TY - JOUR
T1 - A review on the occurrence, detection methods, and ecotoxicity of biodegradable microplastics in the aquatic environment
T2 - New cause for concern
AU - Shi, Chaoli
AU - Zhang, Yinan
AU - Shao, Yongjian
AU - Ray, Suprakas Sinha
AU - Wang, Bingyi
AU - Zhao, Zirui
AU - Yu, Bingzhi
AU - Zhang, Xiaofang
AU - Li, Wenbing
AU - Ding, Jiafeng
AU - Liu, Zhiquan
AU - Zhang, Hangjun
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 Elsevier B.V.
PY - 2024/9
Y1 - 2024/9
N2 - Biodegradable plastics (BPs) have been widely advocated as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-derived polymers, aiming to mitigate the burgeoning crisis of microplastic pollution. However, incomplete biodegradation of BPs can generate more and smaller particles, such as microplastics, which may persist in environments. Knowledge of the fate and effects of BPs, especially biodegradable microplastics, in the aquatic environment remains limited. We investigate the concentrations, detection methods, and adverse effects of biodegradable microplastics on aquatic organisms in various aquatic environments. Biodegradable microplastics, such as poly(lactic acid), polyhydroxyalkanoates, poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate), and poly(butylene succinate), are found in wastewater, reservoirs, and marine environments at concentrations between 0.054 and 180 μg/L. Their environmental levels are negatively correlated with their degradation capacity in water. Biodegradable microplastics adversely affect aquatic microbial communities, plant adaptability, and animal physiology, with their toxicity increasing upon degradation. This review advocates for a critical reassessment of the use, disposal, and management strategies surrounding BPs.
AB - Biodegradable plastics (BPs) have been widely advocated as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-derived polymers, aiming to mitigate the burgeoning crisis of microplastic pollution. However, incomplete biodegradation of BPs can generate more and smaller particles, such as microplastics, which may persist in environments. Knowledge of the fate and effects of BPs, especially biodegradable microplastics, in the aquatic environment remains limited. We investigate the concentrations, detection methods, and adverse effects of biodegradable microplastics on aquatic organisms in various aquatic environments. Biodegradable microplastics, such as poly(lactic acid), polyhydroxyalkanoates, poly(butylene adipate-co-terephthalate), and poly(butylene succinate), are found in wastewater, reservoirs, and marine environments at concentrations between 0.054 and 180 μg/L. Their environmental levels are negatively correlated with their degradation capacity in water. Biodegradable microplastics adversely affect aquatic microbial communities, plant adaptability, and animal physiology, with their toxicity increasing upon degradation. This review advocates for a critical reassessment of the use, disposal, and management strategies surrounding BPs.
KW - Aquatic environment
KW - Aquatic organisms
KW - Biodegradable microplastics
KW - Degradation rates
KW - Ecotoxicity
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85196646010&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.trac.2024.117832
DO - 10.1016/j.trac.2024.117832
M3 - Review article
AN - SCOPUS:85196646010
SN - 0165-9936
VL - 178
JO - TrAC - Trends in Analytical Chemistry
JF - TrAC - Trends in Analytical Chemistry
M1 - 117832
ER -