Impacts of temperature and selected chemical digestion methods on microplastic particles

Munno, Keenan; Helm, Paul A.; Jackson, Donald A.; Rochman, Chelsea M.; Sims, Alina

doi:10.1002/etc.3935

Cited by 297 publications

(149 citation statements)

References 34 publications

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“…Organic matter removal using Fenton's reagent is an exothermic reaction. Reaction temperatures in the 425 context of organic matrices can reach as high as 89°C 62 . This may negate the benefit of using Fenton's 426 reagent, where degradation of polymers was observed for peroxide-based treatment performed at 70°C 427 in Phase 1 testing (Protocol 1b).…”

Section: Methods Optimisation 424mentioning

confidence: 99%

Validation of a Method for Extracting Microplastics from Complex, Organic-Rich, Environmental Matrices

Hurley

Lusher

Olsen

et al. 2018

Environ. Sci. Technol.

690

338

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Complex and organic-rich solid substrates such as sludge and soil have been shown to be contaminated by microplastics; however, methods for extracting plastic particles have not yet been systemically tested or standardized. This study investigated four main protocols for the removal of organic material during analysis of microplastics from complex solid matrices: oxidation using HO, Fenton's reagent, and alkaline digestion with NaOH and KOH. Eight common polymer types were used to assess the influence of reagent exposure on particle integrity. Organic matter removal efficiencies were established for test sludge and soil samples. Fenton's reagent was identified as the optimum protocol. All other methods showed signs of particle degradation or resulted in an insufficient reduction in organic matter content. A further validation procedure revealed high microplastic extraction efficiencies for particles with different morphologies. This confirmed the suitability of Fenton's reagent for use in conjunction with density separation for extracting microplastics. This approach affords greater comparability with existing studies that utilize a density-based technique. Recommendations for further method optimization were also identified to improve the recovery of microplastic from complex, organic-rich environmental samples.

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Section: Methods Optimisation 424mentioning

confidence: 99%

Validation of a Method for Extracting Microplastics from Complex, Organic-Rich, Environmental Matrices

Hurley

Lusher

Olsen

et al. 2018

Environ. Sci. Technol.

690

338

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…The time required for digestion varied depending on the amount and quality of the samples. Higher digestion temperatures could shorten the required time, but they increase the possibility for thermoplastic loss [ 100 ]. Microscopic analysis coupled with FT-IR spectroscopy was the most popular method for chemical identification of microplastics [ 9 , 25 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 61 , 64 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 73 , 74 , 75 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Microscopic analysis coupled with FT-IR spectroscopy was the most popular method for chemical identification of microplastics [ 9 , 25 , 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 , 44 , 45 , 46 , 47 , 48 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 , 61 , 64 , 69 , 70 , 71 , 73 , 74 , 75 ]. Raman spectroscopy was also applied [ 59 , 62 ] due to its enhanced performance with smaller particles [ 100 ]. Visual inspection under a microscope with or without staining was less popular, most likely because of the complexity of the sample matrices and the potential for false-positive identification [ 43 , 49 , 60 , 63 , 65 , 66 , 67 , 68 , 72 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The typical mass concentration of H 2 O 2 was 30% (v/v). Digestion temperatures and times ranged from 50–70 °C and 12–96 h, respectively [ 100 ]. A longer digestion at higher temperature is beneficial for eliminating impurities that impede microplastic detection.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…A longer digestion at higher temperature is beneficial for eliminating impurities that impede microplastic detection. However, certain polymeric materials such as polyacrylate (PA) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) can decompose and nylon 66 may melt and be lost during digestion at high temperatures [ 100 , 110 , 111 ]. Another popular oxidation method is the use of Fenton’s reagent.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Microplastics in Food: A Review on Analytical Methods and Challenges

Kwon

Kim

Pham

et al. 2020

IJERPH

162

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Human exposure to microplastics contained in food has become a significant concern owing to the increasing accumulation of microplastics in the environment. In this paper, we summarize the presence of microplastics in food and the analytical methods used for isolation and identification of microplastics. Although a large number of studies on seafood such as fish and shellfish exist, estimating the overall human exposure to microplastics via food consumption is difficult owing to the lack of studies on other food items. Analytical methods still need to be optimized for appropriate recovery of microplastics in various food matrices, rendering a quantitative comparison of different studies challenging. In addition, microplastics could be added or removed from ingredients during processing or cooking. Thus, research on processed food is crucial to estimate the contribution of food to overall human microplastic consumption and to mitigate this exposure in the future.

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A fish tale: a century of museum specimens reveal increasing microplastic concentrations in freshwater fish

Hou

McMahan

McNeish

et al. 2021

Ecological Applications

Self Cite

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Plastic is pervasive in modern economies and ecosystems. Freshwater fish ingest microplastics (i.e., particles <5 mm), but no studies have examined historical patterns of their microplastic consumption. Measuring the patterns of microplastic pollution in the past is critical for predicting future trends and for understanding the relationship between plastics in fish and the environment. We measured microplastics in digestive tissues of specimens collected from the years 1900–2017 and preserved in museum collections. We collected new fish specimens in 2018, along with water and sediment samples. We selected four species: Micropterus salmoides (largemouth bass), Notropis stramineus (sand shiner), Ictalurus punctatus (channel catfish), and Neogobius melanostomus (round goby) because each was well represented in museum collections, are locally abundant, and collected from urban habitats. For each individual, we dissected the digestive tissue from esophagus to anus, subjected tissue to peroxide oxidation, examined particles under a dissecting microscope, and used Raman spectroscopy to characterize the particles' chemical composition. No microplastics were detected in any fish prior to 1950. From mid‐century to 2018, microplastic concentrations showed a significant increase when data from all fish were considered together. All detected particles were fibers, and represented plastic polymers (e.g., polyester) along with mixtures of natural and synthetic textiles. For the specimens collected in 2018, microplastics in fish and sediment showed similar patterns across study sites, while water column microplastics showed no differences among locations. Overall, plastic pollution in common freshwater fish species is increasing and pervasive across individuals and species, and is likely related to changes in environmental concentrations. Museum specimens are an overlooked source for assessing historical patterns of microplastic pollution, and for predicting future trends in freshwater fish, thereby helping to sustain the health of commercial and recreational fisheries worldwide.

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Impacts of temperature and selected chemical digestion methods on microplastic particles

Cited by 297 publications

References 34 publications

Validation of a Method for Extracting Microplastics from Complex, Organic-Rich, Environmental Matrices

Validation of a Method for Extracting Microplastics from Complex, Organic-Rich, Environmental Matrices

Microplastics in Food: A Review on Analytical Methods and Challenges

A fish tale: a century of museum specimens reveal increasing microplastic concentrations in freshwater fish

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