From Bakelite to Biodegradable: Practical Initiatives for Broadband Spectroscopy in Plastic Remediation and Replacement

In a world where plastic pollution can be seen out most windows, no article is needed to convey the global scope of the plastics problem. But this topic often becomes bifurcated into technological discussions without concrete implementations, or broad initiatives without a tether to the aforemention...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Spectroscopy 2024-01, Vol.39 (1), p.6-12
Main Author: Guenther, Derek
Format: Magazinearticle
Language:English
Subjects:
Analytical methods
Aquatic insects
Aquatic reptiles
Bakelite
Biodegradable materials
Biodegradation
Breeding grounds
Breeding sites
Broadband
Chokes
Connecting
Infrared spectroscopy
Marine invertebrates
Near infrared radiation
Oceans
Plastic pollution
Plastics
Pollution
Raman spectroscopy
Recycling
Rivers
Sea turtles
Spectroscopy
Spectrum analysis
Trends
Turtles
Ultraviolet radiation
Utensils
Vinyl resins
Waterways
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Summary:In a world where plastic pollution can be seen out most windows, no article is needed to convey the global scope of the plastics problem. But this topic often becomes bifurcated into technological discussions without concrete implementations, or broad initiatives without a tether to the aforementioned technologies. Here we aim to fuse these two by connecting the capabilities of ultraviolet (UV), visible (VIS), near-infrared (IR), and Raman spectroscopies with practical, real-world initiatives being carried out at the corporate and social levels. Spectroscopy plays a critical role in both macroscopic and microscopic plastics detection, which is the first step in remediation, and also in the commercial replacement of plastics with biodegradable materials. This piece provides tangible examples of efforts being made today, including details on spectral hardware implementation, but more importantly provides proposals to the reader on how they can make a meaningful difference in their own world.
ISSN:0887-6703
1939-1900
DOI:10.56530/spectroscopy.qj9265q9