Microplastic generation from field-collected plastic gauze: Unveiling the aging processes

Accumulation of plastic debris in the environment is a matter of global concern. As plastic ages, it generates microplastic (MP) particles with high mobility. Understanding how MPs are generated is crucial to controlling this emerging contaminant. In this study, we utilized high-density polyethylene...

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Bibliographic Details
Published inJournal of hazardous materials Vol. 467; p. 133615
Main Authors Gao, Jing, Wang, Liuwei, Wu, Wei-Min, Luo, Jian, Hou, Deyi
Format Journal Article
LanguageEnglish
Published Netherlands Elsevier B.V 05.04.2024
Subjects
Aging
Fragmentation
Microplastic
Oxidation
Weathering
Aging
Weathering
Oxidation
Microplastic
Fragmentation
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Summary:Accumulation of plastic debris in the environment is a matter of global concern. As plastic ages, it generates microplastic (MP) particles with high mobility. Understanding how MPs are generated is crucial to controlling this emerging contaminant. In this study, we utilized high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic gauze, collected from urban settings, as a representative example of plastic waste. The plastic gauze was subjected to various aging conditions, including freeze-thaw cycling, mechanical abrasion, and UV irradiation. Following aging, the plastic gauze was rinsed with water, and the number of generated MPs were quantified. It was found that aged plastic gauze generated up to 334 million MP particles per m2 (> 10 µm) during rinsing, a number two orders of magnitude higher than unaged plastic. Fragmentation occurred in two dimensions for bulk MPs of all morphotypes. However, specific aging approaches (i.e., mechanical abrasion and UV irradiation) generated spheres and fibers via pseudo-3D fragmentation. Additionally, changes in molecular weight, size distribution, and surface oxidation characteristics unveiled a complex pattern (i.e., irregular changes with exposure time). This complexity underscores the intricate nature of plastic debris aging processes in the environment. [Display omitted] •Field collected HDPE plastic gauze was subjected to aging experiments.•Plastic gauze generated millions of MPs per m2 following aging and water rinsing.•Molecular weight, size distribution and oxidation characteristics were explored.•Mechanical abrasion and UV irradiation led to different aging characteristics.
ISSN:0304-3894
1873-3336
DOI:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2024.133615