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Mass Spectrometry as an Analytical Tool for Detection of Microplastics in the Environment
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This review evaluates mass spectrometry techniques for detecting microplastics in the environment, covering GC-MS, LC-MS, MALDI-MS, and pyrolysis-based methods while comparing their capabilities for polymer identification, quantification, and size characterization.
Plastic particles smaller than 5 mm accumulate in aqueous, terrestrial, and atmospheric environments and their discovery has been a serious concern when it comes to eco-toxicology and human health risk assessment. In the following review, the potential of mass spectrometry (MS) for the detection of microplastic (MP) pollutants has been elaborately reviewed. The use of various mass spectrometric techniques ranging from gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatographic mass spectrometric (LC-MS) to matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), including their variants, have been reviewed. The lapses in the detection system have been addressed and future recommendations proposed. The challenges facing microplastics and their detection have been discussed and future directions, including mitigation methods, have been presented.
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Recent developments in mass spectrometry for the characterization of micro- and nanoscale plastic debris in the environment
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This review examines advances in mass spectrometry techniques for characterizing micro- and nanoplastic debris in environmental samples, covering particle sizing, polymer identification, and quantification approaches. Improved mass spectrometry methods are expanding the ability to detect and characterize nanoplastics, which are particularly challenging to measure with conventional spectroscopic approaches.
Microplastics Identification by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (py-GCMS)
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This paper reviews pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) as a method for identifying and quantifying microplastics in environmental samples. The technique can identify specific polymer types even in complex environmental matrices where visual identification is difficult.
Optimization, performance, and application of a pyrolysis-GC/MS method for the identification of microplastics
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Researchers optimized a pyrolysis-GC/MS method for identifying and quantifying microplastics in environmental samples, improving the reliability of polymer identification especially for small particles that are difficult to classify visually. The improved method is particularly valuable for analyzing the smallest microplastic size fractions that dominate by number in marine environments.
Development of a Py-GC/MS method and its application to identify marine microplastics
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Researchers developed a pyrolysis-GC/MS analytical method for identifying marine microplastics by polymer type, providing an alternative chemical characterization approach for environmental samples where spectroscopic methods are difficult to apply.
Microplastics analysis in environmental samples – recent pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method improvements to increase the reliability of mass-related data
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This study improved pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) methods for measuring mass-related microplastic data in environmental samples, enhancing reliability and sensitivity for trace-level analysis. Better analytical methods are essential for accurately quantifying microplastic contamination across diverse environmental matrices.
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When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.