investigating an efficient method for extracting

Microplastics (MP) • MP are tiny particles of plastic (<5mm) resulting from the breakdown of plastic debris (Fahrenfield et al., 2019) • MP have the potential of carrying contaminants (Zhou et al., 2019) • MP have been found in animals due to consumption (Zhou et al., 2019) • Toxic and endocrine disrupting substances can be released from MP (Sajiki and Yoneekubl 2003) MP Soil Contamination • MP have been found soils (Fuller and Gautam 2016) • Lack of research studying the effects of microplastic contamination in soils (Zhou et al., 2019) • Existing MP-soil extraction techniques have limitations or have not been comprehensively evaluated Results & Limitation Results ● Fibers were analyzed using a light microscope ● Method 3 (centrifuge with oxidation) had the highest average recovery rates for soil and sand samples ● Method 1 (oleophilic extraction) had the lowest average recovery rates soil and sand samples Conclusions • Organic matter can obscure and/or absorb MP • Minimal transfer processes may lead to high recovery • Particles with higher densities cannot be easily extracted from soil Experimental Methodology Objective By implementing new methodologies based on the known limitations and techniques, we will test three methods for extracting microplastics from soils to determine which is the most effective method. Investigating an Efficient Method for Extracting Microplastics from Soil/Sediment Samples Stephanie Perez, Dr. Shannon Bartelt-Hunt, Nasrin Nederi Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Nebraska–Lincoln Introduction/Background Future Work • Method 3 will be used to: – Measure contamination of MP in soils, manure, and biosolids – Measure contamination of MP in different soil types – Classify recovery rates for different resins of MP • During 2020-2021 academic year, my UCARE research will focus on migration of micro/nano plastics in soil columns to simulate transport of MP in groundwater systems Limitations Oleophilic extraction: • Polymers with high densities cannot be easily separated (e.g. Teflon) • Stopcock was often clogged with sand/soil particles Centrifuge without Oxidation: • MP might have been absorbed by organic material and thus cause less recovery Extraction Methods 1) Oleophilic extraction 2) Centrifugation 3) Centrifugation with Oxidation 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Method 1 Method 2 Method 3 Recovery Rates Soil Sand

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Page 1: Investigating an Efficient Method for Extracting

Microplastics (MP)• MP are tiny particles of plastic (<5mm) resulting from the

breakdown of plastic debris (Fahrenfield et al., 2019)• MP have the potential of carrying contaminants (Zhou et al.,

2019)• MP have been found in animals due to consumption (Zhou

et al., 2019)• Toxic and endocrine disrupting substances can be released

from MP (Sajiki and Yoneekubl 2003)

MP Soil Contamination • MP have been found soils (Fuller and Gautam 2016) • Lack of research studying the effects of microplastic

contamination in soils (Zhou et al., 2019)• Existing MP-soil extraction techniques have limitations or

have not been comprehensively evaluated

Results & Limitation

Results● Fibers were analyzed using a light

microscope● Method 3 (centrifuge with

oxidation) had the highest average recovery rates for soil and sand samples

● Method 1 (oleophilic extraction) had the lowest average recovery rates soil and sand samples

Conclusions• Organic matter can obscure and/or absorb MP• Minimal transfer processes may lead to high recovery• Particles with higher densities cannot be easily extracted from

soil

Experimental Methodology

Objective

By implementing new methodologies based on the known limitations and techniques, we will test three methods for extracting microplastics from soils to determine which is the most effective method.

Investigating an Efficient Method for Extracting Microplastics from Soil/Sediment Samples

Stephanie Perez, Dr. Shannon Bartelt-Hunt, Nasrin NederiDepartment of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Nebraska–Lincoln

Introduction/Background

Future Work• Method 3 will be used to:

– Measure contamination of MP in soils, manure, and biosolids

– Measure contamination of MP in different soil types– Classify recovery rates for different resins of MP

• During 2020-2021 academic year, my UCARE research will focus on migration of micro/nano plastics in soil columns to simulate transport of MP in groundwater systems

LimitationsOleophilic extraction:• Polymers with high densities cannot

be easily separated (e.g. Teflon)• Stopcock was often clogged with

sand/soil particlesCentrifuge without Oxidation:• MP might have been absorbed by

organic material and thus cause less recovery

Extraction Methods

1) Oleophilic extraction

2) Centrifugation 3) Centrifugation with Oxidation

0102030405060708090

100

Method 1 Method 2 Method 3

Recovery Rates

Soil Sand