Microplastics as Both a Sink and a Source of Bisphenol A in the Marine Environment

Microplastics were demonstrated to be an environmental sink for hydrophobic organic pollutants, while they can also serve as a potential source of such pollutants. In this study, the sorption and release of bisphenol A in marine water were investigated through laboratory experiments. Sorption and desorption isotherms were developed, and the results reveal that sorption and desorption depend on the crystallinity, elasticity, and hydrophobicity of the polymer concerned. The adsorption and partition of bisphenol A can be quantified using a dual-mode model of the sorption mechanisms. Polyamide and polyurethane were found to exhibit the highest sorption capacity for bisphenol A, and it was almost irreversible, probably due to hydrogen bonding. Polyethylenes and polypropylene exhibited high and reversible sorption without noticeable desorption hysteresis. Glassy polystyrene, poly­(vinyl chloride), poly­(methyl methacrylate), and poly­(ethylene terephthalate) exhibited low sorption capacity and only partial reversibility. Low-density polyethylene and polycarbonate microplastic particles were for the first time proved to be a persistent source releasing bisphenol A into aquatic environments. Salinity, pH, coexisting estrogens, and water chemistry influence the sorption/desorption behaviors to different degrees. Plastic particles can serve as transportation vectors for bisphenol A, which may constitute an ecological risk.