Normal Ashless quantitive filter papers from CHMLAB are readily available for me to purchase. However, I understand that using depth filters may compromise microplastics extraction processes as some particles may be embedded within the filter paper fabrics and hence avoid observation under the microscope. On the other hand, choosing to work with membrane filters that retain microplastic particles on the surface of the filter are costly and not so easy to obtain in my region. Therefore, any comment on the applicability of normal ashless quantitative filter papers in MP extraction is appreciated.
Also please comment on the CHMLAB filter papers' quality and suitability for such studies.
Dear Kamyar,
in my mind, it is possible to use depth filters, if the filters are destroyed (dissolved, digested) in the next step.
You could try to perform a "recovery test", filtering a digestion with a known amount of microplastics (e.g. PET fragments from a bottle) in order to calculate the efficiency of the extraction method. However, in this case, you should know the approximate size of your samples to be able to carry out the "recovery test" with microplastics of a similar size to that of your samples. So you can understand how many microplastics you lose by using the depth filters. Otherwise, the complete digestion of the filter in the next step is the only correct way.
Carola Murano Yes !! "Recovery tests" !! That could solve my problem to some extent. Thank you so much for your insight.
Would someone please help? I have carried out Fenton pretreatment and that has left out a lot of ferric precipitates on my filter paper. So, i have added 50 to 60 % of sulphuric acid onto my GF filters to dissolve the ferric precipitates. Then, I could see that the precipitates were dissolved immediately and then I have washed the filter paper with plenty of millipore water. But, I would like to know whether this process (less than one min of contact between filter paper and 55 % sulphuric acid solution) would affect the chemical nature of my microplastics? Observation in microscope suggests that discolouration has occurred. But I would like to know does any of you has encountered similar situation? What is your recommendation? Thank you so much.
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