A review of microplastics aggregation in aquatic environment: Influence factors, analytical methods, and environmental implications

JOURNAL OF HAZARDOUS MATERIALS

卷:402

Review

Wang, Xinjie¹  Bolan, Nanthi²  Tsang, Daniel C. W.³  Sarkar, Binoy⁴  Bradney, Lauren²  Li, Yang¹ 

[1] Beijing Normal Univ, State Key Lab Water Environm Simulat, Minist Educ, Sch Environm,Key Lab Water & Sediment Sci, Beijing 100875, Peoples R China

[2] Univ Newcastle, Fac Sci, Callaghan, NSW, Australia

[3] Hong Kong Polytech Univ, Dept Civil & Environm Engn, Kowloon, Hong Kong, Peoples R China

[4] Univ Lancaster, Lancaster Environm Ctr, Lancaster LA1 4YQ, England

关键词: Microbead;    Stability;    Detection methods;    Microbial habitation;    Contaminant vector;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123496

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

A large amount of plastic waste released into natural waters and their demonstrated toxicity have made the transformation of microplastics (MPs; < 5 mm) and nanoplastics (NPs; < 100 nm) an emerging environmental concern. Aggregation is one of the most important environmental behaviors of MPs, especially in aquatic en-vironments, which determines the mobility, distribution and bioavailability of MPs. In this paper, the sources and inputs of MPs in aquatic environments were first summarized followed by the analytical methods for investigating MP aggregation, including the sampling, visualization, and quantification procedures of MP' particle sizes. We critically evaluated the sampling methods that still remains a methodological gap. Identification and quantification of MPs were mostly carried out by visual, spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques, and modeling analysis. Important factors affecting MP aggregation in natural waters and environmental implications of the aggregation process were also reviewed. Finally, recommendations for future research were discussed, including (1) conducting more field studies; (2) using MPs in laboratory works representing those in the en-vironment; and (3) standardizing methods of identification and quantification. The review gives a comprehensive overview of current knowledge for MP aggregation in natural waters, identifies knowledge gaps, and provides suggestions for future research.

【 授权许可】

Free