Potassium carbonate (K2CO3) – A cheap, non-toxic and high-density floating solution for microplastic isolation from beach sediments

Gohla, Jan; Bračun, Sandra; Gretschel, Gerwin; Koblmüller, Stephan; Wagner, Maximilian; Pacher, Christian

doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2021.112618

Cited by 15 publications

(6 citation statements)

References 55 publications

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“…Therefore, density separation is done with a new, nontoxic, highly dense separation medium, a saturated solution of potassium carbonate. This solution allows the extraction of even the most dense types of particles (PET and PVC) from a sediment sample up to a density of 1.54 g/cm 3 …”

Section: Rationalementioning

confidence: 99%

“…This solution allows the extraction of even the most dense types of particles (PET and PVC) from a sediment sample up to a density of 1.54 g/cm 3 . 22 Furthermore, we present a modified, highly efficient, and quick staining protocol using Nile Red with acetone and water as solvents. Therefore, the staining can be easily done by high school students.…”

Section: ■ Rationalementioning

confidence: 99%

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Lighting Up for Learning─Fluorescence Analysis of Microplastic Particles by Secondary School Students Using Nile Red

Majcen,

Tassoti,

Spitzer

2023

J. Chem. Educ.

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Microplastics have been detected in most ecosystems around the world. They affect the environment and organisms in it, including humans and possibly their health. Hence, the analysis of microplastic occurrence in the environment is highly relevant. However, there are only a few practical and easy-to-implement methods published for school use, and therefore, microplastics still receive little attention in the classroom. This review presents an approach for separation and detection of microplastic particles in sediment with secondary school students based on methods used in current research. After sieving and density separation, the fluorescence marker Nile Red is used to selectively stain microplastic particles. Subsequently, the particles can be detected using a DIY low-cost fluorescence photobox. It offers an opportunity to address the problems associated with microplastics in a school context and can be used as an example for further discussion.

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Section: Rationalementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: ■ Rationalementioning

confidence: 99%

Lighting Up for Learning─Fluorescence Analysis of Microplastic Particles by Secondary School Students Using Nile Red

Majcen,

Tassoti,

Spitzer

2023

J. Chem. Educ.

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“…Filters were again placed in the oven until dry. After desiccation, the solid sample was rinsed with a high-density floatation solution (5.57 M) of K 2 CO 3 (≥99.0%, VWR Chemicals) for microplastic isolation [41]. The samples were poured into density-separation glass funnels for the separation of sediments (denser) from microplastics (less dense).…”

Section: Microplastics Extraction and Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The samples were poured into density-separation glass funnels for the separation of sediments (denser) from microplastics (less dense). The lower-laying sediments were eliminated from the funnel and the K 2 CO 3 solution was retrieved for future use [41]. The upper liquor was filtered over a single PCTE filter and Milli-Q water was used to carefully wash the remaining microplastics from the funnels.…”

Section: Microplastics Extraction and Processingmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…To also allow the isolation of denser microplastics such as PVC, a 5.57 M solution of potassium carbonate (K2CO3) was prepared, with a density of 1.54 g/cm 3 . This particular floatation solution was preferred to others such as ZnCl and NaI, as K2CO3 is cheaper, recyclable, and more environmentally friendly [41], while having a higher density than the NaCl solutions (up to 1.2 g/cm 3 ). In addition, high-density solutions of K2CO3 can easily precipitate [41], forming crystals in the final processed sample.…”

Section: Assets and Disadvantages Of The Extraction Protocolmentioning

confidence: 99%

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River–Groundwater Interaction and Recharge Effects on Microplastics Contamination of Groundwater in Confined Alluvial Aquifers

Severini

Ducci

Sutti

et al. 2022

Water

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Literature provides only a few examples of contamination of groundwater with microplastics, mainly investigated using a chemical approach. Little importance is given to the hydrogeological processes able to affect the contamination, such as river–groundwater interactions. This study was carried out with two aims. The first aim is the formulation of a method with a high result-to-cost ratio, based on the hydrogeological aspects of the investigated area. Microplastics were extracted from samples through filtration and successively counted and characterized morphologically through analysis of optical microscopy images. The second aim is to evaluate the presence of microplastics in some portions of an alluvial aquifer using this methodology. Microplastics in groundwater showed a higher circularity and Feret diameter than those found in surface waters, indicating that in porous aquifers the transport is likely more influenced by the microplastics’ shape than by their size. The aquifer recharge did not modify the microplastics’ characteristics in groundwater, whereas in surface water the flood wave promoted the resuspension of microplastics with lower circularity. These findings provide new pieces of evidence on the presence and transport of microplastics in both groundwater and surface waters, underlining how the hydrogeological characteristics of the area can be one of the main drivers of microplastics’ contamination.

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Research status and prospects of microplastic pollution in lakes

Zhang

et al. 2023

Environ Monit Assess

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Potassium carbonate (K2CO3) – A cheap, non-toxic and high-density floating solution for microplastic isolation from beach sediments

Cited by 15 publications

References 55 publications

Lighting Up for Learning─Fluorescence Analysis of Microplastic Particles by Secondary School Students Using Nile Red

Lighting Up for Learning─Fluorescence Analysis of Microplastic Particles by Secondary School Students Using Nile Red

River–Groundwater Interaction and Recharge Effects on Microplastics Contamination of Groundwater in Confined Alluvial Aquifers

Research status and prospects of microplastic pollution in lakes

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