Temperature-Dependent Molecular Evolution of Biochar-Derived Dissolved Black Carbon and Its Interaction Mechanism with Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastics

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review

33 Scopus Citations
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Author(s)

  • Fanhao Song
  • Tingting Li
  • Fengchang Wu
  • Jin Hur
  • Lingfeng Zhou
  • Yingchen Bai
  • Xiaoli Zhao
  • Wei He
  • Mingqi Ruan

Detail(s)

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)7285-7297
Journal / PublicationEnvironmental Science & Technology
Volume57
Issue number18
Online published25 Apr 2023
Publication statusPublished - 9 May 2023

Abstract

Biochar-derived dissolved black carbon (DBC) molecules are dependent on the BC formation temperature and affect the fate of emerging contaminants in waters, such as polyvinyl chloride microplastic (MPPVC). However, the temper-ature-dependent evolution and MPPVC-interaction of DBC molecules remain unclear. Herein, we propose a novel DBC-MPPVC interaction mechanism by systematically interpreting heterogeneous correlations, sequential responses, and synergistic relationships of thousands of molecules and their linking functional groups. Two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy was proposed to combine Fourier transform-ion cyclotron resonance mass spectrometry and spectroscopic datasets. Increased temperature caused diverse DBC molecules and fluorophores, accompanied by molecular transformation from saturation/reduction to unsaturation/oxidation with high carbon oxidation states, especially for molecules with acidic functional groups. The temperature response of DBC molecules detected via negative-/positive-ion electrospray ionization sequentially occurred in unsaturated hydrocarbons -> lignin-like -> condensed aromatic -> lipid-/aliphatic-/ peptide-like -> tannin-like -> carbohydrate-like molecules. DBC molecular changes induced by temperature and MPPVC interaction were closely coordinated, with lignin-like molecules contributing the most to the interaction. Functional groups in DBC molecules with m/z < 500 showed a sequential MPPVC-interaction response of phenol/aromatic ether C-O, alkene C=C/amide C=O -> polysaccharides C-O -> alcohol/ether/carbohydrate C-O groups. These findings help to elucidate the critical role of DBCs in MP environmental behaviors.

© 2023 American Chemical Society 

Research Area(s)

  • molecular diversity, unique molecules, fluorophores, synchronous and asynchronous maps, heterogeneous correlations, interaction contribution, ORGANIC-MATTER FLUORESCENCE, SOLID-PHASE EXTRACTION, BINDING CHARACTERISTICS, STRUCTURAL-PROPERTIES, EEM-PARAFAC, C-13 NMR, DOM, WATER, SIZE, SORPTION

Citation Format(s)

Temperature-Dependent Molecular Evolution of Biochar-Derived Dissolved Black Carbon and Its Interaction Mechanism with Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastics. / Song, Fanhao; Li, Tingting; Wu, Fengchang et al.
In: Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 57, No. 18, 09.05.2023, p. 7285-7297.

Research output: Journal Publications and ReviewsRGC 21 - Publication in refereed journalpeer-review