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An extensive characterization of various environmentally relevant microplastics – Material properties, leaching and ecotoxicity testing
Summary
Researchers conducted a comprehensive study of six different types of environmentally realistic microplastics, testing their physical properties and effects on duckweed plants. The study found that while microplastics did not affect plant growth rates or chlorophyll levels, particles with rough surfaces and sharp edges significantly reduced root length. Microplastics made of Bakelite released particularly high levels of chemical leachates, suggesting that the specific properties of each plastic type matter greatly for assessing environmental risk.
Microplastics in the environment occur in different sizes and shapes and are made of various polymers. Therefore, they also considerably differ in their properties and ecotoxicity. However, the majority of microplastics research uses pre-made spherical microplastics, which practically do not exist in the environment. Our work focused on a comprehensive study of six different types of microplastic that were prepared to simulate common microplastics found in the environment. All types of microplastics where chemically and physically characterized using Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, thermal analysis, field-emission scanning electron microscopy, optical microscopy and laser diffraction analysis. The specific surface area was determined using the BET method. Furthermore, effects of microplastics and microplastic leachates on a common duckweed (Lemna minor) were evaluated. All tested microplastics did not affect specific growth rate and chlorophyll a content in duckweed, while microplastics with a rough surface and sharp edges caused a significant reduction of duckweed root length. Microplastics made of Bakelite also showed an intensive leaching, which increased their ecotoxicity potential. Natural particles used as a control did not have any negative effect on duckweed. Overall, microplastic particles have significantly different ecotoxicity profiles depending on their physico-chemical properties. Therefore, the testing of environmentally relevant particles and their proper characterization, as well as the testing of microplastic leaching properties, is crucial for understanding of microplastics ecotoxicological potential.