North Indy News

University Freshman Invents Method To Detect Nanoplastic Pollution In Water

Congratulations to University High School freshman Vidhatri Iyer, who developed a quick, low-cost method for detecting harmful nanoplastic pollution in water. 

“The method I developed can be used in the field, so water samples from a lake or a stream can be put into an instrument that can read how much nanoplastic is in the sample,” said Vidhatri. “I wanted to find a way that was fast, efficient, and can be used when researchers go out and test water. [With this method], they can find how much nanoplastic there is within 10 minutes.”

Vidhatri’s method involves a testing instrument that is traditionally used to test for phosphorus and ammonia levels in water. She had the idea to customize the instrument to detect nanoplastic, which she developed and tested with the help of Bob Roudebush, a lab coordinator at Trico Regional Sewer Facilities. Vidhatri brought her idea to Mr. Roudebush, who helped her develop and refine it, as well as provided wastewater samples. 

“The instrument detects fluorescence, so you have to add a dye, which loosely adheres to the plastic,” said Vidhatri. “Then, the instrument detects the fluorescence it emits, thus detecting the amount of plastic.”

Nanoplastics are extremely small pieces or particles of plastic that result from the disposal or breakdown of plastic products, especially in a marine environment. 

“When we dump regular plastic into our oceans, it fragments into multiple nanoplastics. So, when we dump 12.5 million tons of plastic into the oceans each year, it multiplies by the millions and billions,” said Vidhatri. 

“It’s in our streams and drinking water. So, the more we realize where these hot spots of plastic activity are, we can find ways to solve it. This [method] is just the first step in trying to solve plastic contamination.”

Vidhatri’s interest in wastewater treatment and nanoplastic detection methods began on a field trip to the Trico Regional Sewer Utility treatment facility in Zionsville when she was in the sixth grade. 

“I started getting interested in how wastewater is treated and released back out into the streams of Indiana,” she said.

Throughout her sixth, seventh, and eighth grade years, Vidhatri worked on researching and gathering information on water pollution detection methods. 

From June to December 2022, she conducted a sixth-month study at the sewer treatment facility on her nanoplastic detection method. 

In September 2022, Vidhatri presented her research at the Indiana Water Summit in Indianapolis. In October, she spoke at the Alliance of Indiana Rural Water Fall Conference in Fort Wayne. She has received great feedback from experts who have attended her presentations. 

At 14 years old, Vidhatri wants to demonstrate how young people can make a significant difference when their ideas are listened to.

“I’ve heard from people that my work has shown them that age is just a number,” said Vidhatri. “You can have a great idea at any age and if you put thought and research into your ideas, they can grow into something big like this.”

Vidhatri is also working with the White River Alliance’s River Assessment Field Teams (RAFTs), which consist of volunteers who collect data and assess local water quality throughout Central Indiana. As a result of her method, nanoplastic levels can now be monitored. Teams can detect hot spots for plastic activity from water samples collected from Indiana’s water streams. 

“If a hot spot is detected, you can mark it and then try to figure out where the plastic contamination is coming from,” said Vidhatri. 

Looking ahead, Vidhatri plans to one day study environmental science in college and will continue working to raise awareness about nanoplastic pollution.

“I want people to know that this [method] is now an option, especially as a way for smaller or family-owned businesses to test their water,” she said. 

“I really hope the community continues to respond to it. Now that we have a new method, it should be utilized.”

Original source can be found here.