Water-Soluble Synthetic Polymers: Their Environmental Emission Relevant Usage, Transport and Transformation, Persistence, and Toxicity

Abstract

Water-soluble synthetic polymers (WSPs) are distinct from insoluble plastic particles, which are both critical components of synthetic polymers. In the history of human-made macromolecules, WSPs have consistently portrayed a crucial role and served as the ingredients of a variety of products (e.g., flocculants, thickeners, solubilizers, surfactants, etc.) commonly used in human society. However, the environmental exposures and risks of WSPs with different functions remain poorly understood. This paper provides a critical review of the usage, environmental fate, environmental persistence, and biological consequences of multiple types of WSPs in commercial and industrial production. Investigations have identified a wide market of applications and potential environmental threats of various types of WSPs, but we still lack the suitable assessment tools. The effects of physicochemical properties and environmental factors on the environmental distribution as well as the transport and transformation of WSPs are further summarized. Evidence regarding the degradation of WSPs, including mechanical, thermal, hydrolytic, photoinduced, and biological degradation is summarized, and their environmental persistence is discussed. The toxicity data show that some WSPs can cause adverse effects on aquatic species and microbial communities through intrinsic toxicity and physical hazards. This review may serve as a guide for environmental risk assessment to help develop a sustainable path for WSP management.

Orange peel biochar/clay/titania composites: low cost, high performance, and easy-to-reuse photocatalysts for the degradation of tetracycline in water

“…[4][5][6] While trace amounts of TET ranging from 2 ng L −1 -60 μg L −1 have been detected, [3][4][5][6] their residues and metabolites contribute to the spread of antibiotic-resistance genes, disrupting ecosystem function and ultimately harming human health. [7][8][9][10] Therefore, an effective treatment for the removal or degradation of TET is of high interest and current relevance. Titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ) is a suitable photocatalyst for water treatment due to its low toxicity, chemical and biological inertness, and photocatalytic stability.…”

The Application of an Eco-Friendly Synthetic Polymer as a Sandy Soil Stabilizer

“…Biopolymers are produced based on bacteria biomass and are common in nature [ 8 , 9 , 10 ]. Finally, synthetic polymers, created in laboratories, are based on main and branched-chain structures [ 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”

“…Synthetic polymers, being man-made, can be manipulated to acquire desired characteristics. Consequently, many synthetic polymers are being developed to be less harmful to the environment (from production to use), more durable, and economically viable for soil stabilization [ 11 , 12 , 13 ].…”

“…The non-use of conventionally employed materials (such as cement and lime) in favor of synthetic polymers is based on several principles of green chemistry, resulting in significant environmental benefits. The main environmental concern does not lie in the use of synthetic polymers per se, as evidence suggests a reduced environmental toxicological impact [ 12 ]. The focus is on the production of these polymers, associated with chemicals derived from potentially harmful substances [ 17 ], although they are considerably less harmful than traditionally used materials [ 11 ].…”

“…Despite the relevance of synthetic polymers, especially water-soluble ones, to society at large [ 12 ], there is a small environmental risk when compared with biopolymers [ 17 ]. Many of these polymers are derived from petroleum, raising environmental concerns [ 19 ].…”