We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Quantification of polystyrene plastics degradation using 14C isotope tracer technique
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers described how carbon isotope tracing can be used to quantitatively track the degradation of polystyrene plastics in complex environmental samples. This technique can help researchers understand how slowly conventional plastics break down in the environment and what breakdown products they produce.
C-isotope tracer technique is an effective tool for quantitative analysis of compounds. Based on its unique C signal, C-isotope tracer has been widely used in degradation of pollutants, especially in a complex environmental matrix. In this chapter, we introduce methods and examples for studying the degradation of polystyrene (PS) plastics using the C-isotope tracer technique. C-based gel permeation chromatography (GPC), high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) as well as liquid scintillation counter (LSC) are introduced for analyzing changes in the molecular weight of plastic polymers, generation of hydrophilic products, and complete mineralization of plastics during microbial and UV-induced degradation. With the C-isotope tracer technique, further studies on mechanisms for degradation of plastics/microplastics under complex natural environment conditions could be facilitated.
More Papers Like This
Synthesis of 14C-labelled polystyrene nanoplastics for environmental studies
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a one-step polymerization method to synthesize radiocarbon (14C)-labelled polystyrene nanoplastics, enabling tracking of these particles in complex biological and environmental matrices where conventional analytical methods fail. The method produced sulfonate end-capped nanoparticles of various sizes that could be quantified with high accuracy, providing a valuable tool for studying nanoplastic behavior in living organisms and simulated environments.
A carbon-14 radiotracer-based study on the phototransformation of polystyrene nanoplastics in water versus in air
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used carbon-14 radiotracers to study the phototransformation of polystyrene nanoplastics in water versus air, finding that aqueous conditions promoted both mineralisation and photo-oxidation with significant leaching of carbon from the particles. The results demonstrate that the environmental matrix strongly influences the fate and breakdown rate of nanoplastics.
Tracing the fate of microplastic carbon in the aquatic food web by compound-specific isotope analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used compound-specific stable isotope analysis with fully labelled carbon-polyethylene microplastics to trace the fate of microplastic carbon through aquatic food webs, demonstrating that microbial activity is required for breakdown and assimilation of microplastic carbon.
Bulk δ13C tracks UV-induced aging of 200-nm polystyrene particles: effects of formulation and particle concentration.
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists found a new way to measure how sunlight-like UV light breaks down tiny plastic particles (nanoplastics) over time, using a chemical signature in the plastic's carbon. This matters because as plastics degrade in the environment, they can change size, shape, and surface chemistry, factors that affect how easily they might enter our bodies and interact with cells. While this study was done in a lab with pure polystyrene particles (not yet tested with sunlight or real-world water), it's a step toward better tools for tracking how "aged" the plastics we're exposed to actually are.
Trace analysis of polystyrene microplastics in natural waters
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed and evaluated analytical methods for trace-level quantification of polystyrene microplastics and nanoplastics in natural water samples, addressing key challenges in sensitivity and accuracy that limit realistic environmental risk assessment.
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.