Sources, Aging, and Management of Coastal Plastics in Shanghai

To investigate the plastic sources and aging, the number and weight ratios of 4 main plastic categories, namely hard plastics, membranous plastics, fibrous plastics, and foam plastics in the Shanghai coast were determined. Aging of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polystyrene includes the appearance of scratches and damage and even the forming of cracks and micropores. Composite packaging plastics were cracked from the external surface. Aging plastics showed new bands at around 1700 cm(-1) for carbonyl functional groups, and 1000 cm(-1) for C-O bonds, indicating the surface oxidation and adsorption of organic matter. The number of foam plastics was the highest among the different types of plastics, probably due to their lowest density. The sources of foam plastics varied because they are used in both the daily life of the city resident and ocean fishing and farming. This study provides scientific data for the management of Shanghai marine plastics.

Automated summary

This study investigates the sources and aging of plastics by determining the number and weight ratios of different plastic categories in the Shanghai coast. The study finds that aging plastics show surface oxidation and organic matter adsorption. Foam plastics have the highest quantity, possibly due to their low density. The sources of foam plastics include both daily life and ocean activities.