Jove
Visualize
Contact Us
JoVE
x logofacebook logolinkedin logoyoutube logo
ABOUT JoVE
OverviewLeadershipBlogJoVE Help Center
AUTHORS
Publishing ProcessEditorial BoardScope & PoliciesPeer ReviewFAQSubmit
LIBRARIANS
TestimonialsSubscriptionsAccessResourcesLibrary Advisory BoardFAQ
RESEARCH
JoVE JournalMethods CollectionsJoVE Encyclopedia of ExperimentsArchive
EDUCATION
JoVE CoreJoVE BusinessJoVE Science EducationJoVE Lab ManualFaculty Resource CenterFaculty Site
Terms & Conditions of Use
Privacy Policy
Policies

Related Concept Videos

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters01:20

Types of Step-Growth Polymers: Polyesters

2.6K
The introduction of polyesters has brought major development to the textile industry. The wrinkle-free behavior of polyester blends has eliminated the need for starching and ironing clothes.
Polyesters are commonly prepared from terephthalic acid and ethylene glycol; the crude product is known as poly(ethylene terephthalate) or PET. However, polyesters are synthesized industrially by transesterification of dimethyl terephthalate with ethylene glycol at 150 °C. The two reactants and the polymer...
2.6K
Bioremediation00:46

Bioremediation

22.5K
Bioremediation is the use of prokaryotes, fungi, or plants to remove pollutants from the environment. This process has been used to remove harmful toxins in groundwater as a byproduct of agricultural run-off and also to clean up oil spills.
22.5K
Environmental Applications of Microorganisms01:30

Environmental Applications of Microorganisms

1.2K
Microorganisms play a pivotal role in maintaining ecosystem balance by recycling essential elements such as carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus, as well as supporting processes like bioremediation, wastewater treatment, and biofuel production.Microbes in Elemental CyclesIn the carbon cycle, microorganisms decompose organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide via aerobic respiration. This carbon dioxide is subsequently used by photosynthetic organisms to synthesize organic compounds, closing the...
1.2K
Biofilms01:29

Biofilms

1.6K
Biofilms are complex communities of microorganisms encased in a self-produced extracellular polysaccharide matrix attached to surfaces. These microbial consortia can include single or multiple species, providing enhanced survival benefits by forming organized, multilayered structures.The formation of biofilms occurs through four key stages: attachment, colonization, development, and dispersal.During attachment, free-swimming planktonic cells adhere to a surface, often facilitated by...
1.6K
Plastic Deformations01:19

Plastic Deformations

497
Plastic deformation represents a fundamental concept in materials science, which explains the irreversible change in the shape of a material when it experiences stress beyond its elastic capability. This phenomenon is important in structural engineering, especially in designing and analyzing cantilever beams—structures that are securely fixed at one end and bear loads at the opposite end. When these beams are subjected to loads within their elastic range, they will return to their...
497
Lipid Catabolism01:25

Lipid Catabolism

1.1K
Triglycerides serve as crucial long-term energy storage molecules in microorganisms, providing a dense source of metabolic energy. Their breakdown is mediated by lipases, which hydrolyze triglycerides into glycerol and free fatty acids. Each of these components follows distinct metabolic pathways, ultimately contributing to ATP synthesis and cellular energy homeostasis.Glycerol MetabolismGlycerol, released from triglyceride hydrolysis, is phosphorylated by glycerol kinase to form...
1.1K

You might also read

Related Articles

Articles linked to this work by shared authors, journal, and citation graph.

Sort by
Same author

Communicating Confidence in the Reliability of Micro- and Nanoplastic Identification in Human Health Studies.

Environment & health (Washington, D.C.)·2026
Same author

Integrated Chemical and Hazard Assessment of Plastic Pellets from the <i>Toconao</i> Spill (Galicia, Spain) Indicates Potential for Environmental Harm.

Environmental science & technology·2026
Same author

As the "Wheels Come Off", Including Tire Emissions in the Plastics Treaty Would Show Drive.

