Chemical Analysis of Microplastics and Nanoplastics: Challenges, Advanced Methods, and Perspectives

Chemical Reviews, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 121(19), P. 11886 - 11936

Published: Aug. 26, 2021

Microplastics and nanoplastics have become emerging particulate anthropogenic pollutants rapidly turned into a field of growing scientific public interest. These tiny plastic particles are found in the environment all around globe as well drinking water food, raising concerns about their impacts on human health. To adequately address these issues, reliable information ambient concentrations microplastics is needed. However, micro- nanoplastic extremely complex diverse terms size, shape, density, polymer type, surface properties, etc. While particle different media can vary by up to 10 orders magnitude, analysis such samples may resemble searching for needle haystack. This highlights critical importance appropriate methods chemical identification, quantification, characterization nanoplastics. The present article reviews advanced representative mass-based particle-based microplastics, with focus sensitivity lower-size limit detection. advantages limitations methods, complementarity comprehensive discussed. A special attention paid approaches Finally, an outlook establishing harmonized standardized analyze challenging contaminants presented, perspectives within beyond this research

Language: Английский

---

Analysis of microplastics in drinking water and other clean water samples with micro-Raman and micro-infrared spectroscopy: minimum requirements and best practice guidelines

Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry, Journal Year: 2021, Volume and Issue: 413(24), P. 5969 - 5994

Published: July 20, 2021

Abstract Microplastics are a widespread contaminant found not only in various natural habitats but also drinking waters. With spectroscopic methods, the polymer type, number, size, and size distribution as well shape of microplastic particles waters can be determined, which is great relevance to toxicological studies. Methods used studies so far show huge diversity regarding experimental setups often lack certain quality assurance aspects. To overcome these problems, this critical review consensus paper 12 European analytical laboratories institutions, dealing with particle identification quantification gives guidance toward harmonized analysis clean The aims (i) improve reliability analysis, (ii) facilitate planning sample preparation detection, (iii) provide better understanding evaluation already existing aims, we hope make an important step harmonization water samples and, thus, allow comparability results obtained different by using similar or methods. Clean samples, for purpose paper, considered comprise all low matrix content, particular drinking, tap, bottled water, other types such freshwater. Graphical abstract

Language: Английский

---

Learning from natural sediments to tackle microplastics challenges: A multidisciplinary perspective

Earth-Science Reviews, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 228, P. 104021 - 104021

Published: April 5, 2022

Although the study of microplastics in aquatic environment incorporates a diversity research fields, it is still its infancy many aspects while comparable topics have been studied other disciplines for decades. In particular, extensive sedimentology can provide valuable insights to guide future research. To advance our understanding comparability natural sediments with microplastics, we take an interdisciplinary look at existing literature describing particle properties, transport processes, sampling techniques and ecotoxicology. Based on analysis, define seven goals that are essential improve be tackled by learning from sediment research, identify relevant tasks achieve each goal. These address (1) description microplastic particles, (2) interaction environmental substances, (3) vertical distribution (4) erosion deposition behaviour (5) impact biota transport, (6) methods (7) toxicity. When should specifically draw knowledge sediments, example using shape factors or applying determining principal dimensions non-spherical particles. Sediment offers fundamentals transferable could usefully applied. However, major gaps exist role modes, influence importance implementation dynamic as result time-dependent changes properties numerical models. We give overview available discuss their suitability sampling, which used creating standardised guidelines application microplastics. order comprehensively assess ecotoxicology distinction must made between effects polymers themselves, physical form, plastic-associated chemicals attached pollutants. This review highlights areas where rely - need new, microplastic-specific synthesize recommendations future,

Language: Английский

---

A review on chemometric techniques with infrared, Raman and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy for sorting plastic waste in the recycling industry

Resources Conservation and Recycling, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 180, P. 106217 - 106217

Published: Feb. 5, 2022

Mismanagement of plastic waste globally has resulted in a multitude environmental issues, which could be tackled by boosting recycling rates. Chemometrics emerged as useful tool for rates automating the sorting and process. This paper will comprehensively review recent works applying chemometric methods to sorting. The begins introducing spectroscopic tools that are commonly used chemometrics literature. include near-infrared spectroscopy (NIR), mid-infrared (MIR), Raman laser-induced breakdown (LIBS). principal component analysis (PCA), linear discriminant (LDA), partial least square (PLS), k-nearest neighbors (k-NN), support vector machines (SVM), random forests (RF), artificial neural networks (ANNs), convolutional (CNNs) K-means clustering. revealed four main findings. (1) scope should expanded terms types, contamination degradation level mirror heterogeneous received at plants towards understanding potential application industry. (2) use hybrid method potentially overcome limitations each methods. (3) Develop an open-sourced standardized database spectra would help further expand field. (4) There is limited more novel machine learning such deep

Language: Английский

---

Increasing the number of stressors reduces soil ecosystem services worldwide

Nature Climate Change, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 13(5), P. 478 - 483

Published: March 16, 2023

Increasing the number of environmental stressors could decrease ecosystem functioning in soils. Yet this relationship has never been globally assessed outside laboratory experiments. Here, using two independent global standardized field surveys, and a range natural human factors, we test between exceeding different critical thresholds maintenance multiple services across biomes. Our analysis shows that, stressors, from medium levels (>50%), negatively significantly correlates with impacts on services, that crossing high-level threshold (over 75% maximum observed levels), reduces soil biodiversity globally. The >75% was consistently seen as an important predictor therefore improving prediction functioning. findings highlight need to reduce dimensionality footprint ecosystems conserve function.

