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Water-reducers, or plasticizers, are chemical admixtures used in concrete to improve strength and workability. These additives reduce the water-cement ratio without compromising workability, lower the cement content while maintaining the same workability, or increase workability to assist concrete placement in inaccessible areas.
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A material's elastic behavior is characterized by the disappearance of stress once the load is removed, allowing the material to return to its original state. However, when stress surpasses the yield point, yielding commences, marking the onset of plastic deformation or permanent set. This change from elastic to plastic behavior is influenced by the peak stress value and the duration before the load is removed. An intriguing observation occurs when a specimen is loaded, unloaded, and...
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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...
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Extraction of Organochlorine Pesticides from Plastic Pellets and Plastic Type Analysis
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The global threat from plastic pollution.

Matthew MacLeod1, Hans Peter H Arp2,3, Mine B Tekman4

  • 1Department of Environmental Science, Stockholm University, SE-106 91 Stockholm, Sweden. matthew.macleod@aces.su.se hans.peter.arp@ngi.no mine.banu.tekman@awi.de annika.jahnke@ufz.de.

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Summary
This summary is machine-generated.

Plastic pollution is poorly reversible, causing irreversible environmental and societal harm. Reducing virgin plastic consumption and improving waste management are crucial global strategies.

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Ecotoxicology
  • Environmental Remediation

Background:

  • Plastic pollution poses a significant environmental challenge due to its persistence.
  • Accumulated plastic in ecosystems is often 'poorly reversible,' meaning natural degradation is slow and remediation is difficult.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To define 'poorly reversible' plastic pollution.
  • To outline the potential environmental and societal impacts of such pollution.
  • To propose rational strategies for addressing this global threat.

Main Methods:

  • Conceptual analysis of plastic persistence and reversibility in environmental contexts.
  • Identification of potential ecological and societal consequences.
  • Formulation of response strategies based on pollution characteristics.

Main Results:

  • Plastic pollution is deemed 'poorly reversible' when natural mineralization is slow and engineered solutions are improbable.
  • Such pollution can lead to irreversible negative outcomes, including altered biogeochemical cycles, habitat degradation, ecotoxicity, and impacts on keystone species.
  • Societal impacts are also a significant concern.

Conclusions:

  • The accumulation of poorly reversible plastic pollution presents a severe, practically irreversible threat.
  • Urgent global action is required, focusing on reducing virgin plastic consumption.
  • Internationally coordinated waste management strategies are essential for mitigation.