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Occurrence and abundance of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) on microplastics (MPs) in Pearl River Estuary (PRE) region: Spatial and temporal variations
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Researchers collected microplastics from eight rivers in the Pearl River Estuary region of China across seasons and measured concentrations of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) on their surfaces, finding that MP-bound PFAS concentrations varied by season and river and that MPs may be an overlooked pathway for PFAS transport in aquatic systems.
Although the occurrence and distribution of various chemicals on microplastics (MPs) has been widely studied, little was known about the concentrations of poly- and perfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) on MPs. In this study, MPs from eight rivers draining into Pearl River Estuary (PRE) region were collected and analyzed. Higher concentrations of PFASs on MPs (105-9.07 × 10 ng g) were found in the drain outlets receiving wastewater from most urbanized cities with large population densities. On the other hand, lower concentrations of PFASs on MPs (10.3-227.8 ng g) were found in the drain outlets receiving wastewater mostly from agricultural and forested areas. Specially, 8:2 disubstituted polyfluoroalkyl phosphates (8:2 diPAP) was detected with the highest frequency, in 92.5% of the samples. Furthermore, a positive Spearman correlation was found between 6:2 disubstituted polyfluoroalkyl phosphates (6:2 diPAP) and perfluorotetradecanoic acid (PFTeDA) (r = 0.621, p = 0.012), indicating they might share similar sources. PFASs on MPs were found to vary significantly with different seasons. Higher concentrations of PFASs on MPs were found in dry seasons, while lower concentrations were observed in wet seasons. The results of this study should be important for the understanding of PFAS occurrence and distribution on MPs and the partitioning mechanism of PFASs on MPs in estuary systems.
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This paper is not relevant to microplastics; it analyzes the distribution and health risks of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water, sediment, and fish in the Dongjiang River Basin in China.
Interactions between MPs and PFASs in aquatic environments: A dual-character situation
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This review examines the interactions between microplastics and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) in water environments, finding that the two pollutants have a complex relationship. Microplastics can absorb PFAS chemicals onto their surfaces, potentially transporting them through aquatic systems and altering their environmental behavior. The study highlights the need to consider these combined effects when assessing pollution risks in waterways.
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Researchers measured hydrophobic organic contaminants affiliated with different types of floating microplastics collected from tributaries and estuaries in the Pearl River Delta, South China. The study found that contaminants were highly concentrated in microplastics, with polyethylene carrying the largest share of pollutant outflow to coastal waters, suggesting that microplastics serve as significant transport vectors for toxic chemicals in aquatic environments.
From co-occurrence to co-existence and co-exposure: Associations between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances and microplastics in the environment
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This review examines the growing recognition that PFAS chemicals and microplastics frequently co-occur in the environment and may interact in ways that affect both ecological and human health. Researchers identified four major sources that emit both pollutants simultaneously and found strong evidence that PFAS can adsorb onto microplastic surfaces and be co-transported through the environment. The study calls for standardized methods and long-term studies to better understand the combined exposure risks of these two widespread contaminant classes.
Mechanistic Insights into PFAS Adsorption on Microplastics: Effects of Contaminant Properties and Water Chemistry
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Researchers investigated how two widely detected PFAS compounds, PFOS and PFOA, adsorb onto five common types of microplastics in aquatic environments. The study found that contaminant properties and water chemistry significantly influence adsorption behavior, confirming that microplastics can serve as carriers for PFAS transport in waterways.
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