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Papers
20 resultsShowing papers similar to The Hidden Microplastics: New Insights and Figures from the Thorough Separation and Characterization of Microplastics and of Their Degradation Byproducts in Coastal Sediments
ClearMicroplastic abundance and characteristics in French Atlantic coastal sediments using a new extraction method
Researchers developed a new extraction method for microplastics from coastal Atlantic sediments in France and applied it to characterize microplastic abundance and composition, finding widespread contamination and demonstrating the method's improved efficiency for recovering particles from sediment matrices.
Comparison of microplastic isolation and extraction procedures from marine sediments
Researchers compared five methods for extracting microplastics (40-710 μm) from marine sediments by spiking known MP quantities into sediment matrices and measuring percent recovery across extraction approaches. Results showed that sediment matrix composition, MP properties including size and polymer type, and extraction method all significantly influenced recovery efficiency, underscoring the need for standardized extraction protocols to enable cross-study comparisons.
A new analytical approach for monitoring microplastics in marine sediments
Researchers developed a new analytical approach for monitoring microplastics specifically in marine sediments, improving extraction and identification steps to enable more reliable and standardized environmental monitoring of seafloor contamination.
Microplastic extraction from sediments established? – A critical evaluation from a trace recovery experiment with a custom-made density separator
Scientists evaluated the accuracy of a custom density separator for extracting small microplastic particles from sediment, finding variable recovery rates across different polymer types. Standardized and validated extraction methods are essential for accurate measurements of microplastic contamination in sediment environments.
Microplastic identification and quantification from organic rich sediments: A validated laboratory protocol
Researchers developed and validated a laboratory protocol for extracting, quantifying, and identifying microplastics from organic-rich sediments with fine grain sizes. The study addressed the challenge of analyzing microplastics in contamination hotspots like harbors and estuaries, where high organic content makes extraction difficult, and provided a cost-effective integrated method for more reliable environmental monitoring.
A critical review of the novel analytical methods for the determination of microplastics in sand and sediment samples
This review critically assessed novel analytical methods for detecting microplastics in sand and sediment samples, comparing extraction procedures and identification techniques while highlighting the need for standardized protocols across laboratories.
Comparative analysis of microplastics detection methods applied to marine sediments: A case study in the Bay of Marseille
This study compared multiple analytical methods for detecting and quantifying microplastics in marine sediment samples, evaluating extraction efficiency, polymer identification accuracy, and practical considerations for routine environmental monitoring.
Nanoplastics and ultrafine microplastic in the Dutch Wadden Sea – The hidden plastics debris?
Researchers applied a novel analytical method to detect nanoplastics and ultrafine microplastics smaller than 10 micrometers in Dutch Wadden Sea sediments, revealing a previously hidden fraction of plastic debris that conventional methods miss.
Ubiquity of microplastics in coastal seafloor sediments
Researchers applied a novel method to quantify microplastic concentrations in seafloor sediments from 42 coastal sites across southeastern Australia. They found microplastics in all samples at an average concentration of 3.4 particles per milliliter of sediment, predominantly as filaments. The study demonstrates that microplastic contamination of coastal seafloor sediments is ubiquitous and that hydrological and sediment properties influence deposition patterns.
Coverage of microplastic data underreporting and progress toward standardization
This study synthesizes factors contributing to microplastic data underreporting, revealing that inconsistent extraction and analysis methods across studies lead to considerable underestimation of actual microplastic concentrations in the environment.
Extraction efficiency of different microplastic polymers from deep-sea sediments and their quantitative relevance
Researchers developed and validated a specific extraction protocol for microplastics in the 2–1000 µm size range from deep-sea sediments (greater than 200 m depth), evaluated extraction efficiency across different polymer types, and assessed the quantitative relevance of extraction efficiency for accurate environmental monitoring.
Metodologia de extração de microplásticos associados a sedimentos de ambientes de água doce
This Brazilian study (in Portuguese) evaluated methods for extracting microplastics from aquatic sediment samples, comparing different protocols to improve analytical accuracy. Standardized extraction methods are essential for producing comparable microplastic data across different studies and regions.
Critical reassessment of microplastic abundances in the marine environment
Researchers critically reassessed microplastic detection methods used in marine field studies and recalculated global abundance estimates. They found that microplastic levels in ocean waters and sediments are up to 15 and 11 times higher, respectively, than previously reported, with Southeast Asia and East America being primary hotspots. The study demonstrates that earlier estimates have significantly underestimated the true scale of marine microplastic pollution due to limitations in detection techniques.
Improved separation and quantification method for microplastic analysis in sediment: A fine-grained matrix from Arctic Greenland
Researchers developed an improved method for extracting microplastics from fine-grained Arctic sediments that reduces particle loss by cutting out intermediate processing steps, achieving over 90% recovery for particles larger than 100 micrometers. This is important because smaller microplastic particles are particularly easy to lose during analysis, and better methods mean we get more accurate data on how much plastic pollution is actually present in remote environments like Greenland.
Extraction and detection methods of microplastics in food and marine systems: A critical review
This critical review evaluates the various methods used to extract and detect microplastics in food and marine samples, from sample preparation to analytical identification. Researchers found significant inconsistencies across studies in how microplastics are separated, quantified, and characterized, making it difficult to compare results. The study calls for standardized protocols to enable more reliable assessments of microplastic contamination in food and the environment.
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.
Evidence of underestimation in microplastic research: A meta-analysis of recovery rate studies
Across 71 recovery rate studies, microplastic extraction methods recovered only about 86% of spiked particles on average, meaning environmental microplastic concentrations are likely underestimated by approximately 14%, with recovery rates lowest from fishmeal, water, and soil matrices (58-71%).
New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms
Researchers developed new techniques for detecting microplastics in sediment samples and for collecting particles in the field, improving the reliability and sensitivity of methods used to monitor environmental microplastic contamination.
Microplastic in marine environment: reworking and optimisation of two analytical protocols for the extraction of microplastics from sediments and oysters
Researchers improved existing protocols for extracting microplastics from both marine sediments and oysters, making the NOAA protocol more versatile and extending it to PET extraction. Validated extraction methods are essential for producing consistent, comparable data on microplastic contamination in seafood.
Quantitative analysis of microplastics in beach sand via low-temperature solvent extraction and thermal degradation: Effects of particle size and sample depth
Researchers developed a method combining solvent extraction and thermal analysis to precisely measure microplastic content in beach sand at different depths and size fractions. They found that the finest particles, which are often missed by standard methods, contained significant concentrations of polyester and polystyrene. The study highlights that current sampling approaches may substantially underestimate the true amount of microplastic pollution on beaches.