0
Article Tier 2 Sign in to save

Comparative evaluation of sorption kinetics and isotherms of pyrene onto microplastics

Chemosphere 2017 354 citations

AI summary Read the abstract

This study compared how quickly and how much pyrene — a common polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon — is absorbed by different types of microplastics in aquatic environments. The results indicate that microplastic polymer type significantly affects how well it concentrates and potentially transports toxic organic chemicals.

Concerns regarding microplastics pollution and their potential to concentrate and transport organic contaminants in aquatic environments are growing in recent years. Sorption of organic chemicals by microplastics may affect the distribution and bioavailability of the chemicals. Here sorption process of pyrene (Pyr), a frequently encountered polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon in aquatic environments, on three types of mass-produced plastic particles (high-density polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS) and polyvinylchloride (PVC)), was investigated by comparative analysis of different sorption kinetic and isotherm models. Optimum kinetic and isotherm models were predicted by the linear least-squares regression method. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model was more appropriate in describing the entire sorption process (R > 0.99). Sorption rates of Pyr onto microplastics were mainly controlled by intraparticle diffusion. PE exhibited the highest affinity for Pyr, followed by PS and PVC. The sorption equilibrium data were best fitted to the Langmuir isotherm (R > 0.99), indicating monolayer coverage of Pyr onto the microplastics.

More Papers Like This

Article Tier 2

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.

Article Tier 2

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.

Article Tier 2

Comparing the sorption of pyrene and its derivatives onto polystyrene microplastics: Insights from experimental and computational studies

AI summary Read the abstract

This study examined how pyrene — a cancer-associated compound found in diesel exhaust and other combustion products — and several of its chemical derivatives adsorb onto polystyrene microplastics from water. Polystyrene strongly absorbed several pyrene derivatives, meaning microplastics could transport these carcinogenic chemicals into organisms that ingest the particles. The findings support the concern that microplastics act as vectors for toxic organic pollutants.

Article Tier 2

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.

Article Tier 2

The adsorption and desorption behaviors of phenanthrene and pyrene onto microplastics in the aquatic environment and digestive fluids

AI summary Read the abstract

This study examined how polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) like phenanthrene and pyrene adsorb to and desorb from four types of microplastics in both freshwater and simulated digestive fluids. The findings show that PAHs bind strongly to microplastics and can be released under digestive conditions, suggesting that microplastics can deliver organic pollutants to organisms that ingest them.

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.

Email me about

Share this paper