Library Resources of the Month

Heavy metals in the “plastisphere” of marine microplastics: adsorption mechanisms and composite risk

Yuan Liu, Kai Zhang, Shaopeng Xu, Meng Yan, Danyang Tao, Luoluo Chen, Yong Wei, Chenxi Wu, Guijian Liu, Paul K.S. Lam

Heavy metals that are adhered to the surfaces of microplastics in the natural marine environment pose potential threats to marine life. However, little is known about their adsorption mechanisms and composite risks. This study collected seawater, suspended particulate matter (SPM), plankton, and microplastic samples from the waters surrounding Hong Kong, established a method for analyzing 13 heavy metals in the plastisphere, and explored the extrinsic and intrinsic sources of the heavy metals by analyzing natural matrices (seawater, SPM, and plankton) and anthropogenic plastics.

Highlights

• Heavy metals in the plastisphere were significantly affected by SPM and plankton.
• Some polymer types contained extremely high concentrations of Cd, Pb, and Zn.
• Composite risk assessment method was established for heavy metal and microplastic.
• Specific surface area of microplastic could be a vital link for risk assessment.

(Excerpt from the article abstract)