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20 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastics as vectors of radioiodine in the marine environment: A study on sorption and interaction mechanism
ClearMarine microplastics fuel long-range transport of radioactive nuclides: A review
This review examines how marine microplastics adsorb radioactive nuclides and transport them over long distances, discussing the implications of plastic-facilitated radionuclide dispersal for ocean monitoring and the compounding environmental risks from co-occurring plastic and nuclear contamination.
A Preliminary Study on the “Hitchhiking” of Radionuclides on Microplastics: A New Threat to the Marine Environment from Compound Pollution
This preliminary study examined whether radionuclides can adsorb onto microplastic surfaces and be transported through the environment alongside them, identifying the physicochemical properties of microplastics that facilitate radionuclide hitchhiking and the associated contamination risks.
Unfolding the interaction of radioactive Cs and Sr with polyethylene-derived microplastics in marine environment
Researchers investigated how polyethylene microplastics in the marine environment interact with radioactive cesium and strontium. They found that as microplastics age in seawater and develop biofilms, their ability to absorb these radioactive elements increases significantly. The study provides evidence that microplastics could act as previously unrecognized carriers of radioactive contamination in ocean environments.
Americium Sorption by Microplastics in Aqueous Solutions
Researchers investigated americium sorption by polyamide and polyethylene microplastics in both deionized water and seawater, tracing interactions with Am-241 isotope and examining the effects of pH and solution composition on sorption efficiency over time. The study found that microplastic type and aqueous matrix composition significantly influenced radionuclide uptake, with implications for the transport of radioactive contaminants in marine environments.
Unfolding the interaction of radioactive Cs and Sr with polyethylene-derived microplastics in marine environment
A mesocosm study examined how radioactive cesium and strontium interact with pristine, radiation-exposed, and marine-weathered polyethylene microplastics, finding that environmental aging—through biofilm formation and surface roughening—significantly increased the plastic particles' capacity to sorb radioactive contaminants.
Microplastic-radionuclide complexes: Diffusion mechanisms and multidimensional threats
This review examined how microplastics can bind with radioactive materials in the ocean, creating microplastic-radionuclide complexes that spread contamination across regions. Researchers found that microplastics facilitate the long-distance transport of radionuclides, while the radiation can intensify the toxic effects of the plastic particles on marine organisms. The combined threat is particularly relevant given ongoing concerns about radioactive wastewater discharge into marine environments.
Microplastics and disposable face masks as “Trojan Horse” for radionuclides pollution in water bodies – A review with emphasis on the involved interactions
Researchers reviewed how microplastics and disposable face masks can adsorb radioactive particles (radionuclides like cesium-137 and uranium) and carry them through water environments, potentially concentrating radiation in the food chain. Key factors affecting this process include plastic type, particle size, and water chemistry, with some polymers showing adsorption partition coefficients as high as 2670 L/kg.
The interaction of two emerging pollutants, radionuclides and microplastics: In-depth thermodynamic studies in water, seawater, and wastewater
Laboratory experiments measured how polyurethane and polylactic acid microplastics adsorb radioactive uranium and americium from water under conditions mimicking seawater and wastewater. The results show that microplastics can accumulate radionuclides from contaminated water environments, raising the possibility that plastic particles could act as unexpected carriers of radioactive contamination through aquatic food webs.
An effective method to assess the sorption dynamics of PCB radiotracers onto plastic and sediment microparticles
Scientists developed a radiotracer method using PCB isotopes to precisely measure how quickly toxic chemicals sorb onto microplastics and sediment particles in seawater. Understanding sorption-desorption rates is critical for predicting how much toxic chemical exposure marine organisms receive from microplastic ingestion.
Initial data on adsorption of Cs and Sr to the surfaces of microplastics with biofilm
Researchers measured adsorption of radiocesium and radiostrontium onto weathered microplastics deployed in freshwater, estuarine, and marine environments, finding that distribution coefficients were approximately two to three orders of magnitude lower than for sediment reference values. Despite the lower adsorption, the buoyancy and mobility of plastics suggest they may still function as a significant radionuclide reservoir in aquatic systems.
PET plastics as a Trojan horse for radionuclides
Researchers discovered that PET plastic bottles collected near a phosphate fertilizer plant had accumulated natural and artificial radionuclides, demonstrating that littered plastics can act as carriers for radioactive contaminants and pose potential health risks.
Biofilm-enhanced adsorption of strong and weak cations onto different microplastic sample types: Use of spectroscopy, microscopy and radiotracer methods
Researchers used radiotracer, spectroscopy, and microscopy methods to show that biofilm-coated environmental plastics adsorb radioactive cesium and strontium — radionuclides associated with nuclear releases — though at rates much lower than natural sediments, confirming that plastics act as a minor but measurable sink for environmental radioactivity.
Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics as radionuclide (U-232) carriers: Surface alteration matters the most
Researchers investigated how surface alteration of PET microplastics affects their ability to carry radioactive uranium-232. The study found that biofilm formation on PET surfaces dramatically increased radionuclide adsorption efficiency compared to pristine plastic, suggesting that environmentally weathered microplastics may play a more significant role in transporting radioactive contaminants through aquatic systems.
Surface adsorption of metallic species onto microplastics with long-term exposure to the natural marine environment
Researchers deployed pre-production polyethylene pellets in the ocean following an accidental spill and recovered them after extended natural exposure, finding that the pellets accumulated a diverse range of metals from seawater, with concentrations increasing over time and varying by metal based on surface chemistry.
Adsorption and Desorption Behaviour of Polychlorinated Biphenyls onto Microplastics’ Surfaces in Water/Sediment Systems
Researchers evaluated the adsorption and desorption behavior of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) onto polystyrene, polyethylene, and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics of varying sizes in marine water/sediment systems. Results showed that polymer type and particle size influenced PCB binding capacity, with microplastics acting as potential vectors for transferring persistent organic pollutants to marine biota through the food chain.
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.
Distinct polymer-dependent sorption of persistent pollutants associated with Atlantic salmon farming to microplastics
Researchers found that HDPE, PP, PET, and PVC microplastics placed near Atlantic salmon farms sorbed different persistent organic pollutants depending on polymer type, demonstrating that microplastics in aquaculture environments can act as vectors for chemical contaminants with implications for seafood safety.
Controlled Release of Radioactive Water from the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant: Should We Be Concerned?
This paper discusses the controlled release of radioactive water from the Fukushima nuclear disaster site into the ocean, raising concerns about seafood safety and long-term environmental health effects. While focused on radioactive contamination rather than microplastics, the study is relevant because it highlights how ocean pollutants can accumulate in marine life and move up the food chain to humans. Both radioactive materials and microplastics share this pathway of exposure through seafood consumption.
Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment: A review
This review synthesized the state of knowledge on microplastics as marine contaminants, covering their sources, pathways, distribution, biological uptake, and potential ecological and toxicological effects.
Application of nuclear analysis for bioaccumulation of microplastics with iodine-131 in marine organisms
Researchers developed a method using iodine-131 labeled polystyrene to track microplastic accumulation in mangrove plants and milkfish through nuclear analysis. They found that both organisms absorbed the labeled microplastics, with accumulation patterns varying between plant roots and fish tissue. The study demonstrates that radiotracer techniques can be a valuable tool for understanding how microplastics move through marine food chains.