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Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jul 27, 2026

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

A facile approach to microplastic identification and quantification using differential scanning calorimetry.

Jooyoung Lee¹, Soyeong Yoon¹, Taesoon Jang¹

¹Department of Environmental Engineering, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon 24341, Republic of Korea.

The Science of the Total Environment

|November 13, 2024

Summary

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) offers a cost-effective and simple method for identifying and quantifying microplastics (MP) in aquatic environments. This thermal analysis technique provides a viable alternative to expensive and time-consuming spectroscopic methods.

Keywords:

Amorphous polymer Differential scanning calorimetry Microplastics Semi-crystalline polymer Wastewater effluent μ-FTIR

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Area of Science:

Environmental Science
Analytical Chemistry
Materials Science

Background:

Microplastic (MP) pollution in aquatic ecosystems is a growing global concern.
Current detection methods like μ-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (μ-FTIR) are costly, time-consuming, and lack quantitative mass concentration data.
There is a need for accessible analytical techniques to identify and quantify MPs in water.

Purpose of the Study:

To develop and validate a cost-effective and straightforward method for microplastic identification and quantification using differential scanning calorimetry (DSC).
To assess the feasibility of DSC as an alternative to μ-FTIR for microplastic analysis in aquatic samples.

Main Methods:

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) was employed to analyze six semi-crystalline and four amorphous polymers.
The heating-cooling-heating method at 20 °C/min was used to determine melting points and glass transition temperatures.
Gaussian and asymmetry double sigmoidal models were applied for peak deconvolution.
A case study analyzed wastewater treatment plant effluent, comparing DSC results with μ-FTIR data.

Main Results:

DSC successfully identified and quantified microplastics based on their characteristic thermal transitions.
Analysis of wastewater effluent yielded an MP concentration of 0.70-0.79 μg/L via DSC.
This translates to a daily discharge of 105-117.75 g of MPs into Uiam Lake.
DSC results showed some variation compared to μ-FTIR (0.54-2.03 μg/L), potentially due to conversion method biases.

Conclusions:

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) is a feasible, economical, and simple analytical method for identifying and quantifying microplastics in aquatic environments.
DSC offers a promising alternative for routine microplastic monitoring, complementing existing spectroscopic techniques.
The study highlights the potential of thermal analysis in addressing microplastic pollution assessment challenges.