The Reactivity of Polyethylene Microplastics in Water under Low Oxygen Conditions Using Radiation Chemistry

Polyethylene (PE) is an intensely utilized polymer, which has consequently led to it becoming a common environmental contaminant. PE and other plastic waste are known to be highly persistent in surface waters; however, chemical and physical changes do take place over time, dependent mostly on highly...

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Autores principales:	Julie R. Peller, Stephen P. Mezyk, Sarah Shidler, Joe Castleman, Scott Kaiser, Gregory P. Horne
Formato:	article
Lenguaje:	EN
Publicado:	MDPI AG 2021
Materias:	polyethylene microplastics ionizing radiation anaerobic waters radical-induced chemistry hydroxyl radical Hydraulic engineering TC1-978 Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes TD201-500
Acceso en línea:	https://doaj.org/article/009109b80d2649ecb302078b58bef6da
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spelling	oai:doaj.org-article:009109b80d2649ecb302078b58bef6da2021-11-11T19:58:03ZThe Reactivity of Polyethylene Microplastics in Water under Low Oxygen Conditions Using Radiation Chemistry10.3390/w132131202073-4441https://doaj.org/article/009109b80d2649ecb302078b58bef6da2021-11-01T00:00:00Zhttps://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/13/21/3120https://doaj.org/toc/2073-4441Polyethylene (PE) is an intensely utilized polymer, which has consequently led to it becoming a common environmental contaminant. PE and other plastic waste are known to be highly persistent in surface waters; however, chemical and physical changes do take place over time, dependent mostly on highly variable natural conditions, such as oxygen (O<sub>2</sub>) availability. Gamma radiation was used to generate reactive oxygen species, namely hydroxyl radicals, in initially aerated aqueous solutions to simulate the natural weathering of microplastics in waters where there are fluctuations and often depletions in dissolved O<sub>2</sub>. The headspace of the irradiated PE-containing solutions was probed for the formation of degradation products using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers in combination with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS). The major species detected were <i>n</i>-dodecane, with trace levels of tridecane, 2-dodecanone, and hexadecane, which were believed to be predominately adsorbed in the PE microplastics in excess of their aqueous solubility limits. Surface characterization by Raman spectroscopy and light and dark field microscopy indicated no change in the chemical composition of the irradiated PE microplastics under low O<sub>2</sub> to anaerobic conditions. However, morphological changes were observed, indicating radical combination reactions.Julie R. PellerStephen P. MezykSarah ShidlerJoe CastlemanScott KaiserGregory P. HorneMDPI AGarticlepolyethylene microplasticsionizing radiationanaerobic watersradical-induced chemistryhydroxyl radicalHydraulic engineeringTC1-978Water supply for domestic and industrial purposesTD201-500ENWater, Vol 13, Iss 3120, p 3120 (2021)
institution	DOAJ
collection	DOAJ
language	EN
topic	polyethylene microplastics ionizing radiation anaerobic waters radical-induced chemistry hydroxyl radical Hydraulic engineering TC1-978 Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes TD201-500
spellingShingle	polyethylene microplastics ionizing radiation anaerobic waters radical-induced chemistry hydroxyl radical Hydraulic engineering TC1-978 Water supply for domestic and industrial purposes TD201-500 Julie R. Peller Stephen P. Mezyk Sarah Shidler Joe Castleman Scott Kaiser Gregory P. Horne The Reactivity of Polyethylene Microplastics in Water under Low Oxygen Conditions Using Radiation Chemistry
description	Polyethylene (PE) is an intensely utilized polymer, which has consequently led to it becoming a common environmental contaminant. PE and other plastic waste are known to be highly persistent in surface waters; however, chemical and physical changes do take place over time, dependent mostly on highly variable natural conditions, such as oxygen (O<sub>2</sub>) availability. Gamma radiation was used to generate reactive oxygen species, namely hydroxyl radicals, in initially aerated aqueous solutions to simulate the natural weathering of microplastics in waters where there are fluctuations and often depletions in dissolved O<sub>2</sub>. The headspace of the irradiated PE-containing solutions was probed for the formation of degradation products using solid-phase microextraction (SPME) fibers in combination with gas chromatography mass spectrometry (GCMS). The major species detected were <i>n</i>-dodecane, with trace levels of tridecane, 2-dodecanone, and hexadecane, which were believed to be predominately adsorbed in the PE microplastics in excess of their aqueous solubility limits. Surface characterization by Raman spectroscopy and light and dark field microscopy indicated no change in the chemical composition of the irradiated PE microplastics under low O<sub>2</sub> to anaerobic conditions. However, morphological changes were observed, indicating radical combination reactions.
format	article
author	Julie R. Peller Stephen P. Mezyk Sarah Shidler Joe Castleman Scott Kaiser Gregory P. Horne
author_facet	Julie R. Peller Stephen P. Mezyk Sarah Shidler Joe Castleman Scott Kaiser Gregory P. Horne
author_sort	Julie R. Peller
title	The Reactivity of Polyethylene Microplastics in Water under Low Oxygen Conditions Using Radiation Chemistry
title_short	The Reactivity of Polyethylene Microplastics in Water under Low Oxygen Conditions Using Radiation Chemistry
title_full	The Reactivity of Polyethylene Microplastics in Water under Low Oxygen Conditions Using Radiation Chemistry
title_fullStr	The Reactivity of Polyethylene Microplastics in Water under Low Oxygen Conditions Using Radiation Chemistry
title_full_unstemmed	The Reactivity of Polyethylene Microplastics in Water under Low Oxygen Conditions Using Radiation Chemistry
title_sort	reactivity of polyethylene microplastics in water under low oxygen conditions using radiation chemistry
publisher	MDPI AG
publishDate	2021
url	https://doaj.org/article/009109b80d2649ecb302078b58bef6da
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The Reactivity of Polyethylene Microplastics in Water under Low Oxygen Conditions Using Radiation Chemistry

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