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New versus naturally aged greenhouse cover films: Degradation and micro-nanoplastics characterization under sunlight exposure
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Researchers compared how new and naturally aged greenhouse plastic films release nano and microplastic particles into water under simulated sunlight. Aged films released significantly more particles than new films, even without additional UV exposure, showing that years of use in the field make plastics much more prone to shedding tiny fragments. This is relevant to food safety because greenhouse films are widely used in agriculture, and the particles they shed can contaminate soil and crops.
The understanding of microplastic degradation and its effects remains limited due to the absence of accurate analytical techniques for detecting and quantifying micro- and nanoplastics. In this study, we investigated the release of nanoplastics and small microplastics in water from low-density polyethylene (LDPE) greenhouse cover films under simulated sunlight exposure for six months. Our analysis included both new and naturally aged (used) cover films, enabling us to evaluate the impact of natural aging. Additionally, photooxidation effects were assessed by comparing irradiated and non-irradiated conditions. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA) confirmed the presence of particles below 1 μm in both irradiated and non-irradiated cover films. NTA revealed a clear effect of natural aging, with used films releasing more particles than new films but no impact of photooxidation, as irradiated and non-irradiated cover films released similar amounts of particles at each time point. Raman spectroscopy demonstrated the lower crystallinity of the released PE nanoplastics compared to the new films. Flow cytometry and total organic carbon data provided evidence of the release of additional material besides PE, and a clear effect of both simulated and natural aging, with photodegradation effects observed only for the new cover films. Finally, our results underscore the importance of studying the aging processes in both new and used plastic products using complementary techniques to assess the environmental fate and safety risks posed by plastics used in agriculture.
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A method for measuring the emissions of in situ agricultural plastic film microplastics by ultraviolet and mechanical abrasion
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Researchers developed a method to measure in situ microplastic emissions from agricultural plastic films under combined UV and mechanical abrasion, providing the first quantitative approach to assess how field conditions cause polyethylene and PVC films to fragment into microplastics.
How Sunlight Transforms Polyethylene and Promotes Microplastic Formation from Greenhouses
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Researchers tested plastic greenhouse film (polyethylene) by leaving it outdoors in Ecuador for up to 342 days and separately exposing it to UV light in the lab for up to 579 hours. Both methods showed increasing chemical breakdown, surface damage, and cracking over time, suggesting a process that leads to fragmentation into microplastics. The study also estimated how much greenhouse film waste Ecuador might generate yearly.
Influence of Ageing on Optical, Mechanical, and Thermal Properties of Agricultural Films
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Researchers compared the aging properties of three types of agricultural plastic films used as greenhouse coverings when exposed to simulated weathering conditions. They found that while all films showed some property degradation after accelerated aging, none deteriorated to a degree that would compromise their function as greenhouse covers. The study provides practical data for selecting durable agricultural films suited to specific climate conditions.
Contaminant release from aged microplastic
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Researchers exposed recycled plastic granules of polyethylene, PVC, and polystyrene to simulated aging conditions including UV radiation and high temperatures. They found that aging significantly increased the rate at which chemical additives leached from the plastic particles into water, with UV exposure having the greatest effect. The study highlights that weathered microplastics in the environment may release harmful chemicals at much higher rates than fresh plastic materials.
Aging Processes of Polyethylene Mulch Films and Preparation of Microplastics with Environmental Characteristics
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Researchers examined UV-driven aging of commercial polyethylene mulch films under laboratory conditions and compared the results to naturally aged films, finding close agreement between laboratory and field aging in terms of surface cracking, oxygen-containing functional groups, and reduced mechanical strength. The study establishes a method for producing environmentally representative microplastic particles from agricultural mulch films for use in laboratory experiments.
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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.