We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
A comprehensive study on the impact of UV aging time on the adsorption and desorption behaviors of antibiotics on degradable and non-degradable microplastics
No summary available — this paper's abstract is not included in the open metadata provided by the publisher. Learn why →
More Papers Like This
Adsorption behaviors and mechanisms of azithromycin on degradable and non-degradable microplastics aged with UV/sodium percarbonate
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found that when microplastics (both regular plastic and "eco-friendly" biodegradable plastic) get weathered by sunlight and cleaning chemicals used in wastewater treatment, their surfaces become rougher and chemically altered, making them up to 4 times better at soaking up azithromycin, a common antibiotic that surged in use during COVID-19. This matters because these antibiotic-loaded microplastics could act as carriers, potentially transporting drugs through water systems and the environment in ways that aren't fully understood yet, including possibly contributing to antibiotic resistance or human exposure down the line.
Investigation of the Adsorption of Norfloxacin by Biodegradable and Non-biodegradable Microplastics Aged by Chemical Oxidation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers chemically aged three types of microplastics—biodegradable PLA, PET, and polypropylene—and found that aging significantly increased their capacity to adsorb norfloxacin antibiotic, with aged PLA showing the greatest enhancement due to increased surface area and roughness. These results show that environmentally weathered microplastics act as more effective vectors for antibiotic transport in water systems, potentially worsening co-contamination risks for aquatic life and human health.
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.