Polyacrylic acid-based nanoplastics used in cosmetics : a study of biodegradability and effects on heterotrophic and nitrifying microorganisms in the activated sludge

Mederer, Bernardette (avtor), Novak, Janja (avtor), Putar, Ula (avtor), Škrlep, Luka (avtor), Bundschuh, Mirco (avtor), Kalčíková, Gabriela (avtor)

Nanoplastics, commonly used in cosmetics, enter wastewater systems and interact with activated sludge, yet their effects on microorganisms, essential for wastewater treatment, remain poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of polyacrylic acid-based nanoplastics (PANPs) on microorganisms in activated sludge. The PANPs were characterized in terms of their material composition, size, zeta potential, and additive content. Acute (30 min) and prolonged (up to 6 h) toxicity tests were performed to evaluate negative effects on heterotrophic and nitrifying microorganisms in activated sludge. In addition, ready and inherent biodegradability tests were performed to assess their degradation in the environment and within wastewater treatment plants, respectively. The results showed a significant acute inhibition of heterotrophic and nitrifying activity (up to 55 and 72%, respectively) at the highest concentration tested (100 mg/L, 30 min), primarily attributed to the presence of 1-dodecanol detected in the PANPs. This effect decreased with prolonged exposure, likely due to the volatilization of 1-dodecanol. Nevertheless, the PANPs were found to be non-biodegradable in both the ready and inherent biodegradability tests. Although PANPs do not appear to pose a long-term threat to the activated sludge, their persistence in the environment raises concerns about possible accumulation.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: additives, cosmetics, microbial activity, nanoparticles, wastewater treatment, water-soluble polymer
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: FKKT - Fakulteta za kemijo in kemijsko tehnologijo
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Datum objave: 01.03.2025
• Leto izida: 2025
• Št. strani: Str. 626-638
• Številčenje: Vol. 91, iss. 5
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-168327
• UDK: 504.5:678.744.32:620.3
• ISSN pri članku: 0273-1223
• DOI: 10.2166/wst.2025.034
• COBISS.SI-ID: 231923459
• Datum objave v RUL: 09.04.2025

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: Water science and technology
• Skrajšan naslov: Water sci. technol.
• Založnik: IWA Publishing
• ISSN: 0273-1223
• COBISS.SI-ID: 26617600

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY-NC 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva-Nekomercialno 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: Licenca Creative Commons, ki prepoveduje komercialno uporabo, vendar uporabniki ne rabijo upravljati materialnih avtorskih pravic na izpeljanih delih z enako licenco.

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Ključne besede: aditivi, kozmetika, mikrobna aktivnost, nanodelci, čiščenje odpadne vode, vodotopni polimeri