Microplastic sample purification methods - Assessing detrimental effects of purification procedures on specific plastic types

Schrank, Isabella; Möller, Julia; Imhof, Hannes K.; Hauenstein, Oliver; Zielke, Franziska; Agarwal, Seema; Löder, Martin G. J.; Greiner, Andreas; Laforsch, Christian

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2022.154824

Cited by 54 publications

(36 citation statements)

References 79 publications

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“…On the one hand, this high number of particles could potentially result from the fragmentation of MPs during laboratory handling. However, this possibility was minimized by gentle sample preparation and purification techniques (Schrank et al, 2022) and is therefore unlikely. More likely is that most particles smaller than 300 μm were entrapped in or attached to larger organic aggregates and thus captured as "bycatch" by the 300 μm net.…”

Section: Influence Of Sampling Methods On Mp Particle Size Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…This approach secures reliable focal plane array (FPA)based micro-FTIR imaging data with minimal matrix interferences. In addition, the sequential enzymaticpurification protocol is a very gentle purification method for MP (Schrank et al, 2022). The purified samples were filtered using anodisc filters (Whatman, 0.2-μm pore size, 25-mm diameter, GE Healthcare, Chalfont St Giles, United Kingdom) with a custom-made round glass filter funnel of 10-mm diameter for the subsequent micro-FTIR measurement.…”

Section: Sample Preparationmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Riverine microplastic contamination in southwest Germany: A large-scale survey

et al. 2022

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Microplastic (MP) contamination of freshwater ecosystems is still in the focus of research and public attention, as aquatic environments have a high ecological, economic, and recreational value. We now know that rivers do not only function as pathways of MPs into oceans but may also act as temporary MP sinks. However, due to methodological differences, the comparability of studies on MP contamination of rivers is still limited. To compare MP contamination between different river systems, to analyze if there is a constant increase in MP contamination from the upper to the lower course of the river, and to investigate if there are distinct MP distribution patterns, we set up a large-scale survey. We chose two large river systems, the Rhine and Danube catchments with their tributaries and sampled 23 rivers of different sizes at 53 sampling locations in southwest Germany. Surface water sampling, sample processing, and analysis were performed with the same methodology to obtain comparable results on MP number, polymer type, and particle’s size and shape. Fully quantitative data were generated down to 300 µm by using a manta trawl net with a 300-µm mesh size for sampling. Nevertheless, we also included the non-quantitative sampled fraction of particles down to a size of 20 µm in our FTIR analysis after plastic-friendly sample purification by enzymatic oxidative treatment. Plastic concentrations recorded in surface water at the sampling locations ranged from 0.7 to 354.9 particles/m³. Concerning all samples, the number of particles increased toward lower size classes (61.0 ± 34.2% below 300 µm), and fragments were the prevailing shape (90.7 ± 13.6%). Polyethylene (49.2 ± 25.9%) and polypropylene (33.2 ± 22.6%) were the most frequent polymer types. Our survey did not reveal distinct MP distribution patterns or a constant increase of MP abundance within river courses in the investigated river systems. Next, to provide a large-scale dataset of microplastic contamination in surface waters of southwest Germany, our study shows that a representative sampling of MPs in rivers is challenging. MP particles are not homogeneously distributed in rivers, and this indicates that spatial and temporal changes in MP abundance should always be considered in MP monitoring approaches.

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Section: Influence Of Sampling Methods On Mp Particle Size Distributionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Sample Preparationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Riverine microplastic contamination in southwest Germany: A large-scale survey

et al. 2022

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“…The alkaline process shows a significant surface change in PET films since this polymer consists of carbonate and ester linkages, which makes them susceptible to alkaline hydrolysis of these functional groups. 151 Enzymatic degradation could also be employed for sediments containing high amounts of planktons. 152 However, this method is mainly used when the study aims to evaluate MP presence in biota tissues.…”

Section: Sample Preparation (Extraction and Pre-treatment)mentioning

confidence: 99%

Preservation, storage, and sample preparation methods for freshwater microplastics – a comprehensive review

Nayebi

Khurana

Pulicharla

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci.: Adv.

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“…The scarcity of laboratory and especially field data with regard to the mobility of MnPs in agricultural soils and groundwater is strongly linked to analytical challenges around their quantification. Analytical methods for microplastics in soils have been reviewed extensively (e.g., Möller et al 2020), with larger microplastics (≥ 500 µm) being relatively easily sorted and identified (Schrank et al 2022). However, there is no consensus yet on the analysis of smaller microplastics (< 500 µm) (Möller et al 2020).…”

Section: Analysis and Detection Capabilitiesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics and nanoplastics in agriculture—A potential source of soil and groundwater contamination?

Moeck

Davies

Krause

et al. 2022

Grundwasser - Zeitschrift der Fachsektion Hydrogeologie

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An overview of the current state of knowledge on the pollution of agricultural soils with microplastic and nanoplastic (MnP) particles is provided and the main MnP sources are discussed. MnP transport mechanisms from soil to groundwater, as well as the potential impact of MnPs on soil structure are considered, and the relevance of co-contaminants such as agrochemicals is further highlighted. We elaborate on why MnPs in soil and groundwater are understudied and how analytical capabilities are critical for furthering this crucial research area. We point out that plastic fragmentation in soils can generate secondary MnPs, and that these smaller particles potentially migrate into aquifers. The transport of MnP in soils and groundwater and their migration and fate are still poorly understood. Higher MnP concentrations in agricultural soils can influence the sorption behavior of agrochemicals onto soil grains while attachment/detachment of MnPs onto soil grains and MnP-agrochemical interactions can potentially lead to enhanced transport of both MnP particles and agrochemicals towards underlying groundwater systems.

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Microplastic sample purification methods - Assessing detrimental effects of purification procedures on specific plastic types

Cited by 54 publications

References 79 publications

Riverine microplastic contamination in southwest Germany: A large-scale survey

Riverine microplastic contamination in southwest Germany: A large-scale survey

Preservation, storage, and sample preparation methods for freshwater microplastics – a comprehensive review

Microplastics and nanoplastics in agriculture—A potential source of soil and groundwater contamination?

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