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

Abstract

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.

Fire and Oil Led to Complex Mixtures of PAHs on Burnt and Unburnt Plastic during the M/V X-Press Pearl Disaster

“… ,,,, However, we cannot make a definitive match without an original sample of the sheen or ship’s fuel oil. Owing to the spilled plastics’ more oxygenated surfaces, , their interactions with petroleum likely changed compared to those with unaltered plastic . The formation of petroplastics and other possible variants of oil-plastic agglomerates (e.g., plastitars , ) during the disaster suggests the need for further study to assess their environmental impact …”

“…Owing to the spilled plastics' more oxygenated surfaces, 1,7 their interactions with petroleum likely changed compared to those with unaltered plastic. 65 The formation of petroplastics and other possible variants of oilplastic agglomerates (e.g., plastitars 66,67 ) during the disaster suggests the need for further study to assess their environmental impact. 68 Multivariate Analysis for Source Apportionment.…”

Revealing the Freezing-Induced Alteration in Microplastic Behavior and Its Implication for the Microplastics Released from Seasonal Ice

“…Microplastic (MP) pollution has emerged as a growing cause for concern due to its ubiquity and its adverse impacts on both public health and ecosystems. , This is a result primarily of the extensive use of plastic products, which make their way into the natural environment following use/disposal. Sources of MPs include the microbeads used in cosmetic and cleaning products, as well as the release of MPs from the degradation of larger plastic items through long-term wear and exposure to environmental conditions.…”