Humic substance mitigated the microplastic-induced inhibition of hydroxyl radical production in riparian sediment

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials 2024-05, Vol.470, p.134246-134246, Article 134246
• Main Authors: Ye, Tianran, Huang, Mengyu, Wang, Yulai, Yang, Ao, Xu, Huacheng
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biotic and abiotic process; Humic acid; Hydroxyl radical; Microplastics; Riparian sediments
• ISSN: 0304-3894; 1873-3336
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.134246

Hydroxyl radicals (·OH) generated during the flooding-drought transformation process play a vital role in affecting nutrient cycles at riparian zone. However, information on the processes and mechanisms for ·OH formation under the influence of microplastics (MPs) remains unclear. In this study, the effects of MPs on ·OH production from riparian sediments with different biomass [e.g., vegetation lush (VL) and vegetation barren (VB)] were studied. The results showed that presence of MPs inhibited the production of ·OH by 27 % and 7.5 % for VB and VL sediments, respectively. The inhibition was mainly resulted from the MP-induced reduction of the biotic and abiotic mediated Fe redox processes. Spectral analysis revealed that VL sediments contained more high-molecular-weight humic-like substances. Presence of MPs increased the abundances and activities of Proteobacteria, Acidobacteria and Actinobacteria, which were conducive to the changes in humification and polar properties of organic matters. The reduced humic- and fulvic-like substances were accumulated in the flooding period and substantially oxidized during flooding/drought transformation due to the enhanced MP-mediated electron transfer abilities, thus mitigated the MP-induced inhibition effects. Therefore, in order to better understanding the biogeochemical cycling of contaminants as influenced by ·OH and MPs in river ecosystems, humic substances should be considered systematically. [Display omitted] •Presence of MPs on·OH production from riparian sediments were studied.•MPs inhibited·OH production by 27 % and 7.5 % for VB and VL sediments, respectively.•Biotic and abiotic mediated Fe redox processes accounted for the inhibition effect.•Sediment humic substances could mitigate MP-induced inhibition for·OH production.•Increased HIX and polar character of humus accounted for enhanced·OH production.