We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Simply Applicable Method for Microplastics Determination in Environmental Samples
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a simplified headspace solid-phase microextraction followed by GC-MS method for detecting and identifying microplastics in environmental soil and water samples, offering a more accessible alternative to pyrolysis-GC-MS for routine environmental monitoring.
Microplastics (MPs) have gained significant attention in the last two decades and have been widely researched in the marine environment. There are, however, less studies on their presence, routes of entry, and impacts on the biota in the soil environment. One of the main issues in the study of MPs is a lack of standardized methods for their identification in environmental samples. Currently the most commonly used techniques are thermal desorption gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS) methods and pyrolysis followed by GC–MS. In this study, headspace-solid phase microextraction followed by GC–MS is proposed as a simple and widely applicable method for the determination of commonly present polymer MPs (polyethylene terephthalate, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, and polypropylene) in environmental samples, for analytical laboratories with basic equipment worldwide. The proposed method is based on the identification of compounds, which are formed during the well-controlled melting process of specific coarse (1–5 mm) and fine fraction (1 mm–100 μm) MPs. The method was upgraded for the identification of individual polymer type in blends and in complex environmental matrices (soil and algae biomass). The successful application of the method in complex matrices makes it especially suitable for widescale use.
More Papers Like This
Quantification of Microplastics in environmental samples using pressurized liquid extraction and Pyr-GC/MS
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a method combining pressurized liquid extraction with pyrolysis-GC/MS to quantify microplastics by polymer type in environmental samples, achieving faster throughput than conventional approaches. This study demonstrates reliable detection of common polymers at low concentrations in sediment and soil matrices.
Optimization, performance, and application of a pyrolysis-GC/MS method for the identification of microplastics
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Simultaneous Trace Identification and Quantification of Common Types of Microplastics in Environmental Samples by Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a method for simultaneous trace identification and quantification of common microplastic types in environmental samples, improving detection efficiency and enabling more accurate monitoring of multiple plastic polymers at once.
Quantification of microplastics in environmental samples via pressurized liquid extraction and pyrolysis-gas chromatography
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers combined pressurized liquid extraction with pyrolysis-gas chromatography to quantify microplastics in environmental samples, validating the method against reference materials and real-world samples. The approach offers a quantitative, polymer-specific measurement of bulk microplastic mass in sediments and soils, complementing particle-counting methods.
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.