Development of methods

Sampling, Sample Preparation, and Analysis

The analysis of microplastics in a range of sample materials presents a particular challenge. A central task of the MRC research group is to identify and establish new methods and further develop documented methods for sampling, preparing samples, and analyzing microplastics in marine, limnic, and terrestrial samples.

Sampling methods:

trawl vs pump volume sampling of water samples to detect small particle sizes and take the entire water column into account
aerial images via drone to locate macroplastics and estimate the influence of (micro-) morphological parameters
use of sample rings in sediment analysis to record surface, volume, and weight-based concentrations
adjusting bulk deposition samplers to the specific requirements of microplastics research

Sample preparation:

evaluation of different digestive processes with regard to polymer resistance with concurrent efficiency of the destruction of biological organic matter
analysis of various methods of density separation using solutions with varying densities and elutriation methods

Particle quantification:

use of Nile red staining in combination with fluorescence microscopy

Related final theses

Madina Dolle (laufend): Experimentelle Untersuchung zur Freisetzung von organischem Kohlenstoff, Aluminium und Schwermetallen aus Kunststoffen in Böden

Jan Spitzner (BSc, 2019): Mikroplastik in Sedimenten - Ein Vergleich von Separationsmethoden.

Philip John Mordecai (MSc LA, 2018): Comparison of organic matter digestion protocols for sample preparation in microplastic analyses.

Elena Hengstmann (MSc, 2017): Macro- and Microplastic Pollution on the Isle of Ruegen, Baltic Sea Germany - Assessment of Influences Concerning Abundance and Distribution.

Matthias Tamminga (MSc, 2017): Microplastics in the Marine Environment: Method Development for the Assessment of Abundance and Distribution in the South Funen Archipelago, Baltic Sea.

Felix Pfeiffer (BSc, 2017): Untersuchung zur Polymerresistenz als Teil des Methodenvergleichs zur Organikzerstörung im Kontext der Mikroplastik-Identifikation und -Detektion.

Jann Folkers (BSc, 2016): Entwicklung und Evaluation eines Verfahrens zur Probenaufbereitung organikreicher Sedimente im Rahmen der quantitativen und qualitativen Bestimmung von Mikroplastikpartikeln.

Constantin vom Bruch (BSc, 2016): Laboratory Methods for Microplastic Separation in Sediments. Evaluation and Advancement of a Granulometric Elutriation Approach.

Related publications

Süssmann, J., Krause, T., Martin, D., Walz, E., Greiner, R., Fischer, E., Hackl, T., Rohn, S., Fritsche, J., 2021. Mikroplastik in Fischereierzeugnissen ‐ Vergleich und Optimierung von Aufarbeitungsmethoden. Lebensmittelchemie 75. doi: 10.1002/lemi.202158040

Süssmann, Julia, Krause, T., Martin, D., Walz, E., Greiner, R., Rohn, S., Fischer, E.K., Fritsche, J., 2021. Evaluation and optimisation of sample preparation protocols suitable for the analysis of plastic particles present in seafood. Food Control 125, 107969. doi: 10.1016/j.foodcont.2021.107969

Tamminga, M., Hengstmann, E., Deuke, A.-K., Fischer, E.K., 2021. Microplastic concentrations, characteristics, and fluxes in water bodies of the Tollense catchment, Germany, with regard to different sampling systems. Environ Sci Pollut Res. doi: 10.1007/s11356-021-16106-4

Pfeiffer, F. and E.K. Fischer (2020): Various Digestion Protocols Within Microplastic Sample Processing—Evaluating the Resistance of Different Synthetic Polymers and the Efficiency of Biogenic Organic Matter Destruction. Frontiers in Environmental Science 572424. doi: 10.3389/fenvs.2020.572424

Philipp, C.; Unger, B.; Fischer, E.K.; Schnitzler, J.G.; Siebert, U. (2020): Handle with Care—Microplastic Particles in Intestine Samples of Seals from German Waters. Sustainability 2020, 12, 10424. doi: 10.3390/su12241042

Hengstmann, E., & Fischer, E. K., 2020. Anthropogenic litter in freshwater environments–Study on lake beaches evaluating marine guidelines and aerial imaging. Environmental Research, 109945. doi: 10.1016/j.envres.2020.109945

Hengstmann, E. and E.K. Fischer, 2019: Nile red staining in microplastic analysis—proposal for a reliable and fast identification approach for large microplastics. Environ Monit Assess (2019) 191: 612. doi: 10.1007/s10661-019-7786-4.

Tamminga, T., Stoewer, S.-C., Fischer, E.K., 2019: On the representativeness of pump water samples versus manta sampling in microplastic analysis. Environmental Pollution 254 (2019) 112970. doi: 10.1016/j.envpol.2019.112970.

Hengstmann, E., Tamminga, M., vom Bruch, C., Fischer, E.K., 2018. Microplastic in beach sediments of the Isle of Rügen (Baltic Sea)-Implementing a novel glass elutriation column. Marine Pollution Bulletin, 126, 263-274.doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.11.010.

Tamminga, M., Hengstmann, E., Fischer, E.K., 2018. Microplastic analysis in the South Funen Archipelago, Baltic Sea, implementing manta trawling and bulk sampling. Marine Pollution Bulletin 128, 601-608. doi: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2018.01.066.

Tamminga, M., Hengstmann, E., Fischer, E.K., 2017. Nile Red Staining as a Subsidiary Method for Microplastic Quantification: A Comparison of Three Solvents and Factors Influencing Application Reliability. SDRP Journal of Earth Sciences & Environmental Studies 2. doi:10.15436/JESES.2.2.1.

Hengstmann, E., Gräwe, D., Tamminga, M., Fischer, E.K., 2016. Marine litter abundance and distribution on beaches on the Isle of Rügen considering the influence of exposition, morphology and recreational activities. Marine Pollution Bulletin. doi:10.1016/j.marpolbul.2016.12.026.