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The Montreal Protocol and the fate of environmental plastic debris
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This study modeled how the Montreal Protocol-driven recovery of stratospheric ozone and associated increase in solar UV reaching Earth's surface will affect the photodegradation rate of plastic litter, finding that increased UV exposure will accelerate secondary microplastic generation from environmental plastic debris.
Microplastics (MPs) are an emerging class of pollutants in air, soil and especially in all aquatic environments. Secondary MPs are generated in the environment during fragmentation of especially photo-oxidised plastic litter. Photo-oxidation is mediated primarily by solar UV radiation. The implementation of the Montreal Protocol and its Amendments, which have resulted in controlling the tropospheric UV-B (280-315 nm) radiation load, is therefore pertinent to the fate of environmental plastic debris. Due to the Montreal Protocol high amounts of solar UV-B radiation at the Earth's surface have been avoided, retarding the oxidative fragmentation of plastic debris, leading to a slower generation and accumulation of MPs in the environment. Quantifying the impact of the Montreal Protocol in reducing the abundance of MPs in the environment, however, is complicated as the role of potential mechanical fragmentation of plastics under environmental mechanical stresses is poorly understood.
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Environmental plastics in the context of UV radiation, climate change, and the Montreal Protocol
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This review examines how UV radiation and climate change interact with environmental plastics to alter their degradation rates and toxic profiles, with particular focus on how ozone depletion affects UV-induced plastic fragmentation. The authors argue that changing UV environments under climate change will accelerate plastic breakdown and increase nanoplastic production in surface waters.
Linking UV aging of polymers and microplastics formation: An assessment employing various characterization techniques
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Researchers examined the link between UV aging of plastic polymers and the generation of microplastics in marine environments, using environmental assessment tools to model the process. The study clarifies how photodegradation rates and polymer type influence the rate and quantity of microplastic formation.
Linking UV aging of polymers and microplastics formation: An assessment employing various characterization techniques
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This study used environmental assessment tools to model how UV aging of plastic polymers drives microplastic formation in marine environments. The analysis identified polymer-specific degradation rates and environmental conditions that accelerate the conversion of plastic debris into microplastics.
New Insights For The Fragmentation Of Plastics Into Microplastics In The Ocean
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This study reviews and models the mechanisms by which plastic litter in the ocean fragments into microplastics through UV degradation, mechanical stress, and biodegradation, finding that fragmentation accelerates over time as surface area increases. The work provides insight into why microplastics are ubiquitous and nearly impossible to remove from marine environments.
Investigating the fate of secondary microplastics and bioplastic alternatives in future climate change scenarios
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This study investigated how secondary microplastics from legacy marine plastic pollution fragment and change under current and projected future climate conditions, combining knowledge of fragmentation mechanisms with climate scenario modeling. Results suggest that warming and increased UV exposure could accelerate microplastic generation from existing plastic debris.
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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.