Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Regression analysis for the determination of microplastics in sediments using differential scanning calorimetry

Researchers developed a differential scanning calorimetry method for rapid identification and quantification of microplastics in sediment samples. The study demonstrated that this thermo-analytical approach could detect multiple polymer types including polyethylene, polypropylene, and PET in sand samples, offering a faster and more cost-efficient alternative to traditional microplastic analysis methods.

2024 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 14 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantification of microplastics in complex environmental matrices using a tiered approach with modulated differential scanning calorimetry (MDSC)

Researchers developed a method using modulated differential scanning calorimetry to quantify microplastics in biosolids and soil, achieving 1.4-2.5 times higher sensitivity than conventional thermal analysis with detection limits as low as 7 micrograms per gram. They demonstrated an average recovery rate of 93% for four common plastic types extracted from biosolid samples. The study suggests this thermal approach, combined with complementary spectroscopic techniques, provides a reliable and cost-effective tool for measuring microplastics in complex environmental samples.

2025 Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Determination of microplastic polyethylene (PE) and polypropylene (PP) in environmental samples using thermal analysis (TGA-DSC)

This study developed a thermal analysis method using thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) to determine the mass concentration of polyethylene and polypropylene microplastics in environmental samples. The approach is cost-effective and straightforward, offering an alternative to the more expensive spectroscopic methods commonly used for microplastic identification.

2016 The Science of The Total Environment 404 citations
Article Tier 2

A facile approach to microplastic identification and quantification using differential scanning calorimetry

Researchers developed a simpler differential scanning calorimetry method to identify and quantify six types of semi-crystalline microplastic polymers in water samples, offering a lower-cost alternative to μFTIR that also provides mass concentration data.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantitative Analysis of Poly(ethylene terephthalate) Microplastics in Soil via Thermogravimetry–Mass Spectrometry

Researchers developed a thermogravimetry-mass spectrometry method to quantitatively measure polyethylene terephthalate (PET) microplastics in soil, achieving detection limits suitable for environmentally relevant concentrations. The method addresses a key analytical challenge in soil microplastic research where conventional optical methods struggle with complex soil matrices.

2018 Analytical Chemistry 195 citations
Article Tier 2

Introducing a soil universal model method (SUMM) and its application for qualitative and quantitative determination of poly(ethylene), poly(styrene), poly(vinyl chloride) and poly(ethylene terephthalate) microplastics in a model soil

A thermogravimetry-based method was evaluated for identifying and measuring four types of microplastics (polyethylene, polystyrene, PVC, and PET) mixed in soil samples. The method showed promising results as a faster alternative to traditional microscopy-based approaches for soil microplastic analysis.

2019 Chemosphere 57 citations
Article Tier 2

Fast and easy quantification of semi-crystalline microplastics in exemplary environmental matrices by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC)

This study demonstrated that differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) can quantify semi-crystalline microplastics (PE, PET, PP, PA6) in environmental matrices, with pre-heating steps improving detection accuracy and reducing interference from organic impurities.

2021 Chemical Engineering Journal 75 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification and quantitation of semi-crystalline microplastics using image analysis and differential scanning calorimetry

Researchers developed an analytical workflow combining optical microscopy with image analysis and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for identifying and quantifying semi-crystalline microplastics including LDPE, HDPE, PP, and PET. The study found that particle size significantly affects DSC signal quality, requiring sieve pre-treatment to achieve reliable identification and mass quantitation.

2018 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 107 citations
Article Tier 2

Analysis of polyethylene microplastics in environmental samples, using a thermal decomposition method

Researchers developed a thermal analysis method using pyrolysis-GC/MS to identify and quantify polyethylene microplastics in environmental samples without relying on visual sorting or density separation. The approach provides a more objective and automatable way to measure microplastic mass in complex environmental matrices.

2015 Water Research 450 citations
Article Tier 2

A novel thermoanalytical method for quantifying microplastics in marine sediments

This study developed a new thermoanalytical method to accurately quantify microplastics in marine sediment samples, particularly fine-grained particles smaller than 1 mm that are difficult to count with existing methods. More precise quantification tools are needed to understand the true scale of microplastic accumulation in marine environments.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 41 citations
Article Tier 2

Fast identification of microplastics in complex environmental samples by a thermal degradation method

Researchers developed a fast identification method for microplastics in complex environmental samples using thermal analysis, offering a high-throughput alternative to spectroscopic techniques for polymer identification.

2017 Chemosphere 598 citations
Article Tier 2

Analysis of microplastics in soil samples by using a thermal decomposition method

Researchers tested thermal decomposition as a method for extracting and identifying microplastics in soil samples, a particularly challenging matrix because organic matter interferes with optical detection methods. The approach showed promise for detecting and quantifying plastic content in complex soil environments.

