We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Degradation of low-density polyethylene to nanoplastic particles by accelerated weathering
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers demonstrated that accelerated weathering of low-density polyethylene produces nanoplastic particles, providing experimental evidence for the degradation pathway from macro-plastics to nanoscale fragments in the environment.
When plastics enter the environment, they are exposed to abiotic and biotic impacts, resulting in degradation and the formation of micro- and nanoplastic. Microplastic is ubiquitous in every environmental compartment. Nevertheless, the underlying degradation processes are not yet fully understood. Here, we studied the abiotic degradation of commonly used semi-crystalline, low-density polyethylene (LDPE) in a long-term accelerated weathering experiment combining several macro- and microscopic methods. Based on our observations, the degradation of LDPE proceeds in three stages. Initially, LDPE objects are prone to abrasion, followed by a period of surface cracking. A large number of secondary particles with a high degree of crystallinity are formed, with sizes down to the nanometer scale. These particles consist of highly polar oligomers leading to agglomeration in the final stage. We therefore suppose that weathered microplastic and nanoplastic particles will attach to colloidal environmental matter. This offers an explanation for the absence of free nanoplastic particles in natural samples.
More Papers Like This
Generation of nanoplastics during the photoageing of low-density polyethylene
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers studied how low-density polyethylene microplastics break down under UV light equivalent to one year of solar exposure. They found that photoageing generated large numbers of smaller particles in the 1-5 micrometer range, effectively producing nanoplastics from larger microplastic fragments. The study suggests that environmental weathering of common plastic materials continuously generates ever-smaller particles that may be harder to detect and remove.
Influence of weathering on the microplastics formation in the environment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers simulated UV weathering of polypropylene plastic and tracked how exposure progressively degraded the polymer, causing surface cracking and changes in mechanical properties that facilitate breakdown into microplastics. The results help explain how environmental weathering of plastic waste accelerates microplastic formation.
Polyethylene plastic degradation: The dual pathways from macroplastics to nanoplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers traced the dual degradation pathways of polyethylene from large plastic items down to microplastics and eventually nanoplastics, mapping both mechanical fragmentation and chemical oxidation routes. Understanding the full breakdown continuum helps quantify how much of the plastic mass ends up as invisible nanoscale particles.
Experimental investigations on polyethylene and polyethylene terephthalate microplastics’ degradation. A review
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted experiments to study the physical and chemical behavior of polyethylene and PET microplastic particles under different environmental conditions. The study contributes to understanding how these plastics persist and transform in the environment.
Physicochemical and biological ageing processes of (micro)plastics in the environment: a multi-tiered study on polyethylene
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers applied a multi-tiered approach combining laboratory aging, field deployment, and environmental simulation to study how polyethylene plastic undergoes physicochemical and biological weathering in natural settings. The study found that UV radiation and microbial colonization act synergistically to accelerate surface oxidation and fragmentation of PE into smaller particles.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.