Advances in Ultra-Trace Analytical Capability for Micro/Nanoplastics and Water-Soluble Polymers in the Environment: Fresh Falling Urban Snow. (1st May 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Zi; Saadé, Nadim K.; Ariya, Parisa A.
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 276(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-05-01
• Subjects: Micro/nano-plastic particles -- Picogram detection -- Ultra-trace quantification capability -- Nanostructure mass spectrometry -- Emerging contaminants -- Urban environment; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2021.116698
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Discarded micro/nano-plastic inputs into the environment are emerging global concerns. Yet the quantification of micro/nanoplastics in complex environmental matrices is still a major challenge, notably for soluble ones. We herein develop in-laboratory built nanostructures (zinc oxide, titanium oxide and cobalt) coupled to mass spectrometry techniques, for picogram quantification of micro/nanoplastics in water and snow matrices, without sample pre-treatment. In parallel, an ultra-trace quantification method for micro/nanoplastics based on nanostructured laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (NALDI-TOF-MS) is developed. The detection limit is ∼5 pg for ambient snow. Soluble polyethylene glycol and insoluble polyethylene fragments were observed and quantified in fresh falling snow in Montreal, Canada. Complementary physicochemical studies of the snow matrices and reference plastics using laser-based particle sizers, inductively coupled plasma tandem mass spectrometry, and high-resolution scanning/transmission electron microscopy, produced consistent results with NALDI, and further provided information on morphology and composition of the micro/nano-plastic particles. This work is promising as it demonstrates that a wide range of recyclable nanostructures, in-laboratory built or commercial, can provide ultra-trace capability for quantification for both soluble polymers and insoluble plastics in air, water and soil. It may thereby produce key missing information to determine the fate of micro/nanoplastics in the environment, and their impacts on human health. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: There are soluble micro/nanoplastic particles in fresh falling snow in an urban setting. In-laboratory built NALDI-MS lead to ultra-trace quantification detection. Picogram quantification has been achieved for both soluble and insoluble plastics. In-laboratory built nanostructures can be recyclable and sustainable. Abstract : Micro- and nano-plastic particles and soluble polymers in fresh falling snow in a cold-climate urban setting were detected and quantified. Picogram quantification was achieved for both soluble and insoluble plastics by nanostructured mass spectrometry.