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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 Sign in to save

Review

2020

Summary

This is a peer review for a paper on ultrasonication effects on soil organic matter particles and microplastics during fractionation procedures, questioning the methodological approach and calling for more rigorous justification.

General Comments The paper analyses the effects of ultrasonication on the particle size distribution of soil organic particles and microplastics.Both is highly relevant for communities dealing with soil organic matter fractionation and with separation and analyses of microplastics in soil, which is an emerging "hot topic" in soil science.However, the methodological approach needs much more justification, the chosen parameters are just stated and appear randomly selected.If this paper wants to set the tone and serve as a cornerstone in microplastic separation from soil, which is a crucial step for their further analytics and quantification, the reader deserves detailed explanation and justification about, for example, the chosen energy levels, the composition of the artificial soil, or the different particle sizes of organic particles, pyrochar, and plastics.

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