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Microbiology Society logo Microbiology

Volume 171, Issue 3

Development and validation of a novel suspended particulate matter sampling device for analysis of particle-bound microbial communities Open Access

Abstract

Biotic and abiotic materials attachment to suspended particulate matter in aquatic systems can increase their toxicity and health impacts and has led to an increased need for consistent sampling across various compartments. Sedimentation traps and continuous flow centrifuges are the traditional tools for sampling suspended particulate matter, while manta trawls have been widely used for surface water sampling of suspended or floating microplastics. Limitations, however, exist in the cost of sampling and infrastructure needed to deploy such devices. Here we report on the construction and usage of a novel suspended particulate matter sampling device, the microParticle Obtaining Trap (mPOT). Quality control testing of the mPOT showed suspended particle recovery rates of >90% for particles 100 µm and larger, while field sampling of groundwater, lake and river water shows consistent, size-fractionated recovery of particulate matter. The mPOT is well suited to sample systems not easily accessible by boat or for particles not commonly recovered by common suspended particulate matter sampling and for collection of particles smaller than 300 µm in size.

  • Received:
  • Accepted:
  • Published Online:
Keyword(s): freshwater , methodology , microbial community , microplastics , sampling , size-fractionated recovery and suspended particulate matter
Funding
This study was supported by the:
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison, Division of Extension
    • Principal Award Recipient: EricaMajumder
  • Great Lakes Research Consortium
    • Principal Award Recipient: EricaMajumder
© 2025 The Authors
  • This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License. This article was made open access via a Publish and Read agreement between the Microbiology Society and the corresponding author’s institution.
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2025-03-06
2025-12-08

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/content/journal/micro/10.1099/mic.0.001538
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Development and validation of a novel suspended particulate matter sampling device for analysis of particle-bound microbial communities
Microbiology 171, 001538 (2025); https://doi.org/10.1099/mic.0.001538
/content/journal/micro/10.1099/mic.0.001538
/content/journal/micro/10.1099/mic.0.001538
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