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Theobald B, Risani R, Donaldson L, Bridson JH, Kingsbury JM, Pantos O, Weaver L, Lear G, Pochon X, Zaiko A, Smith DA, Anderson R, Davy B, Davy S, Doake F, Masterton H, Audrezet F, Maday SDM, Wallbank JA, Barbier M, Greene AF, Parker K, Harris J, Northcott GL, Abbel R. An investigation into the stability and degradation of plastics in aquatic environments using a large-scale field-deployment study. Sci Total Environ 2024; 917:170301. [PMID: 38272094 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.170301] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2023] [Revised: 12/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024]
Abstract
The fragmentation of plastic debris is a key pathway to the formation of microplastic pollution. These disintegration processes depend on the materials' physical and chemical characteristics, but insight into these interrelationships is still limited, especially under natural conditions. Five plastics of known polymer/additive compositions and processing histories were deployed in aquatic environments and recovered after six and twelve months. The polymer types used were linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), oxo-degradable LLDPE (oxoLLDPE), poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET), polyamide-6 (PA6), and poly(lactic acid) (PLA). Four geographically distinct locations across Aotearoa/New Zealand were chosen: three marine sites and a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP). Accelerated UV-weathering under controlled laboratory conditions was also carried out to evaluate artificial ageing as a model for plastic degradation in the natural environment. The samples' physical characteristics and surface microstructures were studied for each deployment location and exposure time. The strongest effects were found for oxoLLDPE upon artificial ageing, with increased crystallinity, intense surface cracking, and substantial deterioration of its mechanical properties. However, no changes to the same extent were found after recovery of the deployed material. In the deployment environments, the chemical nature of the plastics was the most relevant factor determining their behaviours. Few significant differences between the four aquatic locations were identified, except for PA6, where indications for biological surface degradation were found only in seawater, not the WWTP. In some cases, artificial ageing reasonably mimicked the changes which some plastic properties underwent in aquatic environments, but generally, it was no reliable model for natural degradation processes. The findings from this study have implications for the understanding of the initial phases of plastic degradation in aquatic environments, eventually leading to microplastics formation. They can also guide the interpretation of accelerated laboratory ageing for the fate of aquatic plastic pollution, and for the testing of aged plastic samples.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - James H Bridson
- Scion, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand; University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8140, New Zealand
| | - Joanne M Kingsbury
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Olga Pantos
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Louise Weaver
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Gavin Lear
- University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Xavier Pochon
- University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand; Cawthron Institute, Nelson 7010, New Zealand
| | | | | | | | - Ben Davy
- Scion, Rotorua 3010, New Zealand
| | | | - Fraser Doake
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Hayden Masterton
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - François Audrezet
- University of Auckland, Auckland 1010, New Zealand; Cawthron Institute, Nelson 7010, New Zealand
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2
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Greene AF, Abbel R, Vaidya AA, Tanjay Q, Chen Y, Risani R, Saggese T, Barbier M, Petcu M, West M, Theobald B, Gaugler E, Parker K. Environmentally Benign Fast-Degrading Conductive Composites. Biomacromolecules 2024; 25:455-465. [PMID: 38147683 DOI: 10.1021/acs.biomac.3c01077] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2023]
Abstract
