Progress on the interaction between microplastics and contaminants

Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) are widely present in the environment, with large specific surface area and strong adsorption, which can adsorb contaminants such as heavy metals, organic matters, and microorganisms, and change their fate in the environment. At the same time, the contaminants also affect the properties of MPs and their adsorption, transport, and degradation in the environment, which causes potential risks to the ecological environment. Research on the interaction between MPs and contaminants is the basis for the environmental risk assessment of MPs. At present, relevant researches are mostly focused on the distribution of MPs and their adsorption to contaminants. However, there are relatively few studies on the effects of contaminants on the properties of MPs and the changes in the properties of them after adsorption. Therefore, the article summarizes the distribution of MPs in the environment; and taking adsorption as an example to sort out the factors and mechanisms that affect the interaction. The current research status of the interaction between MPs and contaminants are reviewed, and finally we look forward to future research directions to provide reference and help for future researches on MPs.