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Nanoplastics Identification in Complex Environmental Matrices: Strategies for Polystyrene and Polypropylene
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Researchers developed and compared analytical strategies for detecting and identifying polystyrene and polypropylene nanoplastics in complex environmental matrices, evaluating techniques including pyrolysis-GC/MS, Raman spectroscopy, and electron microscopy, and proposing a multi-method workflow for environmental samples.
Identification of nanoplastics in complex environmental matrices remains a challenge. Despite the increase in nanoplastics studies, there is a lack of studies dedicated to nanoplastics detection, partially explained by their carbon-based structure, their wide variety of composition, and their low environmental concentrations compared to the natural organic matter. Here, pyrolysis coupled to a GCMS instrumental setup provided a relevant analytical response for polypropylene and polystyrene nanoplastic suspensions. Specific pyrolysis markers and their indicative fragment ions were selected and validated. Possible interferences with environmental matrices were explored by spiking nanoplastics in various organic matter suspensions (i.e., algae, soil natural organic matter, and soil humic acid) and analyzing an environmental suspension of nanoplastics. While a rapid polypropylene nanoplastics identification was validated, polystyrene nanoplastics require preliminary treatment. The strategies presented herein open new possibilities for the detection/identification of nanoplastics in environmental matrices such as soil, dust, and biota.
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