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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 18, 2025

Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis
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Does microplastic analysis method affect our understanding of microplastics in the environment?

Yuanli Liu1, Bence Prikler2, Gábor Bordós3

  • 1Department of the Built Environment, Aalborg University, Thomas Manns Vej 23, 9220 Aalborg, Denmark.

The Science of the Total Environment
|August 24, 2023
PubMed
Summary

Comparing microplastic (MP) detection methods reveals significant variations in abundance and mass estimates due to differing procedures, substrates, and instrument resolutions. Harmonizing these analytical techniques is crucial for consistent microplastic research.

Keywords:
ComparisonsFTIR analysisMethodological approachesMicroplastic isolationMicroplastics

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Area of Science:

  • Environmental Science
  • Analytical Chemistry
  • Spectroscopy

Background:

  • Microplastic (MP) contamination is a growing environmental concern.
  • Accurate detection and quantification of MPs are essential for environmental monitoring and risk assessment.
  • Existing analytical methods for MP detection, particularly using micro Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (μFTIR) imaging, vary between laboratories.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare two distinct analytical methods for microplastic detection using μFTIR imaging.
  • To investigate how procedural differences influence MP detection, abundance, and mass estimation.
  • To identify key factors contributing to discrepancies in MP analysis results.

Main Methods:

  • Two different μFTIR imaging methods were applied to subsamples of a Danube River water composite sample.
  • Methods differed in MP isolation procedures, optical substrates (zinc selenide windows vs. Anodisc filters), and μFTIR instrument resolution (5.5 μm vs. 25 μm pixel size).
  • MP abundance, mass, and characteristics were analyzed and compared between the two methods.

Main Results:

  • Significant differences were observed in MP abundance and mass estimates between the two methods, particularly for particles >50 μm.
  • The method with higher resolution (5.5 μm) reported substantially higher MP abundance (418-2571 MP m⁻³) and mass estimates (703-1900 μg m⁻³) compared to the lower resolution method (16.7-72.1 MP m⁻³ and 222-439 μg m⁻³).
  • Substrate type (Anodisc filters vs. ZnSe windows) and μFTIR resolution significantly impacted results due to particle agglomeration and 'IR-halo' effects, while MP isolation procedures had a minor effect.

Conclusions:

  • μFTIR instrument resolution and optical substrate choice are critical factors influencing microplastic detection accuracy and quantification.
  • Variability between samples can exceed method-induced differences, highlighting the need for robust sampling strategies.
  • Harmonization of analytical methods, including μFTIR settings and substrate selection, is vital for reducing inter-laboratory variability and improving the reliability of microplastic research.