Insights into the determination and sorption of organic contaminants in microplastics
- Autores: Gabriel Jiménez Skrzypek
- Directores de la Tesis: Javier Hernández Borges (dir. tes.), Javier González Sálamo (codir. tes.)
- Lectura: En la Universidad de La Laguna ( España ) en 2025
- Idioma: español
- Tribunal Calificador de la Tesis: Victor Manuel León León (presid.), María José Trujillo Rodríguez (secret.), Rosa María Peñalver Soler (voc.)
- Programa de doctorado: Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Médicas y Farmacéuticas, Desarrollo y Calidad de Vida por la Universidad de La Laguna
- Materias:
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- Resumen
Environmental pollution by microplastics (MPs) is a growing global issue that severely impacts numerous ecosystems and poses significant risks to public health and the environment. The continuous increase in plastic production and consumption, coupled with inadequate waste management, exacerbates this situation, leaving no clear short- or medium-term solutions. These small plastic particles, originating both from the degradation of larger plastic waste and intentional manufacturing at micro-scale dimensions, act as vectors transporting chemical contaminants, concentrating and protecting them from environmental degradation.
The interaction between MPs and contaminants is complex and influenced by multiple factors, including the polymer type, specific environmental conditions, and the intrinsic characteristics of the contaminants, which collectively determine adsorption or absorption mechanisms. Given this challenge, it is crucial to develop robust analytical methodologies that accurately study these interactions and monitor contaminants adsorbed onto MPs collected directly from the environment.
In this Doctoral Thesis, the role of MPs in contaminant transport was investigated from two complementary perspectives. Firstly, adsorption experiments were carried out using the contraceptive levonorgestrel on different types of MPs in ultrapure water and synthetic seawater, providing key insights into adsorption kinetics and equilibrium isotherms essential to understanding these interactions under realistic environmental conditions. These studies were complemented by exhaustive physicochemical characterization of the polymers using techniques such as X-ray diffraction, differential scanning calorimetry, and infrared spectroscopy, revealing how structural properties significantly influence kinetic mechanisms and adsorption capacity.
Secondly, novel advanced analytical methodologies were developed, optimized, and validated for determining persistent and emerging contaminants in pristine and environmentally aged MPs. Particularly noteworthy is the implementation of the cryomilling of the MPs, a technique that allows obtaining samples with controlled particle sizes, substantially enhancing sample homogeneity, analyte recovery, and analytical reproducibility. Additionally, frequently overlooked aspects such as matrix effect and particle size influence were meticulously evaluated. Analytical techniques employed included gas and liquid chromatography coupled to mass spectrometry and tandem mass spectrometry detectors, respectively.
The practical applicability of these methodologies was confirmed through the analysis of real MP samples collected from three beaches in Tenerife (Playa Grande, Bocinegro, and Almáciga). The results demonstrated the robustness and efficacy of these methods in real environmental scenarios, providing relevant data on MP contamination in the region.
Altogether, this Doctoral Thesis provides a solid framework for the comprehensive study of interactions between MPs and chemical contaminants, as well as reliable analytical tools for environmental monitoring. The methods developed contribute to a better understanding of the underlying environmental dynamics and offer valuable information for the effective management of risks associated with MP pollution.
