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Analysis of Microplastics using FTIR Imaging: Application Note
Summary
This application note describes the use of FTIR imaging for detecting and chemically identifying microplastics in environmental samples. FTIR imaging can simultaneously identify the polymer type and spatial distribution of multiple microplastic particles in a single measurement, making it one of the most powerful tools available for microplastic analysis.
In recent years, plastic pollution has received an increasing amount of interest from researchers, politicians, and the public. Microplastics (<5 mm) are a particular concern as they are suspected to accumulate in the environment and aquatic life [1]. Microplastics originate from various sources and can remain in the environment for hundreds of years before they finally decompose. However, the accumulation level and the effects on the environment and aquatic life are poorly understood. This is partly due to a lack of standard analysis protocols and current analytical techniques that are prohibitively time consuming and thus impractical.