Influence of polyethylene microplastics on thermal properties of water and seawater: A novel detection method for microplastics and nanoplastics

Key Points

• Thermal properties of water change significantly with increased polyethylene microplastic concentration, impacting ecological dynamics.
• Key metrics indicate a notable variation in thermal conductivity and heat capacity, emphasizing the relevance of these findings.
• Detection method for microplastics, validated through experimental setups, facilitates identification in both water and seawater environments.
• Implications of this study highlight the need for further exploration into microplastics' ecological effects and mitigation strategies.