Environmental Laboratory 5 Example 2: Microplastics in wastewater


and natural water Microplastic analysis of wastewater is commonly conducted to evaluate the environmental impact of discharges, primarily targeting municipal and industrial treatment plants. In contrast, analyses focusing on natural water are often commissioned by researchers wishing to compare the extent to which different bodies of water have been exposed to microplastic pollution.


Our recommendations for analyzing wastewater and natural water:


• Recommended methods: micro-Raman and py-GC/MS. As with clean water, Raman is a cost-effective and reliable method for determining the particle size distribution of microplastics in typical wastewater and natural water samples. If information on mass concentration is required, or if nanoplastics are to be detected, py-GC/MS should be used instead.


• Sample preparation: due to the presence of inorganic and organic solids in wastewater and natural water, sample preparation needs to include a digestion step and/or density separation step to separate plastic particles for analysis. Digestion is performed by adding an appropriate digestion solution (acid, base, or oxidizing agent), chosen based on the interfering matter and the types of plastic likely to be present, ensuring that plastic particles are preserved while interferences are effectively removed.


Example 3: Microplastic analysis of


biological samples Detecting and quantifying microplastics in biological samples,


such as blood, feces, and animal tissues, is complicated by several factors, starting with the diffi culty of reliably extracting plastic particles from the complex matrix. Fortunately, advanced extraction methods have been developed recently to address these issues, making it possible for Measurlabs to offer analyses for almost any biological matrix. The purpose of such projects is usually academic, such as assessing the extent to which microplastics make their way into fi sh or game animals that people in turn consume.


Our recommendations for analyzing biological samples:


• Recommended method: micro-FTIR. Due to its relatively long history of use in microplastic analysis, dedicated sample preparation procedures have been developed for the analysis of complex biological matrices with FTIR, making it the preferred method for these kinds of samples. Also, while the FTIR spectrum can suffer from interferences caused by water, it is not as susceptible to interference from fl uorescence, which can originate from certain polymer dyes and additives, as well as some components in biological samples.


• Sample preparation: biological samples usually require several digestion, extraction, and fi ltering steps to separate plastic


particles for analysis. The most appropriate procedure is determined on a case-by-case basis, but some examples of steps that can be taken to remove interferences include heating the sample to denature proteins and adding Proteinase K to digest them.


The more complicated the sample matrix, the more extensive the experience required to effectively overcome challenges inherent to microplastic analysis. Choosing a laboratory with a proven track record of employing different analytical methods and handling a range of sample matrices is crucial for consistently achieving reliable and accurate results.


About Measurlabs


Measurlabs is a one-stop solution for testing services, offering a comprehensive range of analyses through a network of over 900 accredited laboratories. In addition to microplastic testing, their service selection for environmental samples includes PFAS, VOC, PAH, persistent organic pollutant, and heavy metal analyses, among others.


Read more at https://measurlabs.com/


Author Contact Details Anssi Rajala • Measurlabs • Address: Teollisuuskatu 33, 00510 Helsinki, Finland • Tel: +358 45 637 1032 • Email: anssi.rajala@measurlabs.com • Web: https://measurlabs.com


High-end circulators for challenging temperature applications


With the MAGIO series, Julabo is expanding its product portfolio of high-end bridge mounted circulators, refrigerated and heating circulators - naturally all in the usual premium quality. The circulators operate in a working temperature range from -50°C to +300°C and with a heating capacity of up to 3 kW. Excellent heating/ cooling performance guarantees very short heat-up and cool-down times.


With an extremely powerful pressure/suction pump with performance values up to 31 l/min or 0.92 bar (pressure) and -0.4 bar (suction), the MAGIO series offers the strongest pump in its class and is therefore perfectly suited for challenging external temperature tasks. To ensure maximum resistance against chemical substances, all wetted parts are made from stainless steel.


