A new approach in separating microplastics from environmental samples based on their electrostatic behavior. (March 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Felsing, Stefanie; Kochleus, Christian; Buchinger, Sebastian; Brennholt, Nicole; Stock, Friederike; Reifferscheid, Georg
• Is Part Of: Environmental pollution. Volume 234(2018)
• Page Start: 20
• Page End: 28
• Publication Date: 2018-03
• Subjects: Tire wear -- Freshwater suspended particulate matter -- Beach sand -- Electroseparation -- Physical separation -- Sediment; Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Environmental Pollution -- Periodicals; Pollution -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Aspect de l'environnement -- Périodiques; Pollution -- Effets physiologiques -- Périodiques; Pollution; Pollution -- Environmental aspects; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 363.73
• DOI: 10.1016/j.envpol.2017.11.013
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-7491

Abstract

Abstract: Numerous studies on microplastics (MPs; Ø < 5 mm) in the aquatic environment have been published, but knowledge about the occurrence and ecological risks of MPs is limited. This is in part because current data on the distribution of MPs are comparable only to a limited extent, due to the many different methods of investigation. In addition, sample preparation is often difficult such that standard procedures are lacking. The aim of this work was to simplify the preparation of different kinds of MP samples. Our method makes use of the electrostatic behavior of plastic particles to facilitate their separation from sample matter, with up to 99% of the original sample mass removed without any loss of MPs. To determine the efficacy of this approach, four different materials (quartz sand, freshwater suspended particulate matter, freshwater sediment, and beach sand) were spiked with MPs (size: 0.063–5 mm from the seven most common types of plastics, one bioplastic type, polyethylene fibers, and tire wear. A modified electrostatic metal/plastic separator was used to reduce the sample mass and concentrate the plastics based on their physical separation. The recovery achieved with this method was as high as nearly 100% for each type of material. The method was then tested on plastic particles of different shapes and types isolated from the Rhine River. These were successfully electroseparated from the four materials, which demonstrated the utility of this method. Its advantages include the simplified handling and preparation of different field samples as well as a much shorter processing time, because after the last separation step there is hardly any biological material remaining in the sample fraction. Graphical abstract: Highlights: Simplified handling and preparation of different field samples in microplastic (MP) research. Less harmful and less costly solvents are needed for MP separation. The electrostatic method is not limited by particles densities, shape, fouling or age. High biomass proportions have no influence on separation success. Recovery reflects the high quality of this novel process.