The widespread use of polymers in all sorts of consumer goods, from plastic bags to emulsifying microbeads, resulted in their accumulation in the environments. Due to their small size, longevity, and buoyancy, microplastics have become ubiquitous contaminants; however, we are only now starting to understand their potential impacts on human health and aquatic life. Most laboratory studies on the biological fate and contaminant interactions of microplastics have been done using model microbeads made of polystyrene or polyethylene. These model microbeads have a perfectly spherical surfaces, smooth surface, homogeneous surface chemistry, and are homogeneous in size. However, environmental microplastics are often the result of the degradation of plastic products and are very heterogeneous in size and shape. In addition, their surface chemistry is significantly altered by the exposition to UV irradiation from sunlight. Size, shape, and changes in surface chemistry during plastic degradation will all have impact on their biological uptake, their role as contaminant sink, and their overall fate in the environment. The objective of this work was to develop a methodology to produce a more realistic experimental model for microplastics. Microplastic powders of different size distribution were generated and oxidized at different surface oxidation level using high intensity UV illumination. Then, the affinity of pristine and aged microplastics with organic contaminants was assessed, as well as their potential impact of aquatic microorganisms. These results provide a framework to improve the relevance of laboratory studies on the biological and environmental interactions of microplastics.

Development of an experimental approach to improve lab-scale assessments of the environmental behavior of microplastics

2019 Fall National Meeting

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