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Determination of atmospherically deposited microplastics in moss samples
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Researchers developed and evaluated methods for detecting atmospherically deposited microplastics in moss samples, adapting established moss biomonitoring frameworks used for heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants to enable both particle-based and mass-based microplastic analysis.
Abstract Background Standardized methods for sampling and detection of atmospherically deposited microplastics are lacking. Contrary to that, the use of moss as a biomonitoring system was established concerning other atmospheric pollutants, such as heavy metals and persistent organic pollutants. Only a few research groups actually focus on detecting atmospherically deposited microplastics in moss. In general, the determination of microplastics in environmental samples is commonly performed using a particle-based or mass-based analytical approach. However, a dearth of mass-based investigations is noticeable, especially for atmospherically deposited microplastics. Given this background, this study shows the determination of atmospherically deposited microplastics in moss utilizing thermal extraction desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TED-GC-MS) and Raman microspectroscopy (µRaman) to acquire both information. The moss samples analyzed were collected as part of the German moss survey 2020/2021, supported by the German Environment Agency. Three distinct sampling sites were investigated, which could be categorized based on their distances from potential emission sources. Results Concerning µRaman analysis, most microplastic particles could be determined within a 10 to 100 µm size range. Further, most microplastic aspect ratios were determined in a range of 0.25 to 1.00, indicating a fragmental shape. Additionally, a correlation between the number of microplastic particles determined and the distance of the potential emission source was observable. It was determined to be 688, 474, and 248 particles per sampling site with a distance of 150 m, 225 m, and 360 m. Both analytical approaches (TED-GC-MS & µRaman) concurred in identifying the polymer types (polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate (PET)) in the moss samples. Concerning TED-GC-MS, 7 to 111 µg/g could be determined, depending on the polymer types and distance to the potential emission source. Conclusion µRaman and TED-GC-MS investigations demonstrated correlations between microplastic particle numbers, size, types, and mass concentrations with the distance of the potential emission source. The investigation corroborates the mutual complementarity of both analytical approaches, enabling more comprehensive information on samples.
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