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Freshwater Colloquium: Novel mechanistic insights into nanoplastics release in natural environment
Boya Xiong will present “Novel mechanistic insights into nanoplastics release in natural environment” as part of the School of Freshwater Sciences spring colloquium.
Dr. Boya Xiong is an assistant professor in the Department of Civil, Environmental, and Geo-Engineering at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. Dr. Xiong’s research focuses on the interface of polymer science and environmental engineering, to i) elucidate the fundamental mechanisms of polymer degradation (e.g., micro/nanoplastic generation) that dictate the environmental fate and shape sustainable design and management of future polymer chemicals and materials; ii) develop novel nature-inspired membrane material architecture to enable efficient separation and mitigate pathogenic contamination and fouling in engineered systems. Xiong earned a Ph.D. in Environmental engineering at Pennsylvania State University where she also obtained her M.S. in Agricultural and Biological Engineering. Xiong earned a B.S. in Biotechnology from East China University of Science and Technology. Prior to her appointment, Xiong was working as a postdoctoral associate at MIT. She was selected as ASCE MN chapter Young Engineer of the Year in 2023 and an American Academy of Environmental Engineers and Scientists 40 Under 40 awardee in 2024.
The majority of prevalent micro- / nanoplastic (MP/NPs) pollutants are derived from the degradation of bulk plastics in the natural environment. Mechanical degradation (i.e., abrasion and fragmentation) is a primary mechanism of MP/NP release; however, its fundamental understanding remains elusive. Furthermore, data generated from disparate and qualitative mechanical degradation methods are hard to unify for estimating degradation in a diverse range of environmental conditions. In this talk, I will highlight how fragmentation and surface abrasive wear play a different role in releasing MP/NPs during the lifetime of plastics. Focusing on abrasive wear, I will introduce our novel and quantitative methods, particularly our lateral force microscopy-based nanoscratch method, to mechanistically probe MP/NP release at a single surface roughness protrusion (asperity) level. Next, I will highlight the combined effects of photo-oxidization and nanoscale abrasive wear on releasing nanoplastic release. In particular, I will elucidate the evolution of the wear mechanism and rates of semi-crystalline polyethylene during photooxidation. These results provide an underlying mechanism and key polymer properties responsible for why photooxidation leads to more nanoplastic release via abrasive wear. Our quantitative approach will significantly advance our understanding of MP/NP release in the natural environment. The data will contribute to future predictive modeling of nanoplastic release rate as a function of polymer properties and environmental conditions. Incorporating such models into an environmental risk assessment framework will guide the early-stage design, selection, and management of polymer materials for responsible environmental outcomes.
The Spring 2025 Freshwater Colloquium series will be held in the GLRF Ballroom. Most talks will involve the theme of Emerging Contaminants in Aquatic Environments. Snacks will be available prior to the talk. Please join us!
This presentation is open to students, faculty, staff, alumni and the public.
Spring 2025 Colloquium Series schedule. The Colloquium series creates a platform where students, faculty, and scientists discuss emergent issues related to freshwater science research. Invited speakers present specific topics of their research, as well as policy, commercial, and industrial experiences. Everyone is welcome.