Introduction: Microplastics are small plastic particles measuring less than 5 mm. Due to the increasing global annual production, plastics and consequently microplastics, are becoming increasingly widespread in the environment. In recent years, agricultural soil, with modern farming practices, has been recognized as an important source of microplastics. The important property of microplastics to adsorb pollutants, such as pesticides, onto their surface, has encouraged research into the combined impact of microplastics and pesticides on the human health and environment. Purpose: The purpose of this master's thesis is to examine the influence of the type, shape, and concentration of microplastics on pesticide adsorption. Methods: Through a laboratory experiment we determined the concentrations of adsorbed pesticides: acetamiprid, chlorantriniliprole and flubendiamide on microplastics of different types: PS, PET and PE. Pesticide concentrations were determined by mixing samples containing a mixture of pesticides, microplastics and agricultural soil to define the adsorption process by employing the solid-phase extraction (SPE) and high-performance liquid chromatography followed by diode array detection. Results: With a statistical analysis of the results, we have proven that the fragments of certain shape (small beads and balls) have a higher adsorption capacity. Furthermore, our findings have shown that the type of microplastics is significant in studying its impact on adsorption. In our case, PET showed a higher adsorption capacity than PE and PS. The concentration of microplastics also affects adsorption, with the results indicating better adsorption at higher concentrations of microplastics. Discussion and conclusion: With our research we have demonstrated that pesticides can adsorb onto microplastic particles. The adsorption is influenced by all the investigated properties, including type, concentration, and shape of microplastics. With this study we have contributed towards a better understanding of the interactions between two significant pollutants, microplastics and pesticides, and provided a starting point for further research on additional aspects of the impact of microplastics, pollutants and the environment on adsorption.
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