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Comparison of Raman and fluorescence microscopy for identification of small (< 2 μm) microplastics in soil
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Researchers compared Raman and fluorescence microscopy for detecting very small microplastics (1-2 micrometers) in different soil types. The study found that while Raman microscopy could identify polystyrene in simpler matrices like quartz sand, it failed in clay-rich soils and soils containing organic matter, whereas fluorescence microscopy consistently detected microplastics across all soil types and concentrations tested.
The study of microplastics (MP) in soils presents significant challenges due to the absence of standardized extraction techniques and the strong matrix interferences that complicate MP detection, particularly for the smallest particle sizes. As a result, little is known about the behavior and dynamics of these minute MP in soil environments. In this study, we assessed and compared the direct detection of fluorescently labelled small MP (1-2 μm) using Raman and fluorescence microscopy across matrices with varying complexity. We introduced fluorescent polystyrene (PS) microparticles (1.71 ± 0.03 μm in diameter) into different substrates-pure quartz sand and soils with distinct textural properties (sandy loam, silt loam, and clay loam). The soils were analyzed both with and without prior removal of native soil organic matter (SOM). MP were added at concentrations ranging from 0.1 % to 0.001 % (corresponding to a range of natural concentrations), after which their detection was evaluated using μ-Raman and fluorescence microscopy. Raman analysis successfully identified characteristic PS peaks (notably at 1001 cm) in quartz sand at all tested concentrations and, to some extent, in sandy loam and silt loam. However, detection failed in clay loam and in all soil samples still containing the native SOM. In contrast, MP across all concentrations and soil types were consistently visualized by fluorescence microscopy. Furthermore, fluorescent PS particles were directly observed via fluorescence microscopy in field samples collected from an experiment where MP downward transport was monitored, whereas detection was challenging with Raman microscopy. The ability to directly and unequivocally identify fluorescent MP in complex soil matrices eliminates the need for time-intensive extraction methods and offers new opportunities for investigating the movement and behavior of the smallest MP fractions in soil.
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Fluorescence microscopy versus Raman spectroscopy for direct identification of small (< 2 µm) microplastics in soils
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Researchers compared fluorescence microscopy and Raman spectroscopy for detecting very small microplastics (1-2 micrometers) in soil samples ranging from pure sand to complex organic-rich soils. Fluorescence microscopy was faster and cheaper but less specific, while Raman spectroscopy provided reliable polymer identification even in complex matrices. The study provides practical guidance on selecting detection methods based on sample complexity and size range of interest.
Detecting and monitoring the leaching of small (¡ 2 µm) microplastics in soils by fluorescence microscopy
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Researchers developed a fluorescence microscopy method to detect and monitor the leaching of small microplastics (under 2 µm) in soils, comparing it against µ-Raman spectroscopy across matrices of varying complexity and demonstrating its applicability for tracking the smallest microplastic fraction in soil systems.
Detecting and monitoring the leaching of small (¡ 2 µm) microplastics in soils by fluorescence microscopy
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Researchers compared fluorescence microscopy and mu-Raman spectroscopy for detecting the smallest microplastic fraction (1-2 µm) in soils of varying matrix complexity, then used fluorescent microplastics in field conditions to directly measure leaching rates of small particles through soil profiles. The study demonstrated that fluorescence microscopy enables detection and tracking of sub-2 µm microplastics in field soils, providing a practical method for studying the dynamics of the smallest, most mobile plastic fraction in terrestrial environments.
Identification and visualisation of microplastics by Raman mapping
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Researchers demonstrated that Raman mapping can identify and visualize microplastics within soil and sand samples with minimal sample preparation. The technique successfully detected various polymer types against complex natural backgrounds without requiring dyes or destructive processing. The study presents Raman mapping as a practical, non-destructive analytical tool for studying microplastic distribution in environmental matrices like soil.
First experimental evidence of fast leaching of small (1.7 µm) microplastics added to soil in field conditions
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Researchers compared µ-Raman spectroscopy and fluorescence microscopy for detecting the smallest microplastic fraction (1-2 µm) in complex soil matrices, then demonstrated using fluorescent MP tracers under field conditions that small microplastics leach rapidly through soil, providing the first direct experimental evidence of fast vertical MP migration at this size range.
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