Journal of Polymers and the Environment,
Journal Year:
2025,
Volume and Issue:
33(3), P. 1542 - 1560
Published: Jan. 18, 2025
Abstract
Artificial
degradation
is
often
used
to
recreate
and
accelerate
the
natural
aging
of
plastic
for
small-scaled
simulation
experiments
assessing
their
environmental
impact.
However,
current
artificial
methods
are
rarely
compared
against
reference
materials
or
validated
using
field-aged
samples,
creating
uncertainties
when
extrapolating
results
naturally
aged
plastics,
making
it
difficult
place
findings
in
an
environmentally
applicable
context.
Therefore,
here
we
four
accessible,
cost-effective,
easily
replicable
(heat,
UVA,
UVC
irradiance
at
two
intensities)
produce
artificially
degraded
materials.
The
were
assessed
over
a
duration
5
months
rate,
efficiency,
similarity
samples
conventional
biodegradable
mulch
film
6-month
field
exposure
period.
We
utilised
attenuated
total
reflectance-Fourier
transform
infrared
spectroscopy
calculate
carbonyl
index
measure
chemical
changes
surface,
as
well
differential
scanning
calorimetry
thermogravimetric
analysis.
Physical
by
thickness
surface
roughness
measurements.
found
that
UVA
was
most
suitable
realistic
method
medium
whilst
recommended
rapid
without
need
simulate
changes,
heat
processing
large
volumes
requirement
prolonged
time
this
study
yielded
depending
on
polymer
type
parameter
interest.
therefore
recommend
establishing
aim,
identifying
spectral
region
interest,
accounting
different
types
select
appropriate
method.
TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
172, P. 117566 - 117566
Published: Jan. 30, 2024
The
analysis
of
microplastics
(MPs)
in
terrestrial
environments
and
the
evaluation
their
environmental
risk
has
gained
great
attention,
owing
to
increasing
evidence
for
widespread
presence
soils
freshwater
sediments
globally.
Once
environment,
MPs
undergo
abiotic
biotic
processes
which
alter
properties
integrity:
this
process
is
called
"aging"
implications
fate
these
contaminants,
morphology
surface
chemistry.
Aging
may
also
affect
analytical
assessment
samples:
samples
likely
contain
aged
MPs,
while
methods
are
generally
established
using
pristine
plastics
validation.
This
can
lead
uncertainties
quantification
characterization.
critical
review
summarizes
current
trends
simulation
characterization
MP
aging
laboratory
conditions,
highlighting
limitations
knowledge
gaps.
It
discusses
challenges
induced
by
samples,
providing
directions
toward
possible
solutions.
Environmental Science & Technology,
Journal Year:
2023,
Volume and Issue:
57(44), P. 16788 - 16799
Published: Oct. 28, 2023
Recently,
studies
have
highlighted
the
potential
danger
for
soil
organisms
posed
by
film-derived
microplastics
(MPs).
However,
majority
of
those
does
not
accurately
reflect
field
conditions
and
degree
MP
contamination
that
can
be
found
in
actual
settings.
To
fill
gap
between
laboratory
scenarios,
polyethylene
(PE)
plastic
film
was
made
into
PE-MPs
aged.
Toxicity
molecular
mechanisms
pristine
(PMPs)
aged
(AMPs)
with
concentration
at
500
mg/kg
dry
weight
were
determined
after
14
days
exposure
measuring
oxidative
stress,
osmoregulation
pressure,
gut
microbiota,
metabolic
responses
earthworms
under
environmentally
relevant
conditions.
Our
research
showed
that,
when
compared
to
PMPs
(13.13
±
1.99
items/g),
AMPs
accumulated
more
(16.19
8.47
caused
severe
tissue
lesions,
a
higher
increase
cell
membrane
osmotic
pressure
earthworms'
intestines.
Furthermore,
proportion
probiotic
bacteria
Lactobacillus
johnsonii
bacterial
communities
24.26%,
23.26%,
12.96%,
while
pathogenic
phylum
Verrucomicrobia
2.28%,
4.79%,
10.39%
control
PMP-
AMP-exposed
earthworms,
indicating
decrease
number
pronounced
AMP-
rather
than
PMP-exposed
earthworms.
Metabolomic
analysis
AMP
reduced
earthworm
energy
metabolites.
Consequently,
constant
need
may
result
protein
catabolism,
which
raises
levels
some
amino
acids,
disturbs
normal
homeostasis,
causes
changes
osmolarity,
destroys
structure.
MPs,
same
characteristics
as
environment,
greater
toxicity
MPs.
The
results
this
study
broaden
our
understanding
toxicological
effects
MPs
on
Environmental Science & Technology,
Journal Year:
2024,
Volume and Issue:
58(26), P. 11625 - 11636
Published: June 7, 2024
Dissolved
organic
matter
(DOM)
exists
widely
in
natural
water,
which
inevitably
influences
microplastic
(MP)
photoaging.
Nevertheless,
the
impacts
of
DOM
fractions
with
diverse
molecular
structures
on
MP
photoaging
remain
to
be
elucidated.
This
study
explored
mechanisms
polylactic
acid
(PLA)-MPs
and
polystyrene
(PS)-MPs
presence
its
subfractions
(hydrophobic
(HPOA),
hydrophobic
neutral
(HPON),
hydrophilic
(HPI)).
Across
fractions,
HPI
exhibited
highest
electron
accepting
capacity
(23
μmol
e
