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Updated: Jul 6, 2025
10:16
Protocol for Microplastics Sampling on the Sea Surface and Sample Analysis
Published on: December 16, 2016
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A reliable method to determine airborne microplastics using quantum cascade laser infrared spectrometry
Adrián López-Rosales1, Borja Ferreiro1, José Andrade1
1Group of Applied Analytical Chemistry, University Institute of Environment, Universidade da Coruña, Campus da Zapateira s/n, E-15071 A Coruña, Spain.
The Science of the Total Environment
|December 30, 2023
Summary
A new method efficiently samples and characterizes airborne microplastics (MPs) using passive devices and alkaline-oxidative digestion. This approach quantifies MP deposition rates and polymer types in suburban areas.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Analytical Chemistry
- Atmospheric Science
Background:
- Growing research on airborne microplastics (MPs) highlights the need for standardized sampling and analysis methods.
- Current techniques for airborne MP detection face challenges in consistency and efficiency.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a fast, reliable method for characterizing airborne microplastics.
- To optimize sampling and digestion techniques for atmospheric bulk deposition.
- To evaluate airborne MP deposition rates and polymer composition in a suburban environment.
Main Methods:
- Two passive sampling devices were used for collecting wet and dry atmospheric deposition.
- Alkaline-oxidative digestion using KOH and NaClO was optimized for mild organic matrix removal.
- A high-throughput laser-based infrared (LDIR) device was employed, with optimized parameters for particle/fibre differentiation and spectral matching.
Main Results:
- The optimized alkaline-oxidative method demonstrated good procedural analytical recoveries for particles (82-90%) and fibres (62-73%).
- The LDIR device achieved >90% success in differentiating fibres from particles and used a match index >0.85 for positive spectral identification.
- Airborne microplastic deposition rates in NW Spain ranged from 98-1220 MP/m²/day, with Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) being the most common polymers.
Conclusions:
- The developed method offers a standardized and efficient approach for airborne microplastic analysis.
- Airborne microplastics constitute a small fraction (approx. 1.7%) of total atmospheric particles, with distinct size distributions for particles and fibres.
- The study provides crucial data on airborne MP contamination in a suburban area, informing environmental monitoring and policy.
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