Language: Английский

---

Investigating the dispersal of macro- and microplastics on agricultural fields 30 years after sewage sludge application

Scientific Reports, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 12(1)

Published: April 16, 2022

Abstract Plastic contamination of terrestrial ecosystems and arable soils pose potentially negative impacts on several soil functions. Whereas substantial plastic is now traceable in agro-landscapes, often internal-caused by the application fertilizers such as sewage sludge, questions remain unanswered concerning what happens to after incorporation. Based a combined surface depth sampling approach, including density separation, fluorescence staining ATR-FTIR or µFTIR analyses, we quantified macro- microplastic abundance two agricultural fields—34 years last sludge application. By sub-dividing study area around sites, were able determine spatial distribution spreading plastics. Past led still high macroplastics (637.12 items per hectare) surfaces. Microplastic concentration, measured down 90 cm depth, ranged from 0.00 56.18 particles kg dry weight. Maximum concentrations found regularly ploughed topsoils. After 34 without application, loads significantly higher former areas, compared surrounding areas history direct We that anthropogenic ploughing was mainly responsible for spread, opposed natural transport processes like erosion. Furthermore, small-scale lateral vertical heterogeneous microplastics highlights need appropriate strategies modelling soils.

Language: Английский

---

The effect of weathering environments on microplastic chemical identification with Raman and IR spectroscopy: Part I. polyethylene and polypropylene

Polymer Testing, Journal Year: 2022, Volume and Issue: 116, P. 107752 - 107752

Published: Sept. 6, 2022

Chemical identification of microplastics is a crucial step in understanding the sources and studying effects microplastic pollution. A major challenge to that weathered undergo surface chemical changes differ from their unweathered counterparts which hinders spectroscopic matching thus identification. While IR spectroscopy common technique used for identification, Raman complementary its higher spatial resolution capabilities (capable analyzing particles as small 1 μm) make it popular tool identify smaller can otherwise go undetected by techniques. Currently, there limited information on microplastics. Herein, we investigate artificial weathering polyethylene polypropylene 0–26 weeks four different conditions (air, DI water, seawater, Puget Sound seawater) using spectroscopy. Microplastics environments reveal they lead spectra, suggestive varying degradation pathways plastics, but relatively similar spectra. however, do show variations peaks associated with crystallinity amorphous regions polymers indicate morphological Overall, acts practical interrelated method be lieu cases where complicate plastics matching. This work aims provide spectral facilitate marine encourage more investigations influence weathering.

Language: Английский

---

Soil contamination in nearby natural areas mirrors that in urban greenspaces worldwide

Nature Communications, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 14(1)

Published: March 27, 2023

Abstract Soil contamination is one of the main threats to ecosystem health and sustainability. Yet little known about extent which soil contaminants differ between urban greenspaces natural ecosystems. Here we show that adjacent areas (i.e., natural/semi-natural ecosystems) shared similar levels multiple (metal(loid)s, pesticides, microplastics, antibiotic resistance genes) across globe. We reveal human influence explained many forms worldwide. Socio-economic factors were integral explaining occurrence further increased linked with changes in microbial traits including genes associated environmental stress resistance, nutrient cycling, pathogenesis. Taken together, our work demonstrates human-driven nearby mirrors globally, highlights have potential cause dire consequences for sustainability wellbeing.

Language: Английский

---

Relationship between the Carbonyl Index (CI) and Fragmentation of Polyolefin Plastics during Aging

Environmental Science & Technology, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 57(21), P. 8130 - 8138

Published: May 17, 2023

The durability of plastics in the marine environment has emerged as a crucial environmental issue. However, contribution several factors and threshold point after which plastic product generates secondary micro- nanoplastics is still unclear. To investigate interaction parameters with physicochemical properties polyethylene (PE) polypropylene (PP) films environment, polyolefin were subjected to weathering emulated coastal environments for 12 months, focusing on relationship between radiation load, alteration surface, subsequent generation microplastics (MPs). weight average molecular (Mw) was found be strongly correlated generated particles Feret diameter, implying at decreased Mw. A significant strong carbonyl index (CI) diameter PP weathered beach sand identified. This CI-fragmentation involves three sequential stages suggests that spontaneous fragmentation occurs CI values above 0.7.

Language: Английский

---

Hot or not: systematic review and laboratory evaluation of the hot needle test for microplastic identification

Microplastics and Nanoplastics, Journal Year: 2023, Volume and Issue: 3(1)

Published: April 24, 2023

Abstract Microplastics are small (< 5 mm) synthetic polymers that a contaminant of emerging concern and can be difficult to identify due their diversity in size, shape composition. The hot needle test, or point helps researchers suspected microplastics under optical microscopy by probing physical melt deformation behavior, is low-cost practical method for widespread use. However, our knowledge the accuracy this test has not been fully evaluated. We noted articles commonly referenced do have detailed description nor evaluation accuracy. To address gap, we took mixed methods approach describe conditions which performs accurately, including systematic literature review, reporting response known fibers point, performance both controlled environmental samples. In single-blind trial applying different set synthetic, semi-synthetic natural fibers, some were correctly identified > 70% time. While cotton fiber results less consistently 65% correct), was improved (82–100% correct) second when clearer, updated guidance given regarding difference between “pass” “fail” response, showing potential help analysts avoid false positives. Cellulose acetate from cigarette filters most challenging because although material may melt, individual heat varies observe smaller microfibers. Reported confirmation rates spectroscopy pass vary widely literature. Using criteria, 90% selected samples (water, sediment) confirmed Raman microscopy. It recommended assess against standards target background materials like report criteria used studies optimally include spectroscopic verification higher confidence.

Language: Английский

---