An environmentally benign conductive composite that rapidly degrades in the presence of warm water via enzyme-mediated hydrolysis is described. This represents the first time that hydrolytic enzymes have been immobilized onto eco-friendly conductive carbon sources with the express purpose of degrading the encapsulating biodegradable plastic. Amano Lipase (AL)-functionalized carbon nanofibers (CNF) were compounded with polycaprolactone (PCL) to produce the composite film CNFAL-PCL (thickness ∼ 600 μm; CNFAL = 20.0 wt %). To serve as controls, films of the same thickness were also produced, including CNF-AL5-PCL (CNF mixed with AL and PCL; CNF = 19.2 wt % and AL = 5.00 wt %), CNF-PCL (CNF = 19.2 wt %), ALx-PCL (AL = x = 1.00 or 5.00 wt %), and PCL. The electrical performance of the CNF-containing composites was measured, and conductivities of 14.0 ± 2, 22.0 ± 5, and 31.0 ± 6 S/m were observed for CNFAL-PCL, CNF-AL5-PCL, and CNF-PCL, respectively. CNFAL-PCL and control films were degraded in phosphate buffer (2.00 mg/mL film/buffer) at 50 °C, and their average percent weight loss (Wtavg%) was recorded over time. After 3 h CNFAL-PCL degraded to a Wtavg% of 90.0% and had completely degraded after 8 h. This was considerably faster than CNF-AL5-PCL, which achieved a total Wtavg% of 34.0% after 16 days, and CNF-PCL, which was with a Wtavg% of 7.00% after 16 days. Scanning electron microscopy experiments (SEM) found that CNFAL-PCL has more open pores on its surface and that it fractures faster during degradation experiments which exposes the interior enzyme to water. An electrode made from CNFAL-PCL was fabricated and attached to an AL5-PCL support to form a fast-degrading thermal sensor. The resistance was measured over five cycles where the temperature was varied between 15.0-50.0 °C. The sensor was then degraded fully in buffer at 50 °C over a 48 h period.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelique F Greene
- Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, Ti̅tokorangi Drive, Rotorua, New Zealand 3010
| | - Robert Abbel
- Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, Ti̅tokorangi Drive, Rotorua, New Zealand 3010
| | - Alankar A Vaidya
- Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, Ti̅tokorangi Drive, Rotorua, New Zealand 3010
| | - Queenie Tanjay
- Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, Ti̅tokorangi Drive, Rotorua, New Zealand 3010
| | - Yi Chen
- Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, Ti̅tokorangi Drive, Rotorua, New Zealand 3010
| | - Regis Risani
- Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, Ti̅tokorangi Drive, Rotorua, New Zealand 3010
| | - Taryn Saggese
- Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, Ti̅tokorangi Drive, Rotorua, New Zealand 3010
| | - Maxime Barbier
- Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, Ti̅tokorangi Drive, Rotorua, New Zealand 3010
| | - Miruna Petcu
- Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, Ti̅tokorangi Drive, Rotorua, New Zealand 3010
| | - Mark West
- Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, Ti̅tokorangi Drive, Rotorua, New Zealand 3010
| | - Beatrix Theobald
- Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, Ti̅tokorangi Drive, Rotorua, New Zealand 3010
| | - Eva Gaugler
- Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, Ti̅tokorangi Drive, Rotorua, New Zealand 3010
| | - Kate Parker
- Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, Ti̅tokorangi Drive, Rotorua, New Zealand 3010
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Bridson JH, Masterton H, Theobald B, Risani R, Doake F, Wallbank JA, Maday SDM, Lear G, Abbel R, Smith DA, Kingsbury JM, Pantos O, Northcott GL, Gaw S. Leaching and transformation of chemical additives from weathered plastic deployed in the marine environment. Mar Pollut Bull 2024; 198:115810. [PMID: 38006872 DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115810] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 11/14/2023] [Indexed: 11/27/2023]
Abstract
Plastic pollution causes detrimental environmental impacts, which are increasingly attributed to chemical additives. However, the behaviour of plastic additives in the marine environment is poorly understood. We used a marine deployment experiment to examine the impact of weathering on the extractables profile, analysed by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, of four plastics at two locations over nine months in Aotearoa/New Zealand. The concentration of additives in polyethylene and oxo-degradable polyethylene were strongly influenced by artificial weathering, with deployment location and time less influential. By comparison, polyamide 6 and polyethylene terephthalate were comparatively inert with minimal change in response to artificial weathering or deployment time. Non-target analysis revealed extensive differentiation between non-aged and aged polyethylene after deployment, concordant with the targeted analysis. These observations highlight the need to consider the impact of leaching and weathering on plastic composition when quantifying the potential impact and risk of plastic pollution within receiving environments.
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Affiliation(s)
- James H Bridson
- Scion, Titokorangi Drive, Private Bag 3020, Rotorua 3046, New Zealand; School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand.
