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An IoT Based Low-Cost Optical System for Early Detection of Microplastics in Water Sources
Summary
Scientists have developed a low-cost system that can detect tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in drinking water using simple light sensors and internet technology. This matters because microplastics are found in tap water worldwide and may pose health risks when we drink them, but current detection methods are too expensive for regular monitoring. The new system could make it easier and cheaper to check water quality continuously, helping protect people from plastic pollution in their drinking water.
Microplastics pollution has been recognized as an issue of concern for the environment with implications for freshwater and marine ecosystems at the global level. Conventional techniques for microplastics detection, such as Raman spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and electron microscopy, enable accurate detection of microplastics in water. However, these techniques require sophisticated laboratory facilities and expert technical support. These limitations hinder the continuous monitoring of the environment and detection of microplastics in water. This paper proposes an Internet of Things (IoT)-based microplastics detection in water using an optical sensing technique. The proposed system comprises ultraviolet and blue light-emitting diodes, silicon photodiodes, and an ESP32 microcontroller for detecting changes in the scattering of light caused by microplastics in water. Instead of conducting an experiment, this paper examines the feasibility of microplastics detection in water using experimental results obtained in previous literature. Comparative analysis of experimental results of various studies on the intensity-concentration relationships of microplastics in water indicates an attenuation trend in the intensity of light with an increase in microplastics concentration.