Information magazine of the Department of Industrial Engineering
Università di Trento
Information magazine of the Department of Industrial Engineering
Università di Trento
The issue of microplastics in the environment is one of the most discussed topics today at scientific, informational, and regulatory levels, both nationally and across Europe. Since 1972, when an article published in Science first documented their presence, evidence of microplastics has multiplied in various environments—water, soil, and air—raising increasingly significant concerns for both the environment and human health.
The term “microplastic” was coined by Richard Thompson and refers to plastic particles smaller than 5 mm. This definition was chosen because these particles are visible under a microscope, requiring detailed observation to identify them. But where do these microplastics come from, and what materials are they made of?
These particles mainly originate from the deterioration and fragmentation of larger plastic objects due to mechanical stress, exposure to light, oxygen, humidity, and other environmental factors. Even seemingly harmless daily activities, such as washing synthetic clothes in a washing machine (especially those made of PET polyester, but also cotton and wool), release microfibers that contribute to environmental pollution. These fibers enter wastewater systems, eventually reaching rivers, lakes, and seas. Specific microfiber filters can be installed on washing machine drains, and promoting and encouraging their use would be a valuable step toward reducing this type of pollution.
The Department of Industrial Engineering (DII) has launched several projects to monitor and collect plastics and microplastics. Since 2018, for example, the DII has been conducting activities on Lake Garda, following the Vaia storm event, with the involvement of local high schools such as Liceo Maffei in Riva del Garda and Gardascuola in Arco.
A recent project, SeaBin, in collaboration with the Fraglia della Vela di Riva, LifeGate, and Coop Italia, enabled the monitoring of floating debris in the lake. The SeaBin is a device equipped with a net that collects floating plastics from the water’s surface. To identify the polymers, various techniques are used, including infrared analysis. Thanks to collaboration with Riva del Garda Fierecongressi e ITAS Mutua, a portable FTIR spectrometer was employed for on-site investigations. This instrument was also used during the World Youth Sailing week in July 2024 at the DII-UNITN stand in Riva del Garda.
Analyses have revealed the presence of various polymers such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS), particularly expanded polystyrene (EPS). Monitoring of Lake Garda, initiated in 2021, has identified both macroplastics and microplastics ranging from 1 to 3 mm in size and weighing between 2 and 8 milligrams, alongside organic residues of plant and animal origin. This monitoring is mainly conducted during the summer period.
Beyond monitoring plastics dispersed in the lake, plastics from other sectors such as construction and agriculture have also been collected and analyzed. Specifically, materials like EPS and polyurethane thermal panels, often abandoned in the environment and fragmented without proper control or waste disposal, have been examined. In agriculture, another example is the use of polypropylene protective sleeves, which, when damaged or degraded, contribute to environmental pollution by releasing microplastic fragments.
Microplastic monitoring, such as that conducted on Lake Garda, is essential not only to quantify pollution but also to raise awareness in the local community about the importance of reducing plastic pollution. Collection and analysis activities in different environments contribute to a deeper understanding of this issue.
Engaging schools, universities, and local organizations is a key step in spreading knowledge and promoting concrete solutions, such as adopting advanced monitoring technologies and implementing more effective policies for plastic waste management.
PRIN Plastact Project
