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Analysis of Microplastics and Small Microplastics (<100 ??????m) in Natural Waters via Micro-FTIR
Summary
This book chapter discussed using micro-FTIR spectroscopy to detect and quantify microplastics smaller than 100 µm in natural (marine and freshwater) water samples. The authors emphasized the importance of this size class for ecological risk and described practical considerations for accurate quantification.
Microplastics (MPs) are present in different environmental compartments (abiotic and biotic, Fig. 3.1); after the atmospheric compartment [1–9], natural waters are a substantially significant reservoir for MPs [10–21], which through different transport pathways can move from mid to high latitudes via marine currents. The assessment of the abundance of MPs in natural waters, marine or fresh, is of paramount importance precisely for assessing the degree of plastic pollution, identifying sources of contamination, and assessing potential risks to all aquatic inhabitants. Besides, in the One Health Approach [22], investigating how plastic pollution affects good environmental status and quality of organisms would also allow for an integrated response intended to achieve sustainable balance and optimize people’s health.