Environmental science & technology·2025
Same author

Upgrading and Enhancement of Recycled Polyethylene Terephthalate with Chain Extenders: In-Depth Material Characterization.

Industrial & engineering chemistry research·2024
Same author

Orientation of reduced graphene oxide in composite coatings.

Nanoscale advances·2024
Same author

Reducing plastic pollution caused by demersal fisheries.

Marine pollution bulletin·2023
Same journal

Friction-Mediated Transfer of Low Molecular Weight Chemicals from Consumer Mats to Fabrics: Insights for Dermal Exposure.

Environmental science & technology·2026
Same journal

Molecular Drivers of Contrasting Photoreactivity in Extracellular versus Intracellular Organic Matter from Chlorophyta and Cyanobacteria.

Environmental science & technology·2026
Same journal

Effective Precipitate Cleaning with a Reversible Flow Cell Sustains Stable Energy Intensity for Oceanic CO<sub>2</sub> Removal.

Environmental science & technology·2026
Same journal

The Efficiencies and Products of Dilute Methane Oxidation in a Chlorine Radical Photoreactor.

Environmental science & technology·2026
Same journal

Investigating Ultrafine Aerosol Turbulent Fluxes during Atmospheric New Particle Formation Events.

Environmental science & technology·2026
Same journal

Occurrence, Sources, and Export Rates of Ti-Bearing and Ce-Bearing (Nano)particles in the Seine River Where Engineered Nanoparticles Reach Natural Background Levels.

Environmental science & technology·2026
See all related articles

Related Experiment Video

Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture
13:38

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture

Published on: May 10, 2013

31.5K

Biodegradability of Plastics: Challenges and Misconceptions.

Stephan Kubowicz1, Andy M Booth2

  • 1SINTEF Materials and Chemistry, Oslo, 0314, Norway.

Environmental Science & Technology
|October 13, 2017
PubMed
Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Plastic materials, like polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP), persist for centuries due to stabilizers. Their slow fragmentation creates persistent microplastics, posing environmental risks to organisms.

More Related Videos

Aerobic Biodegradation Testing of Materials Using a Natural Marine Seawater Inoculum and Closed Loop Respirometer
08:43

Aerobic Biodegradation Testing of Materials Using a Natural Marine Seawater Inoculum and Closed Loop Respirometer

Published on: October 24, 2025

460
Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste
08:14

Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste

Published on: July 18, 2025

1.4K

Related Experiment Videos

Last Updated: Feb 21, 2026

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture
13:38

Isolation of Native Soil Microorganisms with Potential for Breaking Down Biodegradable Plastic Mulch Films Used in Agriculture

Published on: May 10, 2013

31.5K
Aerobic Biodegradation Testing of Materials Using a Natural Marine Seawater Inoculum and Closed Loop Respirometer
08:43

Aerobic Biodegradation Testing of Materials Using a Natural Marine Seawater Inoculum and Closed Loop Respirometer

Published on: October 24, 2025

460
Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste
08:14

Scalable Step-by-Step Approach of Sustainable Bioplastic Production from Food Waste

Published on: July 18, 2025

1.4K

Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Materials Science
  • Polymer Chemistry

Background:

  • Plastics are durable, widely used materials designed for longevity.
  • Stabilizers enhance plastic durability but contribute to environmental persistence.
  • Key plastics include polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the environmental persistence and degradation pathways of common plastics.
  • To highlight the challenges posed by plastic inertness and durability in the environment.

Main Methods:

  • Review of degradation processes including photo-, physical, and biological fragmentation.
  • Analysis of the fragmentation of plastics into microplastic particles.

Main Results:

  • Common plastics exhibit extreme environmental persistence, degrading over centuries.
  • Fragmentation into microplastics is an unavoidable stage of plastic degradation.
  • Microplastics are persistent environmental pollutants.

Conclusions:

  • The inherent properties of plastics, while beneficial for பயன்பாடு, lead to long-term environmental contamination.
  • Plastic fragmentation results in persistent microplastics, a significant environmental concern.
  • Understanding plastic degradation is crucial for mitigating ecological harm.