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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to What you net depends on if you grab: A meta-analysis of sampling method's impact on measured aquatic microplastic concentration
ClearWhat You Net Depends on if You Grab: A Meta-analysis of Sampling Method’s Impact on Measured Aquatic Microplastic Concentration
This meta-analysis of 121 studies finds that the method used to collect water samples significantly affects how much microplastic pollution is measured. Net, pump, and grab sampling methods produce systematically different concentration readings, meaning past estimates of microplastic levels in drinking water sources may be inaccurate depending on how they were collected.
Does what we find depend on how we sample? Measured streambed microplastic concentrations can be affected by the choice of sampling method
Researchers compared how different microplastic sampling methods — including nets, pumps, and bulk water collection — affect measured concentrations in streambed sediments, finding large methodological differences in results. The study underscores that sampling protocol choice strongly influences what researchers find.
On the representativeness of pump water samples versus manta sampling in microplastic analysis
Researchers compared pump sampling and manta net sampling methods for measuring microplastic concentrations in water and found that the two methods produced different results, highlighting how sampling technique choice significantly affects the representativeness and comparability of microplastic pollution data.
Grab vs. neuston tow net: a microplastic sampling performance comparison and possible advances in the field
This study directly compared the performance of grab sampling (taking a small water volume by hand) versus neuston tow netting for quantifying surface microplastics, finding that results differed significantly. The comparison highlights how method choice affects reported concentrations, making inter-study comparisons unreliable without method standardization.
Microplastic pollution in the North-east Atlantic Ocean surface water: How the sampling approach influences the extent of the issue
Researchers compared two different sampling methods for measuring microplastic pollution in the open North-east Atlantic Ocean and found that results varied dramatically depending on the technique used. The grab sampling method captured significantly more small particles than the traditional Manta trawl approach. The study demonstrates that the choice of sampling method can fundamentally change our understanding of how much microplastic pollution exists in ocean waters.
Are we underestimating floating microplastic pollution? A quantitative analysis of two sampling methodologies
A quantitative analysis of 67 microplastic studies compared bulk water sampling with trawl-based methods, finding substantial differences in reported concentrations depending on the technique used. The study warns that inconsistent sampling methodology leads to underestimates of microplastic pollution and hinders cross-study comparisons.
A first estimation of uncertainties related to microplastic sampling in rivers
Researchers collected 16 water samples from a French river to test how sampling strategy affects microplastic concentration estimates. Results showed wide variability depending on net deployment time, highlighting that standardized methods are essential before data from different studies can be reliably compared.
Size and shape matter: A preliminary analysis of microplastic sampling technique in seawater studies with implications for ecological risk assessment
This study showed that sampling with coarse-mesh towed nets significantly underestimates microplastic concentrations in seawater, particularly for fibrous particles, raising concerns about the accuracy of published abundance estimates.
Sea surface microplastics in the Galapagos: Grab samples reveal high concentrations of particles <200 μm in size
Researchers compared two microplastic sampling methods in the coastal waters of the Galapagos Islands and found dramatically different results depending on the technique used. Whole seawater grab samples filtered to 1.2 micrometers revealed microplastic concentrations four orders of magnitude higher than traditional plankton net tows with 200-micrometer mesh. The study suggests that standard ocean sampling methods may vastly underestimate the true abundance of small microplastics in marine environments.
Differences in microplastic distributions on the surface freshwater collected using 100– and 355–μm meshes
Researchers compared microplastic distributions measured using 100-micrometer and 355-micrometer mesh nets in Japanese freshwater, finding that the finer mesh captured significantly more and smaller particles. The choice of sampling mesh size substantially affects the measured abundance and size distribution of microplastics in water.
Size selection in sampling nets leads to underestimation of microplastic pollution
Researchers developed a new model to account for the size-dependent retention biases of sampling nets used in microplastic pollution monitoring. They found that nets with a 330-micrometer mesh underestimated microplastic fiber concentrations by approximately 45% and fragment concentrations by about 30% compared to a finer 92-micrometer mesh. The study provides a framework for correcting these biases, which could significantly improve the accuracy and comparability of microplastic pollution assessments across studies.
Techniques for Collecting Micro Plastics in Freshwaters and Sediments
This review examined sampling methods used across 150 studies on microplastics in freshwater bodies and sediments, finding significant variation in sampling tools, mesh sizes, and analytical approaches that make it difficult to compare results across studies. Standardizing sampling and analysis protocols is one of the most pressing needs in microplastic research. Without comparable methods, it is difficult to assess the true extent of freshwater microplastic contamination globally.
