STRADA Unit
Microplastics & Nano-Particle Extraction Chemistry Unit
Advanced analytical chemistry for the detection, isolation, and characterization of microplastics and engineered nano-particles across water systems, soils, sediments, and humanitarian risk environments.
Overview
Extraction chemistry for emerging contaminants
This unit develops field-relevant and laboratory-grade methods to isolate microplastics, polymer fragments, and nano-scale particulate contaminants from complex environmental and biological matrices.
Its work supports contamination mapping, exposure assessment, materials fingerprinting, and evidence generation for environmental protection, public health, and cross-directorate scientific response.
Capabilities
Core analytical functions
The unit combines contaminant extraction chemistry, sample preparation, and laboratory interpretation to support research, monitoring, and operational environmental intelligence.
Sample isolation
Separation workflows for microplastics and nano-particles from water, sediment, soil, tissue, and mixed debris samples.
Polymer characterization
Chemical differentiation of synthetic particulates to support source attribution, contamination profiling, and comparative analysis.
Exposure mapping
Analytical support for tracing contaminant pathways across ecosystems, supply chains, coastal zones, and affected communities.
Field-to-lab protocols
Standardized handling and extraction methods designed to improve reproducibility, chain of custody, and deployment readiness.