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Papers
61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to Grab vs. neuston tow net: a microplastic sampling performance comparison and possible advances in the field
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.
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.
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.
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.
What you net depends on if you grab: A meta-analysis of sampling method's impact on measured aquatic microplastic concentration
This meta-analysis of over 100 studies found that different methods of sampling water for microplastics can produce wildly different results — up to 10,000 times different depending on the technique used. Small grab samples consistently measured higher concentrations than larger net samples. This matters because inconsistent measurement methods make it harder to accurately assess how much microplastic pollution exists in our waterways and drinking water sources.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Comparison of different methods for MP detection: What can we learn from them, and why asking the right question before measurements matters?
This comparative study evaluated several different analytical methods for detecting and measuring microplastics, finding that the choice of method significantly affects results. The authors emphasize that choosing the right method depends on the specific research question, and that standardization is essential for comparing data across studies.
Mesh selectivity of neuston nets for microplastics
Parallel tows with neuston nets of different mesh sizes demonstrated that larger-mesh nets significantly undercount small microplastics below 2 mm, quantifying mesh-dependent selectivity and calling for finer-mesh standardization in surface water microplastic surveys.
Is There a Difference in Yield? A Comparative Analysis of Microplastics Sampling Techniques in River Water with a Low-Velocity Flow
Researchers compared three microplastic sampling techniques in low-velocity river water, quantifying differences in particle abundance and characteristics to evaluate which method most accurately captures microplastic concentrations in surface water environments.
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.
Comprehensive Comparison of Various Microplastic Sampling Methods in Sea Water: Implications for Data Compilation
This study systematically compared multiple microplastic sampling methods used in seawater, evaluating manta trawls, pumping systems, and other approaches to identify sources of data inconsistency that complicate comparisons between studies.
A review of methods for measuring microplastics in aquatic environments
This review critically evaluates methods used to measure microplastics in aquatic environments, covering sampling design, sample processing, and spectroscopic identification, and identifies the most significant sources of methodological variation. Standardizing these methods is essential for generating comparable data across studies and enabling robust environmental risk assessment.
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.
Some problems and practicalities in design and interpretation of samples of microplastic waste
This methods paper identifies key problems in the design and interpretation of microplastic waste sampling programs, offering practical suggestions to improve sampling strategies and ensure more reliable and comparable results across studies.
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.
Comparison between manta trawl and in situ pump filtration methods, and guidance for visual identification of microplastics in surface waters
This methodological study compared manta trawl and in situ pump filtration approaches for sampling surface water microplastics, providing guidance for consistent visual identification of plastic particles. Standardizing sampling and identification methods is critical for making meaningful comparisons between different research studies.
Evaluation of continuous flow centrifugation as an alternative technique to sample microplastic from water bodies
Continuous flow centrifugation was tested as an alternative to traditional net trawling for sampling microplastics from water bodies and showed promising results, particularly for capturing smaller particles. Standardizing sampling methods is a critical step toward making microplastic studies more comparable across labs and locations.
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.
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.
Methods for Studying Microplastic Pollution in Natural Waters: Current State and Recommendations
This methodological review addresses the lack of standardization in how scientists sample, process, and report microplastic contamination in natural waters, which makes it nearly impossible to compare results across studies. It details quality assurance and quality control steps — especially important given how easily tiny plastic particles contaminate samples from the lab environment itself — and provides concrete recommendations for sampling protocols and data reporting. Harmonizing these methods is a critical step toward building a reliable global database of microplastic pollution.
Assessment of microplastic content in natural waters and sediments: sampling and sample preparation
Researchers reviewed and evaluated sampling and analytical methods for measuring microplastic content in natural waters and sediments, assessing sources of error and variability in current approaches. The review recommended a standardized protocol to improve cross-study comparability.