Analytical Methods for Microplastics in Environments: Current Advances and Challenges

Numerous studies have shown the presence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment. As an emerging global contaminant, the concentrations of MPs need to be evaluated, to assess its impacts on ecosystems and humans. This chapter reviews the development of

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Contents 1 Introduction: Overview of Analytical Procedures 2 Collection of Environmental Samples 2.1 Water Samples 2.2 Soil and Sediment Samples 2.3 Biological Samples 2.4 Atmospheric Samples 3 Separation Techniques 3.1 Flotation 3.2 Filtration 3.3 Digestion of the Organic Sample Matrix 4 Quantification and Identification of MPs 4.1 Morphology Characterization, Quantification, and Classification 4.2 Identification of MP Polymer 5 Quality Assurance and Quantity Control 6 Summary References

Abstract Numerous studies have shown the presence of microplastics (MPs) in the environment. As an emerging global contaminant, the concentrations of MPs need to be evaluated, to assess its impacts on ecosystems and humans. This chapter reviews the development of analytical approaches from sample collection to MP characterization and quantification. This chapter contains a critical overview and a comparative assessment of sampling and sample preparation procedures for water, soil, M. Liu, S. Lu, Y. Chen, C. Cao, and D. He (*) School of Ecological and Environmental Sciences, Shanghai Key Laboratory for Urban Ecological Processes and Eco-Restoration, East China Normal University, Shanghai, China e-mail: [email protected] M. Bigalke Institute of Geography, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland Defu He and Yongming Luo (eds.), Microplastics in Terrestrial Environments - Emerging Contaminants and Major Challenges, Hdb Env Chem, DOI 10.1007/698_2019_436, © Springer Nature Switzerland AG 2020

M. Liu et al.

sediment, biological, and atmosphere samples. We discuss sample preparation techniques such as flotation, filtration, digestion of organic matter, and analytical techniques such as morphological and physical classification, identification, and quantification of MPs. Furthermore, we address the advantages and disadvantages of these techniques, compare MP assay methods for different environment matrices, and discuss the challenges in the establishment of standard methods. In future research, it will be important to develop efficient assay protocol, such as basing on fully or semiautomated analysis, and to improve the accuracy of identification and quantification for MPs, especially nanoplastics. Keywords Digestion, Environment, Microplastics, Sampling, Separation

1 Introduction: Overview of Analytical Procedures Global production of plastics has exponentially increased from 2 million metric tons in 1950 to 280 million tons in 2016. The vast majority of plastic products (79%) are discarded into the environment [1]. These plastic wastes can be fragmented and turned to smaller-sized litter. Microplastics (MPs) usually refer to plastic debris less than 5 mm in sizes. Although primitive MPs are proven to contain in the personal care products, synthetic fibers, sandblasting media, abrasive particles, and resin pellets, the major MPs are stemmed from the breakdown of large plastic products [2–5]. MPs have been widely detected in freshwater [6], benthic sediment [7], soil [8], atmospheres, seawater [9], and beach sand [10] and even distributed in remot