Static headspace-gas chromatography with mass spectrometry for the assessment of the bioaccumulation of volatile organic compounds associated with microplastics in animal tissues
Year: 2024
Type: article
Abstract: BACKGROUND: The excessive increase in the production of plastics worldwide and their mismanagement have turned these materials into a threat to the environment and living organisms. Plastics undergo erosion and degradation processes releasing additives, monomers of their formulation, and even generating one of the most worrying emerging pollutants: microplastics. These contaminants have been found in both aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, so it is clear the need to develop a methodology to determine the accumulation of these pollutants and their associated compounds in living organisms. RESULTS: range. The application of chemometric tools allowed to evaluate the relationship between the type of animal organ and the presence of contaminants associated with microplastics, showing a tendency towards a greater accumulation in kidney and liver. Verification of the origin of the VOCs found was carried out by means of a thermogravimetric analysis - mass spectrometry study. SIGNIFICANCE: The developed analytical approach generates useful and valuable information to better understand the exposure pathways of microplastics and their associated compounds, as well as the related migration and accumulation processes may happen in animal organs. This methodology has demonstrated high sensitivity, precision, robustness, and automation, as well as minimal sample handling.
Source: Analytica Chimica Acta
Institution: Universidad de Murcia
Language: English
Subfield: Pollution
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $4,070
Award: G216534889
OpenAlex ID: W4404172068