1
|
Miao L, Wang H, Sun X, Wu L. Biomineralization for Reducing and Controlling Sand-Dust Storms. ADVANCED SCIENCE (WEINHEIM, BADEN-WURTTEMBERG, GERMANY) 2024; 11:e2403961. [PMID: 38932474 PMCID: PMC11348142 DOI: 10.1002/advs.202403961] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2024] [Revised: 06/13/2024] [Indexed: 06/28/2024]
Abstract
The sand-dust weather and sand-dust storms have become a serious environmental disaster worldwide. It is an important challenge to develop technologies for desert sand solidification in order to prevent and control sand-dust weather. The biomineralization technology for solidifying desert sands has been a novel method for reinforced soils in recent years. The biomineralization solidification sand field tests are completed at the Wuma Highway solidification section in the Tengger Desert. The superiority of the biomineralization for solidifying sands is verified by measuring the water storage capacity of different reinforcement zones including bare sand zone, plant zone, biomineralization solidifying sand zone, and biomineralization combined plant solidifying sand zone. Simultaneously, the molecular dynamics calculation analysis is used to verify the role of biomineralization solidifying sands in preventing sand-dust storms. All results demonstrate that the biomineralization solidification sand method is effective for controlling and preventing sandstorm disasters.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Linchang Miao
- Institute of Geotechnical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjingJiangsu210096China
| | - Hengxing Wang
- Institute of Geotechnical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjingJiangsu210096China
| | - Xiaohao Sun
- Institute of Geotechnical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjingJiangsu210096China
| | - Linyu Wu
- Institute of Geotechnical EngineeringSoutheast UniversityNanjingJiangsu210096China
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Kaushik A, Gupta P, Kumar A, Saha M, Varghese E, Shukla G, Suresh K, Gunthe SS. Identification and physico-chemical characterization of microplastics in marine aerosols over the northeast Arabian Sea. THE SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT 2024; 912:168705. [PMID: 38000750 DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.168705] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2023] [Revised: 11/15/2023] [Accepted: 11/17/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023]
Abstract
Microplastics (MPs) in the atmosphere can undergo long-range transport from emission regions to pristine terrestrial and oceanic ecosystems. Due to their inherent toxic and hazardous characteristics, MPs pose serious risks to both human well-being and the equilibrium of ecosystem. The present study outlines the comprehensive characterization, spanning physical and chemical attributes of MPs associated with atmospheric aerosols. Total suspended particulates (TSPs) were collected on a quartz fibre filter by operating a high-volume sampler for 24 h during distinct years (March, 2016 and November, 2020) at a coastal location in the northeast Arabian Sea. Subsequent to the sampling, a series of techniques were applied including density separation. The assessment and scrutiny of the MPs was carried out using stereo-zoom microscopy with supplementary validation using advanced fluorescence microscopy for enhanced precision in identification. Our comparative assessment suggests peroxide treatment followed by density separation could be a robust procedure for the definitive identification and characterization of MPs in the atmosphere. Average total abundance of MPs was found to be 1.30 ± 0.14 n/m3 in 2016 and 1.46 ± 0.12 n/m3 in 2020 with fibres, fragments and films having similar relative contributions (41 %, 31 %, 28 % in 2016 and 40 %, 35 %, 25 % in 2020). Fibres were found to be dominant morphotype followed by fragments and films over the coastal region of the Arabian Sea. In order to unravel the detailed chemical nature of these MPs, spectral analysis using μ-FTIR was carried out. The outcome of the analysis showed prevailing polymers as polyvinyl chloride and polymethyl methacrylate (50545 %) as dominant polymers followed by polyester (15 %), styrene butyl methacrylate (11 %), and polyacetal (9 %). MPs present in the vicinity of the Arabian Sea have potential to supply nutrients and toxicants, consequently can contribute to the modulation of the surface water biogeochemical processes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ankush Kaushik
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula 403004, Goa, India
| | - Priyansha Gupta
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula 403004, Goa, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Ashwini Kumar
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula 403004, Goa, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India.
| | - Mahua Saha
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula 403004, Goa, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - Emil Varghese
- Environmental Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, Tamil Nadu, India; Centre for Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Garima Shukla
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula 403004, Goa, India; Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad 201002, India
| | - K Suresh
- CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography, Dona Paula 403004, Goa, India; Physical Research Laboratory, Navrangpura, Ahmedabad 380 009, India
| | - Sachin S Gunthe
- Environmental Engineering Division, Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, Tamil Nadu, India; Centre for Atmospheric and Climate Sciences, Indian Institute of Technology Madras, Chennai 600036, Tamil Nadu, India
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Peterson BN, Morales AC, Tomlin JM, Gorman CGW, Christ PE, Sharpe SAL, Huston SM, Rivera-Adorno FA, O'Callahan BT, Fraund M, Noh Y, Pahari P, Whelton AJ, El-Khoury PZ, Moffet RC, Zelenyuk A, Laskin A. Chemical characterization of microplastic particles formed in airborne waste discharged from sewer pipe repairs. ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. PROCESSES & IMPACTS 2023; 25:1718-1731. [PMID: 37781874 DOI: 10.1039/d3em00193h] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/03/2023]
Abstract
Microplastic particles are of increasing environmental concern due to the widespread uncontrolled degradation of various commercial products made of plastic and their associated waste disposal. Recently, common technology used to repair sewer pipes was reported as one of the emission sources of airborne microplastics in urban areas. This research presents results of the multi-modal comprehensive chemical characterization of the microplastic particles related to waste discharged in the pipe repair process and compares particle composition with the components of uncured resin and cured plastic composite used in the process. Analysis of these materials employs complementary use of surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy, scanning transmission X-ray spectro-microscopy, single particle mass spectrometry, and direct analysis in real-time high-resolution mass spectrometry. It is shown that the composition of the relatively large (100 μm) microplastic particles resembles components of plastic material used in the process. In contrast, the composition of the smaller (micrometer and sub-micrometer) particles is significantly different, suggesting their formation from unintended polymerization of water-soluble components occurring in drying droplets of the air-discharged waste. In addition, resin material type influences the composition of released microplastic particles. Results are further discussed to guide the detection and advanced characterization of airborne microplastics in future field and laboratory studies pertaining to sewer pipe repair technology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Ana C Morales
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
| | - Jay M Tomlin
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
| | - Carrie G W Gorman
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
| | - Peter E Christ
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
| | - Steven A L Sharpe
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
| | - Shelby M Huston
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
| | | | - Brian T O'Callahan
- Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | | | - Yoorae Noh
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Department of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Pritee Pahari
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Department of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Andrew J Whelton
- Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
- Department of Environmental and Ecological Engineering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| | - Patrick Z El-Khoury
- Physical Sciences Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
- Chemical Physics & Analysis, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | | | - Alla Zelenyuk
- Atmospheric Sciences and Global Change Division, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, Richland, WA, USA
| | - Alexander Laskin
- Department of Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA.
- Department of Earth, Atmospheric and Planetary Sciences, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN, USA
| |
Collapse
|