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Use of concentrated detergent to optimize the analysis of microplastics in water samples with chitinous zooplankton fragments
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Researchers developed a concentrated detergent treatment method to reduce chitinous zooplankton fragment interference in the analysis of microplastics from marine water samples, collecting samples from field sites to validate the protocol against conventional approaches. The method successfully reduced false-positive identification of zooplankton appendages as microplastics, improving the accuracy and quality control of marine microplastic monitoring in biologically rich water samples.
Abstract Microplastics (MPs) are pollutants of increasing concern, requiring labor-intensive investigation and rigorous quality control. Organic particles in environmental samples, like zooplankton appendages, can resemble MPs, complicating their analysis. To address this, we developed a method to reduce chitinous zooplankton fragments in marine water samples. Samples were collected along the São Paulo coast using a 300 µm plankton net, then oven-dried and treated with H2O2 (35%, 24 h) and HNO3 (65%, 24 h). Despite these treatments, chitinous fragments remained, often resembling MP fibers. We dissolved the fragments using Extran® detergent (20 mL), stirred and heated in a sand bath at 50ºC for 2 hours. This approach effectively eliminated chitinous material, accelerating visual MP identification and improving analytical accuracy. The method is recommended for samples with high zooplankton content, as it streamlines MP analysis and enhances result reliability.
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