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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Microplastic degradations in simulated UV light, natural light and natural water body: A comparison investigation
ClearQuantitative study of microplastic degradation in urban hydrosystems: Comparing in situ environmentally aged microplastics vs. artificially aged materials generated via accelerated photo-oxidation
Researchers compared how polyethylene microplastics degrade in real urban water environments versus under controlled laboratory UV exposure. They found that lab-aged plastics showed primarily physical and chemical changes from UV light, while microplastics collected from stormwater and sediments also showed signs of biological degradation and hydrolysis. The study demonstrates that artificial aging alone does not fully replicate the complex degradation processes microplastics undergo in actual urban water systems.
Non-Negligible Effects of UV Irradiation on Transformation and Environmental Risks of Microplastics in the Water Environment
This review examines how UV irradiation drives photoaging of microplastics in aquatic environments, altering their surface chemistry, mechanical properties, and adsorption capacity for co-pollutants, and thereby amplifying their ecotoxicological risks beyond those of virgin plastic particles.
Irradiation and DOM mediate lead release from polyvinyl chloride microplastics in natural surface water
Lead released from PVC microplastics in natural water was found to reach 374–1,110 µg/L in darkness, but UV irradiation inhibited release by 34–59%, with dissolved organic matter (DOM) composition playing a key mediating role—raising concerns about heavy metal leaching from PVC plastics in aquatic environments.
Characterization of microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter in freshwater: Effects of light irradiation and polymer types
Researchers examined how different types of microplastics release dissolved organic matter into freshwater under light and dark conditions. They found that polypropylene released the most organic compounds after UV exposure, while protein-like substances were the main material released by most plastics in the dark. The study indicates that microplastics may have ongoing, long-term effects on water chemistry and microbial activity in natural water bodies.
Ecotoxicological assessment of microplastics in limnic systems with emphasis on chemicals released by weathering
This study examined both the physical and chemical toxicity of microplastics in freshwater ecosystems, with special focus on chemicals released when plastics are weathered by ultraviolet light. The research tested conventional and biodegradable plastics, addressing whether particle properties or leaching chemicals drive ecotoxicological effects.
Organotin Release from Polyvinyl Chloride Microplastics and Concurrent Photodegradation in Water: Impacts from Salinity, Dissolved Organic Matter, and Light Exposure
Researchers studied how organotin compounds leach from polyvinyl chloride microplastics under different light and water conditions. They found that UV and visible light exposure accelerated the release of certain organotin additives while simultaneously degrading others through photochemical reactions. The study demonstrates that environmental factors like salinity and dissolved organic matter significantly influence the rate at which microplastics release potentially harmful chemical additives into water.
Investigating aquatic biodegradation and changes in the properties of pristine and UV-irradiated microplastics from conventional and biodegradable agricultural plastics
Researchers compared the biodegradation of conventional and biodegradable agricultural plastic mulching films in aquatic environments, testing both pristine and UV-weathered samples. The study found that while biodegradable plastics break down well under controlled composting conditions, their degradation in non-target environments like water bodies is considerably less predictable.
Photo-aging of polyvinyl chloride microplastic in the presence of natural organic acids
Researchers described a new photo-aging pathway for polyvinyl chloride microplastics in aquatic environments involving low-molecular-weight organic acids. The study found that natural organic acids and their iron complexes significantly accelerated the degradation of PVC microplastics under sunlight through hydroxyl radical generation, revealing how environmental conditions influence microplastic weathering.
From macroplastics to microplastics: Role of water in the fragmentation of polyethylene
Laboratory photodegradation experiments compared how polyethylene plastic films fragment in water versus air under UV light, finding that the aquatic environment significantly influences the physical and chemical breakdown of plastic into microplastics. The study improves understanding of how water immersion changes the photodegradation pathways of floating and submerged plastic debris.
Simulated experimental investigation of microplastic weathering in marine environment
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.
Increased bio-toxicity of leachates from polyvinyl chloride microplastics during the photo-aging process in the presence of dissolved organic matter
Researchers investigated how photo-aging of polyvinyl chloride microplastics is affected by the presence of dissolved organic matter in surface waters. They found that humic acid, a common component of dissolved organic matter, enhanced the degradation of PVC microplastics under light exposure and significantly increased the toxicity of the resulting chemical leachates. The study highlights the importance of considering dissolved organic matter when assessing the ecological risks of microplastic pollution in natural waters.
Progress on the photo aging mechanism of microplastics and related impact factors in water environment
This review examined the photo-aging mechanisms of microplastics in aquatic environments, finding that solar UV radiation drives oxidation reactions that alter surface chemistry, fragment particles further, and enhance their capacity to adsorb and release co-occurring pollutants.
