Influence of biofilms on the adsorption behavior of nine organic emerging contaminants on microplastics in field-laboratory exposure experiments

Hai-Yan Zhang; Cai-Yun Zhang; Wan-Li Rao; Hong Zhang; Guo-Hai Liang; Xin Deng; Jian-Liang Zhao; Yu-Feng Guan; Guang-Guo Ying

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128895

Influence of biofilms on the adsorption behavior of nine organic emerging contaminants on microplastics in field-laboratory exposure experiments

J Hazard Mater. 2022 Jul 15:434:128895. doi: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128895. Epub 2022 Apr 11.

Authors

Hai-Yan Zhang¹, Cai-Yun Zhang², Wan-Li Rao², Hong Zhang², Guo-Hai Liang², Xin Deng², Jian-Liang Zhao³, Yu-Feng Guan⁴, Guang-Guo Ying¹

Affiliations

¹ SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
² School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China.
³ SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China; School of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China. Electronic address: jianliang.zhao@m.scnu.edu.cn.
⁴ SCNU Environmental Research Institute, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Chemical Pollution and Environmental Safety & MOE Key Laboratory of Theoretical Chemistry of Environment, South China Normal University, Guangzhou 510006, China. Electronic address: yfguan2009@m.scnu.edu.cn.

PMID: 35429752
DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.128895

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are ubiquitous in aquatic environments, which are important carriers of emerging contaminants (ECs). Biofilms can be attached to the surface of MPs in a natural aquatic environment, which may influence chemical adsorption; however, knowledge of its impact is still limited. This study investigated the effect of biofilms on MPs on the adsorption of ECs through field-laboratory exposure experiments. Three types of MPs were naturally colonized with biofilms in lake. Then, biofilm-absent/biofilm-attached MPs were exposed to nine EC solutions at a concentration of 8 μg/L of each compound in laboratory. Most compounds exhibited 3.8 times lower concentrations on biofilm-attached MPs than on biofilm-absent MPs; only a few compounds showed enhanced adsorption. Pseudo-equilibrium was achieved within 72 h based on adsorption kinetics, implying fast adsorption of ECs on biofilm-attached MPs. The partition coefficients (K_d) for biofilm-attached MPs were 0.14 (diclofenac) to 535 (miconazole) L/kg and were positively correlated with octanol/water partition coefficients (K_ow). This indicated that chemical properties (such as K_ow) of the compounds determined their final adsorption amounts on MPs, although these were influenced by the presence of the biofilm. Hence, multiple influencing factors should be considered when evaluating the carrier potential of MPs for ECs in aquatic environments.

Keywords: Adsorption; Biofilm; Emerging contaminants; Influence; Microplastics.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adsorption
Biofilms
Microplastics* / toxicity
Plastics
Water Pollutants, Chemical* / analysis

Substances

Microplastics
Plastics
Water Pollutants, Chemical