The plastic production that contributes to the global plastic reservoir presents a major challenge for society in managing plastic waste and mitigating the environmental damage of microplastic (MP) pollution. In the environment, the formation of biomolecular corona around MPs enhance the stability of MP suspensions, influencing the bioavailability and toxicity of MPs. Essential physical properties including MP stability, dispersibility, agglomeration, and dimensional size must be precisely defined and measured in complex media taking into account the formation of a protein corona. Using static multiple light scattering (SMLS), small angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), Raman microscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), we measured the particle size, density, stability, and agglomeration state of polyethylene and polypropylene MPs stabilized in aqueous suspension by BSA. SEM analysis revealed the formation of nanoplastic debris as MP suspensions aged. Our results suggest that protein adsorption favors the formation of secondary nanoplastics, potentially posing an additional threat to ecosystems. This approach provides analytical methodologies by integrating SEM, SMLS, and SAXS, for characterizing MP suspensions and highlights the effect of the protein corona on size measurements of micro/nanoplastics. Our analysis demonstrates the detectability of secondary nanoplastics by SEM, paving the way for monitoring and controlling human exposure.

中文翻译：

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实验暴露介质中微塑料的稳定性和分散性及其通过 SMLS、SAXS、拉曼显微镜和 SEM 进行的尺寸表征

塑料生产构成了全球塑料库，对社会管理塑料废物和减轻微塑料（MP）污染的环境破坏提出了重大挑战。在环境中，MP周围生物分子冠的形成增强了MP悬浮液的稳定性，影响MP的生物利用度和毒性。必须在复杂介质中精确定义和测量重要的物理特性，包括 MP 稳定性、分散性、团聚性和尺寸，同时考虑到蛋白质电晕的形成。使用静态多重光散射 (SMLS)、小角 X 射线散射 (SAXS)、拉曼显微镜和扫描电子显微镜 (SEM)，我们测量了稳定在水中的聚乙烯和聚丙烯 MP 的粒径、密度、稳定性和团聚状态。 BSA 水悬浮液。 SEM 分析揭示了 MP 悬浮液老化时纳米塑料碎片的形成。我们的结果表明，蛋白质吸附有利于二次纳米塑料的形成，可能对生态系统构成额外的威胁。该方法通过集成 SEM、SMLS 和 SAXS 提供分析方法，用于表征 MP 悬浮液，并强调蛋白质电晕对微/纳米塑料尺寸测量的影响。我们的分析证明了 SEM 可以检测到二次纳米塑料，为监测和控制人体接触铺平了道路。