Environmental aging and biodegradation of tire wear microplastics in the aquatic environment

Klun, Barbara; Rozman, Ula; Kalčíková, Gabriela

doi:10.1016/j.jece.2023.110604

Cited by 19 publications

(2 citation statements)

References 38 publications

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“…While also conventional natural and synthetic rubbers can be degraded by certain microorganisms, most studies have demonstrated this using isolated strains under idealized conditions, , while the degradation behavior of rubbers in nonspecific, natural environments is less well investigated. The limited evidence available indicates that tire wear particles, mainly consisting of conventional synthetic rubbers, are nearly inert in aquatic environments, showing close to zero CO 2 evolution over 80 days . Further experiments are needed to investigate the biodegradation of the rubbers presented here, especially to investigate the microbial utilization of the different components, such as dimer acid and sulfur-containing monomer units.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 96%

“…The limited evidence available indicates that tire wear particles, mainly consisting of conventional synthetic rubbers, are nearly inert in aquatic environments, showing close to zero CO 2 evolution over 80 days. 51 Further experiments are needed to investigate the biodegradation of the rubbers presented here, especially to investigate the microbial utilization of the different components, such as dimer acid and sulfur-containing monomer units. Furthermore, experiments comparing the biodegradability of polyester-based rubbers and conventional rubbers in the natural environment would be instructive.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Chemically Recyclable and Biodegradable Vulcanized Rubber

Schwab,

Nelson,

Mecking

2024

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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The cross-linked nature of vulcanized rubbers as used in tire and many other applications prohibits an effective closed-loop mechanical or chemical recycling. Moreover, vulcanization significantly retards the material’s biodegradation. Here, we report a recyclable and biodegradable rubber that is generated by the vulcanization of amorphous, unsaturated polyesters. The elastic material can be broken down via solvolysis into the underlying monomers. After removal of the vulcanized repeat units, the saturated monomers, constituting the major share of the material, can be recovered in overall recycling rates exceeding 90%. Respirometric biodegradation experiments by 13CO2 tracking under environmental conditions via the polyesters’ diol monomer indicated depolymerization and partial mineralization of the vulcanized polyester rubbers.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 96%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Chemically Recyclable and Biodegradable Vulcanized Rubber

Schwab,

Nelson,

Mecking

2024

ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng.

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Systematic Assessment of Mechanisms, Developments, Innovative Solutions, and Future Perspectives of Microplastics and Ecotoxicity – A Review

Manikandan,

Preethi,

Deena

et al. 2024

Advanced Sustainable Systems

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As plastics become more ubiquitous, their impact on the environment and on human health cannot be overlooked. Once generated, micro‐ and nano‐plastics end‐up in the environment, causing widespread health and environmental risks. This is a significant environmental problem given the minuscule sizes of microplastics, and therefore warrants further investigation. This study presents a comprehensive review of the ecotoxicology of microplastics and methods for their degradation and decomposition besides discussing the fate and transport processes, recent progress, emerging strategies, challenges and potential future directions. The authors carefully evaluate the processes through which microplastics cause harm, from molecular interactions in species, to ecological impacts, and end with advances in microplastic biodegradation. Different kinds of microplastics found in the environment include polyethylene, polystyrene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polycarbonate, polyurethane, polypropylene, and polyethylene terephthalate. Analysis of microbial and enzymatic decomposition provides several swelling mitigation strategies designed to reduce environmental threats. In‐depth investigations of microplastic ecotoxicity and biodegradation are being facilitated by interdisciplinary proposals in the areas of nanotechnology, new analytical methods, and synthetic biology. The extensive study helps understand microplastics comprehensively which in‐turn ensures informed actions to mitigate the challenge of the environmental impact of microplastics for sustainable future.

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