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  • Wang_HAZMAT_MP aggregation

    Rights statement: This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Hazardous Materials. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of Hazardous Materials, 402, 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123496

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A review of microplastics aggregation in aquatic environment: Influence factors, analytical methods, and environmental implications

Research output: Contribution to Journal/MagazineJournal articlepeer-review

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  • Xinjie Wang
  • Nanthi S Bolan
  • Daniel C.W. Tsang
  • Binoy Sarkar
  • Lauren Bradney
  • Yang Li
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Article number123496
<mark>Journal publication date</mark>15/01/2021
<mark>Journal</mark>Journal of Hazardous Materials
Volume402
Number of pages19
Publication StatusPublished
Early online date16/07/20
<mark>Original language</mark>English

Abstract

A large amount of plastic waste released into natural waters and their demonstrated toxicity have made the transformation of microplastics (MPs; < 5 mm) and nanoplastics (NPs; < 100 nm) an emerging environmental concern. Aggregation is one of the most important environmental behaviors of MPs, especially in aquatic environments, which determines the mobility, distribution and bioavailability of MPs. In this paper, the sources and inputs of MPs in aquatic environments were first summarized followed by the analytical methods for investigating MP aggregation, including the sampling, visualization, and quantification procedures of MP’ particle sizes. We critically evaluated the sampling methods that still remains a methodological gap. Identification and quantification of MPs were mostly carried out by visual, spectroscopic and spectrometric techniques, and modeling analysis. Important factors affecting MP aggregation in natural waters and environmental implications of the aggregation process were also reviewed. Finally, recommendations for future research were discussed, including (1) conducting more field studies; (2) using MPs in laboratory works representing those in the environment; and (3) standardizing methods of identification and quantification. The review gives a comprehensive overview of current knowledge for MP aggregation in natural waters, identifies knowledge gaps, and provides suggestions for future research.

Bibliographic note

This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Journal of Hazardous Materials. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Journal of Hazardous Materials, 402, 2020 DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123496