Learning About Plastic in Water

 Last week, students from August Šenoa Elementary School in Osijek, Croatia, visited the Chemistry Department at the University of Osijek. Our biology and chemistry teacher organized this trip for us.

When we arrived, we got to see what microplastics look like under a microscope. We learned that storks, crows, and other birds often pick up plastic at garbage dumps or beaches and end up eating it. It was amazing to see how tiny bits of plastic can get inside birds—and scary to think about where else this plastic might go.

Next, we joined a workshop on nylon synthesis. We learned how nylon is made and discovered more about plastic production. One of the biggest lessons we learned is that most plastic—especially microplastics—ends up in the oceans. It can even get into the bodies of sea creatures.

Before we left, we learned a helpful tip: always boil your water before you drink it. Research shows that about 80% of microplastics remain trapped in the limescale (the residue) that forms when water is boiled. We’re thinking about the idea of a ship that could collect water from the ocean, boil it, and then pass it through an additional filter before releasing the cleaned water back into the ocean. Could this be a way to clean our oceans of plastic and microplastics?

It was an unforgettable trip, and we hope to learn more about how to protect our waters from plastic pollution in the future!