Microplastics in Galway Bay: A comparison of sampling and separation methods

Pagter, Elena; Frias, João; Nash, Róisín

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.08.013

Cited by 70 publications

(29 citation statements)

References 69 publications

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“…Despite this clear bias towards low-density polymers, it is a method that has been used extensively since it was rst tested in 2004, predominantly due to its low cost and limited potential for harm. 11,44,48 In soils with purely inorganic content, both oil and ZnCl 2 had much higher recovery rates than NaCl and which extended across the different polymer types. Extraction with canola oil recovered the most small microplastics so is preferential for extractions from soils with high inorganic content, as environmental samples tend to be dominated by smaller microplastics.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Developing a systematic method for extraction of microplastics in soils

et al. 2021

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 98%

Developing a systematic method for extraction of microplastics in soils

et al. 2021

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“…We decided on such a methodology because it is possible to analyse the entire sample and there is less risk of losing the microplastics sought in the whole process. Density separation (Hidalgo--Ruz et al 2012, Wagner et al 2014, Dris et al 2015b, Bogusz & Oleszczuk 2016, Frère et al 2017, Graca et al 2017, Pagter et al 2018 was not performed because it is only recommended for light polymers (Rezania et al 2018).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The occurrence of microplastics in freshwater systems – preliminary results from Krakow (Poland)

Połeć¹,

Aleksander-Kwaterczak

Wątor³

et al. 2018

geol

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The results of research conducted in recent years indicates that microplastic particles are widely distributed in the aquatic environment. The investigations are mostly focused on marine waters and there is still a lack of information about their presence in both surface water and groundwater. In this paper, preliminary results of research conducted in Poland are presented. Different types of water samples were collected. Five litres of each sample were filtered through 0.4 μm glass fibre filters. In the first stage, visual identification was conducted using a stereomicroscope. Additionally, some interesting fragments were examined by means of SEM/EDS method. In the case of rivers water samples, which were characterized by a high content of organic matter and minerals, the visibility of microplastics could be reduced. In the sample from the Vistula River, some particles similar to microplastics were found. In the groundwater samples, some blue and green particles which supposed to be plastic were found by the stereomicroscope. Additional analysis with the DXR Raman Microscope method gave no clear results. The samples were too small and the plastic particles were very dispersed which prevented correct analysis. SEM analysis showed irregularly shaped particles which were considered to be microplastics. Considering the chemical composition, carbon predominated.

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“…Approximately 10 g of oven-dried sediment was weighed and placed into a pre-cleaned glass jar. 105 mL of sodium tungstate dihydrate (Na2WO4.2H2O, 40 % w/v, density 1.4 g cm -3 ), as recommended by Frias et al (2018) and Pagter et al (2018), was added to each glass jar, the mixture was shaken for approximately 1 minute and the sediments were allowed to settle. From each sample jar, the overlying sodium tungstate dihydrate solution was removed using a pipette and filtered under vacuum onto glass microfiber paper (GF/C), Whatman 47 mm, pore size 1.2 µm, using a Buchner funnel and an Erlenmeyer flask.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Deep sea sediments of the Arctic Central Basin: A potential sink for microplastics

Kanhai

Johansson

Frias

et al. 2019

Deep Sea Research Part I: Oceanographic Research Papers

143

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Deep sea sediments have in the past decade emerged as a potential sink for microplastics in the marine environment. The discovery of microplastics in various environmental compartments of the Arctic Central Basin (ACB) suggested that these contaminants were potentially being transported to the deep-sea realm of this oceanic basin. For the first time, the present study conducted a preliminary assessment to determine whether microplastics were present in surficial sediments from the ACB. Gravity and piston corers were used to retrieve sediments from depths of 855 -4353 m at 11 sites in the ACB during the Arctic Ocean 2016 (AO16) expedition. Surficial sediments from the various cores were subjected to density flotation with sodium tungstate dihydrate solution (Na2WO4.2H2O, density 1.4 g cm -3 ). Potential microplastics were isolated and analysed by Fourier Transform Infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy. Of the surficial samples, 7 of the 11 samples contained synthetic polymers which included polyester (n = 3), polystyrene (n = 2), 2 polyacrylonitrile (n = 1), polypropylene (n = 1), polyvinyl chloride (n = 1) and polyamide (n = 1). Fibres (n = 5) and fragments (n = 4) were recorded in the samples. In order to avoid misinterpretation, these findings must be taken in the context that (i) sampling equipment did not guarantee retrieval of undisturbed surficial sediments, (ii) low sample volumes were analysed (~ 10 g per site), (iii) replicate sediment samples per site was not possible, (iv) no air contamination checks were included during sampling and, (v) particles <100 µm were automatically excluded from analysis. While the present study provides some preliminary indication that microplastics may be accumulating in the deep-sea realm of the ACB, further work is necessary to assess microplastic abundance, distribution and composition in surficial sediments of the ACB.

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Microplastics in Galway Bay: A comparison of sampling and separation methods

Cited by 70 publications

References 69 publications

Developing a systematic method for extraction of microplastics in soils

Developing a systematic method for extraction of microplastics in soils

The occurrence of microplastics in freshwater systems – preliminary results from Krakow (Poland)

Deep sea sediments of the Arctic Central Basin: A potential sink for microplastics

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