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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Exploring polystyrene weathering behavior: From surface traits to micro(nano)plastics and additives release
ClearInvestigation of Surface Alteration of Microplastics by Using UV Irradiation
UV radiation causes polystyrene and other plastic microparticles to undergo photooxidative degradation, changing their surface chemistry and potentially making them more likely to adsorb or release chemical pollutants. Understanding these weathering processes is important for predicting the environmental behavior and toxicity of microplastics.
Reconstructing the Environmental Degradation of Polystyrene by Accelerated Weathering
Researchers conducted long-term accelerated weathering experiments on polystyrene and characterized changes in surface chemistry, morphology, and particle size distribution over time, providing empirical data on fragmentation kinetics and chemical transformation needed to model environmental residence times.
New insights into the photo-degraded polystyrene microplastic: Effect on the release of volatile organic compounds
Researchers investigated how ultraviolet light breaks down polystyrene microplastics and what volatile organic compounds are released during the process. They found that while the physical properties of the microplastics changed only slightly during UV exposure, the particles released a variety of potentially harmful volatile chemicals. The study provides new insights into the secondary pollution risks posed by microplastics as they degrade in the environment.
Analysis of ultraviolet and thermal degradations of four common microplastics and evidence of nanoparticle release
Researchers studied how UV light and elevated temperature break down four common plastics and found that weathering releases nanoscale plastic particles. Polystyrene and polypropylene were particularly susceptible to UV degradation, generating significant numbers of nanoparticles. The findings confirm that environmental conditions actively fragment microplastics into even smaller, potentially more harmful nanoplastics.
Effect of UV-exposure on size, morphology, and chemical structure of polystyrene nanospheres in suspension
Researchers studied how UV exposure alters the size, morphology, and chemical structure of polystyrene nanospheres in suspension, providing mechanistic insight into nanoplastic weathering. The results showed that UV irradiation progressively changes particle surface chemistry and size distribution in ways relevant to environmental fate and toxicity.
Molecular characteristics and plastic additives in dissolved organic matter derived from polystyrene microplastics: Effects of cumulative irradiation and microplastic concentrations
This study investigated how ultraviolet light breaks down polystyrene microplastics and releases dissolved organic matter, including plastic additives, into the surrounding water. Greater UV exposure produced more complex chemical mixtures with higher levels of potentially toxic compounds. The findings are important because sunlight-driven breakdown of microplastics in the environment may release harmful chemicals into water sources that people use for drinking and recreation.
Natural and simulated weathering of polystyrene: A molecular view of the polymeric interface
This study used molecular-level analysis to track how surface functional groups on polystyrene change during weathering by ozone, UV radiation, and natural freshwater exposure. Oxidation at the polymer interface was progressive and differed across weathering conditions, with implications for microplastic environmental behavior.
Releasing characteristics of toxic chemicals from polystyrene microplastics in the aqueous environment during photoaging process
This study revealed that as polystyrene microplastics age under UV light, they release a growing number of toxic chemicals including organic compounds and heavy metals into surrounding water. The rate of chemical release increased dramatically with aging time, meaning that weathered microplastics in the environment are more chemically hazardous than fresh ones, with implications for water quality and human exposure.
Combined effect of artificial aging and fatigue on the mechanical, structural, and morphological properties of polystyrene
This study found that combining UV-B exposure with mechanical fatigue significantly accelerated the degradation of polystyrene, reducing molecular weight and mechanical strength beyond what either stressor caused alone. This combined weathering process accelerates microplastic formation from polystyrene products in outdoor environments.
Nanofragmentation of Expanded Polystyrene Under Simulated Environmental Weathering (Thermooxidative Degradation and Hydrodynamic Turbulence)
Researchers studied the combined effect of UV oxidation and mechanical abrasion on the fragmentation of expanded polystyrene under simulated marine weathering conditions. They found that oxidative degradation and mechanical stress together drive the breakdown of macroplastics into micro- and nanoscale particles in the ocean.
Aggregation kinetics of UV irradiated nanoplastics in aquatic environments
Researchers compared the aggregation behavior of fresh versus UV-aged polystyrene nanoplastics under various aquatic conditions. They found that UV aging altered the surface chemistry of nanoplastics, making them more stable in water and less likely to aggregate, which means they could remain suspended and bioavailable for longer periods. The study suggests that weathered nanoplastics may behave very differently from fresh particles in the environment, complicating risk assessments.
UV-ageing effects on polystyrene microplastics surface polarity and transport in soils
Researchers found that UV sunlight exposure changes polystyrene microplastics by adding oxygen-containing groups to their surfaces, which makes the particles move differently through soil. The UV-aged particles became smaller and had altered surface charges, affecting how far they could travel through sand and soil. This matters because it shows that weathered microplastics in the environment behave differently than fresh ones, potentially reaching groundwater and other water sources more easily.
