TY - JOUR A1 - Kittner, Maria A1 - Kerndorff, A. A1 - Ricking, M. A1 - Bednarz, M. A1 - Obermaier, N. A1 - Lukas, M. A1 - Asenova, M. A1 - Bordós, G. A1 - Eisentraut, Paul A1 - Hohenblum, P. A1 - Hudcova, H. A1 - Humer, F. A1 - István, T. G. A1 - Kirchner, M. A1 - Marushevska, O. A1 - Nemejcová, D. A1 - Oswald, P. A1 - Paunovic, M. A1 - Sengl, M. A1 - Slobodnik, J. A1 - Spanowsky, K. A1 - Tudorache, M. A1 - Wagensonner, H. A1 - Liska, I. A1 - Braun, U. A1 - Bannick, C. G. T1 - Microplastics in the Danube River Basin: A First Comprehensive Screening with a Harmonized Analytical Approach N2 - 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 μm and <100 μm 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 μg/mg, 3.23 μg/mg for polystyrene, 1.03 μg/mg for styrene-butadiene-rubber, and 0.45 μg/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. KW - Thermal extraction desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TED-GC/MS), monitoring KW - Microplastics KW - River KW - Suspended particulate matter (SPM) KW - Sedimentation box (SB) PY - 2022 U6 - http://nbn-resolving.de/urn/resolver.pl?urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-551444 VL - 2 IS - 7 SP - 1174 EP - 1181 PB - ACS Publications AN - OPUS4-55144 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Kittner, Maria A1 - Eisentraut, Paul A1 - Dittmann, Daniel A1 - Ruhl, A.S. A1 - Eitzen, L. A1 - Jekel, M. A1 - Braun, Ulrike T1 - Thermoanalytical methods for the optimisation of microplastic analysis in freshwater sediment samples N2 - Results of various thermoanalytical techniques are presented for the analysis of microplastics in sediment samples. The homogeneity and the representativness of samples war controlled, as well as steps of separation and microplastic detection by these techniques. T2 - MICRO CY - Lanzarote, Spain DA - 19.11.2018 KW - Water KW - Microplastics KW - Sampling KW - Sampling techniques PY - 2018 AN - OPUS4-47322 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Kittner, Maria A1 - Eisentraut, Paul A1 - Dittmann, Daniel A1 - Braun, Ulrike T1 - Decomposability versus detectability: First validation of TED‐GC/MS for microplastic detection in different environmental matrices N2 - A fast method for microplastic detection is thermal extraction desorption‐gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TED‐GC/MS), which uses polymer‐specific thermal decomposition products as marker compounds to determine polymer mass contents in environmental samples. So far, matrix impacts of different environmental matrices on TED‐GC/MS performance had not yet been assessed systematically. Therefore, three solid freshwater matrices representing different aquatic bodies with varying organic matter contents were spiked with a total of eight polymers. Additionally, for the first time, the two biodegradable polymers polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT) and polylactide (PLA) were analysed using TED‐GC/MS. The methodological focus of this work was on detectability, quality of signal formation as well as realisation of quantification procedures and determination of the limit of detection (LOD) values. Overall, TED‐GC/MS allowed the unambiguous detection of the environmentally most relevant polymers analysed, even at low mass contents: 0.02 wt% for polystyrene (PS), 0.04 wt% for the tyre component styrene butadiene rubber (SBR) and 0.2 wt% for polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE) and PBAT. Further, all obtained LOD values were increased in all matrices compared to the neat polymer without matrix. The LOD of the standard polymers were increased similarly (PS: 0.21–0.34 μg, SBR: 0.27–0.38 μg, PP: 0.32–0.36 μg, PMMA: 0.64–1.30 μg, PET: 0.90–1.37 μg, PE: 3.80–6.99 μg) and their decompositions by radical scission processes were not significantly influenced by the matrices. In contrast, matrixspecific LOD increases of both biodegradable polymers PBAT (LOD: 1.41–7.18 μg) and PLA (0.84–20.46 μg) were observed, probably due to their hetero‐functional character and interactions with the matrices. In conclusion, the TED‐GC/MS performance is not solely determined by the type of the polymers but also by the composition of the matrix. KW - TED-GC/MS KW - Microplastic KW - Freshwater matrices KW - Gas chromatography KW - Mass spectrometry PY - 2023 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/appl.202200089 SN - 2702-4288 VL - 2 IS - 3 SP - 1 EP - 12 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim AN - OPUS4-57419 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - GEN A1 - Braun, Ulrike A1 - Eisentraut, Paul A1 - Altmann, Korinna A1 - Kittner, Maria A1 - Dümichen, Erik A1 - Thaxton, K. A1 - Kleine-Benne, E. A1 - Anumol, T. T1 - Accelerated Determination of Microplastics in Environmental Samples Using Thermal Extraction Desorption-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (TED-GC/MS) N2 - There is growing interest in quantifying microplastics in environmental samples. This