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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Dec 26, 2025

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis

Published on: December 16, 2016

Correlative Microscopy and Spectroscopy Workflow for Microplastics.

George Sarau^1,2,3,4, Lasse Kling^1,2,4, Barbara E Oßmann^2,5,6

¹Helmholtz-Zentrum Berlin für Materialien und Energie, Berlin, Germany.

Applied Spectroscopy

|March 19, 2020

Summary

This summary is machine-generated.

This study introduces a novel correlative microscopy and spectroscopy workflow for visualizing and characterizing microplastics (MPs) and nanoplastics. This method enables detailed analysis of MP morphology and chemical identification, crucial for understanding human exposure and health impacts.

Keywords:

Microplastic Raman SEM correlative workflow microscopy nanoplastic scanning electron microscopy spectroscopy

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Last Updated: Dec 26, 2025

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Sampling, Sorting, and Characterizing Microplastics in Aquatic Environments with High Suspended Sediment Loads and Large Floating Debris

Published on: July 28, 2018

Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Analytical Chemistry
Materials Science

Background:

Microplastics (MPs) are increasingly prevalent in the environment, fragmenting into smaller nanoplastics.
Human exposure to MPs via food and air necessitates understanding their potential health consequences.
Accurate visualization and characterization of MPs are vital for health risk assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

To present the first correlative microscopy and spectroscopy workflow for microplastic and nanoplastic analysis.
To demonstrate the capability of merging optical and electron microscopy with Raman spectroscopy for detailed MP characterization.
To evaluate low-voltage scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for MP imaging without conductive coating.

Main Methods:

Utilized a correlative workflow combining optical zoom microscopy and a hyphenated scanning electron microscopy (SEM)-Raman system.
Investigated standard MP particles on aluminum-coated polycarbonate membrane filters.
Integrated data from multiple microscopy techniques within a single software for spatial correlation.

Main Results:

Achieved correlative analysis of MP morphology (electron and optical resolutions) and chemical identification (Raman spectroscopy) at identical locations.
Demonstrated that low-voltage SEM effectively images MPs without conductive coating, avoiding charging and structural changes.
Enabled high-resolution surface imaging of single and clustered MPs, facilitating subsequent Raman measurements.

Conclusions:

The developed correlative workflow provides efficient and detailed visualization, relocalization, and characterization of microplastics and nanoplastics.
Low-voltage SEM is a suitable method for preparing MPs for Raman spectroscopy analysis.
This workflow holds potential for advancing the accurate identification and quantification of microplastics and nanoplastics in real-world samples.