Degradation Behaviors of Microplastics

Le résumé fourni par la source

Since its invention, plastic has impacted our society due to its outstanding applications in several fields. Plastics are polymers that present enhanced mechanical properties and high chemical stability. However, many concerns regarding plastic waste generation have risen exponentially in recent years, resulting in small particles called microplastics (MPs). Despite their low degradability in the environment, MPs can be degraded by several factors, such as ultraviolet irradiation, biodegradation, physical abrasion, and chemical oxidation. MP degradation modifies the surface chemistry's size and generates low molecular weight organic compounds. Additionally, aging increases the adsorption capacity of MPs with other contaminants and, consequently, their toxicity. In this sense, it is essential to understand the influence of abiotic and biotic effects on the MP degradation, not only to generate fundamental knowledge aspects but also to understand the role of these phenomena on the toxicological aspects. Therefore, the present chapter aims to highlight the latest advances in the role of abiotic and biotic factors in the degradation of MPs in the environment. Special attention will also be directed to the role of MP modifications in the primary toxicological model organisms.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.