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Article ? AI-assigned paper type based on the abstract. Classification may not be perfect — flag errors using the feedback button. Tier 2 ? Original research — experimental, observational, or case-control study. Direct primary evidence. Detection Methods Environmental Sources Marine & Wildlife Sign in to save

The contamination of in situ archaeological remains: A pilot analysis of microplastics in sediment samples using μFTIR

The Science of The Total Environment 2024 12 citations ? Citation count from OpenAlex, updated daily. May differ slightly from the publisher's own count.
Jeanette M. Rotchell, Freija Mendrik, Emma Chapman, Paul Flintoft, Ian Panter, Giulia Gallio, Christine McDonnell, Catriona R. Liddle, David Jennings, John Schofield

Summary

Researchers presented what is believed to be the first evidence of microplastic contamination in archaeological sediment samples, using micro-FTIR spectroscopy to identify polymer types and size ranges. The study suggests that microplastics may migrate through archaeological layers over time, potentially compromising the scientific integrity of archaeological deposits and the environmental data they contain.

Study Type Environmental

This is believed to be the first evidence of MP contamination in archaeological sediment (or soil) samples with polymers and size ranges measured and while accounting for procedural blanks. These results support the phenomenon of transport of MPs within archaeological stratigraphy, and the characterisation of types, shapes and size ranges identified therein. Through contamination, MPs may compromise the scientific value of archaeological deposits, and environmental proxies suspended within significant sediment, and as such represent a new consideration in the dynamism of, as well as arguments for preserving, archaeological deposits in situ.

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