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Cross-Contamination as a Problem in Collection and Analysis of Environmental Samples Containing Microplastics—A Review

Author

Listed:
  • Aleksandra Bogdanowicz

    (Department of Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment, Faculty of Building Services, Hydro and Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Nowowiejska 20, 00-653 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Monika Zubrowska-Sudol

    (Department of Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment, Faculty of Building Services, Hydro and Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Nowowiejska 20, 00-653 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Andrzej Krasinski

    (Chair of Integrated Processes Engineering, Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Warynskiego 1, 00-645 Warsaw, Poland)

  • Miroslaw Sudol

    (Department of Water Supply and Wastewater Treatment, Faculty of Building Services, Hydro and Environmental Engineering, Warsaw University of Technology, Nowowiejska 20, 00-653 Warsaw, Poland)

Abstract

Research conducted so far on the presence of microplastics in the environment shows that these items are ubiquitous pollutants and therefore constitute an inherent part of our lives. This constitutes a significant problem in many aspects, and one of them is the correct identification of microplastics in environmental samples. Environmental samples can be easily contaminated by plastic microparticles from other sources if proper precautions are not taken during sampling and analysis. The consequence of not taking this cross-contamination into account when analysing the results may be their significant overestimation. This review aims to draw attention to the problem of cross-contamination that accompanies the collection and analysis of samples for the presence of microplastics, and to discuss this issue in a comprehensive manner. The article indicates potential sources of cross-contamination, lists the mitigation methods, and describes the possibilities of assessing this type of contamination. Moreover, the review examines how cross-contamination control appears in practice, based on the available literature data.

Suggested Citation

  • Aleksandra Bogdanowicz & Monika Zubrowska-Sudol & Andrzej Krasinski & Miroslaw Sudol, 2021. "Cross-Contamination as a Problem in Collection and Analysis of Environmental Samples Containing Microplastics—A Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(21), pages 1-18, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:21:p:12123-:d:671028
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Joaquín Hernández Fernández & Heidis Cano & Yoleima Guerra & Esneyder Puello Polo & John Fredy Ríos-Rojas & Ricardo Vivas-Reyes & Juan Oviedo, 2022. "Identification and Quantification of Microplastics in Effluents of Wastewater Treatment Plant by Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(9), pages 1-10, April.

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