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Determining the Impact of Surfactant Type, Concentration, and Solubility on Microplastic Aggregation
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Undergraduate researchers tested the surfactant Tween 80 and Span 80 at varying concentrations to aggregate and recover microplastics from water samples, exploring how surfactant type and preparation methodology affect recovery efficiency. This novel aggregation methodology could improve detection and quantification of microplastics in water, which is critical for understanding exposure levels in drinking water and aquatic ecosystems.
Microplastics are defined as either synthetic solid particles or polymers smaller than five millimeters. These particles are insoluble in water, which allows them to accumulate in water sources. Their size allows them to be ingested by wildlife such as fish and other food sources that leads to bioaccumulation up the food chain. Additionally, microplastics can act as vectors to heavy metals, increasing the concentration of these toxins in those exposed. A novel methodology for aggregating and analyzing microplastics within water samples was developed by University of Arkansas - Fort Smith undergraduate researchers. This project focuses on expanding the understanding of the concentration effect of surfactant (Tween 80 or Span 80) and methodology of surfactant solution preparation on microplastic recovery. A standardized mixture of the most common commercially used plastics has been purchased for this project. Varying concentrations of surfactant (0.1, 0.5, and 1 v/v%) and surfactant solution preparation methodology were tested to determine the outcome on sample aggregation.
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Determining the Impact of a Flocculant or Surfactant on Microplastic Recovery
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Preliminary investigation found that common flocculants and surfactants like aluminum sulfate and Tween 80 affect the recovery rate of microplastics from water samples during separation protocols. Understanding how these chemical treatments interact with microplastics is important for developing effective water treatment strategies to remove these particles from drinking water supplies.
Effect of Tween 20 and linear alkylbenzene sulfonate on microplastic coagulation
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Common soaps and detergents (surfactants) can actually make it harder to filter tiny plastic particles out of water using standard treatment methods, according to this lab study. When these chemicals coat microplastics, they either create a protective barrier or a repellent charge that keeps the plastic bits from clumping together and settling out during water treatment. This matters because if water treatment plants aren't accounting for everyday soaps and detergents in wastewater, we may be less effective at removing microplastics before water reaches consumers, meaning more plastic particles could end up in our drinking water.
Mechanistic Study on Surfactant Enhanced Microbubble Flotation for the Removal of Microplastics in Wastewater
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Researchers developed and tested a microbubble flotation system enhanced with surfactants that achieved high removal efficiency of microplastics from wastewater by exploiting differences in particle surface hydrophobicity and bubble attachment. Because conventional wastewater treatment plants allow significant quantities of microplastics to pass through into receiving waterways, innovative physical separation methods like microbubble flotation are critical for reducing the volume entering aquatic environments and, ultimately, the food supply.
Microplastics—A Review of Sources, Separation, Analysis and Removal Strategies
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A comprehensive review of microplastic sources, analytical separation techniques, and removal strategies found that plastics enter both aquatic and terrestrial environments through diverse pathways, with no single removal approach currently capable of addressing the full scope of contamination. Developing integrated detection-to-removal pipelines is essential for reducing the environmental load and limiting ongoing human and wildlife exposure.
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