The DOI matches its Crossref record; 19 of the 19 references it cites were found in a registry or an index.
Effects of mechanical and chemical processes on the degradation of plastic beach debris on the island of Kauai, Hawaii
Abstract
Plastic debris is accumulating on the beaches of Kauai at an alarming rate, averaging 484 pieces/day in one locality. Particles sampled were analyzed to determine the effects of mechanical and chemical processes on the breakdown of polymers in a subtropical setting. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) indicates that plastic surfaces contain fractures, horizontal notches, flakes, pits, grooves, and vermiculate textures. The mechanically produced textures provide ideal loci for chemical weathering to occur which further weakens the polymer surface leading to embrittlement. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) results show that some particles have highly oxidized surfaces as indicated by intense peaks in the lower wavenumber region of the spectra. Our textural analyses suggest that polyethylene has the potential to degrade more readily than polypropylene. Further evaluation of plastic degradation in the natural environment may lead to a shift away from the production and use of plastic materials with longer residence times.
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In the citing paper
“Embrittlement of extensively eroded plastics, especially those made from polyethylene, has been documented on the beaches in Kauai (Hawaii) (Cooper and Corcoran, 2010).”
From Degradation of bio-based and biodegradable plastics in a salt marsh habitat: Another potential source of microplastics in coastal waters (2020) · cites this paper as Cooper and Corcoran, 2010
In the citing paper
“Land based, mostly coastal sources account for 80% of PMD, which is transported via natural waterways, sewage/drainage systems, wind or human neglect.[48][49][50]”
From The fate of plastic in the ocean environment – a minireview (2021) · cites this paper as [48]
In the citing paper
“In the marine environment, plastic fragmentation is induced by mechanical stress, e.g.due to wave action.48,101”
From The fate of plastic in the ocean environment – a minireview (2021) · cites this paper as [48]
In the citing paper
“Photooxidation of plastics comprises freeradical reactions and chain scission initiated by (solar) UV radiation.4,14,48,105”
From The fate of plastic in the ocean environment – a minireview (2021) · cites this paper as [48]
Citations
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Metadata
- Authors
- Cooper, D. A., & Corcoran, P. L.
- Affiliations
- Western University (CA)
- Corresponding author
- Cooper, David A
- ORCID
- Corcoran, Patricia L
- Venue
- Marine Pollution Bulletin
- Publisher
- Elsevier BV
- Published
- 2010-05
- Volume
- 60
- Issue
- 5
- Pages
- 650-654
- ISSN
- 0025-326X (ISSN-L)
- OpenAlex
- W2036462648
- Cited by
- 663
- References
- 19
- Citations by year
- 2026: 36 · 2025: 63 · 2024: 86 · 2023: 82 · 2022: 68 · 2021: 83 · 2020: 63 · 2019: 50 · 2018: 30 · 2017: 22 · 2016: 26 · 2015: 20 · 2014: 8 · 2013: 11 · 2012: 8
- FWCI
- 8.21
- Type
- journal article
- Language
- en
- Open access
- closed
- Locations
- Marine Pollution Bulletin (publishedVersion)
- PubMed (publishedVersion)
- Topics
- Physical Sciences › Environmental Science › Pollution › Microplastics and Plastic Pollution
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Polymers and Plastics › Polymer crystallization and properties
- Physical Sciences › Materials Science › Polymers and Plastics › Polymer Science and PVC
- Keywords
- plastic degradation, mechanical weathering, chemical weathering, polyethylene, polypropylene, surface oxidation, beach litter, Kauai
- MeSH terms
- Bathing Beaches, Environmental Monitoring, Environmental Pollutants, Geography, Hawaii, Microscopy, Electron, Scanning, Plastics, Polypropylenes, Waste Products, Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared, Ecosystem, Polyethylene
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