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2023 Vol.33, Issue 4 Preview Page

Review

Adsorption Mechanisms of Heavy Metals on Microplastics in Aquatic Environments: A Review

수환경에서 미세플라스틱의 중금속 흡착특성과 메커니즘에 관한 고찰

Taejung Ha1
,
Junyong Heo1
,
Subeen Kim1
,
Jong Sung Kim2
,
Minjune Yang3*
하 태정1
,
허 준용1
,
김 수빈1
,
김 종성2
,
양 민준3*
1Ph.D. Student, Major of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Division of Earth and Environmental System Sciences, Pukyong National University
2Associate Professor, Department of Occupational and Environmental Health, University of Iowa
3Associate Professor, Major of Environmental Geosciences, Division of Earth and Environmental System Sciences, Pukyong National University
1부경대학교 지구환경시스템과학부 지구환경과학전공 박사과정
2아이오와대학교 직업환경보건학부 인체독성학전공 부교수
3부경대학교 지구환경시스템과학부 환경지질과학전공 부교수
*Corresponding Author
31 December 2023. pp. 701-716
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Abstract

Microplastics (<5 mm diameter) in aquatic environments adsorb heavy metals, potentially exposing humans to their toxic effects via food chains. We investigated factors influencing the adsorption of heavy metals on microplastics in aquatic environments, examining their adsorption processes and mechanisms. Adsorption characteristics vary with polymer type, crystallinity, particle size, and environmental conditions (pH, temperature, weathering), and the adsorption capacity for heavy metals increases with weathering and reduction in polymer particle size. However, correlations between environment temperature, polymer crystallinity, and adsorption capacity for heavy metals could not be confirmed. The adsorption behavior of heavy metals can be explained in terms of physicochemical adsorption processes and evaluated through adsorption kinetics and isothermal studies, with multiple mechanisms usually being involved. An understanding of the adsorption of heavy metals by microplastics should aid evaluation of the potential risks of microplastics in aquatic environments.

Keywords
microplastics
heavy metals
aquatic environments
mechanism
adsorption

수환경으로 유입된 미세플라스틱(<5 mm)은 중금속을 흡착하여 생태계의 먹이사슬을 통해 인간에게 악영향을 미칠 수 있다. 본 리뷰에서는 수환경에서 미세플라스틱과 중금속 간의 흡착에 영향을 미치는 요인을 조사하고, 흡착과정과 메커니즘을 종합적으로 고찰하였다. 중금속 흡착특성은 미세플라스틱의 폴리머 유형과 결정도, 입자크기, 환경적 조건(pH, 온도, 풍화작용)에 따라 영향을 받았다. 특히 풍화도가 높고 폴리머의 입자크기가 작을수록 중금속 흡착량이 증가하였으나, 흡착이 발생하는 당시 환경의 온도 및 폴리머의 결정도와 중금속 흡착량에 대한 상관관계는 확인하기 어려웠다. 중금속 흡착거동은 흡착 동역학과 등온식을 통해 평가한 물리 ‧ 화학적 흡착과정에 의해 설명되었으며, 일반적으로 하나 이상의 메커니즘에 의해 복합적으로 발생하는 것을 확인하였다. 본 리뷰를 통해 미세플라스틱에 의한 중금속의 흡착거동과 메커니즘을 이해함으로써 수환경에서 미세플라스틱의 잠재적 위험을 평가하는데 도움이 될 것으로 기대된다.

키워드
미세플라스틱
중금속
수환경
메커니즘
흡착
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Information
  • Publisher :Korean Society of Engineering Geology
  • Publisher(Ko) :대한지질공학회
  • Journal Title :The Journal of Engineering Geology
  • Journal Title(Ko) :지질공학
  • Volume : 33
  • No :4
  • Pages :701-716
  • Received Date : 2023-12-05
  • Revised Date : 2023-12-21
  • Accepted Date : 2023-12-26
  • DOI :https://doi.org/10.9720/kseg.2023.4.701
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