Sample Preparation Techniques for the Analysis of Microplastics in Soil—A Review

Thomas, Daniela; Schütze, Berit; Heinze, W.; Steinmetz, Zacharias

doi:10.3390/su12219074

Cited by 120 publications

(56 citation statements)

References 139 publications

(327 reference statements)

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“…The smaller the particles that are detected, the more difficult it is for contamination to be controlled [ 31 ]. Moreover, the breakdown of larger MP particles may lead to artificially high MP counts [ 32 , 33 ]. In view of the particle size of >50 µm examined by us and despite numerous methodological measures to avoid contamination, the previously described detection of microplastic particles with a size of 5–10 µm [ 25 ] should be interpreted with caution.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of Microplastic in Human Placenta and Meconium in a Clinical Setting

et al. 2021

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Environmental pollution with microplastics (MPs) is a major and worldwide concern. Involuntary exposure to MPs by ingestion or inhalation is unavoidable. The effects on human health are still under debate, while in animals, cellular MP translocation and subsequent deleterious effects were shown. First reports indicate a potential intrauterine exposure with MPs, yet readouts are prone to contamination. Method: To establish a thorough protocol for the detection of MPs in human placenta and fetal meconium in a real-life clinical setting, a pilot study was set up to screen for MPs > 50 µm in placental tissue and meconium sampled during two cesarean sections for breech deliveries. After chemical digestion of non-plastic material, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) microspectroscopy was used to analyze the presence of 10 common types of microplastic in placenta and stool samples. Results: Human placenta and meconium samples were screened positive for polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyurethane, of which only the latter one was also detected as airborne fallout in the operating room—thus representing potential contamination. Conclusion: We found MPs > 50 µm in placenta and meconium acquired from cesarean delivery. Critical evaluation of potential contamination sources is pivotal and may guide future clinical studies to improve the correct detection of MPs in organ tissue. Studies investigating nano-sized plastics in human tissue are warranted.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Detection of Microplastic in Human Placenta and Meconium in a Clinical Setting

et al. 2021

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“…The following research needs concerning plastic waste are highlighted in the literature: bioaccumulation and biomagnification of microplastics and nanoplastics and associated chemicals in wildlife and humans [ 67 ], developing uniform methods of sample collection, separation, detection, characterization, and identification of microplastics in aqueous and solid samples; many authors stress that the lack of universal and validated methods makes the interpretation and comparing of current research results difficult [ 44 , 72 , 73 ]. Measures are also needed to reduce plastic consumption, increase recycling efficiency, drastically reduce plastic leaking to the environment, as well as the development of oceanic plastic debris clean up techniques [ 20 , 38 , 39 , 74 ].…”

Section: Plastic Debris In the Marine Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Marine Waste—Sources, Fate, Risks, Challenges and Research Needs

Dąbrowska

Sobota

Świąder

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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The article presents a comprehensive and cross-cutting review of key marine waste issues, taking into account: sources, fate, risks, transport pathways, threats, legislation, current challenges, and knowledge gaps. The growing amount of both human-created waste in seas and oceans and waste reaching marine ecosystems from land is one of today’s challenges for the global economy and the European Union. It is predicted that if no decisive steps are taken to limit the amount of this type of waste, there may be more plastic waste than fish in the oceans after 2050. The influence of microplastics and nanoplastics on living organisms remains undiagnosed. Within the international and EU law, solutions are being developed to properly manage waste on board ships and to reduce the impact of processes related to the recycling of the vessels on the environment. Currently, over 80% of ships are dismantled in the countries of South Asia, in conditions that threaten the environment and the safety of workers. After World War 2, large quantities of chemical weapons were deposited in the seas. Steel containers with dangerous substances residing in the sea for over 70 years have begun leaking, thus polluting water. For many years, radioactive waste had also been dumped into marine ecosystems, although since 1993 there has been a total ban on such disposal of radionuclides. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on marine waste generation has also been presented as a significant factor influencing marine waste generation and management.

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“…The soil sample was extracted in 30 cm depth layer using a handheld hoe at each point, before exhuming approximately 2 kgs of the mixed soil sample from 3 randomly selected points to make one sample composite site described by (Thomas et al, 2020). For each farm, three composite soil samples were collected from the 2 corners and middle of the farms.…”

Section: Soil Samplesmentioning

confidence: 99%

Analysis of macro-and microplastics in the water, soil/sediment in riverine, riverbanks and irrigated farms in Arusha Tanzania

Kundu

Komakech

Lugomela³

2021

Preprint

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Microplastics and macroplastics have been reported in different urban rivers and agricultural soil across the globe. However, the interlink between them has not been previously assessed therefore, the present study evaluated the relationship between macro-and microplastics in the water columns and sediments in riverine, riverbanks, and soils from irrigated farms in Arusha, Tanzania. Detached pieces from macroplastics and suspected particles of microplastics from the samples were analyzed using the total attenuated reflectance - Fourier transform Infrared spectroscopy, where statistical analysis showed that the number of microplastics in the sediments was higher than in the water columns and that in irrigated farms than in the riverine by a magnitude of 4. Besides, the numbers of microplastics and macroplastics in the irrigation farms were exponentially-related while the macroplastics from the riverbanks had an inverse relationship with the rivers’ profile elevation. Polyethylene was the dominating macroplastic in the riverbanks and irrigated farms with a 100% frequency of occurrence while polystyrene was abundant in all samples of microplastics. However, the irrigated farms adjacent to canals had a greater number of microplastics and macroplastics. In generally, the findings showed a similar trend of plastic distribution in urban rivers and irrigated farms, suggesting an interaction between them.

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Sample Preparation Techniques for the Analysis of Microplastics in Soil—A Review

Cited by 120 publications

References 139 publications

Detection of Microplastic in Human Placenta and Meconium in a Clinical Setting

Detection of Microplastic in Human Placenta and Meconium in a Clinical Setting

Marine Waste—Sources, Fate, Risks, Challenges and Research Needs

Analysis of macro-and microplastics in the water, soil/sediment in riverine, riverbanks and irrigated farms in Arusha Tanzania

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