We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Influence of a suite of environmentally relevant conditions on PBT leaching from, and sorption to, marine microplastic debris
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined how environmental conditions such as UV exposure, weathering, and saltwater affect the ability of marine microplastics to absorb or release persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals, finding that the type of plastic and its weathering history significantly influence how much chemical contamination it carries into the marine food web.
Synthetic polymers (plastics) enter marine environments from terrestrial and marine-based sources. The manner of release, the plastic’s composition/properties and ambient marine conditions determine debris fate and its impacts on living resources. It was long assumed that all plastics were persistent and inert, possessing negligible potential for chemical impacts. However, in reality, commercial polymers exhibit a range of potentials for interactions. Persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) chemicals are lipophilic and may concentrate from ambient waters by orders of magnitude on polymer surfaces (Teuten et al., 2007). The type of polymer affects the degree of PBT sorption. Indeed, plastics have been found useful as passive samplers for measuring ambient concentrations of PBTs. Polymers also may be affected chemically or physically by weathering, e.g. exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation (Andrady, 2011), or fragmentation by abrasion, such as on a beach. While additives can leach from plastics into the water, migration studies pertinent to the marine environment are rare. The picture is complicated further as weathering itself may alter the extent of PBT leaching and sorption. More ....
More Papers Like This
Simulated experimental investigation of microplastic weathering in marine environment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers simulated microplastic weathering under marine conditions, finding that exposure to UV light, saltwater, and mechanical abrasion progressively degraded plastic surfaces, increased surface roughness, and enhanced the adsorption capacity of contaminants onto microplastic particles.
Role of Microplastics in the Biomagnification of PBTs in Marine Organisms
AI summary Read the abstract
This paper reviews how microplastics may facilitate the biomagnification of persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals in marine food webs, given that plastic particles can adsorb and concentrate pollutants. The work highlights microplastics as a potential new vector for introducing toxic chemicals into marine organisms and up through the food chain.
Yellowing, Weathering and Degradation of Marine Pellets and Their Influence on the Adsorption of Chemical Pollutants
AI summary Read the abstract
Plastic pellets collected from marine environments were found to yellow and degrade over time due to UV exposure and weathering, and this aging process increases their ability to adsorb persistent organic pollutants. Weathered microplastics can therefore carry a higher chemical load of toxic contaminants compared to fresh plastic. This has implications for marine organisms that ingest aged plastic particles, as they may be exposed to concentrated cocktails of harmful chemicals.
Yellowing, Weathering and Degradation of Marine Pellets and Their Influence on the Adsorption of Chemical Pollutants
AI summary Read the abstract
Marine plastic pellets collected after prolonged ocean exposure showed yellowing, surface cracking, and chemical degradation compared to virgin pellets, and these weathered plastics adsorbed significantly higher concentrations of persistent organic pollutants. The study demonstrates that environmental aging increases microplastics' capacity to act as vectors for chemical contaminants.
Threat of plastic ageing in marine environment. Adsorption/desorption of micropollutants.
AI summary Read the abstract
Three plastic types (PVC, PET, and biodegradable PBAT) were aged in a French bay for 502 days to study how weathering affects their adsorption and release of pollutants. PVC was found to rapidly leach estrogenic compounds into seawater and later adsorb heavy metals, raising concern about the chemical hazards of aged marine plastics.
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.