Stabilization of Fragmental Polystyrene Nanoplastic by Natural Organic Matter: Insight into Mechanisms

The increasing amount of plastic debris in the environment and its disintegration into submicrometric particles are cause for concern. Due to colloidal nature nanoplastics, their environmental fate should be investigated separately from that microplastics. Abiotic factors greatly influence stability nanoplastics. This will affect residence time hydrosphere. Therefore, we behavior two different nanoplastic models (with sizes shapes) with regard ionic strength, pH, varying concentrations types natural organic matter: humic acid sodium alginate. results demonstrate both matter enhanced aqueous nanoplastics over at high strengths. Depending on matter’s nature, stabilizing mechanisms were revealed using dynamic light scattering asymmetrical flow field fractionation coupled static scattering. Humic provides electrostatic repulsion between particles, some larger molecules provide steric hindrance. Sodium alginate sorbs onto bridges separate small aggregates covered stabilized by highlight importance considering properties when assessing environment.