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Investigating Particle Composition and Aquatic Chemistry Impacts on Microplastic Aggregation Behavior Through the Use of Nanopolymer-Nanoparticle Composites
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This study used metal-tagged nano-polymer particles to investigate how particle composition and aquatic chemistry (pH, ionic strength) affect microplastic aggregation and transport in water. Different minerals in the water column influenced whether microplastics stayed dispersed or clumped together. The findings improve predictions of microplastic behavior and fate in natural water environments.
The growing increase of plastic pollution has resulted in growing concern within the environmental toxicology field. Microplastics, small, broken-down pieces of plastic waste, have unique properties that influences their transport and behavior. This study will implement the use of metal-based microplastic tracers to better understand microplastic transport. Different particle composition (sand, iron oxide, and clay) and aquatic chemistries will be tested to study their possible effects on microplastic aggregation. Single particle inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (spICP-MS) will be used to measure the concentration of microplastic tracers with time. It is expected that as microplastic concentration decreases over time, this is evidence of microplastic aggregation. Results will be compared, to see how particle mineralogy or aquatic chemistry has any influence on microplastic aggregation.
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