Simply Applicable Method for Microplastics Determination in Environmental Samples

Microplastics (MPs) have gained significant attention in the last two decades and have been widely researched in the marine environment. There are, however, less studies on their presence, routes of entry, and impacts on the biota in the soil environment. One of the main issues in the study of MPs is a lack of standardized methods for their identification in environmental samples. Currently the most commonly used techniques are thermal desorption gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) methods and pyrolysis followed by GC-MS. In this study, headspace-solid phase microextraction followed by GC-MS is proposed as a simple and widely applicable method for the determination of commonly present polymer MPs (polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polypropylene) in environmental samples, for analytical laboratories with basic equipment worldwide. The proposed method is based on the identification of compounds, which are formed during the well-controlled melting process of specific coarse (1-5 mm) and fine fraction (1 mm-100 mu m) MPs. The method was upgraded for the identification of individual polymer type in blends and in complex environmental matrices (soil and algae biomass). The successful application of the method in complex matrices makes it especially suitable for widescale use.

Automated summary

Microplastics and their identification methods have been widely researched in marine environments, but there is a lack of studies on their presence in soil environments. This study proposes a new method for the determination of commonly present polymer MPs in environmental samples using headspace-solid phase microextraction followed by GC-MS.Identification of compounds formed during melting process allows for successful application in complex matrices such as soil and algae biomass.