Adsorption of trace metals by microplastic pellets in fresh water
Andrew Turner A B and Luke A. Holmes A
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Plymouth University, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, UK.
B Corresponding author. Email: aturner@plymouth.ac.uk
Environmental Chemistry 12(5) 600-610 https://doi.org/10.1071/EN14143
Submitted: 4 August 2014 Accepted: 21 November 2014 Published: 20 April 2015
Environmental context. Although microplastics are known to adsorb and transport contaminants in the aquatic environment, there is no information on the significance of the effect in fresh waters. We studied the adsorption of metals to new and aged plastic pellets in river water, and show interactions that are dependent on time, pH and metal concentration. Because metals have a higher affinity for aged pellets than for new pellets, weathered microplastics could represent a significant vehicle for the transport of metals in aquatic environments.
Abstract. Adsorption of trace metals (Ag, Cd, Co, Cr, Cu, Hg, Ni, Pb, Zn) to new (virgin) and aged (beached) plastic production pellets suspended in river water (pH ~ 6.5) has been studied under laboratory conditions. Over a 7-day period, reaction kinetics largely conformed to a pseudo-first-order reversible mechanism with forward rate constants that were typically at least an order of magnitude greater for beached pellets than virgin pellets. Adsorption isotherms were defined by a linear model in many cases, with maximum distribution coefficients of ~6 mL g–1 for virgin pellets (Hg and Pb) and of the order of 102 mL g–1 for beached pellets (Ag and Pb). However, more significant fits to the data were obtained using Freundlich or Langmuir models with adsorption constants that were orders of magnitude greater for beached pellets than virgin pellets and, regarding the former, that were greatest for Ag, Hg and Pb. Increasing pH of river water resulted in an increase in adsorption of Ag, Cd, Co, Ni, Pb and Zn, a reduction in adsorption of Cr and no clear trend for Cu or Hg, and adsorption was always greater to beached pellets than virgin pellets. The ability of pellets to adsorb metals was attributed to the modification of the surface through the attachment of organic matter during the experiments and, with regard to beached pellets, their long-term pre-modification through photooxidation and attrition of charged material. Interactions at the pellet surface likely involve metal cations, oxyanions (HCrO4–/CrO42–) and organic complexes.
Additional keywords: beached pellets, isotherms, kinetics, pH, rivers, virgin pellets.
References
[1] M. Cole, P. Lindeque, C. Halsband, T. S. Galloway, Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment: a review. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2011, 62, 2588.| Microplastics as contaminants in the marine environment: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhsV2gsrfM&md5=fcc64c8a0c712ffd04c42c522f208e69CAS | 22001295PubMed |
[2] M. A. Browne, P. Crump, S. J. Niven, E. Teuten, A. Tonkin, T. Galloway, R. C. Thompson, Accumulation of microplastic on shorelines worldwide: sources and sinks. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2011, 45, 9175.
| Accumulation of microplastic on shorelines worldwide: sources and sinks.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXht1Gks7bN&md5=0004f85a816e01343ea841b1c13ca432CAS | 21894925PubMed |
[3] L. S. Fendall, M. A. Sewell, Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face: microplastics in facial cleansers. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2009, 58, 1225.
| Contributing to marine pollution by washing your face: microplastics in facial cleansers.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXoslamt78%3D&md5=5caad496b86d56a356408aa80b54e07cCAS | 19481226PubMed |
[4] A. Valadez-Gonzalez, J. M. Cervantes-Uc, L. Veleva, Mineral filler influence on the photooxidation of high-density polyethylene: I. Accelerated UV chamber exposure test. Polym. Degrad. Stabil. 1999, 63, 253.
| Mineral filler influence on the photooxidation of high-density polyethylene: I. Accelerated UV chamber exposure test.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DyaK1MXhs1Wksr8%3D&md5=f8e0d44b71f7753bfb8b5e71a2f2dd95CAS |
[5] T. Artham, M. Sudhakar, R. Venkatesan, C. Madhavan Nair, K. V. G. K. Murthy, M. Doble, Biofouling and stability of synthetic polymers in sea water. Int. Biodeter. Biodegrad. 2009, 63, 884.
| Biofouling and stability of synthetic polymers in sea water.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXhtFyhtLjP&md5=7457261caf291014996b493b6447c391CAS |
[6] K. L. Ng, J. P. Obbard, Prevalence of microplastic in Singapore’s coastal marine environment. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2006, 52, 761.
| Prevalence of microplastic in Singapore’s coastal marine environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28Xns1KhsLw%3D&md5=5ba4d3b8f3ecd9529cd981403989c47aCAS | 16388828PubMed |
[7] H. K. Karapanagioti, I. Klontza, Testing phenanthrene distribution properties of virgin plastic pellets and plastic eroded pellets found on Lesvos Island beaches (Greece). Mar. Environ. Res. 2008, 65, 283.
