Microplastics and PFAS air-water interaction and deposition

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Environmental Chemistry
• Ecotoxicology

Background:

• Microplastics (MPs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are prevalent environmental contaminants, often studied in isolation.
• Understanding their combined presence, transport, and toxicity is crucial due to their persistence and widespread distribution.
• MPs can act as carriers for PFAS, facilitating their long-range transport in aquatic systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the co-occurrence, interactions, and environmental transport of MPs and PFAS in the atmosphere.
• To identify environmental factors influencing the air-water deposition of these co-existing contaminants.
• To assess the potential combined toxicity and risks posed by MPs and PFAS to ecosystems and human health.

Main Methods:

• Literature review synthesizing existing research on MP and PFAS presence, interactions, and transport.
• Analysis of environmental factors affecting atmospheric deposition, including precipitation, humidity, UV, wind, and particulate matter.
• Evaluation of studies on the sorption of PFAS onto MPs and their subsequent fate.

Main Results:

• Both MPs and PFAS are found in atmospheric deposition across diverse environments.
• Environmental factors like humidity significantly influence MP particle size, distribution, and deposition rates.
• Humidity exhibits variable effects on PFAS partitioning onto MPs, impacting their transport dynamics.

Conclusions:

• The co-occurrence of MPs and PFAS in air necessitates a comprehensive approach to understanding their environmental fate and transport.
• Air-water deposition is governed by multiple environmental factors, with humidity playing a complex role.
• Combined exposure to MPs and PFAS may lead to synergistic toxic effects, warranting further investigation and risk assessment.