The Effect of Polypropylene Microplastics on the Rheological Properties of the Cohesive Coastal Sediments

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Polypropylene microplastics weaken inter-particle bonding and reduce the viscosity of cohesive coastal sediments, thereby increasing their susceptibility to resuspension and potential for secondary water pollution. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Yujin Gwon; Valianto Rojulun Afif; Yeji Seo; Kyunghoi Kim

doi:10.7846/jkosmee.2026.29.3.235

August 31, 2026Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy

The Effect of Polypropylene Microplastics on the Rheological Properties of the Cohesive Coastal Sediments

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Key Points

To evaluate the impact of polypropylene microplastics on the consolidation, apparent viscosity, and physicochemical properties of cohesive coastal sediments.
Subjected coastal clay sediments to consolidation testing across polypropylene microplastic-treated (MP) and untreated control (CON) groups.
Measured changes in water content, reducing-environment pH, apparent viscosity ranges, sodium adsorption ratio (SAR), and cation exchange capacity (CEC).
Microplastic addition increased sediment water content by 1% to 2% and elevated pH through stimulated ammonia-producing metabolic activity under reducing conditions.
Apparent viscosity was lower in the microplastic group (1,528–171,542 mPa·s) than in the control group (1,854–237,159 mPa·s).
Charge dilution and physical blocking caused by neutral microplastics reduced sodium adsorption ratio and cation exchange capacity by 0.2% to 1%, weakening inter-particle bonds over extended consolidation.

Implication

Experimental study reveals reduced viscosity and particle bonding in microplastic-exposed coastal sediments, suggesting increased risks of sediment resuspension and secondary water pollution.

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Cite This Study

Gwon et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a97e237c562ede874ec6356 https://doi.org/10.7846/jkosmee.2026.29.3.235

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The Effect of Polypropylene Microplastics on the Rheological Properties of the Cohesive Coastal Sediments

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

The Effect of Polypropylene Microplastics on the Rheological Properties of the Cohesive Coastal Sediments

Key Points

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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