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Impacts of climatic stressors on dissolved organic matter leaching from microplastics and their effects on biogeochemical processes: A review
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This review examines how microplastics release dissolved organic matter as they break down in the environment, and how climate change may accelerate this process. The chemicals leached from degrading plastics can disrupt microbial communities and natural nutrient cycles, potentially increasing greenhouse gas production and altering the ecosystems that ultimately support our food and water supplies.
This review explores the potential impact of microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter (MP-DOM) on biogeochemical processes associated with global carbon and nitrogen cycles, with consideration given to the possible influence of irregular climate changes. We synthesize literature on MP-DOM leaching behaviors during various natural aging processes, such as heavy rainfall, heat waves, and UV irradiation, which may be intensified by climate change. MP-DOM release varies with plastic type and conditions, with organic additives significantly influencing leaching under UV exposure. Increased turbulence from hydrological events and rising temperatures also enhances MP-DOM release. While most research has focused on specific additive releases, the broader effects of polymer degradation and subsequent impacts on microbial communities and biogeochemical cycles are only recently recognized. These disruptions may affect cellular processes in algae and plant roots, enhance microbial utilization of dissolved organic carbon, and potentially increase greenhouse gas production. Our review highlights overlooked roles of MP-DOM exacerbated by climatic stressors and calls for further research to understand its broader biogeochemical impacts. We also emphasize the importance of distinguishing between polymers and commercial plastics when assessing MP-DOM's effects on biogeochemical processes associated with carbon and nitrogen cycles and recommend investigating additional aging processes influencing MP-DOM release.
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Microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter and its biogeochemical behaviors in aquatic environments: A review
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This review examines how microplastics release dissolved organic matter (MP-DOM) as they break down in water, and how these released chemicals affect water ecosystems. MP-DOM can interact with other pollutants and alter carbon cycling in natural waters, with the type and amount varying based on plastic composition and weathering conditions. Understanding what microplastics release into water as they degrade is important because these dissolved chemicals may have their own toxic effects on aquatic life and water quality.
Microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter: Generation, characterization, and environmental behaviors
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This review examines how microplastics release dissolved organic matter as they break down in the environment, creating a previously overlooked source of carbon and chemical pollution. Researchers found that this microplastic-derived organic matter can interact with other pollutants, affect water quality, and influence microbial communities. The study highlights a lesser-known dimension of microplastic pollution that could have significant environmental consequences.
Warming exponentially stimulates photoleaching of dissolved organic matter from multiple microplastics
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Researchers quantified dissolved organic matter release from four common marine microplastics (PE, PP, PET, PVC) under UV light at temperatures ranging from 10–35°C, finding that warming exponentially increased photoleaching rates — with implications for how climate change may accelerate microplastic-derived carbon cycling in ocean surface waters.
Microplastic-Derived Dissolved Organic Matter: Release Pattern, Chemical Properties, Environmental Risk, and Impact on Carbon Cycling
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This review examines microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter (MPs-DOM), which plastic debris releases at an estimated 23,600 tons annually into surface waters, covering its chemical properties, release patterns, and interactions with metals, microorganisms, and the carbon cycle. MPs-DOM represents a largely overlooked secondary pollution pathway through which microplastics extend their environmental impact well beyond the particles themselves.
Dissolved organic carbon leaching from microplastics and bioavailability in coastal ecosystems
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Researchers evaluated dissolved organic carbon leaching from polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics in coastal ecosystems, finding that up to 85% of the leached carbon was biodegradable by microbial communities. The study found that different coastal environments, such as seagrass beds and river mouths, showed varying abilities to utilize this plastic-derived carbon, suggesting microplastics may be an underappreciated source of dissolved organic carbon in marine systems.
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