EES Seminar: Microplastics in the Environment: Detection and Analysis

Details

Abstract:
Microplastics are pervasive in the environment, and human exposure occurring through various routes such as inhalation and ingestion. With growing concerns about the potential harmful effects of microplastics on human body, significant public attention has been drawn to this issue, leading many agencies to report their presence in the environment. In my talk, I will address two key topics related to the detection and analysis of microplastics. The first topic focuses on the collection and identification of microplastics from different environmental media, including soil and air. Samples were collected from various locations on the University of Florida campus and across Gainesville. These samples revealed diverse physicochemical properties of microplastics depending on land use and human activity. The second topic covers the analytical approaches used to analyze the chemical composition of microplastics in the environment. Various techniques, including non-destructive methods such as Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), have been employed to identify functional groups and chemical structures. While these techniques offer several advantages for microplastic characterization, they have limitations, particularly for smaller microplastics. To address these challenges, thermal analysis methods like Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) and thermogravimetric analyzer coupled with FTIR and GC/MS (TGA-FTIR-GC/MS) have been utilized. These techniques allow for the identification and quantification of microplastics without size limitations. In this talk, these two techniques will be introduced in detail, highlighting their advantages and limitations. Through this talk, I aim to underscore the need for studies to understand the current status of microplastic pollution and to emphasize the importance of advanced analytical techniques in assessing their environmental impact.

Bio:
Sungyoon Jung is an Assistant Professor at the Department of Environmental Engineering Sciences at the University of Florida. She earned her Ph.D. in Energy, Environmental, and Chemical Engineering under the guidance of Prof. Pratim Biswas at Washington University in St. Louis. Following her Ph.D., she worked as a postdoctoral research fellow with Dr. Anil Patri at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. Her research interests include the identification and quantification of emerging air pollutants and their remediation by using advanced nanomaterials. She expects that her research will contribute to the development of public policy and increase community awareness of various air pollutants.