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Towards a comprehensive microplastic fate assessment: Integrating size analyses and abiotic degradation into regulatory testing
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Researchers developed an enhanced regulatory testing framework for microplastic fate assessment that integrates particle size analysis and abiotic degradation pathways alongside biodegradability testing, addressing the limitations of current EU restriction methods that focus only on CO2 evolution during mineralization.
The European Union has imposed a restriction on intentionally added microplastics (MP), with exemptions for polymers that are soluble, naturally polymerized or biodegradable. Current test methods typically focus on biodegradability through mineralization measures (e.g. CO2 evolution), but do not capture the full picture of polymer degradation, including the assessment of abiotic effects and the release of fragments and transformation products. Our study endeavors to enhance the understanding of MP degradation by integrating a test for abiotic degradation (photolysis) in a biodegradability assessment, supplemented by a size distribution analysis. In this study microcapsules used for controlling the release of pesticides in agricultural soils were investigated as 14C-labelled product, subjecting them to simulated sunlight similar to OECD TG 316. Thereafter, a sequential filtration was performed to identify major alterations in size. Furthermore, we identified dissolved and more bioavailable molecules released from the capsules ( Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/558680/document
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Towards a comprehensive microplastic fate assessment: Integrating size analyses and abiotic degradation into regulatory testing
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