Aggregation and Aggregate Strength of Microscale Plastic Particles in the Presence of Natural Organic Matter: Effects of Ionic Valence

Considering the recent plastic loads in water bodies we studied aggregation, charging, and aggregate strength of polyethylene microsphere (PEM) particles presence natural organic matter (NOM) as a function KCl CaCl2 concentrations. We used Suwannee river humic acid (SRHA) NOM PEM microplastics. The aggregation was triggered solutions more effectively than due to divalent bridging strong electrostatic attraction between Ca2+ SRHA well particles. found that maximum around 1.87 nN 100 mg/L at 0.5 M solution. solution lower solution, manifesting effective flocculation ions.