Contaminated Nanoplastics from the Marine Environment: Physical and Chemical Properties, In Vivo Toxicity, and Separation Using a Magnetic Biochar

• Grant number: 25/14166-5
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships abroad - Research Internship - Post-doctor
• Start date: November 17, 2025
• End date: November 16, 2026
• Field of knowledge: Physical Sciences and Mathematics - Chemistry
• Principal Investigator: Emanuel Carrilho
• Grantee: Greici Gubert
• Supervisor: Mikael Ekvall
• Host Institution: Instituto de Química de São Carlos (IQSC). Universidade de São Paulo (USP). São Carlos , SP, Brazil
• Institution abroad: Lund University, Lund, Sweden
• Associated to the scholarship: 23/05326-3 - Contaminated nanoplastics from the marine environment: physical and chemical properties, in vivo toxicity and separation using a magnetic biochar, BP.PD

Abstract

Nanoplastic pollution in the marine environment represents an emerging challenge due to its small scale and ability to adsorb toxic contaminants, including heavy metals and pesticides. This project investigates nanoplastics generated from degraded fishing nets, focusing on their structural characterization, in vivo toxicity, and water removal. To achieve this, nanoplastics will be obtained using a mechanical fragmentation and filtration technique to preserve as much as possible the structural properties of the original material, as well as the presence of its contaminants. The toxicity of these materials will be assessed through tests using Daphnia magna, a widely used model organism in ecotoxicological studies, analyzing survival rate, mobility, and behavior under exposure to contaminated nanoplastics. In parallel, magnetic biochar will be developed from iron mining sludge, whose adsorption properties will be tested for removing of nanoplastics and their contaminants from water. This material will be compared to a previously produced magnetic biochar derived from sugarcane bagasse. The project will contribute to understanding the environmental impacts of nanoplastics and developing innovative strategies for their removal from aquatic systems. Expected outcomes include optimizing methodologies for producing and characterizing environmental nanoplastics, identifying their ecotoxicological effects, and validating new materials for mitigating plastic pollution. (AU)