We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics in groundwater: evaluation of sampling methods
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers evaluated three groundwater sampling methods — peristaltic pump, bladder pump, and stainless-steel bailer — for their potential to introduce microplastic contamination into samples, using laboratory controls with MP-free deionized water and 63 micron sieve concentration to assess each technique's suitability for standardized aquifer monitoring.
There is no standardized methodology for sampling microplastics (MPs) in aquifers, highlighting the need for research to develop procedures that ensure the collection of representative samples free from interference. This study evaluated groundwater sampling techniques (peristaltic pump, bladder pump, and stainless-steel bailer) and their influences on sample contamination by MPs. Laboratory equipment controls were conducted, involving the passage of MP-free deionized water through the equipments, followed by concentration with a stainless-steel sieve (63 μm mesh) and filtration on mixed cellulose ester membrane filters. The particles were analyzed under a stereomicroscope for morphological characterization (size, shape, and color). MPs were detected in all controls, with peristaltic pumps exhibiting the highest count (40 MPs), followed by bladder pumps (25 MPs) and stainless-steel bailers (23 MPs), with fibers in transparent and blue colors. The higher presence of MPs in peristaltic and bladder pumps is possibly due to plastic materials in their composition, while MPs in the stainless-steel bailer suggest that previous equipment cleanliness is crucial. The bailer was chosen for groundwater sampling from the Bauru Aquifer System, São Paulo, Brazil. Five liters of groundwater were sampled along with field controls. A significant number of MPs were detected in the groundwater, consisting of fibers (transparent, blue, black, and red), and blue fragments. In the controls, the quantities were significant relative to the total observed in the groundwater sample. However, the field control simulated the time that the sieve remained exposed to the atmosphere during sampling, making it impossible to quantify the MPs resulting from atmospheric deposition. Therefore, equipment cleaning and atmospheric particle deposition are crucial aspects of MPs sampling in groundwater as they greatly influence sample contamination. Further studies are needed to establish a standard for sampling MPs in groundwater, allowing for interference-free samples and representative collection at flow rates suitable for these analyses. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/559055/document
More Papers Like This
Microplastics in groundwater: evaluation of sampling methods
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers evaluated three groundwater sampling techniques — peristaltic pump, bladder pump, and stainless-steel bailer — for their potential to contaminate samples with microplastics, conducting laboratory controls by passing MP-free deionized water through each device and filtering through 63 micron stainless-steel sieves to assess method-specific contamination.
Microplastics in Groundwater: Pathways, Occurrence, and Monitoring Challenges
AI summary Read the abstract
This review provides a comprehensive look at how microplastics make their way into groundwater from surface water, seawater, and soil, and examines the challenges researchers face in detecting and monitoring them. The study found that a lack of standardized sampling and analysis methods makes it difficult to compare findings across different studies. Researchers emphasize the importance of understanding local geological conditions and preventing sample contamination to improve the reliability of groundwater microplastic monitoring.
Microplastics in groundwater: a global analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted a global groundwater sampling study to characterize microplastic contamination in aquifer systems worldwide, investigating transport mechanisms and fate of particles in anoxic subsurface environments where knowledge gaps remain despite extensive research on surface water systems.
Microplastic pollution in groundwater: a systematic review
AI summary Read the abstract
This systematic review reveals that microplastics have been found in groundwater sources worldwide, raising concerns about drinking water safety. Detection methods and reported contamination levels vary widely, highlighting the need for standardized testing to fully understand the scope of the problem.
Practiced strategies for groundwater management against microplastic pollution: learning from experience
AI summary Read the abstract
Tiny plastic bits from everyday waste can break down small enough to seep through soil and reach the groundwater we rely on for drinking water, and this review of 123 studies found that scientists still lack standardized methods to detect and measure this contamination consistently. While using microbes to break down these plastics shows promise as an affordable cleanup solution, the researchers say the real priority should be stopping plastic pollution at the source before it ever reaches underground water supplies, since current policies and cleanup technologies aren't yet strong enough to solve the problem after the fact.
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.