Integrative models for environmental forecasting of phthalate migration from microplastics in aquaculture environments

The pervasive utilization of plastic tools in aquaculture introduces significant volumes of microplastic fibers, presenting a consequential risk through the leaching of additives such as phthalates. This study scrutinizes the leaching dynamics of six prevalent phthalate esters (PAEs) from thirteen plastic aquaculture tools comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene (PE), with ΣPAEs ranging from 0.24 to 4.26 mg g−1. Di(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and dibutyl phthalate (DBP) emerged as predominant, marking significant environmental concern. Over a 30-day period, leaching quantities of Σ6PAEs from PET, PP, and PE fibers reached 36.65 μg g−1, 21.87 μg g−1 and 19.11 μg g−1, respectively, influenced by factors such as time, temperature, turbulence, and salinity. Notably, turbulence exerted the most pronounced effect, followed by temperature, with negligible influence from salinity. The kinetic models aligning with interface diffusion control was developed, predicting PAEs' leaching behavior with activation energies (Ea) indicative of the process's thermodynamic nature. The application of this model to real-world aquaculture waters forecasted significant risks, corroborating with empirical data and underscoring the pressing need for regulatory and mitigation strategies against PAEs contamination from aquaculture practices. [Display omitted] •Quantified leaching rates of 6 phthalate esters from microplastics in aquaculture.•Turbulence influences phthalate leaching more than temperature or salinity.•Leaching follows an interface diffusion model with strong predictive capability.•Kinetic model forecasts environmental risks in aquaculture settings.