A review of methods for measuring microplastics in aquatic environments

Mai, Lei; Bao, Lian-Jun; Shi, Lei; Wong, Charles S.; Zeng, Eddy Y.

doi:10.1007/s11356-018-1692-0

Cited by 293 publications

(171 citation statements)

References 117 publications

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“…Several reviews of microplastic detection methods have been published (e.g., Mai et al, ; Prata, ; Zarfl, ). Early approaches often relied on light microscopy.…”

Section: The Nature Of Plastics and Microplasticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Hale¹,

Seeley²,

Guardia³

et al. 2020

JGR Oceans

Self Cite

733

270

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Society has become increasingly reliant on plastics since commercial production began in about 1950. Their versatility, stability, light weight, and low production costs have fueled global demand. Most plastics are initially used and discarded on land. Nonetheless, the amount of microplastics in some oceanic compartments is predicted to double by 2030. To solve this global problem, we must understand plastic composition, physical forms, uses, transport, and fragmentation into microplastics (and nanoplastics). Plastic debris/microplastics arise from land disposal, wastewater treatment, tire wear, paint failure, textile washing, and at-sea losses. Riverine and atmospheric transport, storm water, and disasters facilitate releases. In surface waters plastics/microplastics weather, biofoul, aggregate, and sink, are ingested by organisms and redistributed by currents. Ocean sediments are likely the ultimate destination. Plastics release additives, concentrate environmental contaminants, and serve as substrates for biofilms, including exotic and pathogenic species. Microplastic abundance increases as fragment size decreases, as does the proportion of organisms capable of ingesting them. Particles <20 μm may penetrate cell membranes, exacerbating risks. Exposure can compromise feeding, metabolic processes, reproduction, and behavior. But more investigation is required to draw definitive conclusions. Human ingestion of contaminated seafood and water is a concern. Microplastics indoors present yet uncharacterized risks, magnified by the time we spend inside (>90%) and the abundance of polymeric products therein. Scientific challenges include improving microplastic sampling and characterization approaches, understanding long-term behavior, additive bioavailability, and organismal and ecosystem health risks. Solutions include improving globally based pollution prevention, developing degradable polymers and additives, and reducing consumption/expanding plastic reuse.

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“…Several reviews of microplastic detection methods have been published (e.g., Mai et al, ; Prata, ; Zarfl, ). Early approaches often relied on light microscopy.…”

Section: The Nature Of Plastics and Microplasticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

Hale¹,

Seeley²,

Guardia³

et al. 2020

JGR Oceans

Self Cite

733

270

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Different sampling methods inevitably lead to a range of different units of concentration being used, which if not able to be converted, can make it difficult to make comparisons. Standardisation of analytical protocols for quantifying microplastics would help solve this issue (Mai et al 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A comparison of sampling methods for seawater microplastics and a first report of the microplastic litter in coastal waters of Ascension and Falkland Islands

Green

Kregting

Boots

et al. 2018

Marine Pollution Bulletin

115

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To date there is no gold standard for sampling microplastics. Zooplankton sampling methods, such as plankton and Neuston nets, are commonly used to estimate the concentrations of microplastics in seawater, but their ability to detect microplastics is limited by their mesh size. We compared different net-based sampling methods with different mesh sizes including bongo nets (>500µm), manta nets (>300µm) and plankton nets (>200µm and >400µm) to 1 litre bottle grabbed, filtered (0.45µm) samples. Concentrations of microplastics estimated using net-based methods were ~3 orders of magnitude less than those estimated by 1 litre grab samples. Some parts of the world with low human populations, such as Ascension Island and the Falkland Islands, lack baseline data on microplastics. Using the bottle grab sampling method we found that microplastic litter was present at these remote locations and was comparable to levels of contamination in more populated coastal regions, such as the United Kingdom.

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“…Some of these attempts have been utilized in local or regional monitoring efforts. Mai et al (2018) summarized the most common methodologies for sampling and quantifying microplastic. Another review by S. summarizes and compares the analytical approaches for quantifying microplastics in marine environments used by the scientific community.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Progress and prospects of marine microplastic research in China

Peng

Zhu

2019

Anthropocene Coasts

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Research on microplastics in China is progressing rapidly. Within recent years, more than 30 research institutes have conducted research on marine microplastic in estuaries, coasts, open sea, and Polar regions. Microplastics have been detected in freshwater systems (lakes, rivers, and wastewater treatment plants) and coastal and marine environments. This paper reviews the research progress of microplastics in China, providing information on topics including the methodology, quantification of microplastics in various habitats, eco-toxicological effect, biodegradation, management, and control of plastic waste and microplastics. This paper discusses the sampling and analysis of microplastic in different media, followed by spatial and temporal distribution of microplastics in marginal seas and coastal and freshwater systems. After summarizing the recent advances on toxicology research and risk assessment of microplastics, this paper provides suggestions for future study to provide baseline information for better risk assessment and improved understanding of the lifecycle of microplastics in the environment.

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A review of methods for measuring microplastics in aquatic environments

Cited by 293 publications

References 117 publications

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

A Global Perspective on Microplastics

A comparison of sampling methods for seawater microplastics and a first report of the microplastic litter in coastal waters of Ascension and Falkland Islands

Progress and prospects of marine microplastic research in China

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