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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Adsorption behavior of heavy metals onto microplastics derived from conventional and biodegradable commercial plastic products
ClearInsights into interactions of biodegradable and non-biodegradable microplastics with heavy metals
Researchers found that biodegradable polylactic acid microplastics can adsorb heavy metals like cadmium, copper, and chromium at rates comparable to or exceeding conventional non-biodegradable plastics, suggesting biodegradable microplastics may also serve as carriers of toxic metals in the environment.
Adsorption and desorption characteristics of heavy metals onto conventional and biodegradable plastics.
This study compared how conventional polyethylene plastic bags and biodegradable polylactic acid bags adsorb heavy metals like lead and cadmium from water. Both types adsorbed significant amounts of heavy metals, suggesting that biodegradable plastics, before they decompose, can still act as vectors transporting toxic metals through aquatic food chains.
Evaluation of microplastic contamination by metals in a controlled environment: A risk to be considered
Researchers found that polyethylene terephthalate microplastics readily adsorb nickel, copper, and zinc metals in aquatic environments, demonstrating that degraded plastics can act as carriers for metal contaminants and pose compounded environmental risks.
Adsorption of Cadmium, Copper and Lead on Polypropylene and Polyethylene Microplastics
This laboratory study measured how cadmium, copper, and lead adsorb onto polypropylene and polyethylene microplastic particles in seawater, finding that microplastics concentrate these toxic metals at levels well above surrounding water concentrations. The results reinforce concerns that microplastics act as carriers of heavy metal contamination in marine ecosystems.
Adsorption of heavy metals on biodegradable and conventional microplastics in the Pearl River Estuary, China
Researchers compared how biodegradable and conventional microplastics absorb heavy metals in an estuary environment over 12 months. Biodegradable microplastics absorbed more copper, lead, and arsenic than conventional plastics, suggesting they may actually pose greater risks as carriers of toxic metals. The findings challenge the assumption that biodegradable plastics are always safer for the environment, since they can concentrate dangerous heavy metals and potentially transfer them into the food chain.
Sorption of chemical contaminants on degradable and non-degradable microplastics: Recent progress and research trends
This review compares how both biodegradable and conventional microplastics absorb chemical contaminants like pesticides and heavy metals from the environment. Researchers found that microplastics can act as carriers for hazardous chemicals, and that biodegradable plastics are not necessarily safer in this regard, as they can also concentrate and transport pollutants.
Microplastics as adsorbent for Pb2+ and Cd2+: A comparative study of polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, high-density polyethylene, and low-density polyethylene
Researchers compared how four common types of microplastics adsorb lead and cadmium heavy metals in aquatic environments. The study found that polypropylene had the highest adsorption capacity for both metals, with oxygen-containing functional groups playing a key role in the adsorption process, suggesting that different microplastic types pose varying levels of environmental risk as heavy metal carriers.
Adsorption of heavy metals by biofilm-coated microplastics in aquatic environments: Mechanisms, isotherm and kinetic processes, and influencing factors
This review synthesizes research on how biofilms—microbial coatings that naturally form on microplastics in water—alter the particles' ability to absorb heavy metals like lead, copper, and cadmium, finding that biofilmed microplastics generally adsorb more metal than bare plastic and that electrostatic forces and surface complexation are the dominant mechanisms. This matters because microplastics coated in both biofilm and toxic metals may deliver a double dose of contamination to organisms that ingest them. The review identifies key gaps, including how competitive metal mixtures and shifting biofilm composition over time affect this combined pollution risk.
Study on the Adsorption Behavior and Mechanism of Heavy Metals in Aquatic Environment before and after the Aging of Typical Microplastics
Researchers investigated the adsorption behavior and mechanisms of heavy metals by typical microplastics before and after environmental aging, finding that aging significantly alters microplastics' surface properties and capacity to bind metals such as cadmium and lead in aquatic systems.
The potential of microplastics as carriers of metals
Five types of microplastics were tested for their ability to adsorb heavy metals (Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, Zn) in different water matrices, finding significant adsorption of lead, chromium, and zinc—especially on polyethylene and PVC—with surface area and porosity as key drivers. The study identifies microplastics as potential vectors for heavy metal transport and transfer through aquatic food chains.
Insights into adsorption behavior and mechanism of Cu(II) onto biodegradable and conventional microplastics: Effect of aging process and environmental factors
Researchers compared how biodegradable and conventional microplastics adsorb copper ions from water, examining how aging processes and environmental factors influence this interaction. The study found that aged microplastics had a greater capacity to bind copper than fresh ones, suggesting that weathered plastic debris in the environment may serve as carriers for heavy metal contaminants.
Microplastics as a vehicle of heavy metals in aquatic environments: A review of adsorption factors, mechanisms, and biological effects
This review summarizes how microplastics in water can absorb and carry toxic heavy metals like lead and cadmium, making them more dangerous to aquatic life than either pollutant alone. Environmental factors such as water acidity, salinity, and organic matter influence how much metal sticks to microplastic surfaces. Since contaminated seafood is a major source of human exposure, understanding these interactions is important for assessing health risks.
