We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Application of fluorescent microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy for analysis of microplastics in Can Gio seawater
Summary
Researchers validated a dual-method approach combining Nile Red fluorescence microscopy with infrared spectroscopy to detect microplastics in seawater, achieving recoveries of 88-97% across five plastic types. Applying the method to 27 samples from Can Gio Sea near Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, they found polyethylene and PET were the most abundant plastics — contributing new data from an understudied coastal region of Southeast Asia.
Microplastics (MPs) pollution has become a global challenge due to their persistent properties and harm to nature and human health. Observation of MPs pollution, especially in marine environments, is a critical concern in environmental analysis. In this work, we validate the method for detecting the presence of MPs in seawater by using fluorescence microscopy with Nile Red dye combined with Attenuated Total Reflectance Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (ATC-FTIR). The specificity and accuracy of this method were evaluated by analyzing the standard spiked samples. Five standard MPs and chitin samples used in this study were polyamide (PA), polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) with a diameter from 5 to 300µm. The obtained recovery was 88.3-96.7%, with the related standard deviation (RSD%) in the range of 4.6-11.0%. This method was applied to determine microplastics in 27 seawater samples at three locations in Can Gio Sea, Ho Chi Minh City. The results showed the pollution level of each type of MP was significantly varied, with PE and PET being the highest, while there was almost no PMMA in seawater samples. ® 2023 Journal of Science and Technology - NTTU
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Application of fluorescent microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy for analysis of microplastics in Can Gio seawater
Researchers validated the combined use of fluorescent microscopy and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy for detecting and identifying microplastics in marine environmental samples. The dual-technique approach improved detection sensitivity and chemical identification accuracy compared to either method used alone.
Characteristics and distribution of microplastics in the estuarine environment and beach sands of Can Gio, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Researchers assessed the spatiotemporal distribution of microplastics in estuaries and beaches of the Can Gio Biosphere Reserve in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, collecting over 300 water and sediment samples across dry and rainy seasons and characterising particles by size, morphology, and polymer composition using FTIR spectroscopy.
Assessing Microplastic Prevalence and Dispersion from Saigon Urban Canals via Can Gio Mangrove Reserve to East Sea by Raman Scattering Microscopy
Researchers used Raman scattering microscopy to assess microplastic prevalence and dispersion along a transect from Saigon urban canals through the Can Gio Mangrove Reserve to the East Sea, characterizing how urban plastic pollution travels through mangrove ecosystems into coastal marine waters.
Classification of microplastic characteristics in surface water and sediments in the lower Mekong river (Vietnam) in the dry season
Researchers analyzed microplastic distribution and polymer composition at 17 locations along the Mekong River in Vietnam during the April 2024 dry season, collecting samples from both surface water and riverbed sediments and characterizing them by optical microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. They found that microplastic densities were higher in more urbanized areas and were influenced by geographical location, transportation activities, population density, and local hydrological characteristics.
Combination of Micro‐Raman and Infrared Spectroscopy to Identify Intriguing Case of Aged Microplastics of Estuarine Sediments
Researchers used a combination of Raman and infrared spectroscopy to identify aged microplastics in mangrove sediments near Santos, Brazil, one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. The dual-technique approach was able to identify not only the plastic polymers but also chemical additives like blue ink and green dye embedded in the particles. The study demonstrates how combining analytical methods improves the accuracy of microplastic identification in complex environmental samples.