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Long-term aging and degradation of microplastic particles: Comparing in situ oceanic and experimental weathering patterns
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Researchers weathered polypropylene and polyethylene pellets in sunlight and seawater for three years and compared chemical bond changes via FTIR spectroscopy to particles collected from North Pacific ocean gyres, estimating that most gyre plastics have been at sea for more than 18 months — consistent with ocean circulation residence-time models.
Polypropylene, low-density polyethylene, and high-density polyethylene pre-production plastic pellets were weathered for three years in three experimental treatments: dry/sunlight, seawater/sunlight, and seawater/darkness. Changes in chemical bond structures (hydroxyl, carbonyl groups and carbon-oxygen) with weathering were measured via Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. These indices from experimentally weathered particles were compared to microplastic particles collected from oceanic surface waters in the California Current, the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre, and the transition region between the two, in order to estimate the exposure time of the oceanic plastics. Although chemical bonds exhibited some nonlinear changes with environmental exposure, they can potentially approximate the weathering time of some plastics, especially high-density polyethylene. The majority of the North Pacific Subtropical Gyre polyethylene particles we measured have inferred exposure times>18months, with some >30months. Inferred particle weathering times are consistent with ocean circulation models suggesting a long residence time in the open ocean.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.