Method for separating or identifying plastics

Kolb, Kenneth E.; Kolb, Doris

doi:10.1021/ed068p348

Cited by 19 publications

(22 citation statements)

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“…Besides the separation of the particles, the identification of the recovered particles is a crucial step in the quantification process. Identification based on the density of plastic particles (Moret-Ferguson et al 2010;Kolb and Kolb 1991) suffers from degradation effects altering the density of the particles (Corcoran et al 2009;Fraunholcz 2004), leading to unreliable results. Optical investigations of sediment samples are limited by particle size.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A novel, highly efficient method for the separation and quantification of plastic particles in sediments of aquatic environments

Imhof

Schmid

Nießner

et al. 2012

Limnology & Ocean Methods

565

349

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Although plastic debris is constantly accumulating in aquatic environments, the impact on aquatic ecosystems is not yet fully understood. A first important step to assess the consequences of plastic debris in aquatic ecosystems is the establishment of a reliable, verified, and standardized method to quantify the amount of plastic particles in the environment. We improved the density separation approach by the construction of the so called Munich Plastic Sediment Separator (MPSS). It enables a reliable separation of different ecologically relevant size classes of plastic particles from sediment samples. A ZnCl 2 -solution (1.6-1.7 kg/L) as separation fluid allows for an extraction of plastic particles ranging from large fragments to small microplastic particles (S-MPP, <1 mm). Subsequent identification and quantification of the particles with spatial resolution down to 1 µm can be performed using Raman microspectroscopy. Our study is the first providing validated recovery rates of 100% for large microplastic particles (L-MPP, 1-5 mm) and 95.5% for S-MPP. The recovery rate for S-MPP, using the MPSS, was significantly higher than the value obtained by application of classical density separation setup (39.8%). Moreover, our recovery rates were significantly higher than those based on froth flotation (55.0% for L-MPP) commonly used in recycling industries. Hence, our improved method can be used for a reliable and time-efficient separation, identification and quantification of plastic fragments down to S-MPP. This will help foster studies quantifying the increasing contamination of aquatic environments with microplastic particles, which is a crucial prerequisite for future risk assessment and management strategies.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A novel, highly efficient method for the separation and quantification of plastic particles in sediments of aquatic environments

Imhof

Schmid

Nießner

et al. 2012

Limnology & Ocean Methods

565

349

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

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“…The microplastics collected have densities lower than the density of 5 M NaCl (1.190 g/cm 3 ). Plastic materials that fall in this density range are polymethylpentene (TPX: 0.83 g/cm 3 ), polypropylene (PP: 0.90-0.91 g/cm 3 ), low-density polyethylene (LDPE: 0.92-0.94 g/cm 3 ); high density polyethylene (HDPE: 0.95-0.97 g/cm 3 ), and polystyrene (PS: 1.05-1.07 g/cm 3 ) (Kolb & Kolb 1991). The microplastic fragments isolated from the river have lengths ranging from 0.56 to 4.58 mm.…”

Section: Sizes Of Isolated Pasig River Microplasticsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Occurrence of microplastic fragments in the Pasig River

et al. 2019

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Microplastics are plastic fragments with dimensions of less than 5 mm. These materials are formed within bodies of water by the forces shearing on the large plastics. Ultraviolet light from sunlight also degrades plastic materials causing discoloration and disintegration into smaller, micro- or even nano-sized particles. This study reports the isolation of microplastic fragments from the Pasig River within the vicinity of the Polytechnic University of the Philippines. The collection of floating particulates was done by sieving the river water (flow rate = 0.31 m s−1) through a 0.35 mm mesh for 10 minutes. Through this method, 25.7 m3 of river water was sieved over three samplings. Microplastics were isolated through a series of peroxide oxidation and sedimentation methods. All microplastic fragments were viewed and photographed under a compound microscope (40–100× magnification). A total of 34 microplastic fragments with lengths ranging from 0.56 to 4.58 mm were categorized. Microplastic fragments were categorized into two categories: small (1.16 ± 0.42 mm) and large (4.13 ± 0.37 mm), based on the size distribution. The microplastic fragments isolated were partially rounded and some showed signs of discoloration indicating mechanical and photo-degradation. The presence of microplastic fragments in Pasig River indicates persistent plastic pollution from the river source (Laguna de Bay), its tributaries, as well as the communities and industries situated along the river. Programs on solid waste management especially on plastic wastes could mitigate the production of microplastics in the river.

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“…Because of their difference in density from ca. 900 to 1300 kg·m –3 , PE and PP float on tap water while PS, PVC, PMMA, PA, and PC sink. , The last ones emerge in a specific order to the water surface when increasing amounts of salt are added to the water. When the fire test is applied, different types of flames are observed.…”

Section: Results and Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Identification and Formulation of Polymers: A Challenging Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Chemistry Lab Assignment

Guedens

Reynders

2017

J. Chem. Educ.

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Prior to the recycling process, raising awareness of plastic waste impact, e.g., polluting oceans worldwide, is undoubtedly a first attempt to tackle this pandemic environmental issue. With this in mind, the presented practical session is an effort to entice an interdisciplinary audience of science undergraduates toward a sustainable future. The associated assignment focuses on a collaboration of undergraduate chemistry students and engineering undergraduates with a minor program in chemistry. Acting on an adequate uncluttered mind map of practical guidelines, the students acquire and exchange multiple "good laboratory practice" skills. By this, engineering undergraduates get acquainted with chemicals, e.g., polymers, while future chemists get an impression of how economics is concerned to maintain a balance between economy and ecology, i.e., a circular economy. In a grand finale, the students present their interdisciplinary communication skills via a poster exhibition: "chemistry meets economics". Moreover, via this interdisciplinary approach the traditional polymer chemistry laboratory session, still a substantial part of the organic chemistry curriculum in the polymer chemistry courses, gets a makeover and will be integrated into a modern, advanced curriculum.

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Method for separating or identifying plastics

Abstract: This article suggests the use of differences in density as a means for separation and identification of plastics.

Cited by 19 publications

References 0 publications

A novel, highly efficient method for the separation and quantification of plastic particles in sediments of aquatic environments

A novel, highly efficient method for the separation and quantification of plastic particles in sediments of aquatic environments

Occurrence of microplastic fragments in the Pasig River

Identification and Formulation of Polymers: A Challenging Interdisciplinary Undergraduate Chemistry Lab Assignment

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