We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Fate and Transport of Microplastics from Water Sources
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analysed microplastics in surface water, groundwater, and bottled drinking water near Chennai, India, detecting 66 particles of fibrous and fragmented shapes across all sample types. SEM-EDX analysis confirmed the presence of heavy metals including chromium, titanium, and barium adhered to microplastic surfaces, while FTIR identified polyethylene terephthalate and polyamide as the dominant polymer types.
Microplastics as environmental pollutants affect surface water and groundwater. Surface water, groundwater and branded drinking water bottles were analysed in and around Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. The total count of microplastics was found to be 66 particles with fibrous and fragmented shape, colours such as white, blue, green, yellow, pink and black under optical microscope. SEM-EDX-used to study morphology and elemental analysis of microplastics confirmed the presence of heavy metals such as Cr, Ti, Mo, Ba and Ru adhered to their surface. Polyethylene terephthalate and polyamide were confirmed by the presence of functional groups of the polymers by FTIR equipped with attenuated total reflectance.
More Papers Like This
Microplastics monitoring in different environments: separation, physicochemical characterization, and quantification
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers systematically monitored microplastic contamination across multiple environments including a wastewater treatment plant, surrounding water bodies, and soils near plastic factories, characterizing shape, size, color, and polymer composition via microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. They found fragments and fibers to be the most common microplastic shapes in water environments and documented simultaneous contamination across all sampled matrices.
Hazardous microplastic characteristics and its role as a vector of heavy metal in groundwater and surface water of coastal south India
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers conducted the first baseline study of microplastics in groundwater and surface water along coastal south India and tested how different plastic polymers absorb heavy metals. They found microplastics at concentrations up to 19.9 particles per liter, with polypropylene showing the highest capacity to adsorb toxic metals like cadmium and manganese. The findings suggest microplastics may act as significant carriers of heavy metals through water systems, raising concerns about contamination of drinking water sources.
Detection of Microplastics in Commercial Beverages: A Comprehensive Study in Bangladesh Using μ‐FTIR Spectroscopy
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers detected microplastics in all four categories of commercially sold beverages in Bangladesh — mineral water, soft drinks, fruit juices, and hot teas — with hot tea in disposable cups showing the highest contamination, and µ-FTIR confirming polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene as the dominant polymer types.
Distribution and transport of microplastics in groundwater (Shiraz aquifer, southwest Iran)
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers investigated microplastic contamination in groundwater from an alluvial aquifer in a semi-arid region of Iran. They identified microplastics in all sampled wells, with fibers and fragments being the most common shapes and polyethylene the dominant polymer type. The study demonstrates that groundwater, an important source of drinking water, is not immune to microplastic contamination and calls for more research on transport mechanisms in subsurface environments.
Human health risk perspective study on characterization, quantification and spatial distribution of microplastics in surface water, groundwater and coastal sediments of thickly populated Chennai coast of South India
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers characterized microplastics in surface water, groundwater, and coastal sediments along Chennai's densely populated coast in South India, finding widespread contamination with fibers as the dominant shape and identifying urban proximity as a key factor in microplastic abundance.
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.