We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Rapid and direct detection of small microplastics in aquatic samples by a new near infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) method
Summary
Researchers developed a rapid near-infrared hyperspectral imaging method capable of detecting and chemically identifying small microplastics (down to a few hundred micrometers) in aquatic samples faster and with less labor than traditional spectroscopy approaches.
Microplastic (MP) contamination is a critical environmental challenge with a strong impact on the ecosystems, economy and potentially for human health. The smaller the MP size, the greater is the environmental risks as well as the analytical difficulties in detecting and characterising the particles. .We propose a rapid near infrared hyperspectral imaging (NIR-HSI) method that enables the chemical identification and characterisation of small MP (down to 80 μm) in aquatic samples, directly on filters, with no pre-sorting step needed. By considerably reducing the procedural steps, the time of analysis and costs our method addresses the urgent need of cost-effective and robust tools for extensive monitoring of MP in natural systems.