We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
A method for the extraction of microplastics from solid samples using olive oil
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a new method using olive oil to extract microplastics from soil and sediment samples, exploiting the fact that plastics are oleophilic (oil-attracting). The method successfully recovered 11 different polymer types including dense plastics that are often missed by standard water-based density separation, offering a simpler and cheaper extraction approach.
Microplastics (MPs) extraction from sediment, sand and soil samples is a challenge that the scientific community is facing nowadays; currently there are no standardized and validated protocols and the most common methods rely on density separation techniques, often unable to separate high density polymers. The aim of the present work was to develop a non-density based, efficient and cost effective method. We tested an oil based extracting technique exploiting the oleophilic properties of plastic. Soil and marine and freshwater sand samples were spiked with 11 different kind of polymers: Polypropylene (PP), low density Polyethylene (LDPE), high density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polyurethane (PU), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), Polystyrene (PS), Polycarbonate (PC), Polyamide (PA), Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC), Polymethyl Methacrylate (PMMA) and Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). FTIR preliminary results show high recovery rates for almost all polymers except for PTFE. Further developments of this promising method are currently in progress.
More Papers Like This
Olive oil-based method for the extraction, quantification and identification of microplastics in soil and compost samples
AI summary Read the abstract
An olive oil-based extraction method was developed for recovering microplastics from soil and compost samples, exploiting the oleophilic properties of plastics to separate them regardless of their density. Recovery rates were consistently above 90% for six different polymer types, including high-density polymers that conventional density separation methods often miss.
An optimized density-based approach for extracting microplastics from soil and sediment samples
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers optimized a density-based extraction method for isolating microplastics from soil and sediment samples, testing different density solutions and separation steps to maximize recovery efficiency. The improved protocol reduces contamination risks and particle loss, enabling more accurate quantification of microplastics in terrestrial and freshwater sediment matrices.
Extraction of Microplastics from Soil and Bio-composts
AI summary Read the abstract
This thesis developed a method for extracting microplastics from soil and bio-compost using olive oil as a cost-effective and non-toxic flotation medium. Researchers tested the method on commercial soil and compost samples and found it effectively separated microplastics without hazardous chemicals. The study provides a safer and more accessible alternative to conventional chemical-based microplastic extraction methods.
Microplastics everywhere: A review on existing methods of extraction
AI summary Read the abstract
This review compiled and evaluated existing methods for extracting microplastics from environmental samples, including density separation, oil extraction, and other techniques, assessing their advantages and limitations across different environmental matrices.
A rapid staged protocol for efficient recovery of microplastics from soil and sediment matrices based on hydrophobic separation
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a four-stage microplastic extraction device using a hydrophobic separation principle and tested three extracting solutions for recovering MPs from loam soil, sandy sediment, and muddy sediment matrices. Corn oil-in-NaCl solutions combined with aeration achieved the highest MP recovery rates across all three matrix types, offering a rapid alternative to existing digestion-based methods.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.