We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastics: Challenges, toxicity, spectroscopic and real-time detection methods
Summary
This review paper summarizes the challenges of detecting microplastics and the latest methods scientists use to find and identify them, including infrared, Raman, and fluorescence spectroscopy. It also covers the known toxic effects of microplastics on living organisms, including how they can carry harmful chemicals and pathogens. Better detection methods are important because understanding where microplastics are and what types are present is the first step toward assessing health risks.
Plastics are in high demand for various uses worldwide because of their low cost, versatility, lightweight, low density, flexibility, high strength, and durability. An increase in single-use plastics and ineffective solid waste disposal and recycling strategies have resulted in a global microplastic (MP) pollution epidemic, with negative implications for the ecosystem and public health safety. Analytical methods, including thermogravimetry and chromatography, have been developed to detect MPs. Nevertheless, molecular spectroscopy methods such as Near Infrared (NIR), Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Raman, and fluorescence spectroscopy for MP analysis have gained attention in recent years due to their rapidity, low cost, accuracy, and portability of spectrometers. This review article provides in-depth coverage of the survey of current literature on the challenges, toxicity, sample pretreatment, and spectroscopic (Fluorescence, Raman, FTIR) and real-time (satellite imagery, unmanned aerial vehicles, and aquatic drone technology) microplastic detection methods. Machine learning, micro-hyperspectral imaging, and chemometrics approach to microplastic detections are discussed. The challenges, future directions, and prospects for decreasing global MP pollution and their analysis are discussed.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic Detection and Monitoring in Biological and Environmental Systems: A Mini Review of Techniques and Strategies
This mini review compares the major techniques used to detect and measure microplastics in both environmental and biological samples, including infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry methods. Researchers evaluated the strengths and limitations of each approach for identifying different types and sizes of microplastic particles. The study provides practical guidance for choosing the right detection method depending on the specific research question and sample type.
Microplastic pollution: a review of techniques to identify microplastics and their threats to the aquatic ecosystem
This review summarizes existing research on methods for identifying microplastics in water and their effects on aquatic ecosystems. The paper covers detection techniques like infrared and Raman spectroscopy and discusses how microplastics threaten aquatic organisms through ingestion and entanglement. Since these contaminated organisms enter the human food chain, the findings underscore why understanding aquatic microplastic pollution matters for human health.
High-resolution characterization technology for micro-/nano-plastics
This review provides an overview of advanced technologies for detecting and characterizing micro- and nanoplastics, including Raman spectroscopy, infrared imaging, and mass spectrometry techniques. Researchers evaluated the capabilities and limitations of each method, particularly for identifying the smallest plastic particles that are most challenging to measure. The study emphasizes that improving detection at the nanoscale is essential for accurately assessing the environmental and health risks of plastic pollution.
Advances in microplastic characterization: Spectroscopic techniques and heavy metal adsorption insights
This review covers the various techniques scientists use to identify and characterize microplastics and the heavy metals that stick to their surfaces, including infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and electron microscopy. Understanding what types of plastics are present and what toxic metals they carry is essential for assessing the health risks of microplastic exposure.
Recognition and detection technology for microplastic, its source and health effects
This review summarizes current knowledge about detecting microplastics and their effects on human health, covering methods like FTIR spectroscopy and Raman imaging. The authors highlight that micro- and nanoplastics can cause a range of health problems including oxidative stress, reduced reproductive ability, inflammation, and damage to the circulatory and respiratory systems. The review emphasizes the urgent need for better detection methods so that researchers and regulators can accurately assess how much microplastic people are actually exposed to.