New Publication in Environmental Science & Technology Explores the Impact of Eco-Corona on Nanoplastics' Fate
Nanoplastics in aquatic environments often interact with natural macromolecules, forming what scientists call an “eco-corona.” This eco-corona can drastically alter how nanoplastics move through porous media and how they transport other pollutants. In this new study co-authored by Thilo Hofmann, the researchers found that even a thin eco-corona significantly affects the cotransport of nanoplastics with organic contaminants.
For example, when nanoplastics adsorbed the pollutant 4-nonylphenol before eco-corona formation, the eco-corona promoted pollutant transport by trapping the molecules between the plastic surface and the macromolecular layer. This binding slowed the release of the contaminant, allowing it to travel farther with the nanoplastics. By contrast, for another pollutant, 2,2′,4,4′-tetrabromodiphenyl ether, the eco-corona blocked preferred binding sites on the nanoplastics, thereby reducing its cotransport. Spectroscopic analyses and transport modeling provided strong evidence for these mechanisms. The findings reveal that eco-corona formation can either enhance or inhibit pollutant transport, depending on contaminant chemistry. This work underscores the importance of considering eco-corona dynamics when assessing the environmental risks of nanoplastics and their role in spreading hazardous compounds.
