Scientists achieve more than 98% efficiency removing nanoplastics from water
Researchers at the University of Missouri developed a natural solvent solution that removes over 98% of nanoplastics from water, showing effectiveness in various environments and potential for larger applications.
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Researchers at the University of Missouri have developed a liquid-based solution that effectively removes over 98% of nanoplastics from water, addressing a significant environmental and health concern. Nanoplastics, which are smaller than human hair and linked to various health issues, accumulate in water bodies and can disrupt ecosystems. The innovative method utilizes a small amount of designer solvent made from natural ingredients to absorb these microscopic plastic particles. Once mixed with water, the solvent separates and floats to the surface, carrying the nanoplastics with it, allowing for easy removal and leaving clean water behind. The study, led by recent alumna Piyuni Ishtaweera and professor Gary Baker, demonstrated effectiveness in both fresh and saltwater environments. Future research aims to scale the process for larger bodies of water and explore solvent recycling to enhance sustainability. The findings, published in ACS Applied Engineering Materials, indicate a promising step towards advanced water purification technologies and informed environmental policies.
- University of Missouri scientists have created a solution that removes over 98% of nanoplastics from water.
- The method uses a designer solvent made from natural ingredients to absorb and separate nanoplastics.
- The technique is effective in both fresh and saltwater, with potential applications for larger water bodies.
- Future research will focus on scaling the process and recycling the solvents for sustainability.
- The study highlights the importance of addressing nanoplastic pollution for environmental and human health.
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9 commentsInterestingly, there were three chemical systems that worked:
> 1:2 tetrabutylammonium bromide ([N4444]Br):decanoic acid
> 1:2 tetraoctylammonium bromide ([N8888]Br):decanoic acid
> 1:1 thymol:menthol
Unfortunately, none of them are great, and this method is going to be quite limited unless better chemical agents are found. Treating even 0.05% of the ocean's surface water with tetrabutylammonium bromide would require a vast fraction of the world's annual bromine production. It would possibly even call for quantities of bromine that exceed the world's current supply. Besides, bromine leakage could be just as bad -- or worse -- than microplastic contamination, as bromine is biologically active in an obvious and straightforward way, whereas the biological effects of microplastics are still a matter of some debate.
And of course there's not nearly enough thymol or menthol...
So this is interesting for bottled water companies, but not (yet) as an environmental remediation method.
I am finding bread products are often wrapped in two layers of plastic.
That can't be good.
I don't understand. The thing they are made from apparently takes hundreds of millions of years to degrade!
I must be missing something important.
https://www.sweetsteep.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/starbu...
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