Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Implications of method- and instrument-based size detection limits in μFTIR-based microplastic analysis

This study quantified how both instrument detection limits and methodological choices in micro-FTIR analysis affect reported microplastic concentrations, finding these factors substantially influence numerical results and urging standardization before cross-study comparisons are made.

2025 Talanta 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Analytical tools in advancing microplastics research for identification and quantification across environmental media: from sample to insight

Researchers reviewed the analytical tools most commonly used for identifying and quantifying microplastics, focusing on FTIR and Raman spectroscopy as the two primary methods. The review compared their strengths and limitations and provided guidance for choosing between them based on particle size, sample matrix, and research objectives.

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

Validation of an FT-IR microscopy method for the determination of microplastic particles in surface waters

Researchers validated an FT-IR microscopy method for reliably detecting and quantifying microplastic particles in aquatic and solid samples. Validated, standardized analytical methods are essential for producing comparable data across laboratories and building a reliable global picture of microplastic contamination.

2020 MethodsX 34 citations
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

Analytical tools in advancing microplastics research for identification and quantification across environmental media: from sample to insight

This review surveys analytical techniques used in microplastic research, covering sampling, extraction, and identification methods including FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and pyrolysis-GC/MS, highlighting trade-offs between throughput, sensitivity, and particle size detection limits.

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

Fluorescence Microscopy and FTIR-Based Analysis of Microplastics in Facial Personal Care Products

Researchers analyzed twenty facial care products, including scrubs and face washes, for the presence of microplastics using fluorescence microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. All samples tested positive for microplastics, with polystyrene and polyurethane identified as the most common polymers in scrubs, and ethylene-propylene copolymer and polystyrene predominant in face washes. The findings highlight the widespread presence of microplastic particles in everyday personal care products and the need for stronger regulatory measures.

2026 Journal of Fluorescence
Article Tier 2

A novel method for purification, quantitative analysis and characterization of microplastic fibers using Micro-FTIR

Researchers developed an improved method for purifying, quantifying, and characterizing microplastic fibers using micro-FTIR spectroscopy, addressing the challenge that fibers are harder to process and identify than other microplastic shapes. The method improvements enable more accurate characterization of this common but technically challenging category of environmental microplastics.

2019 Chemosphere 191 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in different water samples (seawater, freshwater, and wastewater): Methodology approach for characterization using micro-FTIR spectroscopy

Researchers developed a standardized methodology for detecting and characterizing small microplastics (10-500 micrometers) in different water types using micro-FTIR spectroscopy. The study tested various sample preparation approaches for seawater, freshwater, and wastewater, establishing reliable protocols for rinsing, digestion, and microplastic collection that can be used to assess treatment plant removal efficiency.

2023 Water Research 67 citations
Article Tier 2

Comparison of different methods for MP detection: What can we learn from them, and why asking the right question before measurements matters?

This comparative study evaluated several different analytical methods for detecting and measuring microplastics, finding that the choice of method significantly affects results. The authors emphasize that choosing the right method depends on the specific research question, and that standardization is essential for comparing data across studies.

2017 Environmental Pollution 374 citations
Article Tier 2

Analytical methodologies used for screening micro(nano)plastics in (eco)toxicity tests

Researchers reviewed how scientists analyze microplastics and nanoplastics in toxicity experiments, finding widespread inconsistency in how the particles are characterized before testing — including their size, shape, and chemical makeup. Better standardization of these measurements is essential for comparing results across studies and accurately assessing how microplastics harm living organisms.

2022 Green Analytical Chemistry 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Probenaufbereitung für die Analyse auf Mikroplastik mit µFTIR-Spektroskopie: Untersuchung des enzymatischen Verdaus von Plankton mit FlowCam und µFTIR

This German-language study tested sample preparation methods for microplastic analysis using micro-FTIR spectroscopy, comparing different approaches for extracting particles from complex environmental matrices. Optimizing sample preparation is essential for generating reliable, reproducible data on microplastic types and concentrations in environmental samples.

2016 Helmholtz-Zentrum für Polar-und Meeresforschung (Alfred-Wegener-Institut)
Article Tier 2

Sequential combination of micro-FTIR imaging spectroscopy and pyrolysis-GC/MS for microplastic quantification. Application to river sediments

Researchers developed a protocol combining micro-FTIR imaging and pyrolysis-GC/MS for sequential microplastic analysis in river sediments. While both methods showed consistent total mass concentrations across sites, they found discrepancies in polymer proportions due to each method's specific limitations, providing practical recommendations for comparing results across different analytical approaches.

