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Extraction and Isolation of Microplastics from Marine Sediments
Citation:
Cashman, M., K. Ho, AND R. Burgess. Extraction and Isolation of Microplastics from Marine Sediments. University of Rhode Island, Graduate School of Oceanography, Chemical Oceanography lecture series, Narragansett, Rhode Island, February 09, 2022.
Impact/Purpose:
Microplastics (MPs) are small plastic particles that threaten marine the environment. This presentation covers ongoing MP research at the ORD CEMM ACSED laboratory. The purpose of this presentaiton is to inform current MP research at the URI Graduate School of Oceanography (GSO) of ongoing MP research. The GSO has several research projects involving MPs. This presentation will hopefully assist GSO researchers in advancing their own MP research within Narragansett Bay, RI.
Description:
Microplastics (MPs) are small (<5 mm) plastic particles which pose potential risk to marine ecosystems. MP quantification in sediments is crucial for understanding their fate and effects in aquatic environments. Although there are many existing extraction and isolation methods, procedural differences prevent meaningful comparisons across datasets. A Regional Applied Research Effort (RARE) at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed a new method for the extraction and isolation of MPs from marine sediments. This presentation will highlight the results of the RARE project which include an evaluation of existing MP extraction methods, the development of a hybridized extraction method, and the application of this method to detect MPs in sediments from Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island.