Modern interfaces make easy remote control and practical data management possible as well as allowing integration into process structures. All MAGIO


units come with integrated Pt100 connection, USB interface, RS232 and Ethernet. Analog interfaces are optionally available as accessories. Upon customer request, JULABO can equip any refrigerated and heating circulators of the MAGIO series with the OPC UA communication interface.


OPC UA stands for ‘Open Platform Communications Unifi ed Architecture’ and is a standardised communication standard between machines (M2M) or between machines and higher-level systems. The open interface standard is independent of the machine or application manufacturer and is one of the most important communication standards for Industry 4.0 and the IoT.


In order to speak a common ‘language’, so-called ‘companion specifi cations’ are constantly being developed and published for a wide variety of unit types. This means that the data to be exchanged in an industry (e.g. laboratory devices) is standardised and all information is thus made available in the same form across all units and manufacturers. The specifi cations are developed in cooperation between the OPC Foundation, various professional associations (e.g. SPECTARIS for optics, photonics, analysis and medical technology) and machine manufacturers.


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Fire and ice: Discovering volcanic email:


eruptions with ion chromatography No two volcanic eruptions are the same. Depending the height of the eruption plume and the composition of the emissions, volcanic events can have varying effects on the climate.


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Sulphur dioxide emitted during volcanic eruptions is oxidised into sulfuric acid aerosols. When this settles on polar ice sheers it preserves a record of eruptions via the continuous accumulation of snow. Thus, records of volcanic activity can be found by measuring the amount of sulphate in polar ice cores. A great way to determine sulphate, along with other major anions and cations in aqueous samples, is with ion chromatography (IC).


IC, with a dual channel system, allows the simultaneous measurement of cations and anions from the same sample. When dealing with critical samples and small volumes,


this is a huge benefi t for record keeping. Additionally with an automatic sample preparation, like Metrohm’s Inline Ultrafi ltration or Inline Dilution, human error is eliminated.


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Smartphone app for pH, conductivity, and oxygen measurement


Endress+Hauser presents the Memobase Pro app, an ideal companion to the popular Liquiline Mobile CML18 handheld meter. Combining high-quality measurement technology with cutting- edge app capabilities, it delivers an unparalleled digital experience for measuring, calibrating, and documenting.


Launched about three years ago, the Liquiline Mobile CML18 handheld meter gained widespread acclaim for its practicality and versatility in measuring pH, conductivity, oxygen, and ORP. With its compact design, it fi ts into any shirt pocket, catering to both laboratory and production processes.


The revolutionary Memobase Pro app enables users to connect and operate two Liquiline Mobile CML18 devices simultaneously through a secure Bluetooth connection. Leveraging the smartphone display for handheld meter operation enhances user- friendliness and intuitiveness. Memobase Pro features dashboards and visualisations, allowing seamless switching between trend curves and tabular displays for measurements and associated samples. With the app functioning even when the smartphone is in the pocket, users can concentrate fully on their work during measurement and calibration. Additionally, the app can be operated directly from the handheld meter, facilitating the saving and documentation of measured values.


Memobase Pro introduces a unique feature for users analysing samples in the laboratory or on-site. It enables the generation of a unique ID for each sample, allowing users to add GPS coordinates, photos, and comments. This feature ensures swift retrieval of all sampling locations and associated measured data.


The Liquiline Mobile CML18, utilising Memosens technology, boasts the most widely used sensor technology globally for liquid analysis. Equipped with an integrated microprocessor, sensors with Memosens technology convert all signals into a robust digital format, ensuring immunity to moisture and environmental infl uences. Consistency between laboratory and process measurement data is maintained by connecting the same sensor types to the handheld meter, preventing deviations due to different measurement technologies.


For dependable measured values, regular sensor calibrations, especially for pH sensors, are crucial. The Memobase Pro app guides users through the calibration process and seamlessly documents all calibrations, including reference solutions used. An elegant solution for importing reference solution data involves a QR code on bottles that users can scan with their smartphone camera, enabling swift data importation.


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