Polyvinyl chloride nanoplastics transport inhibited in natural sandy soil by iron-modified biochar

• Published in: Environmental monitoring and assessment 2024-09, Vol.196 (9), p.830, Article 830
• Main Authors: Ni, Zifan, Chen, Xuehai, Cui, Min, Li, Jia
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adsorption; Atmospheric Protection/Air Quality Control/Air Pollution; Bioavailability; Calcium ions; Calcium transport; Charcoal; Charcoal - chemistry; Chloride transport; Chlorides; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecology; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Management; Groundwater; Ionic strength; Iron; Iron - chemistry; Monitoring/Environmental Analysis; Plastic debris; Plastic pollution; Polyvinyl chloride; Polyvinyl Chloride - chemistry; Rain; Rain water; Sandy soils; Soil; Soil - chemistry; Soil columns; Soil investigations; Soil management; Soil Pollutants - analysis; Soil Pollutants - chemistry; Soil pollution; Soil strength; Sulfur dioxide
• ISSN: 0167-6369; 1573-2959; 1573-2959
• DOI: 10.1007/s10661-024-13000-7

The small particle size of nanoplastics allows them to migrate through soil and make them highly bioavailable, posing a potential threat to groundwater. Measures are urgently needed to reduce the migration of nanoplastics in soil. However, there is limited research available on this topic. In this study, two types of iron-modified biochar (magnetic corncob biochar (MCCBC) and magnetic walnut shell biochar (MWSBC)) were selected and their effects on the transport of polyvinyl chloride nanoplastics (PVC-NPs) in natural sandy soil columns under different ionic types and strengths were investigated. The results show that the transport of PVC-NPs in single sandy soil columns was rapid and efficient, with the estimated breakthrough rate of 85.10%. However, the presence of MCCBC and MWSBC (0.5%, w/w) significantly inhibited the transport of PVC-NPs in sandy soil columns ( p   MWSBC > sandy soil. The retention of PVC-NPs by MCCBC and MWSBC is determined by ionic type and ionic strength. The presence of coexisting ions enhanced the inhibitory effect of iron-modified biochar on the transport of PVC-NPs, with the following order: Ca 2+  > SO2- 4 > Cl −  > NO- 3. The inhibitory effect of MCCBC and MWSBC on the transport of PVC-NPs in soil columns increased with increasing ionic strengths. Furthermore, MCCBC and MWSBC inhibited the migration of PVC-NPs in a rainwater-soil system. The mechanisms by which MCCBC and MWSBC affect the transport of PVC-NPs in soil columns were considered to enhancing adsorption and decreasing soil pore volume. The results provide new insights into the management of soil nanoplastic pollution.