Microplastics aged in various environmental media exhibited strong sorption to heavy metals in seawater

To date, the degradation of microplastics (MPs; aged mPS > unaged mPS > unaged mPVC, and the Cu2+ and Cd2+ ions competed for active adsorption sites on the MPs surfaces. Overall, the aging environment affected the physical and chemical properties of MPs and the aging of MPs enhanced their adsorption of coexisting metals tested. [Display omitted] •Microplastics were aged under exposure to UVA irradiation in simulated environmental media (air, seawater, sand, and soil).•The physical and chemical properties of microplastics are affected by aging.•Aged microplastics have high sorption capacity for heavy metals.•Cu2+ and Cd2+ ions compete for active adsorption sites on the microplastics surfaces.