Determination of microplastic polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) in environmental samples using thermal analysis (TGA-DSC)

Majewsky, Marius; Bitter, Hajo; Eiche, Elisabeth; Horn, Harald

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.06.017

Cited by 288 publications

(132 citation statements)

References 13 publications

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“…Majewski et al [53] used thermography coupled to differential scanning calorimetry (TGA-DSC) for the simultaneous analysis of PE and PP.T hey found al imit of detection of 2.5 wt-% (for PE) and 5wt-% (for PP) when using defined mixtures of the polymers and atotal sample weight of 10 mg. TGA-DSC was also successfully applied to two environmental wastewater samples.I nt hese,3 4% and 17 %o ft he total solid mass (after density separation with ZnCl 2 and H 2 O 2 treatment, particle size 12 mm-1 mm) consisted of PE, while PP was not found. TGA-DSC is ac heap method, which is widely available in many labs.H owever,i tc an only be used for the identification of PE and PP,s ince other common polymers (PET,PES,PVC) cannot be distinguished.…”

Section: Mp Identification and Quantificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastic in Aquatic Ecosystems

2016

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The contamination of marine and freshwater ecosystems with plastic, and especially with microplastic (MP), is a global ecological problem of increasing scientific concern. This has stimulated a great deal of research on the occurrence of MP, interaction of MP with chemical pollutants, the uptake of MP by aquatic organisms, and the resulting (negative) impact of MP. Herein, we review the major issues of MP in aquatic environments, with the principal aims 1) to characterize the methods applied for MP analysis (including sampling, processing, identification and quantification), indicate the most reliable techniques, and discuss the required further improvements; 2) to estimate the abundance of MP in marine/freshwater ecosystems and clarify the problems that hamper the comparability of such results; and 3) to summarize the existing literature on the uptake of MP by living organisms. Finally, we identify knowledge gaps, suggest possible strategies to assess environmental risks arising from MP, and discuss prospects to minimize MP abundance in aquatic ecosystems.

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Section: Mp Identification and Quantificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastic in Aquatic Ecosystems

2016

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“…One way is to remove other impurities from the sample. In order to remove impurities from the microplastic, H 2 O 2 was used to remove organic matter and plant residues in water sediments samples (Majewsky et al, 2016;Nuelle et al, 2014a;Wang et al, 2016a).…”

Section: Identification Of Microplasticmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Concerning further testing, the limit of particle size detection could be smaller if a digital camera with a higher resolution was connected to the microscope. Furthermore, this method can't be used to distinguish the chemical components of microplastic, which can be detected using the method of thermal analysis, infrared spectroscopy or Raman micro-spectroscopy (Frias et al, 2010;Hirai et al, 2011;Lenz et al, 2015;Majewsky et al, 2016;Nor and Obbard, 2014;Wang et al, 2016b).…”

Section: Identification Of Microplasticmentioning

confidence: 99%

A simple method for the extraction and identification of light density microplastics from soil

Zhang

Yang

Gertsen

et al. 2018

Science of The Total Environment

344

141

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This article introduces a simple and cost-saving method developed to extract, distinguish and quantify light density microplastics of polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) in soil. A floatation method using distilled water was used to extract the light density microplastics from soil samples. Microplastics and impurities were identified using a heating method (3-5s at 130°C). The number and size of particles were determined using a camera (Leica DFC 425) connected to a microscope (Leica wild M3C, Type S, simple light, 6.4×). Quantification of the microplastics was conducted using a developed model. Results showed that the floatation method was effective in extracting microplastics from soils, with recovery rates of approximately 90%. After being exposed to heat, the microplastics in the soil samples melted and were transformed into circular transparent particles while other impurities, such as organic matter and silicates were not changed by the heat. Regression analysis of microplastics weight and particle volume (a calculation based on image J software analysis) after heating showed the best fit (y=1.14x+0.46, R=99%, p<0.001). Recovery rates based on the empirical model method were >80%. Results from field samples collected from North-western China prove that our method of repetitive floatation and heating can be used to extract, distinguish and quantify light density polyethylene microplastics in soils. Microplastics mass can be evaluated using the empirical model.

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“…As regard the peaks for PA6 they were shifted 0.99‐fold and 1.01‐fold to value of 216 o C for pure polyamide 6 . The plasticizers, filler agents and impurities associated with the degree of polymer branching, particles size and shape change the polymer structure and composition and interfere with their decomposition pathways. Considering the principle according to the melting enthalpies of the components in the polymer blends being proportional to their amount, the LDPE:PA6 ratios in RO and SLO were calculated to 9:1 and 13.6:1, respectively.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 94%

Impact of packaging properties on the physical‐chemical‐microbiological‐sensory characteristics of Ricotta cheese during storage

et al. 2019

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Ricotta is a highly perishable cheese of which shelf‐life is strongly influenced by the properties of packages in which it is stored. Four plastic packages currently in use in Italy (IT), Romania (RO), Slovenia (SLO), and Spain (SP) are characterized in term of structure, barrier, and antimicrobial properties, and their efficiency in the ricotta storage at 4°C is assessed. Differential scanning calorimetry and Fourier‐transform infrared spectroscopy analysis indicate that the IT and SP packages are made of low‐density polyethylene and the RO and SLO packages consist of polyethylene and polyamide 6. Permeability to the water vapour and oxygen transmission rate vary as follows: IT>SLO > RO > SP and SP > IT>RO > SLO, respectively. The SP package expressed the highest antimicrobial inhibition whilst the IT package the lowest. The maximum amounts of volatile compounds in cheese were reached after 3 days in the IT and SP packages and after 6 days in the SLO and RO packages. The score 2.8 for cheese overall acceptability was exceeded after 7 days in the IT, RO, and SP packages and 6 days in the SLO package. Barrier properties of packages significantly influence the shelf‐life of ricotta. Low barrier properties resulted in high level of oxygen and water vapours inside the headspace of packages ultimately favour the microbial development. The simultaneous compliance of microbiological safety level and overall acceptability score gives ricotta a shelf‐life of 3 days in the IT, RO, and SP packages and 1 day in the SLO package.

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Determination of microplastic polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) in environmental samples using thermal analysis (TGA-DSC)

Cited by 288 publications

References 13 publications

Microplastic in Aquatic Ecosystems

Microplastic in Aquatic Ecosystems

A simple method for the extraction and identification of light density microplastics from soil

Impact of packaging properties on the physical‐chemical‐microbiological‐sensory characteristics of Ricotta cheese during storage

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