Plastic additives alter the influence of photodegradation on biodegradation of polyethylene/polypropylene polymers in natural rivers

• Published in: Journal of hazardous materials Vol. 489; p. 137542
• Main Authors: Niu, Lihua, Shen, Jiayan, Li, Yi, Chen, Yamei, Zhang, Wenlong, Wang, Longfei
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Netherlands Elsevier B.V 05.06.2025
• Subjects: Additives; Bacteria - metabolism; Benzhydryl Compounds - chemistry; Biodegradation; Biodegradation, Environmental; bisphenol A; Bisphenol A Compounds; carbon metabolism; Microplastics; Phenols - chemistry; Photodegradation; Photolysis; phthalates; Phthalic Acids - chemistry; polyethylene; Polyethylene - chemistry; Polyethylene - metabolism; Polyethylene - radiation effects; polypropylenes; Polypropylenes - chemistry; Polypropylenes - metabolism; Polypropylenes - radiation effects; rivers; Rivers - chemistry; Rivers - microbiology; surface water; triazoles; Triazoles - chemistry; ultraviolet radiation; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry; Water Pollutants, Chemical - metabolism; Biodegradation; Photodegradation; Additives; Microplastics

The biodegradation of microplastics in river sediments was subject to the prior photodegradation in surface water and can be greatly affected by polymers and additives. However, the understanding of the effects of additives on the cascade photo- and biodegradation processes remains limited. In this...