| Testing phenanthrene distribution properties of virgin plastic pellets and plastic eroded pellets found on Lesvos Island beaches (Greece).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1cXjtVWms78%3D&md5=558d57b6fd40904e759042b6fea75f0bCAS | 18164383PubMed |
[8] L. Van Cauwenberghe, A. Vanreusel, J. Mees, C. R. Janssen, Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments. Environ. Pollut. 2013, 182, 495.
| Microplastic pollution in deep-sea sediments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhsVejurbN&md5=fcbe5832343a67e12a491ee56c24eb7aCAS | 24035457PubMed |
[9] F. Noren, F. Naustvoll, Survey of microscopic anthropogenic particles in Skagerrak. Report commissioned by Klima- og Forurensningsdirektoratet 2010 (Oslo, Norway).
[10] F. I. Colabuono, V. Barquete, B. S. Domingues, R. C. Montone, Plastic ingestion by Procellariiformes in southern Brazil. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2009, 58, 93.
| Plastic ingestion by Procellariiformes in southern Brazil.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD1MXksVShsg%3D%3D&md5=f8e0b0ec8280cffb31881fba1a38278eCAS | 18840384PubMed |
[11] P. Farrell, K. Nelson, Trophic level transfer of microplastic: Mytilus edulis (L.) to Carcinus maenas (L.). Environ. Pollut. 2013, 177, 1.
| Trophic level transfer of microplastic: Mytilus edulis (L.) to Carcinus maenas (L.).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXks1Sisbo%3D&md5=4236b58d825d835cd771a810d1d3ea58CAS | 23434827PubMed |
[12] A. L. Lusher, M. McHugh, R. C. Thompson, Occurrence of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract of pelagic and demersal fish from the English Channel. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2013, 67, 94.
| Occurrence of microplastics in the gastrointestinal tract of pelagic and demersal fish from the English Channel.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhvFShur%2FK&md5=33d35c4e3d928c684b51634006f19b1cCAS | 23273934PubMed |
[13] S. L. Wright, R. C. Thompson, T. S. Galloway, The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms: a review. Environ. Pollut. 2013, 178, 483.
| The physical impacts of microplastics on marine organisms: a review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXltVCrtLc%3D&md5=e8d21e474857816bde6b082a00007f7bCAS | 23545014PubMed |
[14] M. C. Fossi, C. Panti, C. Guerranti, D. Coppola, M. Giannetti, L. Marsili, R. Minutoli, Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics? A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus). Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2012, 64, 2374.
| Are baleen whales exposed to the threat of microplastics? A case study of the Mediterranean fin whale (Balaenoptera physalus).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhsFyiu7nM&md5=ff468a680b832f9a1f9326171e5b4777CAS | 22964427PubMed |
[15] J. C. Antunes, J. G. L. Frias, A. C. Micaelo, P. Sobral, Resin pellets from beaches of the Portuguese coast and adsorbed persistent organic pollutants. Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci. 2013, 130, 62.
| Resin pellets from beaches of the Portuguese coast and adsorbed persistent organic pollutants.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhtV2rs7nP&md5=2b614ad11dc828aeba71edca26cf5d0aCAS |
[16] L. A. Holmes, A. Turner, R. C. Thompson, Adsorption of trace metals to plastic resin pellets in the marine environment. Environ. Pollut. 2012, 160, 42.
| Adsorption of trace metals to plastic resin pellets in the marine environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhtl2qsr%2FI&md5=746ed5bba9f808bb751ae7d9b18a5f55CAS | 22035924PubMed |
[17] C. M. Rochman, B. T. Hentschel, S. J. Teh, Long-term sorption of metals is similar among plastic types: implications for plastic debris in aquatic environments. PLoS ONE 2014, 9, e85433.
| Long-term sorption of metals is similar among plastic types: implications for plastic debris in aquatic environments.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 24454866PubMed |
[18] K. Ashton, L. Holmes, A. Turner, Association of metals with plastic production pellets in the marine environment. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2010, 60, 2050.
| Association of metals with plastic production pellets in the marine environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3cXhtlKmt7fE&md5=3096b25556e5ed4273b859d9da2e8e9aCAS | 20696443PubMed |
[19] C. J. Moore, G. L. Lattin, A. F. Zellers, Quantity and type of plastic debris flowing from two urban rivers to coastal waters and beaches of southern California. J. Integr. Coast. Zone Manag. 2011, 11, 65.
