Plastic problem solved? Environmental implications of synthetic hydrophilic polymers across ecosystem boundaries

Abstract

Synthetic hydrophilic polymers are an emerging yet overlooked class of anthropogenic substances. Unlike particulate plastics, synthetic hydrophilic polymers can interact with water, which complicates studying their fate and effects in the environment. This review discusses the sources, fate, and effects of these polymers across ecosystem boundaries. We identified households, agriculture, and mining as major sources. Despite wastewater treatment, synthetic hydrophilic polymers enter natural waterbodies. Agrochemical and sewage sludge applications release them to soil. Sorption and coagulation processes, influenced by polarity and molecular weight, likely define their fate through aquatic and terrestrial systems. Slow biodegradation may favor their accumulation. To advance our understanding of their fate, analytical techniques need improvement. Ecotoxicity studies found acute effects but long-term and field studies on mixtures and interactions with other pollutants are lacking. All in all, the prevailing literature emphasizes benefits of synthetic hydrophilic polymers while neglecting potential negative consequences; this calls for precaution.

Keywords

Water-soluble polymers; Liquid polymers; Polymers in liquid formulations; Polymer flocculants; Superabsorbent polymers; Hydrogels; Nanoplastics; Plastic debris; Ecosystem functions

Published in

Trends in Analytical Chemistry
2024, volume: 181, article number: 118000
Publisher: ELSEVIER SCI LTD

SLU Authors

• Bundschuh, Mirco

  • Department of Aquatic Sciences and Assessment, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
    
  • University of Kaiserslautern-Landau (RPTU)

Global goals (SDG)

SDG6 Clean water and sanitation

UKÄ Subject classification

Analytical Chemistry
Environmental Sciences

Publication identifier

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.trac.2024.118000

Permanent link to this page (URI)

https://res.slu.se/id/publ/141187