A small, stainless-steel sieve optimized for laboratory beaker-based extraction of microplastics from environmental samples

Nakajima, Reiko; Lindsay, Dhugal J.; Tsuchiya, Masashi; Matsui, Rie; Kitahashi, Tomo; Fujikura, Katsunori; Fukushima, Tetsuya

doi:10.1016/j.mex.2019.07.012

Cited by 22 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…When comparing the recovery rates of microplastics between the three size categories (i.e., 100–500, 500–1,000, 1,000–2,000 µm), overall mean recovery rates slightly decreased with decreasing size of the microplastic particles ( P < 0.0005, one-way ANOVA) with significant differences between 100–500 and 500–1,000 µm particles and 100–500 and 1,000–2,000 µm particles ( P < 0.05 Turkey–Kramer). These differences were probably because of the increased chance to lose smaller particles during processing of the samples (Nakajima et al, 2019). The recovery rates ranged from 92.5% ± 5.6% to 96.0% ± 4.2% for 100–500 µm microplastics (overall mean 94.0% ± 1.5%), 96.5% ± 2.9% to 100% ± 0% for 500–1,000 µm microplastics (overall mean 97.8% ± 1.3%), and 97.8% ± 1.6% to 100% ± 0% for 1,000-2,000 µm microplastics (overall mean 99.1% ± 1.0%).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Among the previous methods for density separation of microplastics, the classical decanting method, for example, the use of a beaker, is simple in design but adhesion of microplastics to the inside of the container is a problem when the media is transferred, thus resulting in a relatively low recovery rate (40%) (Imhof et al, 2012). The technique is often repeated three to five times to raise the extraction efficiency, but this extends the processing time for each sample and increases the chance to lose microplastic samples (Nakajima et al, 2019). Avoiding resuspension of decanted sediments is also challenging when pouring supernatant (Masura et al, 2015).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 1 more Smart Citation

A new small device made of glass for separating microplastics from marine and freshwater sediments

Nakajima¹,

Tsuchiya²,

Lindsay³

et al. 2019

PeerJ

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Separating microplastics from marine and freshwater sediments is challenging, but necessary to determine their distribution, mass, and ecological impacts in benthic environments. Density separation is commonly used to extract microplastics from sediments by using heavy salt solutions, such as zinc chloride and sodium iodide. However, current devices/apparatus used for density separation, including glass beakers, funnels, upside-down funnel-shaped separators with a shut-off valve, etc., possess various shortcomings in terms of recovery rate, time consumption, and/or usability. In evaluating existing microplastic extraction methods using density separation, we identified the need for a device that allows rapid, simple, and efficient extraction of microplastics from a range of sediment types. We have developed a small glass separator, without a valve, taking a hint from an Utermöhl chamber. This new device is easy to clean and portable, yet enables rapid separation of microplastics from sediments. With this simple device, we recovered 94–98% of <1,000 µm microplastics (polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene). Overall, the device is efficient for various sizes, polymer types, and sediment types. Also, microplastics collected with this glass-made device remain chemically uncontaminated, and can, therefore, be used for further analysis of adsorbing contaminants and additives on/to microplastics.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

A new small device made of glass for separating microplastics from marine and freshwater sediments

