Research Projects

Global plastic production and mismanagement are causing significant environmental issues, with 380 million tons of plastic waste estimated in 2019. The coronavirus outbreak has exacerbated single-use plastic use, leading to microplastics and nanoplastics pollution. Soil pollution is a significant issue, with soils accumulating microplastics (MPs) 40 times higher than freshwater systems. MPs are influenced by various sources, including compost, sludge application, mulching plastics, littering, street runoff, agriculture, and atmospheric deposition. MPs can affect soil's pore space and physicochemical properties, affecting water and nutrient transport. They are persistent in soil due to their poor biodegradability and may undergo aging, facilitating the co-transport of heavy metals and organic contaminants. The movement of MPs in soil is influenced by factors such as polymer particle characteristics, soil properties, and pore water chemistry. The current project aims to understand the effect of mineral coated sand grains on E-MPs transport to the subsurface environment. The study will also investigate the adsorption mechanisms of E-MPs onto typical Fe and Al hydroxide minerals-coated sand, which will help interpret results for column transport experiments. The findings will provide an improved understanding of the influence of E-MPs on the transport of E-MPs in saturated porous media, which is of high value considering groundwater contamination.