Chinese scientists have found a way to eliminate microplastics in water!
“Microplastics are a significant problem that impacts the environment, as well as human health, due to several studies showing the presence of microplastics in the human body. Chinese scientists have successfully developed a method to eliminate microplastics.
Recently, Xinhua News Agency reported that a team of Chinese scientists has developed a new strategy to remove microplastics (small plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size) — one of the pollutants harming the environment and posing risks to humans.
According to a study published in Science Advances, the team created a new type of foam that can absorb up to 99.8% of microplastics in water during its first use. The foam is reusable and biodegradable. This research was conducted by a team from Wuhan University and Huazhong University of Science and Technology.
The researchers used foam made of durable fibers from chitin (found in squid bones) and cellulose from cotton. The foam structure is porous, allowing it to attract and react with microplastics.
The researchers tested the foam using samples from four real-world water sources: irrigation water (used for agriculture and livestock), lake water, seawater, and pond water.
The results showed that the foam could absorb up to 99.8% of microplastics in the first round of testing, with a material removal rate exceeding 95% after five rounds, indicating the foam’s excellent reusability.
The research team has already filed for a patent for their technology and hopes that this invention can be applied to water treatment in real-world scenarios.
Reference
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