Sampling and processing methods of microplastics in river sediments - A review

Yasmin Adomat; Thomas Grischek

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143691

Sampling and processing methods of microplastics in river sediments - A review

Sci Total Environ. 2021 Mar 1:758:143691. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143691. Epub 2020 Nov 23.

Authors

Yasmin Adomat¹, Thomas Grischek²

Affiliations

¹ Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany. Electronic address: yasmin.adomat@htw-dresden.de.
² Faculty of Civil Engineering, University of Applied Sciences Dresden, 01069 Dresden, Germany. Electronic address: thomas.grischek@htw-dresden.de.

PMID: 33298323
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.143691

Abstract

Microplastics (MP) in marine environments attract widespread attention due to their small particle size and potential hazardous impacts on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Compared to marine sediments, knowledge about the occurrence of MP in freshwater sediments, especially in river sediments, is limited. Although MP concentrations in sediments and soils have been reported in a considerable number of studies, no standardized method is available for sampling and sample processing. Thus, a comparison of results is hardly possible. The present study reviews over 47 articles to evaluate reports of MP in river sediments and current sampling and processing techniques by highlighting various techniques, equipment and approaches for implementing quality assurance and quality control procedures. The authors emphasize that MP quantification techniques could lead to overestimation or underestimation depending on how sampling and sample processing is conducted. Standardization and harmonization of these techniques are crucial to underpin monitoring decisions aimed at safeguarding the ecological integrity of freshwater environments.

Keywords: Freshwater; Microplastics; Processing; Sampling; Sediments.

Publication types

Review