Environmental Science · Level 1 · Foundation
Synthetic Polymer Contamination in Bottled Water
Mason SA, Welch VG, Neratko J (2018). Frontiers in Chemistry. doi:10.3389/fchem.2018.00407 · CC BY 4.0
Step 1 of 2Read the paper
The researchers bought bottled water from 11 well-known brands in nine countries and checked 259 bottles for tiny plastic particles. They stained each bottle with a dye that makes plastic glow, counted particles under a microscope and with software, and used infrared spectroscopy to identify the larger pieces.
How to read it
- Read the last paragraph of the Introduction: it states exactly how many bottles, brands, lots and countries were tested.
- In Materials and Methods, note the two size groups (above and below 100 µm) and how each was counted.
- Quality assurance: look at why lab blanks and two independent counters were used.
- Compare the glass versus plastic Gerolsteiner result and the tap water comparison in the Discussion.
Step 2 of 2Take the test
5 questions · about 30 minutes including reading · pick an answer to see straight away if it’s right. Nothing is saved.
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Paper: Mason SA, Welch VG, Neratko J, Frontiers in Chemistry (2018), licensed CC BY 4.0. Summary and questions are Research Nest’s own; read the original for the full study.