Analysis of Microplastics in Water: Focus on Sampling, Sample Preparation and Green Analytical Protocols

Monday, March 07, 2022: 8:35 AM - 9:10 AM

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Description

The sampling, sample preparation and analysis of microplastics (MPs) pollution in water is identified as one major problem the world is currently facing. Consequently, there is an urgent necessity to establish analytical protocols for MPs in water [1]. MPs are not homogeneously distributed in the water column but depending on MPs characteristics (density, shape, size) and environmental variables (type of water, streams, waves). Three approaches nets, sieves, or pumps are commonly used. Net-based sampling devices with different mesh sizes including bongo nets (>500 μm), manta nets (>300 μm), and plankton nets (>200 and >400 μm) to filtration of grab samples (0.45 μm) established that MP concentrations using net-based methods were ∼3 orders of magnitude less than those obtained by filtration of 1 L grab samples. Mesh size is a critical point that determines the minimum size and the number of MPs detected. Furthermore, synthetic fibers and particles (as nanoplastics) having dimensions <25 μm easily bypass these devices. One point that needs to be emphasized is that there is an absolute lack of standardized method or guidelines to sampling water for MPs. Green Analytical Chemistry examines analytical methods from the point of view of their toxicity to both the environment and humans. [2]- This will be related to the 12 principles of green analytical chemistry. Examples of MPs determination in water of the channels and ponds that conduct residual water in two most important cities of Saudi Arabia, Riyadh and Al-Jubail will be reported.Infrared spectral analysis revealed that most of the selected particles were identified as MPs of polypropylene and polyethylene (48.3%) [3]. References [1] Y. Picó, D. Barceló, ACS Omega, 4, 6709-6719 (2019) [2] Y. Picó, D. Barceló, Current Opinion in Green and Sustainable Chemistry, 31, 100503 (2021) [3] Y. Picó, V. Soursou, A.H. Alfarhan, M.A. El-Sheikh, D. Barceló, Journal of Hazardous Materials, 416, 125747 (2021)

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Track(s)

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  Environmental

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Additional Info

Category: Please choose one (1):
Environmental

Keywords: Please select up to 4 keywords ONLY:
Contamination,Environmental - Water,Infrared Spectroscopy,Sample Preparation