Analysis of Toxic Chemical Substances Adsorbed on Microplastics

Add Bookmark

Toxic chemical substances may be adsorbed on microplastics (MPs) in the environment and impact the ecosystem by desorbing from the MPs, migrating to the bodies of living organisms, and concentrating in those organisms.

We introduce an example of an evaluation of the MPs adsorption characteristics of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). Using commercially-available particulate polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene (PE) as MP samples, the amount of adsorption of PAHs and PFAS in water on the various plastics was evaluated quantitatively by GC-MS/MS and LC-MS/MS.

  • Fig. 1 Outline of Adsorption Test System
    Fig. 1 Outline of Adsorption Test System
  • Fig. 2 Outline of Test Flow
    Fig. 2 Outline of Test Flow

 

Fig. 3 shows the results of the analysis of the PAHs by GC-MS/MS, and Fig. 4 shows the results of the analysis of the PFAS by LC-MS/MS.

 

Fig. 3 GC-MS/MS Analysis Results: PAHs

Fig. 3 GC-MS/MS Analysis Results: PAHs

Fig. 4  LC-MS/MS Analysis Results: PFAS

Fig. 4  LC-MS/MS Analysis Results: PFAS

 
 

Adsorption on the MPs was confirmed for all PAHs substances and for some PFAS substances. Adsorption of the PAHs on PP and PE tended to be large. However, the amount of adsorption of the PFAS tended to differ for each chemical substance. 

GCMS-TQ8040 Triple Quadrupole Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer

GCMS-TQ8040 Triple Quadrupole Gas Chromatograph Mass Spectrometer

In measurement of the PAHs, a GCMS-TQ8040 triple quadrupole gas chromatograph mass spectrometer (Fig. 3) was used.