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Identifying microplastic litter with Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy: A first approach.
C Sommer1, L M Schneider1, J Nguyen1
1Faculty of Physics and Material Sciences Centre, Philipps University of Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
Marine Pollution Bulletin
|August 7, 2021
Summary
Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) offers a rapid method to identify microplastic particles by analyzing their unique spectral fingerprints. This technique effectively distinguishes microplastics from other materials, aiding environmental monitoring.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Materials Science
Background:
- Microplastic pollution presents a significant environmental challenge.
- Accurate identification of microplastic composition is crucial for effective environmental assessment.
- Diverse microplastic litter necessitates versatile analytical methods.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) as a technique for identifying microplastic particles.
- To demonstrate LIBS's capability in distinguishing microplastics from non-plastic materials based on spectral data.
- To assess LIBS as a rapid, in-situ tool for microplastic analysis.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of spectral features from polymer reference spectra.
- Application of LIBS to identify microplastic litter.
- Comparison of spectral fingerprints to distinguish plastic from non-plastic materials.
Main Results:
- LIBS successfully identified microplastic particles using their distinct spectral fingerprints.
- Spectral analysis allowed for reliable differentiation between microplastics and other materials.
- LIBS proved effective in pre-characterizing microparticle material composition.
Conclusions:
- LIBS is a viable and rapid in-situ technique for microplastic identification.
- The method provides spectral fingerprints for reliable material characterization.
- LIBS shows potential as a valuable tool for environmental microplastic studies.
