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Promoting LDPE microplastic biodegradability: The combined effects of solar and gamma irradiation on photodegradation
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Researchers investigated how combining simulated solar irradiation with gamma irradiation affects the biodegradability of low-density polyethylene (LDPE) microplastics. The study found that the combined photocatalysis and gamma irradiation treatment produced a synergistic effect, generating the highest rate of biodegradation through the formation of carbonyl groups that initiated biological breakdown, suggesting a potential approach for treating microplastic-contaminated wastewater.
Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE) is non-biodegradable and breaks down into microplastics (MP) when exposed to sunlight and weathering. This poses a threat to ecosystems, contributing to the micropollutants found in urban treated wastewater. Our study aimed to investigate the effects of solar and gamma irradiation on the biodegradability of LDPE MP. We pretreated them with simulated solar irradiation without (photolysis) and with (photocatalysis) TiO2 nanoparticles followed by gamma irradiation, leading to the appearance of cracks and roughness on the surface. Simultaneously, thermal stability decreased, and the carbonyl index and crystallinity increased, indicating oxidation and chain scission. Aerobic biodegradability was measured in a static respirometer at 58ºC, using green compost as inoculum, and proved to be effective for screening biodegradability of the pretreated LDPE. The combination of photocatalysis and gamma irradiation produced a synergistic effect on photodegradation, making it the most effective method for promoting biodegradation, revealed by the increased specific oxygen uptake rate (SOUR), which is expressed as millimoles O2 per mol of carbon per hour, and the greatest biodegradation kinetics constant (kO2=0.0178 h-1). The primary mechanism driving biodegradation involved the formation of carbonyl groups, which initiated biological activity.
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