Exploring adsorption dynamics of heavy metals onto varied commercial microplastic substrates: Isothermal models and kinetics analysis
This study investigated how polystyrene and polypropylene microplastics absorb the heavy metals cadmium, nickel, and lead from water. Both plastic types absorbed significant amounts of these metals, with the process following predictable chemical patterns. The findings are relevant to human health because microplastics contaminated with heavy metals in the environment could deliver concentrated doses of toxic metals to organisms that ingest them, including through the food chain.
The types of microplastics, heavy metals, and adsorption environments control the microplastic adsorption capacity of heavy metals
Using nearly 5,000 data points, researchers mapped out which types of microplastics are best at absorbing which heavy metals from water. They found that the plastic type, the specific metal, and environmental conditions like pH and temperature all significantly affect how much metal sticks to the plastic. This is important because microplastics carrying heavy metals into the food chain could amplify the toxic effects of both pollutants on human health.
Kinetics and Size Effects on Adsorption of Cu(II), Cr(III), and Pb(II) Onto Polyethylene, Polypropylene, and Polyethylene Terephthalate Microplastic Particles
Researchers investigated how copper, chromium, and lead ions adsorb onto polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET microplastic particles of different sizes. The study found that smaller microplastic particles had greater adsorption capacity for heavy metals, with lead showing the highest adsorption levels, particularly on PET particles, suggesting increased environmental risk when tiny microplastics and heavy metals coexist.
Evaluation of microplastic contamination by metals in a controlled environment: A risk to be considered
Researchers found that PET microplastics readily adsorb nickel, copper, and cobalt under controlled conditions, confirming that metal contamination of microplastics in aquatic systems represents a compounding environmental risk worth monitoring.
Comparison of Hexavalent Chromium Adsorption Behavior on Conventional and Biodegradable Microplastics
Researchers compared hexavalent chromium adsorption behavior on conventional versus biodegradable microplastics, finding that polymer chemistry and surface aging significantly affect chromium binding capacity and the risk of co-transport in contaminated environments.
Comparative analysis of kinetics and mechanisms for Pb(II) sorption onto three kinds of microplastics
The sorption kinetics and mechanisms of lead (Pb(II)) onto three types of microplastics were compared to understand how plastic debris concentrates heavy metals in aquatic environments. The study found polymer-specific differences in sorption capacity and mechanism, with implications for how microplastics alter the distribution and bioavailability of lead in contaminated water.
Characterization of polyethylene and polyurethane microplastics and their adsorption behavior on Cu2+ and Fe3+ in environmental matrices
Researchers characterized polyethylene and polyurethane microplastics and measured their ability to adsorb heavy metals, finding that both types can bind copper and iron ions from water — raising concern that microplastics may act as carriers that transport toxic metals deeper into aquatic ecosystems and food chains.
Microplastics as carriers of iron and copper nanoparticles in aqueous solution
Researchers investigated how three common types of microplastics absorb iron and copper nanoparticles from water. They found that all three plastics could adsorb significant amounts of metal nanoparticles on their surfaces through physical attachment, with maximum absorption occurring under alkaline conditions. The findings highlight how microplastics can serve as carriers of metal pollutants in aquatic environments, potentially increasing their spread and ecological impact.
Enhanced copper adsorption by polyamide and polylactic acid microplastics: The role of biofilm development and chemical aging
Researchers studied how chemical aging and biofilm growth on polyamide and polylactic acid microplastics changed their ability to absorb copper from water. Both processes significantly increased the surface area and chemical reactivity of the plastics, making them absorb substantially more copper than fresh microplastics. The study suggests that as microplastics age and develop biofilms in natural waterways, they become increasingly effective at concentrating heavy metals, potentially altering how these contaminants move through aquatic environments.
Effects of heavy metals on the adsorption of ciprofloxacin on polyethylene microplastics: Mechanism and toxicity evaluation
Researchers studied how heavy metals in water affect the ability of polyethylene microplastics to absorb the antibiotic ciprofloxacin. They found that heavy metals competed with the antibiotic for binding sites on the microplastic surface, changing how much of each pollutant the plastic could carry. This is important because it shows microplastics in real-world environments may transport different combinations of pollutants, potentially delivering both antibiotics and heavy metals into the food chain.
Adsorption Characteristics of Heavy Metals onto Functionalized Microplastics
This study tested how three types of functionalized microplastics—polyacrylate, biobased polyurethane, and petroleum-based polyurethane—absorb toxic heavy metals including lead, copper, and cadmium. Smaller particles and UV-weathered plastic showed higher adsorption, meaning aged microplastics in the environment can act as concentrated carriers of heavy metal contamination, amplifying ecological risk.
Adsorption of heavy metals by microplastics in aquatic environments: mechanism, multi-factor regulation and ecological risks
This review examined how microplastics adsorb heavy metals like lead, cadmium, and copper in water, creating compound pollution. Researchers found that polar plastics can absorb two to three times more metals than non-polar ones, and that aging from UV exposure increases metal absorption by 40 to 60 percent. The combined toxicity of microplastics with heavy metals can cause double the oxidative stress in aquatic organisms compared to either pollutant alone, highlighting risks that current safety standards may not adequately address.