The proliferation of microplastics — tiny plastic particles measuring less than 5 millimeters in diameter — has escalated into a global health and environmental challenge with profound implications.  This issue is of particular significance in Pakistan’s Sindh region, where water contaminated with microplastics poses substantial threats to aquatic ecosystems, marine life, and human well-being.  The current methods for the detection of microplastics are labor-intensive, expensive, and lack the precision required for accurate assessment, making them challenging for economically struggling countries like Pakistan. This creates an urgent need for the development of advanced detection systems utilizing cutting-edge technologies for efficient, accurate, and comprehensive monitoring of microplastic contamination in aquatic environments.  But thanks to the efforts of students from Mehran University of Engineering and Technology in Jamshoro, Sindh, Pakistan and their development of an innovative microplastic detection system through an EPICS in IEEE project entitled “Enhancing Water Hygiene and Microplastic Surveillance in Aquatic Environments – Pakistan,” area residents can now be alerted of potential water contamination issues in real time.

In the following interview, Project Leader Muneer Rajar discusses the team’s mission, technology, and results as well as the invaluable support they received from EPICS in IEEE and the IEEE Instrumentation and Measurement Society (IMS), the project’s partner and funder.

Please share a bit about your student team and local partners.

Rajar:  In addition to myself, our team includes members Abuzar Soomro, Mudasir Rajput, and Aqsa Fatima and we’re final-year undergraduates in the Department of Electronics Engineering.  I’ve been responsible for managing system design, sampling, and sensor interfacing, but all of our members actively contribute to detection setup, image processing, hardware assembly, and reporting.  We’re currently in contact with local water boards and municipal bodies in Jamshoro to gain support for testing deployment and we’re also working to connect with local NGOs focused on environmental cleanup and water safety.

Please discuss the scope of your project and the need for this initiative in your local community.

Rajar:  Our project aims to detect and remove microplastics from contaminated water sources using a multi-stage filtration system and real-time quality monitoring.  The need for this project stems from the growing plastic pollution problem in nearby lakes and rivers in Sindh, particularly around Kotri and Jamshoro; these water sources are exposed to unmanaged plastic waste, affecting water quality and public health.  Our system is designed to be low-cost, portable, and suitable for deployment in rural and semi-urban areas where access to clean water is limited.

What technology did you employ as part of your project and what skills did you build?

Rajar:  We used a range of technologies, including a digital microscope for residue-based microplastic detection, pH and turbidity sensors for real-time water monitoring, Python and OpenCV for image processing and particle detection, Arduino and Raspberry Pi for sensor control and display, a multi-stage filtration unit (involving a pre-filter, RO, UF, carbon, UV, and sampling valves), and sampling techniques using NaCl-based density separation and H₂O₂ digestion.  We gained technical skills in circuit design, image analysis, data acquisition, microcontroller programming, filtration design, and community-based engineering.  We also built strengths in team coordination and leadership, project planning and time management, scientific documentation, and community engagement and communication.

 

What challenges did you encounter on your project and how did you address them?

Rajar:  One major challenge we faced involved capturing and processing clear images of microplastics using the digital microscope.  Due to the tiny size of particles, the detection using OpenCV required careful parameter-tuning to avoid false results.  We addressed this by testing multiple image filters and adjusting threshold levels for better accuracy.  We had some additional difficulty integrating the sensors (TDS, pH, turbidity) with the system, as calibration took time and some sensors gave inconsistent readings, but we resolved this through repeated testing and cross-checking sensor outputs with standard values.  We also struggled to design an effective multi-stage filtration unit, as some filters either clogged too quickly or allowed fine particles to pass through.  To solve this, we tested different combinations of RO, UF, and carbon filters until we achieved balanced flow and purification.

What are the results of your project so far and their impact on the community?

Rajar:  We successfully created three environmental samples — lake, sediment, and wastewater — and verified that microplastics can be captured using a low-cost membrane holder.  We also demonstrated that real-time pH and turbidity monitoring works effectively.  Among its impacts, this project helped promote greater awareness of plastic pollution among our university’s faculty and student body and we plan to conduct further outreach at local schools to continue to raise environmental consciousness.

 

What ongoing activities are planned and what’s your hope for this project in the future?

Rajar:  We plan to complete our hardware prototype and test it in different field conditions, fully automate our system with sensor data logging and real-time feedback, and perform final validation and water quality comparisons before and after filtration.  Looking ahead, we’d love to publish our research, present the project at national innovation fairs and engineering conferences, and potentially extend the system to industrial wastewater applications.  Our hope is that this system becomes a deployable solution for remote communities where water quality is poor; we envision it being scaled and customized for homes, schools, and health centers in underserved areas.  On a larger scale, our work could contribute to the global movement for microplastic surveillance, supporting UN Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation).

Finally, what would you like to say about the funding/support you received from EPICS in IEEE/IMS and the value of the opportunity to participate in an EPICS in IEEE project?

Rajar:  We’re deeply grateful to EPICS in IEEE and the IMS for their funding and support, as it’s empowered us to turn an idea into a real-world solution with direct community relevance.  This opportunity helped us grow as engineers, researchers, and social innovators and showed us how engineering can address urgent social challenges while developing meaningful skills.  We highly recommend this platform to other students who want to build impactful, human-centered technology.

For more information on EPICS in IEEE or the opportunity to participate in service-learning projects, visit https://epics.ieee.org/.  “EPICS (Engineering Projects in Community Service) in IEEE” is an initiative which provides opportunities for students to work proactively with both engineering professionals, technological innovation, and local organizations/partners to develop solutions that address global community challenges.