2019 EGU General Assembly Conference Abstracts 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC): An important tool for polymer identification and characterization of plastic marine debris

Researchers optimized a differential scanning calorimetry method for identifying plastic polymers in marine debris and built a reference library from over 200 polymer standards. They established temperature-based criteria for distinguishing between similar plastic types that are often confused during visual identification. The study provides a practical, reliable tool for improving the accuracy of polymer identification in plastic pollution research.

2024 Environmental Pollution 26 citations
Article Tier 2

Application of multi-step approach for comprehensive identification of microplastic particles in diverse sediment samples

Researchers developed a multi-step analytical approach to comprehensively identify and characterize microplastics in environmental samples, combining visual, spectroscopic, and thermal analysis. A systematic, multi-method approach is needed to capture the full diversity of microplastic types present in complex environmental matrices.

2020 Water Science & Technology 12 citations
Article Tier 2

An overview of microplastics characterization by thermal analysis

This review explores the potential of thermal analytical techniques - including thermogravimetry and pyrolysis-GC/MS - for identifying and characterizing microplastics in environmental samples, covering both manufactured primary microplastics and degradation-derived secondary ones. Thermal methods offer advantages for bulk quantification and polymer identification that complement spectroscopic approaches.

2019 Chemosphere 213 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantifying Nanoplastics in Soil-Cultured Plants Based on a Microcombustion Calorimeter

Researchers proposed using a microcombustion calorimeter (MCC) to quantify polyethylene and poly(methyl methacrylate) nanoplastics in soil-cultured plants, exploiting the distinct thermal properties of nanoplastics relative to plant and soil material. They developed linear relationships between total heat release and nanoplastic proportions, offering a method unaffected by environmental background for quantifying nanoplastic uptake in crops.

2023 Environmental Science & Technology Letters 4 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

Evaluation of thermoanalytical methods equipped with evolved gas analysis for the detection of microplastic in environmental samples

Researchers compared four thermoanalytical methods for detecting microplastics in environmental samples, including thermal extraction-desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry, thermogravimetric analysis coupled with FTIR, TGA coupled with mass spectrometry, and microscale combustion calorimetry. The study evaluated the advantages and limitations of each approach for analytical validity in environmental monitoring.

2020 Journal of Analytical and Applied Pyrolysis 88 citations
Article Tier 2

Dual-method analysis of microplastics in lake and wastewater treatment effluents: comparison of micro-FTIR and differential scanning calorimetry technique

Researchers compared micro-FTIR and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) for detecting microplastics in lake water and wastewater treatment effluents, finding that both methods showed similar pollution trends but differed in specific results, with micro-FTIR identifying polymer types and DSC providing superior mass quantification from large-volume samples.

2025 Water Research X
Article Tier 2

Analytical methods for microplastics in the environment: a review

Researchers reviewed classical and advanced analytical methods for detecting microplastics in the environment. The methods covered include visual analysis, electron microscopy, infrared and Raman spectroscopy, thermal analysis, mass spectrometry, and flow cytometry, providing a comprehensive overview of available tools for microplastic identification and quantification.

2022 Environmental Chemistry Letters 276 citations
Article Tier 2

Challenges to the Analysis of Microplastic Pollution from the Environment

This chapter reviews the main methods for detecting and quantifying microplastics in environmental samples, including spectroscopic and thermo-analytical approaches. Key challenges discussed include time-consuming sample preparation, lack of standardization, and the risk of contamination or microplastic loss during analysis.

2023 BENTHAM SCIENCE PUBLISHERS eBooks 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Detection and Quantification Limits for Polyethylene Particles Combining the Thermal Rock-Eval® Method with a Mathematical Extrapolation Procedure

Detection and quantification limits for polyethylene particles were determined for specific analytical methods, establishing the minimum concentrations that can be reliably measured. Clear method limits are fundamental for interpreting microplastic monitoring data and comparing results across studies.

2025 Microplastics 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Quantitative analysis of microplastics in beach sand via low-temperature solvent extraction and thermal degradation: Effects of particle size and sample depth

Researchers developed a method combining solvent extraction and thermal analysis to precisely measure microplastic content in beach sand at different depths and size fractions. They found that the finest particles, which are often missed by standard methods, contained significant concentrations of polyester and polystyrene. The study highlights that current sampling approaches may substantially underestimate the true amount of microplastic pollution on beaches.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Reliable thermal mass quantification of PVC – an ongoing challenge

Researchers tested whether pyrolysis-based thermal analysis can reliably quantify polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in environmental microplastic samples, finding that no definitive chemical marker exists because PVC's breakdown products are shared by many other polymers. This makes accurate PVC quantification in complex environmental samples currently unfeasible, a significant gap for monitoring plastic pollution.

2025 Microplastics and Nanoplastics 1 citations