Abstract
Plastic products are extensively used worldwide, but inadequate management of plastic waste results in significant plastic pollution. Biodegradable plastic (BPs) offers an alternative to traditional plastics, however, not all BPs can fully degrade under natural conditions. Instead, they may deteriorate into biodegradable microplastic (BMPs) at a faster rate than conventional plastic, thereby posing an additional hazard to aquatic environments. This study provides a comprehensive overview of the fate of BPs in aquatic systems and their eco-toxicological effects on aquatic organisms such as algae, invertebrates, and fish. The findings highlight that BMPs have comparable or heightened effects compared to conventional microplastics (MPs) which physiochemical characteristic of the polymer itself or by the chemical leached from the polymeric matrix can affect aquatic organisms. While BPs is not a flawless solution to address plastic pollution, future research should prioritize investigating their production, environmental behavior, ecological impact, and whether BMPs inflict greater harm than conventional MPs.
Original language | English |
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Article number | 123399 |
Journal | Environmental Pollution |
Volume | 344 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2024 Mar 1 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:© 2024 Elsevier Ltd
Keywords
- Acute toxicity
- Aquatic organisms
- Biodegradable microplastic
- Biofilm
- Daphnia
- Ecotoxicity
- UV aging
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Toxicology
- Pollution
- Health, Toxicology and Mutagenesis