We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Sizing and quantification of micro- and nanoplastics by single particle ICP-MS: a comparison between quadrupole and high-resolution instruments
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists compared two types of high-tech instruments used to detect and measure tiny plastic particles (microplastics and even smaller nanoplastics) in samples, since accurately counting these pollutants is tricky but important for understanding health risks. They found each instrument type has different strengths and weaknesses—neither is perfect, and both tend to undercount the particles present—highlighting that researchers need to choose their tools carefully to get reliable results. This matters because as scientists work to understand how microplastics affect our bodies, having trustworthy measurement methods is a crucial first step toward answering that question accurately.
Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) are widespread environmental pollutants of growing concern due to their persistence and impacts on ecosystems and human health. Their small size, chemical complexity, and low environmental concentrations make accurate detection and quantification challenging. Single-particle (sp) ICP-MS has emerged as a promising technique for sizing and quantifying small MNPs based on their elemental content, yet the performance of different ICP-MS instrument types remains insufficiently evaluated. In this work, the analytical performance of quadrupole (Q) and high-resolution (HR) spICP-MS was systematically compared for sizing and quantifying metal-doped polystyrene (PS) particles at both the micro- (2.5 μm) and nano-scale (198 nm) by monitoring carbon or metal content. For the analysis of NPs via metal-based detection, both instruments enabled the reliable determination of particle size, particle mass, and mass concentration. The HR system showed enhanced metal sensitivity and improved particle size resolution, while the Q system provided better recoveries of particle number concentration. For the analysis of MPs, spICP-HRMS provided superior sensitivity for metal-based detection, whereas spICP-QMS delivered better carbon-based detection performance and lower size detection limits due to its reduced carbon background. Both techniques underestimated particle mass and number concentrations, reflecting the influence of particle losses, especially pronounced in the HR system, and the need for accurate transport efficiency determination. The use of different data processing tools did not have a significant impact on spICP-MS results. These findings emphasize the importance of carefully selecting the type of ICP-MS instrument, detection approach (metal versus carbon), and calibration strategy for reliable quantification and size characterization of MNPs by spICP-MS.
More Papers Like This
Developing Single Particle Icp-ms as a Technique to Advance Microplastics Analysis Capabilities
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists improved a specialized lab technique that can detect and precisely count tiny plastic particles as small as a few millionths of a meter—smaller than what most current methods can reliably measure. This matters because before we can understand how microplastics affect our health, researchers need trustworthy, standardized ways to detect and measure them in things like water, food, or even human tissue, and this study is a step toward making those measurements more accurate and comparable across labs.
Instrument-dependent variability affects both microplastic polymer identification and quantification: an inter-laboratory comparison using polymer standards
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists testing the same plastic samples across labs in seven countries found that different machines and equipment setups gave surprisingly different results for identifying and counting microplastics—even when everyone followed the same testing steps. This matters because it means current microplastic pollution data may vary based on what equipment a lab uses rather than reflecting real differences in the environment, making it harder to know how much microplastic exposure we're actually dealing with until testing methods become more standardized.
Orthogonal in-line microscopy coupled with SP ICP-MS for the quantitative analysis of microparticles.
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists have developed a new way to combine two lab techniques so they can accurately count and measure tiny microplastic particles, including ones that older methods completely missed or undercounted. This matters because reliable measurement tools are the first step toward understanding how much microplastic we're actually exposed to, which is essential for studying its potential health effects.
Development and evaluation of a pretreatment procedure for single particle ICP-MS quantitative analysis of microplastics in inorganic-carbon-rich water samples
AI summary Read the abstract
Scientists developed a new method to clean tap water samples so they can more accurately detect tiny microplastic particles—even ones smaller than 2 microns (way thinner than a human hair)—using a sensitive lab technique that was previously thrown off by natural minerals in tap water. This matters because better detection tools are the first step toward understanding just how much microplastic might be in the water we drink every day, which is still a major unknown in assessing risks to our health.
Comparison of different methods for MP detection: What can we learn from them, and why asking the right question before measurements matters?
AI summary Read the abstract
This comparative study evaluated several different analytical methods for detecting and measuring microplastics, finding that the choice of method significantly affects results. The authors emphasize that choosing the right method depends on the specific research question, and that standardization is essential for comparing data across studies.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.