Every few years the tires on your car wear thin and must be replaced. But where does that lost tire material go?
Unfortunately, the answer is often waterways, where the small microplastic particles of the synthetic rubbercarry of the tires Different chemicals That can transfer to fish, scratching and maybe even the people they eat.
We are analytical And Environmental chemists Those ways to study those microplastics – and the toxic chemicals they wear – before they reach waterways and the water organisms that live there.
Microplastics, macro problem
Millions of metric tons of plastic waste Enter the oceans of the world every year. In recent times, tire wear particles (TWPs) have been found to take into account 45% of all microplastics In both terrestrial and water systems.
Tires throw small microplastics while they move on roads. Rain washes those TWPS in ditches, where they flow into streams, lakes, rivers and oceans.
Along the way, fish, scratches, oysters and other water life often find these TWPs in their food. The fish also consumes with every bite extremely toxic chemicals that can influence both fish themselves And whatever bees they eat.
Some fish species, such as Rainbow Forel, BeekforelAnd Coho -Salmdie of poisonous chemicals coupled with TWPs.
Researchers discovered that in 2020 More than half of the Coho salmon that returns to streams In the state of Washington died before spawning, largely because of 6PPD-QA chemical that comes from 6ppd, which is added to tires to prevent them from relegating.
But the effects of tire wear parts are not only on aquatic organisms. Both people and animals can be exposed to TWPS in the air, Especially people and animals who live near large roads.
In a study in China, the same chemical, 6PPD-Q, was also found In the urine of children and adults. Although the effects of this chemical on the human body are still being studied, recent research shows that exposure to this chemical can harm several human organs, including the liver, lungs and kidneys.
In Oxford, Mississippi, we have more than identified 30,000 TWPS In 24 liters of rainwater drainage from roads and parking spaces after two rain showers. We believe the concentrations in heavy traffic areas can be much higher.
The Interstate technology and regulatory councilA coalition led by the States, recommended in 2023 to identify and use alternatives for 6ppd in tires to reduce 6PPD-Q in the environment. But Tire manufacturers say there is no suitable replacement yet.
What can communities do to reduce damage?
At the University of Mississippi we experiment with sustainable ways to remove TWPs from waterways with accessible and cheap natural materials from agricultural waste.
The idea is simple: record the tire wear particles before they reach the streams, rivers and oceans.
In a recent study we tested pine wood chips and bioachar – a shape or charcoal made of heating rice peels in a limited oxygen chamber, a process known as pyrolysis – and discovered that they could Remove approximately 90% from TWPs From water drainage at our test locations in Oxford.
Biachar is an established material for removal Water contamination Because of his Large surface and pores, abundant chemical binding groups, high stability, strong adsorption capacity and low costs. Wood chips has also been demonstrated for their rich composition of natural organic compounds Remove contaminants. Other scientists have also used Sand to filter microplasticsBut the removal speed was low compared to Biochar.
We have designed a biofiltration system using biochar and wooden chips in a filter sock and placed at the mouth of a drainage output. We then collected samples of rainwater and measured the TWPs before and after the biofilters were in place during two storms for two months. The TWPs concentration turned out to be considerably lower after the biofilter was in place.
The unique elongated and Charged characteristics of tire wear particles Make it easy for them to get trapped or entangled in the pores of these materials during a storm event. Even the smallest TWPs were trapped in the complicated network of these materials.
Use biomass filters in the future
We believe that this approach offers a strong potential for scalability to reduce TWP pollution and other contaminants during rain shower.
Since bioachar And wooden chips Can be generated by agricultural waste, they are relatively cheap and directly available to local communities.
Long -term monitoring studies will be needed, especially in heavy traffic environments, to fully determine the effectiveness and scalability of the approach. The source of the filter material is also important. There have been some worries about whether rough agricultural waste that has not undergone pyrolysis could Release organic pollutants.
Like most filters, the biofilters would do must be replaced Over time – with used filters well -thrown- Because the contaminants accumulate and relegate the filters.
Plastic waste damages the environment, the food that people eat and possibly human health. We believe that biofilers made from plant waste can be an effective and relatively cheap, environmentally friendly solution.
Bolywatii S. Installation is a PhD student in chemistry with the University of Mississippi.
James v Cizdziel is a professor in chemistry on the University of Mississippi.
This article has been re -published from The conversation Under a Creative Commons license. Read the Original article.
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