Nakajima¹,

Tsuchiya²,

Lindsay³

et al. 2019

PeerJ

Self Cite

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…When comparing the recovery rates of microplastics between the three size categories (i.e., 100-500 µm, 500-1000 µm, 1,000-2,000 µm), overall mean recovery rates slightly decreased with decreasing size of the microplastic particles (P<0.0005, one-way ANOVA) with significant differences between 100-500 µm and 500-1,000 µm particles and 100-500 µm and 1,000-2,000 µm particles (P<0.05 Turkey-Kramer). These differences were probably because of the increased chance to lose smaller particles during processing of the samples (Nakajima et al, 2019). The recovery rates ranged from 92.5 ± 5.6% to 96.0 ± 4.2% for 100-500 µm microplastics (overall mean 94.0 ± 1.5%), 96.5 ± 2.9% to 100 ± 0 % for 500-1000 µm microplastics (overall mean 97.8 ± 1.3%), and 97.8 ± 1.6% to 100 ± 0% for 1000-2000 µm microplastics (overall mean 99.1 ± 1.0%).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Manuscript to be reviewed Among the previous methods for density separation of microplastics, the classical decanting method, for example the use of a beaker, is simple in design but adhesion of microplastics to the inside of the container is a problem when the media is transferred, thus resulting in a relatively low recovery rate (40%) (Imhof et al, 2012). The technique is often repeated 3-5 times to raise the extraction efficiency, but this extends the processing time for each sample and increases the chance to lose microplastic samples (Nakajima et al, 2019). Avoiding resuspension of decanted sediments is also challenging when pouring supernatant (Masura et al, 2015).…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Peer Review #1 of "A new small device made of glass for separating microplastics from marine and freshwater sediments (v0.1)"

2019

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Separating microplastics from marine and freshwater sediments is challenging, but necessary to determine their distribution, mass and ecological impacts in benthic environments. Density separation is commonly used to extract microplastics from sediments by using heavy salt solutions, such as zinc chloride and sodium iodide. However, current devices/apparatus used for density separation, including glass beakers, funnels, upside-down funnel-shaped separators with a shut-off valve, etc., possess various shortcomings in terms of recovery rate, time consumption and/or usability. In evaluating existing microplastic extraction methods using density separation, we identified the need for a device that allows rapid, simple and efficient extraction of microplastics from a range of sediment types. We have developed a small glass separator, without a valve, taking a hint from an Utermöhl chamber. This new device is easy to clean and portable, yet enables rapid separation of microplastics from sediments. With this simple device, we recovered 94-98% of <1,000 µm microplastics (polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, and polystyrene). Overall, the device is efficient for various sizes, polymer types, and sediment types. Also, microplastics collected with this glassmade device remain chemically uncontaminated, and can therefore be used for further analysis of adsorbing contaminants and additives on/to microplastics.

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“…Instead of adding the chemical to the petri dish, the operator could also submerge the sieve into a reaction vessel as suggested by Nakajima et al. [5] . This approach appears especially useful if several different chemicals and enzymes [6] are applied.…”

Section: Possible Variations Of the Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

From sieve to microscope: An efficient technique for sample transfer in the process of microplastics’ quantification

2021

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In the field of microplastics’ quantification, efficient and reproducible methodology is still needed. Procedures of sample fractionation and transfer are often insufficiently reported, although fractionating a sample in similarly sized particles is a crucial prerequisite for the subsequent detection and identification process. At the same time, fractionation is error-prone as particles can be lost during transfer between different vessels. This article presents a four-step technique of sample preparation and microscopic examination, suited for different kind of environmental samples (e.g., water, sediment, soil): The sample is size-fractionated in a sieve cascade (I), rinsed from the sieve and vacuum-filtrated onto a filter (II), rinsed from the filter into a glass petri dish with a low amount of water (III), and examined under the microscope in wet or dry condition (IV). The technique manages on standard laboratory equipment and is reliable for fragments > 300 µm: In a validation experiment with polypropylene, the average recovery was 94 ± 13.5% (arithmetic mean ± standard deviation) and 100% (median), respectively. Reliable sample transfer after wet-sieving. Concentration of the pretreated sample in a very small amount of water. Usage of transmitted light in microscopy.

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A small, stainless-steel sieve optimized for laboratory beaker-based extraction of microplastics from environmental samples

Abstract: Graphical abstract

Cited by 22 publications

References 9 publications

A new small device made of glass for separating microplastics from marine and freshwater sediments

A new small device made of glass for separating microplastics from marine and freshwater sediments

Peer Review #1 of "A new small device made of glass for separating microplastics from marine and freshwater sediments (v0.1)"

From sieve to microscope: An efficient technique for sample transfer in the process of microplastics’ quantification

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