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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Case studies that show the predictive modelling of microplastic accumulation in the natural environment
ClearPredictive modelling to assess the accumulation of biodegradable and non-biodegradable microplastics in the natural environment.
Researchers developed predictive models to assess the accumulation of both biodegradable and non-biodegradable microplastics in natural environments, addressing the lack of a comprehensive methodology for quantifying MP buildup and enabling comparisons of environmental impact across polymer types.
The effect of biodegradable plastics on microplastic accumulation and exposure
Researchers developed a comprehensive method to quantify microplastic accumulation from biodegradable polymers in natural environments, examining whether biodegradable alternatives actually reduce plastic loads compared to conventional polymers under real-world outdoor conditions.
A predictive model to assess the accumulation of microplastics in the natural environment
Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict how different types of plastics accumulate as microplastics in the environment over a 100-year timeframe. They found that biodegradable plastics like PBS showed near-zero accumulation potential in soil, while conventional polyethylene persisted almost completely. The model offers a standardized way to compare the long-term environmental impact of different plastic materials and could help inform policy decisions about plastic alternatives.
How to quantify the impact biodegradable materials may have?
Researchers at Wageningen examined how to quantify microplastic accumulation in nature to evaluate the impact of biodegradable polymers, noting that a comprehensive, universally applicable methodology is currently lacking. They presented predictive modelling approaches to examine whether biodegradable alternatives can reduce environmental microplastic burdens.
Accumulation and release of organic pollutants by conventional and biodegradable microplastics in the marine environment
Researchers examined the ability of conventional and biodegradable microplastics in the marine environment to accumulate and release organic pollutants, finding that both types adsorb contaminants but differ in their release profiles, with biodegradable plastics potentially offering lower long-term pollutant persistence.
Evaluation of the degradation from micro to nanoplastics from biodegradable bags in marine conditions
Researchers evaluated how biodegradable plastic bags degrade into micro- and nanoplastics under environmental conditions, comparing them to conventional plastics. The study found that even biodegradable materials generate persistent micro- and nanoplastic particles under real-world conditions.
Accumulation and release of organic pollutants by conventional and biodegradable microplastics in the marine environment
Researchers compared how biodegradable and conventional microplastics accumulate and release organic pollutants in natural seawater over 64 days. They found that biodegradable plastics like PHA and PBS accumulated similar types and levels of pollutants as conventional polyethylene. The study suggests that switching to biodegradable plastics may not reduce the risk of these materials acting as carriers for toxic chemicals in the marine environment.
Novel insight into the in-situ study of biodegradable microplastics in soil aggregates
An in-situ study of biodegradable microplastic degradation under real environmental conditions revealed insights into how quickly these materials actually break down compared to lab predictions. The findings show that biodegradation rates in nature often differ significantly from those measured in controlled experiments.
Biodegradable Microplastics: Environmental Fate and Persistence in Comparison to Micro- and Nanoplastics from Traditional, Non-Degradable Polymers
This review compares biodegradable microplastics with traditional microplastics and finds that while biodegradable versions break down much faster, they still release microplastic-sized particles that can persist in the environment for varying periods. How quickly biodegradable microplastics actually disappear depends heavily on environmental conditions like temperature, moisture, and microbial activity, and lab results often overestimate real-world degradation. The takeaway is that switching to biodegradable plastics helps but does not fully solve the microplastic pollution problem.
Experimental modeling of biodegradable microplastics
Researchers experimentally modeled the formation of biodegradable microplastics by subjecting polymers to environmental degradation factors, characterizing the resulting particles' surface properties and their capacity to adsorb toxic chemicals and microorganisms relevant to ecological risk assessment.
The occurrence and degradation of aquatic plastic litter based on polymer physicochemical properties: A review
This review combined information on the physicochemical properties of common plastic polymers with data on their environmental occurrence and degradation rates to predict the fate of plastic litter in aquatic ecosystems. The analysis highlights that polymer-specific properties like density and UV stability determine whether plastics accumulate in surface water, sediments, or beaches.
Biodegradable plastics in the marine environment: a potential source of risk?
This review examines whether biodegradable plastics offer a genuine solution to marine plastic pollution, finding that their environmental behavior depends heavily on specific conditions and that they may still pose risks in marine environments where decomposition is slow.
