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A new concept for the ecotoxicological assessment of plastics under consideration of aging processes
(2023)
Microplastics are widely distributed in aquatic and terrestrial environments, but up to now less is known about (eco)toxicological impacts under realistic conditions. Research so far has focused mainly on impacts on organisms by fresh, single‐origin plastic fragments or beads. However, plastics found in the environment are complex in composition, this means different polymer types and sources, with and without additives and in all stages of age, and therefore, in a more or less advanced stage of degradation. For oxidized degradation products that might be released from plastic materials during aging, there is a lack of information on potentially adverse effects on aquatic biota. The latter is of particular interest as oxidized degradation products might become more water soluble due to higher polarity and are more bioavailable, therefore. The present study focused on plastic leachates of polystyrene (PS) and polylactic acid (PLA), which were derived from alternating stress by hydrolysis and ultraviolet (UV) radiation—representing a realistic scenario in the environment. Test specimens of PS, PLA, or a PLA/PS layer (each 50%) were alternately exposed to UV radiation for 5 days followed by hydrolysis for 2 days, for several weeks alternating. Ecotoxicological effects of the storage water (artificial freshwater) of the test specimens and additionally, in a second experimental setup, the effects of five potential polymer degradation products were detected by 72 h algae growth inhibition tests with Desmodesmus subspicatus. Results clearly indicate inhibitory effects on algae growth by contaminants in the storage water of stressed plastics with increasing growth inhibition of proceeding hydrolysis and UV stress times. Different polymers caused variable inhibitions of algae growth with stronger inhibitions by PS and less effects by PLA and the mixed layer of both. Moreover, not microplastic particles but the resulting dissolved degradation products after aging caused the ecotoxicological effects—with strong effects by the oxidized degradation products. The existing data highlight the relevance of plastic aging as a framework for microplastic ecotoxicity evaluation and allow a proof of concept.
Microplastics are widely distributed in aquatic and terrestrial environments, up to now less is known on toxicological impacts under realistic conditions. Research so far has focused mainly on the impacts on organisms by fresh plastic fragments or beats. However, plastic materials found in the environment are mainly a mixture of different polymers and particularly degraded during aging processes. Although especially oxidized degradation products might escape from plastic materials during aging, there is a lack of information on potentially adverse effects on aquatic biota. The latter is of particular interest as oxidized chemicals become more water soluble due to higher polarity and are more bio-available, therefore.
The present study focussed on plastic leachates of polystyrene (PS) and polylactic acid (PLA), which were derived from alternating stress by hydrolysis and UV radiation. Test specimen of PS, PLA or PS/PLA blends (each 50 %) were alternatingly maintained in water at 45 °C for five days and UV radiated at 45 °C for two days, for in total six weeks. Ecotoxicological effects of potentially generated degradation products of plastic materials in the storage water (mineral water, pH: 7.2) were detected by algae growth inhibition tests with Desmodesmus suspicatus and photosystem II inhibition tests with Raphidocelis subcapitata.
Results clearly indicate inhibitory effects on algae growth by contaminants in the storage water of stressed plastic materials with increasing growth inhibition of proceeding hydrolysis and UV stress times. Here, different plastics cause variable responses of algal growth. First chemical analyses indicate dissolved monomers and their oxidation products of plastic materials as possible driver of detected ecotoxicological effects, since detected microplastic particles do not seem to harm algae.
The existing data highlight the relevance of plastic aging as a framework for microplastic ecotoxicity evaluation and allow a proof of concept.
Microplastics are widely distributed in aquatic and terrestrial environments, up to now less is known on toxicological impacts under realistic conditions. Research so far has focused mainly on the impacts on organisms by fresh plastic fragments or beats. However, plastic materials found in the environment are mainly a mixture of different polymers and additives and particularly degraded during aging processes. Although especially oxidized degradation products might escape from plastic materials during aging, there is a lack of information on potentially adverse effects on aquatic biota. The latter is of particular interest as oxidized chemicals become more water soluble due to higher polarity and are more bio-available, therefore.
The present study focused on plastic leachates of polystyrene (PS) and polylactic acid (PLA), which were derived from alternating stress by hydrolysis and UV radiation. Test specimen of PS, PLA or PS/PLA blends (each 50 %) were alternatingly maintained in water at 45 °C for five days and UV radiated at 45 °C for two days, for in total six weeks. Ecotoxicological effects of potentially generated degradation products of plastic materials in the storage water (mineral water, pH: 7.2) were detected by algae growth inhibition tests with Desmodesmus suspicatus and photosystem II inhibition tests with Raphidocelis subcapitata.
Results clearly indicate inhibitory effects on algae growth by contaminants in the storage water of stressed plastic materials with increasing growth inhibition of proceeding hydrolysis and UV stress times. Here, different plastics cause variable responses of algal growth. First chemical analyses indicate dissolved monomers and their oxidation products of plastic materials as possible driver of detected ecotoxicological effects, since detected microplastic particles do not seem to harm algae.
The existing data highlight the relevance of plastic aging as a framework for microplastic ecotoxicity evaluation and allow a proof of concept.