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Assessment of microplastic content in natural waters and sediments: sampling and sample preparation
Summary
Researchers reviewed and evaluated sampling and analytical methods for measuring microplastic content in natural waters and sediments, assessing sources of error and variability in current approaches. The review recommended a standardized protocol to improve cross-study comparability.
Aquatic ecosystems are the primary reservoir for microplastics entering the environment. Assessing the content of microplastics in natural waters and sediments is a critical task necessary for evaluating the pollution levels of water bodies, identifying sources of pollution, and assessing potential risks to aquatic life. To date, there is no universal analytical approach for extracting microplastics from natural waters and sediments for subsequent identification. This review summarizes information on methods of microplastic sampling from natural waters and sediments and methods of sample preparation, including techniques for separating particles by size and density, as well as methods based on the chemical decomposition of samples to remove natural organic matter. Additionally, the classification of microplastics, as well as general information about the content of microplastics in aquatic ecosystems and their potential toxicity, are described.