Influence of biotic and abiotic factors on the vertical and horizontal transport of microplastics in aquatic bodies

• Grant number: 25/02538-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2025
• End date: May 31, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Walter Ruggeri Waldman
• Grantee: Valdenilson Felipe Paixão da Silva
• Host Institution: Centro de Ciências e Tecnologias para a Sustentabilidade (CCTS). Universidade Federal de São Carlos (UFSCAR). Sorocaba , SP, Brazil
• Associated research grant: 22/12104-4 - Fate and impacts of microplastics and pesticides in aquatic and terrestrial matrices in agricultural contexts, AP.TEM

Abstract

Microplastics are present in water, soil and air, in all the biomes studied so far. Understanding how microplastics are transported in different environments from their source to the different biomes is key to better understanding their impacts and generating public policies to tackle the plastic pollution crisis. The study of the effect of polymer degradation on the properties of microplastics is beginning to gain relevance. This project aims to study the effect of degradation on the vertical and horizontal transport of microplastics in aquatic bodies using low-cost labmade devices and systems. The previous results presented in this project point to a significant influence both on the horizontal distribution of microplastics on the surface of the water, with the occurrence of the "cheerios" effect, and on the vertical distribution, generating an increase in the residence time in the water column as a result of the increase in the level of degradation. The project will delve into the previous results to validate the method and deepen the understanding of the current outputs The project aims to validate the devices under development and deepen their understanding and implications for the fate and potential impact on aquatic bodies.