Combined Effects of UV Exposure and Mechanical Abrasion on Microplastic Fragmentation by Polymer Type

Title
Combined Effects of UV Exposure and Mechanical Abrasion on Microplastic Fragmentation by Polymer Type
Author(s)
송영경; 심원준; 홍상희; 장미; 한기명
KIOST Author(s)
Shim, Won Joon(심원준)Hong, Sang Hee(홍상희)Jang, Mi(장미)Han, Gi Myung(한기명)
Alternative Author(s)
송영경; 심원준; 홍상희; 장미; 한기명
Publication Year
2017-12-22
Abstract
It is important to understand the fragmentation processes and mechanisms of plastic litter to predict microplastic production in the marine environment. In this study, accelerated weathering experiments were performed in the laboratory, with ultraviolet (UV) exposure for up to 12 months followed by mechanical abrasion (MA) with sand for 2 months. Fragmentation of low-density polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and expanded polystyrene (EPS) was evaluated under conditions that simulated a beach environment. PE and PP were minimally fragmented by MA without photooxidation by UV (8.7±2.5 and 10.7±0.7 particles/pellet, respectively). The rate of fragmentation by UV exposure duration increased more for PP than PE. A 12-month UV exposure and 2-month MA of PP and PE produced 6,084±1,061 and 20±8.3 particles/pellet, respectively. EPS pellets were susceptible to MA alone (4,220±33 particles/pellet), while the combination of 6 months of UV exposure followed by 2 months of MA produced 12,152±3,276 particles/pellet. The number of fragmented polymer particles produced by UV exposure and mechanical abrasion increased with decreasing size in all polymer types. The size-normalized abundance of the fragmented PE, PP, and EPS particles according to particle size after UV exposure and MA was predictable. Up to 76.5% of the initial EPS volume was unaccounted for in the final volume of pellet produced particle fragments, indicath ultraviolet (UV) exposure for up to 12 months followed by mechanical abrasion (MA) with sand for 2 months. Fragmentation of low-density polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and expanded polystyrene (EPS) was evaluated under conditions that simulated a beach environment. PE and PP were minimally fragmented by MA without photooxidation by UV (8.7±2.5 and 10.7±0.7 particles/pellet, respectively). The rate of fragmentation by UV exposure duration increased more for PP than PE. A 12-month UV exposure and 2-month MA of PP and PE produced 6,084±1,061 and 20±8.3 particles/pellet, respectively. EPS pellets were susceptible to MA alone (4,220±33 particles/pellet), while the combination of 6 months of UV exposure followed by 2 months of MA produced 12,152±3,276 particles/pellet. The number of fragmented polymer particles produced by UV exposure and mechanical abrasion increased with decreasing size in all polymer types. The size-normalized abundance of the fragmented PE, PP, and EPS particles according to particle size after UV exposure and MA was predictable. Up to 76.5% of the initial EPS volume was unaccounted for in the final volume of pellet produced particle fragments, indicat
URI
https://sciwatch.kiost.ac.kr/handle/2020.kiost/23494
Bibliographic Citation
The 3rd International Conference on Environmental Pollution and Health, pp.1, 2017
Publisher
Jinan
Type
Conference
Language
English
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