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New unit to lead microplastics research
The Cabildo de Tenerife and the University of La Laguna (ULL) are strengthening their collaboration on microplastics research with the creation of PolAR, a specialist unit that will offer analysis services to public administrations, water managers and other organisations.
The project, funded by the island corporation with €1,083,000 up to 2028, investigates both the presence of these particles in the environment and their potential use for capturing organic pollutants found in various fluids.
State-of-the-art facilities
One of the main developments is the installation at ULL of a certified clean room with a highly controlled atmosphere. This space prevents airborne fibres from contaminating samples during analysis, which is particularly important when working with very low concentrations of microplastics.
The team also has a direct laser infrared microscopy system, the only one of its kind in the Canary Islands, capable of automatically detecting, counting, measuring and identifying the chemical composition and shape of plastic particles in complex samples such as compost, sediment, leachate and water.
Research team and lines of study
The research is led by Javier Hernández Borges, Professor of Analytical Chemistry, with the participation of two early-career researchers, Cristina Socas Hernández and Adrián M. Afonso Álvarez, who are developing their doctoral theses within the project.
The work is divided into four main strands. One examines the capacity of certain polymers derived from urban waste to absorb organic compounds present in leachate. Another analyses the occurrence of microplastics in compost and vermicompost, where initial results show a predominance of fibres ranging from 46% to 90% of the particles found.
The project has also completed the characterisation of microplastics on four beaches in Tenerife. Among the areas studied are Playa Grande and Puertito de Adeje, although the statement issued by the Cabildo does not specify the individual results obtained at each location.
Preparing for European requirements
The new PolAR unit, led by the AChem research group, will transfer this knowledge beyond the academic sphere. It will offer analysis and quantification of microplastics in drinking and wastewater, helping administrations and operators prepare to meet new European requirements.
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