Methods Matter for Microplastic Studies: Polymer Chemical Compatibility & Extraction from Fish Larvae
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Authors
Michelle Karr, Jenna
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Marine Science
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Abstract
Plastic pollution is a prevalent concern in the marine environment, and continues to garner attention from scientists, the general public and policy makers. However, standardized methods for investigating marine plastic pollution, particularly in regards to ingestion studies, are lacking. This study was conducted to determine the chemical compatibility of plastic polymers recovered from marine organisms with six current methods for digesting organic material to extract ingested plastics and one commonly used storage solution for preserving biological tissue. By comparing changes in polymer mass and spectral identification following treatment, a compatibility chart was produced to inform future ingestion studies to avoid underestimating ingested plastic loads. The same digestion methods were then assessed for their effectiveness in digesting whole fish larvae, and their practicality of use for recovering potential ingested plastics. The most efficient digestion method, nitric acid, also had the lowest polymer compatibility score and is, therefore, not recommended. The pancreatic enzyme had the most ideal balance of digestive efficiency with a high compatibility score and is, therefore, recommended for future use in standardized plastic ingestion research.
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Hawaii Pacific University