engleski

Modification of electroanalytical method for analysis of metal amounts from marine plastic surfaces

For the past seven decades plastic waste has been accumulating in environment, which is especially significant and alarming for marine systems. Marine plastic litter under influence of UV-radiation and different physico-chemical factors can degrade and defragment into smaller particles. Plastic fragments can adsorb different pollutants, including potentially ecotoxic trace metals, and become vector for their transport, which is especially significant for coastal areas. To determine the amount of metals adsorbed on plastic particles (sampled in the Croatian coastal area), metals were extracted by mixture of acids from plastic surfaces. Consequently, acid solution was additionally prepared for analysis. Concentrations of metals were measured by differential pulse anodic (Zn, Cd, Pb and Cu) and cathodic (Ni and Co) stripping voltammetry by Metrohm Autolab modular potentiostat/galvanostat Autolab PGSTAT204, connected with a three-electrode system Metrohm 663 VA STAND (Utrecht, The Netherlands). Working electrode used was static mercury drop electrode. Voltammetry is low-cost, reliable and relatively simple method with low detection limits, including well established methods for measuring metals in environmental samples. Method modification, as well as some challenges that were usually encountered during analysis of this kind of samples will be discussed.

Voltammetry ; Marine microplastics ; Trace metals

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