TY - JOUR

T1 - Improved separation and quantification method for microplastic analysis in sediment

T2 - A fine-grained matrix from Arctic Greenland

AU - Parga Martínez, K.B.

AU - da Silva, V. H.

AU - Andersen, T.J.

AU - Posth, N.R.

AU - Strand, J.

N1 - Funding Information: This work has received funding for the collection, analysis and interpretation of data as well as the writing of the report from the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie (grant agreement No 801199 ) and from the VILLUM Young Investigator Programme (grant 15397 ). The collection of data was also funded by the Danmarks Frie Forskningsfond FNU (grant 11-105806 ), and the study design was supported by the Danish Center for Research on Plastic Pollution (MarinePlastic) via the Velux Foundations . Publisher Copyright: © 2023 The Authors

PY - 2023

Y1 - 2023

N2 - Microplastic analysis requires effective separation and purification methods, which greatly depend on the matrix and target particle size. Microplastics-sediment extraction usually involves intermediate steps, increasing processing time and particle loss, particularly for particles <100 μm. Here, we propose an improved separation and quantification method for fine-grained sediment that minimizes microplastic loss by reducing intermediate steps. First, the sample is treated with CH3COOH, KOH and NaClO, and only transferred for the density separation (ZnCl2). The extraction efficiency, visually evaluated on spiked samples, was higher than 90% for particles >100 μm and 83% for 63-75 μm particles. This indicates that a sequential extraction method reduces the risk of particle loss, particularly of the small size fraction. Comparatively, the extraction of ABS particles (20-100 μm) was low (30%) but the recovery, assessed via μFTIR, was higher (55%). Additionally, the proposed method can be adapted to other sediment types and environmental matrices.

AB - Microplastic analysis requires effective separation and purification methods, which greatly depend on the matrix and target particle size. Microplastics-sediment extraction usually involves intermediate steps, increasing processing time and particle loss, particularly for particles <100 μm. Here, we propose an improved separation and quantification method for fine-grained sediment that minimizes microplastic loss by reducing intermediate steps. First, the sample is treated with CH3COOH, KOH and NaClO, and only transferred for the density separation (ZnCl2). The extraction efficiency, visually evaluated on spiked samples, was higher than 90% for particles >100 μm and 83% for 63-75 μm particles. This indicates that a sequential extraction method reduces the risk of particle loss, particularly of the small size fraction. Comparatively, the extraction of ABS particles (20-100 μm) was low (30%) but the recovery, assessed via μFTIR, was higher (55%). Additionally, the proposed method can be adapted to other sediment types and environmental matrices.

KW - Arctic

KW - Extraction

KW - Microplastics

KW - Sediment

KW - Small fraction

U2 - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115574

DO - 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2023.115574

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 37774460

AN - SCOPUS:85172107367

VL - 196

JO - Marine Pollution Bulletin

JF - Marine Pollution Bulletin

SN - 0025-326X

M1 - 115574

ER -