The paradox of research on microplastics, they can be polluted by plastic, the study

It looks like a paradoxindeed, in reality it is: when you study the microplastics there is a risk that the results will be contaminated by plastic. A study led by us reached this conclusion University of Pisawhich urges researchers around the world to be careful not to compromising environmental efforts.

Research on microplastics

Microplastics are, unfortunately, everywhere. And now we no longer talk about threat, but about disaster for the environment. These tiny plastic particles, measuring less than 5 millimeters, are found in the air we breathe to the most remote seas, infiltrating soil, drinking water and even human biological tissues.

Their widespread presence is the result of decades of excessive production and consumption of plastic, with devastating consequences for terrestrial and marine ecosystems and for human health. Research efforts are now concentrated on the one hand on development of different innovative materialsfor the prevention of further damage, on the other hand on the tracking of what has already been done, although their widespread removal now seems impossible. Also because, unfortunately, it is their dispersion into the environment is far from over.

Groundwater investigation

A research led by us University of Pisa has focused in particular on a hitherto marginal, but absolutely no less important, aspect: that of microplastics in groundwaterwith the aim of making estimates on their presence and diffusion in this environmental context.

The study of microplastics in groundwater is a relatively new topic – explains Stefano Viaroli, first author of the work – To avoid possible contamination, at the beginning of the research we defined a sampling and treatment protocol for absolutely champions plastic freeas prescribed by the scientific community

The paradox

But, in the course of their studies, they found themselves faced with one paradoxical situation. Because, even if it seems absurd, groundwater sampling relies on monitoring wells and pre-existing water wells, often built with cost-effective PVC liners or pipes.

The researchers analyzed 67 sampling points in particular, 19 of which were monitoring wells and water wells with PVC casings.

But, if the objective is to evaluate the presence and spread of microplastics, this practice presents .

microplastics pollution paradox

The wells, being an access to reach the groundwater directly, can be a preferential channel of contaminationboth microplastics and any other contaminant coming from the surface. For this reason it is important that they are correctly protected with particular caution in the case of sampling, to obtain more significant data on the real state of the entire aquifer and not just the single point.

To complicate matters – add the researchers – there is the addition of general lack of specifications of these wells, are often not detailed even in published studies.

microplastics pollution paradox

Current literature does not indicate significant pollution risks from PVC coveringswhich suggests that these wells may still be valid for microplastic studies. Our preliminary analysis of the existing literature indicates that if PVC exceeds 6% of the total concentration of microplastics, PVC coatings and pipes are likely to be one source of pollution. Above this threshold, further investigation of monitoring wells and water wells with PVC casings and pipes is suggested

This situation must absolutely be changed, to avoid nullify all efforts against microplastics dispersed in the environment.

The work was published on Science of the Total Environment.

Sources: University of Pisa / Science of the Total Environment