Are we underestimating microplastic abundance in the marine environment? A comparison of microplastic capture with nets of different mesh-size
By sampling marine water simultaneously with 333 µm and finer nets, researchers demonstrated that standard 333 µm sampling nets miss the majority of microplastics present, with finer nets capturing orders of magnitude more particles and revealing severe underestimation in existing abundance data.
The determination of microplastic contamination in freshwater environments using sampling methods – A case study
Polish researchers compared different net sizes and sampling volumes for collecting microplastics from freshwater lakes and found that fine nets (20 micrometer mesh) are essential for capturing the smallest plastic fibers, and that sampling larger volumes risks clogging in nutrient-rich water, leading to underestimates of contamination. The study is the first in Poland to demonstrate these methodological effects on microplastic abundance estimates and provides practical guidance for designing more accurate freshwater monitoring programs.
Comparative study of three sampling methods for microplastics analysis in seawater
Researchers compared three microplastic sampling methods for seawater — direct 0.45 µm filtration, 20 µm pre-concentration followed by 0.45 µm filtration, and Manta trawl with 150 µm mesh — finding orders-of-magnitude differences in reported abundance across methods, underscoring the critical need for standardized protocols.
Experimental inconsistencies undermine accurate characterization of microplastics and identification of environmental drivers:a metadata analysis in Chinese aquatic environment
Researchers analyzed microplastic data from over 2,400 sampling sites across Chinese waterways and found that inconsistent lab methods — such as different sampling devices and container sizes — dramatically skew results and obscure the real environmental drivers of microplastic contamination. They found that method variation reduced the measurable link between natural processes and microplastic characteristics by up to 70%, underscoring the urgent need for standardized protocols in microplastics research.
Disparities in Methods Used to Determine Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment: A Review of Legislation, Sampling Process and Instrumental Analysis
This review examined the wide disparities in sampling, processing, and analytical methods used across microplastic studies, highlighting how inconsistent approaches make it difficult to compare results and calling for standardized international protocols and regulatory frameworks.
Concentrations and characteristics of microplastic particles collected by neuston net or pump system in the surface layer of Tokyo Bay
Researchers compared microplastic concentrations, size distributions, shapes, and polymer compositions in Tokyo Bay surface waters collected simultaneously by neuston net and pump system. The pump system captured a much broader range of MPs—especially small and fibrous particles—at higher concentrations than the net, revealing that sampling method choice fundamentally shapes reported MP data.
Methods Matter: Methods for Sampling Microplastic and Other Anthropogenic Particles and Their Implications for Monitoring and Ecological Risk Assessment
This methods review examines how different sampling approaches for microplastics — including mesh size, sample volume, and processing techniques — affect quantification results, arguing that methodological inconsistency is a major barrier to ecological risk assessment.
Does microplastic analysis method affect our understanding of microplastics in the environment?
A comparison of two widely used laboratory methods for measuring microplastics in Danube River water found that the choice of analytical substrate — zinc selenide windows versus Anodisc filters — had a larger effect on results than differences between labs or instruments, because particles clump on filters and instrument artifacts appear around particles on ZnSe windows. The variability between individual water subsamples was also greater than the difference between methods. These findings highlight that inconsistent methodological choices make it difficult to compare microplastic abundance data across studies, and call for greater standardization.
Microplastics in the riverine environment: Meta-analysis and quality criteria for developing robust field sampling procedures
This meta-analysis reviews how microplastics are sampled in rivers and finds that current methods are inconsistent, making it hard to compare results across studies. Better standardized sampling approaches are needed to accurately measure how much microplastic pollution flows through rivers that supply drinking water to communities.
Microplastic pollution in aquatic environments: a meta-analysis of influencing factors and methodological recommendations
This meta-analysis pools data from over 60 European studies to identify the key factors that influence microplastic concentrations in rivers, lakes, and oceans. The findings reveal that population density, proximity to urban areas, and sampling methods all significantly affect measured levels, helping researchers better understand where microplastic exposure risks are highest.
The assessment of microplastic and microfibres in freshwater systems through different sampling methods reveals causes of incomparability.
Researchers performed a literature mining study on microplastic abundance in freshwater systems, finding that large discrepancies between studies arise not only from inherent environmental variability but from methodological differences in sampling and analytical approaches, highlighting the urgent need for standardized protocols.
Comparision protocols for extraction of microplastics in water samples
Researchers compared four different extraction protocols for isolating microplastics from water samples and found significant differences in efficiency and accuracy across methods. Standardized extraction protocols are critical for producing comparable microplastic abundance data across studies. Without consistent methodology, it is difficult to build a reliable global picture of microplastic contamination levels in water.