LDPE and HDPE Microplastics Differently Affect the Transport of Tetracycline in Saturated Porous Media
The accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in soil and sediments may influence the penetration of contaminants into subsurface environments. However, little attention has been paid to comparing the different roles of two common polyethylene (PE) types—low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density po...
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MDPI AG
2021-04-01
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/7/1757 |
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| author | Enzhu Hu Hongbo Yuan Yichun Du Xijuan Chen |
| author_facet | Enzhu Hu Hongbo Yuan Yichun Du Xijuan Chen |
| author_sort | Enzhu Hu |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | The accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in soil and sediments may influence the penetration of contaminants into subsurface environments. However, little attention has been paid to comparing the different roles of two common polyethylene (PE) types—low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). In this study, the transport behaviors of tetracycline in saturated quartz sand columns in the presence and absence of these two MPs were investigated, respectively. The results showed that both types of PE MPs restrained the mobility of tetracycline at neutral conditions, while such detrimental effects were weak at acid and alkaline conditions. The degree of nonequilibrium adsorption was higher, and tetracycline transferred easier to the kinetic site for the existence of LDPE than of HDPE. The increased roughness and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface areas, more negative zeta potentials and the formation of oxygen function groups on the surface of MPs after UV-weathering intensified the retardation of tetracycline transport. This study revealed that the PE type and weathering should be taken into account in risk assessment, along with the solution chemistry. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:38:26Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-32da46b4640d440c9dd46b59c553f3ce |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1996-1944 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T12:38:26Z |
| publishDate | 2021-04-01 |
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| series | Materials |
| spelling | doaj.art-32da46b4640d440c9dd46b59c553f3ce2023-11-21T14:01:37ZengMDPI AGMaterials1996-19442021-04-01147175710.3390/ma14071757LDPE and HDPE Microplastics Differently Affect the Transport of Tetracycline in Saturated Porous MediaEnzhu Hu0Hongbo Yuan1Yichun Du2Xijuan Chen3Institute of Resources and Environmental Sciences, School of Metallurgy, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, ChinaInstitute of Resources and Environmental Sciences, School of Metallurgy, Northeastern University, Shenyang 110819, ChinaShaanxi Key Laboratory of Land Consolidation, Shaanxi Provincial Land Engineering Construction Group Co., Ltd., Chang‘an University, Xi’an 710054, ChinaKey Laboratory of Pollution Ecology and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Applied Ecology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Shenyang 110016, ChinaThe accumulation of microplastics (MPs) in soil and sediments may influence the penetration of contaminants into subsurface environments. However, little attention has been paid to comparing the different roles of two common polyethylene (PE) types—low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and high-density polyethylene (HDPE). In this study, the transport behaviors of tetracycline in saturated quartz sand columns in the presence and absence of these two MPs were investigated, respectively. The results showed that both types of PE MPs restrained the mobility of tetracycline at neutral conditions, while such detrimental effects were weak at acid and alkaline conditions. The degree of nonequilibrium adsorption was higher, and tetracycline transferred easier to the kinetic site for the existence of LDPE than of HDPE. The increased roughness and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface areas, more negative zeta potentials and the formation of oxygen function groups on the surface of MPs after UV-weathering intensified the retardation of tetracycline transport. This study revealed that the PE type and weathering should be taken into account in risk assessment, along with the solution chemistry.https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/7/1757tetracyclinetransportpolyethylenemicroplasticsUV-weathering |
| spellingShingle | Enzhu Hu Hongbo Yuan Yichun Du Xijuan Chen LDPE and HDPE Microplastics Differently Affect the Transport of Tetracycline in Saturated Porous Media Materials tetracycline transport polyethylene microplastics UV-weathering |
| title | LDPE and HDPE Microplastics Differently Affect the Transport of Tetracycline in Saturated Porous Media |
| title_full | LDPE and HDPE Microplastics Differently Affect the Transport of Tetracycline in Saturated Porous Media |
| title_fullStr | LDPE and HDPE Microplastics Differently Affect the Transport of Tetracycline in Saturated Porous Media |
| title_full_unstemmed | LDPE and HDPE Microplastics Differently Affect the Transport of Tetracycline in Saturated Porous Media |
| title_short | LDPE and HDPE Microplastics Differently Affect the Transport of Tetracycline in Saturated Porous Media |
| title_sort | ldpe and hdpe microplastics differently affect the transport of tetracycline in saturated porous media |
| topic | tetracycline transport polyethylene microplastics UV-weathering |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1944/14/7/1757 |
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