ToF‐SIMS characterization of microplastics in soils

Du, Chuan; Wu, Jerry J.; Gong, Jie; Liang, Handong; Li, Zhanping

doi:10.1002/sia.6742

Cited by 45 publications

(18 citation statements)

References 46 publications

(74 reference statements)

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“…Further noteworthy approaches include electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy [157], TOF-secondary ion mass spectrometry [158], and near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy [138,159]. The methods enable fast, qualitative screenings of microplastic particles and surface characteristics after oxidative treatment or density separation.…”

Section: Further Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2020

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Although most plastic pollution originates on land, current research largely remains focused on aquatic ecosystems. Studies pioneering terrestrial microplastic research have adapted analytical methods from aquatic research without acknowledging the complex nature of soil. Meanwhile, novel methods have been developed and further refined. However, methodical inconsistencies still challenge a comprehensive understanding of microplastic occurrence and fate in and on soil. This review aims to disentangle the variety of state-of-the-art sample preparation techniques for heterogeneous solid matrices to identify and discuss best-practice methods for soil-focused microplastic analyses. We show that soil sampling, homogenization, and aggregate dispersion are often neglected or incompletely documented. Microplastic preconcentration is typically performed by separating inorganic soil constituents with high-density salt solutions. Not yet standardized but currently most used separation setups involve overflowing beakers to retrieve supernatant plastics, although closed-design separation funnels probably reduce the risk of contamination. Fenton reagent may be particularly useful to digest soil organic matter if suspected to interfere with subsequent microplastic quantification. A promising new approach is extraction of target polymers with organic solvents. However, insufficiently characterized soils still impede an informed decision on optimal sample preparation. Further research and method development thus requires thorough validation and quality control with well-characterized matrices to enable robust routine analyses for terrestrial microplastics.

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Section: Further Techniquesmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

et al. 2020

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“…The sample preparation steps are simple, and the samples are less damaged [20]. Besides, Du used TOF-SIMS to characterize the MPs found in farmlands and analyze their distribution characteristics [21]. Up to now, there have been many method and index for environmental risk assessment of MP.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Pollution Characteristics of Microplastics in Soils in Southeastern Suburbs of Baoding City, China

Liang

et al. 2020

IJERPH

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Microplastics (MPs) are emerging pollutants that exist in different environmental media. Because of their wide range and large potential environmental hazards, they have attracted widespread attention in recent years. At present, the research on MP is mostly concentrated on the water ecosystems, and the impact on soil ecosystems is less studied. In this study, 12 typical soil samples from southeastern suburbs of Baoding city were investigated and characterized by time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (TOF-SIMS) combined with mass high resolution mode and positive and negative ion imaging mode. Four types of MPs, poly (propylene) (PP), poly (vinyl chloride) (PVC), poly (ethylene terephthalate) (PET), and poly (amide 6) (PA6), were quickly identified, of which PET and PA6 accounted for the largest proportion of both up to 30.2%; the particle size of the obtained MPs ranged from 0 to 35 μm, of which the proportion of <10 μm MPs was more than 26.3%, while that of 20–25 μm and 25–35 μm MPs was relatively small (17.83% and 9.3%, respectively). Risk assessment results of the MP in the soil showed that the risk level of MPs in the non-ferrous metal industrial parks and in concentrated with small workshops areas is relatively high, and attention should be paid to such areas. In addition, the study provides a reference method for the investigation and risk assessment of MPs in terrestrial soils, coastal beaches, and sediments.

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“…After the visual identification of microplastics, an identification of the polymer type might be wanted in some studies, for example, to deduce on the plastics' provenience. This can be achieved by various chemical methods whose applicability and limitations have already been reviewed in the literature (e.g., Pyrolysis-gas chromatographymass spectrometry, ToF-SIMS, Raman spectroscopy with μRaman, and FTIR with μFTIR; David, Steinmetz, Kučerík, & Schaumann, 2018;Du, Wu, Gong, Liang, & Li, 2020;Dümichen et al, 2017;Hermabessiere et al, 2018;Pinto da Costa et al, 2019;Renner, Schmidt, & Schram, 2018).…”

Section: Microplastic Quantification and Identificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating microplastic dynamics in soils: Orientation for sampling strategies and sample pre‐procession

et al. 2020

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Studies on microplastics in soils is currently being established as a new research field.So far, mainly 'explorative studies' have been carried out to detect microplastics in different soil environments. To generate a deeper understanding of microplastics dynamics, 'systematic studies' are required. Such research must built on a targeted sampling strategy and considerate fieldwork and sample handling. From literature enquiry, a five-stage methodological workflow was deduced for studies on microplastics in soils.In the present review, the spatial representation of soils/soilscapes with microplastics in soils research is conceptually and practically assessed. We discuss judgmental, randomized, and metric soil sampling strategies. Then, we explain sample pre-processing and give a brief overview of methods for microplastics identification and quantification. We conclude that the establishment of the novel field of research 'microplastic dynamics in soils' requires more intensive consideration of soil sampling strategies. As soil is a complex medium and the soilscape is spatially heterogeneous, we highlight systematic sampling strategies as the best possible options for sophisticated research.However, no overall optimum methodology can be defined because the specific strategy must be in line with the particular research question. For all studies on microplastics in soils, practical improvement is needed to prevent contamination of soil samples with plastics during sampling and sample pre-processing.

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ToF‐SIMS characterization of microplastics in soils

Cited by 45 publications

References 46 publications

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

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

Pollution Characteristics of Microplastics in Soils in Southeastern Suburbs of Baoding City, China

Investigating microplastic dynamics in soils: Orientation for sampling strategies and sample pre‐procession

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