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Lara-Topete GO, Castanier-Rivas JD, Bahena-Osorio MF, Krause S, Larsen JR, Loge FJ, Mahlknecht J, Gradilla-Hernández MS, González-López ME. Compounding one problem with another? A look at biodegradable microplastics. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 944:173735. [PMID: 38857803 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.173735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2024] [Revised: 05/29/2024] [Accepted: 06/01/2024] [Indexed: 06/12/2024]
Abstract
Environmental concerns about microplastics (MPs) have motivated research of their sources, occurrence, and fate in aquatic and soil ecosystems. To mitigate the environmental impact of MPs, biodegradable plastics are designed to naturally decompose, thus reducing the amount of environmental plastic contamination. However, the environmental fate of biodegradable plastics and the products of their incomplete biodegradation, especially micro-biodegradable plastics (MBPs), remains largely unexplored. This comprehensive review aims to assess the risks of unintended consequences associated with the introduction of biodegradable plastics into the environment, namely, whether the incomplete mineralization of biodegradable plastics could enhance the risk of MBPs formation and thus, exacerbate the problem of their environmental dispersion, representing a potentially additional environmental hazard due to their presumed ecotoxicity. Initial evidence points towards the potential for incomplete mineralization of biodegradable plastics under both controlled and uncontrolled conditions. Rapid degradation of PLA in thermophilic industrial composting contrasts with the degradation below 50 % of other biodegradables, suggesting MBPs released into the environment through compost. Moreover, degradation rates of <60 % in anaerobic digestion for polymers other than PLA and PHAs suggest a heightened risk of MBPs in digestate, risking their spread into soil and water. This could increase MBPs and adsorbed pollutants' mobilization. The exact behavior and impacts of additive leachates from faster-degrading plastics remain largely unknown. Thus, assessing the environmental fate and impacts of MBPs-laden by-products like compost or digestate is crucial. Moreover, the ecotoxicological consequences of shifting from conventional plastics to biodegradable ones are highly uncertain, as there is insufficient evidence to claim that MBPs have a milder effect on ecosystem health. Indeed, literature shows that the impact may be worse depending on the exposed species, polymer type, and the ecosystem complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gary Ossmar Lara-Topete
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Laboratorio de Sostenibilidad y Cambio Climático, Av. General Ramón Corona 2514, Zapopan, Jalisco 45138, Mexico
| | - Juan Daniel Castanier-Rivas
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Laboratorio de Sostenibilidad y Cambio Climático, Av. General Ramón Corona 2514, Zapopan, Jalisco 45138, Mexico
| | - María Fernanda Bahena-Osorio
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Laboratorio de Sostenibilidad y Cambio Climático, Av. General Ramón Corona 2514, Zapopan, Jalisco 45138, Mexico
| | - Stefan Krause
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Joshua R Larsen
- School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Frank J Loge
- Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, University of California - Davis, Davis, CA, United States of America; Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Jürgen Mahlknecht
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Campus Monterrey, Monterrey 64849, Nuevo León, Mexico
| | - Misael Sebastián Gradilla-Hernández
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Laboratorio de Sostenibilidad y Cambio Climático, Av. General Ramón Corona 2514, Zapopan, Jalisco 45138, Mexico
| | - Martín Esteban González-López
- Escuela de Ingeniería y Ciencias, Tecnologico de Monterrey, Laboratorio de Sostenibilidad y Cambio Climático, Av. General Ramón Corona 2514, Zapopan, Jalisco 45138, Mexico.
