Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Outlook on optical identification of micro- and nanoplastics in aquatic environments

Researchers studied the optical properties of micro- and nanoplastics and evaluated near-infrared spectroscopy as a detection method for plastic particles in water, finding that optical techniques show promise for rapid, non-destructive identification. Improved optical detection methods could enable faster and more cost-effective monitoring of plastic pollution in aquatic environments.

2018 Chemosphere 66 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection of Microplastics in Water and Ice

Researchers explored optical detection methods for identifying microplastics floating on water surfaces or trapped in ice, taking advantage of the unique light-reflecting properties of different plastic types. Advances in optical detection are important for developing faster, non-destructive tools for monitoring microplastic pollution.

2021 Remote Sensing 6 citations
Article Tier 2

On the Potential for Optical Detection of Microplastics in the Ocean

This study examines the potential for optical methods to detect microplastics in ocean water at large spatial scales, noting that while optical detection is promising for overcoming the limitations of discrete water sampling, methods remain in early development and reference libraries of microplastic optical properties are sparse.

2023 Oceanography 13 citations
Article Tier 2

Evaluation of Monitoring Technologies and Methods for Micro Plastics in Water as Novel Pollutants

This review surveys the range of technologies currently available for detecting and monitoring microplastics in water, including spectroscopic, microscopic, and chemical identification methods, outlining the strengths and limitations of each. Consistent and effective monitoring is identified as essential for controlling microplastic pollution, yet no single approach yet meets all needs across diverse water types and concentrations. The paper calls for stronger monitoring frameworks to support both research and regulatory decision-making on microplastic contamination.

2024 Scalable Computing Practice and Experience 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Field-Portable Microplastic Sensing in Aqueous Environments: A Perspective on Emerging Techniques

This review examines emerging field-portable technologies for detecting and quantifying microplastics in aqueous environments, discussing optical, spectroscopic, and electrochemical sensing approaches. Researchers identify the lack of a standardized, rapid on-site method as the primary bottleneck limiting accurate real-world microplastic monitoring.

2021 Sensors 44 citations
Article Tier 2

Development of a Near-Infrared Imaging System for Identifying Microplastics in Water

Researchers developed a near-infrared imaging system capable of automatically identifying and characterizing microplastics suspended in water, successfully obtaining material identification images without the manual sorting typically required by conventional methods.

2022 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Optical System for In-situ Detection of Microplastics

Researchers developed a portable optical system capable of detecting, identifying, continuously monitoring, and quantifying microplastics in situ at natural water bodies. The system uses optical techniques to observe the temporal behavior of microplastic concentrations at fixed locations, enabling real-time environmental monitoring without sample collection and laboratory processing.

2024
Article Tier 2

Detection and identification of microplastics directly in water by hyperspectral imaging

Researchers used hyperspectral imaging to identify different types of microplastics mixed together in water, demonstrating that the technique can distinguish polymer types based on their spectral signatures. This non-destructive, real-time method could improve the speed and accuracy of microplastic monitoring in water samples.

2023 EPJ Web of Conferences 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Advancing floating macroplastic detection from space using hyperspectral imagery

Researchers evaluated the use of hyperspectral satellite and airborne imagery to detect floating plastic debris in rivers and oceans, addressing major challenges related to plastic spectral properties in field conditions. Remote sensing tools for plastic detection are important for large-scale monitoring of the macro-scale plastic that eventually becomes microplastics.

2021 5 citations
Article Tier 2

Identifying microplastic contamination in drinking water: analysis and evaluation using spectroscopic methods

Researchers developed analytical methods to identify and quantify microplastic contamination in drinking water, evaluating extraction efficiency and detection accuracy across different water types and plastic particle sizes. The study assessed health implications based on measured plastic loads in treated water.

2024 Interdisciplinary Environmental Review
Article Tier 2

A non-contact in situ approach for detecting fluorescent microplastic particles in flowing water using fluorescence spectroscopy

Researchers developed a non-contact in situ method combining fluorescence spectroscopy and interferometric particle imaging to detect, characterise, and classify fluorescent polypropylene microplastic particles in flowing water.

2025 Environmental Science Advances
Article Tier 2

Holographic and polarization features analysis for microplastics characterization and water monitoring

Researchers explored digital holography and polarization imaging as a combined technique for characterizing and classifying microplastics in water, computing features including angle of polarization (AoP) and degree of linear polarization (DoLP) to distinguish microplastics from biological and natural particles. The method demonstrated potential for real-time, non-contact, in situ microplastic detection and water quality monitoring.

