Attachment and detachment of large microplastics in saturated porous media and its influencing factors

Qi, Shengqi; Song, Jianhao; Shentu, Jiali; Chen, Qian; Lin, Kexin

doi:10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135322

Cited by 18 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 39 publications

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“…Higher velocities increased mobility, and larger MPs were less mobile. Moreover, increased water salinity decreased mobility, again demonstrating the influence of ionic strength (Qi et al, 2022). Overall, these studies show how small particle size, aging, lower ionic strength, and higher flow velocities promote MP transport through groundwater systems.…”

Section: Microplastics Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 56%

Groundwater in the age of plastic

Nlend,

Lapworth,

Cashman

et al. 2024

Preprint

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Among the emerging contaminants, microplastics (1-5,000 µm) are becoming an important issue due to their ubiquity in the environment. However, research on this emerging contaminant has been conducted mainly in marine surface waters while microplastics (MPs) are now being found in even the most remote parts of the environment. For example, in groundwater which is the primary water source which supply the world, scientists are just starting to gather evidence on risks to groundwater and dependent ecosystems. This paper reviews the current understanding of plastic contamination in groundwater, summarizes methods that can be used for sampling and detection of plastics as well as the status of environmental regulation of plastics. From the handful of published studies, MPs origins in groundwater are mainly from wastewater effluent, road runoff, agricultural activities, and landfill leachate. The relevant nature of these contaminants are related to their high specific surface area and hydrophobicity allowing co-contamination with various hazardous chemicals such as PCBs, PAHs, BPA, PBDEs, heavy metals and antibiotics. Related to this issues of co-contamination in groundwater, there are potential risks to human health and wider ecosystems that are poorly understood and there has been almost no research undertaken on the occurrence of nanoplastics (<1 m) in groundwater systems. MPs can potentially contribute to cardiovascular diseases, skin irritation, cancer, reproductive effects, and respiratory and digestive problems. In addition, soil and groundwater contamination can be detrimental to aquatic micro-organisms. There is an urgent need to develop a better understanding of the risks MP and associated co-contaminants pose and advance national and regional regulations to restrict microplastic contamination of groundwater.

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Section: Microplastics Backgroundmentioning

confidence: 56%

Groundwater in the age of plastic

Nlend,

Lapworth,

Cashman

et al. 2024

Preprint

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“…The processes of transport and binding of MPs to the substrate depend on particle properties, soil properties, and environmental factors [39,87,92]. Recent column experiments (Table 1) have investigated the impact of different environmental factors or particle properties on the transport or retention behaviour of MPs [87,[94][95][96][97][98][99][100].…”

Section: Transport Of Mps Through the Soil And The Unsaturated Zone T...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics in Groundwater: Pathways, Occurrence, and Monitoring Challenges

Colmenarejo Calero,

Kovač Viršek,

Mali

2024

Water

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Microplastics (MPs), defined as plastic particles measuring less than 5 mm, are considered an emerging pollutant. Their presence in the water cycle and their interaction with ecological processes pose a significant environmental threat. As groundwater (GW) represents the primary source of drinking water, monitoring MPs in GW and investigating their potential sources and pathways is of urgent importance. This article offers a comprehensive overview of the primary contamination pathways of MPs from surface water, seawater, and soil into the GW. Moreover, it presents an examination of the occurrence of MPs in GW and identifies the challenges associated with their monitoring in GW. This study also discusses the difficulties associated with comparing research results related to MPs in GW, as well as indicating the need for implementing standardised techniques for their sampling and detection. On the basis of our experience and the literature review, we highlight the importance of understanding the specific hydrogeological and hydrogeographic conditions, collecting representative samples, using sampling devices with comparable specifications and comparable laboratory techniques for MP identification, and preventing contamination at all stages of the monitoring process. This review offers valuable insights and practical guidelines on how to improve the reliability and comparability of results between studies monitoring MPs in GW.

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“…Another study involving MPLs (200 -500 µm) which corresponds Class 5 (100 µm to 500 µm) found that velocity is a significant parameter influencing filtration [17]. Two models, namely the attachment model and the attachment-detachment model, were formulated, and it was determined that the attachment-detachment model, incorporating a time-dependent detachment coefficient, better predicts the transport of MPls (10 µm and 20 µm) which in the range of Class 3 (10 m to 50 m) in porous media compared to the traditional attachment model [18]. This observation underscores the importance of MPls desorption in the transport process.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This observation underscores the importance of MPls desorption in the transport process. The calculated total mass recovery under various conditions ranged from 0.08% to 35.9% [18].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Understanding Microplastics Retention Efficiency and Sorption Dynamics in Porous Media

Okutan,

Sağır,

Kurtuluş

et al. 2024

Preprint

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This study concerns the transport and retention of polydisperse micron-sized (16 ± 6 µm) of microplastics (MPls) in porous media under varying flow rate conditions. Sorption kinetics were modeled using first-order reversible and irreversible kinetic sorption models, with sensitivity analyses providing insights into each sorption parameter's effect. Both numerical modeling and experimental measurements were employed to assess sand filter retention rates. The impact of flow rate on sorption reveals variations in distribution coefficient (Kd), mass transfer coefficient (β), and irreversible sorption rate (K1). Lower flow rates are correlated with higher Kd and β values, indicating an increase in sorption and diminished mass transfer rates. The findings revealed that an increase in Kd resulted in a more gradual sorption process with a decrease in peak concentration, whereas changes in β influenced the rate of sorption and peak concentration to a lesser extent compared to Kd. Lower K1 values are associated with higher peak concentrations and decreased retention efficiency. Retention rates were evaluated by a numerical model and found as 28 ± 1% at a flow rate of 31 ml min⁻¹ and 17 ± 1% at 65 ml min⁻¹. The introduction of MPls into soil environments has been noted to modify transport dynamics into soil. As a result, these alterations effects hydrological characteristics of soil, thereby impacting quality of groundwater and agricultural output. The mean absolute error (MAE) of 6% between modeled and observed retention rates suggests minor discrepancies. This study highlights the importance of examining retention efficiency and the accuracy of numerical models in porous media during MPl transport.

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Attachment and detachment of large microplastics in saturated porous media and its influencing factors

Cited by 18 publications

References 39 publications

Groundwater in the age of plastic

Groundwater in the age of plastic

Microplastics in Groundwater: Pathways, Occurrence, and Monitoring Challenges

Understanding Microplastics Retention Efficiency and Sorption Dynamics in Porous Media

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