We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Mechanism of coupled phosphate‑calcium modulation of nanoplastic transport in porous media: Role of solution chemistry and surface interactions
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists used laboratory experiments and molecular simulations to study how phosphate and calcium ions in soil water affect whether polystyrene nanoplastics move freely through the ground or get trapped in soil particles. They found that pH was a key factor: at lower pH levels, phosphate helped nanoplastics travel farther while calcium restricted movement, with both effects linked to how these ions change the surface charge of both the particles and the soil. Understanding nanoplastic mobility in soil is essential for predicting contamination of groundwater and crops.
The transport of nanoplastics in the environment is affected by anions (PO 4 3− , P) and cations (Ca 2+ , Ca). This study investigated the transport of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS) in two media (quartz sand and goethite-coated quartz sand (G-C sand)) under conditions of P/Ca co-existence, and in-depth study of the transport mechanism of PS in combination with techniques such as density function theory (DFT) calculations and molecular dynamics (MD). It was found that pH was an important factor affecting the transport of PS in quartz sand and G-C sand. At pH ≤ 6.0, P promoted the transport of PS in both media, whereas Ca showed inhibition. The adsorption of P and Ca altered the charge distribution on the surface of PS and both media. The extended Derjaguinee-Landauee-Verweyee-Overbeek (XDLVO) theory results revealed that PS transport in quartz sand was mainly subjected to electrostatic interactions, while PS transport in G-C sand was subjected to P/Ca bridging coordination in addition to electrostatic interactions. With pH > 6.0, Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 (OH) formed by P and Ca and heterogeneously aggregated with PS, and attached to the surfaces of quartz sand and G-C sand, which altered the charge properties of PS and both media, inhibiting the transport of PS in both media. The XDLVO theory, fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), DFT, and MD simulations results suggested that the electrostatic attraction and complexation of Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 (OH) with PS and the two media were the main factors inhibiting the transport of PS in both media. This study was the first to illustrate the effect of P/Ca co-existence on the transport of PS in porous media and to analyze the mechanism of their interaction in the context of quantum theory. • P promoted polystyrene nanoplastics (PS) transport while Ca inhibited it. • The pH was an important factor influencing PS transport under P/Ca co-existence. • Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 (OH) inhibited PS transport by electrostatic attraction and complexation. • Goethite promoted the inhibition of PS transport by Ca 5 (PO 4 ) 3 (OH). • Study of PS transport under P/Ca coexistence by DFT and MD.
More Papers Like This
Sensitivity of the Transport of Plastic Nanoparticles to Typical Phosphates Associated with Ionic Strength and Solution pH
AI summary Read the abstract
This study investigated how phosphate ions in soil pore water influence the transport of plastic nanoparticles through porous media under varying pH and ionic strength conditions. Phosphate affected nanoparticle surface charge and aggregation behavior, altering how far particles traveled. The findings are relevant to understanding how plastic nanoparticles move through soils and groundwater systems.
Transport of polystyrene nanoplastics in natural soils: Effect of soil properties, ionic strength and cation type
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used column experiments across three soil types to show that polystyrene nanoplastic transport is governed by soil iron and aluminum oxide content and pH — with high-pH, low-oxide soils allowing up to 97% nanoplastic passage — and that calcium ions and higher ionic strength significantly increase retention, revealing that soil chemistry strongly controls nanoplastic mobility toward groundwater.
[Transport and Model Calculation of Microplastics Under the Influence of Ionic Type, Strength, and Iron Oxide].
AI summary Read the abstract
Laboratory column experiments showed that calcium ions strongly inhibit the transport of polystyrene microplastics through quartz sand via bridging and charge neutralization effects, while iron oxide coatings on sand grains further reduce microplastic mobility through surface adsorption. Understanding these transport dynamics is important for predicting how microplastics move through soil and groundwater systems and assessing contamination risks to drinking water sources.
Influence of solution chemical properties and porous medium surface coatings on the transport and retention behavior of polystyrene microplastics.
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists tested how tiny plastic particles (microplastics) move through sand and soil under different water conditions—like varying acidity, salt levels, and natural organic matter—to understand whether these particles get trapped underground or flow freely into groundwater. They found that water chemistry dramatically changes plastic mobility: more salt or iron-rich minerals in soil trap more plastic, while more natural organic matter or higher pH lets plastic travel farther. This matters because groundwater is a source of drinking water, and knowing what conditions help microplastics spread (or get filtered out naturally) can help protect water supplies from plast
Effects of physicochemical factors on transport and retention of polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) in homogeneous and heterogeneous saturated porous media
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how polystyrene microplastics move through different types of underground soil and sand formations. They found that smaller sand grains, higher salt concentrations, and the presence of calcium ions all increased microplastic retention, while mixed soil layers created preferential flow paths that allowed some particles to break through faster. The findings help explain how microplastics could potentially contaminate groundwater aquifers.
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.