2023 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection of Secondary Microplastics in an Aquatic Mesocosm by Means of Object-Based Image Analysis

Researchers evaluated object-based image analysis for detecting secondary microplastics of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and low-density polyethylene suspended in an aquatic mesocosm under both still and turbulent conditions. The imaging approach successfully identified microplastics in both conditions, supporting its development as a monitoring tool for plastic particles in water.

2023 Microplastics 5 citations
Article Tier 2

A New Optical Method for Quantitative Detection of Microplastics in Water Based on Real-Time Fluorescence Analysis

Researchers developed a new fluorescence-based particle counter for real-time quantitative detection of microplastics in water, validating the method against FTIR analysis on wastewater treatment plant samples containing polyethylene and PVC particles.

2022 Water 29 citations
Article Tier 2

Aerial Remote Sensing of Aquatic Microplastic Pollution: The State of the Science and How to Move It Forward

A systematic literature review of aerial remote sensing for aquatic microplastic detection identified three main approaches — spectral characteristics, floating debris imaging, and AI-based analysis — all still largely experimental rather than operational.

2024 Microplastics 6 citations
Article Tier 2

New methodologies for the detection, identification, and quantification of microplastics and their environmental degradation by-products

This review covers new methodologies for sampling, detecting, identifying, and quantifying microplastics and their environmental degradation byproducts in natural water systems, highlighting advances in spectroscopic, mass spectrometric, and imaging-based approaches.

2021 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 84 citations
Article Tier 2

Optical innovations in microplastic analysis: a critical review of detection strategies

This review examines recent advances in optical methods for detecting microplastics, including spectroscopy, imaging techniques, and emerging sensor technologies like surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy and fluorescence lifetime imaging. Researchers found that AI-driven computational models are significantly improving the speed and accuracy of microplastic identification. However, challenges remain with organic matter interference and the lack of standardized detection protocols across laboratories.

2026 Figshare
Article Tier 2

A field deployable imaging system for detecting microplastics in the aquatic environment

Researchers built a portable imaging system for detecting microplastics in water that can be deployed directly in the field rather than requiring laboratory analysis. The system uses a de-scattering algorithm to produce clear images even in turbid water conditions and can identify particles as small as 50 micrometers. This low-cost tool could make routine microplastic monitoring of rivers, lakes, and coastal waters much more practical and accessible.

2024 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Rapid and reliable detection of microplastics in drinking water using fluorescence microscopy

Researchers developed a fluorescence-based method for rapid detection and quantification of microplastics in drinking water, addressing the need for faster and more practical monitoring tools. The method achieved high sensitivity and allowed polymer discrimination without requiring expensive spectroscopic instrumentation.

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

Optical Monitoring of Microplastics Filtrated from Wastewater Sludge and Suspended in Ethanol

Researchers developed an optical method combining three complementary light-based techniques to monitor microplastics filtered from wastewater sludge suspended in ethanol. The integrated approach enables more complete characterization of microplastics including their size, composition, and sedimentation behavior.

2021 Polymers 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Towards the Development of Portable and In Situ Optical Devices for Detection of Micro-and Nanoplastics in Water: A Review on the Current Status

This review surveys the development of portable and in-situ optical devices for detecting micro- and nanoplastics in water, as most current detection methods are laboratory-based. Researchers evaluated emerging technologies including portable Raman and infrared spectroscopy, fluorescence-based sensors, and smartphone-integrated detection systems. The study identifies key technical challenges that must be overcome to enable real-time, field-based monitoring of plastic pollution in water.

2021 Polymers 89 citations
Article Tier 2

Sorting microplastics from other materials in water samples by ultra-high-definition imaging

Researchers used a commercial particle analyzer with ultra-high-definition imaging to sort and identify microplastic particles in water samples. The device successfully distinguished between different plastic types based on how light scatters through or off their surfaces, and could separate microplastics from air bubbles and other non-plastic particles. The study demonstrates a relatively fast and accessible method for characterizing microplastic contamination in water.

2023 Journal of the European Optical Society Rapid Publications 15 citations
Article Tier 2

Portable On-Site Optical Detection and Quantification of Microplastics

Researchers built a portable, on-site optical device to detect and quantify microplastics in water. The device addresses the challenge of detecting small, often translucent particles without a laboratory setting. Portable microplastic detection tools could enable real-time monitoring in the field, supporting faster environmental assessments.

2023 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Optofluidic light-droplet interaction for rapidly assessing the presence of plastic microspheres within aqueous suspensions

Scientists developed a new device that can quickly detect tiny plastic particles (called microplastics) in water by shining light through water droplets and measuring how much light gets blocked. The device can spot extremely small amounts of plastic pollution - even particles smaller than the width of a human hair. This technology could help us better monitor plastic contamination in drinking water and the environment, which is important since these tiny plastics can harm both ecosystems and human health.

2026 Figshare