Selection of an appropriate fluorescent reference material to assess microplastic recovery in natural waters
Abstract Monitoring programs have been recently proposed to characterize the presence of microplastics (MPs) in source and treated drinking waters. Successful implementation of such programs will require the development of standardized sampling protocols that can address MP particles < 20 µm, rep...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Microplastics and Nanoplastics |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43591-025-00125-w |
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| author | Noah A. D’Ascanio Husein Almuhtaram Robert C. Andrews |
| author_facet | Noah A. D’Ascanio Husein Almuhtaram Robert C. Andrews |
| author_sort | Noah A. D’Ascanio |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Monitoring programs have been recently proposed to characterize the presence of microplastics (MPs) in source and treated drinking waters. Successful implementation of such programs will require the development of standardized sampling protocols that can address MP particles < 20 µm, representing the most abundant sizes and relevance in terms of potential human health impacts. Validation of sampling methodologies typically involve spike and recovery trials (to serve as positive controls). To-date, no known methods have been proposed for the production of fluorescent reference materials that are representative of the shape and size distribution of environmental MPs (excluding tire and rubber particles). In this study, an optimal fluorescence reference suspension was developed for use in spike and recovery assessments of microplastic sampling methods when considering source and treated drinking waters. Aqueous particle suspensions were prepared using both commercially available microspheres and lab-prepared MP fragments, such that relative standard deviations (RSD) were calculated within size bins. Nile red-stained polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fragments were identified as an optimal reference material based on an RSD of 2.5% among replicate spikes. No change in fluorescence intensity was observed for Nile red-stained PET fragments following a process to remove extraneous (non-plastic) particles that incorporated a Fenton’s reagent and enzyme-based methodology. In addition, fluorescence intensity of Nile red-stained PET fragments in solution was observed to be stable over a four-month period. As such, it is anticipated that fluorescent PET fragments may be employed in future studies where assessment of microplastic recovery is desired. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-da9aab8f3edf4897942bde4e96b6baf6 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2662-4966 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Microplastics and Nanoplastics |
| spelling | doaj-art-da9aab8f3edf4897942bde4e96b6baf62025-08-20T02:05:46ZengSpringerOpenMicroplastics and Nanoplastics2662-49662025-04-015111210.1186/s43591-025-00125-wSelection of an appropriate fluorescent reference material to assess microplastic recovery in natural watersNoah A. D’Ascanio0Husein Almuhtaram1Robert C. Andrews2Department of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of TorontoDepartment of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of TorontoDepartment of Civil and Mineral Engineering, University of TorontoAbstract Monitoring programs have been recently proposed to characterize the presence of microplastics (MPs) in source and treated drinking waters. Successful implementation of such programs will require the development of standardized sampling protocols that can address MP particles < 20 µm, representing the most abundant sizes and relevance in terms of potential human health impacts. Validation of sampling methodologies typically involve spike and recovery trials (to serve as positive controls). To-date, no known methods have been proposed for the production of fluorescent reference materials that are representative of the shape and size distribution of environmental MPs (excluding tire and rubber particles). In this study, an optimal fluorescence reference suspension was developed for use in spike and recovery assessments of microplastic sampling methods when considering source and treated drinking waters. Aqueous particle suspensions were prepared using both commercially available microspheres and lab-prepared MP fragments, such that relative standard deviations (RSD) were calculated within size bins. Nile red-stained polyethylene terephthalate (PET) fragments were identified as an optimal reference material based on an RSD of 2.5% among replicate spikes. No change in fluorescence intensity was observed for Nile red-stained PET fragments following a process to remove extraneous (non-plastic) particles that incorporated a Fenton’s reagent and enzyme-based methodology. In addition, fluorescence intensity of Nile red-stained PET fragments in solution was observed to be stable over a four-month period. As such, it is anticipated that fluorescent PET fragments may be employed in future studies where assessment of microplastic recovery is desired.https://doi.org/10.1186/s43591-025-00125-wNile redPETFragmentSuspensionSpike and recovery |
| spellingShingle | Noah A. D’Ascanio Husein Almuhtaram Robert C. Andrews Selection of an appropriate fluorescent reference material to assess microplastic recovery in natural waters Microplastics and Nanoplastics Nile red PET Fragment Suspension Spike and recovery |
| title | Selection of an appropriate fluorescent reference material to assess microplastic recovery in natural waters |
| title_full | Selection of an appropriate fluorescent reference material to assess microplastic recovery in natural waters |
| title_fullStr | Selection of an appropriate fluorescent reference material to assess microplastic recovery in natural waters |
| title_full_unstemmed | Selection of an appropriate fluorescent reference material to assess microplastic recovery in natural waters |
| title_short | Selection of an appropriate fluorescent reference material to assess microplastic recovery in natural waters |
| title_sort | selection of an appropriate fluorescent reference material to assess microplastic recovery in natural waters |
| topic | Nile red PET Fragment Suspension Spike and recovery |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s43591-025-00125-w |
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