Innovative Sensor Development for Detecting Low-Micrometer Plastics in Freshwater Systems
Dark field microscope image, microplastics
Plastic pollution is a significant global issue in aquatic ecosystems, with low-micrometer plastics (LMMPs) posing particular risks owing to their small size and prevalence in various environments. The U.S. Geological Survey and collaborators are developing an innovative sensor to detect and analyze LMMPs in freshwater systems, achieving rapid and accurate results without the need for additional processing.
Plastic pollution has emerged as a critical global challenge within aquatic ecosystems, with vast quantities of plastic waste entering these environments annually. The degradation of larger plastic items results in the creation of microplastics, which pose environmental and health risks owing to their pervasive nature and potential toxicity. Low-micrometer plastics (LMMPs) refer to a subset of microplastics that range in size from 1 to 10 micrometers. These tiny particles are especially concerning because they can be found in a range of environmental settings, including treated drinking water. LMMPs can originate from the breakdown of larger plastic materials or be produced intentionally for use in products, such as cosmetics or industrial applications. Because of their small size, detection of low-micrometer plastics can be challenging, complicating efforts to understand their full effect on ecosystems and human health.
U.S. Geological Survey researchers are working on innovative methods and sensors to detect LMMPs in freshwater ecosystems. In partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a team of scientists have developed a new type of sensor that combines membrane filtration with a special technique called surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) to detect LMMPs by coating a polymer membrane with a thin layer of gold. This novel sensor allows analysis of the shape and chemical makeup of LMMPs directly in the water, which is quicker than traditional methods owing to less pre- and post-sample processing. When applied to lake water samples, this membrane sensor achieved a detection limit of 1 microgram per liter and an ultrafast scanning time of 0.01 second for individual LMMPs.
Usual microplastics methods focus on large particles sizes (greater than 10 micrometers), but this method development work is a step forward in characterizing the environmental distribution of smaller plastic particles and gaining insight on wildlife and human health risk. There are still important gaps in our understanding of how smaller microplastics interact with other chemical pollutants and how they affect human and animal health. To address these issues, we need reliable and standardized methods to study low-micrometer and nanoplastics in the environment. Current work was tested on lake water samples and will be expanded to other matrices to develop quantitative assessments of these smaller plastic particles in natural systems.
This study was supported by the U.S. Geological Survey Ecosystems Mission Area, through the Environmental Health Program (Contaminant Biology and Toxic Substances Hydrology), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Wisconsin Sea Grant.
Plastic pollution is a significant global issue in aquatic ecosystems, with low-micrometer plastics (LMMPs) posing particular risks owing to their small size and prevalence in various environments. The U.S. Geological Survey and collaborators are developing an innovative sensor to detect and analyze LMMPs in freshwater systems, achieving rapid and accurate results without the need for additional processing.
Plastic pollution has emerged as a critical global challenge within aquatic ecosystems, with vast quantities of plastic waste entering these environments annually. The degradation of larger plastic items results in the creation of microplastics, which pose environmental and health risks owing to their pervasive nature and potential toxicity. Low-micrometer plastics (LMMPs) refer to a subset of microplastics that range in size from 1 to 10 micrometers. These tiny particles are especially concerning because they can be found in a range of environmental settings, including treated drinking water. LMMPs can originate from the breakdown of larger plastic materials or be produced intentionally for use in products, such as cosmetics or industrial applications. Because of their small size, detection of low-micrometer plastics can be challenging, complicating efforts to understand their full effect on ecosystems and human health.
U.S. Geological Survey researchers are working on innovative methods and sensors to detect LMMPs in freshwater ecosystems. In partnership with the University of Wisconsin-Madison, a team of scientists have developed a new type of sensor that combines membrane filtration with a special technique called surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) to detect LMMPs by coating a polymer membrane with a thin layer of gold. This novel sensor allows analysis of the shape and chemical makeup of LMMPs directly in the water, which is quicker than traditional methods owing to less pre- and post-sample processing. When applied to lake water samples, this membrane sensor achieved a detection limit of 1 microgram per liter and an ultrafast scanning time of 0.01 second for individual LMMPs.
Usual microplastics methods focus on large particles sizes (greater than 10 micrometers), but this method development work is a step forward in characterizing the environmental distribution of smaller plastic particles and gaining insight on wildlife and human health risk. There are still important gaps in our understanding of how smaller microplastics interact with other chemical pollutants and how they affect human and animal health. To address these issues, we need reliable and standardized methods to study low-micrometer and nanoplastics in the environment. Current work was tested on lake water samples and will be expanded to other matrices to develop quantitative assessments of these smaller plastic particles in natural systems.
This study was supported by the U.S. Geological Survey Ecosystems Mission Area, through the Environmental Health Program (Contaminant Biology and Toxic Substances Hydrology), National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, and Wisconsin Sea Grant.