[20] W. Sanchez, C. Bender, J.-M. Porcher, Wild gudgeons (Gobio gobio) from French rivers are contaminated by microplastics: preliminary study and first evidence. Environ. Res. 2014, 128, 98.
| Wild gudgeons (Gobio gobio) from French rivers are contaminated by microplastics: preliminary study and first evidence.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhvV2gt7%2FE&md5=e3349563a15b5b3367bbe9eca0d52636CAS | 24295902PubMed |
[21] F. Faure, M. Corbaz, H. Baecher, L. F. de Alencastro, Pollution due to plastics and microplastics in Lake Geneva and in the Mediterranean Sea. Arch. Sci. 2012, 65, 157.
| 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhsVWjsrzP&md5=4af1b656e55fa2982694c00c59b802d4CAS |
[22] M. Zbyszewski, P. L. Corcoran, Distribution and degradation of freshwater plastic particles along the beaches of Lake Huron, Canada. Water Air Soil Pollut. 2011, 220, 365.
| Distribution and degradation of freshwater plastic particles along the beaches of Lake Huron, Canada.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXpvFCksbc%3D&md5=71b22e25862ad5d71914d1bb5551d1f7CAS |
[23] M. Eriksen, S. Mason, S. Wilson, C. Box, A. Zellers, W. Edwards, H. Farley, S. Amato, Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of the Laurentian Great Lakes. Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2013, 77, 177.
| Microplastic pollution in the surface waters of the Laurentian Great Lakes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXhs1yrtbrO&md5=e7ba2955d1cea1d616864efbc09ba802CAS | 24449922PubMed |
[24] A. Turner, M. Crussell, G. E. Millward, A. Cobelo-Garcia, A. S. Fisher, Adsorption kinetics of platinum group elements in river water. Environ. Sci. Technol. 2006, 40, 1524.
| Adsorption kinetics of platinum group elements in river water.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BD28XoslaitA%3D%3D&md5=17f472b1b2c253423af576d727156c5aCAS | 16568766PubMed |
[25] R. Varma, A. Turner, M. T. Brown, G. E. Millward, Metal accumulation kinetics by the estuarine macroalga Fucus ceranoides. Estuar. Coast. Shelf Sci. 2013, 128, 33.
| Metal accumulation kinetics by the estuarine macroalga Fucus ceranoides.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXpsVGqsbs%3D&md5=f23237194070a950dd000e4a8f148fe1CAS |
[26] K. N. Fotopoulou, H. K. Karapanagioti, Surface properties of beached plastic pellets. Mar. Environ. Res. 2012, 81, 70.
| Surface properties of beached plastic pellets.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhsVOhs7zP&md5=ce0c980a83ca4084b451464a2298dbc9CAS | 23013745PubMed |
[27] X. Hua, D. Dong, L. Liu, M. Gao, D. Liang, Comparison of trace metal adsorption onto different solid materials and their chemical components in a natural aquatic environment. Appl. Geochem. 2012, 27, 1005.
| Comparison of trace metal adsorption onto different solid materials and their chemical components in a natural aquatic environment.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38Xjt1Oruro%3D&md5=3a823efa9d9ab3271418e3d0137ffe7aCAS |
[28] A. Turner, L. Holmes, Occurrence, distribution and characteristics of beached plastic production pellets on the island of Malta (central Mediterranean). Mar. Pollut. Bull. 2011, 62, 377.
| Occurrence, distribution and characteristics of beached plastic production pellets on the island of Malta (central Mediterranean).Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3MXhs1ertrY%3D&md5=432da880d622a5e92a7ab38494db1a62CAS | 21030052PubMed |
[29] X. J. Guo, D. H. Yuan, Q. Li, J. Y. Jiang, F. X. Chen, H. Zhang, Spectroscopic techniques for quantitative characterization of CuII and HgII complexation by dissolved organic matter from lake sediment in arid and semi-arid region. Ecotoxicol. Environ. Saf. 2012, 85, 144.
| Spectroscopic techniques for quantitative characterization of CuII and HgII complexation by dissolved organic matter from lake sediment in arid and semi-arid region.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC38XhsVemtrbP&md5=afe39413a0f5e41820abcc6a8eee318fCAS | 22980145PubMed |
[30] W. B. Chen, D. S. Smith, C. Guegen, Influence of water chemistry and dissolved organic matter (DOM) molecular size on copper and mercury binding determined by multiresponse fluorescence quenching. Chemosphere 2013, 92, 351.
| Influence of water chemistry and dissolved organic matter (DOM) molecular size on copper and mercury binding determined by multiresponse fluorescence quenching.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:CAS:528:DC%2BC3sXis1Oqu7k%3D&md5=80e6d09cb8e0da6d5fcd55884837b97cCAS | 23422174PubMed |
