Stability and dispersibility of microplastics in experimental exposure medium and their dimensional characterization by SMLS, SAXS, Raman microscopy, and SEM

Stability and dispersibility of microplastics in experimental exposure medium and their dimensional characterization by SMLS, SAXS, Raman microscopy, and SEM

The plastic production that contributes to the global plastic reservoir presents a major challenge for society in managing plastic waste and mitigating the environmental damage of microplastic (MP) pollution. In the environment, the formation of biomolecular corona around MPs enhance the stability o...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of hazardous materials Vol. 469; p. 134083
Main Authors: Ompala, Chardel, Renault, Jean-Philippe, Taché, Olivier, Cournède, Émeline, Devineau, Stéphanie, Chivas-Joly, Carine
Format: Journal Article
Language:English
Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 05-05-2024
Elsevier
Subjects:
Chemical Sciences
Dispersibility
Microplastics
Nanoplastics
Polyethylene
Size
Polyethylene
Microplastics
Size
Dispersibility
Nanoplastics
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Summary:The plastic production that contributes to the global plastic reservoir presents a major challenge for society in managing plastic waste and mitigating the environmental damage of microplastic (MP) pollution. In the environment, the formation of biomolecular corona around MPs enhance the stability of MP suspensions, influencing the bioavailability and toxicity of MPs. Essential physical properties including MP stability, dispersibility, agglomeration, and dimensional size must be precisely defined and measured in complex media taking into account the formation of a protein corona. Using static multiple light scattering (SMLS), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), Raman microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we measured the particle size, density, stability, and agglomeration state of polyethylene and polypropylene MPs stabilized in aqueous suspension by BSA. SEM analysis revealed the formation of nanoplastic debris as MP suspensions aged. Our results suggest that protein adsorption favors the formation of secondary nanoplastics, potentially posing an additional threat to ecosystems. This approach provides analytical methodologies by integrating SEM, SMLS, and SAXS, for characterizing MP suspensions and highlights the effect of the protein corona on size measurements of micro/nanoplastics. Our analysis demonstrates the detectability of secondary nanoplastics by SEM, paving the way for monitoring and controlling human exposure. [Display omitted] •Nanoplastics debris formed during shelf-storage of PE without mechanical stress.•The protein corona favors the release of secondary nanoplastics.•MP size analyses by SMLS on the colloidal suspension and SEM on deposits are consistent.•MP density was determined in suspension by combining SAXS and SEM.•Stabilization of hydrophobic MPs by a biocorona is essential for dimensional analysis.
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ISSN:0304-3894
1873-3336
DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134083