biostudies-literatureZhang CMinistry of Industry and Information Technology of the People's Republic of China177https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC12944846biostudies-literatureUnknown14(2)Acrylate-based self-polishing copolymer antifouling paint particles (SPC-APPs) are persistent micropollutants that act as carriers for biocidal heavy metals, posing significant ecological hazards to aquatic ecosystems. Despite their toxicity, the occurrence, characterization, and metal-leaching risks of SPC-APPs in estuarine environments remain largely understudied. This study investigated the contamination characteristics of SPC-APPs in surface sediments from the Yangtze River Estuary, a hotspot of shipping activity. A multi-technique analytical protocol was employed, combining density separation with scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) toToxicsOccurrence and Characterization of Acrylate-Based Self-Polishing Copolymer Anti-Fouling Paint Particles (SPC-APPs) in the Sediments of the Yangtze River Estuary.PMC12944846MC202031-Z07Wu DZhang CZhou JfalseOccurrence and Characterization of Acrylate-Based Self-Polishing Copolymer Anti-Fouling Paint Particles (SPC-APPs) in the Sediments of the Yangtze River Estuary.Acrylate-based self-polishing copolymer antifouling paint particles (SPC-APPs) are persistent micropollutants that act as carriers for biocidal heavy metals, posing significant ecological hazards to aquatic ecosystems. Despite their toxicity, the occurrence, characterization, and metal-leaching risks of SPC-APPs in estuarine environments remain largely understudied. This study investigated the contamination characteristics of SPC-APPs in surface sediments from the Yangtze River Estuary, a hotspot of shipping activity. A multi-technique analytical protocol was employed, combining density separation with scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS), and pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) to2026-01-01T00:00:00Z2026 Feb2026-07-12T03:10:59.965Z2026-07-12T03:07:17.5ZS-EPMC129448464174585110.3390/toxics14020177