An extensive characterization of various environmentally relevant microplastics – Material properties, leaching and ecotoxicity testing

Rozman, Ula; Turk, Tilen; Skalar, Tina; Zupančič, Marija; Korošin, Nataša Čelan; Marinšek, Marjan; Olívero-Verbel, Jesús; Kalčíková, Gabriela

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145576

Cited by 99 publications

(38 citation statements)

References 59 publications

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“…After filtration, the MPs are analyzed by the conventional techniques used for solids samples, such as the non-destructive micro-Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy [46,48] and the attenuated total reflectance FTIR spectroscopy [49], Raman [50] and micro-Raman [51] measurements, thermoanalytical techniques such as the pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Pyr-GC/MS) [33,52], or the differential scanning calorimetry and the thermogravimetric analysis [53,54], in order to describe the chemical compositions of the plastics and their glass transition temperatures. The observation by conventional optical microscopy [46] or fluorescence microscopy [55] allows to describe their color, shape, and size, while by scanning electron microscopy the description of the morphology and of the microsize [21,53] is performed and porosimetry allows to determine the changes in the specific surface area [53,56].…”

Section: Methodical Procedures Of Mps Detection In Sewage Sludgementioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics in Sewage Sludge: A Known but Underrated Pathway in Wastewater Treatment Plants

et al. 2021

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Interest in the presence of microplastics (MPs) in wastewater has grown significantly in recent years. In fact, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs) represent the last barrier before the discharge of MPs into an aquatic ecosystem. The research has highlighted how MPs are in part effectively removed from the waters and accumulated inside the sewage sludge (SeS) produced by the WWTP, being a cause for concern, especially in the case of agricultural reuse. This work aims to analyze the existing literature on the (i) methodical procedure for MPs analysis (thermal, spectroscopic, optical analyses), (ii) qualitative and quantitative presence of MPs in SeS, (iii) effect on sludge properties, and (iv) the possible accumulation in amended soils. Based on the results already obtained in the literature, this work aims to provide critical insights to stimulate interest in the topic and direct future research on aspects that should be deepened. In particular, it emerges that there is a clear need for standardization of the collection methods and the analytical techniques for identifying and quantifying MPs, since their physico-chemical characterization and the study on aging and on the response towards acid or basic pre-treatments are fundamental for the understanding of microplastics ecotoxicological potential.

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Section: Methodical Procedures Of Mps Detection In Sewage Sludgementioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics in Sewage Sludge: A Known but Underrated Pathway in Wastewater Treatment Plants

et al. 2021

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“…As MPs are plastic blends and there are no pure polymeric compounds, the reliable determination of the chemical composition is di cult to achieve using a single technique. Thus, complementary methods are needed for an adequate interpretation [29]. The particles were con rmed as MPs through comparisons to the reference spectra from the polymer library of Wiley's KnowItAll Software with IR & Raman Spectral database and other spectra from different studies.…”

Section: Chemical Characterization Of Mps By Fourier-transform Infrar...mentioning

confidence: 99%

Morphology, Chemical Characterization and Sources of Microplastics in a Coastal City in the Equatorial Zone with Diverse Anthropogenic Activities (Fortaleza city, Brazil)

et al. 2022

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The aim of the present study was to perform morphological and chemical characterizations of microplastics (MPs) found in seawater samples from the coast of the city of Fortaleza (CE) using Fouriertransform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC). Sampling was performed using a neuston sampler. MPs were separated based on the difference in density. MPs with varied morphologies were found. Fibers and fragments were the most abundant (57% and 36.2%, respectively). FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and DSC con rmed the presence of polyurethane and alkyd resin, polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyamide blends, thermoplastic rubber and polyester bers. Many studies have chemically characterized plastic materials using FTIR, Raman spectroscopy and DSC and common MPs, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide and polyester, have been characterized. However, characterization becomes more complex when MPs are less common particles, weathered particles and blends of polymers and additives. There is also less information on these types of MPs in commercial polymer databases. Therefore, the MP spectra obtained in this study can serve as a database to compare and characterize common as well as less common, more complex MPs.

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“…It is estimated that up to 8 million tons of plastics end up in the oceans each year [ 27 ]. As a result, there are many polymer compounds in circulation these days, the most famous of which are: polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and its modifications such as low-density polyethylene (PE-LD), linear low density polyethylene (PE-LLD), high density polyethylene (PE-HD), medium density polyethylene (PE-MD), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyurethane (PUR), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon (NY), polyester (PES), and polystyrene (PS) [ 2 , 4 , 28 , 29 , 30 ].…”

Section: Plastics and Microplasticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Microplastics are mostly defined as particles smaller than 5 mm [ 3 ] and come in different shapes such as fibers, pellets, fragments, flakes, and beads [ 4 ]. Primary microplastics are produced for their abrasive properties, mainly as consumer goods in the cosmetics industry or cleaning agents.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Disparities in Methods Used to Determine Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment: A Review of Legislation, Sampling Process and Instrumental Analysis

Halfar

Brožová

Čabanová

et al. 2021

IJERPH

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Plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, i.e., microplastics, have been detected in a number of environments. The number of studies on microplastics in marine environments, fresh water, wastewater, the atmosphere, and the human body are increasing along with a rise in the amounts of plastic materials introduced into the environment every year, all contributing to a range of health and environmental issues. Although the use of primary microplastics has been gradually reduced by recent legislation in many countries, new knowledge and data on these problems are needed to understand the overall lifecycle of secondary microplastics in particular. The aim of this review is to provide unified information on the pathways of microplastics into the environment, their degradation, and related legislation, with a special focus on the methods of their sampling, determination, and instrumental analysis. To deal with the health and environmental issues associated with the abundance of microplastics in the environment, researchers should focus on agreeing on a uniform methodology to determine the gravity of the problem through obtaining comparable data, thus leading to new and stricter legislation enforcing more sustainable plastic production and recycling, and hopefully contributing to reversing the trend of high amounts of microplastics worldwide.

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An extensive characterization of various environmentally relevant microplastics – Material properties, leaching and ecotoxicity testing

Cited by 99 publications

References 59 publications

Microplastics in Sewage Sludge: A Known but Underrated Pathway in Wastewater Treatment Plants

Microplastics in Sewage Sludge: A Known but Underrated Pathway in Wastewater Treatment Plants

Morphology, Chemical Characterization and Sources of Microplastics in a Coastal City in the Equatorial Zone with Diverse Anthropogenic Activities (Fortaleza city, Brazil)

Disparities in Methods Used to Determine Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment: A Review of Legislation, Sampling Process and Instrumental Analysis

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