application note presents a thermal extraction desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TED-GC/MS) method that is well suited to automation and increased sample throughput. The method is also able to detect all particle sizes in the sample as long as the limit of detection (LOD) is reached and allows analysis of larger samples of 15 to 25 mg or more. Samples were decomposed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA), and the gaseous decomposition products were trapped on a solid-phase sorbent, followed by thermal desorption‑gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (TD-GC/MS) using an Agilent 5977B GC/MSD coupled to an Agilent 7890B GC. Target microplastic particle (MP) polymers were identified in environmental samples including surface water, finished compost, house dust, and drinking water. Quantification of MP polymers in environmental samples provided LODs of 0.06 to 2.2 μg, allowing the detection of MPs in trace amounts with sample weights of up to 1 g. Method repeatability was adequate for reliable quantification with RSDs of approximately 6 to 12%. KW - Environment KW - Microplastic particles KW - TED-GC/MS KW - Mass content KW - Thermoanalytical PY - 2020 VL - 2020 SP - 1 EP - 8 PB - Agilent Technologies Inc. CY - USA AN - OPUS4-51672 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Kittner, Maria A1 - Altmann, Korinna A1 - Kalbe, Ute A1 - Hamann, S. A1 - Weyer, R. T1 - Bewertung der Freisetzung von Mikroplastik aus Sportböden auf Kunststoffbasis N2 - Projektvorstellung "Bewertung der Freisetzung von Mikroplastik aus Sportböden auf Kunststoffbasis": Motivation, Konzept, Umsetzung, erste analytische Ergebnisse der TED-GC/MS T2 - 24. Projekttage der Zukunft Bau Forschungsförderung CY - Bonn, Germany DA - 13.06.2023 KW - Mikroplastik KW - TED-GC/MS KW - Kunststoffrasen KW - Lysimeter KW - Beschleunigte Alterung PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58441 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - JOUR A1 - Lukas, M. A1 - Kittner, Maria A1 - Isernhinke, L. A1 - Altmann, Korinna A1 - Braun, U. T1 - A new concept for the ecotoxicological assessment of plastics under consideration of aging processes N2 - Microplastics are widely distributed in aquatic and terrestrial environments, but up to now less is known about (eco)toxicological impacts under realistic conditions. Research so far has focused mainly on impacts on organisms by fresh, single‐origin plastic fragments or beads. However, plastics found in the environment are complex in composition, this means different polymer types and sources, with and without additives and in all stages of age, and therefore, in a more or less advanced stage of degradation. For oxidized degradation products that might be released from plastic materials during aging, there is a lack of information on potentially adverse effects on aquatic biota. The latter is of particular interest as oxidized degradation products might become more water soluble due to higher polarity and are more bioavailable, therefore. The present study focused on plastic leachates of polystyrene (PS) and polylactic acid (PLA), which were derived from alternating stress by hydrolysis and ultraviolet (UV) radiation—representing a realistic scenario in the environment. Test specimens of PS, PLA, or a PLA/PS layer (each 50%) were alternately exposed to UV radiation for 5 days followed by hydrolysis for 2 days, for several weeks alternating. Ecotoxicological effects of the storage water (artificial freshwater) of the test specimens and additionally, in a second experimental setup, the effects of five potential polymer degradation products were detected by 72 h algae growth inhibition tests with Desmodesmus subspicatus. Results clearly indicate inhibitory effects on algae growth by contaminants in the storage water of stressed plastics with increasing growth inhibition of proceeding hydrolysis and UV stress times. Different polymers caused variable inhibitions of algae growth with stronger inhibitions by PS and less effects by PLA and the mixed layer of both. Moreover, not microplastic particles but the resulting dissolved degradation products after aging caused the ecotoxicological effects—with strong effects by the oxidized degradation products. The existing data highlight the relevance of plastic aging as a framework for microplastic ecotoxicity evaluation and allow a proof of concept. KW - Algae growth test KW - Ecotoxicology KW - Microplastic KW - Polystyrene KW - UV degradation KW - Weathering PY - 2023 U6 - https://doi.org/10.1002/appl.202200124 VL - 2 IS - 3 SP - 1 EP - 9 PB - Wiley-VCH CY - Weinheim AN - OPUS4-57510 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Kittner, Maria A1 - Braun, Ulrike A1 - Altmann, Korinna T1 - Beschleunigung und Hemmung - Komplexe Wechselwirkungen bei der Zersetzung von thermoplastischen PLA/PS-Blends unter realitätsnahen Umweltbedingungen N2 - Mit dem stetigen weltweiten Anstieg der Nachfrage nach Polymerprodukten nimmt auch die potenzielle Menge an Kunststoffabfällen in der Umwelt zu. Problematisch ist, dass viele der wirtschaftlich relevantesten Kunststoffe sehr lange brauchen, um in der Umwelt abzubauen, sich dort akkumulieren und in kritisch betrachtetes Makro- und Mikroplastik zu zerfallen. Auf der Grundlage des Vorsorgeprinzips fordert die Europäische Kommission daher die Entwicklung neuer polymerer Materialien, die diesem Problem der Persistenz entgegenwirken und unter natürlichen Umweltbedingungen schneller abgebaut werden können. 