Photochemical dissolution of buoyant microplastics to dissolved organic carbon: Rates and microbial impacts

Aron Stubbins1, Lixin Zhu2, Shiye Zhao2, Daoji Li2, Thais B Bittar3, Robert G Spencer4, David C Podgorski5 and Kara L Lavender Law6, (1)Northeastern University, Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Boston, United States, (2)East China Normal University, State Key Laboratory of Estuarine and Coastal Research, Shanghai, China, (3)Northeastern University, Marine Science Center, Boston, MA, United States, (4)Florida State University, Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Science, Tallahassee, United States, (5)University of New Orleans, Department of Chemistry, New Orleans, LA, United States, (6)Sea Education Association, Woods Hole, MA, United States
Abstract:
Plastics are an emerging contaminant and a new form of carbon that is exported from the land to the ocean. Here we address the transformation, fate and impact of plastics in the ocean. We present novel data for the photochemical dissolution of plastics to dissolved organic carbon, the possible microbial impact of the DOC released, and put plastic fluxes and standing stocks into the context of the natural aquatic carbon cycle.
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