Projects per year
Abstract
Additives may be present in amounts higher than 50% within plastic objects. Additives in plastics can be gradually released from microplastics (MPs) into the aquatic environment during their aging and fragmentation because most of them do not chemically react with the polymers. Some are known to be hazardous substances, which can cause toxicity effects on organisms and pose ecological risks. In this paper, the application of functional additives in MPs and their leaching in the environment are first summarized followed by their release mechanisms including photooxidation, chemical oxidation, biochemical degradation, and physical abrasion. Important factors affecting the additive release from MPs are also reviewed. Generally, smaller particle size, light irradiation, high temperature, dissolved organic matter (DOM) existence and alkaline conditions can promote the release of chemicals from MPs. In addition, the release of additives is also influenced by the polymer's structure, electrolyte types, as well as salinity. These additives may transfer into the organisms after ingestion and disrupt various biological processes, leading to developmental malformations and toxicity in offspring. Nonetheless, challenges on the toxicity of chemicals in MPs remain hindering the risk assessment on human health from MPs in the environment. Future research is suggested to strengthen research on the leaching experiment in the actual environment, develop more techniques and analysis methods to identify leaching products, and evaluate the toxicity effects of additives from MPs based on more model organisms. The work gives a comprehensive overview of current process for MP additive release in natural waters, summarizes their toxicity effects on organisms, and provides recommendations for future research.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 123219 |
Journal | Environmental Pollution |
Volume | 343 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 15 Feb 2024 |
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Dive into the research topics of 'Various additive release from microplastics and their toxicity in aquatic environments'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.Projects
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Healthy Environments and Lives (HEAL)
Wyrwoll, C. (Investigator 01), Vardoulakis, S. (Investigator 02), Le Souef, P. (Investigator 03), Bolan, N. (Investigator 04), Prescott, S. (Investigator 05), Ecker, U. (Investigator 06), Maloney, S. (Investigator 07), Pauli, N. (Investigator 08), Nannup, N. (Investigator 09) & Farrant, B. (Investigator 10)
NHMRC National Health and Medical Research Council
1/08/22 → 31/12/27
Project: Research