Microplastics: An overview on separation, identification and characterization of microplastics

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Analytical Chemistry
• Materials Science

Background:

• Plastic residues are a significant environmental threat.
• Microplastics (<5 mm) and nanoplastics (<1 μm) are pervasive and difficult to remove.
• Their small size complicates detection and remediation efforts.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide an overview of microplastic concerns.
• To review current methods for microplastic sampling and identification.
• To identify areas for future technological development.

Main Methods:

• Sampling techniques discussed include sieving, filtration, visual sorting, digestion, and density separation.
• Identification methods covered are Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (SEM-EDS), Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), Near-Infrared Spectroscopy (NIR), Raman Spectroscopy, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy.
• The review synthesizes information on established and emerging analytical approaches.

Main Results:

• Various methods exist for microplastic sampling and identification in environmental matrices.
• Current techniques provide valuable data but have limitations in terms of cost and portability.
• The review highlights the effectiveness of techniques like SEM-EDS and FTIR for microplastic characterization.

Conclusions:

• Effective sampling and identification are crucial for understanding microplastic pollution.
• There is a need for more economical and portable techniques for microplastic analysis.
• Further research and development are required to address the challenges posed by microplastics and nanoplastics.