Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Efficient and sustainable microplastics analysis for environmental samples using flotation for sample pre-treatment

Researchers developed a greener microplastic extraction method using a hydrophobicity-based flotation cell, offering a faster and less chemically intensive alternative to standard density-separation protocols for analyzing microplastics in soils and sediments.

2022 Green Analytical Chemistry 24 citations
Article Tier 2

A new approach in separating microplastics from environmental samples based on their electrostatic behavior

Researchers developed a novel electrostatic separation method to isolate microplastics from environmental matrices based on differences in electrostatic behavior between plastic particles and natural materials. The technique offers a low-cost, chemical-free approach to microplastic extraction that could complement or replace existing density separation methods in some applications.

2017 Environmental Pollution 245 citations
Article Tier 2

Methodology Approach for Microplastics Isolation from Samples Containing Sucrose

Researchers developed a methodology for isolating microplastics from samples containing sucrose and other dense matrices, optimizing density separation and digestion steps to maximize microplastic recovery without particle degradation.

2024 Molecules 1 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

Validation of density separation for the rapid recovery of microplastics from sediment

Researchers validated a density separation method for rapidly recovering microplastics from sediment samples, confirming it as a reliable and efficient approach for routine environmental monitoring.

2016 Analytical Methods 505 citations
Article Tier 2

A novel, highly efficient method for the separation and quantification of plastic particles in sediments of aquatic environments

Researchers improved a density separation method for isolating microplastics from aquatic sediments, achieving higher recovery rates and reducing processing time compared to earlier approaches. The validated method was designed to be reproducible and cost-effective, addressing the need for reliable standardized protocols in microplastic monitoring.

2012 Limnology and Oceanography Methods 654 citations
Article Tier 2

Density-Based Multi-Stage Flotation Sorting of Microplastics in Beach Sand

Researchers developed a density-based multi-stage flotation sorting method for separating microplastics from beach sand, achieving high separation efficiency across multiple polymer types with different densities using sequential salt solutions of increasing concentration.

2025 American Journal of Environmental Protection
Article Tier 2

An Environmentally Friendly Method for the Identification of Microplastics Using Density Analysis

This study developed an inexpensive, eco-friendly method for identifying microplastic polymer types using only safe liquids (water, ethanol, and salt solutions) for density-based separation. The approach is field-portable and avoids the hazardous chemicals used in current methods, making microplastic monitoring more accessible.

2021 Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Recent Advances on Density Separation Techniques for Microplastic Recovery from Sediments

This review summarises recent advances in density separation techniques for extracting microplastics from sediments, evaluating the effectiveness of different salt solutions and comparing novel approaches such as electrostatic separation and pressurised fluid extraction against conventional methods.

2022 Sinaya A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Oleo-extraction of microplastics using flotation plus sol-gel technique to confine small particles in silicon dioxide gel

Researchers developed a new extraction technique that uses a hydrophobic silica precursor (TEOS) as a flotation medium, which then solidifies into a gel that physically traps microplastics, preventing the particle loss that plagues conventional flotation methods. The approach is especially valuable for recovering very small microplastics (under 100 µm) from environmental samples, a size fraction frequently undercounted in existing surveys.

2024 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 2 citations
Article Tier 2

A novel approach to extract, purify, and fractionate microplastics from environmental matrices by isopycnic ultracentrifugation

Researchers developed a novel isopycnic ultracentrifugation method for simultaneously extracting and fractionating microplastics from complex environmental matrices such as soil, demonstrating that diffusion-based density gradients enable separation of mixed polymer types according to their specific buoyant densities, overcoming limitations of conventional saturated salt density extraction.

2022 The Science of The Total Environment 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Binary Solvent Extraction of Microplastics from Complex Environmental Matrix.

Researchers tested a two-solvent extraction method for isolating microplastics from complex environmental matrices. An efficient extraction technique is important for accurately detecting and quantifying microplastics in samples like sediment and biological tissue that contain many other organic and inorganic compounds.

