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Global plastic productions have increased remarkably over the past few decades. Unwanted plastic inputs, specifically, micro- and nano-plastics, into the environment become emerging concerns across the world. However, the quantitative analysis of micro/nano-plastics still remains a major challenge, especially in the complex environmental matrices. In their recent work, the Ariya鈥檚 lab developed a wide range of recyclable nanostructures, which provided promising ultra-trace capabilities for both soluble and insoluble micro- and nano-plastic quantification.

The soluble plastics - polyethylene glycols - have been extensively used as antifreeze products. Especially in cold-climate urban sets like Montreal, with a long meteorological winter season. The snow can uptake some of the airborne particles during the winter precipitation events, which can alter the microphysics of snowflakes, the Earth鈥檚 albedo, snow-air processes, toxicity, etc. Being said, the snow-borne micro- and nano-plastics are affecting climate change and environmental health research.

Comprehensive studies are required to investigate the global issue caused by unwanted inputs of micro- and nano-plastics. This work opens the door to further accurate quantitative analysis of micro- and nano-plastic particles in various environmental matrices and processes, producing key information in determining the fate of micro- and nano-plastics in the Earth鈥檚 ecosystem.

About the paper:

鈥淎dvances in Ultra-Trace Analytical Capability for Micro/Nanoplastics and Water-Soluble Polymers in the Environment: Fresh Falling Urban Snow鈥�, by Zi Wang, Nadim K. Saad茅, and Parisa A. Ariya was published in Environmental Pollution, 2021, Volume 276, 116698.