Authors :
Kadimisetty Naga Nirmal; Sunayana Ch; Gopinath
Volume/Issue :
Volume 10 - 2025, Issue 1 - January
Google Scholar :
https://tinyurl.com/5xvxwwps
Scribd :
https://tinyurl.com/52z26vte
DOI :
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14651179
Abstract :
Due to its versatility and cost effectiveness, the
widespread use of plastic has led to significant
environmental problems such as pollution and waste
accumulation. This review examines various methods of
plastic degradation, focusing on their mechanisms,
efficiency and environmental impact. It deals with
microbes, chemicals, and mechanical degradation
processes and emphasizes the role of enzymes,
photochemical reactions, and physicochemical changes in
the degradation of polymers into ecologically benign
components. Particular attention is paid to emerging
approaches such as photocatalysis and the use of
extremophilic bacteria, the persistent and widespread
nature of plastic pollution severe conditions. Despite
progress, the persistent and widespread nature of plastic
pollution requires continues research and the
development of innovation, scalable solution to reduce the
impact on ecosystems. This review highlights the
importance of reducing plastic use and developing
degradation technologies to address global environmental
health threats.
References :
- Baljit Singh, Nisha Sharma, March 2008. Polymer Degradation and Stability Volume 93, Issue 3, pages561-584. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.polymdegradstab.2007.11.008.
- Sameh Samir Ali, Tamer Elsamahy, Eleni Koutra, Michael Kornaros, Mostafa El-Sheekh, Esraa A. Abdelkarim, Daochen Zhu, Jianzhong Sun, June 2021. “Degradation of conventional plastic wastes in the environment: A review on current status of knowledge and future perspectives of disposal”, Science of The Total Environment Volume 771. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.144719.
- Qian Ying Lee and Hong Li, July 2021. “ Photocatalytic Degradation of Plastic Waste: A Mini Review ”. https://doi.org/10.3390/mi12080907.
- Tim O’Brine, Richard C. Thompson, December 2010. “ Degradation of plastic carrier bags in the marine environment ”. Marine Pollution Bulletin, Volume 60, Issue 12, Pages 2279-2283. https://doi.org/10.1016/ j.marpolbul.2010.08.005.
- Henry L. Friedman, 1964. “ Kinetics of thermal degradation of char-forming plastics from thermogravimetry. Application to a phenolic plastic ”, Journal of Polymer Science Part C: Polymer Symposia. https://doi.org/10.1002/polc.5070060121.
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- Berit Gewert, Merle M. Plassmanna and Matthew MacLeod, 2015. “ Pathways for degradation of plastic polymers floating in the marine environment ”. DOI https://doi.org/10.1039/C5EM00207A.
- Nikolina Atanasova, Stoyanka Stoitsova, Tsvetelina Paunova-Krasteva and Margarita Kambourova, 2021. “ Plastic Degradation by Extremophilic Bacteria ”. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms22115610.
- Prem Chandra , Enespa , Devendra P. Singh, 2020. “ Microplastic degradation by bacteria in aquatic ecosystem ”, Microorganisms for Sustainable Environment and Health, Pages 431-467. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-819001-2.00022-X.
- Aneta K. Urbanek, Waldemar Rymowicz & Aleksandra M. Mirończuk, 2018. “ Degradation of plastics and plastic-degrading bacteria in cold marine habitats ”.
Due to its versatility and cost effectiveness, the
widespread use of plastic has led to significant
environmental problems such as pollution and waste
accumulation. This review examines various methods of
plastic degradation, focusing on their mechanisms,
efficiency and environmental impact. It deals with
microbes, chemicals, and mechanical degradation
processes and emphasizes the role of enzymes,
photochemical reactions, and physicochemical changes in
the degradation of polymers into ecologically benign
components. Particular attention is paid to emerging
approaches such as photocatalysis and the use of
extremophilic bacteria, the persistent and widespread
nature of plastic pollution severe conditions. Despite
progress, the persistent and widespread nature of plastic
pollution requires continues research and the
development of innovation, scalable solution to reduce the
impact on ecosystems. This review highlights the
importance of reducing plastic use and developing
degradation technologies to address global environmental
health threats.