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Bhagat K, Doussiemo DRB, Mushro N, Rajwade K, Kumar A, Apul O, Perreault F. Effect of Biofouling on the Sorption of Organic Contaminants by Microplastics. ENVIRONMENTAL TOXICOLOGY AND CHEMISTRY 2024; 43:1973-1981. [PMID: 38924544 DOI: 10.1002/etc.5938] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 02/19/2024] [Accepted: 05/28/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics in the aquatic environment are susceptible to colonization by surrounding microorganisms, which form biofilms over the microplastic's surface. These biofilm-laden microplastics can then interact with a diverse array of contaminants. In the present study, biofilms were grown on microplastics in a laboratory setting using Pseudomonas aeruginosa as a model biofilm-forming bacterium for periods of 5 to 15 days. The sorption of three organic compounds representing different levels of hydrophobicity, namely methylene blue (MB), phenanthrol, and phenanthrene, was used to evaluate the effect of biofilm biomass on the adsorption of organic contaminants to microplastics. The sorption of MB and phenanthrol was found to increase with biofouling time, indicating affinity between these contaminants and the biofilm biomass on the particle. However, the presence of a biofilm did not influence the sorption of phenanthrene on the microplastics. These results suggest that the hydrophobicity of organic contaminants plays a major role in how biofouling of microplastics will influence contaminant sorption by microplastics. For some contaminants, biofilm can enhance the role of microplastics as contaminant vectors. These findings emphasize the need to understand the biomass load on environmental microplastics and the contaminants that associate with it for an accurate representation of the risk associated with microplastics in the environment. Environ Toxicol Chem 2024;43:1973-1981. © 2024 The Authors. Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of SETAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kartik Bhagat
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | | | - Noelle Mushro
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Kimya Rajwade
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Abhishek Kumar
- School of Sustainable Engineering and the Built Environment, Arizona State University, Tempe, Arizona, USA
| | - Onur Apul
- Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Maine, Orono, Maine, USA
| | - François Perreault
- Department of Chemistry, University of Quebec in Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
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Zhang L, Qin Z, Bai H, Xue M, Tang J. Photochemically induced aging of polystyrene nanoplastics and its impact on norfloxacin adsorption behavior. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 930:172511. [PMID: 38641106 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.172511] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2024] [Revised: 04/06/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024]
Abstract
The co-occurrence of nanoplastics (NPs) and antibiotics in the environment is a growing concern for ecological safety. As NPs age in natural environments, their surface properties and morphology may change, potentially affecting their interactions with co-contaminants such as antibiotics. It is crucial to understand the effect of aging on NPs adsorption of antibiotics, but detailed studies on this topic are still scarce. The study utilized the photo-Fenton-like reaction to hasten the aging of polystyrene nanoplastics (PS-NPs). The impact of aging on the adsorption behavior of norfloxacin (NOR) was then systematically examined. The results showed a time-dependent rise in surface oxygen content and functional groups in aged PS-NPs. These modifications led to noticeable physical changes, including increased surface roughness, decreased particle size, and improved specific surface area. The physicochemical changes significantly increased the adsorption capacity of aged PS-NPs for norfloxacin. Aged PS-NPs showed 5.03 times higher adsorption compared to virgin PS-NPs. The adsorption mechanism analysis revealed that in addition to the electrostatic interactions, van der Waals force, hydrogen bonding, π-π* interactions and hydrophobic interactions observed with virgin PS-NPs, aged PS-NPs played a significant role in polar interactions and pore-filling mechanisms. The study highlights the potential for aging to worsen antibiotic risk in contaminated environments. This study not only enhances the comprehension of the environmental behavior of aged NPs but also provides a valuable basis for developing risk management strategies for contaminated areas.
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Affiliation(s)
- Long Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Non-ferrous Metals, School of Material Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, Gansu, PR China.
