Freeze-thaw alternations accelerate plasticizers release and pose a risk for exposed organisms
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety, vol. 241, pp. 113742
Abstract
The application of plastic mulch films brings convenience to agricultural production, but also causes plastic waste that can be degraded into microplastics (MPs). However, little is known about the fate of plastic waste in agricultural ecosystem under freeze-thaw alternation in middle and high latitudes, as well as in highlands around the world. Whether the release of plasticizers, i.e. phthalate esters (PAEs), under such conditions would pose a potential risk to exposed organisms due to bioaccumulation is also unknown. To fill these data gaps, the agricultural fields in Liaoning of China with typical freeze-thaw alternation was selected as the study area. The transformation of plastic film was demonstrated by simulation freeze-thaw alternating from -30 to 20 ℃. Soil samples were collected to investigate the patterns of MP composition, abundance, and distribution. Concurrently, the concentrations of two PAEs including bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and diethyl phthalate (DEP) in soils were analyzed to provide information on the correlation between MPs abundance and PAEs concentrations as well as potential risks. The results showed that freeze-thaw alternating can accelerate the formation of MPs and release of PAEs from plastic waste. The abundance of MPs was positively correlated with the concentration of PAEs. Soil PAEs ranged from 3268 ± 213-6351 ± 110 μg/kg, indicating that over 40 % of the PAEs were transferred from plastic films to soils. Such residual amounts could pose risk for exposed organisms. Hence, the current study suggested that special concerns should be given to the release plasticizers in plastic waste of agricultural soils.
Authors 9
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Affiliation as printed
Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for the Ecological Environment of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
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Affiliation as printed
Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for the Ecological Environment of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
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Affiliation as printed
Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for the Ecological Environment of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
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Ying Shao corresponding
Affiliation as printed
Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for the Ecological Environment of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China. Electronic address: ying.shao@cqu.edu.cn
Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for the Ecological Environment of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
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Affiliation as printed
Analytical and Testing Center of Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
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Affiliation as printed
Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for the Ecological Environment of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
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Affiliation as printed
Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for the Ecological Environment of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
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Affiliation as printed
Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52074, Germany
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RWTH Aachen University · Nanjing University · State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse · Chongqing University
Affiliation as printed
Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for the Ecological Environment of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China; Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52074, Germany; State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
Institute for Environmental Research, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen 52074, Germany
Key Laboratory of the Ministry of Education for the Ecological Environment of the Three Gorges Reservoir Area, Chongqing University, Chongqing 400030, China
State Key Laboratory of Pollution Control and Resource Reuse, School of the Environment, Nanjing University, Nanjing 210093, China
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