Effect of UV-exposure on size, morphology, and chemical structure of polystyrene nanospheres in suspension
Researchers investigated how UV exposure changes the size, morphology, and chemical structure of polystyrene nanospheres in suspension, simulating environmental weathering of nanoplastics. The study characterized how UV aging alters particle properties in ways relevant to their biological and environmental fate.
Preparation of Polystyrene Nanoparticles with Environmental Relevance Using a Gradual Degradation Method.
Researchers prepared polystyrene nanoparticles of environmental relevance using a gradual degradation method that simulates natural weathering conditions, finding that nanofragment size evolved dynamically from below 250 nm at 3 days to 300-500 nm at 6 days before forming two sub-200 nm peaks at 9 days.
Abiotic weathering of plastic: Experimental contributions towards understanding the formation of microplastics and other plastic related particulate pollutants
Scientists studied how the five most common types of plastic break down under realistic environmental conditions involving UV light, temperature changes, and humidity. They found that weathering follows complex, uneven pathways and that the microplastics produced can have very different physical properties depending on the additives in the original plastic. This matters because it means microplastics in the environment are more varied and unpredictable than lab studies using uniform particles suggest, complicating efforts to assess their health risks.
Degradation of nanoplastics in the environment: Reactivity and impact on atmospheric and surface waters
Researchers used polystyrene nanoparticles as a proxy to study nanoplastic degradation pathways in the environment, examining their reactivity and potential impact on both atmospheric chemistry and surface water quality. The study found that nanoplastics undergo transformation processes that may affect atmospheric aerosol composition and aquatic ecosystems.
Effect of ozonation on the morphological characteristics and adsorption behavior of polystyrene microplastics in aqueous environments
Researchers exposed polystyrene microplastics to ozone treatment and found that the aging process made the particles smaller, more negatively charged, and better at absorbing pollutants from water — meaning weathered microplastics in the environment may carry more harmful chemicals than fresh ones.
Contaminant release from aged microplastic
Researchers exposed recycled plastic granules of polyethylene, PVC, and polystyrene to simulated aging conditions including UV radiation and high temperatures. They found that aging significantly increased the rate at which chemical additives leached from the plastic particles into water, with UV exposure having the greatest effect. The study highlights that weathered microplastics in the environment may release harmful chemicals at much higher rates than fresh plastic materials.
Quantitative analysis of polystyrene microplastic and styrene monomer released from plastic food containers
Researchers analyzed how polystyrene food containers release microplastics and styrene monomers under everyday conditions like heating and UV exposure. They found that containers released significant amounts of both microplastic particles and chemical compounds that could enter food. The study raises concerns about human exposure to microplastics through common disposable food packaging.
Effects of weathering and simulated gastric fluid exposure on cellular responses to polystyrene particles
Researchers studied the effects of weathering and simulated gastric fluid exposure on cellular responses to polystyrene particles. The study suggests that environmental weathering can alter how micro- and nanoplastics interact with biological systems, with potential implications for understanding human health effects from ingested plastic particles.
Experimental degradation of polystyrene via three-dimensional surface texture analysis after UV radiation and mechanical abrasion.
Scientists studied how everyday plastic items like coffee stirrers break down when exposed to sunlight and water movement, which creates tiny plastic particles called microplastics. They found that plastics break down faster when tumbled around in water, especially after being weakened by sunlight first, creating more of these harmful microplastics that can end up in our food and water. This research shows why we need to reduce single-use plastics, since they easily break into microscopic pieces that pollute our environment and potentially harm human health.
Microplastic removal from urban stormwater: Current treatments and research gaps
Researchers investigated the phototransformation of polystyrene microplastics under simulated solar radiation, finding surface oxidation and formation of carbonyl groups after UV exposure. Photo-aged particles showed increased release of dissolved organic carbon and greater toxicity to marine copepods.
Understanding plasticiser leaching from polystyrene microplastics
Researchers studied how plasticiser chemicals leach out of polystyrene microplastics into surrounding water, testing both phthalate and bisphenol additives. They found that leaching rates depended on the chemical type, water temperature, and salinity, with some plasticisers releasing more readily in saltwater conditions. The findings help explain how microplastics serve as a source of potentially harmful chemical additives in ocean and freshwater environments.
Aging significantly increases the interaction between polystyrene nanoplastic and minerals
Researchers investigated how environmental aging by UV light and chemical oxidation changes the way polystyrene nanoplastics interact with mineral particles. They found that aging significantly increased the nanoplastics' ability to bind to common minerals like kaolinite and goethite. The study suggests that weathered nanoplastics in the environment may behave very differently from the pristine particles typically used in laboratory studies.