Plastic litter fate and contaminant transport within the urban environment, photodegradation, fragmentation, and heavy metal uptake from storm runoff
Researchers studied how plastic litter in urban environments degrades into microplastics through sun exposure and examined the capacity of these fragments to absorb heavy metals from stormwater runoff. The study found that photodegradation of polyethylene and PET creates microplastic fragments that can then pick up heavy metal contaminants from urban runoff, compounding their environmental impact.
The fate of microplastics in the environment: Systematic studies to determine release rates of secondary micro- and nanoplastics and water-soluble organics induced by photolysis and hydrolysis
Researchers conducted systematic studies on the photolytic and hydrolytic degradation of microplastics using three photolysis protocols and multiple polymer types to determine release rates of secondary micro- and nanoplastics and water-soluble organics, providing mechanistic data needed for environmental fate and risk assessment.
The fate of microplastics in the environment: Systematic studies to determine release rates of secondary micro- and nanoplastics and water-soluble organics induced by photolysis and hydrolysis
Researchers conducted systematic studies on the photolytic and hydrolytic degradation of microplastics using three photolysis protocols and multiple polymer types to determine release rates of secondary micro- and nanoplastics and water-soluble organics, providing mechanistic data needed for environmental fate and risk assessment.
Heavy metals trigger distinct molecular transformations in microplastic-versus natural-derived dissolved organic matter
This study compared how heavy metals interact with organic matter that comes from natural sources versus organic matter released by degrading microplastics in water. Natural organic matter formed stable complexes that kept heavy metals in check, while microplastic-derived organic matter formed weaker bonds and was more vulnerable to chemical reactions that could release metals back into the water. This means that as plastic pollution increases, heavy metals in waterways may become more mobile and more available to enter the food chain.
Screening the release of chemicals and microplastic particles from diverse plastic consumer products into water under accelerated UV weathering conditions
Researchers exposed eight common plastic consumer products to UV light simulating eight months of weathering and found they released both microplastic particles and hundreds of chemical compounds into water. The UV exposure significantly increased the release of toxic metals and organic chemicals compared to products kept in the dark. Many of the detected substances exceeded safety thresholds, suggesting that sun-degraded plastic products could pose meaningful health and environmental risks.
Aging simulation of thin-film plastics in different environments to examine the formation of microplastic
Researchers aged polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene thin films under land, freshwater, estuarine, and oceanic conditions, finding that UV radiation was the primary driver of surface degradation and microplastic formation, with degradation rates varying substantially by environmental medium.
Study on the Adsorption Behavior and Mechanism of Heavy Metals in Aquatic Environment before and after the Aging of Typical Microplastics
Researchers investigated the adsorption behavior and mechanisms of heavy metals by typical microplastics before and after environmental aging, finding that aging significantly alters microplastics' surface properties and capacity to bind metals such as cadmium and lead in aquatic systems.
UV-Irradiation Facilitating Pb Release from Recycled PVC Microplastics
Researchers found that UV light exposure causes microplastics made from recycled PVC to release lead (Pb), a toxic heavy metal used as a stabilizer in older PVC formulations. This shows that environmental weathering of plastic pollution can release hazardous chemical additives into water and soil.
Degradation Pathways of Biodegradable Films in Aquatic Ecosystems: the Role of Environmental Factors in Microplastics Formation
This review examines how biodegradable agricultural and packaging films degrade in aquatic environments, detailing how UV radiation, temperature, microbial activity, and pH interact to determine the rate of microplastic formation from supposedly eco-friendly plastic alternatives.
Photoaging mechanisms of microplastics mediated by dissolved organic matter in an iron-rich aquatic environment
Researchers investigated how dissolved organic matter and iron mediate the photoaging of PVC and PET microplastics, finding that humic acid and iron accelerate surface degradation and alter the environmental behavior and risks of aged microplastics.
Quantifying the critical regulator role of irradiation-enhanced electric field in nanoplastics aggregation with heavy metals
Researchers quantified how UV irradiation enhances the breakdown of microplastics by acting as a critical regulator of photodegradation rates in natural waters. The study improves models predicting how quickly microplastics fragment into nanoplastics under sunlight exposure.
Evaluation of microplastic contamination by metals in a controlled environment: A risk to be considered
Researchers found that polyethylene terephthalate microplastics readily adsorb nickel, copper, and zinc metals in aquatic environments, demonstrating that degraded plastics can act as carriers for metal contaminants and pose compounded environmental risks.