Investigating aquatic biodegradation and changes in the properties of pristine and UV-irradiated microplastics from conventional and biodegradable agricultural plastics

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dc.contributor.authorPutar, Ulacs
dc.contributor.authorFazlić, Aidacs
dc.contributor.authorBrunnbauer, Lukascs
dc.contributor.authorNovak, Janjacs
dc.contributor.authorJemec Kokalj, Anitacs
dc.contributor.authorImperl, Jernejcs
dc.contributor.authorKučerík, Jiřícs
dc.contributor.authorProcházková, Petracs
dc.contributor.authorFederici, Stefaniacs
dc.contributor.authorHurley, Rachelcs
dc.contributor.authorSever Škapin, Andrijanacs
dc.contributor.authorModlitbová, Pavlínacs
dc.contributor.authorPořízka, Pavelcs
dc.contributor.authorKaiser, Jozefcs
dc.contributor.authorLimbeck, Andreascs
dc.contributor.authorKalčíková, Gabrielacs
dc.coverage.issue7cs
dc.coverage.volume376cs
dc.date.accessioned2025-07-16T13:56:13Z
dc.date.available2025-07-16T13:56:13Z
dc.date.issued2025-07-01cs
dc.description.abstractThere is an increasing tendency to replace conventional agricultural plastic mulching films with biodegradable alternatives. However, while the latter biodegrade well under controlled conditions (e.g. industrial compost), their biodegradation in non-target environments (e.g. aquatic environments) is questioned and poorly understood. Therefore, in this study, microplastics derived from conventional polyethylene (PE) and biodegradable polybutylene adipate terephthalate starch blend (PBAT) mulching films were exposed to UV irradiation and subsequently tested for their ready biodegradability in an aqueous medium where changes in their characteristics were evaluated. The results showed limited biodegradation for pristine and UV-aged PE: no morphological, surface chemical or internal changes were observed. Pristine PBAT showed signs of initial biodegradation, while UV-aged PBAT biodegraded by up to 57%. New functional groups appeared on the PBAT surface after UV irradiation according to FTIR analysis and crystallinity increased after biodegradation. Elemental analysis revealed a range of metals in PE and PBAT microplastics. No changes in metal distribution analysed in micro-plastic after UV-aging or biodegradation were found, except that less titanium was present in PBAT after biodegradation indicating potential leaching. None of the PBAT microplastics had ecotoxic effects towards the aquatic plant Lemna minor. Pristine and UV-aged PE showed negative effects on roots, but these were not observed after biodegradation. Low biodegradation of pristine PBAT and possible leaching of metals demonstrated here raise questions about the sustainable use of biodegradable alternatives, especially when they enter non-target environments.en
dc.formattextcs
dc.format.extent10cs
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfcs
dc.identifier.citationENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTION. 2025, vol. 376, issue 7, 10 p.en
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.envpol.2025.126408cs
dc.identifier.issn1873-6424cs
dc.identifier.orcid0009-0006-4285-2916cs
dc.identifier.orcid0000-0001-9083-4866cs
dc.identifier.orcid0000-0001-9139-6175cs
dc.identifier.orcid0000-0003-4970-356Xcs
dc.identifier.orcid0000-0002-8604-7365cs
dc.identifier.orcid0000-0002-7397-125Xcs
dc.identifier.orcid0000-0002-8254-2975cs
dc.identifier.other198234cs
dc.identifier.researcheridKCZ-1616-2024cs
dc.identifier.researcheridH-8100-2017cs
dc.identifier.researcheridG-9463-2014cs
dc.identifier.researcheridD-6800-2012cs
dc.identifier.scopus7801480372cs
dc.identifier.scopus55312098800cs
dc.identifier.scopus7402184758cs
dc.identifier.scopus49963776400cs
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/11012/255168
dc.language.isoencs
dc.publisherELSEVIER SCI LTDcs
dc.relation.ispartofENVIRONMENTAL POLLUTIONcs
dc.relation.urihttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026974912500781X?via%3Dihubcs
dc.rightsCreative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 Internationalcs
dc.rights.accessopenAccesscs
dc.rights.sherpahttp://www.sherpa.ac.uk/romeo/issn/1873-6424/cs
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/cs
dc.subjectBiodegradabilityen
dc.subjectAgingen
dc.subjectAquatic ecosystemen
dc.subjectDegradationen
dc.subjectMicroplasticsen
dc.subjectMulching filmsen
dc.titleInvestigating aquatic biodegradation and changes in the properties of pristine and UV-irradiated microplastics from conventional and biodegradable agricultural plasticsen
dc.type.driverarticleen
dc.type.statusPeer-revieweden
dc.type.versionpublishedVersionen
eprints.grantNumberinfo:eu-repo/grantAgreement/MSM/EH/EH22_008/0004634cs
sync.item.dbidVAV-198234en
sync.item.dbtypeVAVen
sync.item.insts2025.07.16 15:56:13en
sync.item.modts2025.07.16 14:32:57en
thesis.grantorVysoké učení technické v Brně. Fakulta strojního inženýrství. Ústav fyzikálního inženýrstvícs
thesis.grantorVysoké učení technické v Brně. Středoevropský technologický institut VUT. Pokročilé instrumentace a metody pro charakterizace materiálůcs
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Pokročilé instrumentace a metody pro charakterizace materiálů