Regression analysis for the determination of microplastics in sediments using differential scanning calorimetry

Research output: Contribution to journalResearch articleContributedpeer-review

Contributors

Abstract

This research addresses the growing need for fast and cost-efficient methods for microplastic (MP) analysis. We present a thermo-analytical method that enables the identification and quantification of different polymer types in sediment and sand composite samples based on their phase transition behavior. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was performed, and the results were evaluated by using different regression models. The melting and crystallization enthalpies or the change in heat capacity at the glass transition point were measured as regression analysis data. Ten milligrams of sea sand was spiked with 0.05 to 1.5 mg of microplastic particles (size: 100 to 200 µm) of the semi-crystalline polymers LD-PE, HD-PE, PP, PA6, and PET, and the amorphous polymers PS and PVC. The results showed that a two-factorial regression enabled the unambiguous identification and robust quantification of different polymer types. The limits of quantification were 0.13 to 0.33 mg and 0.40 to 1.84 mg per measurement for semi-crystalline and amorphous polymers, respectively. Moreover, DSC is robust with regard to natural organic matrices and allows the fast and non-destructive analysis of microplastic within the analytical limits. Hence, DSC could expand the range of analytical methods for microplastics and compete with perturbation-prone chemical analyses such as thermal extraction–desorption gas chromatography–mass spectrometry or spectroscopic methods. Further work should focus on potential changes in phase transition behavior in more complex matrices and the application of DSC for MP analysis in environmental samples.

Details

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)31001-31014
Number of pages14
JournalEnvironmental Science and Pollution Research
Volume31 (2024)
Issue number21
Publication statusPublished - 15 Apr 2024
Peer-reviewedYes

Keywords

Keywords

  • DSC, Microplastic, Polymers, Regression, Sediment, Thermal analysis