The release process of microfibers: from surgical face masks into the marine environment

Environmental Advances

Maurizio Veronelli¹  Davide Barana²  Marina Lasagni²  Francesco Saliu²  Paolo Galli³  Clarissa Raguso⁴ 

[1] Corresponding author.;Earth and Environmental Science Department, University of Milano Bicocca, Piazza della Scienza 1, 20126 Milano, Italy;Loestrasse 63, 7000 Chur, Switzerland;RDLAB137 srl Via Solari, 32 - 20144 Milano, Italy;

关键词: Microplastics;    Contamination;    Marine litter;    Plastic soup;    Facemask;    COVID19;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the use of disposable face masks has been adopted worldwide as a precautionary measure to slow down the transmission of the virus. This has determined an unprecedented rise in the production of these protective equipments, and unfortunately to a new form of environmental contamination due to the improper disposal. To provide a preliminary estimation of the release of microfibers by a surgical mask dumped in the marine environment, we carried out artificial weathering experiments. Results indicated that a single surgical mask submitted to 180 hours UV-light irradiation and vigorous stirring in artificial seawater may release up to 173,000 fibers/ day. Moreover, SEM and micro-FTIR analysis carried out onto surgical masks collected from Italian beaches highlighted the same morphological and chemical degradation signature observed in the masks subjected to the artificially weathering experiments, confirming the risks of a similar microfiber release into the marine environment.

【 授权许可】

Unknown