| | - Zhi Qin
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Non-ferrous Metals, School of Material Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, Gansu, PR China
| | - He Bai
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Non-ferrous Metals, School of Material Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, Gansu, PR China
| | - Manyu Xue
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Non-ferrous Metals, School of Material Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, Gansu, PR China
| | - Jie Tang
- State Key Laboratory of Advanced Processing and Recycling of Non-ferrous Metals, School of Material Science and Engineering, Lanzhou University of Technology, Lanzhou 730050, Gansu, PR China
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Cao Y, Zhao Q, Jiang F, Geng Y, Song H, Zhang L, Li C, Li J, Li Y, Hu X, Huang J, Tian S. Interactions between inhalable aged microplastics and lung surfactant: Potential pulmonary health risks. ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH 2024; 245:117803. [PMID: 38043900 DOI: 10.1016/j.envres.2023.117803] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2023] [Revised: 11/10/2023] [Accepted: 11/26/2023] [Indexed: 12/05/2023]
Abstract
The relationship between microplastics (MPs) and human respiratory health has garnered significant attention since inhalation constitutes the primary pathway for atmospheric MP exposure. While recent studies have revealed respiratory risks associated with MPs, virgin MPs used as plastic surrogates in these experiments did not represent the MPs that occur naturally and that undergo aging effects. Thus, the effects of aged MPs on respiratory health remain unknown. We herein analyzed the interaction between inhalable aged MPs with lung surfactant (LS) extracted from porcine lungs vis-à-vis interfacial chemistry employing in-vitro experiments, and explored oxidative damage induced by aged MPs in simulated lung fluid (SLF) and the underlying mechanisms of action. Our results showed that aged MPs significantly increased the surface tension of the LS, accompanied by a diminution in its foaming ability. The stronger adsorptive capacity of the aged MPs toward the phospholipids of LS appeared to produce increased surface tension, while the change in foaming ability might have resulted from a variation in the protein secondary structure and the adsorption of proteins onto MPs. The adsorption of phospholipid and protein components then led to the aggregation of MPs in SLF, where the aged MPs exhibited smaller hydrodynamic diameters in comparison with the unaged MPs, likely interacting with biomolecules in bodily fluids to exacerbate health hazards. Persistent free radicals were also formed on aged MPs, inducing the formation of reactive oxygen species such as superoxide radicals (O2•-), hydrogen peroxide (HOOH), and hydroxyl radicals (•OH); this would lead to LS lipid peroxidation and protein damage and increase the risk of respiratory disease. Our investigation was the first-ever to reveal a potential toxic effect of aged MPs and their actions on the human respiratory system, of great significance in understanding the risk of inhaled MPs on lung health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yan Cao
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Qun Zhao
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Fanshu Jiang
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Yingxue Geng
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Haoran Song
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Linfeng Zhang
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Chen Li
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Jie Li
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China.
| | - Yingjie Li
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Xuewei Hu
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Jianhong Huang
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China
| | - Senlin Tian
- Faculty of Environmental Science and Engineering, Kunming University of Science and Technology, Kunming, Yunnan, 650500, China.
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Li Y, Zhen D, Liu F, Zhang X, Gao Z, Wang J. Adsorption of azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin onto degradable and non-degradable microplastics: Performance and mechanism. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:169453. [PMID: 38135077 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.169453] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 12/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/24/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) exist after agricultural operations and thus present potential hazards to the environment and human health. However, the ecological risks posed by MPs carrying pesticides remain unclear. In this study, the adsorption and desorption behaviors of two pesticides, azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin, on degradable and non-degradable MPs of poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) and polyethylene (PE) were compared before and after UV aging. Additionally, the bioaccessibility of MPs carrying pesticides within a condition simulating gastrointestinal fluids was evaluated. The results showed that, after UV aging, the adsorption capacity of PBAT for pesticides decreased, while that of PE increased. Moreover, PBAT possessed higher adsorption ability towards both the pesticides due to its higher specific surface area, pore volume, contact angle, and lower crystallinity, as well as stronger van der Waals forces, electrostatic interactions, and hydrogen bonding indicated by theoretical calculation. Bioaccessibility experiments showed that azoxystrobin and pyraclostrobin had a higher risk of desorption from PBAT than PE, which is mainly dependent on the LogKow of pesticides according to the random forest analysis. In brief, the study highlights the potential risks of degradable MPs carrying pesticides to human health and the ecosystem, especially when compared to their non-degradable counterparts, manifesting that the ecological risk posed by degradable MPs should not be ignored.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuyan Li
- Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Dawei Zhen
- Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Fengmao Liu
- Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China.
| | - Xianzhao Zhang
- Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Zhiqiang Gao
- Department of Applied Chemistry, College of Science, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China
| | - Jun Wang
- Department of Applied Statistics, College of Economics and Management, East China Jiaotong University, Nanchang 330013, China
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Liu L, Ma H, Xing B. Aging and characterization of disposable polypropylene plastic cups based microplastics and its adsorption for methylene blue. CHEMOSPHERE 2024; 349:140976. [PMID: 38114021 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.140976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2023] [Revised: 12/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) as emerging pollutants are of increasing concern, due to their ubiquitous, uncertain, and complex environmental impacts. Different from the standard spherical MPs without additives, here polypropylene microplastics (PP-MPs) in flake derived from the disposable plastic cup in food-grade in daily life were studied. The characterization of PP-MPs demonstrated that the carbonyl index represented the aging degree was enhanced from 0.26 significantly to 0.82 after 10 days, and the aging process fitted well with pseudo-first-order kinetic. Moreover, the crystallinity degree, polarity and surface negative charges were enhanced, while the hydrophobicity was decreased. The adsorption behavior of PP-MPs toward methylene blue (MB), and the impacts of various pHs, salinities, and humic acid in aquatic environments were also explored. The pseudo-second-order kinetic, Henry and Sips isotherm models provided a good correlation with the experimental data, indicating that the rate-limiting step was closely related with the complex surface adsorption, and the hydrophobic partitioning, polar interaction, electrostatic attraction, and hydrogen bonding were possibly involved in the adsorption. These exhaustive experiments aim to provide a theoretical basis for assessing and better understanding the environmental behavior of disposable PP plastic cups in nature.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lili Liu
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'An, Shaanxi, 710119, PR China
| | - Hongzhu Ma
- School of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Shaanxi Normal University, Xi'An, Shaanxi, 710119, PR China.
