Journal
MARINE POLLUTION BULLETIN
Volume 187, Issue -, Pages -Publisher
PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD
DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2022.114544
Keywords
Microplastic; Photodegradation; Ocean plastic paradox
Ask authors/readers for more resources
Ocean plastic pollution is a growing problem, but the actual amount of plastic at the sea surface is lower than expected. UV radiation can induce photodegradation, resulting in the release of dissolved organic carbon and other gases. Based on their findings, the authors conclude that solar UV radiation may have already degraded a significant percentage of floating plastic in the ocean.
Ocean plastic pollution is a problem of increasing magnitude; yet, the amount of plastic at the sea surface is much lower than expected. Solar ultraviolet (UV) radiation can induce photodegradation, but its importance in determining the longevity of floating plastic remains unconstrained. Here, we measured photodegradation rates of different plastic types slightly larger than microplastics (virgin polymers and floating plastic debris) under simulated marine conditions. UV irradiation caused all plastic types to leach dissolved organic carbon, and to a lesser degree carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, methane, and other hydrocarbon gases. The release of photodegradation products translates to degradation rates of 1.7-2.3 % yr(-1) of the tested plastic particles normalized to conditions as found in the subtropical surface ocean. Modelling the accumulation of floating plastic debris, our results show that solar UV radiation could already have degraded 7 to 22 % of all floating plastic that has ever been released to the sea.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available