J 2023

Assessing sources and fractions of metals associated with environmental plastics: a case study in Lake Como (Italy)

CARNATI, Stefano, Andrea POZZI, Davide SPANU, Damiano MONTICELLI, Roberta BETTINETTI et. al.

Basic information

Original name

Assessing sources and fractions of metals associated with environmental plastics: a case study in Lake Como (Italy)

Authors

CARNATI, Stefano, Andrea POZZI, Davide SPANU, Damiano MONTICELLI, Roberta BETTINETTI, Ginevra BOLDROCCHI, Luca NIZZETTO (380 Italy, belonging to the institution) and Gilberto BINDA

Edition

Environmental Science: Advances, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2023, 2754-7000

Other information

Language

English

Type of outcome

Článek v odborném periodiku

Field of Study

10511 Environmental sciences

Country of publisher

United States of America

Confidentiality degree

není předmětem státního či obchodního tajemství

References:

RIV identification code

RIV/00216224:14310/23:00133480

Organization unit

Faculty of Science

DOI

UT WoS

001101402000001

Keywords in English

PRODUCTION PELLETS; TRACE-METALS; MICROPLASTICS; ADSORPTION; EXTRACTION; SEDIMENT; ACCUMULATION; ADDITIVES; VECTOR; DEBRIS

Tags

Tags

International impact, Reviewed
Změněno: 7/2/2024 10:51, Mgr. Marie Šípková, DiS.

Abstract

V originále

Understanding plastic-metal interactions is paramount to unveil the ecological risks of plastic pollution. Besides including a (variable) amount of metal-containing additives, plastic objects can adsorb metals on their surface in the environment. This work aims at measuring and assessing the possible origin of metals in environmental plastics deposited along the shores of Lake Como (Italy). Samples were characterized through Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and water contact angle. Then, the total metal load was analysed by acid digestion. Surface extraction with nitric acid was also performed to detect labile metals and a three-step extraction scheme enabled the determination of physisorbed, carbonate-bonded and organic matter-bonded metals, respectively. Eighteen metals (Al, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, As, Sr, Ag, Cd, Sn, Ba, Pb and U) were analysed in total. Newly produced plastic items were also analysed as a reference. Our findings revealed that environmental samples retained a higher concentration of metals compared to virgin ones, especially in the loosely bonded acid-extractable fractions, indicating their potential bioavailability. The source of metals on plastics was extremely variable: some metals were predominantly sorbed from the environment (e.g., Mn and Pb), and others were mainly leached from the plastic matrix (Ba, Cu and Ti) or had a mixed origin (Zn, Fe, Sn, Sr and Al). This work shed light on the changes in bioavailability of metals induced by plastic environmental ageing, set baseline values for a freshwater site, and provided insights into the potential bioavailability exerted by metals associated with plastic litter.