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Impact of Microplastics on Ciprofloxacin Adsorption Dynamics and Mechanisms in Soil

Qian Xu1,2, Hanbing Li1,2, Sumei Li1,2

  • 1Department of Environmental Science, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Beijing University of Technology, Beijing 100124, China.

Toxics
|April 25, 2025
PubMed

Insights

Microplastics (MPs) can alter antibiotic adsorption in soils. This study found that MPs reduced ciprofloxacin adsorption, with PET being the most impactful, highlighting complex co-contaminant interactions in soil environments.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Chemistry
  • Soil Science
  • Ecotoxicology

Background:

  • Emerging contaminants like microplastics (MPs) and antibiotics co-occur in soil, posing ecological risks.
  • MPs may influence the environmental behavior and transport of co-existing antibiotics.

Purpose of the Study:

  • Investigate microplastic-mediated adsorption of ciprofloxacin (CIP) in lateritic soils.
  • Determine the impact of different plastic types on antibiotic retention.
  • Elucidate the mechanisms governing MP-antibiotic interactions in soil.

Main Methods:

  • Batch adsorption experiments using polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and poly(ethylene-terephthalate) (PET) MPs.
  • Analysis of adsorption thermodynamics, pH dependence, and ionic strength effects.
  • Isothermal modeling and spectroscopic characterization (FTIR, SEM-EDS) to determine adsorption mechanisms.

Main Results:

  • Soil components dominated ciprofloxacin adsorption.
  • 10% MPs reduced soil adsorption capacity by ≥10.8%, with PET > PE > PP inhibition.
  • Maximum sorption efficiency occurred at pH 5.0 (± 0.2), around 83%.
  • Multilayer adsorption via hybrid chemisorption/physisorption was observed.
  • MP-CIP interactions involved hydrophobic partitioning and π-π coupling; soil-MP systems showed cation exchange and surface complexation.

Conclusions:

  • Microplastics significantly alter ciprofloxacin adsorption dynamics in soils.
  • Adsorption is pH-dependent and influenced by ionic strength and cation valency.
  • Understanding these interactions is crucial for soil risk assessment and environmental management of co-contaminants.
Keywords:
adsorptionciprofloxacinmechanismmicroplasticssoil

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