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Jiang H, Wang Y, Sun J, Mao Y, Que S, Lin Y, Huang Y, Lei X. The aging behavior of degradable plastic polylactic acid under the interaction of environmental factors. ENVIRONMENTAL GEOCHEMISTRY AND HEALTH 2024; 46:163. [PMID: 38592574 DOI: 10.1007/s10653-024-01932-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/20/2024] [Indexed: 04/10/2024]
Abstract
Microplastics leaching from aging biodegradable plastics pose potential environmental threats. This study used response surface methodology (RSM) to investigate the impact of temperature, light, and humidity on the aging characteristics of polylactic acid (PLA). Key evaluation metrics included the C/O ratio, functional groups, crystallinity, surface topography, and mechanical properties. Humidity was discovered to have the greatest effect on the ageing of PLA, followed by light and temperature. The interactions between temperature and light, as well as humidity and sunlight, significantly impact the aging of PLA. XPS analysis revealed PLA underwent aging due to the cleavage of the ester bond (O-C=O), resulting in the addition of C=O and C-O. The aging process of PLA was characterized by alterations in surface morphology and augmentation in crystallinity, resulting in a decline in both tensile strength and elongation. These findings might offer insights into the aging behavior of degradable plastics under diverse environmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Jiang
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
- Chongqing Engineering Laboratory of Environmental Hydraulic Engineering, Chongqing Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
| | - Yiqun Wang
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
- Chongqing Engineering Laboratory of Environmental Hydraulic Engineering, Chongqing Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
| | - Jiaoxia Sun
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
- Chongqing Engineering Laboratory of Environmental Hydraulic Engineering, Chongqing Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
| | - Yufeng Mao
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
- Chongqing Engineering Laboratory of Environmental Hydraulic Engineering, Chongqing Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
| | - Sisi Que
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
- Chongqing Engineering Laboratory of Environmental Hydraulic Engineering, Chongqing Municipal Development and Reform Commission, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China
| | - Yulian Lin
- Chongqing Water Resources and Electric Engineering College, Chongqing, 402160, China
| | - Yuanyuan Huang
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China.
- Chongqing Academy of Science and Technology, Chongqing, 401121, China.
| | - Xiaoling Lei
- Key Laboratory of Hydraulic and Waterway Engineering of the Ministry of Education, School of River and Ocean Engineering, Chongqing Jiaotong University, Chongqing, 400074, China.
- Chongqing Academy of Science and Technology, Chongqing, 401121, China.
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Jaffur BN, Kumar G, Jeetah P, Ramakrishna S, Bhatia SK. Current advances and emerging trends in sustainable polyhydroxyalkanoate modification from organic waste streams for material applications. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 253:126781. [PMID: 37696371 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2023.126781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2023] [Revised: 08/29/2023] [Accepted: 09/05/2023] [Indexed: 09/13/2023]
Abstract
The current processes for producing polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) are costly, owing to the high cost of cultivation feedstocks, and the need to sterilise the growth medium, which is energy-intensive. PHA has been identified as a promising biomaterial with a wide range of potential applications and its functionalization from waste streams has made significant advances recently, which can help foster the growth of a circular economy and waste reduction. Recent developments and novel approaches in the functionalization of PHAs derived from various waste streams offer opportunities for addressing these issues. This study focuses on the development of sustainable, efficient, and cutting-edge methods, such as advanced bioprocess engineering, novel catalysts, and advances in materials science. Chemical techniques, such as epoxidation, oxidation, and esterification, have been employed for PHA functionalization, while enzymatic and microbial methods have indicated promise. PHB/polylactic acid blends with cellulose fibers showed improved tensile strength by 24.45-32.08 % and decreased water vapor and oxygen transmission rates while PHB/Polycaprolactone blends with a 1:1 ratio demonstrated an elongation at break four to six times higher than pure PHB, without altering tensile strength or elastic modulus. Moreover, PHB films blended with both polyethylene glycol and esterified sodium alginate showed improvements in crystallinity and decreased hydrophobicity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bibi Nausheen Jaffur
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Mauritius, Réduit 80837, Mauritius.
