We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
The Detection of Plastic and Petroleum Hydrocarbon Pollution at Sea with Laser-Induced Fluorescence
Summary
Researchers evaluated a compact laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) apparatus using a 405 nm laser for detecting and classifying plastic and petroleum hydrocarbon pollutants in water. Fluorescence spectra were successfully recorded for polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, PMMA, and several petroleum substances, with a novel identification indicator proposed for classifying pollutant types under realistic environmental conditions.
Plastic and oil pollutants’ distribution and composition quantifications are vital to better understanding their effects on marine life. We present preliminary experimental results to evaluate the potential of a compact Laser-Induced Fluorescence (LIF) apparatus for the detection of plastics and oil pollutants. The apparatus is based on a comparatively inexpensive method utilizing a 405 nm laser for sample excitation in water. Fluorescence spectra are recorded from known sources of microplastic pollutants, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene and PMMA, as well as several petroleum substances. A novel identification indicator is proposed for classifying the pollutant type in realistic environmental conditions.