Degradation of bio-based and biodegradable plastics in a salt marsh habitat: Another potential source of microplastics in coastal waters

Degradation of bio-based (polylactic acid [PLA] cups, Mater-Bi® [MB] bags) and biodegradable plastics (biodegradable extruded polystyrene [bioPS] plates, biodegradable high density polyethylene [bioHDPE] bags) were compared to conventional plastics (recycled polyethylene terephthalate [rPET] cups, H...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Marine pollution bulletin 2020-11, Vol.160, p.111518-111518, Article 111518
Main Authors: Weinstein, John E., Dekle, Jack L., Leads, Rachel R., Hunter, Rebecca A.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Biodegradable Plastics
Ecosystem
Environmental Monitoring
High density polyethylene
Microplastics
Plastics
Polyethylene
Polyethylene terephthalate
Polylactic acid
Polystyrene
Polystyrenes
Water Pollutants, Chemical - analysis
Wetlands
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Summary:Degradation of bio-based (polylactic acid [PLA] cups, Mater-Bi® [MB] bags) and biodegradable plastics (biodegradable extruded polystyrene [bioPS] plates, biodegradable high density polyethylene [bioHDPE] bags) were compared to conventional plastics (recycled polyethylene terephthalate [rPET] cups, HDPE bags, extruded PS plates) in a salt marsh over a 32-week period. Following 4 weeks, biofilm developed on all plastics, resulting in an increased weight and concomitant decrease in UV transmission for most plastics. All plastics produced microplastic particles beginning at 4 weeks, with single-use bags producing the most microplastics over the 32-week period. At 32 weeks, SEM revealed microcracks and delamination for all plastics except PLA and MB, the latter of which degraded through embrittlement. IR spectral analysis indicated degradation for all plastics except PLA. Results suggest that degradation rates of bio-based and biodegradable plastics vary widely, with MB bags and bioPS plates demonstrating the greatest degradation, while PLA cups demonstrated the least degradation. [Display omitted] •Degradation of bio-based and biodegradable plastics varied widely.•Microplastic particles were produced from all tested products in as little as 4 weeks.•Single-use bags produced the greatest amount of microplastics.•Mater-Bi® bags and polystyrene plates made with green2technology™ exhibited the most degradation.•PLA cups exhibited the least degradation.
ISSN:0025-326X
1879-3363
DOI:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2020.111518