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Microplastic Spectral Classification Needs an Open Source Community: Open Specy to the Rescue!
Win Cowger1, Zacharias Steinmetz2, Andrew Gray1
1Department of Environmental Science, University of California, Riverside, 900 University Avenue, Riverside, California 92521, United States.
Analytical Chemistry
|May 19, 2021
Summary
Open Specy is a free, open-source software solution for analyzing microplastic spectra. It offers accurate identification and data sharing, addressing limitations in current spectral analysis tools for microplastic research.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Data Science
Background:
- Microplastic research is hindered by a lack of accurate and affordable spectral classification tools.
- Existing spectral libraries often fail to represent the diverse nature of microplastic pollutants.
- Current spectral matching tools suffer from inaccuracies and high costs, limiting widespread adoption.
Purpose of the Study:
- To introduce Open Specy, a novel, free, and open-source software for microplastic spectral analysis.
- To provide a web-based platform and R package for processing, identifying, and sharing microplastic spectra.
- To enhance the accuracy and reproducibility of microplastic identification through a community-driven spectral library.
Main Methods:
- Open Specy utilizes Savitzky-Golay filtering and IModPolyFit for spectral data processing.
- It employs correlation-based matching criteria against an onboard reference library for identification.
- The software facilitates data sharing and includes session logs to ensure reproducible results.
Main Results:
- Open Specy offers comparable accuracy to commercial spectral analysis software like OMNIC Picta and KnowItAll.
- It is the only open-source software solution available with an integrated community library for microplastic spectra.
- The platform successfully enables users to process, identify, and share spectral data.
Conclusions:
- Open Specy provides a viable, cost-effective, and accurate solution for microplastic spectral analysis.
- Its open-source nature and community library foster collaboration and improve data representation.
- Future development, driven by community contributions, will further enhance spectral identification accuracy and expand applications beyond microplastics.
