TY - JOUR
T1 - Collecting microplastics in gardens
T2 - Case study (ii) from ropes
AU - Sobhani, Zahra
AU - Luo, Yunlong
AU - Gibson, Christopher T.
AU - Tang, Youhong
AU - Naidu, Ravi
AU - Fang, Cheng
PY - 2022/5
Y1 - 2022/5
N2 - The characterisation of microplastics is still a challenge. To avoid the “false” characterisation and to increase the signal-noise ratio, we employ Raman imaging to scan the sample surface and generate a Raman spectrum matrix. We then simultaneously map several characteristic peaks to generate several images in parallel, akin to image at multi-channels, to cross-check and visualise the microplastics, via a logic-based algorithm. For comparison, we also employ a principal component analysis (PCA)-based algorithm to automatically decode the Raman spectrum matrix to map an image, not from the individual peaks, but from whole set of the PCA spectrum, meaning a much higher signal-noise ratio and image certainty. Due to the increased signal-noise ratio, we are able to apply this characterisation protocol to directly capture and identify microplastics in our gardens, such as from the plastic ropes used to hang a swing or a ladder for children to play, without any sample preparation. We estimate that at least 6280 microplastics have been released from a nylon rope in 10 years, due to ageing and weathering. We recommend to use polypropylene (PP) rope, rather than nylon rope, and to change the plastic ropes within 10 years.
AB - The characterisation of microplastics is still a challenge. To avoid the “false” characterisation and to increase the signal-noise ratio, we employ Raman imaging to scan the sample surface and generate a Raman spectrum matrix. We then simultaneously map several characteristic peaks to generate several images in parallel, akin to image at multi-channels, to cross-check and visualise the microplastics, via a logic-based algorithm. For comparison, we also employ a principal component analysis (PCA)-based algorithm to automatically decode the Raman spectrum matrix to map an image, not from the individual peaks, but from whole set of the PCA spectrum, meaning a much higher signal-noise ratio and image certainty. Due to the increased signal-noise ratio, we are able to apply this characterisation protocol to directly capture and identify microplastics in our gardens, such as from the plastic ropes used to hang a swing or a ladder for children to play, without any sample preparation. We estimate that at least 6280 microplastics have been released from a nylon rope in 10 years, due to ageing and weathering. We recommend to use polypropylene (PP) rope, rather than nylon rope, and to change the plastic ropes within 10 years.
KW - Garden
KW - Logic-based algorithm
KW - Microplastics
KW - PCA-based algorithm
KW - Raman imaging
KW - Rope
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85123573422&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.eti.2022.102322
DO - 10.1016/j.eti.2022.102322
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85123573422
SN - 2352-1864
VL - 26
JO - Environmental Technology and Innovation
JF - Environmental Technology and Innovation
M1 - 102322
ER -