(e.g., fragments, fibers, pellets, films). Based on their appearance in the images, could you please share your insights on their classification? Your expertise and suggestions would be greatly valued!"
Hi Iman, it is impossible to determine if these items are plastic or not simply by looking at them. Try applying the hot needle test (Article Hot or not: systematic review and laboratory evaluation of t...
), if you still have the sample(s).|Best
Oskar
Hi Oskar,
Thank you for your suggestion! I appreciate your input. However, I wanted to let you know that I have already conducted the hot needle test on these samples. If there's anything else you recommend or if you'd like more details about the results, please let me know!
Best,
Iman
Hi Iman, trying to determine that by size/shape/appearance would be very difficult. However, if microplastics behave like larger pieces and it is possible to transfer the microplastics among liquid solutions you may be able to identify or really narrow it down by buoyancy, solubility, and/or melting temperature. Essentially all plastics sink in water except for polypropylene, low-density polyethylene, +/- high-density polyethylene. Plastics that sink in water include polyethylene terephthalate, polylactic acid, polystyrene, and polyvinyl chloride. If you can greatly reduce the amount of water and add the water containing the microplastics to isopropanol (rubbing alcohol) they will float and water can be slowly added (you will need to add small pieces of known plastics as controls. The three plastics that floated in water ill sink at different times based on density as more water makes the solution denser. See this lab exercise and references: http://www2.chm.ulaval.ca/gecha/chm2904/5_polymeres_plastiques/ed800055p.pdf
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