We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Effect of weathering on the release of secondary microplastic fragments and dissolved organics from microplastics
Summary
Researchers systematically investigated how different weathering conditions affect the release of secondary microplastics and dissolved organic carbon from PVC, polyethylene, and biodegradable PBAT plastics. The study found that biodegradable PBAT released the highest amounts of secondary particles and organic carbon, and that combined UV and mechanical aging produced the most significant degradation, enhancing particle release by up to 72% compared to either method alone.
Environmental microplastics (MPs) release hazardous secondary MPs and total organic carbon (TOC) during aging processes. However, release mechanisms under varied aging conditions remain unclear. This study systematically investigated the effects of polymer types (polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene (PE), polybutylene adipate-co-terephthalate (PBAT)), physical form (sheet, powder), and aging methods-including ultraviolet (UV) irradiation, mechanical abrasion (MA), and their sequential combination - on the continuous release of secondary MPs and TOC. For UV aging, we further distinguished between the aging duration and the subsequent static leaching time; whereas MA and combined aging involved simultaneous abrasion and aqueous exposure. PBAT (powder), susceptible to hydrolysis, released the highest amounts of TOC and secondary MPs due to ester bonds cleavage. After 30 days of UV aging, secondary MPs release from PBAT (powder) increased from 10,618 to 13,600 particles per gram, while TOC release increased by 108 %. MPs in powder form consistently exhibited greater release than those in sheet form due to higher specific surface area. Combined aging resulted in the most significant degradation, enhancing secondary MPs release from PBAT by 72 % and 46 % compared to UV and MA alone, and increasing TOC release by factors of 1.29 and 2.21, respectively. These findings highlight the critical roles of polymer chemistry, physical form, and aging conditions in controlling MPs fragmentation and leaching, providing a mechanistic basis for environmental risk assessment and pollution management.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Elucidating the characteristic of leachates released from microplastics under different aging conditions: Perspectives of dissolved organic carbon fingerprints and nano-plastics
Researchers investigated how different aging conditions affect the release of dissolved organic carbon and nanoplastics from PVC and polystyrene microplastics over 130 days. The study found that UV aging and high temperatures promoted the release of nanoplastics and altered the chemical characteristics of leached substances, with UV-aged treatments producing smaller, rougher nanoparticles that may pose greater ecological risks.
Secondary microplastics formation and colonized microorganisms on the surface of conventional and degradable plastic granules during long-term UV aging in various environmental media
Researchers compared how biodegradable and conventional plastics generate secondary microplastics and develop bacterial biofilms during long-term UV aging. Biodegradable PBAT plastic produced significantly more secondary microplastic fragments than conventional PVC after 90 days of weathering. The study also found that aged microplastics harbored genes related to human pathogens, raising concerns that biodegradable plastics may actually pose greater ecological risks than expected.
Photochemical transformation of microplastics-derived dissolved organic matter altered the photoaging of microplastics
Researchers investigated how dissolved organic matter released from different microplastics (polystyrene, polyethylene, and biodegradable PBAT) affects the aging of polystyrene microplastics under UV irradiation, finding that PBAT-derived organic matter most strongly accelerated plastic photoaging.
The fate of microplastics in the environment: Systematic studies to determine release rates of secondary micro- and nanoplastics and water-soluble organics induced by photolysis and hydrolysis
Researchers conducted systematic studies on the photolytic and hydrolytic degradation of microplastics using three photolysis protocols and multiple polymer types to determine release rates of secondary micro- and nanoplastics and water-soluble organics, providing mechanistic data needed for environmental fate and risk assessment.
The fate of microplastics in the environment: Systematic studies to determine release rates of secondary micro- and nanoplastics and water-soluble organics induced by photolysis and hydrolysis
Researchers conducted systematic studies on the photolytic and hydrolytic degradation of microplastics using three photolysis protocols and multiple polymer types to determine release rates of secondary micro- and nanoplastics and water-soluble organics, providing mechanistic data needed for environmental fate and risk assessment.