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Ranking environmental degradation trends of plastic marine debris based on physical properties and molecular structure

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  • Kyungjun Min

    (Pennsylvania State University)

  • Joseph D. Cuiffi

    (Pennsylvania State University)

  • Robert T. Mathers

    (Pennsylvania State University)

Abstract

As plastic marine debris continues to accumulate in the oceans, many important questions surround this global dilemma. In particular, how many descriptors would be necessary to model the degradation behavior of ocean plastics or understand if degradation is possible? Here, we report a data-driven approach to elucidate degradation trends of plastic debris by linking abiotic and biotic degradation behavior in seawater with physical properties and molecular structures. The results reveal a hierarchy of predictors to quantify surface erosion as well as combinations of features, like glass transition temperature and hydrophobicity, to classify ocean plastics into fast, medium, and slow degradation categories. Furthermore, to account for weathering and environmental factors, two equations model the influence of seawater temperature and mechanical forces.

Suggested Citation

  • Kyungjun Min & Joseph D. Cuiffi & Robert T. Mathers, 2020. "Ranking environmental degradation trends of plastic marine debris based on physical properties and molecular structure," Nature Communications, Nature, vol. 11(1), pages 1-11, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natcom:v:11:y:2020:i:1:d:10.1038_s41467-020-14538-z
    DOI: 10.1038/s41467-020-14538-z
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    Cited by:

    1. Andreas Brachner & Despina Fragouli & Iola F. Duarte & Patricia M. A. Farias & Sofia Dembski & Manosij Ghosh & Ivan Barisic & Daniela Zdzieblo & Jeroen Vanoirbeek & Philipp Schwabl & Winfried Neuhaus, 2020. "Assessment of Human Health Risks Posed by Nano-and Microplastics Is Currently Not Feasible," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-10, November.
    2. Giovanni Davide Barone & Damir Ferizović & Antonino Biundo & Peter Lindblad, 2020. "Hints at the Applicability of Microalgae and Cyanobacteria for the Biodegradation of Plastics," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(24), pages 1-15, December.
    3. Elena Corella‐Puertas & Pauline Guieu & Alessio Aufoujal & Cécile Bulle & Anne‐Marie Boulay, 2022. "Development of simplified characterization factors for the assessment of expanded polystyrene and tire wear microplastic emissions applied in a food container life cycle assessment," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 26(6), pages 1882-1894, December.

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