Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Standard Test Method for Identification of Polymer Type and Quantity of Microplastic Particles and Fibers in Waters with High to Low Suspended Solids Using Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry

This paper describes the development of an ASTM standard test method using pyrolysis–gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) to identify and quantify specific polymer types in microplastic particles and fibers across a wide range of water types, from drinking water to marine water. Standardizing how microplastics are measured is a critical step toward producing comparable data across studies and enabling consistent regulatory monitoring. A validated, accepted method like this helps close the large gaps in microplastic data that currently hinder risk assessment and policy-making.

2024 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification of Microplastics in Drinking Water Using Pyrolysis-GC/MS

Researchers used pyrolysis-GC/MS to identify and quantify microplastics by polymer mass (rather than particle count) in drinking water samples. The method detected multiple polymer types and provided mass-based metrics that are more toxicologically relevant than particle counts commonly reported in water quality studies.

2025 TSpace
Article Tier 2

Routine method for the analysis of microplastics in natural and drinking water by pyrolysis coupled to gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Researchers developed a standardized method to measure microplastics in drinking water using a technique called pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. They tested the method on river water, reclaimed water, and tap water in Barcelona, finding microplastic concentrations ranging from 11 to 77 micrograms per liter. Reliable detection methods like this are essential for understanding how much microplastic people are actually consuming through their drinking water.

2024 Journal of Chromatography A 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Optimization, performance, and application of a pyrolysis-GC/MS method for the identification of microplastics

Researchers optimized a pyrolysis-GC/MS method for identifying and quantifying microplastics in environmental samples, improving the reliability of polymer identification especially for small particles that are difficult to classify visually. The improved method is particularly valuable for analyzing the smallest microplastic size fractions that dominate by number in marine environments.

2018 Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 329 citations
Article Tier 2

Analysis of Microplastics in Environmental Waters by Pyrolysis-GC/MS

This chapter reviewed pyrolysis-GC/MS as an analytical method for detecting and quantifying microplastics in environmental water samples including wastewater, rivers, and seawater. Unlike size-limited optical methods, Py-GC/MS can analyze particles of any size and directly identify polymer types, making it a promising high-throughput tool.

2025
Article Tier 2

Microplastics Identification by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography Mass Spectrometry (py-GCMS)

This paper reviews pyrolysis gas chromatography mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) as a method for identifying and quantifying microplastics in environmental samples. The technique can identify specific polymer types even in complex environmental matrices where visual identification is difficult.

2019
Article Tier 2

Which Polyester Is It? Applying pyrolysis-GC/MS to identify commercial polyesters and standardize microplastics reporting

Researchers applied pyrolysis-GC/MS to distinguish between different commercial polyester types present in microplastic fibers, addressing the limitation that standard spectroscopy often cannot differentiate among polyesters labeled generically on consumer products. The study aimed to standardize microplastics reporting by enabling more precise polymer-level identification of synthetic fiber pollution.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

A straightforward Py-GC/MS methodology for quantification of microplastics in tap water

Researchers developed a simpler, more affordable method for detecting and measuring microplastics in tap water using pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry without needing expensive custom databases. The method successfully identified seven common polymer types in drinking water samples, making it easier for labs to monitor microplastic contamination in the water supply.

2025 MethodsX 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Simultaneous determination of six microplastics in drinking water by pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry

Scientists developed an analytical method using pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry that can simultaneously detect and quantify six common types of microplastic in drinking water — including polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, PET, PMMA, and PVC — with high sensitivity across a wide concentration range. Having a reliable, multi-polymer detection method is essential for monitoring drinking water safety and setting evidence-based regulatory limits.

2026 Analytical Methods
Article Tier 2

Microplastics analysis in environmental samples – recent pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method improvements to increase the reliability of mass-related data

This study improved pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) methods for measuring mass-related microplastic data in environmental samples, enhancing reliability and sensitivity for trace-level analysis. Better analytical methods are essential for accurately quantifying microplastic contamination across diverse environmental matrices.

2019 Analytical Methods 224 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection of trace sub-micron (nano) plastics in water samples using pyrolysis-gas chromatography time of flight mass spectrometry (PY-GCToF).

Researchers evaluated pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry combined with thermal extraction-desorption for detecting sub-micron and nano-sized plastics in water samples, finding it could identify plastic polymers at low concentrations. The method addresses a key gap in detecting the smallest plastic particles in aqueous environments.

2020 Chemosphere 159 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantification of microplastic targets in environmental matrices using pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

This study developed and validated a pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry protocol for quantifying common microplastic polymer types in complex environmental matrices, providing a reliable thermal analysis method for assessing microplastic pollution.

2024 Environmental Science Advances 5 citations
Article Tier 2

An optimized multi-technique based analytical platform for identification, characterization and quantification of nanoplastics in water

Researchers developed an analytical platform combining flow fractionation, light scattering, and pyrolysis-GC/MS to simultaneously identify polymer type, measure particle size distribution, and quantify nanoplastics in water samples down to 0.01 ppm, filling a key gap in nanoplastic monitoring tools.

