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Related Concept Videos

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters01:20

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

2.2K
The introduction of polyesters has brought major development to the textile industry. The wrinkle-free behavior of polyester blends has eliminated the need for starching and ironing clothes.
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the...
2.2K
  1. Home
  3. Research Domains
  5. Environmental Sciences
  7. Pollution And Contamination
  9. Surface Water Quality Processes And Contaminated Sediment Assessment
  11. Latent Polyester Nanoplastics In Water Environments

Latent Polyester Nanoplastics in Water Environments

Jintao Yang1, Mengqi Yan1, Junjie Zhang1

  • 1MOE Key Laboratory of Pollution Processes and Environmental Criteria, College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Nankai University, Tianjin 300350, P. R. China.

Environmental Science & Technology
|June 12, 2025

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Forming Micro-and Nano-Plastics from Agricultural Plastic Films for Employment in Fundamental Research Studies
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Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris
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Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris

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View abstract on PubMed

Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Polyethylene terephthalate nanoparticle (PET-NP) pollution is higher than previously thought, especially in freshwater. This study quanties both dispersed and aggregated PET-NPs, revealing significant environmental presence.

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Materials Science

Background:

  • Polyester fibers, including polyethylene terephthalate (PET), are widely used, leading to the continuous release of PET nanoparticles (PET-NPs) into aquatic environments.
  • Previous studies reported low concentrations of PET-NPs (tens to hundreds of ng/L), potentially underestimating their prevalence due to aggregation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To develop and apply a novel method for quantifying both dispersed and aggregated PET-NPs in natural water bodies.
  • To assess the distribution and concentration of PET-NPs in freshwater and saltwater environments.
  • To investigate factors influencing PET-NP aggregation in aquatic systems.

Main Methods:

  • A dialysis-ultrasonication-filtration method was coupled with mass spectrometry for precise quantification.
Keywords:
PET-NP aggregatesaggregationdialysisdispersed particle

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  • Water samples from Chinese freshwater rivers and lakes, as well as seawater, were analyzed.
  • Factors such as ionic strength and dissolved organic matter were examined for their effect on PET-NP aggregation.

    • Main Results:

    • Dispersed PET-NPs averaged 2.23 μg/L in Chinese freshwater rivers and lakes, significantly higher than previously reported.
    • Total PET-NP concentrations were higher in freshwater (average 7.02 μg/L) than in seawater (average 1.71 μg/L).
    • PET-NPs aggregate more readily in seawater, influenced by Na+ and Ca2+ ions, while dissolved organic matter in freshwater inhibits aggregation.

    Conclusions:

    • The developed method reveals a substantial presence of PET-NPs in aquatic environments, particularly in freshwater, largely due to aggregated forms.
    • PET-NP aggregation is influenced by water chemistry, with implications for their environmental fate and transport.
    • Latent PET-NPs in freshwater represent a significant, under-quantified source of nanoplastic pollution.
    mass concentration
    polyethylene terephthalate
    water environments