2023
Article Tier 2

Marine microplastic separation device based on micro nano bubble flotation technology

Researchers designed a marine microplastic separation device using micro-nano bubble flotation technology to address limitations of existing methods, enabling continuous separation of microplastic particles from seawater with improved efficiency and reduced risk of secondary contamination.

2024 International Journal of Frontiers in Engineering Technology
Article Tier 2

A method for extracting soil microplastics through circulation of sodium bromide solutions

A sodium bromide solution circulation method was developed and validated for extracting microplastics from soil samples, offering a practical and efficient alternative to other density separation techniques. The method's high recovery efficiency and relatively low cost make it suitable for large-scale soil monitoring programs studying microplastic contamination in agricultural and natural soils.

2019 The Science of The Total Environment 184 citations
Article Tier 2

The extraction of microplastics from sediments: An overview of existing methods and the proposal of a new and green alternative

This review assessed existing methods for extracting microplastics from sediment samples — including density separation, chemical digestion, and filtration — and proposed a green alternative extraction protocol using only salt solutions and enzymatic digestion, reducing chemical waste while achieving comparable recovery rates.

2021 Chemosphere 112 citations
Article Tier 2

Comparing methods for optimising microplastic extraction in sediment through density separation

Researchers compared six density separation solutions and two transfer methods for extracting microplastics from marine sediment. CaCl2-saturated solution with decantation achieved 90% recovery regardless of polymer type, size, or shape, and was safer and cheaper than the next-best option (ZnCl2), recommending it as a standardized method.

2025 Environmental Pollution 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Hydrophobicity–water/air–based enrichment cell for microplastics analysis within environmental samples: A proof of concept

Researchers developed a new microplastic separation device that uses the hydrophobic properties of plastic particles combined with fine air bubbles to quickly and effectively extract microplastics from sediment and soil samples. The new method avoids harsh solvents that can degrade microplastic particles and offers a faster alternative to existing separation techniques.

2019 MethodsX 24 citations
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

Efficient, quick, and low-carbon removal mechanism of microplastics based on integrated gel coagulation-spontaneous flotation process

Researchers developed a new gel-based coagulation and flotation method for removing microplastics from water using a natural seaweed-derived crosslinker. The process achieved high removal rates quickly while using significantly less energy than traditional coagulation-flotation approaches. The study offers a more efficient and lower-carbon approach to water treatment that could help address microplastic contamination in drinking water and wastewater systems.

2024 Water Research 21 citations
Article Tier 2

Separation of microplastics from deep-sea sediment using an affordable, simple to use, and easily accessible density separation device

Researchers developed an affordable, simple, and accessible density separation device for extracting microplastics from deep-sea sediment, addressing the lack of accuracy and reproducibility in existing extraction methods. The study included spike-recovery experiments as positive controls to validate extraction performance across different sediment matrices.

2024
Review Tier 2

Microplastics everywhere: A review on existing methods of extraction

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.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 54 citations
Article Tier 2

Green solvent mediated extraction of micro- and nano-plastic particles from water

Researchers developed a green solvent-based extraction method for isolating micro- and nanoplastic particles from water samples, offering a lower-toxicity alternative to conventional extraction approaches for environmental plastic monitoring.

2023 Scientific Reports 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Improving cost-efficiency for MPs density separation by zinc chloride reuse

Researchers developed a cost-efficient protocol for reusing zinc chloride (ZnCl2) solution in density-based microplastic separation from aquatic samples, demonstrating that the reagent can be recovered and reused multiple times without significant loss of separation effectiveness. The approach reduces the financial and environmental costs associated with using high-density salt solutions in microplastic extraction workflows.

2020 MethodsX 117 citations
Article Tier 2

Laboratory Designed Portable Device for Density Separation and Characterization of Microplastics in Environmental Soil Samples

Scientists designed a small, portable device for extracting microplastics from soil and sediment samples using a density separation method with different salt solutions, successfully isolating PET, LDPE, PVC, and PP from samples collected in school yards, lakesides, and agricultural fields. A portable, low-cost device lowers the barrier to field-based microplastic monitoring and could enable wider participation in pollution surveys.

2024 Letters in Applied NanoBioScience 3 citations