Particle Image/Tracking Velocimetry (PIV/PTV) for Hydrodynamic Characterization of Microplastics

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Particle Imaging/Tracking Velocimetry (PIV/PTV) techniques have widespread applications in many fundamental and applied research fields including fluid engineering, medical science, and environmental engineering. Combining these two velocimetry techniques allows non-intrusive characterization of the ambient carrier fluid as well as of the dispersed phase. PIV/PTV techniques have been utilized to parametrize multi-phase flow involving sediment particles, heavy metals, and air bubbles. They have been implemented primarily to investigate the rising or falling behaviours and entrainment in turbulent flow. In the past decade, small plastic particles known as microplastics (MPs), sized smaller than 5mm, have emerged as a hazardous pollutant due to their impact on aquatic animals and human health. Therefore, research on their detection in aquatic environments and ecological implications have gained significant attention. The distribution of MPs in such environments are closely associated with hydrodynamic conditions and some of the physical processes responsible for the mobilization of nutrients, oxygen, and sediments are also capable of transporting MPs. Despite their significance, our knowledge of the interaction of MPs and flow hydrodynamics is limited. The requested PIV/PTV system provides a unique tool for the applicants to carry out breakthrough research on MPs from a perspective that has never been explored before. The equipment will support research on the entrainment and long-distance transport of MPs and mobility and retention of sedimentary MPs. The proposed system is enhanced with machine learning algorithms that enable applicants to view the movement of MP particles in 3D, track particle trajectory, direction, shape, area, and velocity. Furthermore, the system's features, including resolution and speed, are designed to capture intricate features of very irregularly shaped MPs such as microfibres and films. The application of the proposed system, however, is not limited to MPs' characterization; the system will be utilized by applicants in other advanced areas of environmental hydrodynamics including aerated flow characterization. Furthermore, four collaborators at York University, Environment Climate Change Canada, and University of Windsor will be using and benefiting from the system on the basis of exiting collaborations with the applicants.