Microplastics in soils: assessment, analytics and risks

Costa, João Pinto da; Paço, Ana; Santos, Patrícia S.M.; Duarte, Armando C.; Rocha-Santos, Teresa

doi:10.1071/en18150

Cited by 119 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 111 publications

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“…Developing a better understanding of the occurrence and fate of plastic debris in the terrestrial environment requires reliable, quantitative analytical methods for complex environmental matrices (Bläsing and Amelung, 2018;He et al, 2018;da Costa et al, 2018). So far, most studies have relied on optical detection by Fourier transformed infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) with attenuated total reflection or Raman microspectroscopy (Renner et al, 2018).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A simple method for the selective quantification of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene plastic debris in soil by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Steinmetz

Kintzi

Muñoz

et al. 2019

Preprint

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The lack of adequate analytical methods for the quantification of plastic debris in soil challenges a better understanding of their occurrence and fate in the terrestrial environment. With this proof-of-principle study, we developed a simple and fast method for the selective quantification of the three most environmentally relevant polymers polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), and polystyrene (PS) in soil using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS). In order to facilitate the preparation of calibration series and to better account for the heterogeneity of soil matrix, polymers were dissolved in 1,2,4-trichlorobenzene (TCB) at 120 °C. Thereby, liquid sample aliquots from up to 4 g of solid sample became amenable to pyrolysis without further preparation. To evaluate the performance of this approach, three reference soils with 1.73–5.16 % organic carbon (Corg) were spiked at 50 and 250 μg g−1 of each polymer and extracted with TCB. A prior cleanup step with methanol, flocculation with KAl(SO4)2, and Fenton digestion were tested for their suitability to reduce potentially interfering Corg. Calibration curves responded linearly (adj. R2 > 0.996) with instrumental detection limits of 1–86 ng corresponding to method detection limits of 1–86 μg g−1. The measurement repeatability was 3.2–7.2 % relative standard deviation. Recoveries of 70–128 % were achieved for plastic contents of 250 μg g−1 extracted with TCB without prior cleanup from soils with less than 2.5 % Corg. A higher Corg particularly interfered with the quantification of PE. The addition of non-target polymers (polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, poly(methyl methacrylate), and tire wear particles) did not interfere with the quantification of the analytes highlighting the selectivity of the method. Further research is needed to determine low plastic contents in soils exceeding 2.5 % Corg. With 1–3 h processing time per sample, our method has the potential for routine analyses and screening studies of agricultural systems to be complemented with microspectroscopic techniques for additional information on particle shapes and sizes.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A simple method for the selective quantification of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene plastic debris in soil by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Steinmetz

Kintzi

Muñoz

et al. 2019

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…During this procedure, plastic is not degraded. However, the method is timeconsuming and still has to be tested for the successful application to soil organic matter (Bläsing & Amelung, 2018;Pinto da Costa et al, 2019;Prata, da Costa, Duarte, & Rocha-Santos, 2019).…”

Section: Removal Of Organicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The detected amount of microplastics can be quantified by counting the particles and putting them in relation to the mass or volume of the original soil sample. At present, the unit mpp/kg is mostly used to report results (Pinto da Costa et al, 2019;Prata et al, 2019;Silva et al, 2018).…”

Section: Microplastic Quantification and Identificationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Investigating microplastic dynamics in soils: Orientation for sampling strategies and sample pre‐procession

et al. 2020

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Studies on microplastics in soils is currently being established as a new research field.So far, mainly 'explorative studies' have been carried out to detect microplastics in different soil environments. To generate a deeper understanding of microplastics dynamics, 'systematic studies' are required. Such research must built on a targeted sampling strategy and considerate fieldwork and sample handling. From literature enquiry, a five-stage methodological workflow was deduced for studies on microplastics in soils.In the present review, the spatial representation of soils/soilscapes with microplastics in soils research is conceptually and practically assessed. We discuss judgmental, randomized, and metric soil sampling strategies. Then, we explain sample pre-processing and give a brief overview of methods for microplastics identification and quantification. We conclude that the establishment of the novel field of research 'microplastic dynamics in soils' requires more intensive consideration of soil sampling strategies. As soil is a complex medium and the soilscape is spatially heterogeneous, we highlight systematic sampling strategies as the best possible options for sophisticated research.However, no overall optimum methodology can be defined because the specific strategy must be in line with the particular research question. For all studies on microplastics in soils, practical improvement is needed to prevent contamination of soil samples with plastics during sampling and sample pre-processing.

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“…Plastic degradation process depends on several factors such as polymer type and its age and some environmental processes like weathering processes, acidity, alkalinity and temperature (Akbay and € Ozdemir, 2016). Recently, numerous research and investigation has been done to assess the MPs sources and their comparative impacts on the terrestrial environment (Auta et al, 2017;Blasing and Amelung, 2018;He et al, 2019;Ng et al, 2018;Pinto da Costa et al, 2018). Moreover, researchers are more focused on investigating the effects of MPs causing from plastic waste dumping and improper management of landfill sites (Duis and Coors, 2016).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Microplastics contamination in the soil from Urban Landfill site, Dhaka, Bangladesh

Afrin

Uddin

Rahman

2020

Heliyon

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Microplastics (MP) pollution has become a matter of global concern because of its several deleterious effects on environmental health, especially on the terrestrial environment. The evidence of MP contamination in terrestrial environment is less explored compared to aquatic bodies. However, in Bangladesh despite having high possibility of MP contamination, there is lacking of available research-based evidence. Urban areas soil is subjected to act as a major environmental reservoir for MPs. Thus, this study was carried out to investigate the presence of MP contamination in constructed landfill sites near Dhaka city, Bangladesh. Ten unmixed soil samples were collected from the Aminbazar Sanitary landfill sites, from that thirty replicated samples were investigated via Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis and Stereomicroscope. The range of physicochemical parameters were found in the soil samples as follows: moisture content; 15.84%-56.54%; soil pH; 5.76-6.02, electric conductivity; 0.1 μs/cm-2.43 μs/cm, alkalinity; 6.7 AE 1.528-14.33 AE 0.577, TOC; 0.18% AE 0.02-1.09 AE 0.03. Among the ten samples, 3 samples were identified to have the presence of MP in the form of Low density polyethylene (LDPE), High density polyethylene (HDPE), and Cellulose acetate (CA) respectively. The detection limit ranged from 1-2000 μm. Hence, the results show that the procurement and discharge of MPs in the landfills is an overlong process. The results of this study provide an initial evidence and affirm that landfill can be a potential source of MPs. This study indicates that MPs are comparatively overlong outcome of human induced activities which can significantly cause changes in terrestrial ecosystems.

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Microplastics in soils: assessment, analytics and risks

Cited by 119 publications

References 111 publications

A simple method for the selective quantification of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene plastic debris in soil by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

A simple method for the selective quantification of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene plastic debris in soil by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Investigating microplastic dynamics in soils: Orientation for sampling strategies and sample pre‐procession

Microplastics contamination in the soil from Urban Landfill site, Dhaka, Bangladesh

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