Abstract
The DIORAMA research project is aimed at establishing new pillars in the analytical investigations of microplastics (MP) and aged MP in aquatic matrices, addressing the urgent need for implementation of standardized and reliable analytical methods to be applied in monitoring campaigns. To this aim, the project will assess the alteration of the physico-chemical features of MP over the time, with a specific focus on the changes induced by degradation effects in the recorded analytical signals. The project will investigate on the effects of MP morphology, size and composition, as well as the aging condition, as nfluencing factors in two different and complementary analytical methods: the emerging near-Infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) and the analytical Pyrolysis coupled with Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC-MS).
Key experimental factors on the effectiveness and performance of MP detection by NIR-HSI and analytical pyrolysis will be studied to identify the most suitable experimental conditions to monitor polymer degradation and characterize degraded MP.
The results will highlight specific degradation pathways, proving new insight on the behavior of MP in the environment. The research will lead to the definition of harmonized and integrated protocols, paving new strategies in comparative analytical intra-laboratory studies.
Departmental scientific manager
Giorgia Sciuto (responsabile nazionale)
Partnership
Università degli Studi di PISA (Italy)
Università degli Studi di GENOVA (Italy)