echemi logo
Product
  • Product
  • Supplier
  • Inquiry
    Home > Chemicals Industry > China Chemical > Can microplastics span thousands of kilometers of continents?

    Can microplastics span thousands of kilometers of continents?

    • Last Update: 2021-12-28
    • Source: Internet
    • Author: User
    Search more information of high quality chemicals, good prices and reliable suppliers, visit www.echemi.com
    [ Focus on Chemical Machinery Equipment Network ] Recently, according to scientists, microplastics can travel across all continents and reach far places
    .
    Scientists found microplastics originally produced in Africa in the air of the Pyrenees, 2,800 miles (4506 kilometers) from its source.
    Pollution monitoring needs attention
    .

     
    Chemical machinery and equipment network hotspots pay attention to chemical machinery and equipment
    Microplastics refer to plastic fragments and particles less than 5 mm in diameter
    .
    In fact, the particle size of microplastics ranges from a few microns to a few millimeters.
    It is a mixture of heterogeneous plastic particles with various shapes, which is often difficult to distinguish with the naked eye.
    It is vividly called "PM2.
    5 in the sea"
    .
    Compared with "white pollution" plastics, the harm of microplastics is reflected in their small particle diameters, which is the reason why they are more harmful to the environment than general non-degradable plastics
    .

     

    Studies have shown that microplastics are becoming a widespread pollutant in the global atmosphere.
    They are small in size and low in density, and can travel around the earth through wind
    .
    The harm of microplastics is reflected in the small diameter of their particles.
    The smaller the volume, the higher the specific surface area (the surface area per unit mass of a porous solid material) and the stronger the ability to adsorb pollutants
    .
    This is also the reason why it is more harmful to the environment than ordinary non-degradable plastics
    .

     

      Recently, according to scientists, microplastics can travel across all continents and reach far places
    .
    Scientists found microplastics originally produced in Africa in the air of the Pyrenees, 2,800 miles (4506 kilometers) from its source
    .

     

      Researchers collect microplastics in the atmosphere from high altitude areas
    .
    Then they tried to trace the original source of these microplastics to see how far they went
    .
    It was found that the air containing particles "walked" an average of about 4,500 kilometers in the week before reaching the observatory
    .

     

      The release of this study means that even areas where plastics are hardly used may be affected by the sources of microplastics
    .
    The pollution includes polystyrene and other plastics, mostly from packaging
    .
    Pollution monitoring needs attention
    .

     

      Pollution monitoring needs attention, what are the methods? At this stage, the methods for detecting microplastics include the currently commonly used microplastics detection methods including infrared imaging and other spectroscopic methods and thermal cracking-gas-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) methods
    .
    For the detection of chemicals and additives (stabilizers, antioxidants, etc.
    ) used in the synthesis process of microplastics, and the detection of pollutants adsorbed or absorbed on the surface of microplastics, chromatographic mass spectrometry and atomic spectroscopy are often required
    .
    As for the impact of microplastics on human health, we can also use mass spectrometry and cell analysis techniques to analyze
    .

     

      In addition, hyperspectral imaging technology combines the traditional two-dimensional RGB image with spectroscopy technology, and determines the chemical properties of the substance represented by each pixel by linking the spectral characteristics of each spatial pixel on the image with the corresponding spatial information , So as to complete the detailed detection and classification of different samples
    .

     

      We need to know that for microplastics pollution, we need to monitor and analyze the distribution characteristics of microplastics to improve scientific understanding of microplastics issues
    .
    Screen the sea areas with lighter microplastic pollution, build a long-term monitoring platform, and take the lead in establishing environmental quality standards for microplastic pollution in China
    .
    All need instrumentation equipment to help
    .

     
    Instrumentation
      Thanks to the progress of science and technology, the treatment of plastic waste is in full swing.
    It is everyone's responsibility to protect the environment.
    Each of us should start from our own, protect the ecological environment, and contribute to the sustainable development of the earth.
    !
     

      Original title: Can microplastics span thousands of kilometers of mainland? Pollution monitoring needs attention
    This article is an English version of an article which is originally in the Chinese language on echemi.com and is provided for information purposes only. This website makes no representation or warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, as to the accuracy, completeness ownership or reliability of the article or any translations thereof. If you have any concerns or complaints relating to the article, please send an email, providing a detailed description of the concern or complaint, to service@echemi.com. A staff member will contact you within 5 working days. Once verified, infringing content will be removed immediately.

    Contact Us

    The source of this page with content of products and services is from Internet, which doesn't represent ECHEMI's opinion. If you have any queries, please write to service@echemi.com. It will be replied within 5 days.

    Moreover, if you find any instances of plagiarism from the page, please send email to service@echemi.com with relevant evidence.