Breakdown and Modification of Microplastic Beads by Aeolian Abrasion

Bullard, Joanna E.; Zhou, Zhaoxia; Davis, Sam; Fowler, Shaun

doi:10.1021/acs.est.2c05396

Cited by 20 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 56 publications

(123 reference statements)

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“…Besides, there may be a greater variety of mechanical forces and the intensity of mechanical fragmentation may also be higher in terrestrial environment, such as erosion caused by rainwater 65 and tearing caused by strong winds. 66 However, these processes represent only the physical disintegration of commercial plastics into microplastics. Further in-depth and systematic research is needed in the future to study the time and factors influencing plastic mineralization in the terrestrial environment.…”

Section: Estimation Of Microplastics Released and Potentialmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neglected but Crucial Role Played by Rainwater in the Photodegradation of Plastic

Duan,

Zheng,

Tam

et al. 2024

ACS EST Water

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Plastic pollution poses a worldwide environmental threat, yet limited attention has been paid to its terrestrial fate. Although rainwater has low photochemical activity, its long-term effect on the photodegradation of plastic waste has predominantly remained unexplored. In this study, poly(vinyl chloride) bags, polypropylene masks, polystyrene foam, and polyethylene bags were exposed to sunlight, with or without rainwater, for 12 months under field conditions. The results revealed that the plastics exposed to rainwater released enormous amounts of organic carbon and severely aged microplastics in the first few months. Rainwaterexposed plastics also exhibited strong oxidation, and rainwater altered the order of functional group changes of commercial plastics (except polystyrene foam), as evidenced by two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) analysis. To provide more direct evidence of the relationship between rainwater exposure and the photodegradation of plastic/microplastic, a laboratory experiment was conducted. The laboratory experiments confirmed the promoting effect of rainwater on photodegradation. Moreover, a stronger signal of reactive oxygen species was detected with an electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer on microplastics exposed to rainwater residues compared with those not exposed to rainwater, which highlights the significance of rainwater as a crucial external source of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Overall, these findings provide essential insights into the effect of rainwater on plastic photodegradation.

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Section: Estimation Of Microplastics Released and Potentialmentioning

confidence: 99%

Neglected but Crucial Role Played by Rainwater in the Photodegradation of Plastic

Duan,

Zheng,

Tam

et al. 2024

ACS EST Water

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“…Agricultural plastic film that has been exposed to UV radiation has been shown to easily break into debris (ultimately forming MNPs) when exposed to wind abrasion [74]. Bullard et al demonstrated that during wind abrasion (aeolian saltation), MPs can be fragmented, as shown by the reduction in the diameter and weight of the spherical MP beads [75].…”

Section: Mnps From Wind Abrasion and Erosionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Plastics and Micro/Nano-Plastics (MNPs) in the Environment: Occurrence, Impact, and Toxicity

Dube,

Okuthe

2023

IJERPH

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Plastics, due to their varied properties, find use in different sectors such as agriculture, packaging, pharmaceuticals, textiles, and construction, to mention a few. Excessive use of plastics results in a lot of plastic waste buildup. Poorly managed plastic waste (as shown by heaps of plastic waste on dumpsites, in free spaces, along roads, and in marine systems) and the plastic in landfills, are just a fraction of the plastic waste in the environment. A complete picture should include the micro and nano-plastics (MNPs) in the hydrosphere, biosphere, lithosphere, and atmosphere, as the current extreme weather conditions (which are effects of climate change), wear and tear, and other factors promote MNP formation. MNPs pose a threat to the environment more than their pristine counterparts. This review highlights the entry and occurrence of primary and secondary MNPs in the soil, water and air, together with their aging. Furthermore, the uptake and internalization, by plants, animals, and humans are discussed, together with their toxicity effects. Finally, the future perspective and conclusion are given. The material utilized in this work was acquired from published articles and the internet using keywords such as plastic waste, degradation, microplastic, aging, internalization, and toxicity.

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“…The size distribution of MPs in emitted dust can be affected by processes such as saltation and creep. 20 Bullard et al 21 have investigated the fragmentation of MP beads by quartz particles due to saltation for different wind abrasion time periods. They found that MPs can lose 80% of their mass and some 50% of their diameter after 300 h of aeolian abrasion.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Atmospheric Resuspension of Microplastics from Bare Soil Regions

Evangelou,

Tatsii,

Bucci

et al. 2024

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Microplastics (MPs) are emerging as an atmospheric pollutant. Here, we present a method of estimating MP resuspension with mineral dust in bare soil based on reported MP mass in soils, their enrichment in suspended dust relative to soil, and a mineral dust resuspension scheme. Using the estimated resuspensions, we simulate the global atmospheric MP transport and deposition using the dispersion model FLEXPART for two particle shape scenarios, spheres, and fibers. We estimate the uncertainties using a Monte Carlo technique that varies input data parameters within their reported ranges. The total MP resuspensions are estimated at about 104 (48−110) tonnes yr −1 . We find that bare soils in West Asia and North Africa are the main source regions. FLEXPART results show that fibers have higher concentrations in the atmosphere and are dispersed more widely than spheres. Annually, 75 (43−83) tonnes of microfibers are deposited on land and 29 (18−33) tonnes in the oceans. Resuspended MPs can even reach remote regions, such as the Arctic. The results suggest that areas with bare soils can be an important MP source; however, further research on the factors that affect resuspension is needed.

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Breakdown and Modification of Microplastic Beads by Aeolian Abrasion

Cited by 20 publications

References 56 publications

Neglected but Crucial Role Played by Rainwater in the Photodegradation of Plastic

Neglected but Crucial Role Played by Rainwater in the Photodegradation of Plastic

Plastics and Micro/Nano-Plastics (MNPs) in the Environment: Occurrence, Impact, and Toxicity

Atmospheric Resuspension of Microplastics from Bare Soil Regions

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