JHViezcas-01
Environmental implications of micro and nanoplastics
Dr. Jose Hernandez-Viezcas
Environment & water
Preferred major field of study or minimum required skills
Background in science, a basic understanding of infrared and Raman spectroscopy
Scholarly significance/intellectual merit
The yearly production of synthetic polymers, commonly known as plastics, exceeds 380 tons of which 28% is directly disseminated in the environment. Plastics are barely degradable, however, undergo chemical and physical modifications that lead to changes in their properties and potentially in their toxicity.Recently, due to their size and potential to enter the food chain microplastics (1µm-5mm) and nanoplastics (<1µm) have gained public attention. Studies have shown that nano-plastics can be bioaccumulated and can disrupt cell membranes. However, we currently do not fully understand the full implications and risks of plastic pollution on human health and the environment. One reason is that it is difficult to quantify plastics smaller than 100 µm, and even harder to do it in complex matrices. Accordingly, most of the curre nt literature focuses on the fate and effects of micro and nano-plastics in aquatic environments. For this project, we will analyze soil, plant and water samples from the Paso del Norte region and determine the abundance of micro and nano-plastics. Based on the results, we will design a trophic transfer experiment with plant and aquatic organisms. We will perform analysis for soil and water samples using microscope FTIR/Raman, DLS, HSI, and biochem assays.
Research question(s)
- Create baseline quantification for microplastics in air, water, and agricultural soil samples from the El Paso region
- Develop bioaccumulation models for micro/nanoplastics
Methods/techniques/instruments to be learned/utilized
DLS Imaging FTIR-Raman Hyperspectral analysis If bioaccumulation models are developed, quantitative PCR