We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Enhanced desorption of persistent organic pollutants from microplastics under simulated physiological conditions
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested how persistent organic pollutants desorb from microplastics under conditions that simulate the digestive systems of warm-blooded marine animals versus cold-blooded fish. They found that gut surfactants and warmer body temperatures dramatically increased the release of pollutants from the plastics, with up to 30 times more chemicals released under warm-blooded conditions. The study suggests that marine mammals and seabirds may face greater chemical exposure risks from ingested microplastics than previously assumed.
Microplastics have the potential to uptake and release persistent organic pollutants (POPs); however, subsequent transfer to marine organisms is poorly understood. Some models estimating transfer of sorbed contaminants to organisms neglect the role of gut surfactants under differing physiological conditions in the gut (varying pH and temperature), examined here. We investigated the potential for polyvinylchloride (PVC) and polyethylene (PE) to sorb and desorb (14)C-DDT, (14)C-phenanthrene (Phe), (14)C-perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and (14)C-di-2-ethylhexyl phthalate (DEHP). Desorption rates of POPs were quantified in seawater and under simulated gut conditions. Influence of pH and temperature was examined in order to represent cold and warm blooded organisms. Desorption rates were faster with gut surfactant, with a further substantial increase under conditions simulating warm blooded organisms. Desorption under gut conditions could be up to 30 times greater than in seawater alone. Of the POP/plastic combinations examined Phe with PE gave the highest potential for transport to organisms.
More Papers Like This
Relative importance of microplastics as a pathway for the transfer of hydrophobic organic chemicals to marine life
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers assessed the relative importance of microplastics as a pathway for transferring hydrophobic organic chemicals to marine life. The study suggests that while microplastics can carry high concentrations of contaminants, factors like gut surfactants, pH, and temperature influence desorption rates, and modeling indicates other exposure routes may be more significant in natural environments.
A temperature-dependent three-compartment toxicokinetic model for assessing bioavailability of microplastic-associated pollutants
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict how rising water temperatures affect the ability of microplastics to deliver toxic pollutants into the bodies of fish and other cold-blooded animals. They found that warmer temperatures significantly increased the amount of pollutant that transferred from microplastics into intestinal cells, suggesting that climate change could amplify the health risks posed by microplastic contamination in aquatic ecosystems. The model provides a new tool for identifying which combinations of microplastic type and pollutant pose the highest risk under warming conditions.
Uptake/release of organic contaminants by microplastics: A critical review of influencing factors, mechanistic modeling, and thermodynamic prediction methods
AI summary Read the abstract
This review critically examines the ability of microplastics to absorb and release organic chemical pollutants, evaluating the factors that influence this process and existing predictive models. Understanding whether microplastics act as significant vectors for pollutants into food chains requires better thermodynamic models that account for real-world complexity.
A Thermodynamic Approach for Assessing the Environmental Exposure of Chemicals Absorbed to Microplastic
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used thermodynamic and multimedia modeling to assess how microplastics influence the transport and bioavailability of persistent toxic substances in marine environments. The study suggests that chemicals with high hydrophobicity may partition to polyethylene microplastic, but overall, microplastic is likely of limited importance as a vector for delivering toxic substances to marine organisms compared to other exposure pathways.
Bioavailability of microplastic-bound pollutants in vitro: The role of adsorbate lipophilicity and surfactants
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested how the lipophilicity of microplastic-bound pollutants and the presence of surfactants affect the transfer of those pollutants into fish cells, finding that less lipophilic compounds desorb more readily from polyethylene particles and that surfactants modulate cellular uptake through mechanisms beyond simple desorption.
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.