| | - Gopalakrishnan Kumar
- Institute of Chemistry, Bioscience and Environmental, Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway; School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Yonsei University, Seoul 03722, South Korea
| | - Pratima Jeetah
- Department of Chemical and Environmental Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Mauritius, Réduit 80837, Mauritius
| | - Seeram Ramakrishna
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Design and Engineering, National University of Singapore, 9 Engineering Drive 1, 117575, Singapore
| | - Shashi Kant Bhatia
- Department of Biological Engineering, Konkuk University, Seoul 05029, South Korea
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Royer SJ, Greco F, Kogler M, Deheyn DD. Not so biodegradable: Polylactic acid and cellulose/plastic blend textiles lack fast biodegradation in marine waters. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0284681. [PMID: 37224114 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0284681] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2021] [Accepted: 04/05/2023] [Indexed: 05/26/2023] Open
Abstract
The resistance of plastic textiles to environmental degradation is of major concern as large portions of these materials reach the ocean. There, they persist for undefined amounts of time, possibly causing harm and toxicity to marine ecosystems. As a solution to this problem, many compostable and so-called biodegradable materials have been developed. However, to undergo rapid biodegradation, most compostable plastics require specific conditions that are achieved only in industrial settings. Thus, industrially compostable plastics might persist as pollutants under natural conditions. In this work, we tested the biodegradability in marine waters of textiles made of polylactic acid, a diffused industrially compostable plastic. The test was extended also to cellulose-based and conventional non-biodegradable oil-based plastic textiles. The analyses were complemented by bio-reactor tests for an innovative combined approach. Results show that polylactic acid, a so-called biodegradable plastic, does not degrade in the marine environment for over 428 days. This was also observed for the oil-based polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate, including their portions in cellulose/oil-based plastic blend textiles. In contrast, natural and regenerated cellulose fibers undergo complete biodegradation within approximately 35 days. Our results indicate that polylactic acid resists marine degradation for at least a year, and suggest that oil-based plastic/cellulose blends are a poor solution to mitigate plastic pollution. The results on polylactic acid further stress that compostability does not imply environmental degradation and that appropriate disposal management is crucial also for compostable plastics. Referring to compostable plastics as biodegradable plastics is misleading as it may convey the perception of a material that degrades in the environment. Conclusively, advances in disposable textiles should consider the environmental impact during their full life cycle, and the existence of environmentally degradable disposal should not represent an alibi for perpetuating destructive throw-away behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah-Jeanne Royer
- Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
- Center for Marine Debris Research, Hawaii Pacific University, Waimanalo, HI, United States of America
| | - Francesco Greco
- Shaanxi Key Laboratory of Early Life & Environments and Department of Geology, State Key Laboratory of Continental Dynamics, Northwest University, 710069, Xi'an, China
- Department of Plant and Environmental Sciences, Weizmann Institute of Science, Rehovot, Israel
| | | | - Dimitri D Deheyn
- Marine Biology Research Division, Scripps Institution of Oceanography, UC San Diego, La Jolla, CA, United States of America
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A Biodegradable, Bio-Based Polymer for the Production of Tools for Aquaculture: Processing, Properties and Biodegradation in Sea Water. Polymers (Basel) 2023; 15:polym15040927. [PMID: 36850211 PMCID: PMC9959439 DOI: 10.3390/polym15040927] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2022] [Revised: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 02/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Bio-based, biodegradable polymers can dramatically reduce the carbon dioxide released into the environment by substituting fossil-derived polymers in some applications. In this work, prototypes of trays for aquaculture applications were produced via injection molding by using a biodegradable polymer, Mater-Bi®. A characterization carried out via calorimetric, rheological and mechanical tests revealed that the polymer employed shows properties suitable for the production of tools to be used in aquaculture applications. Moreover, the samples were subjected to a biodegradation test in conditions that simulate the marine environment. The as-treated samples were characterized from gravimetrical, morphological and calorimetric point of views. The obtained data showed a relatively low biodegradation rate of the thick molded samples. This behavior is of crucial importance since it implies a long life in marine water for these manufacts before their disappearing.
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Venâncio C, Lopes I, Oliveira M. Bioplastics: known effects and potential consequences to marine and estuarine ecosystem services. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 309:136810. [PMID: 36228730 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.136810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 10/04/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Bioplastics have been suggested as more sustainable alternatives to conventional, petroleum-based plastics. In this work, the available studies comparing effects of biopolymers and petroleum-based plastics were reviewed to improve the knowledge on the sustainability of biobased polymers, providing a benchmark regarding their ecotoxicological effects, as well as to highlight research priorities in this field. The literature review shows that, only a small number of the available biopolymers have been tested highlighting the need for more research diversifying the tested polymers. Overall, the available studies support the idea that bioplastics are likely to cause physiological impairments (feeding, reproduction, or locomotion) as well as cellular (proteome and enzyme activity) effects on biota. Furthermore, the studies on bioplastic degradation under realistic conditions report changes in water and sediment quality, which may also have consequences to biota. It is evident that some reservations must be kept regarding conventional plastics substitutions by bioplastics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cátia Venâncio
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal.
