We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Validation of a method to quantify microfibres present in aquatic surface microlayers
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested the efficiency of glass plate dipping to collect microfibers from the aquatic surface microlayer, finding overall recovery rates were low (about 27%) but varied by fiber type and salinity. The study highlights the need to validate and improve field sampling methods for microplastic monitoring.
Many of the methods for microplastics quantification in the environment are criticised creating problems with data validity. Quantification of microplastics in the surface microlayer of aquatic environments using glass plate dipping holds promise as a simple field method, but its efficiency has yet to be validated. We tested a standard glass plate dipping method to assess recovery of four common polymer microfibres and two common natural fibres, under three different salinities (freshwater, brackish water, saltwater). Overall recovery rates were low (26.8 ± 1.54%) but higher recoveries were observed under saltwater treatments (36.5 ± 3.01%) than brackish water (24.5 ± 1.92%) or freshwater (19.3 ± 1.92%). The fibre types showed different recovery rates, with acrylic yielding significantly higher recovery rates (37.0 ± 2.71%) than other fibres across treatments. No clear relationship between the density of the fibres and the recovery efficiency was seen. We suggest that, where this method is used for monitoring microplastics, the results will typically underestimate the total amount present, but that recovery is sufficiently consistent to allow comparison of differences between sampling locations. When comparing data across river-estuarine or similar transects salinity should be monitored to account for salinity-induced differences in sampling recovery.
More Papers Like This
Dataset for: Validation of a method to quantify microfibers present in aquatic surface microlayer
AI summary Read the abstract
This dataset accompanies a study validating a method for quantifying microfibers at the aquatic surface microlayer using glass plate dipping. The data supports evaluation of this sampling approach for monitoring synthetic fiber contamination at the air-water interface.
Sampling microfibres at the sea surface: The effects of mesh size, sample volume and water depth
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers examined how mesh size, sample volume, and water depth affect microfibre sampling at the sea surface, finding that fibre density increased substantially as mesh size decreased from 63 to 20 micrometres, highlighting significant underestimation in traditional 300-500 micrometer net surveys.
Are We Underestimating Microplastic Contamination in Aquatic Environments?
AI summary Read the abstract
This review argues that current microplastic monitoring methods likely underestimate the true extent of contamination in aquatic environments, especially for small particles and fibers. The authors call for standardized, more sensitive detection methods to better inform regulation and risk assessment.
Microplastics in seawater: a study of pretreatment, separation, and recovery.
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed and compared pretreatment, separation, and recovery methods for isolating microplastics from seawater samples, addressing the methodological diversity that limits comparability across marine monitoring studies. The study identified optimal combinations of techniques that improve microplastic recovery efficiency while minimizing contamination and sample loss.
Large Accumulation of Micro-sized Synthetic Polymer Particles in the Sea Surface Microlayer
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers found that the ocean's sea surface microlayer — a millimeter-thin layer at the very surface — accumulates microplastics at far higher concentrations than just below the surface, and that standard surface net sampling misses this enrichment. The study demonstrates that existing monitoring significantly underestimates surface microplastic abundance.
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.