Microplastic-oil-dispersant agglomerates in the marine environment: Formation mechanism and impact on oil dispersion

Yang, Min; Zhang, Baiyu; Xin, Xiaying; Liu, Bo; Zhu, Zhiwen; Dong, Guihua; Zhao, Yuming; Lee, Kenneth; Chen, Bing

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2021.127825

Cited by 24 publications

(26 citation statements)

References 45 publications

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“…The oxygen-containing functional groups on the surface also contributed to decreased contact angles from 141.8 to 134.1°and decreased zeta potential from −15.5 to −33.3 mV under 60 days of UV radiation. 41,42 UV radiation has highenough energy to cause the breaking of polymer chains, generating free radicals reacting with oxygen in the environment to form peroxy, hydroperoxide, or pairs of hydroxyl and alkoxy radicals. This process leads to the generation of functional-containing functional groups.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transport of Microplastics in Shore Substrates over Tidal Cycles: Roles of Polymer Characteristics and Environmental Factors

Feng

Chen

Greer

et al. 2022

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Tidal zones providing habitats are particularly vulnerable to microplastic (MP) pollution. In this study, the effects of tidal cycles on the transport of MPs (4–6 μm polyethylene, PE1; 125 μm polyethylene, PE2; and 5–6 μm polytetrafluoroethylene, PFTE) in porous media combined with various environmental and MPs properties were systemically investigated. The results indicated that smaller substrate sizes exhibited higher retention percentages compared to those of larger substrate sizes under different tidal cycles. In terms of the size of MPs, a larger size (same density) was found to result in enhanced retention of MPs in the column. As the number of tidal cycles increased, although the transport of MPs from the substrate to the water phase was enhanced, PE1 was washed out more with the change in water level, compared to PTFE. Additionally, more MPs were retained in the column with the increase of salinity and the decrease of flow velocity under the same tidal cycles. Ultraviolet and seawater aged PE1 showed enhanced transport, while aged PTFE showed enhanced retention under the same tidal cycles. These results can help understand the MP behaviors in the shoreline environment and provide support for future cleanup and sampling in tidal zones.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transport of Microplastics in Shore Substrates over Tidal Cycles: Roles of Polymer Characteristics and Environmental Factors

Feng

Chen

Greer

et al. 2022

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…Meanwhile, no studies have thus far focused on the potential effects of NBs on spilled oil in the shoreline environment. The complexity of oil behaviors can be exacerbated by various environmental conditions of shorelines. , In addition, as an environmentally friendly substance, NBs also have potential applications in oil spill responses. Therefore, it is necessary to explore the environmental effect of NBs on stranded oil on the shoreline.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring the Role of Nanobubbles in the Fate and Transport of Spilled Oil on Shorelines

Wang

Lee

et al. 2023

ACS EST Water

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Nanobubbles (NBs) generated by wave breaking and shearing are abundant and stable in the ocean. However, few studies have focused on the effects of NBs in the fate and transport of pollutants in the shoreline environment. In this study, the properties of NBs were determined, as well as the influencing factors. The role of NBs in the fate and transport of spilled oil were further investigated. The results showed that NBs significantly increased the concentration of dissolved oxygen as well as changed the pH, zeta potential, and surface tension of the water. Low salinity favored the generation of NBs, while high salinity inhibited this process. The surface active materials played a positive role in the generation and stabilization of NBs. With the assistance of external energy, the bulk NBs enhanced the efficiency in oil detachment from the surface of the substrate. At the same time, the surface NBs on the substrate obstructed the downward transport of oil colloids. Considering the behavior between the NBs in two different phases and the oil droplets, the oil droplets tended to bind to the NBs. This study demonstrates that NBs can play a significant role in the environmental behaviors of pollutants in the coastal areas.

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“…Then, 48 mg of 7, 40, and 90 μm MPs were added to the mixture to reach 400 mg/L MPs. The MP concentration was selected as it induced a negative impact on oil dispersion effectiveness and was widely adopted in other studies. , The mixture was then shaken under a mixing energy of 5.62 × 10 –1 W/kg for 10 min and kept stationary for 10 min to form MODAs. MODAs formed by the light oil and MPs (7, 40, and 90 μm) were named MODA-L7, MODA-L40, and MODA-L90, respectively.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Since dispersants are the most widely adopted marine oil spill treating agents, , studies further investigated the formation of MP-oil-dispersant agglomerates (MODAs) in oceans. Particularly, they found that MODAs led to a decrease in dispersant efficiency during the oil spill response operation . In addition, the formed MODAs may transport widely in oceans, which may pose adverse effects on the marine ecosystem.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Transport of Microplastic and Dispersed Oil Co-contaminants in the Marine Environment

Yang

Zhang

Chen

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Microplastics (MPs) and oil pollution are major concerns in oceans. Although their coexistence in oceans and the associated MP-oil-dispersant agglomerates (MODAs) have been reported, limited attention is given to the behavior of the cocontaminants. This study investigated MODA transport in a simulated ocean system and explored related mechanisms under various oil types, salinities, and mineral concentrations. We found that more than 90% of the heavy oil-formed MODAs stayed at the seawater surface, while the light oil-formed MODAs were widely distributed throughout the seawater column. The increased salinity promoted MODAs formed by 7 and 90 μm MPs to transport from the seawater surface to the column. This was elucidated by the Derjaguin−Landau−Verwey−Overbeek theory as more MODAs formed under higher salinities and dispersants kept them stable in the seawater column. Minerals facilitated the sinking of large MPformed MODAs (e.g., 40 μm) as minerals were adsorbed on the MODA surface, but their impact on small MP-formed MODAs (e.g., 7 μm) was negligible. A MODA-mineral system was proposed to explain their interaction. Rubey′s equation was recommended to predict the sinking velocity of MODAs. This study is the first attempt to reveal MODA transport. Findings will contribute to the model development to facilitate their environmental risk evaluation in oceans.

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Microplastic-oil-dispersant agglomerates in the marine environment: Formation mechanism and impact on oil dispersion

Cited by 24 publications

References 45 publications

Transport of Microplastics in Shore Substrates over Tidal Cycles: Roles of Polymer Characteristics and Environmental Factors

Transport of Microplastics in Shore Substrates over Tidal Cycles: Roles of Polymer Characteristics and Environmental Factors

Exploring the Role of Nanobubbles in the Fate and Transport of Spilled Oil on Shorelines

Transport of Microplastic and Dispersed Oil Co-contaminants in the Marine Environment

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