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Sector-Field–Inductively Coupled Plasma–Mass Spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS) for the Determination of Toxic Metals in Microplastics from Seawater and Beach Sediments from the Barents and White Seas
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Scientists developed a precise new method to measure toxic metals (like heavy metals) that stick to tiny plastic particles floating in seawater and washed up on beaches in Arctic Russia. They found that the amount of metal contamination depends on the size of the microplastic pieces, which matters because these metal-laced plastics can end up in seafood and drinking water, potentially exposing people to harmful substances. This tool gives researchers a more reliable way to track pollution and better understand health risks tied to microplastics in our oceans.
The sector-field–inductively coupled plasma–mass spectrometry (SF-ICP-MS) technique was applied for the quantification of toxic metals in microplastic particles (MPs) from seawater of six coastal sites from the Barents and White Seas following a microwave-assistant leaching with 30% HNO3. The mean repeatability of the method (relative standard deviation) was 1–4%, and intermediate precision averaged 4–7% for all metals. The dependence of metal content on the MPs size was also of immense consideration. The developed method can be recommended as a standard tool for accurate and precise microplastic analysis with important geochemical and environmental implications.
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