We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Profile and Different Approaches for Size Characterization of Microplastics in Drinking Water from the Lisbon Water Supply System
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers characterized microplastic particles in drinking water from the Lisbon water supply system and compared two methods for measuring particle size. They found an average of 196 microplastic particles per liter, with polyethylene accounting for over 77% of the identified polymers. The study demonstrates that different size measurement approaches can yield significantly different results, highlighting the need for standardized methods in drinking water microplastic analysis.
Microplastics (MPs) contribute to the overall pollution of water sources, affecting not only aquatic ecosystems but also water for human consumption (WHC). Currently, there needs to be a global consensus on safe levels of microplastics in WHC, which will allow regulatory efforts and risk assessments to be carried out. Therefore, this study aims to characterize MP particles in WHC of the Lisbon water supply system (LWSS) and compare two approaches to quantify these particles (length and width of the particles, and the area equivalent diameter (AED) of the particles). The quantification of MP particles was made via micro-FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy) on transmission mode after water filtration on 5 µm silicon filters. Thirty-eight WHC samples from the LWSS showed MPs up to 836 MPs/L, with an average value of 196 MPs/L. The most representative polymer was polyethylene (PE, 77.2%). The other eight polymers were also quantified. The length and width of MPs ranged between 84 µm and 41 µm, respectively. The AED of MPs ranged between 24 µm and 405 µm. The MP dimensions of both approaches can differ significantly.
More Papers Like This
Validation of an FT-IR microscopy method for the monitorization of microplastics in water for human consumption in Portugal: Lisbon case study
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers validated a method using infrared microscopy to monitor microplastics in drinking water and applied it to 60 tap water samples from Lisbon, Portugal. They detected microplastics in most samples, with an average of 309 particles per liter, predominantly polyethylene fragments averaging 76 micrometers in length. The study provides one of the first standardized approaches for routine microplastic monitoring in public water supplies, an important step for assessing human exposure.
Microplastics in drinking water: A review on methods, occurrence, sources, and potential risks assessment
AI summary Read the abstract
This systematic review found that microplastics are widespread in drinking water worldwide, with most particles smaller than 10 micrometers and composed of polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene. Standardized sampling and analysis methods are urgently needed, as large variations in reported concentrations make it difficult to accurately assess health risks from drinking water exposure.
Drinking plastics? – Quantification and qualification of microplastics in drinking water distribution systems by µFTIR and Py-GCMS
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers used two advanced analytical methods to measure microplastics in drinking water distribution systems in Denmark. They found low but measurable concentrations of microplastic particles, primarily polyethylene and polyester, and emphasize the importance of using rigorous, standardized methods to produce reliable data on microplastic levels in tap water.
Occurrence and size distribution study of microplastics in household water from different cities in continental Spain and the Canary Islands
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers sampled tap water from 24 locations across mainland Spain and the Canary Islands to measure microplastic contamination in household drinking water. They found an average of about 12.5 microplastic particles per cubic meter of tap water, with synthetic fibers being the most common type detected. The study provides one of the first standardized comparisons of drinking water microplastic levels across multiple cities within a single country.
A Systematic Review of Microplastic Detection in Water
AI summary Read the abstract
This systematic review summarizes current methods for detecting microplastics in water sources. The research highlights significant challenges in accurately measuring these tiny plastic particles, with different techniques yielding very different results. Better detection methods are essential for understanding how much microplastic is present in the water people drink and use daily.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.