| | - Baoshan Xing
- Stockbridge School of Agriculture, University of Massachusetts, Amherst, MA, 01003, USA
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Liang J, Chen X, Duan X, Gu X, Zhao X, Zha S, Chen X. Natural aging and adsorption/desorption behaviors of polyethylene mulch films: Roles of film types and exposure patterns. JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS 2024; 466:133588. [PMID: 38290328 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133588] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2023] [Revised: 01/02/2024] [Accepted: 01/19/2024] [Indexed: 02/01/2024]
Abstract
Polyethylene (PE) mulch films are an important source of microplastics (MPs) in agricultural soils, which may further affect the bioavailability of coexisting pollutants. In this study, white (WM), black (BM), and silver-black (SM) PE mulch films were aged on the soil surface and under soil burial to simulate the two exposure patterns of abandoned mulch films in the field. Results indicated that the soil-surface exposure induced more pronounced aging characteristics, and WM seemed the most susceptible. Serious surface deterioration by aging led to a drastic decrease in the tensile properties of the films, suggesting the tendency to fragment. Oxygen-containing functional groups were generated on the film surfaces, with oxygen/carbon ratios increasing by up to 29 times, which contributed to the prominent increase in Pb adsorption on the film-derived MPs. Additionally, the film surface became more hydrophobic when exposed to the soil surface but more hydrophilic in the soil-burial exposure, which was in agreement with the change in triclosan adsorption, i.e., promotion and suppression, respectively. Aging generally decreased the desorption potential of the adsorbed pollutants in simulated gastrointestinal solutions due to increased interactions. By comparison, exposure patterns were revealed to be the critical factor for these changes, regardless of film types.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingcheng Liang
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, 1801 Zhongwu Avenue, Changzhou 213001, China
| | - Xian Chen
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, 1801 Zhongwu Avenue, Changzhou 213001, China.
| | - Xiaotong Duan
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, 1801 Zhongwu Avenue, Changzhou 213001, China
| | - Xueyuan Gu
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Xiaopeng Zhao
- School of the Environment, Nanjing University, 163 Xianlin Avenue, Nanjing 210023, China
| | - Simin Zha
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, 1801 Zhongwu Avenue, Changzhou 213001, China
| | - Xingming Chen
- School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, Jiangsu University of Technology, 1801 Zhongwu Avenue, Changzhou 213001, China
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Graca B, Rychter A, Staniszewska M, Pryputniewicz-Flis D. The seasonality of the concentration of endocrine phenolic compounds in the matter attached to the surface of microplastics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 908:168400. [PMID: 37939964 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168400] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2023] [Revised: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 11/05/2023] [Indexed: 11/10/2023]
Abstract
Rapid biofilm formation on microplastic (MP) surfaces in marine environments and the tendency of hydrophobic pollutants to bioaccumulate may increase the exposure of organisms to ingested plastics and transport pollutants far from their sources. The role of the matter attached to MPs (MaM) in the interactions between MPs and other pollutants in marine environments is poorly understood. This paper studies pollutant sorption in MaM for three phenolic endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs): bisphenol A (BPA), 4-tert-octylphenol (4-t-OP), and 4-nonylphenol (4-NP). Polypropylene (PP), expanded polystyrene (EPS), and polylactide (PLA) MPs were exposed to an environment conducive to biofouling (Vistula Lagoon, Baltic Sea) for four weeks in summer, spring, and winter. The concentrations of EDCs in MaM and the suspended particulate matter (SPM) were similar and were 2-3 orders of magnitude higher than those in water and sediment. The type and morphology of the polymers were less significant for determining the concentrations of EDCs in MaM than the season. The concentrations were higher in the growing season than in winter. EDCs increased linearly with the increase in particulate organic carbon. The relationships between organic carbon partition coefficients and octanol/water partition coefficients indicate that hydrophobic partitioning into organic matter was the dominant mechanism of 4-t-OP and 4-NP binding in MaM and in SPM. For BPA, additional sorption mechanisms seem to be significant. In addition to the direct sorption from ambient water, the binding of phytoplankton-derived particles, most probably via attachment to extracellular polymeric substances, appears to be a source of EDCs in MPs. Rough estimates showed that the largest load of particulate matter and EDCs was attached to expanded polystyrene. This study suggests that the potential negative impacts of MPs on the environment are seasonal and that low-density porous plastics can be particularly effective carriers of large EDC loads.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bożena Graca
- University of Gdansk, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, Al. Marszałka Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland.
| | - Agata Rychter
- University of Applied Sciences in Elbląg, Ul. Wojska Polskiego 1, 82-300 Elbląg, Poland
| | - Marta Staniszewska
- University of Gdansk, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, Al. Marszałka Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland
| | - Dorota Pryputniewicz-Flis
- University of Gdansk, Faculty of Oceanography and Geography, Al. Marszałka Piłsudskiego 46, 81-378 Gdynia, Poland
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