Investigation on the effect of several parameters involved in the biodegradation of polyethylene (PE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) under various seawater environments.

Autor: Dimassi SN; Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box: 2713, Doha, Qatar., Hahladakis JN; Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box: 2713, Doha, Qatar. Electronic address: ichachladakis@qu.edu.qa., Chamkha M; Laboratory of Environmental Bioprocesses, Center of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, PO Box 1177, 3018 Sfax, Tunisia., Ahmad MI; Central Laboratories Unit, Qatar University, P.O. Box: 2713, Doha, Qatar., Al-Ghouti MA; Environmental Science Program, Department of Biological and Environmental Sciences, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box: 2713, Doha, Qatar., Sayadi S; Center for Sustainable Development, College of Arts and Sciences, Qatar University, P.O. Box: 2713, Doha, Qatar. Electronic address: ssayadi@qu.edu.qa.
Jazyk: angličtina
Zdroj: The Science of the total environment [Sci Total Environ] 2024 Feb 20; Vol. 912, pp. 168870. Date of Electronic Publication: 2023 Nov 30.
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168870
Abstrakt: This work investigates the biodegradation of polyethylene (PE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) and the leaching of their harmful additives. Micro/macro-plastics of both types were subjected to different laboratory-controlled conditions for 3 months. Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (GC-MS) results revealed that leachate concentrations ranged from 0.40 ± 0.07 μg/L to 96.36 ± 0.11 μg/L. It was concluded that the additives' leaching process was promoted by light. However, light was not the only factor examined; microorganisms, pH, salinity, aeration/mixing and temperature influenced the biodegradation process, too. GC-MS results showed a prodigious impact on the biodegradation process when Pseudomonas aeruginosa was added to the artificial seawater compared to plastics exposed to light/air only. Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs demonstrated a significant alteration in the plastics' morphologies. Similarly, Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra showed obvious changes in plastics characteristic peaks, especially microplastics. Furthermore, it was shown that PE was more susceptible to degradation/biodegradation than LDPE. Inductively Coupled Plasma-Optical Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-OES) findings showed that some toxic metals were present in water samples after experiments, with concentrations above the permissible limits. For instance, bio-augmentation/bio-stimulation experiments showed that the concentrations of Pb, Sr, and Zn were 0.59 mg/L, 70.09 mg/L, and 0.17 mg/L, respectively; values above the permissible limits. It is crucial to emphasise that plastics must be meticulously engineered to avoid environmental and human impacts, originated from their degradation by-products. Furthermore, a holistic approach engaging stakeholders, researchers, policymakers, industries and consumers, is essential to effectively tackle the global challenge of marine plastic pollution.
Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper.
(Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)
Databáze: MEDLINE
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