External services
Microplastics laboratory
Service presentation
Plastic pollution has become a topic of environmental debate, generating a large volume of studies and the development of analysis methods. Research initially focused on marine environments, but many studies have now been conducted in freshwater ecosystems, with research also beginning in soils.
Most human activities involve the use of plastic materials, many of which end up in the natural environment in the form of macro- (> 2.5 cm), meso- (5 mm – 2.5 cm) or microplastics (≤5 mm).
Research is heavily focused on microplastics due to their potential toxicity to aquatic organisms. These particles can be primary (manufactured as such, such as in the case of exfoliating creams) or secondary, resulting from the breakdown of larger materials, such as synthetic clothing fibres, tire remnants, plastic bags, bottles, and packaging products in general. There is also interest in studying meso- and macroplastics as the initial source of pollution and due to their environmental significance.
Applications
The laboratory is fully equipped to conduct efficient, high-quality research in this area. The methodology for plastic residue analysis is relatively straightforward, with specific methods for sampling, sample preservation, separation, digestion, counting and identification.
One of the challenges is to prevent contamination at every step of the process, especially when working with particles of < 100 µm. The use of plastic materials when handling samples should be avoided, and great care should be taken to prevent environmental contamination, particularly regarding textile fibres from handlers’ clothing. Both in the field and in the lab, glass or stainless steel materials are used, along with cotton clothing.
For this reason, it is advisable to have a dedicated laboratory for storing and processing samples. Another challenge lies in the accurate quantification and identification of samples. Steel sieves are used for the initial separation of samples, followed by digestion to remove organic matter when necessary, staining and observation with fluorescence microscopy for counting, binocular magnifiers and identification with FT-IR devices.
Information for users
Internal staff, whether from the centre or temporarily attached to it, also have access to the other laboratories (without associated service).
Contact
The responsible technician will provide you with the necessary information on service conditions, fees and other specifications..
Methodology for the study of plastic residues
The total number of steps will vary depending on the size and types of samples being studied.
The CEAB plastic laboratory is equipped with:
- Disposable and safety materials specific for the analysis of environmental plastic waste samples
- Zoom Stereo Microscope 1:10 with EpiFluorescence accessories
- Identification devices: FT-IR.
Planned equipment for the identification of microplastics <100 µm
Laboratory Features
- Large sieve for sieving
- Sample processing countertops:
- Filtration
- Decantation
- Staining
- Dry countertop for devices
- Cabinets for storing glass and stainless steel materials and for storing samples (preserved in ethanol)
- Extractor, air filter, and oven
Equipment
Zoom Stereo Microscope 1:10 with HBO 100W EpiFluorescence accessories
HBO Stereo Microscope with HBO100W EpiFluorescence device and photographic output and GFPB and GFPL filters (excitation wavelength 470/40 nm, and emission wavelength 535/50 nm, dichromatic mirror/beam splitter at 500 nm). This equipment would make it possible to count and characterise (shape, size, etc.) particles after staining them with Nile Red. Highly suitable after digesting organic matter.
Thermo Scientific FT_IR spectrometer
Compact device that makes it possible to identify the quantity and types of macro- and mesoplastics (> 500 microns). It would enable the study of the largest fraction of microplastics in different environments: agricultural, urban, WWTPs, marine, coastal areas.
Disposable and safety materials to be stored in the laboratory:
- Glass filtration equipment (minimum 2)
- Glassware (5-10 beakers, Pasteur pipettes, 1-5 crystallizers)
- Glass jars with glass stopper (min 5, for distilled water and reagents)
- Glass jars with metal cap for samples (50-200).
- Stainless steel material (tongs, spatulas, scoops and trays)
- Safety material (min 3 100% cotton lab coats)
Samples are covered with aluminium foil for transportation to other laboratories for drying (oven at 50°C), weighing (scale), digestion (fume hood), and counting (NIKON SMZ 1000).
