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Ricking, Mathias

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Ricking
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Mathias
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  • Veröffentlichung
    Microplastics in the Danube River Basin: a first comprehensive screening with harmonized analytical approach
    (2022) Braun, Ulrike; Bannick, Claus Gerhard; Bednarz, Marius; Kerndorf, Alexander; Lukas, Marcus; Obermaier, Nathan; Ricking, Mathias
    In this study, carried out within the Joint Danube Survey 4, a comprehensive microplastic screening in the water column within a large European river basin from its source to estuary, including major tributaries, was realized. The objective was to develop principles of a systematic and practicable microplastic monitoring strategy using sedimentation boxes for collection of suspended particulate matter followed by its subsequent analysis using thermal extraction desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. In total, 18 sampling sites in the Danube River Basin were investigated. The obtained suspended particulate matter samples were subdivided into the fractions of >100 mikrom and <100 mikrom and subsequently analyzed for microplastic mass contents. The results showed that microplastics were detected in all samples, with polyethylene being the predominant polymer with maximum contents of 22.24 mikrog/mg, 3.23 mikrog/mg for polystyrene, 1.03 mikrog/mg for styrene-butadiene-rubber, and 0.45 mikrog/mg for polypropylene. Further, polymers such as different sorts of polyester, polyacrylates, polylactide, and natural rubber were not detected or below the detection limit. Additional investigations on possible interference of polyethylene signals by algae-derived fatty acids were assessed. In the context of targeted monitoring, repeated measurements provide more certainty in the interpretation of the results for the individual sites. Nevertheless, it can be stated that the chosen approach using an integrative sampling and determination of total plastic content proved to be successful. © 2022 The Authors
  • Veröffentlichung
    A promising approach to monitor microplastic masses in composts
    (2023) Wiesner, Yosri; Bannick, Claus Gerhard; Bednarz, Marius; Braun, Ulrike; Ricking, Mathias
    Inputs of plastic impurities into the environment via the application of fertilizers are regulated in Germany and the EU by means of ordinances. Robust and fast analytical methods are the basis of legal regulations. Currently, only macro- and large microplastic contents (>1 mm) are measured. Microplastics, are not yet monitored. Thermal analytical methods are suitable for this purpose, which can determine the mass content and can also be operated fully automatically in routine mode. Thermal extraction desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TED-GC/MS) allows the identification of polymers and the determination of mass contents in solid samples from natural environments. In accordance with the German or European Commission (EC) Fertiliser Ordinance, composting plants should be monitored for microplastic particles with this method in the future. In this context a compost plant was sampled. At the end of the rotting process, the compost was sieved and separated in a coarse (>1 mm) and a fine fraction (<1 mm). The fine fraction was processed using density separation comparing NaCl and NaI as possible salt alternative and screened for microplastic masses by TED-GC/MS with additional validation and quality assurance experiments. With TED-GC/MS total microplastics mass contents of 1.1-3.0 g/mg in finished compost could be detected with polyethylene mainly. What differs much to the total mass of plastics in the coarse fraction with up to 60 ug/mg, which were visually searched, identified via ATR-FTIR and gravimetrically weighted. © 2023 Wiesner, Bednarz, Braun, Bannick, Ricking and Altmann.