Water managers are working to understand and mitigate the environmental and health risks posed by nanoplastics pollution.
In the meantime, researchers across the globe are devising ways to rid our waters of these microscopic particles.
A team from the University of Missouri recently published a study in ACS Applied Engineering Materials about how they removed over 98% of nanoplastic – also known as microplastic – particles from water using non-toxic hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (HDESs). When mixed into the water and then allowed to separate again, the solvent will rise to the surface, bringing over 98% of the nanoplastic pollutants with it, where they can be easily skimmed off. Due to its hydrophobic properties, there's minimal risk of the eutectic solvent causing further contamination.
The university’s approach works in both fresh and seawater and is a cost-effective solution to removing almost all nanoplastics in a water source while leaving clean water behind.
"Our strategy uses a small amount of designer solvent to absorb plastic particles from a large volume of water," Gary Baker, an associate professor in Mizzou’s Department of Chemistry, said in a recent article on New Atlas. "Currently, the capacity of these solvents is not well understood. In future work, we aim to determine the maximum capacity of the solvent. Additionally, we will explore methods to recycle the solvents, enabling their reuse multiple times if necessary."
True to their name, nanoplastics are tiny plastic fragments or particles that form from the degradation or disposal of plastic materials. They are found in food, soil, water, air, and personal care products, raising concerns about exposure and possible negative effects.
“Nanoplastics can disrupt aquatic ecosystems and enter the food chain, posing risks to both wildlife and humans,” Piyuni Ishtaweera, a recent alumna who led the study while earning her doctorate in nano and materials chemistry at Mizzou, said in a school press release. “In layman’s terms, we’re developing better ways to remove contaminants such as nanoplastics from water.”
Future studies will look to scale up Mizzou’s solution so that it can work in larger bodies of water. In lab conditions, a pipette was used to remove the nanoplastic-laden solvent from the water.
“These solvents are made from safe, non-toxic components, and their ability to repel water prevents additional contamination of water sources, making them a highly sustainable solution,” said Ishtaweera, who now works at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in St. Louis. “From a scientific perspective, creating effective removal methods fosters innovation in filtration technologies, provides insights into nanomaterial behavior and supports the development of informed environmental policies.”
GPRS Services Support Safe Water Infrastructure
Nanoplastics are just the latest water safety threat that water managers must tackle. And when it comes to managing water distribution infrastructure, you first need to know exactly where your lines are buried.
GPRS utility locating & mapping, and leak detection services give you a complete and accurate picture of your buried water infrastructure and its current state, so you know where everything is and what needs repaired.
We utilize ground penetrating radar (GPR) and electromagnetic (EM) locating to find and map buried utilities. GPR scanners emit radio waves into a surface or underground, then detect the interactions between those waves and any buried infrastructure to locate those items. EM locators detect the electromagnetic signals radiating from metallic pipes and cables, making it a perfect complement to GPR.
When it comes to identifying water loss, GPRS provides professional leak detection services using both acoustic technology and leak detection correlators.
Acoustic leak detection employs advanced microphones, headphones, control units, and complementary technologies to detect water leaks by amplifying sound waves through various pipe materials.
Leak detection correlators, powered by algorithms, use radio waves with a dual sensor system to capture and display leak vibrations that indicate potential pressurized water system leaks. Combined with acoustic tools, this method ensures precise detection in water and fire suppression systems.
The accurate, field-verified data gathered by our SIM and NASSCO-certified Project Managers is always accessible through SiteMap® (patent pending), GPRS’ project and facility management platform designed to safeguard your assets and personnel.
SiteMap® can be accessed from any device—computer, tablet, or smartphone—allowing seamless sharing of critical infrastructure data, which eliminates communication gaps that cause missteps and delays.
Water & Sewer Damage Awareness Week Returns October 21-25
To help water system operators take a more proactive approach to maintaining their infrastructure, GPRS hosts Water & Sewer Damage Awareness Week. From October 21-25, our safety experts will travel across the country delivering free safety presentations to municipalities, engineers, facility managers, property management groups, and anyone else who is ready to regain control of their fresh and wastewater infrastructure.
Click here to schedule your WSDAW presentation today!
Frequently Asked Questions
What type of informational output is provided when GPRS conducts a utility locate?
Our Project Managers flag and paint our findings directly on the surface. This method of communication is the most accurate form of marking when excavation is expected to commence within a few days of service.
GPRS also uses a global positioning system (GPS) to collect data points of findings. We use this data to generate a plan, KMZ file, satellite overlay, or CAD file to permanently preserve results for future use. GPRS does not provide land surveying services. If you need land surveying services, please contact a professional land surveyor. Please contact us to discuss the pricing and marking options your project may require.
Will I need to mark out the utilities that GPRS locates?
No, GPRS will locate and mark all utilities for you. We have a variety of tools and markers we can use to highlight the locations of utilities, underground storage tanks and whatever else may be hiding.
How many miles of pipe can GPRS test in a day?
Our professional leak detection specialists can test up to 10 miles of pipe a day on a metallic system (Cast Iron/Ductile). Experienced Leak Detectors can test a contact point (Hydrant/Valve) within a minute before moving on to the next one. Leak Detectors can work efficiently because they are trained to hear the specific tone that a leak produces compared to any other number of noises a general environment makes.
