Assessment of filter subsampling and extrapolation for quantifying microplastics in environmental samples using Raman spectroscopy.

A common method for characterizing microplastics (MPs) involves capturing the plastic particles on a filter after extraction and isolation from the sediment particles. Microplastics captured on the filter are then scanned with Raman spectroscopy for polymer identification and quantification. However, scanning the whole filter manually using Raman analysis is a labor-intensive and time-consuming process.

Quantification of microplastics in sediments from Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island USA using a novel isolation and extraction method.

Microplastics are small plastic particles found ubiquitously in marine environments. In this study, a hybridized method was developed for the extraction of microplastics (45-1000 μm) from sediments using sodium bromide solution for density separation. Method development was tested using spiked microplastics as internal standards.

Comparison of microplastic isolation and extraction procedures from marine sediments.

Microplastics (MPs) are small (<5 mm) plastic particles which pose a threat to marine ecosystems. Identifying MPs is crucial for understanding their fate and effects. Many MP extraction methods exist, but procedural differences prevent meaningful comparisons across datasets.

Contaminants, mutagenicity and toxicity in the surface waters of Kyiv, Ukraine.

Kyiv is Ukraine's capital and largest city. Home to 3 million people, this area has a rich history of agriculture and industry. The Dnieper River is Ukraine's largest river and it passes through the center of Kyiv.

Identification of hydroxyl and sulfate free radicals involved in the reaction of 1,4-dioxane with peroxone activated persulfate oxidant.

This research investigates the formation of free radical intermediates in an advanced oxidation processes (AOP) capable of destroying recalcitrant contaminants. The AOP studied is marketed as OxyZone® and relies on the premise of successful persulfate activation by peroxone (hydrogen peroxide plus ozone) and the formation of free radicals. The goal of this research was to determine which radicals are involved in the treatment of the model contaminant, 1,4-dioxane, which is a ubiquitous, recalcitrant organic groundwater pollutant difficult to destroy by conventional oxidants.

Magnitude of acute toxicity of marine sediments amended with conventional copper and nanocopper.

It is well known that copper (Cu) is toxic to marine organisms. We measured and compared the acute toxicity of several forms of Cu (including nanoCu) amended into a marine sediment with mysids and amphipods. For all the forms of Cu tested, toxicity, measured as the median lethal concentration, ranged from 708 to > 2400 mg Cu/kg (dry sediment) for mysids and 258 to 1070 mg Cu/kg (dry sediment) for amphipods.

Assessing the release of copper from nanocopper-treated and conventional copper-treated lumber into marine waters I: Concentrations and rates.

Little is known about the release of metal engineered nanomaterials (ENMs) from consumer goods, including lumber treated with micronized copper. Micronized copper is a recent form of antifouling wood preservative containing nanosized copper particles for use in pressure-treated lumber. The present study investigated the concentrations released and the release rate of total copper over the course of 133 d under freshwater, estuarine, and marine salinity conditions (0, 1, 10, and 30‰) for several commercially available pressure-treated lumbers: micronized copper azole (MCA) at 0.

Assessing the release of copper from nanocopper-treated and conventional copper-treated lumber into marine waters II: Forms and bioavailability.

One application of nanocopper is as a wood-preserving pesticide in pressure-treated lumber. Recent research has shown that pressure-treated lumber amended with micronized copper azole (MCA), which contains nanosized copper, releases copper under estuarine and marine conditions. The form of copper released (i.