Trojan horse effects of microplastics: A mini-review about their role as a vector of organic and inorganic compounds in several matrices

i

This article has been updated. A Correction to this article was published on .

i

The Original Article was published on

i

The Original Article was published on

i

This article has been updated

i

This article was retracted on

i

This article has been updated

Abstract

The "Trojan horse effect” of microplastics for organic and inorganic contaminants is an interesting topic. So far, the scientific community has focused on microplastics strictly as contaminants, but their role as vectors is still undefined. Adsorption of pollutants follows the Freundlich model by physisorption mechanism. Furthermore, ages and types of microplastics influence the adsorption of pollutants onto microplastics. Moreover, natural particles, like algae particles, present in the environment can interfere in the adsorption mechanisms. Due to their chemical composition of mainly O and N, it has been suggested that natural particles have a stronger adsorption affinity for some pollutants. Furthermore, microplastic’s role as vector of pollutants into organisms is controversial. In fact, it has been suggested that the release is species-specific. In T. japonicus, accumulation of Hg loaded onto microplastics increased by 2.5 times, whereas a reduction of bioavailability of Hg was observed in R. lens.

Keywords

microplastics / vector / pollutants / heavy metals / polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons / pesticides

CHANGE HISTORY

A Correction to this paper has been published:
https://doi.org

The Retraction Note was updated to reflect reception of statements of disagreement from all authors.

This article has been retracted.Please see the Retraction Notice for more detail:
https://doi.org

References

[1] Sherlock C, Fernie K, Munno K, et al. (2022). The potential of aerial insectivores for monitoring microplastics in terrestrial environments. Sci Total Environ 807: 150453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.150453

[2] Hermabessiere L, Paul-Pont I, Cassone A, et al. (2019). Microplastic contamination and pollutant levels in mussels and cockles collected along the channel coasts. Environ Pollut 250: 807-819. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2019.04.051

[3] Allen D, Allen S, Abbasi S, et al. (2022). Microplastics and nanoplastics in the marine-atmosphere environment. Nat Rev Earth Environ 3: 393-405. https://doi.org/10.1038/s43017-022-00292-x

[4] Dris R, Gasperi J, Rocher V, et al. (2015). Microplastic contamination in an urban area: a case study in Grater Paris. Environ Chem 12: 592-599. 10.1071/EN14167f

[5] Lane M, Gardner C (2023). Fate and transport of biological microcontaminants bound to microplastics in the soil environment. Sci Total Environ 892: 164439. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164439

[6] Al Marshoudi M, Al Reasi H, Al-Habsi A, et al. (2023). Additive effects of microplastics on accumulation and toxicity of cadmium in male zebrafish. Chemosphere 334: 138969. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138969

[7] Liu P, Wu X, Shi H, et al. (2022). Contribution of aged polystyrene microplastics to the bioaccumulation of pharmaceuticals in marine organisms using experimental and model analysis. Chemosphere 287: 132412. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.132412

[8] Xia Y, Niu S, Yu J (2023). Microplastics as vectors of organic pollutants in aquatic environment: A review on mechanisms, numerical models, and influencing factors. Sci Total Environ 887: 164008. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164008

[9] Sahai H, García Valverde M, Murcia Morales M, et al. (2023). Exploring sorption of pesticides and PAHs in microplastics derived from plastic mulch films used in modern agriculture. Chemosphere 333: 138959. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138959

[10] Tumwesigye E, Nnadozie C.F, Akamagwuna F.C, et al. (2023). Microplastics as vectors of chemical contaminants and biological agents in freshwater ecosystems: Current knowledge status and future perspectives. Environ Pollut 330: 121829 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2023.121829

[11] Elseblani R, Cobo-Golpe M, Godin S, et al. (2023). Study of metal and organic contaminants transported by microplastics in the Lebanese coastal environment using ICP MS, GC-MS, and LC-MS. Sci Total Environ 887: 164111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.164111

[12] Sharma S, Sharma V, Chatterjee S, (2021). Microplastics in the Mediterranean Sea: sources, pollution intensity, sea health, and regulatory policies. Front Mar Sci 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmars.2021.634934

[13] Nugnes R, Russo C, Lavorgna M, et al. (2022). Polystyrene microplastic particles in combination with pesticides and antiviral drugs: Toxicity and genotoxicity in Ceridaphnia dubia. Environ Pollut 313: 120088. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120088

[14] Bai Z, Zhang Y, Cheng L, et al. (2023). Nanoplastics pose a greater effect than microplastics in enhancing mercury toxicity to marine copepods. Chemosphere 325: 138371. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2023.138371

[15] Pinto E.P, Paredes E, Bellas J (2023). Influence of microplastics on the toxicity of chlorpyrifos and mercury on the marine microalgae Rhodomonas lens. Sci Total Environ 857: 159605. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.159605

[16] Squadrone S, Pederiva S, Bezzo T, et al. (2022). Microplastics as vectors of metals contamination in Mediterranean Sea. Environ Sci Pollut Res 29: 29529-29534. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-021-13662-7

[17] Chen G, Fu Q, Tan X, et al. (2022). Speciation and release risk of heavy metals bonded on simulated naturally-aged microplastics prepared from artificially broken macroplastics. Environ Pollut 295: 118695. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2021.118695

