Abstract
Tire wear particles (TWPs) are a major component of non-exhaust traffic emissions and an important source of microplastics capable of retaining and transporting organic contaminants. This study investigated the sorption behaviour and adsorption kinetics of antibiotics (AAs), the endocrine-active compound E3, hydroxylated PAHs (OH-PAHs) and the biomarker cotinine using batch experiments (15–24 h) combined with LC-MS/MS analysis. Sorption was rapid and compound-specific. Cotinine showed the highest adsorption capacity (qe = 90.91 µg g–1), 5-hPZA was the most strongly retained among AAs (38.18 µg g–1), and 4-OH-PHEN exhibited the highest uptake among OH-PAHs (24.63 µg g–1). Most analytes followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model (typically R² > 0.98), while several OH-PAHs displayed deviations, indicating diverse adsorption behaviour. Raman and ATR-FTIR analyses confirmed the heterogeneous composition of TWPs, including carbonaceous and inorganic fillers. Overall, the results demonstrate that TWPs act as effective sorbents for multiple classes of micropollutants and may influence their environmental mobility and persistence. Further research under environmentally realistic conditions - including quantitative assessment of TWP abundance and competitive sorption between co-occurring contaminants - is needed to better predict their role in air, soil and water systems.
Data availability
The datasets generated during and/or analysed during the current study are available from the corresponding authors on reasonable request.
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Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the financial support of AGH University of Krakow, grant number 16.16.210.476. Research supported by AGH UST within the framework of the “Excellence Initiative - Research University” and by the Republic of Poland Ministry of Education and Science; Project INiG-PIB no. 0064/TA/24.
Funding
This research did receive funding. Dominika Uchmanowicz received funding from AGH University of Krakow; Grant ID grant number 16.16.210.476. Xymena Badura received funding from Republic of Poland Ministry of Education and Science; Grant ID Project INiG-PIB no. 0064/TA/24. Katarzyna Styszko received funding from AGH University of Krakow; Grant ID grant number 16.16.210.476. Laura Węgrzyn received funding from AGH University of Krakow; Grant ID grant number 16.16.210.476. Justyna Pyssa received funding from AGH University of Krakow; Grant ID grant number 16.16.210.476.
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D.U. was responsible for results of sorbtion measurement and kinetic modelinig, X.B and J.P. were responsible for results of Raman/ATR-FTIR , L.W and K.S were responsible for results of LC-MS/MS. All authors reviewed the manuscript.
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Uchmanowicz, D., Badura, X., Styszko, K. et al. A hidden route of exposure: adsorption of endocrine disrupting compounds and chemicals of emerging concern on tire rubber. Sci Rep (2026). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-37140-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-37140-7
