Interaction of micro(nano)plastics and bisphenols in the environment: A recent perspective on adsorption mechanisms, influencing factors and ecotoxic impacts

The widespread distribution of micro(nano)plastics (MNPs) and bisphenols (BPs) in the environment inevitably resulted in their multifaceted interactions and associated detrimental effects being largely uncharted yet. Hence, this review summarized available studies highlighting the environmental occurrence, sorption mechanisms, and eco-toxicological effects of MNPs and BPs. The existing data indicated that the environmental concentrations of the adsorbed bisphenol A (BPA) and bisphenol S (BPS) on MNPs were 9.52–4961 ng/g and 1.89–118 ng/g of plastic particles, respectively, while bisphenol F (BPF) was below the detection limit. Hydrophobic interaction force was predominantly observed as the main factor in maintaining the adsorption of MNPs and BPA/S, whereas electrostatic repulsion between MNPs and BPF inhibited the adsorption of BPF onto plastic particles. Moreover, co-exposure to MNPs and BPs posed immune responses, neurotoxicity, reproductive inhibition and even survival impairment in test organisms. This review implied that it would facilitate the evaluation of the ecological safety and environmental risks of MNPs and BPs as well as contribute to theoretical guidance for their pollution prevention and control. To better understanding the associated toxicological mechanisms, there is an urgent need to assess the combined toxicological effects of MNPs and BPs.