High resolution X-ray microtomography as a tool for observation and classification of individual microplastics

Átila de Paiva  Teles; Marcus Vinicius Santos da Silva; Davi Ferreira de Oliveira; Ricardo Tadeu Lopes

doi:10.15392/2319-0612.2024.2631

Autores

Átila de Paiva Teles Federal Institute of Paraná
Marcus Vinicius Santos da Silva Technological Center for Sustainable Solutions at mining company / Vale - CTSS
Davi Ferreira de Oliveira Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro
Ricardo Tadeu Lopes Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15392/2319-0612.2024.2631

Palavras-chave:

Poluição por Microplasticos, microtomografia computadorizada por raios X, Caracterização por forma, parâmetros morfométricos

Resumo

Os plásticos são polímeros sintéticos amplamente utilizados devido à sua durabilidade, resistência e leveza. No entanto, sua produção extensa e durabilidade resultaram em desafios ambientais, principalmente na acumulação de resíduos plásticos, que se degradam em microplásticos (MPs)—partículas menores que 5 mm. Esses MPs contaminam vários ecossistemas, incluindo corpos d'água, solos e até mesmo a atmosfera. Compreender as estruturas complexas dos MPs é essencial, mas sua heterogeneidade torna a caracterização desafiadora. Este estudo investiga o uso da microtomografia computadorizada por raios X (microCT) como uma ferramenta para caracterizar MPs. Ao escanear fragmentos plásticos embutidos em sedimentos, a microCT fornece dados morfológicos detalhados, internos e externos, de maneira não destrutiva. O volume total medido pela microCT foi de aproximadamente 150,00 mm³, correspondendo a 79% do volume teórico estimado, com uma área de superfície total de 1061,00 mm². A análise focou em parâmetros morfométricos como diâmetro de Feret, grau de anisotropia e esfericidade, que descrevem a forma e a simetria das partículas individuais. Os resultados indicaram variabilidade significativa nesses parâmetros, refletindo a natureza diversa dos MPs. Além disso, a imagem por microCT detectou leves variações na composição do material, indicando potencial heterogeneidade nos polímeros. O estudo destaca a necessidade de padronização na classificação de MPs e sugere que a microCT, com sua capacidade de detectar variações sutis na composição do material, promete ser uma ferramenta valiosa para pesquisas ambientais futuras. A exploração adicional das capacidades da microCT poderia aprimorar nossa compreensão do comportamento e impacto dos MPs, especialmente em relação à sua composição e interações ambientais.

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