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Assessing the impact of simulated ocean acidification on the photodegradation of selected microplastics
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This study assessed how simulated ocean acidification conditions affect the photodegradation rate and products of plastic polymers, finding that lower pH accelerates surface oxidation and may alter the toxicity of plastic degradation leachates.
This study investigated the impact of ocean acidification on the photodegradation of three microplastics (MPs): polypropylene (PP), expanded polystyrene (EPS), and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), under accelerated UV radiation at three pH levels (i.e., 8.1, 7.8, and 7.5), simulating marine conditions. The acidification system simulated current and projected future environmental conditions. As expected, an increase in partial pressure of CO2, total inorganic carbon, bicarbonate ion, and CO2 resulted in more acidic pH levels, with the reverse being true for the carbonate ion. Structural changes of MPs were evaluated, revealing that all weathered samples underwent higher degradation rate compared to the virgin samples. The oxidation state and crystallinity of PP and EVA MPs were higher in samples exposed to the lowest pH, whereas no significant increase in the degradation rate of EPS samples was observed. Saltwater acidification in this study contributed to enhance the photo-oxidation of MPs depending on their polymeric composition.
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The Influence of Ocean Acidification on The Surface Alteration of Microplastics
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Researchers exposed virgin microplastics to normal seawater (pH 8.0) and acidified seawater (pH 7.7) for 10 days, using field emission scanning electron microscopy to show that ocean acidification accelerates surface aging and physical damage to microplastic particles, suggesting that increasing ocean acidity may enhance chemical leaching from plastics.
Photodegradation of Plastic Leachate: Revealing the Key Role of Halogen in Reduced Cytotoxicity in Marine Systems
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Researchers studied the cytotoxicity of chemical leachate from sunscreen-derived microplastics as they degrade in freshwater versus seawater environments. They found that microplastic photodegradation was reduced in seawater because halogen ions, particularly bromide, suppressed the reactive oxygen species that drive degradation. The study reveals that halogens play a key role in reducing the toxicity of microplastic leachates in marine systems, suggesting that ocean chemistry may naturally limit some harmful effects of degrading plastics.
Simulated sunlight exposure as a prerequisite for the biodegradation of persistent microplastics
Experimental weathering of microplastic under simulated environmental conditions - Method development and characterization of pristine, photodegraded and mechanically weathered microplastic
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Polyethylene and polystyrene microplastics of two sizes were weathered under simulated ocean surface and intertidal conditions for 80 days to study physical and chemical degradation. Photodegradation was found to cause significant surface oxidation and embrittlement, with smaller particles and intertidal exposure conditions producing faster weathering.
Photodegradationof Plastic Leachate: Revealing theKey Role of Halogen in Reduced Cytotoxicity in Marine Systems
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This study revealed that halogen ions in aquatic environments accelerate photodegradation of sunscreen-derived microplastic leachate and reduce its cytotoxicity, suggesting that the chemical environment in which plastic weathers strongly influences the biological hazard of resulting degradation products.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.