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Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to Evaluating the role of microplastics as a vector in metal cycling within the River Thames
ClearMicroplastics meet micropollutants in a central european river stream: Adsorption of pollutants to microplastics under environmentally relevant conditions
Researchers investigated how microplastics adsorb organic micropollutants in a Central European river under real-world conditions. They found that aged microplastics showed higher adsorption capacity for contaminants compared to pristine ones, and that the type of plastic material influenced which pollutants were absorbed. The findings suggest that microplastics in rivers can act as carriers for harmful chemicals, potentially spreading contamination through aquatic ecosystems.
Metal adsorption by naturally aged polymers in the river ganga: An environmental assessment
Researchers measured the adsorption of metals onto naturally aged microplastic polymers collected from the Ganga River, examining how plastics weathered under real environmental conditions accumulate heavy metals. Aged microplastics from the river showed significant metal adsorption capacity, suggesting they act as vectors transferring metals to aquatic organisms through the food chain.
Influence of microplastics on nutrients and metal concentrations in river sediments
Researchers investigated how microplastics influence nutrient and metal concentrations in river sediments, finding that microplastics alter the distribution of pollutants through their capacity to adsorb contaminants and support biofilm formation on their hydrophobic surfaces.
Microplastics in river water: occurrence, weathering, and adsorption behaviour
Researchers examined microplastics in river water, characterizing their occurrence, degree of weathering, and capacity to adsorb co-contaminants. The study highlights microplastics as vectors that can transport and re-release other pollutants in freshwater systems.
Metal adsorption by naturally aged polymers in the river ganga: An environmental assessment
Researchers investigated how naturally aged microplastics from the Ganga River adsorb metals, assessing the environmental risk of metal-loaded plastic particles in a major river system. The study found that aged microplastics adsorb higher concentrations of metals than virgin particles, increasing their potential for toxicity transfer.
Effects of virgin microplastics on the transport of Cd (II) in Xiangjiang River sediment
Six types of microplastics were found to change how cadmium (a toxic heavy metal) binds to and moves through river sediments. The presence of microplastics altered cadmium adsorption behavior, suggesting that plastics in river sediments can affect the mobility and bioavailability of co-occurring heavy metal pollutants.
Adsorption mechanism of trace heavy metals on microplastics and simulating their effect on microalgae in river
Researchers investigated how three common types of microplastics adsorb trace heavy metals under varying temperature and salinity conditions in freshwater. They found that microplastics adsorb metals primarily through electrostatic forces in a single-layer pattern, with warmer temperatures and lower salinity increasing adsorption capacity. The study also showed that heavy metals carried by microplastics can inhibit the growth of freshwater microalgae, demonstrating how plastics act as vectors for metal contamination in rivers.
Distribution and effects of microplastics as carriers of heavy metals in river surface sediments
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in river sediments of an urban canal in Zhenjiang City, China, finding an average abundance of over 2,000 particles per kilogram across seasons. The study found that microplastics acted as carriers for heavy metals like cadmium, copper, and lead, with factors such as polymer type, particle size, and surface weathering influencing adsorption capacity. Evidence indicates that smaller, more weathered microplastics in sediments may concentrate higher levels of toxic metals.
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.
Adsorption of trace metals by microplastic pellets in fresh water
Researchers measured the adsorption of trace metals by microplastic pellets in freshwater, finding that pellets accumulate metals from the surrounding water, potentially concentrating metals and altering their bioavailability to aquatic organisms.
Distribution and variation of metals in urban river sediments in response to microplastics presence, catchment characteristics and sediment properties
Researchers found that microplastic presence, alongside catchment urbanization and traffic activity, is associated with elevated heavy metal concentrations — particularly lead — in Brisbane River sediments, suggesting microplastics act as co-contaminants and vectors for metal pollution in urban waterways.
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.
Partitioning of heavy metals in sediments and microplastics from stormwater runoff
Researchers studied how heavy metals distribute between sediment particles and microplastics in stormwater runoff. UV-weathered microplastics absorbed significantly more heavy metals than new plastic, competing with sediments for metal uptake. This matters because microplastics in stormwater can transport concentrated heavy metals from urban areas into rivers and lakes, creating a combined pollution problem.
Assessment of metals associated with virgin pre-production and freshwater microplastics collected by an Italian river
Researchers assessed the metals associated with virgin pre-production microplastics and freshwater microplastics collected from an Italian river, comparing metal content and sorption behavior between pristine pellets and environmentally weathered particles. The study found that environmental exposure altered the metal-binding capacity of microplastics, underscoring their role as vectors for metal contaminants in freshwater systems.
[Research Progress on Trojan-horse Effect of Microplastics and Heavy Metals in Freshwater Environment].
This review examines the Trojan-horse effect in freshwater environments where microplastics adsorb and transport heavy metals, significantly increasing their potential ecological harm due to the large surface area and persistence of microplastic particles.
Micro-nanoplastics and metals : Development of material models and sorption properties in natural environments
This dissertation examines how micro- and nanoplastics interact with heavy metals in natural environments, developing material models to understand their sorption properties. Since plastics can act as carriers for toxic metals — concentrating and transporting them through ecosystems — the research has important implications for understanding combined pollution risks.
A systematic review of microplastics in the environment: Sampling, separation, characterization and coexistence mechanisms with pollutants
Massive microplastic pollution was documented across Africa, Asia, India, South Africa, North America, and Europe, with MPs acting as carriers of heavy metals that enter organisms and cause harm. The adsorption capacity of organic pollutants onto microplastics correlated with hydrophobicity, surface area, and functional group characteristics.
Adsorption characteristics of cadmium onto microplastics from aqueous solutions
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.
Metal adsorption by microplastics in aquatic environments under controlled conditions: exposure time, pH and salinity
Scientists systematically varied pH, salinity, and exposure time during metal adsorption experiments on different microplastic types, finding that pH had the greatest influence on metal uptake, with higher pH favoring adsorption of copper, lead, and cadmium onto most tested polymers.