0
Article Tier 2 Sign in to save

Pre-detection of microplastics using active thermography

Chemosphere 2020 12 citations

AI summary Read the abstract

Researchers proposed and tested a new method using active mid-infrared thermography imaging to pre-screen samples for microplastics before more detailed chemical analysis. The approach could significantly speed up microplastic detection workflows by quickly identifying candidate particles in mixed environmental samples.

Spectrometric analysis is one of the most widely used approaches to characterize the chemical nature of microplastics. Despite recent developments, this key step remains time consuming. The aim of this paper is to propose a new method for the pre-detection of microplastics based on mid-infrared imaging. Plastic particles were mixed with sand particles and placed on a glass filter. Infrared observation with a thermal camera shows a stronger thermal contrast measured between the filter and the plastics than between the filter and the sand, which reveals the plastic particles in a few tens of seconds. An image processing tool is then used to amplify this contrast. Furthermore, this pre-detection method makes it possible to propose hypotheses on the most probable chemical nature of the particles identified. Consequently, pre-detection using active thermography constitutes a promising way of significantly accelerating microplastic study.

More Papers Like This

Article Tier 2

Fast identification of microplastics in complex environmental samples by a thermal degradation method

AI summary Read the abstract

Researchers developed a fast identification method for microplastics in complex environmental samples using thermal analysis, offering a high-throughput alternative to spectroscopic techniques for polymer identification.

Article Tier 2

Novel approach to Infrared spectroscopy and imaging for the routine characterization of microplastics in environmental samples

AI summary Read the abstract

This study presents an improved infrared spectroscopy and imaging approach for routine identification and characterization of microplastics in environmental samples, addressing the need for standardized analytical methods. Consistent, reliable detection methods are essential for generating comparable data across studies to accurately assess the true scale of global microplastic pollution.

Article Tier 2

Using FTIRS as pre-screening method for detection of microplastic in bulk sediment samples

AI summary Read the abstract

A new pre-screening method using infrared spectroscopy was developed to detect plastic particles (LDPE and PET) mixed in sediment samples without time-consuming manual sorting. This technique could speed up large-scale environmental monitoring for microplastic contamination.

Article Tier 2

Infrared Emission Spectroscopic Imaging of Microplastics Using Long-Wavelength Infrared Hyperspectral Camera with Imaging-Type Two-Dimensional Fourier Spectroscopy

AI summary Read the abstract

Researchers tested a long-wavelength infrared hyperspectral camera system for imaging and identifying microplastics, finding it could distinguish different polymer types based on their thermal emission spectra. The approach offers a potentially faster and more cost-effective alternative to conventional Fourier-transform infrared microscopy for high-throughput microplastic screening.

Article Tier 2

Short-wave infrared hyperspectral imaging of microplastics: Effects of chemical and physical processes on spectral signatures and detection capabilities

AI summary Read the abstract

Researchers evaluated short-wave infrared hyperspectral imaging for rapid microplastic detection and polymer identification, testing the effects of various physical and chemical weathering agents on spectral signatures and finding the technique effective for identifying multiple polymer types in complex samples.

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