Scientists at UMass Amherst and Ocean University of China have developed a revolutionary tool that can accurately measure and analyze nanoplastics, aiding in understanding their impact on the environment and human health.
A team of international scientists led by the University of Massachusetts Amherst has unveiled a novel tool capable of measuring and analyzing nanoplastics. These tiny particles, smaller than one micrometer, pose significant environmental and health risks, which until now, have been difficult to quantify and understand.
The new tool, detailed in a study published in Nature Water, is known as the OM-SERS setup. This innovative approach employs a combination of lasers, gold nanoparticles and water to detect and analyze nanoplastics in various samples, including water, soils and even biological tissues.
“Because nanoplastics are so tiny, they have a much higher overall surface area and functional groups than microplastics, which means more of them can concentrate in water, soil and body tissues,” co-senior author Baoshan Xing, a University Distinguished Professor of Environmental and Soil Chemistry at UMass Amherst’s Stockbridge School of Agriculture, said in a news release. “They travel more easily and can wind up in more places in the environment and in our bodies. And once in those places, they are more reactive and the chemicals and additives in them can more easily leach out into their surroundings.”
Understanding the Unknown Threat
Microplastics have been found in everything from the depths of the oceans to the highest mountain peaks and within the human body. Due to their minute size, each microplastic particle can potentially break down into up to 1 quadrillion nanoplastic particles, meaning these tiny threats are pervasive in our environment.
Scientists believe that understanding the concentration and composition of nanoplastics is crucial for assessing their impact.
Xing, alongside co-senior authors Jian Zhao and Xiaofeng Shi from the Ocean University of China, crafted the OM-SERS method, which stands for “optical manipulation and surface-enhanced Raman scattering.”
This method begins with a small water sample infused with gold nanoparticles. When these nanoparticles are heated by laser, they attract nanoplastics within the sample. After eliminating non-plastic debris through rinsing, the researchers can conduct a sensitive analysis of the remaining plastic particles.
“What we have left behind are the plastic particles gathered around a gold center,” added Zhao. “We can then conduct a very, very sensitive analysis right in place, without moving the sample, that will tell us what kinds of plastics we have and in what concentrations.”
A Versatile and Powerful Tool
Part of the tool’s strength lies in its versatility. The researchers tested the OM-SERS system on samples from various environments, including rivers, oceanic farms and beaches.
According to Xing, once properly processed, this method could be extended to analyze nanoplastics in soil, plant tissues and even human bodies.
As the world grapples with plastic pollution, understanding the specific threats posed by nanoplastics has become essential. The development of OM-SERS represents a significant step forward, not only in detection but also in laying the groundwork for future toxicological studies.