Strong sorption of PCBs to nanoplastics, microplastics, carbon nanotubes, and fullerenes

Environ Sci Technol. 2014 May 6;48(9):4869-76. doi: 10.1021/es405721v. Epub 2014 Apr 10.

Abstract

The presence of microplastic and carbon-based nanoparticles in the environment may have implications for the fate and effects of traditional hydrophobic chemicals. Here we present parameters for the sorption of 17 CB congeners to 10-180 μm sized polyethylene (micro-PE), 70 nm polystyrene (nano-PS), multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNT), fullerene (C60), and a natural sediment in the environmentally relevant 10(-5)-10(-1) μg L(-1) concentration range. Effects of salinity and sediment organic matter fouling were assessed by measuring the isotherms in fresh- and seawater, with and without sediment present. Sorption to the "bulk" sorbents sediment organic matter (OM) and micro-PE occurred through linear hydrophobic partitioning with OM and micro-PE having similar sorption affinity. Sorption to MWCNT and nano-PS was nonlinear. PCB sorption to MWCNT and C60 was 3-4 orders of magnitude stronger than to OM and micro-PE. Sorption to nano-PS was 1-2 orders of magnitude stronger than to micro-PE, which was attributed to the higher aromaticity and surface-volume ratio of nano-PS. Organic matter effects varied among sorbents, with the largest OM fouling effect observed for the high surface sorbents MWCNT and nano-PS. Salinity decreased sorption for sediment and MWCNT but increased sorption for the polymers nano-PS and micro-PE. The exceptionally strong sorption of (planar) PCBs to C60, MWCNT, and nano-PS may imply increased hazards upon membrane transfer of these particles.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adsorption
  • Fresh Water / chemistry
  • Fullerenes / chemistry*
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Nanotubes, Carbon / chemistry*
  • Plastics / chemistry*
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls / chemistry*
  • Seawater / chemistry
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical / chemistry*

Substances

  • Fullerenes
  • Nanotubes, Carbon
  • Plastics
  • Water Pollutants, Chemical
  • Polychlorinated Biphenyls
  • fullerene C60