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Validation of ATR FT-IR to identify polymers of plastic marine debris, including those ingested by marine organisms.
- Source :
- Marine Pollution Bulletin; Feb2018, Vol. 127, p704-716, 13p
- Publication Year :
- 2018
-
Abstract
- Polymer identification of plastic marine debris can help identify its sources, degradation, and fate. We optimized and validated a fast, simple, and accessible technique, attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (ATR FT-IR), to identify polymers contained in plastic ingested by sea turtles. Spectra of consumer good items with known resin identification codes #1–6 and several #7 plastics were compared to standard and raw manufactured polymers. High temperature size exclusion chromatography measurements confirmed ATR FT-IR could differentiate these polymers. High-density (HDPE) and low-density polyethylene (LDPE) discrimination is challenging but a clear step-by-step guide is provided that identified 78% of ingested PE samples. The optimal cleaning methods consisted of wiping ingested pieces with water or cutting. Of 828 ingested plastics pieces from 50 Pacific sea turtles, 96% were identified by ATR FT-IR as HDPE, LDPE, unknown PE, polypropylene (PP), PE and PP mixtures, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and nylon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Details
- Language :
- English
- ISSN :
- 0025326X
- Volume :
- 127
- Database :
- Supplemental Index
- Journal :
- Marine Pollution Bulletin
- Publication Type :
- Academic Journal
- Accession number :
- 128128044
- Full Text :
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.marpolbul.2017.12.061