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Study on the photoaging process and metal ion release of plastic films with two kinds of structures in marine environment: Aliphatic and aromatic polymers
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Researchers simulated photoaging of aliphatic and aromatic plastic films in marine conditions, finding that aliphatic polymers degrade faster under UV light and that metal ions embedded in all plastics are released at rates correlated with polymer degradation degree rather than polymer type — following second-order kinetics driven by surface and intraparticle diffusion.
The prevalence of plastics in the oceans has significantly intensified microplastic pollution, contributing to broader marine secondary pollution issues. This paper examines how plastic structure affects the aging characteristics of plastics and the release of metal ions, to better understand this secondary source of marine pollution. This study simulate the photoaging of plastics in natural environments, focusing on aliphatic and aromatic polymers. The results showed that the photodegradation degree was higher for aliphatic than aromatic polymers. All polymers contained thirteen detectable metals, with their release increasing over time due to photoaging, The release dynamics of these metal ions correlated more strongly with the level of polymer degradation rather than with the polymer structure itself, adhering to a second-order kinetic model driven by surface and intraparticle diffusion processes. The results will help control and treat marine plastic pollution.
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Aging mechanism of microplastics with UV irradiation and its effects on the adsorption of heavy metals
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Researchers aged polystyrene microplastics using UV irradiation under three conditions (air, pure water, seawater) and found that aging changed surface chemistry and increased the microplastics' capacity to adsorb heavy metals, with seawater aging producing the most pronounced surface oxidation.
Aging dynamics and subsequent dissolved organic matter evolution of microplastics regulated by UV-salinity conditions.
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A lab study exposed common plastics (polyethylene, polypropylene) and a biodegradable plastic (polylactic acid) to sunlight-like UV and different salt levels for 60 days. UV light caused more breakdown in all plastics, and higher salinity worsened this for the conventional plastics, while the biodegradable plastic broke down through a different process and released more dissolved material.
Progress on the photo aging mechanism of microplastics and related impact factors in water environment
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This review examined the photo-aging mechanisms of microplastics in aquatic environments, finding that solar UV radiation drives oxidation reactions that alter surface chemistry, fragment particles further, and enhance their capacity to adsorb and release co-occurring pollutants.
Fragmentation of polypropylene into microplastics promoted by photo-aging; release of metals, toxicity and inhibition of biodegradability
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This study showed that when polypropylene plastic ages in sunlight, it fragments into microplastics much faster and releases metal contaminants that were originally added during manufacturing. The resulting particles and chemical leachates were toxic to aquatic organisms and resistant to biodegradation, meaning aged plastics in the environment are more hazardous than fresh ones.
Threat of plastic ageing in marine environment. Adsorption/desorption of micropollutants.
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Three plastic types (PVC, PET, and biodegradable PBAT) were aged in a French bay for 502 days to study how weathering affects their adsorption and release of pollutants. PVC was found to rapidly leach estrogenic compounds into seawater and later adsorb heavy metals, raising concern about the chemical hazards of aged marine plastics.
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