Papers

61,005 results
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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

Preparation of a reference material for microplastics in water—evaluation of homogeneity

Researchers developed a candidate reference material for microplastics in water and evaluated its homogeneity, finding it suitable for use in laboratory intercomparison studies and as a tool for validating microplastic analytical methods.

2021 Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 65 citations
Article Tier 2

Reference materials for microplastics in environmental matrices

This paper discussed the development and use of reference materials for microplastic analysis in environmental matrices, addressing the urgent need for calibration standards to ensure comparable and reliable measurements across different laboratories. Standardized reference materials are a foundational requirement for credible, policy-relevant microplastic monitoring.

2018
Article Tier 2

Innovative reference materials for method validation in microplastic analysis including interlaboratory comparison exercises

Researchers developed innovative reference materials for validating microplastic analysis methods, presenting interlaboratory comparison results that support quality assurance and standardization in the growing field of microplastic detection.

2023 Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 39 citations
Article Tier 2

The use of reference material in microplastic research: general aspects

This paper discussed general considerations for using certified reference materials in microplastic research, arguing that standardized reference materials are essential for ensuring that measurements are reproducible and comparable across different laboratories and studies. The lack of such standards remains a major limitation in the field.

2017
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

Development of new microplastic reference particles for usage in pre-defined numbers

This study developed new microplastic reference particles with defined numbers of particles per unit, addressing the lack of standardized reference materials that has hampered comparability across microplastic research studies and analytical methods.

2023 Research Square (Research Square) 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of microplastic content in natural waters and sediments: sampling and sample preparation

Researchers reviewed and evaluated sampling and analytical methods for measuring microplastic content in natural waters and sediments, assessing sources of error and variability in current approaches. The review recommended a standardized protocol to improve cross-study comparability.

2024 Журнал аналитической химии
Article Tier 2

A novel proof of concept approach towards generating reference microplastic particles

This paper presented a proof-of-concept approach for generating standardized reference microplastic particles to improve comparability across analytical methods. The lack of consistent reference materials has been a key barrier to producing reliable and comparable microplastic research data.

2024 EPub Bayreuth (University of Bayreuth)
Article Tier 2

Development and testing of a fractionated filtration for sampling of microplastics in water

Researchers developed and tested a fractionated filtration system for sampling microplastics in water bodies, proposing a standardized sampling concept that accounts for plastic-specific properties to improve comparability of microplastic data across different studies and environments.

2018 Water Research 101 citations
Article Tier 2

A novel proof of concept approach towards generating reference microplastic particles

Researchers developed a new method for creating standardized reference microplastic particles that can be embedded in a dissolvable matrix in precise, known quantities. Current microplastic research suffers from a lack of consistent reference standards, making it difficult to compare results across different laboratories and methods. The approach could significantly improve the quality and comparability of microplastic measurements in environmental studies.

2024 Microplastics and Nanoplastics 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Water quality � Analysis of microplastic in water

This entry presents a British Standard for water quality analysis of microplastics, providing standardized methodology for detecting and quantifying microplastic particles in water samples, available through the BSI Knowledge platform to support consistent laboratory analysis practices.

2025
Article Tier 2

Assessment of the Microplastics Content in Natural Waters and Sediments: Sampling and Sample Preparation

This review examines the challenges of sampling and preparing water and sediment samples for microplastic analysis, highlighting the lack of standardized methods. Researchers found that differences in collection techniques, sample volumes, and processing steps make it difficult to compare results across studies. The study calls for an internationally agreed-upon analytical framework to improve the reliability and consistency of microplastic monitoring worldwide.

2024 Journal of Analytical Chemistry 9 citations
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

Researchers developed and standardized a pyrolysis-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) test method for identifying and quantifying microplastic polymer types and quantities across waters with varying suspended solids levels. The standard addresses the growing recognition of polymeric organic compounds as contaminants in drinking water, wastewater, surface water, groundwater, and marine waters.

2024
Article Tier 2

Validation of Sample Preparation Methods for Microplastic Analysis in Wastewater Matrices—Reproducibility and Standardization

Sample preparation methods for microplastic analysis in wastewater were validated against reference standards to assess recovery rates and reproducibility. The validation study identified methods that reliably extract microplastics from complex wastewater matrices, supporting more consistent environmental monitoring of microplastic discharge from treatment plants.

2020 Water 180 citations
Article Tier 2

A reference methodology for microplastic particle size distribution analysis: Sampling, filtration, and detection by optical microscopy and image processing

This study developed a reference methodology for measuring microplastic particle size distributions in natural water, covering sampling, filtration, optical microscopy, and image processing. The authors showed that sample preparation steps and filtration materials significantly affect size distribution measurements across multiple orders of magnitude.

2022 Applied Research 15 citations
Article Tier 2

A review of methods for measuring microplastics in aquatic environments

This review critically evaluates methods used to measure microplastics in aquatic environments, covering sampling design, sample processing, and spectroscopic identification, and identifies the most significant sources of methodological variation. Standardizing these methods is essential for generating comparable data across studies and enabling robust environmental risk assessment.

2018 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 361 citations
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

Microplastics in freshwater sediment: A review on methods, occurrence, and sources

This review synthesizes methods, occurrence data, and sources of microplastics in freshwater sediments, comparing approaches and providing recommendations for standardized sampling and analysis to fill knowledge gaps relative to marine research.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 480 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 test method (duplicate of 45524 and 45915) describes how to measure microplastic particle size, shape, fiber dimensions, and concentration in water using a dynamic image particle analyzer. The method is applicable to water samples with high to low suspended solids content. Standardized test methods are critical for generating comparable microplastic data across different monitoring programs.

2023
Article Tier 2

Selection of an appropriate fluorescent reference material to assess microplastic recovery in natural waters

Researchers developed a standardized fluorescent reference material for validating methods used to detect microplastics in drinking water samples. The material was designed to closely mimic the size, shape, and composition of real environmental microplastics, enabling more accurate spike-and-recovery testing. The work addresses a key gap in microplastic monitoring by providing a reliable benchmark for ensuring that sampling and analysis methods are capturing particles accurately.

2025 Microplastics and Nanoplastics 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in Natural Water: Sources and Determination

This paper reviews the sources of microplastic pollution in aquatic environments and the analytical methods used to characterize and quantify microplastic particles, covering sampling, extraction, and identification techniques relevant to freshwater and marine monitoring.

2023 WATER AND WATER PURIFICATION TECHNOLOGIES SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL NEWS 3 citations
Article Tier 2

Method development for microplastic analysis in wastewater

This book chapter describes methods developed to detect and measure microplastics in wastewater samples, addressing the lack of standardized analytical protocols. Reliable detection methods are essential because wastewater treatment plants are a major pathway through which land-based microplastics enter aquatic environments.

2020 IWA Publishing eBooks 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