Comparing Methods for Optimising Microplastic Extraction in Sediment Through Density Separation

29 Pages Posted: 29 May 2024

See all articles by Carlos Sanz-Lázaro

Carlos Sanz-Lázaro

Universidad de Alicante

Alicia Gran

affiliation not provided to SSRN

Daniel Vidal-Barrachina

Universidad de Alicante

Nuria Casado-Coy

Universidad de Alicante

Daverlyn Encizo-Cuartas

Universidad de Alicante

Sara Masó-Herrero

Universidad de Alicante

Abstract

Oceans constitute a sink of microplastics, mostly accumulating in sediment. Microplastic extraction in sediment is challenging leading to diverse methodologies. However, a standardised methodology that facilitates comparison among studies is needed. We compared the efficiency of commonly used solutions for density separation and two transferring methods for microplastic recovery. A CaCl2-saturated solution with the spill method was the most efficient, recovering 90 ± 1% of microplastics regardless of the polymer, size and shape; being safer, cheaper, and faster than the second-best alternative, ZnCl2 with the spill method. Recovery of high-density polymers was challenging, especially for low-density solutions (e.g. NaCl) or the overflow method. Although size ranges did not influence microplastic recovery for CaCl2 with the spill method, overall, larger microplastics had better extractions. Shape influenced PET fibres recovery, being especially low for NaCl and to some extent for ZnCl2 and CaCl2. Adding H2O2 or NaCl + H2O2 enhanced fibre extraction. We propose employing CaCl2 and the spill method as a standard protocol to maximise MP extraction from sediment and comparability among studies. If H2O2 has been used as a pretreatment could be used in an initial extraction run. This methodology could be used in similar matrices, such as soil.

Keywords: Hydrogen peroxide, Spill method, Overflow method, Extraction method comparison, Bio-based microplasticss

Suggested Citation

Sanz-Lázaro, Carlos and Gran, Alicia and Vidal-Barrachina, Daniel and Casado-Coy, Nuria and Encizo-Cuartas, Daverlyn and Masó-Herrero, Sara, Comparing Methods for Optimising Microplastic Extraction in Sediment Through Density Separation. Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=4847392 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.4847392

Carlos Sanz-Lázaro (Contact Author)

Universidad de Alicante ( email )

Campus de San Vicente
Carretera San Vicente del Raspeig
San Vicente del Raspeig, 03690
Spain

Alicia Gran

affiliation not provided to SSRN ( email )

No Address Available

Daniel Vidal-Barrachina

Universidad de Alicante ( email )

San Vicente del Raspeig
Spain

Nuria Casado-Coy

Universidad de Alicante ( email )

San Vicente del Raspeig
Spain

Daverlyn Encizo-Cuartas

Universidad de Alicante ( email )

San Vicente del Raspeig
Spain

Sara Masó-Herrero

Universidad de Alicante ( email )

San Vicente del Raspeig
Spain

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