최선희 (한국기초과학지원연구원)

조건 (한국기초과학지원연구원)

최선희 (한국기초과학지원연구원)

조건 (한국기초과학지원연구원)

Plastiglomerates, a significant contributor to environmental pollution caused by plastic, are predominantly found along coastal regions. These materials, composed of natural elements like sand, stones, and shells agglutinated by melted plastic, are directly linked to microplastic pollution and ecosystem disturbances. Taking this into consideration, many researchers are focusing on identifying the causative agent of plastiglomerate. Hence, this study aims to identify the causative agents of plastiglomerates and assess their chemical composition using gas chromatography/high-resolution mass spectrometry (GC/HRMS). Samples were collected from various coastal locations and analyzed without pretreatment using a Pyrolyzer. The resulting complex chemicals were identified through library searches, such as NIST and Wiley, achieving high accuracy (similarity 800). While most plastic-associated chemicals were detected, variations were observed depending on the sample characteristics. Statistical analysis revealed both common and distinct chemical patterns among plastiglomerates, suggesting that the origin and degree of deformation of these samples can be determined by analyzing and comparing the detected organic chemicals. This research provides insights into the chemical nature of plastiglomerates and their impact on the environment