Division/Committee: [ENVR] Division of Environmental Chemistry

Micro- and nano-size polymer materials (plastics) are confirmed as ubiquitous contaminants in virtually all environmental compartments. Whereas the toxicological consequences of chronic exposure to microplastic (MP) is still vividly debated in the scientific community, the role of MPs as pollutants carrier has recently raised concerns among environmental scientists. Evidence shows that this effect may contribute to an increased toxicity of pollutants due to MPs ingestion enhancing uptake in organisms. Recent studies confirm that, while MPs are highly abundant in oceans, the atmosphere is also an important medium for the global distribution of these pollutants. Hence, MPs actions as pollutant carrier are also expected to significantly enhance the exchange of pollutants across the sea-air interface. Therefore, it is fundamental to thoroughly investigate the role of MPs as pollutant carriers in connection with environmental mobility and distribution, as well as their influence on bioaccumulation. Current research on MPs-mediated environmental processes also includes the effective scavenging of persistent organic pollutants such as poly- and per-fluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) and organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) within both air and water compartments. For these reasons, the role of MP particles as mobility enhancers in the air and the water compartments, as well as their contribution to the uptake and bioaccumulation of the associated pollutants will be the main focus of this symposium.

Antonio Marcomini

Appearances