Sample Preparation Manual for the Analysis of Plastic-related Pollutants.

Abstract

The occurrence of plastics in the natural environment has been reported from the most remote places on earth. As such, there is growing global concern about the potential human health impacts caused by plastic pollution and an urgency to implement effective actions to mitigate such pollution. International organisations have, therefore, called for the standardisation of methods for collecting data on plastic pollution. For example, in March 2019, UNEA noted the “need for high-quality data and effective monitoring… of marine litter, including plastic litter and microplastics, …through harmonised methodologies, to enable better and more effective action.” Information about microplastic particles in the environment, be it in water, air, sediment, or organisms, is being collected by many researchers, increasing our knowledge on the subject, and methods for collecting microplastic particles already exist. A good example is the guidelines for monitoring and assessing plastic litter and microplastics, written by the Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP). Information on emerging contaminants associated with microplastics, such as bisphenols and benzophenone UV-filters, is also being collected by researchers. However, to the best of my knowledge, there are no guidelines for the very first step in monitoring emerging contaminants – that is, the preparation of samples before they get analysed for these plastic-related contaminants, i.e. pollutants. This manual was, therefore, produced for two reasons. Firstly, to answer the call to harmonise methods, and secondly, to provide guidelines for preparing samples to be ready for analysis for emerging contaminants. This manual is aimed at African researchers with limited resources who may have English as a second language, if not third or fourth. It is, therefore, purposefully written in as simple language as possible, with many photographs showing all the steps to prepare samples for analysis carefully. The methods are set out clearly, in an orderly fashion, so that they can be followed by researchers who may not be familiar with sample preparation. It is hoped that the manual will become the standard guideline for researchers to use in their investigations of plastic-associated pollutants. This will not only improve our understanding of potential human health impacts resulting from plastic pollution but will also aid in filling the data gap that exists for this line of research in Africa.

Dr Danica Marlin Head of Research at Sustainable Seas Trust