Papers

61,005 results
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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

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

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

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

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

Research Progress on Separation and Detection Methods of Microplastics in Soil Environment

This review summarizes methods for separating and detecting microplastics in soil environments, identifying the most effective analytical approaches and highlighting the need for standardization to improve comparability across studies.

2022 Academic Journal of Science and Technology 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Analysis of Conventional and Biodegradable Microplastics in Solid Sample Matrices: A Contribution to Method Standardization

Researchers developed and tested analytical methods for detecting and measuring both conventional and biodegradable microplastics in solid environmental samples like soil and sediment. Standardizing such methods is critical for producing comparable data across studies worldwide. The paper advances the field by providing validated protocols for detecting biodegradable plastic particles, which behave differently from conventional plastics.

2021 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic in Soil: a Review of Detection Methods

This review examines published approaches for detecting and identifying microplastics in soil environments, synthesizing sampling, extraction, and characterization methods to address the lack of standardization that hinders cross-study comparisons. Researchers found that unifying detection methods is essential for developing a common understanding of microplastic prevalence and impact in terrestrial ecosystems.

2024 Проблемы агрохимии и экологии
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in soils: assessment, analytics and risks

This review examines microplastic prevalence, analytical methods, and risks in soils, finding that terrestrial microplastic contamination has received far less attention than marine accumulation despite comparable or greater abundance. Researchers evaluated current difficulties in soil microplastic sampling, isolation, and identification and called for standardised methodologies to assess ecological and human health risks.

2018 Environmental Chemistry 150 citations
Article Tier 2

A Simplified and Optimised Protocol for Microplastics Determination in Soil and Sludge Applied Soils

Researchers developed and validated a simplified, optimized protocol for determining microplastic concentrations in soil and sewage sludge, addressing the methodological inconsistency that currently makes comparison between global studies difficult.

2025 Sustainability Sciences in Asia and Africa
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
Clinical Trial Tier 1

Investigating microplastic dynamics in soils: Orientation for sampling strategies and sample pre‐procession

This study develops improved methods for sampling and detecting microplastics in soil, addressing a major gap in current research. Standardized sampling strategies are essential because microplastic distribution in soil is highly variable, making it easy to miss contamination with inconsistent methods. Better detection protocols will help scientists accurately measure how much microplastic is accumulating in agricultural and natural soils.

2020 Land Degradation and Development 55 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantification of Microplastics in Soils Using Accelerated Solvent Extraction: Comparison with a Visual Sorting Method

Researchers evaluated accelerated solvent extraction as an alternative to visual sorting for quantifying microplastics in soil, finding it recovered similar total amounts but with some differences by polymer type. Improving the accuracy and efficiency of soil microplastic measurement is essential for understanding agricultural and terrestrial plastic contamination.

2021 Bulletin of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology 21 citations
Article Tier 2

Analysis of microplastics in soil samples by using a thermal decomposition method

Researchers tested thermal decomposition as a method for extracting and identifying microplastics in soil samples, a particularly challenging matrix because organic matter interferes with optical detection methods. The approach showed promise for detecting and quantifying plastic content in complex soil environments.

2019 EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts 1 citations
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

Innovations in analytical methods to assess the occurrence of microplastics in soil

This review summarizes emerging techniques for extracting, analyzing, and characterizing microplastics in soil, noting that soil matrix complexity makes standardized methods challenging. Researchers found that globally, soil microplastic concentrations ranged up to 690,000 particles per kilogram, though most data comes from China. The study highlights the urgent need for standardized analytical methods to enable meaningful comparison of microplastic soil contamination across different studies and laboratories.

2022 Journal of environmental chemical engineering 70 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic analysis in soils: A comparative assessment

Researchers compared six different analytical methods for detecting and measuring microplastics in soil, testing them across different soil types and plastic materials. Fluorescence microscopy achieved the highest recovery rates for larger particles, while mass-based techniques like pyrolysis gas chromatography were better suited for detecting very small microplastics. The study highlights that no single method works best for all situations, and combining techniques may be necessary for accurate microplastic assessment in soil.

2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 20 citations
Review Tier 2

Finding Microplastics in Soils: A Review of Analytical Methods

This review critically evaluates published methods for finding microplastics in soil — including density separation, chemical digestion, and spectroscopic identification — and proposes a standardized analytical framework suitable for the complex soil matrix.

2020 Environmental Science & Technology 521 citations
Article Tier 2

Quality assessment of research studies on microplastics in soils: A methodological perspective

A methodological quality assessment of published soil microplastic studies identified widespread inconsistencies in extraction, identification, and reporting protocols that limit comparability and reliability of findings. The review recommends adoption of standardized quality criteria to improve the rigor and reproducibility of soil microplastic research.

2022 Chemosphere 13 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

An effective method for the rapid detection of microplastics in soil

A rapid and practical method was developed for detecting and identifying microplastics in soil, addressing the need for faster alternatives to existing time-consuming techniques. The method uses a combination of sieving and staining approaches to accelerate microplastic extraction and identification from soil samples.

2020 Chemosphere 53 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 of Polyethylene and Polypropylene Microplastic from Agriculture Soil

Researchers examined methods for extracting polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics from agricultural soil, investigating how microplastic concentrations affect soil properties and crop productivity while evaluating density separation and other extraction protocols to improve detection and quantification of plastic pollution in agroecosystems.

2024 International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology
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