Interaction of Low-Density Polyethylene Nanofragments with Autotrophic and Chemotrophic Bacteria

• Published in: ACS sustainable chemistry & engineering 2024-07, Vol.12 (29), p.10831-10840
• Main Authors: Ciorîţă, Alexandra, Suciu, Maria, Rostas, Arpad Mihai, Tarţa, Andreea, Popovici, George, Bocăneală, Maricel, Nekvapil, Fran, Macavei, Sergiu Gabriel, Potara, Monica, Marica, Ioana, Kacso, Irina, Moldovan, Cristian Silviu, Ştiufiuc, Rareş Ionuţ, Tuta, Catalin Stelian, Cînta-Pânzaru, Simona, Barbu-Tudoran, Lucian
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 2168-0485; 2168-0485
• DOI: 10.1021/acssuschemeng.4c02440

Plastics are omnipresent in the environment and degrade into smaller fragments in time. This study shows how plastics could reach nanometer sizes under specific conditions and the interaction of the nanofragments with prokaryotic cells. Imaging and spectroscopy techniques were employed to determine the modifications induced in artificially aged low-density polyethylene (LDPE). Scanning electron microscopy indicated that nanometer-scale LDPE could be obtained after ultraviolet-C (UVC) exposure for 10 days. Raman and Fourier-transformed infrared spectroscopy confirmed the chemical changes within the UVC-exposed LDPE are consistent with the increase of crystallinity. Moreover, the interaction between the degraded LDPE and chemo- and photosynthetic organisms was observed through fluorescence, confocal, electron microscopy techniques, and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy. The results showed how micro/nano-LDPE could influence the development of Escherichia coli and Arthrospira platensis after only 72 h of interaction. This fundamental study indicates the environmental presence and effects of nanometer-sized LDPE resulting from light exposure.