UV and chemical aging alter the adsorption behavior of microplastics for tetracycline. (1st February 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Guo, Chengxin; Wang, Lingling; Lang, Daning; Qian, Qianqian; Wang, Wei; Wu, Ronglan; Wang, Jide
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 318(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-02-01
• Subjects: Microplastic -- Antibiotic -- Solid waste -- Water pollutants -- Synergetic pollution; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120859
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: This study evaluates the "vector" effects of different microplastics (MPs) on coexisting pollutants. The adsorption of tetracycline was studied on biodegradable plastics poly(butylene adipate- co -terephthalate) (PBAT) and non-biodegradable plastics polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE) after UV aging and chemical aging. The physicochemical properties of PBAT changed more obviously after UV radiation and chemical aging comparing to PS, PP and PE. Pores and cracks appear on the surface of aged PBAT. The crystallinity increased from 29.2% to 52.62%. In adsorption experiments, pristine and aged PBAT had strong vector effects on the adsorption of tetracycline than PS, PP and PE. The adsorption capacity of tetracycline on PBAT was increased from 0.7980 mg g −1 to 1.2669 mg g −1 after chemical aging. The adsorption mechanism indicated that electrostatic interactions and hydrogen bonds contribute to the adsorption process. In addition, for the adsorption of tetracycline on PS, π-π interaction was the main cause, and the adsorption mechanism was not considerably changed by aging. In conclusion, this study demonstrates that biodegradable plastics have substantial vector effect on coexisting pollutants at the end of their life cycle, this contributes to assessment of the risk from microplastic pollution. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) and polystyrene have higher adsorption rates for tetracycline. The adsorption capacity of the aged microplastics to tetracycline will be enhanced. Complex solution environments (pH and salinity) are not conducive to adsorption. Tetracycline adsorbed by microplastics is more easily released into simulated gastric juice.