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Good field practice and hydrogeological knowledge are essential to determine reliable concentrations of microplastics in groundwater
Summary
This commentary identifies methodological weaknesses in a published study on microplastic contamination from an informal landfill, arguing that inadequate descriptions of sampling wells, missing groundwater level and flow direction data, and incomplete sampling procedures make the reported microplastic concentrations in groundwater unreliable.
There are some weaknesses in the methodology of original paper "Informal landfill contributes to the pollution of microplastic in the surrounding environment" published in Environmental Pollution. We commented on the groundwater sampling procedure that affect the calculated concentrations of microplastics in groundwater. Important information related to the description of sampling wells, informal landfill, and the exact description of sample collection method are missing. In addition, significant data related to the groundwater like water level, flow direction, and velocity have been skipped, which are fundamental in groundwater related studies. There should be a clear diagram of landfill location and sampling wells in the landfill, for appropriate understanding of microplastics (MPs) pollution in surrounding environment of a landfill.