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Challenges in the blue economy: Methods for digesting and extracting microplastics from marine resources
Summary
This study examined the challenges of detecting and removing microplastics from marine organisms and waters relevant to the blue economy, reviewing digestion and extraction methods used in research. The review identified key method limitations and the need for standardized protocols to generate comparable data across blue economy sectors.
The Blue Economy, which points out the sustainable use of marine resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods,and the health of the ocean ecosystem, faces significant challenges due to the widespread issue of pollution such as microplastics (MP). MP have become a major environmental concern, posing challenges in comprehending their distribution, impacts, and potential risks to ecosystems and human health. Additionally, they present analytical difficulties in developing efficient methods for their extraction and identification from diverse samples[1,2,3]. MP extraction steps must be optimized according to the specific types of samples, as fish, canned fish,and seaweed present unique challenges. Initially, accurate sampling methodologies are essential to avoid contamination and ensure that the samples truly reflect real conditions. After sampling, digestion methods are used to digest the organic matter to preserve the integrity of the MP. Different density separation approaches are then used to isolate the MP. Each of these steps can be adjusted to maximize efficiency and accuracy for different types of samples. By systematically testing and adjusting these techniques - whether in digestion, separation or final analysis with microscopy, spectroscopy or Py-GC/MS - it is possible to determine the extraction procedure for any sample, ensuring robust and reliable identification of MP.This study explores different approaches to digest and extract MP from marine resources, focusing on water, canned fish,and seaweed. Employing different digestion methods, such as potassium hydroxide, hydrogen peroxide,and combinations, and using density separation techniques with NaCl solutions and oil-based solutions, we optimized the extraction processes to effectively isolate MP from matrices.Our results are promising, demonstrating the applicability of these methods to a range of sizes and types of MP.The successful application of these techniques highlights their potential for implementation in marine environmental studies, leading to more accurate assessments of MP pollution in marine ecosystems and its impact on human health. Also see: https://micro2024.sciencesconf.org/559416/document