Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

A modified methodology for extraction and quantification of microplastics in soil

Researchers developed and validated an improved methodology for extracting and quantifying microplastics from soil samples using optimized density separation with different salt solutions. The method achieved high recovery rates for various polymer types and particle sizes while minimizing organic matter interference. The study provides a standardized and reproducible analytical approach that could help address inconsistencies in how microplastics are measured across different soil studies.

2024 NanoImpact 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Upgraded Protocol for Microplastics’ Extraction from the Soil Matrix by Sucrose Density Gradient Centrifugation

Extracting microplastics from soil is technically difficult because soil contains dense organic matter and particles that look similar to plastic under analysis. This study refined a sucrose density gradient centrifugation method to more cleanly separate microplastics from soil, improving recovery rates while reducing contamination from non-plastic material. A reliable soil extraction protocol is essential for accurately measuring how much microplastic pollution has accumulated in agricultural and urban land.

2025 Soil Systems 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Advances in the analysis of relevant microplastic types in agricultural soils

Researchers developed an optimized soil purification protocol for extracting and identifying microplastic particles from agricultural soils, systematically testing and combining multiple extraction and purification steps to improve the accuracy of polymer identification across different soil types.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Microplastics accumulation in agricultural soil: Evidence for the presence, potential effects, extraction, and current bioremediation approaches

This review examines the accumulation of microplastics in agricultural soils from sources like plastic mulching and irrigation, discussing their effects on soil properties and crop growth, along with current bioremediation approaches for removing soil microplastics.

2022 Journal of Applied Biology & Biotechnology 24 citations
Review Tier 2

Extraction and identification methods of microplastics and nanoplastics in agricultural soil: A review

This review assessed extraction and identification methods for microplastics and nanoplastics in agricultural soils, comparing density separation, chemical digestion, and spectroscopic identification approaches, and recommending method standardization to enable cross-study comparisons of soil MP contamination.

2021 Journal of Environmental Management 164 citations
Article Tier 2

An optimized density-based approach for extracting microplastics from soil and sediment samples

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.

2019 Environmental Pollution 215 citations
Article Tier 2

Extraction and Identification of a Wide Range of Microplastic Polymers in Soil and Compost

Researchers compared and optimized two microplastic extraction methods for soil and compost, finding that density separation combined with chemical digestion was effective across a wide range of polymer types, providing a more reliable protocol for terrestrial microplastic analysis.

2021 Polymers 37 citations
Article Tier 2

Modified oil extraction of pristine and weathered synthetic polyurea microcapsules and polyethylene microplastics from soil

Researchers tested an oil-based extraction method to pull microplastics out of agricultural soils and found it recovered up to 75% of plastic particles — outperforming the standard density separation approach, especially for tiny pesticide microcapsules. Accurate extraction methods are essential for understanding how much microplastic builds up in farm soils from mulch films and pesticide coatings.

2025 Microplastics and Nanoplastics 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Advances in the analysis of relevant microplastic types in agricultural soils

Researchers developed and validated an improved soil purification protocol for extracting microplastics from agricultural soils, based on systematic testing across different soil types to efficiently isolate plastic particles for polymer identification. The method built on prior work by Moller et al. (2022) and addressed the challenge that soil remains one of the most difficult matrices for microplastic analysis.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

An efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly protocol for extracting microplastics from soil samples

Researchers developed an efficient, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly protocol for extracting microplastics from soil samples, addressing the lack of standardized methods and evaluating extraction performance across different soil matrices.

2025 Omorika - Repository of the Faculty of Forestry, Belgrade
Article Tier 2

Extraction and Characterization of Microplastics in Soil: A Case Study from the Hetao Irrigation District

Researchers developed a refined extraction method combining two-step density separation with NaCl solution, hydrogen peroxide digestion, and a fractionated filtration method to accurately isolate and characterize microplastics across multiple size ranges from agricultural soils in the Hetao Irrigation District, China.

2025 Water
Article Tier 2

Identifying an accurate and efficient approach to soil organic matter removal for quantifying microplastics in agricultural soils

Researchers evaluated multiple soil organic matter removal strategies for microplastic extraction from agricultural soils, comparing their efficiency in decomposing organic interference while preserving microplastic integrity. The study identifies an optimal approach that balances thorough SOM removal with minimal microplastic degradation, supporting more accurate quantification in contaminated agricultural samples.

2025 Korean Journal of Agricultural Science
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Extraction from Agricultural Soils Using Canola Oil and Unsaturated Sodium Chloride Solution and Evaluation by Incineration Method

Researchers developed and validated a simple, low-cost method for extracting microplastics from agricultural soils using canola oil and sodium chloride density separation, combined with incineration-based quantification, offering a practical approach for soil microplastic analysis in resource-limited settings.

2022 Soil Systems 22 citations
Article Tier 2

The power of centrifugation: How to extract microplastics from soil with high recovery and matrix removal efficiency

This study developed and validated a centrifugation-based method for extracting microplastics from soil samples with high recovery and efficient removal of organic matter. The approach is particularly useful for monitoring the fragmentation and biodegradation of both conventional and biodegradable polymers released into agricultural soils.

2024 MethodsX 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in soils: A comparative review on extraction, identification and quantification methods

This review compares the various methods scientists use to extract, identify, and measure microplastics in soil, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. Soil is a particularly challenging material to work with because its organic matter and complex structure can interfere with accurate microplastic detection. The authors recommend combining multiple techniques and minimizing harsh chemical steps that could accidentally destroy the very plastic particles being measured.

2025 Journal of Environmental Management 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Separation and Identification of Conventional Microplastics from Farmland Soils

Researchers developed a low-cost, accessible method for extracting and identifying microplastics from farmland soils using density separation, fluorescent staining, and infrared spectroscopy. The protocol achieved recovery rates between 82% and 101% across different soil types and particle sizes. This standardized approach could help scientists worldwide compare results more reliably and give policymakers better data on agricultural microplastic contamination.

2025 Journal of Visualized Experiments 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic interactions in the agroecosystems: methodological advances and limitations in quantifying microplastics from agricultural soil

This review examines how microplastics behave in agricultural soils and their effects on soil quality and crop growth. Researchers found that microplastics alter key soil properties like water retention, density, and microbial composition, and can make other pollutants like heavy metals more available to plants. The study also highlights gaps in current methods for isolating and identifying microplastics in soil samples.

2024 Environmental Geochemistry and Health 24 citations
Article Tier 2

Screening for microplastics in agricultural soils: Applying green chemistry principles in extraction and analysis

Researchers developed an environmentally friendly method for extracting and analyzing microplastics in agricultural soils using green chemistry principles. The approach achieved recovery rates exceeding 69% for smaller particles and over 91% for larger ones while minimizing reagent use and waste, and detected both mesoplastics and microplastics predominantly composed of polyethylene and polypropylene in tested soil samples.

2024 Environmental Pollution 11 citations
Article Tier 2

Systematic development of extraction methods for quantitative microplastics analysis in soils using metal-doped plastics

Researchers developed and optimized systematic extraction methods for quantitative microplastic analysis in diverse soil types, using metal-doped PET microplastics as reference materials to validate extraction workflows and improve consistency across different soil matrices.

2022 Environmental Pollution 35 citations
Article Tier 2

Improving analytical methods for the extraction and analysis of biodegradable and non-biodegradable microplastics in the soil environment.

Researchers worked to improve analytical extraction and detection methods for both biodegradable and conventional microplastics in soil environments, addressing a critical methodological gap given that terrestrial soils are major sinks for microplastic pollution entering through agricultural and waste management pathways.

2022