Taking control of microplastics data: A comparison of control and blank data correction methods

Dawson, Amanda L.; Santana, Marina; Nelis, Joost LD; Motti, Cherie A.

doi:10.1016/j.jhazmat.2022.130218

Cited by 32 publications

(7 citation statements)

References 61 publications

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“…Clearly, the use of applicable blank controls, and the resulting application of them, is still a perplexing and emerging issue amongst researchers characterizing and quantifying MPs in biotic and abiotic samples. As Dawson et al [39] concluded in their evaluation of the use of blanks in recent MP studies, data analysis within current environmental studies is often nontransparent, particularly the analysis of controls and blanks, suggesting the MP research community establish method harmonization.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics in Atlantic Ribbed Mussels (Geukensia demissa) from the Delaware Inland Bays, USA

Ashley,

Pilat,

Ohlweiler

et al. 2024

Microplastics

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Due to the prevalence of plastic pollution in coastal ecosystems, aquatic organisms are at high risk for accumulating microplastics (MPs). Filter-feeding bivalves, such as mussels and oysters, may be exposed to, and subsequently accumulate, MPs due to the high volume of water they pass through their bodies. This study assessed the levels of MPs within Atlantic ribbed mussels (Geukensia demissa), a common filter feeder found along the United States Atlantic Coast, from 12 sites within Rehoboth Bay, Indian River Bay, and Little Assawoman Bay, collectively known as the Delaware Inland Bays. Composited mussels from each site were digested using potassium hydroxide and filtered. Microplastics were physically identified, sorted based on color, and counted using a digital microscope. Microplastics, almost entirely dominated by synthetic microfibers, were found in all mussels well above laboratory blanks. Across all sites, 40% of microfibers were black, and 27% of fibers were clear. The composite concentrations of MPs ranged from 0.25 to 2.06 particles/g wet tissue, with a mean of 0.08 ± 0.06. In general, higher concentrations were found in mussels collected at sites that were adjacent to more urbanized land use versus those from rural sites. At two sites, individual mussels, in addition to composites, were analyzed and had MP concentrations ranging from 11 to 69 particles/mussel. This study represents the first evaluation of MPs in this ecologically important coastal species and suggests its viability as a biomonitoring species for microplastic pollution.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics in Atlantic Ribbed Mussels (Geukensia demissa) from the Delaware Inland Bays, USA

Ashley,

Pilat,

Ohlweiler

et al. 2024

Microplastics

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“…Details on the calculations are provided in SI section 2.2 . The number and mass of MP suspect particles of each series were corrected by the respective procedural blanks [ 37 ]. Therefore, a limit of quantification (LOQ) was calculated based on the mean particle number of the respective procedural blanks plus ten times the standard deviation for each combination of size class, morphology, and fluorescence group.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nile red staining for rapid screening of plastic-suspect particles in edible seafood tissues

Süssmann,

Fischer,

Hildebrandt

et al. 2024

Anal Bioanal Chem

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Concerns regarding microplastic (MP) contamination in aquatic ecosystems and its impact on seafood require a better understanding of human dietary MP exposure including extensive monitoring. While conventional techniques for MP analysis like infrared or Raman microspectroscopy provide detailed particle information, they are limited by low sample throughput, particularly when dealing with high particle numbers in seafood due to matrix-related residues. Consequently, more rapid techniques need to be developed to meet the requirements of large-scale monitoring. This study focused on semi-automated fluorescence imaging analysis after Nile red staining for rapid MP screening in seafood. By implementing RGB-based fluorescence threshold values, the need for high operator expertise to prevent misclassification was addressed. Food-relevant MP was identified with over 95% probability and differentiated from natural polymers with a 1% error rate. Comparison with laser direct infrared imaging (LDIR), a state-of-the-art method for rapid MP analysis, showed similar particle counts, indicating plausible results. However, highly variable recovery rates attributed to inhomogeneous particle spiking experiments highlight the need for future development of certified reference material including sample preparation. The proposed method demonstrated suitability of high throughput analysis for seafood samples, requiring 0.02–0.06 h/cm2 filter surface compared to 4.5–14.7 h/cm with LDIR analysis. Overall, the method holds promise as a screening tool for more accurate yet resource-intensive MP analysis methods such as spectroscopic or thermoanalytical techniques. Graphical Abstract

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“…This was due to the different porosity of filtration possible for the two different matrices. The μ-Raman results were used to quantify the number of MP particles and the quantity of different plastic polymer types in each sample according to Armbruster and Pry 34 and Dawson et al, 35 where LOQ ≥ LOD (Limit of Detection) and LOD = (mean blank + 1.645 (SD blank )) + 1.645 (SD lowest sample result ).…”

Section: Materials and Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

High Levels of Microplastics in the Arctic Sea Ice Alga Melosira arctica, a Vector to Ice-Associated and Benthic Food Webs

Bergmann

Allen

Krumpen

et al. 2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Plastic pollution has become ubiquitous with very high quantities detected even in ecosystems as remote as Arctic sea ice and deep-sea sediments. Ice algae growing underneath sea ice are released upon melting and can form fast-sinking aggregates. In this pilot study, we sampled and analyzed the ice algaeMelosira arcticaand ambient sea water from three locations in the Fram Strait to assess their microplastic content and potential as a temporary sink and pathway to the deep seafloor. Analysis by μ-Raman and fluorescence microscopy detected microplastics (≥2.2 μm) in all samples at concentrations ranging from 1.3 to 5.7 × 104 microplastics (MP) m–3 in ice algae and from 1.4 to 4.5 × 103 MP m–3 in sea water, indicating magnitude higher concentrations in algae. On average, 94% of the total microplastic particles were identified as 10 μm or smaller in size and comprised 16 polymer types without a clear dominance. The high concentrations of microplastics found in our pilot study suggest thatM. arctica could trap microplastics from melting ice and ambient sea water. The algae appear to be a temporary sink and could act as a key vector to food webs near the sea surface and on the deep seafloor, to which its fast-sinking aggregates could facilitate an important mechanism of transport.

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Taking control of microplastics data: A comparison of control and blank data correction methods

Cited by 32 publications

References 61 publications

Microplastics in Atlantic Ribbed Mussels (Geukensia demissa) from the Delaware Inland Bays, USA

Microplastics in Atlantic Ribbed Mussels (Geukensia demissa) from the Delaware Inland Bays, USA

Nile red staining for rapid screening of plastic-suspect particles in edible seafood tissues

High Levels of Microplastics in the Arctic Sea Ice Alga Melosira arctica, a Vector to Ice-Associated and Benthic Food Webs

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