How much lead do these fabrics absorb?
Disciplines
Analytical Chemistry | Environmental Chemistry | Environmental Monitoring
Abstract (300 words maximum)
This investigation sought to describe the behavior of the absorption of lead onto microplastics, created from weathered fabrics. These microplastics may behave as vectors of lead transport in the environment. Three different fabrics were oxidized for 0 or 10 hours. These fabrics were then exposed to lead solutions for 0, 1, 2, or 3 weeks. The amount of lead absorbed onto the fabric was determined by difference analysis using ICP-OES. Subsequently, these fabrics were analyzed via XRF. Cotton and a blend fabric absorbed lead while polyester absorbed one-tenth of the amount based on XRF data. In general, the amount of lead absorbed by the fabric increased with time of exposure to the lead solution, with and without oxidation. The carbonyl index, determined by FTIR, was measured for the polyester samples. Trends are observed between the measurements of ICP-OES and XRF.
Academic department under which the project should be listed
CSM - Chemistry and Biochemistry
Primary Investigator (PI) Name
Marina Koether
How much lead do these fabrics absorb?
This investigation sought to describe the behavior of the absorption of lead onto microplastics, created from weathered fabrics. These microplastics may behave as vectors of lead transport in the environment. Three different fabrics were oxidized for 0 or 10 hours. These fabrics were then exposed to lead solutions for 0, 1, 2, or 3 weeks. The amount of lead absorbed onto the fabric was determined by difference analysis using ICP-OES. Subsequently, these fabrics were analyzed via XRF. Cotton and a blend fabric absorbed lead while polyester absorbed one-tenth of the amount based on XRF data. In general, the amount of lead absorbed by the fabric increased with time of exposure to the lead solution, with and without oxidation. The carbonyl index, determined by FTIR, was measured for the polyester samples. Trends are observed between the measurements of ICP-OES and XRF.