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Detecting and Quantifying Microplastics in Drinking Reservoirs
Summary
This study reviewed and evaluated methods for detecting and quantifying microplastics in drinking water reservoirs, highlighting the urgent need for standardized analytical approaches to accurately assess human exposure to microplastic contamination.
Microplastic abundance in the environment is a relatively new global concern. Microplastics are small plastic particles 5 mm (about 0.2 in) in diameter or smaller and can be found in various environmental systems, such as air, water, and soil. There is very little research concerning microplastics, so the need for a solution is of utmost importance regarding the health of humans and animals as well as sustainability. Before the microplastic problem can be tackled, a standard method for detection and quantification needs to be implemented. A proposed solution for detecting and quantifying microplastics consists of utilizing nanobubble enrichment and olive oil capturing. The addition of nanobubbles in a solution containing microplastics will cause the hydrophobic microplastics to sorb, or attach, onto the nanobubbles. Then, aeration can be used to concentrate microplastics into a thin layer of olive oil, which will entrain all the microplastics in solution. Utilizing these two components will yield greater efficiency, not only for detecting and quantifying microplastics, but also for removing them from environmental systems.