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Classifications and Physiochemical Properties of Microplastics
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This book chapter provides a detailed overview of microplastic classification and physicochemical properties, covering particle size, crystallinity, surface morphology, density, and chemical characteristics. It emphasizes how these properties influence microplastic behavior in the environment, their interactions with organisms, and the reliability of detection methods.
Microplastics (MPs) refer to polymeric particles characterized by having at least one dimension measuring less than 5 mm. MPs exhibit intricate physicochemical characteristics that influence their mobility, bioavailability, and toxicity to organisms, as well as their interactions with adjacent pollutants. The reliable detection and measurement of MPs necessitates an understanding of their properties to ensure a comprehensive assessment of their environmental and ecological impacts. This chapter aims to provide a thorough overview of the classification and distinct properties of MPs derived from nonbiodegradable polymers. The structural properties of MPs, including crystallinity, particle size, surface morphology, and intra- and interparticle interactions, have been comprehensively examined. The significance of density, specific gravity, and specific surface area concerning the fate, transport, and removal of MPs is also emphasized. The important role of chemical properties, including hydrophobicity, solubility, and chemical composition, on MPs is highlighted. The discussion has also encompassed the significance of thermal stability of MPs, alongside the various properties.
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The Emergence, Chemical Nature, Classification, and Properties of Microplastics
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This book chapter examines the origins, chemical nature, classification, and physical and chemical properties of microplastics, covering their formation from larger plastic breakdown and their categorization into primary and secondary types. The authors link microplastic properties such as hydrophobicity, high surface area, and adsorption capacity to their role as vectors for chemical pollutants in ecosystems.
Properties and Related Effects of Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment: From the Organismic to Cellular Level
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This review covers the properties of microplastics in aquatic environments — including polymer chemistry, particle size, shape, and surface charge — and how these characteristics determine their biological effects from the cellular to organismal level in aquatic organisms.
Insights into Microplastics: from Physical and Chemical Characterisation to its Potential as a Vector.
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This review paper covers the physical and chemical characterization of microplastics, their diversity in size, shape, and chemical structure, and their potential to act as vectors for environmental contaminants. It also discusses challenges in sourcing representative microplastic reference particles for laboratory research.
Microplastic Crystallinity and Its Influence on Emerging Contaminant Adsorption and Environmental Persistence
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This review summarizes existing research on how the internal structure of microplastics, specifically their crystalline versus amorphous regions, affects how they absorb and release chemical pollutants. It also examines how this structure influences how plastics break down over time, and suggests structural features that could be targeted to reduce pollutant transport.
Ecotoxicity testing of microplastics: Considering the heterogeneity of physicochemical properties
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Researchers reviewed how the diverse physical and chemical properties of microplastics, including particle size, shape, crystallinity, surface chemistry, and polymer composition, may influence their ecotoxicity. They argue that standard testing with uniform microbeads fails to capture the heterogeneity of environmental microplastics and may lead to inaccurate risk assessments. The study calls for a more structured approach to testing different microplastic properties to identify the key drivers of toxicity.
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