In vitro sorption study of some organochlorine pesticides on polyethylene terephthalate microplastics

Abstract

The main objective of this study was to investigate the adsorption processes occurring on the surface of microplastic particles using an important class of organic pollutants (organochlorine pesticides). The adsorption study of some organochlorinated compounds has shown that these compounds, being in contact with microplastic particles, can be significantly adsorbed (up to 50% of the added amount controlled in the in vitro study depending on hydrophobicity and water solubility) on their surface and can be transported in natural waters. Contaminated particles may be ingested by aquatic organisms and may bioaccumulate there in causing damage to the entire trophic chain.