Publication Date

2022

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Lenczewski, Melissa E.

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Earth, Atmosphere and Environment

Abstract

The pervasive nature of plastic and the longevity of plastic compounds leaves a legacy of plastics and microplastics (MPs) that contaminate our environment, including drinking water sources. Although MPs have been well documented in every environmental setting, a paucity of research has focused on the transport and fate of MPs in groundwater systems. Previous field and lab studies have shown that MPs can migrate through aquifer material and that their retention and retardation are influenced by changing environmental factors. This study used coarse, well-sorted sand in controlled column experiments to investigate the influence of polymer type (PA, PE, PP, PEST) and particle shape (fragment, fiber, sphere) on microplastic retardation and retention. The results showed that: 1) all MPs investigated were retarded compared to the NaCl tracer, with a retardation factor ranging from 1.67 to 2.03, 2) the polymer density controls how retarded the MPs are within the system and the hydrophobicity of different polymer types primarily controls how well they are retained within the system, 3) fragments and fibers are less mobile and more retained due to entanglement with the media and enhanced hydrophobicity, and 4) the presence of multiple types and shapes increases the retention of these MPs and often decreases the retardation. This study provides new insights about microplastic transport and fate in groundwater systems based on the characteristics of the microplastic particles themselves and demonstrates the need for further research on other polymer types and under more conditions, especially in the presence of more than a singular MP to better gauge what is occurring in natural systems where a variety of MPs are present together.

Extent

81 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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