Small, broken-down pieces of microplastic have already been discovered. placenta, Breast milksemen, and Potentially even our brainsIt’s still not clear what all these pieces of debris are doing, but some experts fear that it could be the cause of a number of health problems. Despite their increasing presence, scientists aren’t quite sure what makes them break down in the first place. But a new method that uses 3D imaging to peer inside these particles could help give us better insight into how they break down.
new The study was published in the journal Nanotechnology They combined traditional 2D microscopy with 3D imaging techniques typically used to look at cells and polymers to view plastic degradation in greater detail than ever before. Until now, researchers were limited to looking at two-dimensional surfaces such as X-rays to see microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics. Using a process called electron tomography, the researchers were able to see multiple cross-sections of the particle and its interior, revealing subtle differences in how microplastics and nanoplastics degrade.
“This knowledge is crucial for developing more effective ways to break down plastics at the micro- and nanoscale,” Professor Boxin Zhao from the University of Waterloo said in a statement.
3D images provide a glimpse into the process of plastic shattering
For their tests, the researchers needed to find a way to quickly simulate how plastic breaks down in nature. To do so, they took samples of microplastics and nanoplastics in a petri dish and treated them with ultraviolet light and a titanium oxide catalyst. This photocatalytic process allowed them to watch the materials decompose. Before that process, the researchers used a transmission electron microscope to take numerous images of the samples as they rotated in multiple directions. Electron tomography imaging technique is similar to that used in CT scans and is also used to observe defects in crystals at the atomic level.
3D view of the inside of microplastics
The flat areas are the support film that the nanoplastics are attached to, the lumpy areas are the nanoplastics, and when you spin it, you can clearly see the nanoplastics in their entirety. – University of Waterloo
When the researchers compared 3D images of degraded microplastics with controls, they found that microplastics tended to fragment into sharp, jagged break points. The researchers theorized that this breakage could occur through the development of cracks inside the plastic particles. In contrast, degraded nanoplastic samples were more rounded and broke less along sharp edges. It’s still unclear what all this means about how plastics break down in the environment, but the observations could provide further details that will aid in future studies.
3D view of the inside of nanoplastics
This image shows a full view of nanoplastics, demonstrating that we can now examine every part of a nanoplastic particle with much greater clarity than ever before. – University of Waterloo
Microplastics are showing up in human bodies around the world
The growing number of studies showing microplastics in the human body comes amid a growing problem of plastic pollution around the world. analysis It is estimated that humanity produces around 400 million tons of plastic waste per year. About 36% of the plastic produced is used for packaging, of which about 85% ends up in landfills or as unregulated waste. Traces of microplastics are ubiquitous and can be found almost everywhere. Humans on Earth Look for it. Plastic degrades over time, breaks down, is reabsorbed into the environment, and is eaten by animals.
While research into the negative health effects of microplastics in humans is still ongoing, some researchers suggest that microplastics may be contributing to an increase in health problems, including: Inflammatory bowel disease, Colorectal cancer, Hormonal abnormalitiesand even Decreased sperm count Hormonal abnormalities, etc. The presence of microplastics appears to persist across gender, demographic and geographic differences. A 2022 study found that Appears in breast milkInfants are of particular concern because they are more vulnerable to the effects of chemical contamination.
The 3D imaging researchers hope that this new approach will aid efforts to mitigate the degradation of plastics. Several of the researchers involved in the study say they are excited by the newHow to ride a bike“The bacteria could ingest the microplastics and turn them into biopolymers that could be reused to make bags and other plastic materials.”
