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Influence of Microplastics on the Mobility, Bioavailability, and Toxicity of Heavy Metals: A Review

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Abstract

Microplastics (MPs) can pose ecological risk to the environment and have the potential to negatively affect human health, raising serious public concerns. It is recognized that MPs could act as a vector for various environmental pollutants including heavy metals and potentially influencing their mobility, fate, and bioavailabilty in the environment. However, knowledge on the mechanisms underpinning the interaction processes between MPs and heavy metals is far from clear. This review discusses the effects of MPs on the adsorption/desorption, speciation and bioavailability, and toxicity of various heavy metals. The present review also systematically identifies the environmental factors (e.g., pH, ionic strength, and organic matters) that could affect their interaction processes. This work aims to establish a meaningful perspective for a comprehensive understanding of the indirect ecological risks of MPs as vectors for contaminants. The work also provides a reference for the development of better regulatory strategies in mitigating the negative effects caused by the co-existence of MPs and heavy metals.

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Abbreviations

PE:

Polyethylene

PLA:

Polylactic acid

PS:

Polystyrene

PVC:

Polyvinyl chloride

PET:

Polyethylene terephthalate

HDPE:

High-density polyethylene

HPE:

High crystallinity polyethylene

LPE:

Low crystallinity polyethylene

CPE:

Chlorinated polyethylene

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 41907309, U2032201).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resources Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing, 210023, China

    Guangxia Liu, Mengjie Wu & Huan Zhong

  2. Department of Biology, York University, Toronto, Ontario, M3J 1P3, Canada

    Preeti H. Dave & Raymond W. M. Kwong

  3. Environmental and Life Science Program (EnLS), Trent University, Peterborough, Ontario, Canada

    Huan Zhong

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  1. Guangxia Liu
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  2. Preeti H. Dave
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  3. Raymond W. M. Kwong
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Correspondence to Huan Zhong.

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Liu, G., Dave, P.H., Kwong, R.W.M. et al. Influence of Microplastics on the Mobility, Bioavailability, and Toxicity of Heavy Metals: A Review. Bull Environ Contam Toxicol 107, 710–721 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00128-021-03339-9

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