1,2 Um dieses Problem anzusprechen, wurden mittels additiver Fertigung Polymerblends aus photooxidationsempfindlichem Polystyrol (PS) und hydrolyseempfindlicher Polymilchsäure (PLA) hergestellt. Die Hypothese war, dass sich die beiden Thermoplaste aufgrund ihrer unterschiedlichen Abbauprozesse gegenseitig in ihrem Abbau unterstützen, wenn sie unter moderaten, realitätsnahen Umweltalterungsbedingungen (45 °C) abwechselnd der Photooxidation und Hydrolyse ausgesetzt werden. In der Praxis zeigten die Ergebnisse, dass die Degradation von PLA durch die Anwesenheit von PS deutlich beschleunigt worden ist – wohingegen die Degradation von PS gehemmt wurde. In diesem Vortrag werden die detaillierten Ergebnisse der Oberflächen- (ATR-FTIR, REM) und Bulk-Analysen (DSC, TGA, FTIR-Transmission, TED-GC/MS) der Blends sowie ergänzende Mikroplastik-Ergebnisse des umgebenden Wassermediums (TED-GC/MS) erörtert. T2 - 50. Jahrestagung der Gesellschaft für Umweltsimulation (GUS) CY - Online meeting DA - 23.03.2022 KW - Polymerblend KW - PLA KW - Hydrolyse KW - PS KW - Bewitterung KW - UV-Bestrahlung KW - TED-GC/MS KW - Wasser KW - Mikroplastik PY - 2022 AN - OPUS4-54544 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Kittner, Maria A1 - Müller, Axel A1 - Eisentraut, Paul A1 - Altmann, Korinna A1 - Braun, Ulrike T1 - Small, everywhere and difficult to detect - Insights into the detection of microplastic particles in environmental samples using thermal extraction desorption-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry N2 - As global demand for polymer products increases, so does the potential amount of leakage into the environment, known as macroplastic (> 1,000 µm) and microplastic particles (MP, 1 - 1,000 µm). To date, the environmental and health consequences are unclear and unpredictable, so robust MP monitoring data are needed to identify the sources, pathways and fate of these particles. Therefore, we developed the thermoanalytical method TED-GC/MS (thermal extraction desorption - gas chromatography/mass spectrometry), which uses polymer-specific thermal decomposition products for the detection of MP in environmental samples. It allows fast identification and the determination of MP mass contents, which is crucial for assessing of their potential effects and thus for legislation and monitoring. For a better understanding of the TED-GC/MS, this presentation will provide the first methodological insights into systematic assessments of TED-GC/MS performance for MP detection in different environmental model matrices. Results of MP determination from real samples will underline the presentation and aspects of practical application will be addressed. To harmonise the method, it is essential to assess different analytical performance parameters (e.g. recovery, signal quality or limit of detection, LOD) to ensure comparability of data. For this purpose, standard addition of different aquatic (e.g. suspended particulate matter, limnic sediment, activated sludge) and terrestrial samples (e.g. agricultural soil) were performed with non-biodegradable standard polymers (polyethylene, PE; polyethylene terephthalate, PET; polypropylene, PP; polymethyl methacrylate, PMMA; polystyrene, PS; styrene-butadiene rubber, SBR) as well as biodegradable polymers (polybutylene adipate terephthalate PBAT; polylactide, PLA) and analysed by TED-GC/MS. These results were then compared with the measurements of the neat polymers without matrix. T2 - SETAC Europe 2021 CY - Online meeting DA - 03.05.2021 KW - Matrix KW - Microplastic particles KW - Mass content KW - TED-GC/MS PY - 2021 AN - OPUS4-52660 LA - eng AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER - TY - CONF A1 - Kittner, Maria A1 - Altmann, Korinna A1 - Kalbe, Ute A1 - Hamann, S. A1 - Weyer, R. T1 - Bewertung der Freisetzung von Mikroplastik aus Sportböden auf Kunststoffbasis N2 - Projektvorstellung "Bewertung der Freisetzung von Mikroplastik aus Sportböden auf Kunststoffbasis": Konzept, Umsetzung, erste Mikroplastik-Ergebnisse. T2 - Projektbegleitkreissitzung des Projektes "„Ermittlung und Minderung von Mikroplastik- und Schadstoffemissionen von Kunststoffrasen-Sportplätzen (MiMiK)“ CY - Sittensen, Germany DA - 25.09.2023 KW - Mikroplastik KW - TED-GC/MS KW - Kunststoffrasen KW - Lysimeter KW - Beschleunigte Alterung PY - 2023 AN - OPUS4-58442 LA - deu AD - Bundesanstalt fuer Materialforschung und -pruefung (BAM), Berlin, Germany ER -