Investigating aquatic biodegradation and changes in the properties of pristine and UV-irradiated microplastics from conventional and biodegradable agricultural plastics

Kód výsledku v IS VaVaI

<a href="https://www.isvavai.cz/riv?ss=detail&h=RIV%2F00216305%3A26620%2F26%3A0198234" target="_blank" >RIV/00216305:26620/26:0198234 - isvavai.cz</a>

Nalezeny alternativní kódy

RIV/62156489:43210/25:43927008

Výsledek na webu

<a href="https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026974912500781X" target="_blank" >https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026974912500781X</a>

DOI - Digital Object Identifier

<a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126408" target="_blank" >10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126408</a>

Jazyk výsledku

angličtina

Název v původním jazyce

Investigating aquatic biodegradation and changes in the properties of pristine and UV-irradiated microplastics from conventional and biodegradable agricultural plastics

Popis výsledku v původním jazyce

There is an increasing tendency to replace conventional agricultural plastic mulching films with biodegradable alternatives. However, while the latter biodegrade well under controlled conditions (e.g. industrial compost), their biodegradation in non-target environments (e.g. aquatic environments) is questioned and poorly understood. Therefore, in this study, microplastics derived from conventional polyethylene (PE) and biodegradable polybutylene adipate terephthalate starch blend (PBAT) mulching films were exposed to UV irradiation and subsequently tested for their ready biodegradability in an aqueous medium where changes in their characteristics were evaluated. The results showed limited biodegradation for pristine and UV-aged PE: no morphological, surface chemical or internal changes were observed. Pristine PBAT showed signs of initial biodegradation, while UV-aged PBAT biodegraded by up to 57%. New functional groups appeared on the PBAT surface after UV irradiation according to FTIR analysis and crystallinity increased after biodegradation. Elemental analysis revealed a range of metals in PE and PBAT microplastics. No changes in metal distribution analysed in micro-plastic after UV-aging or biodegradation were found, except that less titanium was present in PBAT after biodegradation indicating potential leaching. None of the PBAT microplastics had ecotoxic effects towards the aquatic plant Lemna minor. Pristine and UV-aged PE showed negative effects on roots, but these were not observed after biodegradation. Low biodegradation of pristine PBAT and possible leaching of metals demonstrated here raise questions about the sustainable use of biodegradable alternatives, especially when they enter non-target environments.

Název v anglickém jazyce

Investigating aquatic biodegradation and changes in the properties of pristine and UV-irradiated microplastics from conventional and biodegradable agricultural plastics

Popis výsledku anglicky

There is an increasing tendency to replace conventional agricultural plastic mulching films with biodegradable alternatives. However, while the latter biodegrade well under controlled conditions (e.g. industrial compost), their biodegradation in non-target environments (e.g. aquatic environments) is questioned and poorly understood. Therefore, in this study, microplastics derived from conventional polyethylene (PE) and biodegradable polybutylene adipate terephthalate starch blend (PBAT) mulching films were exposed to UV irradiation and subsequently tested for their ready biodegradability in an aqueous medium where changes in their characteristics were evaluated. The results showed limited biodegradation for pristine and UV-aged PE: no morphological, surface chemical or internal changes were observed. Pristine PBAT showed signs of initial biodegradation, while UV-aged PBAT biodegraded by up to 57%. New functional groups appeared on the PBAT surface after UV irradiation according to FTIR analysis and crystallinity increased after biodegradation. Elemental analysis revealed a range of metals in PE and PBAT microplastics. No changes in metal distribution analysed in micro-plastic after UV-aging or biodegradation were found, except that less titanium was present in PBAT after biodegradation indicating potential leaching. None of the PBAT microplastics had ecotoxic effects towards the aquatic plant Lemna minor. Pristine and UV-aged PE showed negative effects on roots, but these were not observed after biodegradation. Low biodegradation of pristine PBAT and possible leaching of metals demonstrated here raise questions about the sustainable use of biodegradable alternatives, especially when they enter non-target environments.

Druh

J_imp - Článek v periodiku v databázi Web of Science

CEP obor

—

OECD FORD obor

10406 - Analytical chemistry

Projekt

Výsledek vznikl pri realizaci vícero projektů. Více informací v záložce Projekty.

Návaznosti

P - Projekt vyzkumu a vyvoje financovany z verejnych zdroju (s odkazem do CEP)<br>S - Specificky vyzkum na vysokych skolach

Rok uplatnění

2025

Kód důvěrnosti údajů

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

Název periodika

Environmental Pollution

ISSN

0269-7491

e-ISSN

1873-6424

Svazek periodika

376

Číslo periodika v rámci svazku

7

Stát vydavatele periodika

GB - Spojené království Velké Británie a Severního Irska

Počet stran výsledku

10

Strana od-do

—

Kód UT WoS článku

001494975400001

EID výsledku v databázi Scopus

2-s2.0-105004890401