2024 Talanta 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification and Quantification of Nanoplastics in Surface Water and Groundwater by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Researchers developed a method combining ultrafiltration and pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to identify and quantify nanoplastics in surface water and groundwater. The study successfully detected six types of plastic polymers at the nanoscale in environmental water samples, providing much-needed quantitative data on nanoplastic pollution in real-world water sources.

2022 Environmental Science & Technology 210 citations
Article Tier 2

Simultaneous Trace Identification and Quantification of Common Types of Microplastics in Environmental Samples by Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Researchers developed a method for simultaneous trace identification and quantification of common microplastic types in environmental samples, improving detection efficiency and enabling more accurate monitoring of multiple plastic polymers at once.

2017 Environmental Science & Technology 589 citations
Article Tier 2

Development of an analytical method for the analysis of microplastics by Pyrolysis-GC/MS : application on Seine River sediments

Researchers developed and validated an analytical method using pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) for quantifying microplastics in complex environmental matrices, applying it to Seine River sediment samples rich in mineral and organic matter. They found that Py-GC/MS effectively determined mass concentrations of target polymers and proved complementary to micro-FTIR, though interfering compounds from organic-rich matrices required careful method optimization.

2024 theses.fr (ABES)
Article Tier 2

Analysis of microplastics in the environment: Identification and quantification of trace levels of common types of plastic polymers using pyrolysis-GC/MS

Researchers developed analytical methods using pyrolysis coupled with gas chromatography-mass spectrometry for identifying and quantifying 12 common plastic polymers in environmental samples. The validated method achieved detection limits as low as 0.1 micrograms and was successfully applied to analyze microplastics collected from three Mediterranean beaches in northeastern Spain.

2023 MethodsX 81 citations
Article Tier 2

Test Method for Determination of Microplastics Particle and Fiber Size, Distribution, Shape, and Concentration in Waters with High to Low Suspended Solids Using a Dynamic Image Particle Size and Shape Analyzer

This ASTM standard describes a test method using dynamic image particle analysis to measure microplastic particle size, shape, and concentration in water samples with varying levels of suspended solids. The method provides quantitative characterization of microplastic physical properties. Standardized test methods are essential for producing comparable microplastic data across laboratories and monitoring programs.

2023
Article Tier 2

Quantification of Microplastics by Pyrolysis Coupled with Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry in Sediments: Challenges and Implications

Researchers identified challenges in quantifying microplastics by pyrolysis-GC/MS in sediment samples, finding that incomplete matrix removal during purification can generate interfering pyrolysis products that lead to overestimation of microplastic concentrations.

2022 Microplastics 81 citations
Article Tier 2

Rapid and Sensitive Quantification of Nano- and Microplastics in Water, Sediment, and Biological Tissue by Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography Tandem Mass Spectrometry with Dynamic Reaction Monitoring

Researchers developed a highly sensitive pyrolysis gas chromatography-triple quadrupole mass spectrometry (Py-GC-qQq-MS) method using dynamic multiple reaction monitoring to quantify 12 common plastic polymers in water, sediments, and biological tissues at nanogram levels. The method achieved quantification of nano- and microplastics across diverse matrices with high specificity, using matrix-specific sample preparation including enzymatic digestion and pressurized liquid extraction.

2025 Analytical Chemistry
Article Tier 2

Standard Practice for Development of Microplastic Reference Samples for Calibration and Proficiency Evaluation in All Types of Water Matrices with High to Low Levels of Suspended Solids

This ASTM standard practice describes procedures for creating reference microplastic samples to calibrate and validate detection methods in water matrices with varying levels of suspended solids. Standardized reference materials are essential for ensuring that different labs and methods produce comparable, reliable results. Consistent calibration tools are a prerequisite for building a credible global dataset on microplastic contamination in water.

2023 1 citations
Article Tier 2

A systematic protocol of microplastics analysis from their identification to quantification in water environment: A comprehensive review

This review provides a systematic protocol for identifying and quantifying microplastics in water environments, covering sampling, extraction, and analytical techniques. Researchers evaluate the strengths and limitations of methods including visual sorting, spectroscopic analysis, and thermal techniques for characterizing microplastic pollution. The study emphasizes the urgent need for standardized methodologies to enable meaningful comparisons across different microplastic research studies.

2020 Journal of Hazardous Materials 150 citations
Article Tier 2

Rapid Monitoring Approach for Microplastics Using Portable Pyrolysis-Mass Spectrometry

Researchers developed a rapid monitoring method for microplastics using a portable pyrolysis-mass spectrometry system that can identify polymer types and quantify particles smaller than 5 mm in the field without lengthy laboratory preparation. The approach offers a promising tool for fast, on-site microplastic surveillance in environmental samples.

2020 Analytical Chemistry 94 citations
Article Tier 2

QuantifyingNanoplastics and Microplastics in Foodand Beverages Using Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry:Challenges and Implications

Researchers evaluated pyrolysis-GC/MS for quantifying nanoplastics and microplastics in common foods and beverages, assessing sensitivity and detection limits across polymer types. The method successfully detected multiple polymer types in food samples but showed limitations for nanoplastics at very low concentrations, highlighting gaps in current dietary exposure assessment.

2025 Figshare