We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Vibratory Sorting for Pumice Removal in Microplastic Analysis of Coastal Sediment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a vibratory sorting technique to address pumice contamination in microplastic analysis of coastal sediments, solving a novel methodological challenge introduced when the 2021 Japanese submarine volcanic eruption deposited large quantities of pumice that interfered with standard density-based microplastic extraction.
Density separation using a wet method is the standard technique for extracting microplastics (MPs) from coastal sediments. However, the 2021 Japanese submarine volcanic eruption introduced substantial pumice into these sediments, complicating the process. Pumice contamination in the floating matter from density separation significantly increases the workload of visual sorting. Pumice, distinguished by its spherical shape and hardness, exhibits distinct rolling and bouncing behaviors compared to plastic. In this study, we evaluated the sorting efficiency of a vibratory sorter in separating pumice from floating matter, comparing its performance with the existing methods. We analyzed the progressive behavior and the virtual sorting efficiency of single large- and medium-diameter particles using a vibrating plate and the actual sorting efficiency of mixed large-diameter particles. The maximum Newton’s efficiencies (ηmax) for the virtual sorting of single large-diameter pumice and plastic ranged from 0.74 to 1.00, and for medium-diameter particles, from 0.74 to 0.97. Sorting efficiency decreased with finer particles. The ηmax for the actual sorting of mixed large-diameter pumice and plastic was between 0.68 and 1.00, lower than the virtual sorting efficiency. While vibratory sorting, based on Newton’s efficiency, does not replace visual sorting, the time required for vibratory sorting is 21% of that required for visual sorting, making it valuable for estimating approximate MP quantities in coastal sediments. Additionally, this study provides a practical method for beach cleanups.
More Papers Like This
Vibratory Sorting for Pumice Removal in Microplastic Analysis of Coastal Sediment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers evaluated a vibratory sorting method for separating pumice from microplastic-containing floating matter in coastal sediment density separation, a problem that became significant after the 2021 Japanese submarine volcanic eruption introduced large amounts of pumice into sediments. Vibratory sorting achieved Newton efficiencies of 0.68 to 1.00 for large-diameter particles and reduced sorting time to 21% of that required for visual sorting, though efficiency declined with finer particles.
Validation of density separation for the rapid recovery of microplastics from sediment
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers validated a density separation method for rapidly recovering microplastics from sediment samples, confirming it as a reliable and efficient approach for routine environmental monitoring.
An efficient extraction device for microplastics in marine sediments and its applications
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a new high-efficiency extraction device for separating microplastics from marine sediment samples using air pumps and metal perforated plate fillers. The device demonstrated improved effectiveness and efficiency compared to conventional density flotation methods for isolating plastic particles. The study suggests this tool could enhance the accuracy of quantitative microplastic detection in marine environments where sediments serve as significant pollution sinks.
An optimized density-based approach for extracting microplastics from soil and sediment samples
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers optimized a density-based extraction method for isolating microplastics from soil and sediment samples, testing different density solutions and separation steps to maximize recovery efficiency. The improved protocol reduces contamination risks and particle loss, enabling more accurate quantification of microplastics in terrestrial and freshwater sediment matrices.
Separation of microplastics from deep-sea sediment using an affordable, simple to use, and easily accessible density separation device
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed an affordable, simple, and accessible density separation device for extracting microplastics from deep-sea sediment, addressing the lack of accuracy and reproducibility in existing extraction methods. The study included spike-recovery experiments as positive controls to validate extraction performance across different sediment matrices.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.