Issue 5, 2024

Characteristics and adsorption behavior of typical microplastics in long-term accelerated weathering simulation

Abstract

Microplastics can function as carriers in the environment, absorbing various toxins and spreading to diverse ecosystems. Toxins accumulated in microplastics have the potential to be re-released, posing a threat. In this study, two typical plastics, namely polyethylene (PE) and polystyrene (PS), along with the degradable plastic poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT), were subjected to a long-term ultraviolet alternating weathering experiment. The study investigated the variations in the weathering process and pollutant adsorption of microplastics of different particle sizes. Furthermore, the adsorption capacity of microplastics for various pollutants was assessed. The findings indicate that particle size significantly influences weathering, leading to variations in adsorption capacity. The weathered PE displays a higher adsorption capacity for azo dyes. Additionally, the adsorption capacity of PBAT for neutral red is double that of antibiotics. Importantly, the maximum adsorption capacity of PBAT for pollutants after aging is approximately 10 times greater than that of PE. Consequently, degradable plastics undergoing weathering in the natural environment may pose a higher ecological risk than traditional plastics.

Graphical abstract: Characteristics and adsorption behavior of typical microplastics in long-term accelerated weathering simulation

Supplementary files

Article information

Article type
Paper
Submitted
18 بهمن 1402
Accepted
25 فروردین 1403
First published
28 فروردین 1403
This article is Open Access
Creative Commons BY-NC license

Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2024,26, 882-890

Characteristics and adsorption behavior of typical microplastics in long-term accelerated weathering simulation

F. Yu, Q. Qin, X. Zhang and J. Ma, Environ. Sci.: Processes Impacts, 2024, 26, 882 DOI: 10.1039/D4EM00062E

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