Interactions and co-pollution effects of fluorinated liquid crystal monomer and microplastics on aquatic sediment microbiota
Fluorinated liquid crystal monomers (FLCMs) are emerging aquatic pollutants that co-occur with microplastics (MPs); however, their combined ecological impacts remain poorly understood. This study investigated the interactions between a representative FLCM, 4-Ethoxy-2,3-difluoro-4′-(trans-4-propylcyc...
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KeAi Communications Co., Ltd.
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology |
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| Online Access: | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590182625001262 |
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| author | Rui Yang Sanjeeb Mohapatra Apple Pui-Yi Chui Season Si Chen Mui-Choo Jong |
| author_facet | Rui Yang Sanjeeb Mohapatra Apple Pui-Yi Chui Season Si Chen Mui-Choo Jong |
| author_sort | Rui Yang |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Fluorinated liquid crystal monomers (FLCMs) are emerging aquatic pollutants that co-occur with microplastics (MPs); however, their combined ecological impacts remain poorly understood. This study investigated the interactions between a representative FLCM, 4-Ethoxy-2,3-difluoro-4′-(trans-4-propylcyclohexyl) biphenyl (EDPB), and four major types of MPs: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The results revealed plastic-type-dependent adsorption capacities (PE > PS > PP > PVC; 380–850 μg/g) through distinct mechanisms: hydrophobic interactions predominantly influenced PE and PP adsorption, while π-π coordination enhanced PS binding. Microcosm experiments demonstrated that MP-EDPB composites significantly altered sediment microbiomes, showing consistent declines in Proteobacteria abundance (27–29 % vs 36.8 % in controls), pathogen enrichment in marine sediments (Acinetobacter 1.2 → 3.5 %; Vibrio 0.8 → 2.1 %), and ecosystem-specific functional disruptions. Notably, marine systems exhibited greater biodiversity shifts, while freshwater environments showed stronger nitrogen cycle inhibition. These findings provide mechanistic insights into FLCM-MP co-pollution effects on aquatic ecosystems. Environmental implication: Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) and microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants that increasingly co-occur in aquatic ecosystems, yet their interactions and co-exposure risks remain poorly understood. This study demonstrated that the adsorption of LCMs onto microplastics was significantly influenced by plastic type, with equilibrium capacities (Qmax) following the order: PE (849.5 ± 1.2 μg/g) > PS (825.3 ± 0.8 μg/g) > PP (629.1 ± 0.3 μg/g) > PVC (380.2 ± 0.2 μg/g). The MPs-LCMs composites affected microbial composition and functions in sediments across both freshwater and seawater environments. These findings provide a quantitative basis for assessing the environmental partitioning and potential ecological risks associated with MPs-LCMs composite pollutants. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-440ec9381a4f4abe93004653c3f54423 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2590-1826 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | KeAi Communications Co., Ltd. |
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| series | Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology |
| spelling | doaj-art-440ec9381a4f4abe93004653c3f544232025-08-20T05:07:43ZengKeAi Communications Co., Ltd.Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology2590-18262025-01-0171738174810.1016/j.enceco.2025.08.006Interactions and co-pollution effects of fluorinated liquid crystal monomer and microplastics on aquatic sediment microbiotaRui Yang0Sanjeeb Mohapatra1Apple Pui-Yi Chui2Season Si Chen3Mui-Choo Jong4Institute of Environment and Ecology, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518005, ChinaDepartment of Water Management, Faculty of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, Delft University of Technology, Delft, the NetherlandsSimon F.S. Li Marine Science Laboratory, School of Life Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, ChinaInstitute of Environment and Ecology, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518005, China; Corresponding authors.Institute of Environment and Ecology, Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518005, China; Corresponding authors.Fluorinated liquid crystal monomers (FLCMs) are emerging aquatic pollutants that co-occur with microplastics (MPs); however, their combined ecological impacts remain poorly understood. This study investigated the interactions between a representative FLCM, 4-Ethoxy-2,3-difluoro-4′-(trans-4-propylcyclohexyl) biphenyl (EDPB), and four major types of MPs: polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). The results revealed plastic-type-dependent adsorption capacities (PE > PS > PP > PVC; 380–850 μg/g) through distinct mechanisms: hydrophobic interactions predominantly influenced PE and PP adsorption, while π-π coordination enhanced PS binding. Microcosm experiments demonstrated that MP-EDPB composites significantly altered sediment microbiomes, showing consistent declines in Proteobacteria abundance (27–29 % vs 36.8 % in controls), pathogen enrichment in marine sediments (Acinetobacter 1.2 → 3.5 %; Vibrio 0.8 → 2.1 %), and ecosystem-specific functional disruptions. Notably, marine systems exhibited greater biodiversity shifts, while freshwater environments showed stronger nitrogen cycle inhibition. These findings provide mechanistic insights into FLCM-MP co-pollution effects on aquatic ecosystems. Environmental implication: Liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) and microplastics (MPs) are emerging contaminants that increasingly co-occur in aquatic ecosystems, yet their interactions and co-exposure risks remain poorly understood. This study demonstrated that the adsorption of LCMs onto microplastics was significantly influenced by plastic type, with equilibrium capacities (Qmax) following the order: PE (849.5 ± 1.2 μg/g) > PS (825.3 ± 0.8 μg/g) > PP (629.1 ± 0.3 μg/g) > PVC (380.2 ± 0.2 μg/g). The MPs-LCMs composites affected microbial composition and functions in sediments across both freshwater and seawater environments. These findings provide a quantitative basis for assessing the environmental partitioning and potential ecological risks associated with MPs-LCMs composite pollutants.http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590182625001262FLCMsMicroplasticsAdsorption interactionsMicrobial dynamics |
| spellingShingle | Rui Yang Sanjeeb Mohapatra Apple Pui-Yi Chui Season Si Chen Mui-Choo Jong Interactions and co-pollution effects of fluorinated liquid crystal monomer and microplastics on aquatic sediment microbiota Environmental Chemistry and Ecotoxicology FLCMs Microplastics Adsorption interactions Microbial dynamics |
| title | Interactions and co-pollution effects of fluorinated liquid crystal monomer and microplastics on aquatic sediment microbiota |
| title_full | Interactions and co-pollution effects of fluorinated liquid crystal monomer and microplastics on aquatic sediment microbiota |
| title_fullStr | Interactions and co-pollution effects of fluorinated liquid crystal monomer and microplastics on aquatic sediment microbiota |
| title_full_unstemmed | Interactions and co-pollution effects of fluorinated liquid crystal monomer and microplastics on aquatic sediment microbiota |
| title_short | Interactions and co-pollution effects of fluorinated liquid crystal monomer and microplastics on aquatic sediment microbiota |
| title_sort | interactions and co pollution effects of fluorinated liquid crystal monomer and microplastics on aquatic sediment microbiota |
| topic | FLCMs Microplastics Adsorption interactions Microbial dynamics |
| url | http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S2590182625001262 |
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