| | - Isabel Lopes
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
| | - Miguel Oliveira
- Centre for Environmental and Marine Studies (CESAM), Department of Biology, University of Aveiro, 3810-193, Aveiro, Portugal
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Snigirova AO, Uzun OY, Bondarenko OS, Kapshyna IA, Synegub IA, Portianko VV, Kudrenko SA, Rybalko OA, Vorobyova LV, Vynogradov OK. Biofouling growth on plastic substrates: Experimental studies in the Black Sea. BIOSYSTEMS DIVERSITY 2022. [DOI: 10.15421/012239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Despite long-term research on marine litter there is still insufficient knowledge about benthic organisms associated with these substrates, especially experimental studies and methodology of sampling for complex biofouling assemblages. To predict the fate of plastic in the marine environment it is necessary to know how long the macrolitter can stay in different sea matrices and what are the steps of colonisation by marine organisms. The experiments were carried out during various seasons in situ in the north-western Black Sea coastal area. Three new types of the experimental constructions intended for different durations of exposure (1–10 months) were designed. This article is the first to present the methodology and the results of complex experiments investigating marine fouling (from microalgae to meio- and macrofauna) on plastic surfaces. Overall, 28 genera of microalgae, 13 major groups of meiobenthos and 36 species of macrofauna were found on plastic during the experiments. The microalgae fouling was mainly formed by representatives of genus Cocconeis. The species composition of microalgae was common for the research area. The average density and biomass of meiobenthos were the greatest on I construction type after 8 months of exposure. In the total macrozoobenthos biomass and density of Bivalvia and Crustacea dominated, respectively. The obtained results on the interaction between fouling organisms and plastic materials in the marine environment form an important contribution to the understanding of the "good ecological status" of the sea. Additional studies based on the tested methodology could be used as a component of ecological monitoring during development and implementation of the approaches of the Marine Strategy (descriptor 10).
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Wei XF, Capezza AJ, Cui Y, Li L, Hakonen A, Liu B, Hedenqvist MS. Millions of microplastics released from a biodegradable polymer during biodegradation/enzymatic hydrolysis. WATER RESEARCH 2022; 211:118068. [PMID: 35066257 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2022.118068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2021] [Revised: 01/07/2022] [Accepted: 01/11/2022] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
In this article, we show that enzymatic hydrolysis of a biodegradable polyester (poly(ε-caprolactone)) by Amano Lipase PS in an aqueous (buffer) environment yielded rapidly an excessive number of microplastic particles; merely 0.1 g of poly(ε-caprolactone) film was demonstrated to yield millions of particles. There were also indications of non-enzymatic hydrolysis at the same conditions, but this did not yield any particles within the time frame of the experiment (up to 6 days). Microplastic particles formed had irregular shapes with an average size of around 10 µm, with only a few reaching 60 µm. The formation of microplastic particles resulted from the uneven hydrolysis/erosion rate across the polymer film surface, which led to a rough and undulating surface with ridge, branch, and rod-shaped micro-protruding structures. The consequent detachment and fragmentation of these micro-sized protruding structures resulted in the release of microplastics to the surroundings. Together with microplastics, hydrolysis products such as acidic monomers and oligomers were also released during the enzymatic hydrolysis process, causing a pH decrease in the surrounding liquid. The results suggest that the risk of microplastic pollution from biodegradable plastics is notable despite their biodegradation. Special attention needs to be paid when using and disposing of biodegradable plastics, considering the enormous impact of the paradigm shift towards more biodegradable products on the environment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xin-Feng Wei
- Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden.
| | - Antonio J Capezza
- Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Yuxiao Cui
- Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Lengwan Li
- Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Aron Hakonen
- Sensor Visions AB, SE, 455 22 Hisings Backa, Sweden
| | - Baicang Liu
- Key Laboratory of Deep Earth Science and Engineering (Ministry of Education), College of Architecture and Environment, Institute of New Energy and Low-Carbon Technology, Institute for Disaster Management and Reconstruction, Sichuan University, Chengdu, Sichuan 610207, China
| | - Mikael S Hedenqvist
- Fibre and Polymer Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, SE, 100 44 Stockholm, Sweden.
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Bittner F, Endres H. µCT‐Based Topography Analysis of Inaccessible Surfaces Exemplified by a Biofouling‐Covered Plastic. CHEM-ING-TECH 2021. [DOI: 10.1002/cite.202100170] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Florian Bittner
- Leibniz University Hannover Institute of Plastics and Circular Economy IKK An der Universität 2 30823 Garbsen Germany
| | - Hans‐Josef Endres
- Leibniz University Hannover Institute of Plastics and Circular Economy IKK An der Universität 2 30823 Garbsen Germany
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