We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Critical reassessment of microplastic detection methodologies and abundances in the marine environment
Summary
This review critically reassesses methodological limitations in marine microplastic detection, arguing that inconsistent size fractionation, incomplete polymer identification, and lack of standardized protocols across studies prevent reliable estimation of global MP abundance in the marine environment.
Microplastics (MPs) pose a growing concern in the marine environment, but their global prevalence remains largely unknown due to the absence of precise and standardized detection methods. This is because current techniques used to quantify MPs in marine field studies can feature methodological inaccuracies or limitations, which collectively prevent a global and reliable MP pollution status for being drawn. These inaccuracies are related, for example, to the exclusion of particle sizes within the broad range of MP size intervals or to the level of identification of polymer types by using spectroscopic analysis or specific extraction methods. Once these inaccuracies have been considered and addressed, the reported MP abundances can be recalculated. This resulted in a significant underestimation of the global pollution levels regarding MPs in the 10–5000 µm size range. MP abundances are then shown to be up to 15 times higher than in the data presented in the public domain in marine waters and up to 11 times higher within marine sediments. This study emphasizes the critical need for global and integrated MP studies and encourages current and future MP researchers to adopt standardized protocols for MP analysis to avoid misleading outcomes.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Methods for sampling, processing, identification,and quantification of microplastics in the marine environment
This paper reviews and compares the various methods used to collect, process, identify, and quantify microplastics across different environmental samples. It highlights the lack of standardized protocols as a major obstacle to comparing results across studies and calls for methodological harmonization.
Critical reassessment of microplastic abundances in the marine environment
Researchers critically reassessed microplastic detection methods used in marine field studies and recalculated global abundance estimates. They found that microplastic levels in ocean waters and sediments are up to 15 and 11 times higher, respectively, than previously reported, with Southeast Asia and East America being primary hotspots. The study demonstrates that earlier estimates have significantly underestimated the true scale of marine microplastic pollution due to limitations in detection techniques.
Estimating global marine surface microplastic abundance: systematic literature review
Researchers conducted a systematic literature review to estimate global marine surface microplastic abundance, compiling data from studies worldwide to produce abundance maps. The study found significant variation in microplastic concentrations across different ocean regions, providing a broader picture of the scale and distribution of marine microplastic pollution.
Progress on microplastics pollution and its ecological effects in the coastal environment
This review systematically summarizes a decade of research on microplastic pollution and its ecological effects in coastal environments worldwide, identifying persistent technical challenges in sampling standardization, particle identification, and ecological impact assessment. Researchers highlight the need for unified methodologies to better understand the sources, fate, and biological consequences of coastal microplastic contamination.
Microplastics in the Marine Environment: A Review of the Methods Used for Identification and Quantification
This review covered the methods used to identify and characterize microplastics in marine environmental samples, evaluating the strengths and limitations of visual, spectroscopic, and chemical approaches for field and laboratory analysis.