Standard Practice for Collection of Water Samples with High, Medium, or Low Suspended Solids for Identification and Quantification of Microplastic Particles and Fibers

Importancia y uso:

5.1 When significant quantities of inorganic or organic material are present in water samples (high suspended solids), microplastic particles/fibers can be masked and the ability to conduct reliable identification and quantification analyses of the plastic particles/fibers can be impeded.

5.2 In order to quantify the occurrence of microplastic particles/fibers in wastewater influent (high suspended solids), the sampling procedure must be able to reliably collect samples at a constant flow over the desired 24-hour interval to reflect changes in diurnal flow. For wastewater influent the capture flow rate should be no less than 1 GPM over the 24-hour interval (approximately 1440 gal or 5450 L total) to minimize the problem with heterogeneity of the suspended solids and to reduce the standard error (the larger the sample size, the smaller the standard error).

5.3 In order to quantify the occurrence of microplastic particles/fibers in all other water samples with a lower content of inorganic or organic material present addressed by this practice (low to medium suspended solids), a minimum volume of 1500 L (approximately 400 gal) should be filtered through the appropriate filters or sieves to minimize potential issues with heterogeneity of suspended solids and to reduce the standard error (the larger the sample size, the smaller the standard error).

5.4 Microplastic particles/fibers retained on the sieves are suitable for characterization in terms of size, shape, quantity, and composition (polymer type), dependent upon the chosen analytical method.

Subcomité:

D19.06

Referida por:

D8489-23E01, D8401-24, D8333-20

Volúmen:

11.02

Número ICS:

13.060.01 (Water quality in general), 83.080.01 (Plastics in general)

Palabras clave:

all water matrices; analytical quality assurance; calibration samples; collection procedures; count-based; drinking water; high turbidity waters; low turbidity waters; mass-based; microplastic pollution measurement; microplastics; proficiency samples; quality assurance; quality control; quantification procedures; reference samples; sample preparation; sampling procedures; suspended solids; wastewater;