Article
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Tier 2
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Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence.
Marine & Wildlife
Remediation
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Plastic photodegradation under simulated marine conditions
Marine Pollution Bulletin2023
95 citations
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Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Score: 55
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0–100 AI score estimating relevance to the microplastics field. Papers below 30 are filtered from public browse.
Matthias Egger
Matthias Egger
Matthias Egger
Matthias Egger
Annalisa Delre,
Tim de Groot,
Annika Vaksmaa,
Annika Vaksmaa,
Annika Vaksmaa,
Annika Vaksmaa,
Annika Vaksmaa,
Emna Zeghal,
Matthias Egger
Maaike Goudriaan,
Matthias Egger
Matthias Egger
Matthias Egger
Maaike Goudriaan,
Maaike Goudriaan,
Matthias Egger
Matthias Egger
Thomas Röckmann,
Thomas Röckmann,
Helge Niemann,
Matthias Egger
Helge Niemann,
Maaike Goudriaan,
Helge Niemann,
Matthias Egger
Matthias Egger
Emna Zeghal,
Annika Vaksmaa,
Víctor Hernando‐Morales,
Víctor Hernando‐Morales,
Víctor Hernando‐Morales,
Helge Niemann,
Helge Niemann,
Matthias Egger
Emna Zeghal,
Matthias Egger
Maaike Goudriaan,
Maaike Goudriaan,
Helge Niemann,
Thomas Röckmann,
Matthias Egger
Helge Niemann,
Thomas Röckmann,
Annika Vaksmaa,
Annika Vaksmaa,
Helge Niemann,
Matthias Egger
Matthias Egger
Helge Niemann,
Helge Niemann,
Thomas Röckmann,
Thomas Röckmann,
Helge Niemann,
Helge Niemann,
Rachel T. Ndhlovu,
Annalisa Delre,
Rachel T. Ndhlovu,
Rachel T. Ndhlovu,
Rachel T. Ndhlovu,
Marianne Baas,
Matthias Egger
Matthias Egger
Edwin Keijzer,
Helge Niemann,
Helge Niemann,
Thomas Röckmann,
Thomas Röckmann,
Thomas Röckmann,
Helge Niemann,
Edwin Keijzer,
Thomas Röckmann,
Helge Niemann,
Tim de Groot,
Helge Niemann,
Thomas Röckmann,
Helge Niemann,
Emna Zeghal,
Helge Niemann,
Matthias Egger
Helge Niemann,
Matthias Egger
Helge Niemann,
Thomas Röckmann,
Helge Niemann,
Helge Niemann,
Matthias Egger
Matthias Egger
Summary
Researchers measured the photodegradation rates of different plastic types under simulated marine conditions and found that UV radiation caused all plastics to release dissolved organic carbon and greenhouse gases including methane. The degradation rates translated to 1.7-2.3% per year for particles in subtropical surface ocean conditions. Modeling suggests that solar UV radiation may have already degraded 7 to 22% of all floating plastic ever released into the sea.
Study Type
Environmental
Ocean plastic pollution is a problem of increasing magnitude; yet, the amount of plastic at the sea surface is much lower than expected. Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation can induce photodegradation, but its importance in determining the longevity of floating plastic remains unconstrained. Here, we measured photodegradation rates of different plastic types slightly larger than microplastics (virgin polymers and floating plastic debris) under simulated marine conditions. UV irradiation caused all plastic types to leach dissolved organic carbon, and to a lesser degree carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, and other hydrocarbon gases. The release of photodegradation products translates to degradation rates of 1.7-2.3 % yr of the tested plastic particles normalized to conditions as found in the subtropical surface ocean. Modelling the accumulation of floating plastic debris, our results show that solar UV radiation could already have degraded 7 to 22 % of all floating plastic that has ever been released to the sea.