Effects of Climate zones on plastic film degradation – Artic to tropic

Plastics are recognized as an environmental threat and have been detected all over the planet.  Plastics in the environment will degrade and fragment due to physical, chemical and/or biological forces, creating smaller-sized particles, including micro- and nanoplastics. Most microplastic particles identified in the environment are secondary particles, i.e., fragments from larger pieces, and several show a level of degradation. However, information regarding how plastic degrades and fragments in the environment is lacking.

Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), and Polylactic acid (PLA) plastic film were produced from pellets without adding additives. The films with a thickness of 40–50 μm were exposed to summer outdoor conditions for 46 days in different climate zones, including Arctic, Tropic, Nordic, and Mediterranean zones. After exposure, the films were analyzed using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), tensile strength, and imaged using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM).

Preliminary results indicate the highest degradation for PP followed by PE, and there is no sign of degradation for PLA in the tested conditions. Moreover, relationships between temperature, sun intensity, and the level of degradation occur.