We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Selective determination of poly(styrene) and polyolefin microplastics in sandy beach sediments by gel permeation chromatography coupled with fluorescence detection
AI summary Read the abstract
A new analytical method using gel permeation chromatography with fluorescence detection was developed to identify polystyrene and polyolefin microplastics in beach sediment samples. This technique offers a selective and sensitive alternative to spectroscopy-based methods for detecting common plastic types in environmental samples.
Microplastics generated by plastics waste degradation are ubiquitous in marine and freshwater basins, posing serious environmental concerns. Raman and FTIR spectroscopies, along with techniques such as pyrolysis-GC/MS, are typically used for their identification. We present a procedure based on gel permeation chromatography (GPC) coupled with fluorescence detection for semi-quantitative selective determination of the most common microplastics found in marine shoreline sediments: poly(styrene) (PS) and partially degraded polyolefins (LDPEox). By operating the detector at either 260/280 or 370/420 nm excitation/emission wavelengths PS can be distinguished from LDPEox upon GPC separation. Semi-quantitative determination of microplastics contents is also possible: dichloromethane extracts of PS and LDPEox yield linear plots of fluorescence peak area vs concentration (0-5.0 mg/mL range) and were used as reference materials for quantification of the microplastics content in sand samples collected in the winter berm and dune sectors of a Tuscany beach in Italy.
More Papers Like This
Convenient determination of polystyrene microplastics in soils by gel permeation chromatography-ultraviolet detection analysis
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed a practical method for detecting polystyrene microplastics in soil using gel permeation chromatography with ultraviolet detection after a simple acid-assisted extraction. The method achieved good recovery rates and low detection limits, making it accessible for routine soil monitoring without requiring expensive instrumentation. The study offers a convenient analytical tool for tracking polystyrene microplastic contamination in agricultural and environmental soils.
New techniques for the detection of microplastics in sediments and field collected organisms
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed new techniques for detecting microplastics in sediment samples and for collecting particles in the field, improving the reliability and sensitivity of methods used to monitor environmental microplastic contamination.
Excitation–Emission Fluorescence Mapping Analysis of Microplastics That Are Typically Pollutants
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers introduced a two-dimensional fluorescence excitation-emission mapping method for identifying common microplastics including polystyrene, PET, and polypropylene. Unlike conventional fluorescence approaches that use a single excitation wavelength, this technique captures spectral fingerprints across a range of wavelengths for more reliable identification. The method offers a non-destructive, label-free alternative for detecting microplastic contamination.
Polymer Sorting Through Fluorescence Spectra
AI summary Read the abstract
Identifying which type of plastic a particle is made of is a key step in microplastics research, and this study explored using fluorescence spectroscopy as a faster, cheaper alternative to standard methods. By exposing six common polymers to different light wavelengths and analyzing their fluorescence signatures, the researchers found combinations of wavelengths that could reliably distinguish between plastics like polystyrene, polyamide, and polypropylene. This technique could streamline polymer identification in large-scale environmental monitoring programs.
Quantification of poly(ethylene terephthalate) micro- and nanoparticle contaminants in marine sediments and other environmental matrices
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers developed and validated a method to quantify PET (polyethylene terephthalate) micro- and nanoparticles in marine sediments and other environmental matrices using chemical digestion and fluorescence detection. This polymer-specific quantification approach addresses a gap in methods for tracking one of the world's most widely used plastics in the environment.
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.