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Latex balloons do not degrade uniformly in freshwater, marine and composting environments
Citation
Gilmour, ME and Lavers, JL, Latex balloons do not degrade uniformly in freshwater, marine and composting environments, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 403 Article 123629. ISSN 0304-3894 (2020) [Refereed Article]
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Copyright Statement
Copyright 2020 Elsevier
DOI: doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2020.123629
Abstract
Latex balloons are a poorly-studied aspect of anthropogenic pollution that affects wildlife survival, aesthetic value of waterways, and may adsorb and leach chemicals. Pure latex needs to be vulcanised with sulphur and requires many additional compounds to manufacture high quality balloons. Yet, balloons are often marketed as "biodegradable", which is confusing to consumers. Due to the persistence of latex balloons in the environment and the lethal, documented threat to wildlife, degradation behaviours of latex balloons were quantified in freshwater, saltwater and industrial compost. Using the metrics mass change, ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and superficial composition via attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), latex balloon degradation was documented for 16 weeks. Overall, latex balloons retained their original shape and size. Composted balloons lost 1-2% mass, but some balloons in freshwater gained mass, likely due to osmotic processes. Balloons’ UTS decreased from 30.7 ± 10.8 to 9.5 ± 4.1 Newtons in water, but remained constant (34.3 ± 13.4 N) in compost. ATR-FTIR spectra illustrated compositional and temporal differences between treatments. Taken together, latex balloons did not meaningfully degrade in freshwater, saltwater, or compost indicating that when released into the environment, they will continue to contribute to anthropogenic litter and pose a threat to wildlife that ingest them.
Item Details
| Item Type: | Refereed Article |
|---|---|
| Keywords: | marine debris, plastic pollution, balloon waste, industrial compost, degradation |
| Research Division: | Biological Sciences |
| Research Group: | Ecology |
| Research Field: | Marine and estuarine ecology (incl. marine ichthyology) |
| Objective Division: | Environmental Management |
| Objective Group: | Terrestrial systems and management |
| Objective Field: | Assessment and management of terrestrial ecosystems |
| UTAS Author: | Gilmour, ME (Dr Morgan Gilmour) |
| UTAS Author: | Lavers, JL (Dr Jennifer Lavers) |
| ID Code: | 140421 |
| Year Published: | 2020 |
| Deposited By: | Ecology and Biodiversity |
| Deposited On: | 2020-08-17 |
| Last Modified: | 2021-02-10 |
| Downloads: | 13 View Download Statistics |
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