An integrated multimethod approach for size-specific assessment of potentially toxic element adsorption onto micro- and nanoplastics: implications for environmental risk

for 1000 nm particles). Se adsorption remained negligible across all sizes, near detection limits, highlighting its low affinity for carboxylated surfaces. Our study demonstrates the superior resolution of AF4-MALS-ICP-MS compared to that of bulk ICP-MS, which lacks the ability to discern particle-specific adsorption trends. Unlike bulk ICP-MS, which provides average adsorption values, AF4-MALS-ICP-MS reveals the size-dependent mechanisms influencing metal binding, offering critical insights into the role of MnPs as PTE vectors. The findings highlight the environmental implications of MnPs in facilitating PTE transport and highlights the need for size-specific mitigation strategies. This work sets a foundation for developing more precise risk assessment frameworks and advanced remediation approaches for MnP-contaminated environments.