Organic pollutants adsorbed on microplastics: Potential indicators for source appointment of microplastics

Xin Chen; Xia Yu; Lei Zhang; Wentao Zhao; Qian Sui

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133225

Organic pollutants adsorbed on microplastics: Potential indicators for source appointment of microplastics

J Hazard Mater. 2024 Mar 5:465:133225. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133225. Epub 2023 Dec 13.

Authors

Xin Chen¹, Xia Yu¹, Lei Zhang¹, Wentao Zhao², Qian Sui³

Affiliations

¹ State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China.
² State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Tongji University, Shanghai 200092, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China.
³ State Environmental Protection Key Laboratory of Environmental Risk Assessment and Control on Chemical Process, School of Resources and Environmental Engineering, East China University of Science and Technology, Shanghai 200237, China; Shanghai Institute of Pollution Control and Ecological Security, Shanghai 200092, China. Electronic address: suiqian@ecust.edu.cn.

PMID: 38113732
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2023.133225

Abstract

Pollution by microplastics (MPs) has caused potential threats to the environment. Understanding the sources of MPs in the environment can help control their emissions and reduce environmental risks. Source apportionment of MPs has been conducted according to the characteristics of MPs themselves (such as types of polymers and morphological characteristics). However, the specificity and resolution of the appointments of sources need to be improved. Organic pollutants adsorbed on MPs can be used as a novel and reliable indicator to identify the source of MPs in the environment. In the present work, the analytical methods of MPs and organic pollutants adsorbed on MPs were critically reviewed, and the occurrence of organic pollutants and factors influencing their adsorption on MPs were discussed. Furthermore, the potential applications of organic pollutants adsorbed on MPs as indicators for determining the sources of MPs were highlighted. The study would help recognize the sources of MPs, which will support efforts aimed at reducing their emissions and further pollution of the ecosystem.

Keywords: MPs; Marker; Organic contaminants; Source tracking.

Publication types

Review