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Exploring the Interaction between Microplastics, Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons and Biofilms in Freshwater
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Researchers investigated the adsorption of benzo(a)pyrene and pyrene by five microplastic types in freshwater over 3 and 30 days, finding that polypropylene was the most efficient adsorbent while polystyrene was the least efficient for benzo(a)pyrene. The study also examined how bacterial biofilms on microplastics, including pathogenic species such as Escherichia coli and Klebsiella pneumoniae, interact with PAH adsorption dynamics.
Water pollution by non-biodegradable materials such as plastics is a major source of concern. Here, we investigated the ability of polyethylene terephthalate (PET), high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), polypropylene (PP) and polystyrene (PS) microplastics (MPs-4 mm) to adsorb benzo(a)pyrene (BaP) and pyrene (Pyr) in freshwater after 3 and 30 days. BaP was more adsorbed than Pyr with PP and PS being the most and least efficient adsorbents of BaP, respectively. In mixed solutions, the differences in PAHs adsorption are smoother than in pure solutions, and an increase in adsorbed PAHs half-life has been observed. In parallel, the ability of bacterial species isolated from freshwater responsible for infections in humans (Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae and Aeromonas sobria) to assemble biofilms on plastics was evaluated. Biofilm assembly increased with time (1 to 3 months) being possible to observe biofilms on LDPE, HDPE and PS. For PET and PP only after 3 months on fragments of the original MPs was possible to observe attached bacteria. Exposure to 100 µg/mL PAHs (either isolated or mixed) during 1 month significantly decreased bacterial persistence (p < .01) compared to unexposed bacteria.
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Microplastics, PAHs and biofilms in freshwater
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Researchers tested how five common plastic types adsorb polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in freshwater and serve as surfaces for microbial biofilm growth. All five plastics were able to bind PAHs and support biofilms, suggesting microplastics can concentrate toxic compounds and harbor bacteria in freshwater environments.
Exploring the interplay between microplastics, polyciclic aromatic hidrocarbons and biofilms in freshwater
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Researchers explored how microplastics interact with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in freshwater, and how both pollutants together form biofilms. The study found that microplastics can act as concentration surfaces for PAHs, potentially amplifying toxic exposure in organisms that ingest plastic particles.
Sorption of benzo(a)pyrene and of a complex mixture of petrogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons onto polystyrene microplastics
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Researchers investigated the sorption of benzo(a)pyrene and a complex mixture of petrogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons onto polystyrene microplastics in aquatic systems, quantifying how the hydrophobic nature and large surface area of microplastics facilitate PAH accumulation and potential vector transport.
Close encounters on a micro scale: microplastic sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and their potential effects on associated biofilm communities
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Researchers investigated the sorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) onto microplastics and the potential cascading effects on biofilm communities associated with those microplastics in aquatic environments. They found that evaluating microplastics in isolation underestimates their ecological impact, as co-transported PAHs can alter the composition and function of biofilm communities across different compartments of aquatic ecosystems.
Sorption of Pyrene and Fluoranthene onto Common Microplastics Under Freshwater Conditions
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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.
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