[18] Purwiyanto A.I.S, Sutejab Y, Trisno Ningrum P.S, et al. (2020). Concentration and adsorption of Pb and Cu in microplastics: Case study in aquatic environment. Mar Pollut Bul 158: 111380

[19] Chen C.C, Zhu X, Xu H, et al. (2021). Copper Adsorption to Microplastics and Natural Particles in Seawater: A Comparison of Kinetics, Isotherms, and Bioavailability. Environ Sci Technol 55: 13923-13931. https://pubs.acs.org/doi/10.1021/acs.est.1c04278

[20] Besson M, Jacoba H, Oberhaenslia H, et al. (2020). Preferential adsorption of Cd, Cs and Zn onto virgin polyethylene T microplastic versus sediment particles. Mar. Pollut. Bul., 156: Article 111223. 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111223

[21] Rivera-Hernández J.R, Fernández B, Santos-Echeandia J, et al. (2019). Biodynamics of mercury in mussel tissues as a function of exposure pathway: natural vs microplastic routes. Sci Total Environ 674: 412-423. 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.04.175

[22] Campanale C, Savino I, Massarelli C, et al. (2022). Assessment of metals associated with virgin pre-production and freshwater microplastics collected by an Italian river. NanoImpact 28: 100438. 10.1016/j.impact.2022.100438

[23] Brennecke D, Duarte B, Paiva F, et al. (2016). Microplastics as vector for heavy metal contamination from the marine environment. Estuar Coast Shelf Sci 178: 189-195.

[24] Wang X, Zhang R, Li Z, et al. (2022). Adsorption properties and influencing factors of Cu(II) on polystyrene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics in seawater. Sci Total Environ 812: 152573. 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.152573

[25] Shao X, Zhang Q, Liang W, et al. (2023). Polyamide microplastics as better environmental vectors of Cr(VI) in comparison to polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics. Mar Pollut Bull 186: 114492 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114492

[26] Goh B, Pradit S, Towatana P, et al. (2022). Laboratory Experiment on Copper and Lead Adsorption Ability of Microplastics. Sains Malays 51: 993-1004. 10.17576/jsm-2022-5104-04

[27] Udenby F, Almuhtaram H, McKie M.J, et al. (2022). Adsorption of fluoranthene and phenanthrene by virgin and weathered polyethylene microplastics in freshwaters. Chemosphere 307: 135585. 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.135585

[28] Wang Z, Chen M, Zhang L, et al. (2018). Sorption behaviors of phenanthrene on the microplastics identified in a mariculture farm in Xiangshan Bay, southeastern China. Sci Total Environ 628-629: 1617-1626 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.02.146

[29] Abouda S, Missawi O, Cappello T, et al. (2022). Toxicological impact of environmental microplastics and benzo[a]pyrene in the seaworm Hediste diversicolor under environmentally relevant exposure conditions. Environ Pollut 310: 119856. 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119856

[30] Magara G, Khan F.R, Pinti M, et al. (2019). Effects of combined exposures of fluoranthene and polyethylene or polyhydroxybutyrate microplastics on oxidative stress biomarkers in the blue mussel (Mytilus edulis). J Toxicol Environ Health Part A. 10.1080/15287394.2019.1633451

[31] Ito M, Hano T, Kono K, et al. (2022). Desorption of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from polyethylene microplastics in two morphologically different digestive tracts of marine teleosts: Gastric red seabream (Pagrus major) and agastric mummichog (Fundulus heteroclitus). Environ Pollut 308: 119589. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2022.119589

[32] Sunta U, Prosenc F, Trebse P, et al. (2020). Adsorption of acetamiprid, chlorantraniliprole and flubendiamide on different type of microplastics present in alluvial soil. Chemosphere 261: 127762. 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2020.127762

[33] Guo B, Meng J, Wang X, et al. (2019). Quantification of pesticide residues on plastic mulching film in typical farmlands of the North China. Front Environ Sci Eng 14: 1-10. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11783-019-1181-9

[34] Ramos L, Berenstein G, Hughes E.A, et al. (2015). Polyethylene film incorporation into the horticultural soil of small periurban production units in Argentina. Sci Total Environ 523: 74-81. 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.03.142

[35] Zhou Y, Liu X, Wang J (2019). Characterization of microplastics and the association of heavy metals with microplastics in suburban soil of central China. Sci Total Environ 693: 133798. 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2019.133798

[36] Nizzetto L. Futter M, Langaas S (2016). Are Agricultural Soils for Microplastics of Urban Origin? Environ Sci Technol 50: 10777-10779. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.6b04140

[37] Holmes L.A, Turner A, Thompson RC (2014). Interactions between trace metals and plastic production pellets under estuatine conditions. Mar Chem 167: 25-32. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marchem.2014.06.001

[38] Ortega DE, Cortés-Arriagada D (2023). Atmospheric microplastics and nanoplastics as vectors of primary air pollutants - A thoracal study on the polyethylene terephthalate (PET) case. Environ Pollut 318: 120860. 10.1016/j.envpol.2022.120860