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Updated: Sep 30, 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

Micro and Nanoplastics Identification: Classic Methods and Innovative Detection Techniques.

Stefania Mariano¹, Stefano Tacconi¹, Marco Fidaleo²

¹Department of Biological and Environmental Science and Technology, University of Salento, Lecce, Italy.

Frontiers in Toxicology

|March 17, 2022

Summary

Micro and nanoplastics are tiny plastic fragments found globally, posing environmental risks. This review explores current and emerging techniques for identifying these pervasive pollutants, highlighting microscopy and spectroscopy.

Keywords:

analytical methods characterization environmental matrices microplastics microscopy nanoplastics spectroscopy

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Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Analytical Chemistry
Materials Science

Background:

Microplastics and nanoplastics (<1 mm) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants affecting terrestrial and marine ecosystems.
Their widespread presence necessitates reliable identification methods across diverse environmental matrices.
Current analytical challenges hinder accurate quantification and characterization of these small particles.

Purpose of the Study:

To review and evaluate existing and emerging techniques for microplastic and nanoplastic identification.
To discuss the advantages and limitations of various physical and chemical analytical methods.
To highlight challenges and propose future directions for improving micro/nanoplastic detection.

Main Methods:

Review of microscopical techniques: dissecting, polarized, fluorescence, scanning electron, and atomic force microscopy.
Integration of chemical analysis, particularly spectroscopy, to overcome limitations of microscopy.
Exploration of novel approaches like holographic imaging for direct microplastic detection in water.

Main Results:

Microscopy provides visual identification but struggles with smaller particles, yielding incomplete results.
Combining microscopy with spectroscopy enhances identification accuracy for micro and nanoplastics.
Holographic imaging offers direct imaging in unfiltered water, differentiating plastics from biological matter and characterizing plastic types.

Conclusions:

Accurate identification of micro and nanoplastics requires advanced analytical techniques.
Combining complementary methods like microscopy and spectroscopy is crucial for comprehensive analysis.
Development of novel, integrated analytical instruments is essential to address current identification challenges.