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An IoT Based Low-Cost Optical System for Early Detection of Microplastics in Water Sources
Summary
Researchers developed a low-cost device that can detect tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in drinking water using simple LED lights and sensors, which could make testing much cheaper and easier than current lab methods. This matters because microplastics are found in water supplies worldwide and may pose health risks, but expensive testing equipment has made it hard to monitor water quality regularly. The study shows this simpler technology could work, potentially helping communities better track plastic pollution in their water sources.
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.