Publications by authors named "Gabriela Z Diaz"
Microplastics (MPs) in the environment pose a persistent concern, as these plastic particles can adversely impact both aquatic ecosystems and human health. MPs are subject to natural weathering and aging processes, such as photodegradation, which significantly alter their surface morphology and physicochemical properties, thereby influencing their fate, transport, and sorption behavior. To better understand how aging affects these properties and to elucidate the mechanisms behind the interactions with the chlorpyrifos pesticide, poly(ethylene terephthalate) (PET) microplastics (<100 μm) were subjected to accelerated photoaging in a UV-B chamber for varying exposure times.
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- * This study focuses on how UVB radiation affects polyethylene microplastics, revealing that longer exposure changes their shape and chemistry, allowing them to absorb pesticides like chlorpyrifos more effectively by enhancing surface interactions and forming micropores.
- * The findings highlight significant changes in microplastics after aging, including increased pollutant absorption and structural changes, indicating the need for more research on how aging affects the environmental risks of microplastics.