Microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter and its biogeochemical behaviors in aquatic environments: A review

Abstract

Microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter (MP-DOM) exerts great effects on organic carbon pool and its environmental behaviors in natural waters due to increasing amounts of uncontrolled plastic disposal. However, systematic understanding of chemical composition and environmental impacts of MP-DOM in aquatic systems was limited. In this work, the chemical and molecular structures of MP-DOM derived from diverse characterization methods were examined and synthesized to provide a basis for understanding their environmental processes. Additionally, those factors affecting the quantity and quality of released MP-DOM (e.g., plastic types, water environments, and external weathering conditions) were reviewed. Furthermore, environmental behaviors of MP-DOM including its biological degradation, adsorption on mineral surfaces, and interaction with pollutants, as well as their environmental impacts were comprehensively summarized. Finally, we outlooked the future research directions on MP-DOM studies, aiming to contribute to a deeper understanding of the environmental mechanisms and control of plastic pollution through the analysis of MP-DOM. This review provides information for further understanding the impact of microplastics on natural water, which might have consequences on the fluxes of carbon and biogeochemical behaviors of metal and organic contaminants.

HIGHLIGHTS

1. The structural features, influence factors, and biogeochemical behavior of MP-DOM were reviewed.

2. Compared with NOM, MP-DOM is dominated by labile aliphatic compounds.

3. UV exposure, high temperature and alkalinity solution could promote MP-DOM release.

4. MP-DOM actively interacts with environmental media and alters their environmental fate.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

Keywords:

• Chemical composition
• dissolved organic matter
• environmental behaviors
• environmental impacts
• influencing factors
• microplastics

Handling Editors:

• Binoy Sarkar and Scott Bradford

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.

Additional information

Funding

This study was supported by the National Key Research and Development Program of China (no. 2022YFC3201902), Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (FRF-TP-20-059A1), and the Open Foundation of State Key Laboratory of Environmental Criteria and Risk Assessment, Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (no. SKLECRA2021OFP02). Mention of trade names or commercial products is solely for the purpose of providing specific information and does not imply recommendation or endorsement by USDA. USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.