We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Interfacial interaction mechanisms between sediment-microplastics heterogeneous particulate matter (HPM) and cadmium (Cd) in saline environment
AI summary Read the abstract
The interfacial interaction mechanisms between sediment particles and microplastics were investigated, revealing how charge, organic coatings, and particle size govern whether microplastics bind to or remain separate from sediments. These interactions determine whether microplastics sink with sediment or remain mobile in the water column.
As microplastics enter aquatic environments, it remains unclear whether interfacial interactions between heterogeneous particulate matter (HPM, co-existing sediment and microplastics) and heavy metals in saline waters follow the same mechanisms as single particles, and how these interactions affect metal mobility and ecological risk. This study elucidates the interfacial mechanisms between HPM and cadmium (Cd) under various salinity conditions, highlighting the critical role of microplastics within HPM. Results show that: (1) 5 PSU and 15 PSU serve as critical salinity thresholds influencing interfacial interactions–low salinity (<5 PSU) enhances surface properties, promoting rapid initial adsorption (0–30 min) but limited retention, whereas high salinity (>15 PSU) significantly inhibits Cd adsorption; (2) Microplastics increase the salinity sensitivity of aquatic systems by modifying interfacial interaction to enhance the inhibitory effect, with maximum inhibition rate (IR = 41.29 %) observed at 7.5 PSU; (3) Salinity influence function ( F s ), according to the salinity divergence coefficient (SDC), accurately characterizes the salinity effect and the microplastics contribution to Cd adsorption on HPM ( R 2 = 0.92), supporting robust predictors of heavy metal fate. These findings offer theoretical insight into heavy metal transport in salt-affected aquatic environments. • Identifies 5 PSU and 15 PSU as critical salinity thresholds for Cd adsorption on heterogeneous particulate matter (HPM). • Microplastics enhance saline sensitivity and reduce adsorption capacity within HPM. • Develops a salinity influence function ( F s , R 2 = 0.92) that captures saline effects and microplastic contribution within HPM.
More Papers Like This
Effects of organic matter on interaction forces between polystyrene microplastics: An experimental study
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined how organic matter in seawater affects the aggregation and adhesion forces between polystyrene microplastics, finding that organic coatings alter surface interaction forces in ways that influence whether microplastics clump together and sink or remain dispersed in the water column.
Adsorption mechanism of cadmium on microplastics and their desorption behavior in sediment and gut environments: The roles of water pH, lead ions, natural organic matter and phenanthrene
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers compared how cadmium adsorbs onto five different microplastic types and then desorbs in simulated sediment and gut environments, finding that pH, competing ions, natural organic matter, and co-pollutants like phenanthrene all significantly alter how much cadmium is released.
Adsorption characteristics of cadmium onto microplastics from aqueous solutions
AI summary Read the abstract
Laboratory adsorption experiments characterized how cadmium is taken up by microplastics of different polymer types from aqueous solutions, finding adsorption capacity varied significantly with polymer chemistry, particle size, and solution conditions. The results help predict how microplastics in contaminated waterways accumulate and transport cadmium, a highly toxic heavy metal.
New insights into the decrease in Cd2+ bioavailability in sediments by microplastics: Role of geochemical properties
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated how polyethylene terephthalate microplastics alter the geochemical properties of sediments in ways that reduce the bioavailability of cadmium. PET microplastics shifted cadmium from the readily exchangeable fraction to the organically bound fraction, and the associated changes in microbial activity and organic carbon explained much of the reduction in cadmium bioavailability.
Reframing microplastics as a ligand for metals reveals that water quality characteristics govern the association of cadmium to polyethylene
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers reframed microplastics as a chemical ligand for metals and studied how water quality characteristics govern cadmium binding to polyethylene particles. They found that factors like pH, dissolved organic carbon, and water hardness significantly influenced how much cadmium adhered to the plastic surface. The study suggests that the environmental risk of microplastics as metal carriers depends heavily on local water chemistry conditions.
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.