Studies on the adverse effects of nanoplastics (NPs,
particle diameter
<1000 nm) including physical damage, oxidative stress, impaired
cell signaling, altered metabolism, developmental defects, and possible
genetic damage have intensified in recent years. However, the analytical
detection of NPs is still a bottleneck. To overcome this bottleneck
and obtain a reliable and quantitative distribution analysis in complex
freshwater ecosystems, an easily applicable NP tracer to simulate
their fate and behavior is needed. Here, size- and surface charge-tunable
core–shell Au@Nanoplastics (Au@NPs) were synthesized to study
the environmental fate of NPs in an artificial freshwater system.
The Au core enables the quantitative detection of NPs, while the polystyrene
shell exhibits NP properties. The Au@NPs showed excellent resistance
to environmental factors (e.g., 1% hydrogen peroxide solution, simulating
gastric fluid, acids, and alkalis) and high recovery rates (>80%)
from seawater, lake water, sewage, waste sludge, soil, and sediment.
Both positively and negatively charged NPs significantly inhibited
the growth of duckweed (Lemna minor L.) but had little
effect on the growth of cyanobacteria (Microcystis aeruginosa). In addition, the accumulation of positively and negatively charged
NPs in cyanobacteria occurred in a concentration-dependent manner,
with positively charged NPs more easily taken up by cyanobacteria.
In contrast, negatively charged NPs were more readily internalized
in duckweed. This study developed a model using a core–shell
Au@NP tracer to study the environmental fate and behavior of NPs in
various complex environmental systems.
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