Unveiling Fragmentation of Plastic Particles during Biodegradation of Polystyrene and Polyethylene Foams in Mealworms: Highly Sensitive Detection and Digestive Modeling Prediction

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 57(40), P. 15099 - 15111

Published: Sept. 26, 2023

It remains unknown whether plastic-biodegrading macroinvertebrates generate microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics (NPs) during the biodegradation of plastics. In this study, we utilized highly sensitive particle analyzers pyrolyzer-gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GCMS) to investigate possibility generating MPs NPs in frass polystyrene (PS) low-density polyethylene (LDPE) foams by mealworms (Tenebrio molitor larvae). We also developed a digestive biofragmentation model predict unveil fragmentation process ingested The removed 77.3% PS 71.1% PE over 6-week test period. Biodegradation both polymers was verified increase δ13C signature residual plastics, changes molecular weights, formation new oxidative functional groups. accumulated due biofragmentation, with exhibiting maximum percentage number at 2.75 7.27 μm, respectively. Nevertheless, were not detected using laser light scattering sizer detection limit 10 nm Py-GCMS analysis. predicted that progressively size-reduced rapidly biodegraded, indicating shorter half-life smaller plastic particles have. This study allayed concerns regarding accumulation plastic-degrading provided critical insights into factors controlling MP NP generation macroinvertebrate-mediated biodegradation.

Language: Английский

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Distribution, sources, transportation and biodegradation of microplastics in the soil environment

TrAC Trends in Analytical Chemistry, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 164, P. 117106 - 117106

Published: May 19, 2023

Language: Английский

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Vertical distribution and weathering characteristic of microplastics in soil profile of different land use types

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 905, P. 166902 - 166902

Published: Sept. 13, 2023

Language: Английский

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Degradation mechanism of microplastics and potential risks during sewage sludge co-composting: A comprehensive review

Environmental Pollution, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 333, P. 122113 - 122113

Published: June 26, 2023

Language: Английский

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The iron matters: Aged microplastics disrupted the iron homeostasis in the liver organoids

The Science of The Total Environment, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 906, P. 167529 - 167529

Published: Oct. 1, 2023

Language: Английский

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