New method measures microplastics in the air using an uncrewed aerial system
Microplastics have been found in our bodies and the food we eat—and even in remote environments around the world, including seawater and ice in the Arctic. Despite their prevalence, little is known about how they move through the atmosphere. New CIRES-led research, which demonstrates a new method for sampling microplastics in the atmosphere using an uncrewed aerial system (UAS), aims to change…
A new study led by the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES) demonstrates a novel method for measuring microplastics in the atmosphere using an uncrewed aerial system (UAS). Microplastics, tiny plastic particles less than 5 millimeters in size, have been discovered in various environments, including the human body and remote regions like the Arctic. However, their movement through the atmosphere is not well understood.
The research, published in the journal Scientific Reports, showcases the potential of UAS sampling for this purpose. Radiance Calmer, a former CIRES researcher now at the Norwegian Polar Institute, led the study. She explains that the team adapted an environmental cyclone sampler, commonly used for aerosol monitoring, to capture microplastics as small as 1 to 10 micrometers in size. This instrument was then mounted on a small UAS.
The challenge lay in the small concentration of microplastics in the atmosphere, requiring the team to ensure enough particles were collected to make a valid sample. The UAS flight time was limited to around 25 minutes. The team conducted flights above two sites in Colorado: near a heavily trafficked highway and a residential area with a landfill.
The samples collected were processed to separate microplastics from organic particles, which were then analyzed at the University of Rhode Island (URI). The results indicated that microplastics were present as high as 100 meters above the ground near areas with significant human activity. The microplastics observed were often in the form of aggregates containing both plastic and environmental materials, commonly found near highways and high-activity areas.
This proof-of-concept study establishes a feasible approach for measuring atmospheric microplastics using UAS, particularly in remote environments where traditional methods are limited and expensive. The CIRES Internal Research Program (IRP) played a crucial role in funding this innovative project. The IRP supports unconventional research that might be challenging to secure through conventional funding methods.
The team hopes this study will pave the way for further research, including investigations into the long-range transport and origins of microplastics. Future goals include extending these techniques to Arctic regions.
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