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Transfer of PCBs from Microplastics under Simulated Gut Fluid Conditions Is Biphasic and Reversible
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Researchers developed a chemical exchange model to study how PCBs transfer from ingested microplastics to gut fluids, testing with both low-density polyethylene and PVC. They found that chemical transfer was biphasic, with a fast phase lasting hours and a slower phase extending for weeks, and was fully reversible. Importantly, when clean microplastics were ingested alongside contaminated food, the plastics actually extracted pollutants from the food, demonstrating that the net effect of microplastic ingestion on chemical exposure depends on the relative contamination of plastic versus food.
The role of plastic as a vector for bioaccumulation of toxic chemicals is central to the risk assessment of microplastic for human health and the environment. However, transfer kinetics of sorbed contaminants from ingested microplastics are poorly understood. We develop and parametrize a chemical exchange model on microplastics in a gut fluid mimic of aquatic biota, and also included food to provide a better representation of contaminant dynamics when plastic and food are ingested, as would occur in nature. The transfer kinetics of 14 polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were measured in gut fluid mimic systems under three environmentally relevant exposure scenarios of plastic ingestion by organisms, for low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and were evaluated with the model. Chemical transfer was demonstrated to be biphasic and fully reversible, with fast exchange within hours followed by a slow transfer lasting for weeks to months. In clean gut systems, the bioavailability of plastic-associated PCBs for lugworms and cod ranged from 14 to 42% and 45-83% respectively. However, in contaminated gut systems, clean microplastic was capable of rapidly extracting ("cleaning") PCBs from food inside the gut, thus demonstrating that the effect of microplastic is context dependent. Therefore, chemical contamination and cleaning are likely to occur simultaneously due to the ingestion of microplastic.
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How Digestive Processes Can Affect the Bioavailability of PCBs Associated with Microplastics: A Modeling Study Supported by Empirical Data
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Researchers used a simulated human digestive model to study whether gut processes change how quickly chemicals like PCBs transfer on and off microplastic particles. They found that digestive enzymes and bile salts significantly accelerated the release of these chemicals from microplastics, suggesting that the human gut environment may increase exposure to plastic-associated pollutants. The study provides new evidence that microplastics could act as carriers that release harmful chemicals more readily during digestion.
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This study examined how polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) leach from microplastics under simulated gut conditions, finding that chemical diffusion rates were strongly influenced by gut fluid composition and that hydrophobic contaminants could transfer to organisms at levels posing potential bioaccumulation risks.
Study of the scavenger and vector roles of microplastics for polyhalocarbazoles under simulated gastric fluid conditions
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Researchers studied the desorption kinetics of polyhalocarbazoles from polypropylene and polyvinyl chloride microplastics under simulated gastric conditions for both vertebrates and invertebrates, finding rapid initial release followed by slow ongoing transfer over weeks to months. Smaller microplastic particles and invertebrate digestive conditions enhanced desorption, confirming that microplastics can act as vectors for these halogenated contaminants in the gut.
Adsorption and Desorption Behaviour of Polychlorinated Biphenyls onto Microplastics’ Surfaces in Water/Sediment Systems
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Researchers evaluated the adsorption and desorption behavior of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) onto polystyrene, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics of varying sizes in marine water/sediment systems. Results showed that polymer type and particle size influenced PCB binding capacity, with microplastics acting as potential vectors for transferring persistent organic pollutants to marine biota through the food chain.
Effect of Microplastic Types on the In Vivo Bioavailability of Polychlorinated Biphenyls
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Researchers used a mouse model to measure how different types of microplastics affect the bioavailability of PCBs, a group of harmful industrial chemicals. When microplastics were added to contaminated soil, they significantly reduced PCB absorption in the digestive system, acting as a kind of sponge that traps the chemicals. However, when PCBs were already loaded onto the microplastics, some types like polyethylene released nearly all of the chemicals during digestion, showing that microplastics can also serve as carriers of pollutants.
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