Using the FlowCam to Validate an Enzymatic Digestion Protocol Applied to Assess the Occurrence of Microplastics in the Southern North Sea


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claudia.lorenz [ at ] awi.de

Abstract

As the plastic production has been rising since the last five decades, so does the concern for the occurrence of microplastic particles (<5 mm)in the marine environment during the past years. But still by now the extent of this microplastic pollution of coastal waters and the open ocean remains unclear. Since monitoring the abundance of microplastics in the marine environment is requested by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) standardized and reliable methods forthe detection of microplastics are urgently needed. Studies differ mainly in their purification methods, aiming to reduce biogenic material in environmental samples without altering the plastic polymers to facilitate a clear assignment of the microplastics. In the present and ongoing study the purification method consists of a treatment with technical enzymes and detergents to reduce the use of oxidants and avoid the use of strong acids as well as the subsequent identification and quantification of microplastics applying Focal Plane Array (FPA)-based μFourier Transform Infrared (μFT-IR) spectroscopy.



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Published
Eprint ID
46563
DOI 10.1016/B978-0-12-812271-6.00094-6

Cite as
Lorenz, C. , Speidel, L. , Primpke, S. and Gerdts, G. (2017): Using the FlowCam to Validate an Enzymatic Digestion Protocol Applied to Assess the Occurrence of Microplastics in the Southern North Sea / J. Baztan , B. Jorgensen , S. Pahl , R. Thompson and J. Vanderlinden (editors) , In: Fate and Impact of Microplastics in Marine Ecosystems, MICRO 2016: Fate and Impact of Microplastics in Marine Ecosystems, Elsevier . doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-812271-6.00094-6


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