Papers

20 results
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Article Tier 2

Identification and visualisation of microplastics by Raman mapping

Researchers demonstrated that Raman mapping can identify and visualize microplastics within soil and sand samples with minimal sample preparation. The technique successfully detected various polymer types against complex natural backgrounds without requiring dyes or destructive processing. The study presents Raman mapping as a practical, non-destructive analytical tool for studying microplastic distribution in environmental matrices like soil.

2019 Analytica Chimica Acta 233 citations
Article Tier 2

A novel way to rapidly monitor microplastics in soil by hyperspectral imaging technology and chemometrics

Hyperspectral imaging combined with chemometrics was demonstrated as a novel way to rapidly detect and map multiple types of microplastics in soil samples, identifying particles of different polymer types based on their spectral signatures. The approach could enable faster and more spatially detailed monitoring of microplastic contamination in agricultural and environmental soils.

2018 Environmental Pollution 210 citations
Article Tier 2

Vis-NIR spectroscopy based rapid and non-destructive method to quantitate microplastics: An emerging contaminant in farm soil

Researchers developed a rapid, non-destructive method using visible and near-infrared spectroscopy to quantify microplastics in farm soil. The study suggests this approach could overcome the limitations of current extraction-based methods, which are time-consuming and prone to errors and biases.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 19 citations
Article Tier 2

VNIR and SWIR Hyperspectral Imaging for Microplastic detection on Soil

Researchers used non-destructive hyperspectral imaging in visible-near infrared and short-wave infrared ranges to detect microplastics on soil surfaces. Using seven different cryo-milled microplastic polymers and partial least squares analysis, the study demonstrates that hyperspectral imaging can identify microplastics in soil without the complicated, time-consuming steps required by conventional detection methods.

2025 BIO Web of Conferences 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Detecting and monitoring the leaching of small (¡ 2 µm) microplastics in soils by fluorescence microscopy

Researchers developed a fluorescence microscopy method to detect and monitor the leaching of small microplastics (under 2 µm) in soils, comparing it against µ-Raman spectroscopy across matrices of varying complexity and demonstrating its applicability for tracking the smallest microplastic fraction in soil systems.

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

Non-invasive 3D analysis of microplastic particles in sandy soil — Exploring feasible options and capabilities

This study explored the feasibility of non-invasive 3D X-ray computed tomography for analyzing microplastic particles in intact sandy soil samples, finding that while the technique can locate particles, distinguishing MP from soil minerals requires further methodological development.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 17 citations
Article Tier 2

A novel and simple method for measuring nano/microplastic concentrations in soil using UV-Vis spectroscopy with optimal wavelength selection

Researchers developed a simple UV-Vis spectroscopy method for measuring nano- and microplastic concentrations in soil, using optimized wavelength combinations to account for interference from soil particles. The study demonstrated a linear relationship between spectroscopic measurements and actual plastic concentrations, offering a potentially practical tool for monitoring plastic contamination across different soil types.

2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 16 citations
Article Tier 2

Application of hyperspectral imaging technology in the rapid identification of microplastics in farmland soil

Researchers applied hyperspectral imaging technology combined with machine learning to rapidly screen and classify microplastics in farmland soil samples, demonstrating an efficient non-destructive identification method for soil microplastic contamination.

2021 The Science of The Total Environment 101 citations
Article Tier 2

A Review of Analytical Methods for Microplastics in Soils

This review systematically examines analytical methods for detecting and quantifying microplastics in soil, including visual analysis, chemical analysis, spectroscopic techniques, microscopy, and mass spectrometry. The authors evaluate the advantages, limitations, and scope of each method, noting that no single technique covers all particle sizes and polymer types. The review calls for continued innovation in analytical methods to provide more effective tools for addressing soil microplastic pollution.

2024 Current Analytical Chemistry 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic analysis in soils: A comparative assessment

Researchers compared six different analytical methods for detecting and measuring microplastics in soil, testing them across different soil types and plastic materials. Fluorescence microscopy achieved the highest recovery rates for larger particles, while mass-based techniques like pyrolysis gas chromatography were better suited for detecting very small microplastics. The study highlights that no single method works best for all situations, and combining techniques may be necessary for accurate microplastic assessment in soil.

