Non-target screening of organic substances in plastic marine debris and its new products

Abstract

Plastic contains numerous additives and impurities which may leach out underconditions of use and accumulate in environment. Therefore, to evaluate their role asvectors of chemical contaminants in marine environment, non-target screening analysisusing GC-MS and LC-TOF-MS was performed for plastic marine debris and its newproducts. Selection of the samples was based on about three criterions such as high usenear or in marine coastal beaches, high abundance and polymer often found. Plasticdebris (n=29) were collected from coastal beaches and new plastics (n=25 same or samebrand) were bought from local market. Polymer type was identified using Fouriertransform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and found to be PE, PP, PET, PS, polyester,polyurethane, alkyd, and so on. Above 200 different chemicals were found in the plasticsamples, mainly grouped into UV-stabilizers, antioxidants, plasticizers, lubricants,intermediates, toxics, pesticides, flame retardants, hydrocarbons, fatty acids, etc.Among them plasticizer (DEHP and DOP), UV-stabilizer (UV 326, UV 320, and UvinualMC80), and antioxidant (irganox 1076 and Antioxidant No. 33) were most frequentlydetected. The comparison between new and debris plastics clearly indicated theleaching and absorption of chemicals, supporting the assumption of plastics as mediafor transferring these additives in the marine environment.g analysisusing GC-MS and LC-TOF-MS was performed for plastic marine debris and its newproducts. Selection of the samples was based on about three criterions such as high usenear or in marine coastal beaches, high abundance and polymer often found. Plasticdebris (n=29) were collected from coastal beaches and new plastics (n=25 same or samebrand) were bought from local market. Polymer type was identified using Fouriertransform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy and found to be PE, PP, PET, PS, polyester,polyurethane, alkyd, and so on. Above 200 different chemicals were found in the plasticsamples, mainly grouped into UV-stabilizers, antioxidants, plasticizers, lubricants,intermediates, toxics, pesticides, flame retardants, hydrocarbons, fatty acids, etc.Among them plasticizer (DEHP and DOP), UV-stabilizer (UV 326, UV 320, and UvinualMC80), and antioxidant (irganox 1076 and Antioxidant No. 33) were most frequentlydetected. The comparison between new and debris plastics clearly indicated theleaching and absorption of chemicals, supporting the assumption of plastics as mediafor transferring these additives in the marine environment.