Microstructure of Oceanic Polyethylene

Plastic has become a worldwide concern. It was demonstrated plastic breaks down to nanoscale particles in the environment, so-called nanoplastics. It is important to understand their impact, but their structure is not elucidated. In this work, we characterize the microstructure of oceanic polyethylene and compare it to the nonweathered objects. Cross sections analyzed by several emergent mapping techniques. We highlight modifications of the debris within a layer a few hundred micrometers. The most intense modifications are macromolecule oxidation a considerable decrease in the molecular weight. The adsorption organic pollutants and trace metals is also confined to this outer. Fragmentation of the oxidized layer of the plastic debris is most likely source of nanoplastics. Consequently the nanoplastic nature differs greatly from plastics.