Adsorption and toxicity characteristics of ciprofloxacin on differently prepared polyethylene terephthalate microplastics from both experimental and theoretical perspectives

Plastic debris is commonplace in aquatic environments and is a means of transportation for several new contaminants, including ciprofloxacin (CIP), which also pose risks to ecosystems and public health. The interaction of CIP with microsized polyethylene terephthalate (PET) polymers, however, is not well understood. In this study, the adsorption and toxicity characteristics of CIP with different prepared PET MPs such as pristine (Pr-PET), acid modified (Mod-PET) and thermal-oxidatively aged (Ag-PET) were studied through both experimental and theoretical calculations and cost benefit analysis. The Ag-PET MPs with the highest BET surface area and large pore volume exhibited the best adsorption for CIP under different factors with the best stability (−450.33 kcal/mol) as shown by molecular dynamics simulation. The adsorption involved both homogenous and heterogenous sites adsorption process. Although Pr-PET MPs were the least effective adsorbent, they were the most economically viable, costing 148.75 USD/g of CIP adsorbed. The adsorption of CIP on PET MPs may have negative impacts on zebrafish and human health by inhibiting Cytochrome P450, 3A4, and 2D6 protein crystals. The study shows that PET MPs have great potential for removing CIP in practical wastewater treatment and highlights their potential impact on ecosystems.