Research progress on the role of biofilm in heavy metals adsorption-desorption characteristics of microplastics: A review

Haixia Pan; Xin Zhao; Xiuyan Zhou; Hua Yan; Xiaoyu Han; Mingsong Wu; Fang Chen

doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122448

Research progress on the role of biofilm in heavy metals adsorption-desorption characteristics of microplastics: A review

Environ Pollut. 2023 Nov 1:336:122448. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122448. Epub 2023 Aug 26.

Authors

Haixia Pan¹, Xin Zhao², Xiuyan Zhou¹, Hua Yan¹, Xiaoyu Han¹, Mingsong Wu¹, Fang Chen¹

Affiliations

¹ School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819 China.
² School of Resources and Civil Engineering, Northeastern University, Shenyang, 110819 China. Electronic address: zhaoxin@mail.neu.edu.cn.

PMID: 37640222
DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2023.122448

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) have been found to be widely distributed in aquatic environments, where they will interact with toxic heavy metals and result in more serious adverse effects on the aquatic environments and organisms. However, after entering the aquatic environments, MPs are quickly covered by biofilms, which significantly modify MPs properties and relevant heavy metals adsorption-desorption characteristics In order to better understand the adsorption behavior of heavy metals on biofilm developed MPs (BMPs), we comprehensively reviewed representative studies in this area. First, we summarized the formation process of biofilms on MPs. Subsequently, we reviewed the current understanding on the influence of biofilm formation on the properties of MPs and discussed the metal adsorption-desorption characteristics of MPs affected by these changes. Finally, based on the systematic literature review, some future research needs and strategies were proposed to further understand the interactions between MPs and heavy metals.

Keywords: Biofilm; Combined pollution; Heavy metals; Interactions; Microplastics.

Publication types

Review