0
Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Marine & Wildlife Sign in to save

UV filters and UV stabilisers adsorbed in microplastic debris from beach sand

Marine Pollution Bulletin 2021 43 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count. Score: 40 ? 0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Sergio Santana‐Viera, Sarah Montesdeoca‐Esponda, Zoraida Sosa‐Ferrera, José Juan Santana‐Rodríguez

Summary

Researchers detected UV filters and UV stabilizers adsorbed onto microplastic debris collected from beach sand, demonstrating that personal care product contaminants partition onto plastic particles and may be transported and concentrated in marine environments.

Study Type Environmental

Microplastics (MPs) in oceans adsorb different types of pollutants, which can negatively impact the food chain. The extensive use of personal care products (PCPs) has led to their ubiquitous environmental presence, and their partition between plastic matrices and surroundings is determined by their physico-chemical characteristics and environmental conditions. This work develops and applies a methodology to determine 12 UV filters (UVFs) and UV stabilisers (UVSs) in MPs collected in beach sand. The analyses were carried out by ultrasound-assisted extraction and ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry detection. The validated procedure was applied to MPs samples taken in sand samples from 13 beaches on the Canary Islands (Spain). The results showed the presence of 10 UV filters and UV stabilisers at concentrations between 1 and 4031 ng·g, where octocrylene was the most frequently found. The target analytes were present in all the sampling beaches.

Sign in to start a discussion.

More Papers Like This

Article Tier 2

Sorption and desorption of organic UV filters onto microplastics in single and multi-solute systems

This study examined how organic UV filters (common sunscreen ingredients) sorb onto microplastics in both single-solute and multi-solute systems, finding that competitive sorption occurs when multiple contaminants are present. The results indicate that sunscreen chemicals can hitchhike on microplastics in marine environments, potentially altering their environmental fate and biological effects.

Article Tier 2

Emerging pollutants sorbed on beach microplastics. Evaluation in the coast of gran canaria (spain)

Researchers evaluated the sorption of emerging pollutants including steroid hormones and UV filters onto beach microplastics collected from Gran Canaria, Spain, examining how microplastics act as vectors for endocrine-disrupting compounds and personal care product ingredients in coastal environments. The study found measurable accumulation of these contaminants on beach microplastics, demonstrating a combined pollution risk from plastic particles and their sorbed chemical cargo.

Article Tier 2

Occurrence and assessment of emerging contaminants adsorbed onto microplastic debris in the Macaronesia region

This three-year coordinated study characterized emerging contaminants adsorbed onto microplastic debris (pellets and fragments) collected from 32 beaches across Macaronesia (Canary Islands, Madeira, Azores, Cabo Verde). UV filters, UV stabilizers, and other hydrophobic organic chemicals were consistently detected on plastic debris, with concentrations varying by plastic type and beach location.

Article Tier 2

Extraction And Determination Of Personal Care Products Adsorbed On Microplastics

Researchers developed methods for extracting and determining personal care product chemicals that adsorb onto microplastic particles, examining how these compounds concentrate on plastic surfaces. Microplastics can carry surface-adsorbed chemicals including sunscreens and preservatives, increasing chemical exposure for organisms that ingest them.

Article Tier 2

UV filters in everyday cosmetic products, a comparative study

This study surveyed UV-filtering chemicals across 742 cosmetic products and found widespread presence in everyday personal care items. UV filters are increasingly detected as environmental and biological contaminants, reaching waterways through skin absorption and washing, where they can interact with microplastics and other pollutants.

Share this paper