Plant Materials' Innovative Response to Water Scarcity and Microplastic Pollution

Researchers are tirelessly looking for novel solutions that address these urgent environmental challenges in an era marked by increased worries about plastic pollution and water scarcity. A new development in environmental science has revealed the possibility for some plant materials to act as dual-purpose agents, successfully removing microplastics from the environment as well as water. This innovative method not only gives a ray of hope for the management of sustainable water resources, but it also offers a special method for addressing the worldwide plastic catastrophe. Let’s explores the fascinating finding that plant materials might both reduce water scarcity and microplastic pollution, illuminating a viable path toward a greener, cleaner future.

Researchers may have discovered a practical, environmentally friendly method for removing microplastics from water that uses easily accessible plant resources. It was discovered that their system could catch up to 99.9% of a wide range of microplastics known to be harmful to all creatures’ health.

Recent studies have concentrated on the health risks caused by nano- or microplastics and the development of effective methods to remove them from water. There is currently no workable technique to swiftly and universally capture microplastics. However, Canadian researchers at the University of British Columbia may have developed a biodegradable, renewable solution.

In order to create strong molecular connections with polymer particles, including many microplastics, their device, dubbed bioCap, takes advantage of the characteristics of wood wastes, including sawdust, and naturally occurring polyphenols.

Given its better chemical and physical stability and the presence of cellulose, hemicelluloses, and lignin, which aid in effective water transport, the researchers utilized sawdust as the substrate for bioCap because it allows for efficient water transport. Tannic acid, a naturally occurring plant polyphenol present in almost all plants without underground root systems, was added to the sawdust to modify it.

The researchers pushed microplastic-rich water through a column containing bioCap to test its capacity to trap microplastics. The microplastics employed in the experiment included polystyrene (PS), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and polyethylene (PE), which have all been found in the environment.

Tannic acid was added to the sawdust, but there was no discernible alteration to the structure of the dust, according to scanning electron microscopy (SEM) research. Between 95.2% and 99.9% of all microplastics were removed by bioCap. A low removal rate of less than 10% when using sawdust not treated with tannic acid showed that the polyphenol was essential for microplastic capture.

The ability of bioCap to eliminate smaller microparticles (110 nm), which are known to breach the blood-brain barrier and pose health hazards, was then put to the test. After a week of being fed either bioCap-treated or untreated water, two groups of mice had their organs sampled for microparticle concentrations. Animal organ microparticle accumulations were reduced in bioCap-filtered water.

According to the researchers, depending on its intended purpose, bioCap may be scaled up or down and is easy and inexpensive to make.

The coexistence of plastic pollution and water scarcity necessitates creative solutions that can address both problems simultaneously. The discovery that certain plant materials can absorb water and microplastics provides enormous promise for resolving these two environmental issues. This creative strategy shows the potential inherent in balancing nature's capabilities with scientific innovation as we work to protect our diminishing water resources and fight the pervasive threat of plastic trash. Adopting such diversified approaches not only demonstrates our dedication to environmental stewardship but also represents a step toward a planet that is more resilient and sustainable. Even though problems still exist, the possibility of using plant-based materials to successfully combat water scarcity and microplastics encourages the development of creative, all-encompassing solutions for a better, greener future.

 

Source- https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/adma.202301531