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Effect of Polymer Nano- and Microparticles on Calcium Carbonate Crystallization.

ABSTRACT: Molecular and macromolecular templates are known to affect the shape, size, and polymorph selectivity on the biomineralization of calcium carbonate (CaCO₃). Micro- and nanoparticles of common polymers present in the environment are beginning to show toxicity in living organisms. In this study, the role of plastic nanoparticles in the biomineralization of CaCO₃ is explored to understand the ecological impact of plastic pollution. As a model study, luminescent poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoparticles (PMMA-NPs) were prepared using the nanoprecipitation method, fully characterized, and used for the mineralization experiments to understand their influence on nucleation, morphology, and polymorph selectivity of CaCO₃ crystals. The PMMA-NPs induced calcite crystal nucleation with spherical morphologies at high concentrations. Microplastic particles collected from a commercial face scrub were also used for CaCO₃ nucleation to observe the nucleation of calcite crystals on the particle surface. Microscopic, spectroscopic, and X-ray diffraction data were used to characterize and identify the nucleated crystals. The data presented in this paper add more information on the impact of microplastics on the marine environment.

SUBMITTER: Mahadevan G

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8359134 | biostudies-literature |

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:Alpha-particle emitting radionuclides continue to be the subject of medical research because of their high energy and short range of action that facilitate effective cancer therapies. Radium-224 (224Ra) is one such candidate that has been considered for use in combating micrometastatic disease. In our prior studies, a suspension of 224Ra-labeled calcium carbonate (CaCO3) microparticles was designed as a local therapy for disseminated cancers in the peritoneal cavity. The progenies of 224Ra, of which radon-220 (220Rn) is the first, together contribute three of the four alpha particles in the decay chain. The proximity of the progenies to the delivery site at the time of decay of the 224Ra-CaCO3 microparticles can impact its therapeutic efficacy. In this study, we show that the diffusion of 220Rn was reduced in labeled CaCO3 suspensions as compared with cationic 224Ra solutions, both in air and liquid volumes. Furthermore, free-floating lead-212 (212Pb), which is generated from released 220Rn, had the potential to be re-adsorbed onto CaCO3 microparticles. Under conditions mimicking an in vivo environment, more than 70% of the 212Pb was adsorbed onto the CaCO3 at microparticle concentrations above 1 mg/mL. Further, the diffusion of 220Rn seemed to occur whether the microparticles were labeled by the surface adsorption of 224Ra or if the 224Ra was incorporated into the bulk of the microparticles. The therapeutic benefit of differently labeled 224Ra-CaCO3 microparticles after intraperitoneal administration was similar when examined in mice bearing intraperitoneal ovarian cancer xenografts. In conclusion, both the release of 220Rn and re-adsorption of 212Pb are features that have implications for the radiotherapeutic use of 224Ra-labeled CaCO3 microparticles. The release of 220Rn through diffusion may extend the effective range of alpha-particle dose deposition, and the re-adsorption of the longer lived 212Pb onto the CaCO3 microparticles may enhance the retention of this nuclide in the peritoneal cavity.

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Effect of Polymer Nano- and Microparticles on Calcium Carbonate Crystallization.

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