Cited by 286Microplastics and Plastic PollutionPolymer Science and PVCMarine and Offshore Engineering Studies

Degradation-fragmentation of marine plastic waste and their environmental implications: A critical review

Open access
Dimassi, Sarra N., Hahladakis, John N., Yahia, Mohamed Najib Daly, Ahmad, Mohammad I., Sayadi, Sami, Al-Ghouti, Mohammad A.·2022·Arabian Journal of Chemistry

Abstract

This review critically evaluates the plastic accumulation challenges and their environmental (primarily) and human (secondarily) impacts. It also emphasizes on their degradation and fragmentation phenomena under marine conditions. In addition, it takes into account the leachability of the various chemical substances (additives) embedded in plastic products to improve their polymeric properties and extend their life. Regardless of their effectiveness in enhancing the polymeric function of plastic products, these additives can potentially contaminate air, soil, food, and water. Several findings have shown that, regardless of their types and sizes, plastics can be degraded and/or fragmented under marine conditions. Therefore, the estimation of fragmentation and degradation rates via a reliable developed model is required to better understand the marine environmental status. The main parameter, which is responsible for initiating the fragmentation of plastics, is sunlight/UV radiation. Yet, UV- radiation alone is not enough to fragment some plastic polymer types under marine conditions, additional factors are needed such as mechanical abrasion. It should be also mentioned that most current studies on plastic degradation and fragmentation centered on the primary stages of degradation. Thus, further studies are needed to better understand these phenomena and to identify their fate and environmental effects.

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Authors
Dimassi, S. N., Hahladakis, J. N., Yahia, M. N. D., Ahmad, M. I., Sayadi, S., & Al-Ghouti, M. A.
Affiliations
Qatar University (QA)
Corresponding author
Al-Ghouti, Mohammad A.
Venue
Arabian Journal of Chemistry
Published
2022-11
Volume
15
Issue
11
Pages
104262
ISSN
1878-5352 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W4296242472
Cited by
286
References
234
Citations by year
2026: 72 · 2025: 119 · 2024: 65 · 2023: 30
FWCI
12.70
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Arabian Journal of Chemistry (publishedVersion, cc-by)
  • DOAJ (DOAJ: Directory of Open Access Journals) (submittedVersion, cc-by-sa)
  • Qatar University QSpace (Qatar University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
Funders
Qatar University (QUCG-CAS-21/22-3)
Topics
  • Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
  • Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Polymers and Plastics › Polymer Science and PVC
  • Physical Sciences › Engineering › Ocean Engineering › Marine and Offshore Engineering Studies
Keywords
marine plastic debris, plastic degradation, plastic fragmentation, polymer additives, leachability, ultraviolet radiation, mechanical abrasion, plastic pollution, environmental impact of plastics, microplastics

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