We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Preliminary investigation on effects of size, polymer type, and surface behaviour on the vertical mobility of microplastics in a porous media
Summary
Laboratory sand column experiments investigated how microplastic size, polymer type, and surface chemistry influence retention and transport behavior in subsurface environments. Results showed that smaller particles and those with surface modifications traveled farther, informing predictions of microplastic migration in soils and groundwater.
Due to the ubiquitous nature of microplastic (MP), knowledge of its fate and migration in subsurface environments like soil becomes extremely important to understand underlying ecological risk. The fate and migration of MP in subterranean settings like sand are governed by the retention/transport properties influenced by the interaction of sand and MPs. In this study, sand column experiments under simulated rainfall conditions were conducted for 180 days to assess the vertical migration of mixed MPs consisting of polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Sand column experiments were subjected to 60 wet-dry cycles over 180 days. The effects of polymer type, microplastic size, sand particle size, and surface roughness on the migration of MPs were evaluated. Results showed that the smallest-sized fragmented PE particles had the highest migration potential compared to PET and PE. The ratios of the diameters of MP particles and sand particles (d/d) played a significant role in determining the penetration depth of the various sizes of MPs. The MP particles with d/d 0.11 showed greater penetration depth in sand media and were detected in the column effluent water after 60 days of a column run. In addition, surface roughness, low ionic strength water, irregularly shaped particles, and wet and dry cycles contributed to the migration of MPs in the sand column. Three new absorbance peaks corresponding to the hydroxyl, CO stretch, and carbonyl groups evolved in the extracted PE MPs sample from different depths, as shown by FTIR analysis, suggesting that PE MPs had been oxidised. XPS analysis revealed changes in the surface properties of the MPs, indicating that oxidation occurred at the top layer, causing structural deterioration of the PE MPs. However, oxidation of the surface bonds was restricted in the layers underneath due to a lack of oxygen. The finding of the study suggests that in a natural environment, such accumulation and migration of MPs in sandy soil can increase the possibilities to the underlying groundwater contamination.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
An insight into laboratory column experiments for microplastic transport in soil
This review synthesizes findings from laboratory column experiments on microplastic transport through soil, examining how particle size, shape, surface chemistry, and soil properties influence how far plastics migrate in the subsurface.
Transport of different microplastics in porous media: Effect of the adhesion of surfactants on microplastics
Researchers investigated how surfactant adhesion on different microplastic surfaces affects their transport through porous media, finding that surfactant interactions vary with microplastic type and significantly alter their mobility in subsurface environments.
Behaviour and transport of microplastics under saturated flow conditions in sediments and soils
Researchers investigated the behaviour and transport of microplastics under saturated flow conditions in sediments and soils, examining how particle properties influence movement through porous media. The study aimed to improve understanding of subsurface microplastic fate and transport relevant to both soil and groundwater contamination.
Microplastics/nanoplastics in porous media: Key factors controlling their transport and retention behaviors
This review examines what controls how microplastics and nanoplastics move through soil and other porous materials like sand and sediment. Factors like particle size, shape, surface charge, water flow speed, and the presence of other pollutants all influence whether plastics stay in place or travel deeper into groundwater. Understanding these transport behaviors is important for assessing the risk of microplastics contaminating underground drinking water sources.
Morphology-dependent degradation and fragmentation of PVC microplastic particles influence their transport in saturated quartz sand columns
This study examined how the shape and surface characteristics of PVC microplastic particles change over time during degradation and how these changes affect their transport in sand columns. More degraded particles with rougher surfaces were retained more strongly in the sand. The findings show that microplastic weathering state affects environmental mobility, which matters for predicting how long-buried plastic particles move through soil to groundwater.