Plastic degradation in aquatic environments: a review of challenges and the need for standardized experimental approaches

Result code in IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F61989100%3A27350%2F25%3A10258469" target="_blank" >RIV/61989100:27350/25:10258469 - isvavai.cz</a>

Result on the web

<a href="https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/environmental-science/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1677793/full" target="_blank" >https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/environmental-science/articles/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1677793/full</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.3389/fenvs.2025.1677793" target="_blank" >10.3389/fenvs.2025.1677793</a>

Result language

angličtina

Original language name

Plastic degradation in aquatic environments: a review of challenges and the need for standardized experimental approaches

Original language description

Plastic pollution has a significant impact on ecosystems, primarily due to the formation of microplastics through degradation processes. The degradation of plastic waste in aquatic systems is a key pathway in the formation of microplastics, yet the experimental approaches used to study these processes remain inconsistent and poorly harmonized. This review encompasses over 100 relevant documents, including experimental studies on plastic degradation under laboratory and field aquatic conditions, as well as reviews, standards, and policy reports that contextualize methodological challenges and ongoing standardization efforts. We identify key sources of methodological variation, including material types, particle sizes, exposure durations, environmental settings, and physical–chemical parameters such as UV radiation and mechanical stress. These discrepancies hinder the comparability of results and limit the development of robust, policy–relevant conclusions. Recent progress, including the ISO 24187:2023 standard for microplastic analysis, highlights steps toward harmonization but also underscores remaining gaps for degradation testing. We highlight specific gaps in current practices and propose essential parameters that require harmonization–particularly in long–term degradation testing and the simulation of realistic aquatic conditions. By addressing these methodological inconsistencies, more reproducible results can be achieved, enabling predictive modelling and supporting evidence–based risk assessment. In turn, standardized protocols will provide a stronger foundation for environmental policy and mitigation strategies aimed at reducing microplastic pollution.

Czech name

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Czech description

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Type

J_imp - Article in a specialist periodical, which is included in the Web of Science database

CEP classification

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OECD FORD branch

10511 - Environmental sciences (social aspects to be 5.7)

Project

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Continuities

S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach

Publication year

2025

Confidentiality

S - Úplné a pravdivé údaje o projektu nepodléhají ochraně podle zvláštních právních předpisů

Name of the periodical

Frontiers in Environmental Science

ISSN

2296-665X

e-ISSN

2296-665X

Volume of the periodical

13:1677793

Issue of the periodical within the volume

Neuveden

Country of publishing house

CH - SWITZERLAND

Number of pages

13

Pages from-to

1677793

UT code for WoS article

001587933800001

EID of the result in the Scopus database

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