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Advanced Detection Techniques for Microplastics in Different Environmental Media
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This review analyzed 115 marine microplastic studies published in 2020 to assess the diversity of sampling and laboratory methods being used. Wide variation in protocols made cross-study comparisons difficult, confirming the lack of standardization in marine microplastics research. The authors identify the most commonly used detection techniques and highlight critical gaps in method validation.
The presence of microplastics (MPs) has been reported in different environments, including marine, which are increasingly being studied. However, there are still no standardized methods for taking samples and analyzing them in the laboratory; so adaptations of other methods are often made. The objective of this work was to analyze the MPs sampling methods and the laboratory sample processing used by studies of different marine environments, published in ScienceDirect in 2020. In total, 115 works were analyzed, and it was found that they employ different sampling and analysis methods for the study of MP. The selection of one method or another depends on the objective of the investigation, the availability of equipment, and financial resources. Regardless of the method selected, it is essential to take measures to avoid cross-contamination that may alter the results.
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