TY - JOUR

T1 - Weathering of microplastics and interaction with other coexisting constituents in terrestrial and aquatic environments

AU - Duan, J.

AU - Bolan, N.

AU - Li, Y.

AU - Ding, S.

AU - Atugoda, T.

AU - Vithanage, M.

AU - Sarkar, B.

AU - Tsang, D.C.W.

AU - Kirkham, M.B.

N1 - This is the author’s version of a work that was accepted for publication in Water Research. Changes resulting from the publishing process, such as peer review, editing, corrections, structural formatting, and other quality control mechanisms may not be reflected in this document. Changes may have been made to this work since it was submitted for publication. A definitive version was subsequently published in Water Research, 196, 2021 DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117011

PY - 2021/5/15

Y1 - 2021/5/15

N2 - Weathering of microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) in terrestrial and aquatic environments affects MP transport and distribution. This paper first summarizes the sources of MPs, including refuse in landfills, biowastes, plastic films, and wastewater discharge. Once MPs enter water and soil, they undergo different weathering processes. MPs can be converted into small molecules (e.g., oligomers and monomers), and may be completely mineralized under the action of free radicals or microorganisms. The rate and extent of weathering of MPs depend on their physicochemical properties and environmental conditions of the media to which they are exposed. In general, water dissipates heat better, and has a lower temperature, than land; thus, the weathering rate of MPs in the aquatic environment is slower than in the terrestrial environment. These weathering processes increase oxygen-containing functional groups and the specific surface area of MPs, which influence the sorption and aggregation that occur between weathered MPs and their co-existing constituents. More studies are needed to investigate the various weathering processes of diverse MPs under natural field conditions in soils, sediments, and aquatic environments, to understand the impact of weathered MPs in the environment. 

AB - Weathering of microplastics (MPs, <5 mm) in terrestrial and aquatic environments affects MP transport and distribution. This paper first summarizes the sources of MPs, including refuse in landfills, biowastes, plastic films, and wastewater discharge. Once MPs enter water and soil, they undergo different weathering processes. MPs can be converted into small molecules (e.g., oligomers and monomers), and may be completely mineralized under the action of free radicals or microorganisms. The rate and extent of weathering of MPs depend on their physicochemical properties and environmental conditions of the media to which they are exposed. In general, water dissipates heat better, and has a lower temperature, than land; thus, the weathering rate of MPs in the aquatic environment is slower than in the terrestrial environment. These weathering processes increase oxygen-containing functional groups and the specific surface area of MPs, which influence the sorption and aggregation that occur between weathered MPs and their co-existing constituents. More studies are needed to investigate the various weathering processes of diverse MPs under natural field conditions in soils, sediments, and aquatic environments, to understand the impact of weathered MPs in the environment. 

KW - Aggregation

KW - Aging

KW - Influence factors

KW - Microplastics

KW - Physicochemical property

KW - Sorption

U2 - 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117011

DO - 10.1016/j.watres.2021.117011

M3 - Journal article

VL - 196

JO - Water Research

JF - Water Research

SN - 0043-1354

M1 - 117011

ER -