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Updated: Jan 22, 2026
10:16
Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis
Published on: December 16, 2016
50.8K
Trace analysis of polystyrene microplastics in natural waters
Gabriella F Schirinzi1, Marta Llorca1, Raquel Seró2
1Institute of Environmental Assessment and Water Research, IDAEA-CSIC, Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain.
Chemosphere
|July 19, 2019
Summary
Accurately quantifying micro-plastics and nano-plastics in water is challenging. This study developed a sensitive liquid chromatography-high-resolution mass spectrometry method for precise analysis of polystyrene micro- and nano-plastics in natural waters.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Analytical Chemistry
- Polymer Science
Background:
- Accurate quantification of micro-plastics (MPLs) and nano-plastics (NPLs) is crucial for environmental risk assessment.
- Quantitative analysis of MPLs and NPLs, especially below 100 μm, in complex environmental samples remains a significant challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate mass spectrometry techniques for MPL and NPL analysis.
- To develop and validate a quantitative method for polystyrene (PS) MPLs and NPLs in natural waters.
Main Methods:
- Comparative assessment of MALDI-TOF-MS, LC-HRMS, DESI, and DART for PS MPLs and NPLs.
- Development of a novel LC-HRMS method utilizing an atmospheric pressure photoionisation (APPI) source in negative mode.
- Chromatographic separation using an advanced polymer chromatography (APC) column with toluene as the mobile phase.
Main Results:
- The developed LC-HRMS-APPI method achieved an instrumental limit of detection (ILOD) of 20 pg.
- Method limits of detection and quantification were approximately 30 pg/L and 100 pg/L, respectively.
- Recoveries ranged from 60% in river samples to 70% in marine coast samples.
Conclusions:
- The developed LC-HRMS-APPI method offers high sensitivity and accuracy for quantifying PS MPLs and NPLs in natural waters.
- This method provides a reliable tool for environmental risk assessment studies involving plastic pollution.
- The validated method was successfully applied to fortified and natural seawater samples.
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