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Updated: Jul 15, 2025
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Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris
Published on: July 28, 2018
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Improved separation and quantification method for microplastic analysis in sediment: A fine-grained matrix from
K B Parga Martínez1, V H da Silva2, T J Andersen3
1Section of Geology - Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management (IGN), University of Copenhagen, Øster Voldgade 10, 1350 Copenhagen, Denmark.
Marine Pollution Bulletin
|September 29, 2023
Summary
This study presents a new method for extracting microplastics from sediment, reducing processing time and particle loss, especially for smaller microplastics. The improved technique enhances microplastic recovery from environmental samples.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Microplastic analysis is crucial for understanding environmental contamination.
- Current microplastic extraction from sediment often involves lengthy steps, leading to particle loss, particularly for microplastics smaller than 100 micrometers.
- Efficient separation methods are needed to accurately quantify microplastics in diverse matrices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate an improved method for microplastic separation and quantification from fine-grained sediments.
- To minimize microplastic loss during extraction, focusing on smaller particle sizes.
- To enhance the efficiency and accuracy of microplastic analysis in environmental samples.
Main Methods:
- A sequential extraction process involving acetic acid (CH3COOH), potassium hydroxide (KOH), and sodium hypochlorite (NaClO) treatments.
- Density separation using zinc chloride (ZnCl2) solution as the primary separation step, minimizing intermediate transfers.
- Visual evaluation and micro-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (μFTIR) for assessing extraction efficiency and recovery rates.
Main Results:
- Extraction efficiency exceeded 90% for microplastic particles >100 μm and 83% for particles between 63-75 μm.
- The sequential extraction method significantly reduced the risk of particle loss for smaller microplastic fractions.
- While extraction of acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) particles (20-100 μm) was lower (30%), recovery assessed by μFTIR was higher (55%).
Conclusions:
- The proposed method offers an efficient approach to microplastic separation and quantification in fine-grained sediments.
- Reducing intermediate steps in the extraction process is key to minimizing microplastic loss, especially for particles <100 μm.
- The method is adaptable to various sediment types and environmental matrices, offering broader applicability in microplastic research.