| | - Hayden Masterton
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, 27 Creyke Road, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Beatrix Theobald
- Scion, Titokorangi Drive, Private Bag 3020, Rotorua 3046, New Zealand
| | - Regis Risani
- Scion, Titokorangi Drive, Private Bag 3020, Rotorua 3046, New Zealand
| | - Fraser Doake
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, 27 Creyke Road, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Jessica A Wallbank
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, 3a Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Stefan D M Maday
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, 3a Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Gavin Lear
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, 3a Symonds Street, Auckland 1010, New Zealand
| | - Robert Abbel
- Scion, Titokorangi Drive, Private Bag 3020, Rotorua 3046, New Zealand
| | - Dawn A Smith
- Scion, Titokorangi Drive, Private Bag 3020, Rotorua 3046, New Zealand
| | - Joanne M Kingsbury
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, 27 Creyke Road, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Olga Pantos
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, 27 Creyke Road, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
| | - Grant L Northcott
- Northcott Research Consultants Limited, 20 River Oaks Place, Hamilton 3200, New Zealand
| | - Sally Gaw
- School of Physical and Chemical Sciences, University of Canterbury, Christchurch 8041, New Zealand
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Laroche O, Pantos O, Kingsbury JM, Zaiko A, Wallbank J, Lear G, Thompson-Laing J, Audrezet F, Maday S, Doake F, Abbel R, Barbier M, Masterton H, Risani R, Smith D, Theobald B, Weaver L, Pochon X. A spatio-temporal analysis of marine diatom communities associated with pristine and aged plastics. Biofouling 2023:1-17. [PMID: 37341323 DOI: 10.1080/08927014.2023.2226069] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/22/2023]
Abstract
Complex microbial communities colonize plastic substrates over time, strongly influencing their fate and potential impacts on marine ecosystems. Among the first colonizers, diatoms play an important role in the development of this 'plastiphere'. We investigated 936 biofouling samples and the factors influencing diatom communities associated with plastic colonization. These factors included geographic location (up to 800 km apart), duration of substrate submersion (1 to 52 weeks), plastics (5 polymer types) and impact of artificial ageing with UV light. Diatom communities colonizing plastic debris were primarily determined by their geographic location and submersion time, with the strongest changes occurring within two weeks of submersion. Several taxa were identified as early colonizers (e.g. Cylindrotheca, Navicula and Nitzschia spp.) with known strong adhesion capabilities. To a lesser extent, plastic-type and UV-ageing significantly affected community composition, with 14 taxa showing substrate-specificity. This study highlights the role of plastics types-state for colonization in the ocean.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Olga Pantos
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Joanne M Kingsbury
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Anastasija Zaiko
- Biosecurity Group, Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand
- Sequench Ltd, Nelson, New Zealand
| | - Jessica Wallbank
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Gavin Lear
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | | | - Francois Audrezet
- Biosecurity Group, Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Stefan Maday
- School of Biological Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Fraser Doake
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Robert Abbel
- Scion, Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, Rotorua, New Zealand
| | - Maxime Barbier
- Scion, Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, Rotorua, New Zealand
| | - Hayden Masterton
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Regis Risani
- Scion, Te Papa Tipu Innovation Park, Rotorua, New Zealand
| | | | | | - Louise Weaver
- Institute of Environmental Science and Research, Christchurch, New Zealand
| | - Xavier Pochon
- Biosecurity Group, Cawthron Institute, Nelson, New Zealand
- Institute of Marine Science, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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5
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Le Guen MJ, Hill S, Smith D, Theobald B, Gaugler E, Barakat A, Mayer-Laigle C. Influence of Rice Husk and Wood Biomass Properties on the Manufacture of Filaments for Fused Deposition Modeling. Front Chem 2019; 7:735. [PMID: 31737608 PMCID: PMC6834546 DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2019.00735] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/14/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Additive manufacturing or 3D printing has the potential to displace some of the current manufacturing techniques and is particularly attractive if local renewable waste resources can be used. In this study, rice husk, and wood powders were compounded in polylactic acid (PLA) by twin screw extrusion to produce filaments for fused-deposition modeling 3D printing. The biomasses were characterized in terms of physical features (e.g., particle size, density) and chemical compositions (e.g., solid state nuclear magnetic resonance, ash content). The two biomasses were found to have a different impact on the rheological behavior of the compounds and the extrusion process overall stability. When comparing the complex viscosity of neat PLA to the biomass/PLA compounds, the integration of wood powder increased the complex viscosity of the compound, whereas the integration of rice husk powder decreased it. This significant difference in rheological behavior was attributed to the higher specific surface area (and chemical reactivity) of the rice husk particles and the presence of silica in rice husks compared to the wood powder. Color variations were also observed. Despite the biomass filler and rheological behavior differences, the mechanical properties of the 3D printed samples were similar and predominantly affected by the printing direction.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | - Abdellatif Barakat
- IATE, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier SupAgro, Montpellier, France
| | - Claire Mayer-Laigle
- IATE, Univ Montpellier, CIRAD, INRA, Montpellier SupAgro, Montpellier, France
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6
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Ward MR, Theobald B, Sharman J, Boyes ED, Gai PL. Direct observations of dynamic PtCo interactions in fuel cell catalyst precursors at the atomic level using E(S)TEM. J Microsc 2017; 269:143-150. [PMID: 28682468 DOI: 10.1111/jmi.12600] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2016] [Revised: 05/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
Reduction reactions in practical bimetallic platinum-cobalt electrode catalyst precursors containing platinum, cobalt and cobalt oxides in hydrogen at 200, 450 and 700 °C for 6 h have been studied in situ using an aberration corrected environmental (scanning) transmission electron microscope (AC E(S)TEM). Little difference was observed in reduction at 200 °C but during and after reduction at 450 °C, small nanoparticles less than 3 nm in diameter with tetragonal PtCo structures were observed and limited Pt3 Co ordering could be seen on the surfaces of larger nanoparticles. During and after reduction at 700 °C, fully ordered Pt3 Co and PtCo nanoparticles larger than 4 nm were produced and the average nanoparticle size almost trebled relative to the fresh precursor. After reduction at 450 and 700 °C, most nanoparticles were disordered platinum/cobalt alloys with fcc structure. After reduction at 700 °C many of the smallest nanoparticles disappeared suggesting Ostwald ripening had occurred. Mechanisms concerning the thermal transformation of mixed cobalt and platinum species are discussed, offering new insights into the creation of bimetallic platinum-cobalt nanoparticles in fuel cell catalysts.
