0
Article Tier 2 Sign in to save

An insight into different microplastic detection methods

International Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 2021 101 citations

AI summary Read the abstract

Researchers critically reviewing microplastic detection methods evaluated analytical techniques including spectroscopy and mass spectrometry alongside emerging sensor-based approaches, identifying the flaws of current methods and proposing novel combinatory strategies to reduce false-positive and false-negative results.

Microplastic (< 5 mm) is a worldwide threat and emerging concern that contaminates almost all environmental compartments. These pollutants possess great potential to harm living beings, and their detection is undoubtedly an essential topic of research. Scientists have rigorously worked for decades to crack the puzzle of detection drawbacks and minimize risks of producing false-positive or false-negative results. In this work, we critically review the various techniques currently used to detect microplastics in the environment. It also provides insight into various detection techniques flaws and suggests better alternatives. We review two basic detection approaches—analytical and sensor-based. Some novel and combinatory techniques have also been suggested to help crack microplastic detection issues. There is a critical need to extensively understand these polymer types to curb the threat of its global exposure to human health.

More Papers Like This

Article Tier 2

Microplastics Detection Techniques

AI summary Read the abstract

Researchers reviewed the principal methods used to detect and characterize microplastics across diverse environmental matrices, evaluating the strengths and limitations of spectroscopic, microscopic, and thermal analysis techniques for identifying particle size, shape, and polymer type.

Article Tier 2

Convention and beyond: an insight into current methods of microplastic detection

AI summary Read the abstract

Microplastics, tiny plastic particles that have infiltrated our air, water, and food, can only be managed if scientists can reliably detect and identify them, so this review rounds up the current toolkit for spotting these particles, from simple visual inspection to advanced lab instruments that analyze their chemical makeup. Understanding which detection methods work best matters because accurately measuring microplastic contamination is the first step toward figuring out how much we're actually exposed to and what risks that exposure might pose to our health. This paper doesn't test microplastics' health effects directly, but it lays the groundwork by comparing how well different detection techni

Article Tier 2

Exploring Innovations in Microplastics Detection: A Comprehensive Methodological Review

AI summary Read the abstract

This review compares cutting-edge microplastic detection methods including hyperspectral imaging, nano-thermal analysis, and atomic force microscopy, evaluating their accuracy, efficiency, and applicability across different environments. Better detection tools are foundational to understanding the true scale of microplastic pollution and enabling the evidence-based regulations needed to protect public health.

Article Tier 2

Methods in Microplastics Extraction and Identification

AI summary Read the abstract

Researchers evaluate methods for extracting and identifying microplastics from food items consumed by humans, addressing the analytical challenges of detecting these contaminants of emerging concern across a wide range of food matrices.

Article Tier 2

An Overview of Methodologies for Tracing and Quantifying Microplastics in Environmental Samples

AI summary Read the abstract

The absence of standardized methods for sampling, preparing, and quantifying microplastics in complex environmental matrices severely limits comparability of research findings. Developing unified tracing and quantification methodologies is essential for building a coherent global picture of microplastic contamination levels and health risks.

Research digests by email

When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.

Email me about

Share this paper