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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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2021-11-01
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| Series: | Water |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/13/21/3120 |
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| 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 |
| collection | DOAJ |
| 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. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:48:39Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-009109b80d2649ecb302078b58bef6da |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4441 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T05:48:39Z |
| publishDate | 2021-11-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Water |
| spelling | doaj.art-009109b80d2649ecb302078b58bef6da2023-11-22T21:56:11ZengMDPI AGWater2073-44412021-11-011321312010.3390/w13213120The Reactivity of Polyethylene Microplastics in Water under Low Oxygen Conditions Using Radiation ChemistryJulie R. Peller0Stephen P. Mezyk1Sarah Shidler2Joe Castleman3Scott Kaiser4Gregory P. Horne5Department of Chemistry, 1710 Chapel Drive, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN 46383, USADepartment of Chemistry, California State University, Long Beach, CA 90804, USARenishaw, Inc., West Dundee, IL 60118, USADepartment of Chemistry, 1710 Chapel Drive, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN 46383, USADepartment of Chemistry, 1710 Chapel Drive, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN 46383, USACenter for Radiation Chemistry Research, Idaho National Laboratory, P.O. Box 1625, Idaho Falls, ID 83415, USAPolyethylene (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.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/13/21/3120polyethylene microplasticsionizing radiationanaerobic watersradical-induced chemistryhydroxyl radical |
| spellingShingle | 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 Water polyethylene microplastics ionizing radiation anaerobic waters radical-induced chemistry hydroxyl radical |
| title | 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_short | 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 |
| topic | polyethylene microplastics ionizing radiation anaerobic waters radical-induced chemistry hydroxyl radical |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4441/13/21/3120 |
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