Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Leaching of carbon, metals, and additives from microplastics to water

Researchers soaked a range of consumer plastic microplastics in water for 12 weeks and found that most released substantial dissolved organic carbon, metals including calcium, iron, and zinc, and dozens of chemical additives — with leaching rates highest in the first few weeks and varying by polymer type.

2023
Article Tier 2

Microplastics release a range of substances into the surrounding water

Researchers monitored the leaching of chemical substances from microplastics into surrounding water over time, quantifying what compounds are released under aquatic conditions. The study found that microplastics continuously release a range of substances, adding to their environmental hazard beyond physical particle effects.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Microplastics release a range of substances into the surrounding water

This study monitored the continuous leaching of chemical substances from microplastics into surrounding water, identifying a range of compounds released over time. The findings confirm that microplastics act as a persistent source of chemical contamination in aquatic environments, beyond their direct physical effects.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Elucidating the characteristic of leachates released from microplastics under different aging conditions: Perspectives of dissolved organic carbon fingerprints and nano-plastics

Researchers investigated how different aging conditions affect the release of dissolved organic carbon and nanoplastics from PVC and polystyrene microplastics over 130 days. The study found that UV aging and high temperatures promoted the release of nanoplastics and altered the chemical characteristics of leached substances, with UV-aged treatments producing smaller, rougher nanoparticles that may pose greater ecological risks.

2023 Water Research 76 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Environment International 30 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter and its biogeochemical behaviors in aquatic environments: A review

This review examines how microplastics release dissolved organic matter (MP-DOM) as they break down in water, and how these released chemicals affect water ecosystems. MP-DOM can interact with other pollutants and alter carbon cycling in natural waters, with the type and amount varying based on plastic composition and weathering conditions. Understanding what microplastics release into water as they degrade is important because these dissolved chemicals may have their own toxic effects on aquatic life and water quality.

2024 Critical Reviews in Environmental Science and Technology 84 citations
Article Tier 2

Dissolved organic carbon leaching from microplastics and bioavailability in coastal ecosystems

Researchers evaluated dissolved organic carbon leaching from polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics in coastal ecosystems, finding that up to 85% of the leached carbon was biodegradable by microbial communities. The study found that different coastal environments, such as seagrass beds and river mouths, showed varying abilities to utilize this plastic-derived carbon, suggesting microplastics may be an underappreciated source of dissolved organic carbon in marine systems.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 42 citations
Article Tier 2

Non-targeted analysis for organic components of microplastic leachates

Researchers used non-targeted analysis to identify over 100 organic compounds leaching from five common plastic polymer types in simulated gastric fluid, freshwater, and seawater, finding that leaching medium significantly influenced the chemical profile and that recycled plastics leached distinct compound clusters compared to virgin materials.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 33 citations
Article Tier 2

Source-specific quantification of microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter in sludge liquor using δ13C-labeled sludge and isotopic fingerprinting under varying conditioning treatments

Source-specific dissolved organic matter released by microplastics was quantified and characterized, revealing that different polymer types leach distinct chemical profiles into water. These leachates can alter aquatic chemistry and microbial communities in ways specific to the plastic source.

2025 Water Research 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Spectroscopic Tracking of the Characteristics of Microplastic-Derived Dissolved Organic Matter

This study used fluorescence spectroscopy to track dissolved organic matter leaching from polyethylene, PVC, and other plastic types over time, finding that different polymers release distinct dissolved organic matter compositions with varying potential to affect aquatic ecosystems.

2023 Separations 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Molecular fingerprints of dissolved organic matter leached from microplastics over prolonged photochemical aging: Implications for aquatic carbon cycling

Researchers used ultra-high-resolution mass spectrometry to identify the dissolved organic molecules that leach from polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene microplastics after prolonged exposure to sunlight. They found that polystyrene released the most diverse array of molecules, many of which could persist in water systems. The study suggests that as microplastics degrade in sunlight, they release non-natural organic compounds that may affect the aquatic carbon cycle from rivers to oceans.

2025 Water Research 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic-derived dissolved organic matter: Generation, characterization, and environmental behaviors

This review examines how microplastics release dissolved organic matter as they break down in the environment, creating a previously overlooked source of carbon and chemical pollution. Researchers found that this microplastic-derived organic matter can interact with other pollutants, affect water quality, and influence microbial communities. The study highlights a lesser-known dimension of microplastic pollution that could have significant environmental consequences.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 37 citations
Article Tier 2

Leachability of microplastic from different plastic materials

This study tested the leachability of microplastics from several common plastic materials under environmental conditions, finding that plastic type and degradation state influence how readily microplastic particles are released.

2021 Journal of Environmental Management 92 citations
Article Tier 2

Emerging investigator series: microplastic-based leachate formation under UV irradiation: the extent, characteristics, and mechanisms

Six common microplastic types were exposed to UV irradiation to characterize surface changes and leachate chemical profiles, finding that UV treatment generated oxidized surface groups and released diverse organic compounds. Leachate composition varied by polymer type, highlighting the role of weathering in generating secondary chemical pollution from microplastics.

2022 Environmental Science Water Research & Technology 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics and Nanoplastics in the Aquatic Environment: Contamination, Determination and Interaction with Other Contaminants

This review gathers information on microplastic and nanoplastic contamination in aquatic environments, examining their detection methods, environmental persistence, and interactions with other contaminants including their capacity to adsorb and release chemical compounds.

2023 PERIÓDICO TCHÊ QUÍMICA 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Seeping plastics: Potentially harmful molecular fragments leaching out from microplastics during accelerated ageing in seawater

Researchers conducted accelerated aging experiments on four common plastic types in seawater to study the chemical compounds they release as they degrade. The study found that aging microplastics leach potentially harmful molecular fragments into the surrounding water, demonstrating that microplastics are not inert pollutants but chemically reactive materials that release degradation byproducts over time.

2022 Water Research 75 citations