Accurate sampling of undisturbed top sediment from grab sampler collected using aluminum tube and stainless-steel containers for shallow and deep-sea applications

TL;DR

This study introduces a reliable sediment sampling method using a grab sampler to analyze microplastics and macroplastics in marine sediments with minimal contamination.

Contribution

A new protocol using a Kinoshita-type grab sampler and stainless steel containers minimizes contamination during microplastic and macroplastic collection in marine sediments.

Findings

133 surface sediment samples were collected from depths of 20–800 m using a K-grab sampler.

J-shaped aluminum tubes and stainless steel containers effectively minimized contamination for microplastics.

Method verification showed high-spatial-resolution sampling with minimal contamination.

Abstract

This study describes a sediment sampling protocol using a Kinoshita-type grab (K-grab) sediment sampler to collect and analyze microplastics (<5 mm) and macroplastics (>5 mm) in marine sediments. During the GB24 geological survey cruise aboard the Bosei-maru, 133 surface sediment samples were collected from depths of 20–800 m. The K-grab, equipped with a head-slide weight mechanism, enhanced sampling efficiency across various sediment types. For microplastics, stainless steel containers and J-shaped aluminum tubes minimized contamination while maintaining sample integrity. Macroplastics were separated using a 5 mm mesh and analyzed on board. Method verification confirmed high-spatial-resolution sampling with minimal contamination. These results demonstrate that the K-grab is a reliable tool for microplastic and macroplastic analysis, providing valuable data on plastic pollution in marine sediments.•This study describes a sediment sampling protocol using a grab sampler to collect and analyze microplastics (<5 mm) and macroplastics (>5 mm) in marine sediments.•During the survey, 133 surface sediment samples were collected from depths of 20–800 m, with microplastics handled using J-shaped aluminum tubes and stainless steel containers to minimize contamination while maintaining sample integrity.•Macroplastics were separated using a 5 mm mesh and analyzed on board. Method verification confirmed high-spatial-resolution sampling with minimal contamination.

This study describes a sediment sampling protocol using a grab sampler to collect and analyze microplastics (<5 mm) and macroplastics (>5 mm) in marine sediments.

During the survey, 133 surface sediment samples were collected from depths of 20–800 m, with microplastics handled using J-shaped aluminum tubes and stainless steel containers to minimize contamination while maintaining sample integrity.

Macroplastics were separated using a 5 mm mesh and analyzed on board. Method verification confirmed high-spatial-resolution sampling with minimal contamination.

Image, graphical abstract

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