Tire wear particles (TWP) are generated due to the abrasion of car tires and are considered one of the primary sources of microplastics in the environment. The TWP can enter water bodies from the road, either through runoff or airborne. When TWP enter the environment, they are subjected to environmental aging, but their aging, property change, and biodegradation have not yet been studied. Therefore, in this study, TWP were characterized and aged in natural water for 12 weeks under controlled laboratory conditions, monitoring the amount of biomass formed on particles, density changes, zinc, and total organic carbon (TOC) leaching. At the same time, the biodegradability of TWP was evaluated by testing in a closed respirometer. The results showed that the average size of TWP was about 50 µm and contained a high concentration of zinc (8873 µg/g). During aging, a biofilm formed rapidly on the surface of TWP, resulting in a decrease in density - the initial density was 1.9 g/cm3 and decreased to 1.2 g/cm3. Leaching of zinc was greatest during the first two weeks, after which the concentration gradually decreased. TOC analysis showed that TOC leached at the beginning of aging and then in the last four weeks, which is consistent with the measurement of the amount of biofilm, which decreased in the last four weeks, indicating the possible decomposition of the biofilm on TWP. Biodegradability testing did not reveal any biodegradation of TWP, so it was concluded that TWP can remain in the environment for a long period of time.
Primary Presenter: Gabriela Kalcikova, University of Ljubljana (gabriela.kalcikova@fkkt.uni-lj.si)
Authors:
Aging and biodegradation of tire wear particles in the aquatic environment
Category
Scientific Sessions > SS024 Down the Drain and Down the River: The Transport, Fate and Impact of Micro- and Nanoplastic on Their Way to the Oceans
Description
Time: 06:30 PM
Date: 7/6/2023
Room: Mezzanine