On some physical and dynamical properties of microplastic particles in marine environment
This study examined the physical and dynamical properties of microplastic particles in marine environments, using modeling to predict how particle shape, density, and size govern transport, dispersion, and accumulation patterns.
An Empirical Model for Predicting Biodegradation Profiles of Glycopolymers
Researchers developed a mathematical model to predict how glycopolymers — a type of biodegradable plastic — degrade over time under different conditions. Reliable biodegradation models help evaluate whether alternative plastics truly break down quickly enough to avoid contributing to long-term microplastic pollution.
Microplastic accumulation, depuration dynamics and localization in environmental compartments: combination of experimental set ups and field studies
Researchers tracked microplastic accumulation and depuration in multiple environmental compartments and marine organisms using controlled microcosm experiments. The study found that particles distribute differently across sediment, water, and biota, and that biological depuration is incomplete within realistic timeframes.
Physio-chemical degradation of single-use plastics in natural weather and marine environments
Researchers tracked the physical and chemical degradation of common single-use plastic products, including both petroleum-based and bio-based types, in Northern European coastal weather and marine environments over three years. They found that real-world degradation patterns differed from laboratory predictions, with plastics breaking down into microplastics at varying rates depending on the polymer type and environmental conditions. The study provides more accurate timelines for the macro-to-microplastic transformation of everyday disposable items.
Modeling the transport and residence time of microplastic particles in lakes and reservoirs
This study developed and validated a model for simulating the transport and residence time of microplastic particles in lakes and reservoirs, showing that hydrodynamic factors, particle density, and lake morphology together determine where microplastics accumulate.
Potential environmental impacts of bioplastic degradation in natural marine environments: A comprehensive review
This review examines the environmental impacts of biodegradable plastics degrading in marine environments, finding that their microscale breakdown raises significant concerns about contributing to microplastic pollution rather than eliminating it. The authors conclude that biodegradable plastics require reevaluation as petroleum-based plastic substitutes given the incomplete understanding of their behavior at the microscale in marine ecosystems.
Biodegradable Microplastics: A Review on the Interaction with Pollutants and Influence to Organisms
This review examines the environmental behavior and toxicity of biodegradable microplastics, noting that natural conditions rarely allow complete degradation and that biodegradable plastics may fragment into microplastics more rapidly than conventional plastics. Under some conditions biodegradable microplastics may pose greater risks to organisms than conventional microplastics, particularly in combination with adsorbed pollutants.
An In Situ Experiment to Evaluate the Aging and Degradation Phenomena Induced by Marine Environment Conditions on Commercial Plastic Granules
Researchers designed two experimental setups to monitor the aging and degradation of commercial plastic granules (HDPE, PP, PLA, and PBAT) in marine conditions over three years. The first six months of results showed measurable changes in plastic properties from exposure to seawater and beach conditions. The study provides real-world data on how different plastic types degrade in marine environments, with biodegradable plastics showing faster changes than conventional polymers.
Current studies on the degradation of microplastics in the terrestrial and aquatic ecosystem
This review summarizes current studies on microplastic degradation in terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, covering physical, chemical, and biological degradation pathways and the fate of breakdown products. The review highlights the persistence of microplastics and the limited progress toward efficient degradation under natural environmental conditions.
Microplastics Biodegradation by Estuarine and Landfill Microbiomes
Researchers tested whether natural microbes from landfills and estuaries could break down common plastics. While one biodegradable plastic (PCL) was almost completely broken down in weeks, polyethylene and PET — the plastics most commonly found as microplastics — showed no significant degradation. This highlights how persistent everyday plastics are in the environment and why microplastic pollution continues to accumulate.
A novel modeling approaches to understand the fate and transport of microplastics in aquatic environment
This paper reviews novel modeling approaches for simulating microplastic fate and transport in aquatic environments, arguing that process-based and data-driven models are needed to complement field monitoring and improve risk assessments.
Linking UV aging of polymers and microplastics formation: An assessment employing various characterization techniques
Researchers examined the link between UV aging of plastic polymers and the generation of microplastics in marine environments, using environmental assessment tools to model the process. The study clarifies how photodegradation rates and polymer type influence the rate and quantity of microplastic formation.