2024 Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety 20 citations
Article Tier 2

Non-invasive detection and localization of microplastic particles in a sandy sediment by complementary neutron and X-ray tomography

Researchers used neutron and X-ray tomography — scanning technologies that see inside materials without cutting them open — to non-destructively detect and map microplastic particles inside sandy sediment samples, opening new possibilities for studying how microplastics move and accumulate in natural environments.

2021 Journal of Soils and Sediments 35 citations
Article Tier 2

An effective method for the rapid detection of microplastics in soil

A rapid and practical method was developed for detecting and identifying microplastics in soil, addressing the need for faster alternatives to existing time-consuming techniques. The method uses a combination of sieving and staining approaches to accelerate microplastic extraction and identification from soil samples.

2020 Chemosphere 53 citations
Article Tier 2

Study on detection method of microplastics in farmland soil based on hyperspectral imaging technology

Researchers developed a method using hyperspectral imaging and machine learning to rapidly detect and classify different types of microplastics in farmland soil. The technology achieved high accuracy in identifying common plastic types like polyethylene and polypropylene in soil samples. Better detection tools like this are essential for monitoring microplastic contamination in agricultural land and understanding its potential impact on food safety.

2023 Environmental Research 50 citations
Article Tier 2

VNIR and SWIR Hyperspectral Imaging for Microplastic detection on Soil

Researchers applied VNIR (400-1000 nm) and SWIR (1000-2000 nm) hyperspectral imaging to detect and identify seven types of cryo-milled microplastic polymers mixed into soil surfaces. Partial least squares regression models successfully distinguished polymer types, offering a non-destructive, rapid screening approach for identifying microplastics directly in soil environments.

2025 Springer Link (Chiba Institute of Technology)
Article Tier 2

Toward high-precision analysis of soil micro-and nanoplastics: A review of spectroscopy and machine learning approaches

Researchers reviewed multiple spectroscopy techniques — including infrared, Raman, and hyperspectral imaging — combined with machine learning as faster, cheaper alternatives to traditional methods for detecting microplastics and nanoplastics in soil. While promising, key challenges remain including poor detection of nanoplastics, limited real-world validation, and detection limits that often miss environmentally relevant concentrations.

2025 Environmental Advances 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Predicting soil microplastic concentration using vis-NIR spectroscopy

Researchers used visible and near-infrared (vis-NIR) spectroscopy to predict microplastic concentrations in soil samples, developing calibration models that could estimate contamination levels directly from spectral measurements without extensive sample preparation. The approach offers potential for faster and more scalable monitoring of microplastic pollution in agricultural and natural soils.

2018 The Science of The Total Environment 225 citations
Article Tier 2

Critical evaluation of hyperspectral imaging technology for detection and quantification of microplastics in soil

Researchers evaluated whether hyperspectral imaging technology can reliably detect and quantify microplastics in soil under varying real-world conditions. They found that near-infrared imaging generally works well but is significantly affected by factors like soil moisture, microplastic color, and particle size. The study recommends sorting microplastics by size before analysis and further research into moisture effects, providing the first comprehensive evaluation of this emerging detection technology for soil monitoring.

2024 Journal of Hazardous Materials 32 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastic Analysis in Soil Using Ultra-High-Resolution UV–Vis–NIR Spectroscopy and Chemometric Modeling

Researchers tested a new method using UV-visible-near infrared spectroscopy combined with machine learning to identify microplastics in soil samples. They found the technique could rapidly and accurately distinguish between different plastic polymers and natural soil particles. The study offers a promising alternative to current labor-intensive identification methods, potentially making large-scale microplastic soil monitoring more practical.

2024 Microplastics 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in soils: A comparative review on extraction, identification and quantification methods

This review compares the various methods scientists use to extract, identify, and measure microplastics in soil, highlighting the strengths and weaknesses of each approach. Soil is a particularly challenging material to work with because its organic matter and complex structure can interfere with accurate microplastic detection. The authors recommend combining multiple techniques and minimizing harsh chemical steps that could accidentally destroy the very plastic particles being measured.

2025 Journal of Environmental Management 22 citations
Article Tier 2

Rapid Detection of Microplastics in Plastic-covered Soil Using FT-NIR and ATR-FTIR Spectral Data Fusion

Scientists developed a new method to quickly detect tiny plastic particles in farm soil by combining two different light-based detection techniques. This method can accurately measure microplastic pollution in agricultural fields where plastic covers are used for growing crops. This matters because microplastics in farm soil can potentially enter our food chain through the fruits and vegetables we eat.

2026 Figshare