Sinking Behavior of Microplastics

Kowalski, Nicole; Reichardt, Aurelia M.; Glockzin, Michael; Oberbeckmann, Sonja; Waniek, Joanna J

doi:10.1016/b978-0-12-812271-6.00129-0

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…The variety of plastic polymers and their properties makes it difficult to accurately predict debris fate; however, many studies suggest that plastics ultimately are deposited in marine sediments. 18,[20][21][22] Several techniques used to isolate MPs from marine and estuarine sediments involve density separation (i.e., floatation) by agitating sediment samples with aqueous salt solutions. 23 Methods that rely on floatation separations are restricted by the density of their respective salt solutions.…”

Section: Plastics In the Environmentmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparison of microplastic isolation and extraction procedures from marine sediments

Cashman

Boving

et al. 2020

Marine Pollution Bulletin

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Plastic pollution in marine systems degrades over time through numerous weathering processes. Microplastics (MPs) are small (<1mm) plastic particles which pose potential threat to marine ecosystems. Identifying MPs in marine sediments is crucial for understanding their fate and effects on benthic communities. Many methods exist for the extraction of MPs from sediments, but procedural differences prevent meaningful comparisons across datasets. This method comparison examines the efficiency of five common methods for extracting MPs (40-710μm) from marine sediments. Known quantities of MPs (i.e., polyethylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, and polypropylene) were spiked into two different sediment treatments (sand and silt). The MPs were extracted using five varying published methods and enumerated to demonstrate percent recovery. Findings determined that sediment matrix, MP properties, and extraction method all substantially affected the percent recovery of MPs from marine sediments. Average recoveries of spiked microplastics were between 0-87.4% and varied greatly by sediment type, microplastic, and method of extraction. In general, larger particle and lower density MPs were more effectively recovered. Marine sediments low in organic matter and with larger grain size (i.e., sand) also had higher percent recoveries of MPs. These findings support the need for method optimization and unified procedures when measuring environmental MP abundance in marine sediments.

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