Identification and quantification of photodegradation products of disposed expanded polystyrene buoy used in aquaculture.

This study investigated the chemicals extracted from an EPS buoy used in aquaculture, which were subsequently collected from a recycling center. It was observed that the chemicals generated upon photodegradation make disposed buoys more toxic. Analysis of the extracted chemicals revealed the presence of 37 compounds, with four compounds quantitatively determined. Further analysis showed that the quantity of compounds dissolved in seawater was significantly higher than the amount remaining on the buoy surface. Based on the assumption that the buoy was exposed to sunlight for a year, it was estimated that 14.44 mg of the four compounds dissolved into the ocean. Given that South Korea used over 7 million EPS buoys, photodegraded EPS buoys are expected to represent a significant source of potentially hazardous chemicals. [Display omitted] • Photodegradation increased cytotoxicity of extracts from marine EPS buoy. • Compounds in buoy extracts were identified with high resolution MS. • Total production was estimated from chemicals on the buoy surface. • Well over 10 mg of chemicals generated from a buoy per year. • Photodegraded compounds from marine EPS buoy pose a potential environmental threat. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]