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Screening for microplastics in agricultural soils: Applying green chemistry principles in extraction and analysis

2025-02-15Research article Embargoed access
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dc.contributor.authorRede, Diana
dc.contributor.authorVilarinho, Rui
dc.contributor.authorDelerue-Matos, Cristina
dc.contributor.authorMoreira, Joaquim Agostinho
dc.contributor.authorFernandes, Virgínia Cruz
dc.contributor.authorFernandes, Virgínia
dc.date.accessioned2025-04-08T10:24:05Z
dc.date.available2025-04-08T10:24:05Z
dc.date.issued2025-02-15
dc.description.abstractIn recent years, microplastic (MP) pollution has garnered significant attention owing to its ability to permeate various ecosystems, including soil. These particles can infiltrate the environment, either directly or through the degradation of larger plastic items. Despite growing concerns, standardized methods for quantification are still lacking. This study aimed to screen for the presence of MPs in agricultural soils while incorporating green analytical principles in the methodology. A density separation followed by centrifugation was employed, based on the principles of the QuEChERS extraction method. This approach minimized sample quantities, reagent consumption, and waste production, ensuring efficient extraction and analysis. Recovery tests using certified soils spiked with pristine MPs, specifically polystyrene, polypropylene (PP), and ethylene-vinyl acetate for larger MPs (3–5 mm), and low-density polyethylene, polyamide 6, and tire wear particles for smaller MPs (15–300 m), achieved recovery levels exceeding 69% for smaller MPs and over 91% for larger particles. Spectroscopic analysis revealed slight alterations in the Raman spectra of MPs after extraction. Transitioning to agricultural soil analysis has revealed challenges, including spectral interferences. Nine mesoplastics (5–20 mm) were detected, predominantly consisting of PP and polyethylene (PE), along with seven MPs, three of which were individually identified as PE-based, while the remainder were inconclusive, including one fiber. The evaluation of the method’s sustainability using the Analytical Eco-Scale and Analytical Greenness Calculator Metric (AGREE), with scores of 82 out of 100 and 0.66 out of 1, respectively, demonstrated its potential as a reliable approach to MP analysis in soils. This study highlights the potential of integrating green analytical chemistry principles into MP extraction methodologies and emphasizes the value of the proposed QuEChERs-based approach for improving the sustainability and efficiency of MP monitoring in agricultural soils.por
dc.identifier.citationRede, D., Vilarinho, R., Moreira, J. A., Nizzetto, L., Delerue-Matos, C., & Fernandes, V. C. (2025). Screening for microplastics in agricultural soils: Applying green chemistry principles in extraction and analysis. Environmental Pollution, 367, 125550. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125550
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.envpol.2024.125550
dc.identifier.eissn1873-6424
dc.identifier.issn0269-7491
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/10400.22/29935
dc.language.isoeng
dc.peerreviewedyes
dc.publisherElsevier
dc.relationLA/P/0008/2020; UIDP/50006/2020
dc.relation.hasversionhttps://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S026974912402267X?via%3Dihub#cebib0010
dc.rights.urihttp://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
dc.subjectMicroplastics
dc.subjectSoil
dc.subjectSpectroscopic analysis
dc.subjectμ-Raman
dc.subjectGreen analytical chemistry
dc.subjectAGREE metrics
dc.titleScreening for microplastics in agricultural soils: Applying green chemistry principles in extraction and analysispor
dc.typeresearch article
dspace.entity.typePublication
oaire.citation.titleEnvironmental Pollution
oaire.citation.volume367
oaire.versionhttp://purl.org/coar/version/c_970fb48d4fbd8a85
person.familyNameFernandes
person.givenNameVirgínia
person.identifier.ciencia-id5A16-3713-E0CE
person.identifier.orcid0000-0003-3979-7523
person.identifier.ridG-4985-2010
person.identifier.scopus-author-id37045954500
relation.isAuthorOfPublicatione30d74c3-1a3a-4e3e-ada0-5e79362cdd6e
relation.isAuthorOfPublication.latestForDiscoverye30d74c3-1a3a-4e3e-ada0-5e79362cdd6e

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