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Affiliation(s)
- M R Ward
- York Nanocentre, Department of Physics, University of York, Heslington, York, UK
| | - B Theobald
- Johnson Matthey Technology Centre, Sonning Common, Reading, UK
| | - J Sharman
- Johnson Matthey Technology Centre, Sonning Common, Reading, UK
| | - E D Boyes
- York Nanocentre, Department of Physics, University of York, Heslington, York, UK.,York Nanocentre, Department of Electronics, University of York, Heslington, York, UK
| | - P L Gai
- York Nanocentre, Department of Physics, University of York, Heslington, York, UK.,York Nanocentre, Department of Chemistry, University of York, Heslington, York, UK
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Ikeda S, Neyts J, Yamamoto N, Murrer B, Theobald B, Bossard G, Henson G, Abrams M, Picker D, De Clercq E. In vitro Activity of a Novel Series of Polyoxosilicotungstates against Human Myxo-, Herpes- and Retroviruses. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2016. [DOI: 10.1177/095632029300400501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
A series of silicon-containing polyoxotungstates belonging to the ‘Keggin-type’ (‘Keggin’, ‘Keggin sandwich’) were evaluated for their antiviral activity against enveloped viruses (myxo-, herpes- and retroviruses). The compounds exhibited antiviral activity against influenza virus type A, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), herpes simplex virus type-1 (HSV-1), type-2 (HSV-2), thymidine kinase-deficient (TIC) HSV-1, human cytomegalovirus (HCMV), human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) and type-2 (HIV-2) at concentrations that were well below their cytotoxic threshold. The ‘Keggin’ compound JM2815 (K5[Si-(TiCp)W11O39].12H2O) and the ‘Keggin sandwich’ compound JM1590 (K13[Ce(SiW11O39)2].26H2O) resulted in the highest selectivity indices against HIV-1 and HIV-2, and compound JM2820 ([Me3NH]8.[Si2Nb6W18O77]) was the most potent inhibitor of HSV and HCMV replication. These compounds proved active against HCMV and HSV when present during virus adsorption, and against influenza virus A and RSV when present after virus adsorption. Polyoxosilicotungstates inhibited the binding of radiolabeled HCMV particles to the cells at concentrations that were antivirally active, and the compounds were able to displace HCMV particles that were bound to a heparin-Sepharose matrix. Presumably, the polyoxosilicotungstates interact with positively charged domains on the viral envelope site(s) involved in the attachment of the (HCMV) virions to the cell surface receptor heparan sulphate.
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Affiliation(s)
- S. Ikeda
- Ftega Institute for Medical Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - J. Neyts
- Ftega Institute for Medical Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - N. Yamamoto
- Ftega Institute for Medical Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - B. Murrer
- Johnson Matthey, Technology Centre, Blount's Court, Sonning Common, Reading RG4 9NH, UK
| | - B. Theobald
- Johnson Matthey, Technology Centre, Blount's Court, Sonning Common, Reading RG4 9NH, UK
| | - G. Bossard
- Johnson Matthey Pharmaceutical Research, 1401 King Road, West Chester, PA 19380, USA
| | - G. Henson
- Johnson Matthey Pharmaceutical Research, 1401 King Road, West Chester, PA 19380, USA
| | - M. Abrams
- Johnson Matthey Pharmaceutical Research, 1401 King Road, West Chester, PA 19380, USA
| | - D. Picker
- Johnson Matthey Pharmaceutical Research, 1401 King Road, West Chester, PA 19380, USA
| | - E. De Clercq
- Ftega Institute for Medical Research, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Minderbroedersstraat 10, B-3000 Leuven, Belgium
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