(2) We discuss plastic degradation mechanisms in the ocean, expanding on the processes of photodegradation and biodegradation. This minireview provides an overview on (1) the quantity of plastic production and waste, pathways for plastics to enter the marine realm, the inventory of PMD and the negative effects of PMD to ocean life. Physicochemical and biological deterioration of PMD also leads to the release of more volatile compounds and the terminal oxidation of PMD, which most likely accounts for an important but also unevaluated fraction in the ocean plastic budget. These cause macro and microplastic to break down into smaller fragments, including sub micrometre sized nanoplastic particles, which may account for an important but so far unevaluated fraction of the ocean plastic budget. Plastic marine debris (PMD) is exposed to physical, chemical and biological stressors. In particular smaller plastic particles can be ingested by marine biota causing hazardous effects. Of the 359 million tonnes (Mt) produced in 2018, an estimated 14.5 Mt has entered the ocean. Plastics were introduced to the market in the 1950s and since then, global production figures and ocean plastic littering have increased exponentially. The presence of plastics in the marine environment poses a threat to ocean life and has received much scientific and public attention in recent years.
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