The analysis of microplastics (MPs) in terrestrial environments and the evaluation of their environmental risk has gained great attention, owing to the increasing evidence for their widespread presence in soils and freshwater sediments globally. Once in the environment, MPs undergo abiotic and biotic processes which alter their properties and integrity: this process is called aging and has implications for the fate of these contaminants, their morphology and surface chemistry. Aging may also affect the analytical assessment of MPs in environmental samples which likely contain aged MPs. In contrast, analytical methods are established using pristine plastics for validation. This can lead to uncertainties in quantification and characterization. This critical review summarizes the current trends in the simulation and characterization of MP aging in laboratory conditions, highlighting limitations and knowledge gaps. It also discusses the challenges in MP analysis induced by aging in environmental samples, providing directions toward possible solutions.

Microplastic aging processes: Environmental relevance and analytical implications

Binda, Gilberto
Primo
;
Spanu, Davide
Penultimo
;
2024-01-01

Abstract

The analysis of microplastics (MPs) in terrestrial environments and the evaluation of their environmental risk has gained great attention, owing to the increasing evidence for their widespread presence in soils and freshwater sediments globally. Once in the environment, MPs undergo abiotic and biotic processes which alter their properties and integrity: this process is called aging and has implications for the fate of these contaminants, their morphology and surface chemistry. Aging may also affect the analytical assessment of MPs in environmental samples which likely contain aged MPs. In contrast, analytical methods are established using pristine plastics for validation. This can lead to uncertainties in quantification and characterization. This critical review summarizes the current trends in the simulation and characterization of MP aging in laboratory conditions, highlighting limitations and knowledge gaps. It also discusses the challenges in MP analysis induced by aging in environmental samples, providing directions toward possible solutions.
2024
2024
MP; Degradation; Weathering; Analytical protocol; Biofilm; Leaching; Environmental sample; Polymer
Binda, Gilberto; Kalčíková, Gabriela; Allan, Ian John; Hurley, Rachel; Rødland, Elisabeth; Spanu, Davide; Nizzetto, Luca...espandi
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
1-s2.0-S0165993624000487-main.pdf

accesso aperto

Tipologia: Versione Editoriale (PDF)
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 4.49 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
4.49 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11383/2167738
 Attenzione

L'Ateneo sottopone a validazione solo i file PDF allegati

Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 20
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 17
social impact