2025 Analytical Methods 6 citations
Article Tier 2

From qualitative to quantitative measurement of small microplastics using multi-detector field flow fractionation coupled offline to microscopy and raman spectroscopy

This study developed an analytical method combining multi-detector field flow fractionation with offline microscopy and Raman spectroscopy to move from simply identifying microplastics to accurately measuring their quantity in small size ranges. Improved quantification methods are critical because current inconsistencies in measurement approaches make it difficult to set health-based exposure limits or compare contamination levels across studies.

2026 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

Comparison of two rapid automated analysis tools for large FTIR microplastic datasets

Researchers compared two automated analysis tools for large FTIR microplastic datasets and found significant differences in polymer identification results, highlighting the urgent need for standardized data analysis methods in microplastic research.

2023 Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 48 citations
Article Tier 2

From qualitative to quantitative measurement of small microplastics using multi-detector field flow fractionation coupled offline to microscopy and raman spectroscopy

This study developed an analytical method combining multi-detector field flow fractionation with offline microscopy and Raman spectroscopy to move from simply identifying microplastics to accurately measuring their quantity in small size ranges. Improved quantification methods are critical because current inconsistencies in measurement approaches make it difficult to set health-based exposure limits or compare contamination levels across studies.

2026 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Article Tier 2

A Review of Analytical Methods Used in Microplastics Quantification

This review evaluates the various analytical methods used to detect and quantify microplastics in the environment, highlighting inconsistencies in sampling and analysis across studies. Standardizing methods is a critical priority for the field, as inconsistent approaches make it difficult to compare results and track pollution trends over time.

2021 IOP Conference Series Earth and Environmental Science 8 citations
Article Tier 2

A review of analytical techniques for quantifying microplastics in sediments

This review evaluated the wide range of analytical techniques currently used to measure microplastics in sediment samples, including visual sorting, FT-IR, and Raman spectroscopy. The authors highlight the lack of standardization across studies as a major barrier to comparing results and propose criteria for method selection.

2016 Analytical Methods 457 citations
Article Tier 2

Current techniques for identifying, quantifying, and characterizing micro and nanoplastics with emphasis on strengths, limitations, and challenges

Researchers reviewed current analytical techniques for identifying, quantifying, and characterizing micro- and nanoplastics across environmental matrices. The review highlights the strengths and limitations of methods including FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and pyrolysis-GC/MS, and calls for standardization to improve comparability across studies.

2025 Discover Environment
Article Tier 2

Analysis of environmental microplastics by vibrational microspectroscopy: FTIR, Raman or both?

This study reviewed analytical methods for environmental microplastic analysis using vibrational microspectroscopy — comparing FTIR, Raman, and related techniques — and provided guidance on method selection for different sample types and research questions.

2016 Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 975 citations
Article Tier 2

Promising techniques and open challenges for microplastic identification and quantification in environmental matrices

This review assessed current and emerging techniques for microplastic identification and quantification in environmental matrices, highlighting advantages and limitations of methods including FTIR, Raman spectroscopy, and pyrolysis-GC/MS.

2019 Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 232 citations
Article Tier 2

Standardization of micro-FTIR methods and applicability for the detection and identification of microplastics in environmental matrices

Researchers worked to standardize micro-FTIR spectroscopy methods for detecting and identifying microplastics as small as 20 micrometers across different environmental samples. They tested reflection and transmission modes against known polymer standards and validated the approach on real-world water, sediment, and biological samples. The study provides a reproducible methodology that could help make microplastic measurements more consistent and comparable across laboratories.

2023 The Science of The Total Environment 131 citations
Article Tier 2

Harmonizing infrared spectroscopic techniques for microplastic identification: a comparative evaluation of ATR and µFTIR transmission and reflection modes

Researchers systematically compared the performance of Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR) and micro-Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (muFTIR) in both transmission and reflection modes for identifying microplastics from twelve common real-world plastic products, providing guidance on optimizing spectroscopic technique selection.

2025
Article Tier 2

Microplastics monitoring in different environments: separation, physicochemical characterization, and quantification

Researchers systematically monitored microplastic contamination across multiple environments including a wastewater treatment plant, surrounding water bodies, and soils near plastic factories, characterizing shape, size, color, and polymer composition via microscopy and FTIR spectroscopy. They found fragments and fibers to be the most common microplastic shapes in water environments and documented simultaneous contamination across all sampled matrices.

2025 Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
Article Tier 2

Subsampling microplastics for chemical characterization and confirmation: assessing efficiency and discussing reliability risks

Researchers evaluated the efficiency and reliability risks of subsampling strategies for microplastic chemical characterization using FTIR spectroscopy, finding that while subsampling reduces labor-intensive manual transfer steps, it carries inherent risks of sampling bias and reduced representativeness.

2024 Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)