Publication

Identification and characterization of microplastics in the Lake Geneva environment

2015
Student Projects

Abstract

This project is set in a context of raising awareness concerning the accumulation of plastics in oceans. As opposed to the marine environment, there is a real gap of knowledge on microplastics pollution in freshwaters. In this project, the Lake Geneva environment is investigated, concentrating on the Venoge River, the lake water surface, and the “déversoir du Capelard” – a storm overflow in Lausanne. In order to get a rapid and complete method to characterize microplastics in the Lake Geneva environment, some polymer analysis tools are suggested and tested. The goals of the study are to identify the plastic debris and to characterize the oxidation state of five different polyethylene samples. The Fourier Transform Spectroscopy appears to be an acceptable solution despite some limits. DSC would require some more researches and microscopy needs a long analysis time for little information.

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/a838dfd7-7f7c-49b6-b3bc-24a9c191d981

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2015
Student Projects

Abstract

Official source

https://infoscience.epfl.ch/entities/publication/a838dfd7-7f7c-49b6-b3bc-24a9c191d981

About this result

Related concepts (32)

Marine plastic pollution

Marine plastic pollution (or plastic pollution in the ocean) is a type of marine pollution by plastics, ranging in size from large original material such as bottles and bags, down to microplastics formed from the fragmentation of plastic material. Marine debris is mainly discarded human rubbish which floats on, or is suspended in the ocean. Eighty percent of marine debris is plastic. Microplastics and nanoplastics result from the breakdown or photodegradation of plastic waste in surface waters, rivers or oceans.

Microplastics

Microplastics are fragments of any type of plastic less than in length, according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the European Chemicals Agency. They cause pollution by entering natural ecosystems from a variety of sources, including cosmetics, clothing, food packaging, and industrial processes. The term macroplastics is used to differentiate microplastics from larger plastic waste, such as plastic bottles or bigger pieces of plastics. Two classifications of microplastics are currently recognized.

Plastic pollution

Plastic pollution is the accumulation of plastic objects and particles (e.g. plastic bottles, bags and microbeads) in the Earth's environment that adversely affects humans, wildlife and their habitat. Plastics that act as pollutants are categorized by size into micro-, meso-, or macro debris. Plastics are inexpensive and durable, making them very adaptable for different uses; as a result, manufacturers choose to use plastic over other materials.

Related publications (1)

Identification and characterization of microplastics in the Lake Geneva environment

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Diborane nitrogen/ammonia plasma chemistry investigated by infrared absorption spectroscopy