Using a forensic science approach to minimize environmental contamination and to identify microfibres in marine sediments

woodall, l, GWINNETT, Claire, Packer, M, Thompson, R, Robinson, L and Paterson, G (2015) Using a forensic science approach to minimize environmental contamination and to identify microfibres in marine sediments. Marine Pollution Bulletin. ISSN 0025-326x

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Abstract or description

There is growing evidence of extensive pollution of the environment by microplastic, with microfibres representing a large proportion of the microplastics seen in marine sediments. Since microfibres are ubiquitous in the environment, present in the laboratory air and water, evaluating microplastic pollution is difficult. Incidental contamination is highly likely unless strict control measures are employed. Here we describe methods developed to minimize the amount of incidental post-sampling contamination when quantifying marine microfibre pollution. We show that our protocol, adapted from the field of forensic fibre examination, reduces fibre abundance by 90% and enables the quick screening of fibre populations. These methods therefore allow an accurate estimate of microplastics polluting marine sediments. In a case study from a series of samples collected on a research vessel, we use these methods to highlight the prevalence of microfibres as marine microplastics.

Item Type:	Article
Additional Information:	currently has been cited 11 times.
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Microplastic; Microfibre; Sediment; Deep-sea; Pollution
Faculty:	Previous Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Sciences > Sciences
Depositing User:	Claire GWINNETT
Date Deposited:	31 Oct 2016 11:43
Last Modified:	24 Feb 2023 13:45
URI:	https://eprints.staffs.ac.uk/id/eprint/2761

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