Considerations when using microplates and Neubauer counting chamber in ecotoxicity tests on microplastics.

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Laboratory Practices

Background:

• Microplastics are ubiquitous environmental contaminants.
• Standard laboratory equipment can be susceptible to microplastic contamination.
• Accurate ecotoxicity evaluation requires reliable quantification and controlled experimental conditions.

Purpose of the Study:

• To adapt counting chambers for microplastic quantification in ecotoxicity assays.
• To develop a decontamination method for plastic microplates used in microplastic research.
• To enhance the reliability of microplastic ecotoxicity testing through improved laboratory practices.

Main Methods:

• Utilized counting chambers with Nile Red staining for microplastic enumeration (<100 μm).
• Developed and applied an ethanol-based cleaning protocol for plastic microplates.
• Assessed the efficacy of the cleaning method on microplastic removal and microalgae yield.

Main Results:

• Counting chambers effectively quantified high concentrations of microplastics.
• The ethanol cleaning method removed 91% of microplastic particles from microplates.
• The cleaning method did not interfere with microalgae growth or ecotoxicity assay results.

Conclusions:

• Counting chambers are suitable for microplastic quantification in laboratory assays.
• An ethanol-based cleaning protocol effectively decontaminates microplates for microplastic research.
• Adapting laboratory practices is crucial for accurate microplastic ecotoxicity assessments.