title: Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis.
abstract: Microplastic pollution in the marine environment is a scientific topic that has received increasing attention over the last decade. The majority of scientific publications address microplastic pollution of the sea surface. The protocol below describes the methodology for sampling, sample preparation, separation and chemical identification of microplastic particles. A manta net fixed on an »A frame« attached to the side of the vessel was used for sampling. Microplastic particles caught in the cod end of the net were separated from samples by visual identification and use of stereomicroscopes. Particles were analyzed for their size using an image analysis program and for their chemical structure using ATR-FTIR and micro FTIR spectroscopy. The described protocol is in line with recommendations for microplastics monitoring published by the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD) Technical Subgroup on Marine Litter. This written protocol with video guide will support the work of researchers that deal with microplastics monitoring all over the world.
authors.affiliation: Sector for Marine Waters, Institute for water of the Republic of Slovenia; manca.virsek@izvrs.si.
authors.forename: Manca
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kovač Viršek
authors.affiliation: Sector for Marine Waters, Institute for water of the Republic of Slovenia.
authors.forename: Andreja
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palatinus
authors.affiliation: Sector for Marine Waters, Institute for water of the Republic of Slovenia.
authors.forename: Špela
authors.initials: Š
authors.lastname: Koren
authors.affiliation: Sector for Marine Waters, Institute for water of the Republic of Slovenia.
authors.forename: Monika
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Peterlin
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Polymer Chemistry and Technology, National Institute for Chemistry Slovenia.
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Horvat
authors.affiliation: Laboratory for Polymer Chemistry and Technology, National Institute for Chemistry Slovenia.
authors.forename: Andrej
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kržan
mesh_terms: D004777:Environment; D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000379:methods*; D010969:Plastics; D017550:Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical