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In the natural environment, a symphony of environmental factors including sunlight exposure, current fluctuations, sodium chloride concentrations, and sediment dynamics intertwine, potentially magnifying the impacts on the aging process of disposable face masks (DFMs), thus escalating environmental risks. Employing Regular Two-Level Factorial Design, the study scrutinized interactive impacts of ultraviolet radiation, sand abrasion, acetic acid exposure, sodium chloride levels, and mechanical agitation on mask aging. Aging mechanisms and environmental risks linked with DFMs were elucidated through two-dimensional correlation analyses and risk index method. Following a simulated aging duration of three months, a single mask exhibited the propensity to release a substantial quantity of microplastics, ranging from 38,800 ± 360 to 938,400 ± 529 particles, and heavy metals, with concentrations from 0.06 ± 0.02 μg/g (Pb) to 29.01 ± 1.83 μg/g (Zn). Besides, specific contaminants such as zinc ions (24.24 μg/g), chromium (VI) (4.20 μg/g), thallium (I) (0.92 μg/g), tetracycline (0.51 μg/g), and acenaphthene (1.73 μg/g) can be adsorbed significantly by aged masks. The study elucidates pivotal role of interactions between ultraviolet radiation and acetic acid exposure in exacerbating the environmental risks associated with masks, while emphasizing the pronounced influence of many other interactions. The research provides a comprehensive understanding of the intricate aging processes and ensuing environmental risks posed by DFMs, offering valuable insights essential for developing sustainable management strategies in aquatic ecosystems. [Display omitted] • Interaction between UV, sand, oscillation, HAc, NaCl on mask aging was tested. • Mask aging is most significantly affected by the interaction of UV and oscillation. • Zn, Cr (VI), Tl (I), TC, and Ace can be adsorbed significantly by aged masks. • The risk of masks is most affected by the interaction between UV and acetic acid. • The aging mechanism of masks is inferred by FTIR, XPS, HRMS and 2D-COS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) has great potential to regulate microplastics (MPs) emissions, but few studies have focused on this subject. The present study performed a long-term investigation in a typically combined sewers WWTP. Compared to dry weather, rainfall contributed approximately 1.5 times more MPs to the inlet of the combined WWTP. The equalization tank served as a primary site for MPs' removal, with a 46.67–87.91 % removal rate. Decreasing surface overflow rate (SOR) was an effective measure for improving MPs removal, and a suitable SOR was recommended at ∼11 m3 (d·m2)−1) in the equalization tank. However, MPs' existing settling/rising velocity models failed to obtain a theoretical SOR. In cyclic activated sludge systems, reducing sludge wastage was proposed to facilitate the removal of MPs. As a result, outlet MPs could be reduced by an order of magnitude by adjusting operational parameters on rainy days. Our study highlighted the potential for WWTP to operate as a controlled source of MPs by altering the operational parameters. We also advocated exploiting the mechanisms of MPs' removal by operational parameters and finding an equilibrium between MPs' removal and activated sludge performance. [Display omitted] • MPs in WWTP can be mitigated 90 % by adjusting operational parameters on rainy days. • Decreasing the SOR (or raising the HRT) improve MPs' removal in equalization tank. • Models were incapable to predict MPs' velocities, failing to obtain suitable SOR. • Reducing sludge wastage enhanced MPs' removal in the CASS. • Balance the MPs' removal and the activated sludge's performance was needed in CASS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• MPs/NPs released from low-temperature carbonated water cannot be ignored. • Synergistic CO 2 bubbles and pressure amplify the leaching of MPs/NPs. • Repeated freeze-thaw cycles significantly increase MPs and NPs release. • Suitable plastics, carbonated water pretreatment, fewer freeze-thaw reduce MPs/NPs. • Provides insight into the release patterns of MPs in the natural environment. Carbonated beverages are characterized by low temperatures, multiple microbubbles, high pressure, and an acidic environment, creating ideal conditions for releasing contaminants from plastic bottles. However, the release patterns of microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) are poorly understood. We investigated the effects of plastic type, CO 2 filling volume, temperature, sugar content, and additive on the leakage of MPs/NPs and heavy metals. Our results showed that polypropylene bottles released greater MPs (234±9.66 particles/L) and NPs (9.21±0.73 × 107 particles/L) than polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate bottles. However, subjecting the plastic bottles to 3 repeated inflation treatments resulted in 91.65-93.18% removal of MPs/NPs. The release of MPs/NPs increased with increasing CO 2 filling volume, driven by the synergistic effect of CO 2 bubbles and pressure. After 4 freeze-thaw cycles, the release of MPs and NPs significantly increased, reaching 450±38.65 MPs and 2.91±0.10 × 108 NPs per liter, respectively. The presence of sugar leads to an elevation in MPs release compared to sucrose-free carbonated water, while the addition of additives to carbonated water exhibits negligible effects on MPs release. Interestingly, actual carbonated beverages demonstrated higher MPs concentrations (260.52±27.18-281.38±61.33 particles/L) than those observed in our well-controlled experimental setup. Our study highlights the non-negligible risk of MPs/NPs in carbonated beverages at low temperatures and suggests strategies to mitigate human ingestion of MPs/NPs, such as selecting appropriate plastic materials, high-pressure carbonated water pretreatment, and minimizing freeze-thaw cycles. Our findings provide insights for further study of the release patterns of the contaminants in natural environments with bubbles, pressure, low temperature, and freeze-thaw conditions. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]