Determination of microplastics in the Rivers Monjolinho, Jundiaí and Tietê

• Grant number: 21/05964-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: October 01, 2021
• End date: March 31, 2023
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Sanitary Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Pedro Sergio Fadini
• Grantee: Gabriela Senedese Petean da Silva
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências Exatas e de Tecnologia (CCET). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). São Carlos , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The widespread use of plastics revolutionized the modern world, as well as has generated environmental pollution. Microplastics (MPs) have been found in quite diverse environments, however, in Brazilian freshwater environments, there are still many knowledge gaps. Occupational diseases are often reported, but the implications of the MPs and nanoplastics in human health should be better studied. The purpose of this project is to conduct a study of the presence (quali and quantitative) of MPs in aquatic environments of São Paulo State, rivers Monjolinho, Jundiaí, and Tietê. Moreover, the influence of the seasonality in the emissions and the concentrations of MPs will be assessed. The analysis will be carried out using a stereomicroscope to separate and classify the particles, and after, to identify the particles will be used Micro-infrared spectroscopy (µ-FTIR), allowing the acquisition of extensive analytical knowledge. This project will also provide data that can be used to study implications of the MPs in human health, as well as contributing to the national database and to an overview of the exposure to which we are subjected. (AU)