Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Cost-Effective and Wireless Portable Device for Rapid and Sensitive Quantification of Micro/Nanoplastics

Researchers developed a wireless portable device for rapid quantification of micro- and nanoplastics in water samples, offering a field-deployable alternative to laboratory-based analysis for environmental monitoring.

2024 4 citations
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

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
Review Tier 2

In-situ detection of microplastics in the aquatic environment: A systematic literature review

This systematic review evaluates emerging technologies for detecting microplastics directly in water environments without needing to collect samples and bring them to a lab. Developing reliable in-situ detection methods is important because current lab-based approaches are slow and expensive, making it difficult to track where microplastics are concentrated in the water systems that supply drinking water and seafood.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 38 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

Economical and Novel Microplastic Detection Using a Arduino-Based Turbidity Sensor: A Comprehensive Investigation

Researchers developed a low-cost Arduino-based turbidity sensor system for microplastic detection as an accessible alternative to expensive FTIR and Raman spectroscopy methods. The sensor demonstrated the ability to detect microplastic-induced changes in water clarity, offering a practical monitoring tool for low-resource settings and smaller waterways that are typically undersampled.

2025
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

Toward In Situ Detection, Sizing and Identification of Microplastics in Water at the National Research Council of Canada

Researchers at the National Research Council of Canada described in-development in situ technologies for detecting, sizing, and identifying microplastics in ocean water, aiming to overcome the time and resource limitations of conventional laboratory-based monitoring methods. The paper outlines instrument concepts targeting real-time, on-site microplastic pollution assessment to improve the efficiency of marine environmental monitoring.

2025
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

Visualization and characterisation of microplastics in aquatic environment using a home-built micro-Raman spectroscopic set up

Researchers built an affordable micro-Raman spectroscopy system capable of identifying microplastics in water samples, offering a low-cost alternative to expensive commercial equipment. The system could visualize, measure, and chemically identify different types of microplastic particles. This kind of accessible detection technology is important, especially for developing countries, because widespread monitoring of microplastic pollution in water sources is essential for protecting public health.

2024 Journal of Environmental Management 19 citations
Article Tier 2

Imaging-based lensless polarisation-resolving fluid stream analyser for automated, label-free and cost-effective microplastic classification

Researchers developed an imaging-based, lensless, polarisation-resolving fluid stream analyser for automated, label-free, and cost-effective microplastic classification in liquid samples, addressing the lack of in-situ monitoring solutions for ocean environments. The device operates at high flow rates using a custom illumination circuit to reduce motion blur, providing quantitative classification of microplastics without the labour intensity and cost of traditional sampling methods.

2024 Open University of Cape Town (University of Cape Town)
Article Tier 2

High-throughput microplastic assessment using polarization holographic imaging

Researchers built a portable, low-cost system that uses holographic imaging and polarized light combined with deep learning to automatically detect, count, and classify microplastics in water in real time — without lengthy sample preparation. This tool significantly speeds up microplastic monitoring and could be widely deployed for environmental surveillance.

2024 Scientific Reports 36 citations
Article Tier 2

In-situ Detection Method for Microplastics in Water by Polarized Light Scattering

Researchers developed an in-situ detection method for microplastics in water using polarized light scattering at 120 degrees, enabling real-time measurement of individual particles without sample collection or laboratory processing.

2021 Frontiers in Marine Science 35 citations
Article Tier 2

Improvement and Empirical Testing of a Novel Autonomous Microplastics-Collecting Semisubmersible

Researchers improved an autonomous microplastic-collecting robot, testing design modifications that enhanced sampling efficiency and navigation in surface water environments, moving toward practical automated monitoring of plastic pollution.

2024 arXiv (Cornell University)
Article Tier 2

Microplastic and nanoplastic analysis methods, tests and reference materials

Researchers described a workflow combining a streamlined experimental setup with automated image analysis to quantify marine microplastic debris, addressing the limitations of labor-intensive manual counting methods that currently prevent scalable and consistent global plastic monitoring.

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

Current status of the direct detection of microplastics in environments and implications for toxicological effects

Researchers reviewed current methods for detecting microplastics in the environment and summarized the toxic effects of microplastics on aquatic life. They found that while several detection techniques exist — including microscopy and spectroscopy — most suffer from slow processing times, high costs, or high error rates, underscoring the urgent need for faster and more accurate microplastic detection tools.

2023 Chemical Engineering Journal Advances 32 citations
Article Tier 2

Artificial Intelligence-Based Microfluidic Platform for Detecting Contaminants in Water: A Review

This review explores how microfluidic devices combined with artificial intelligence can detect water pollutants including microplastics and nanoplastics in real-time, outside the laboratory. Traditional water testing requires large lab equipment, but these portable chip-based systems can identify contaminants quickly and accurately using machine learning. This technology could improve monitoring of microplastic contamination in drinking water and other water sources.

2024 Sensors 31 citations
Article Tier 2

Imaging‐Based Lensless Polarization‐Sensitive Fluid Stream Analyzer for Automated, Label‐Free, and Cost‐Effective Microplastic Classification

Researchers developed an imaging-based lensless polarization-sensitive fluid stream analyzer that combines digital in-line holography with polarization sensitivity for automated, label-free, and cost-effective in situ detection and classification of microplastics in fluid streams, offering a practical tool for continuous aquatic monitoring without the labor costs of traditional sampling.

2024 Advanced Intelligent Systems
Article Tier 2

Microplastic identification in marine environments: A low-cost and effective approach based on transmitted light measurements

Researchers designed a low-cost microplastic detection system using a standard LCD panel and a digital USB microscope to measure transmitted light through seawater samples. The compact system demonstrated effective detection and quantification of microplastics without the need for expensive laboratory instrumentation.

2024 ACTA IMEKO 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Portable Pyrolysis-Microplasma Carbon Optical Emission Spectrometric Device for Detection of Micro- and Nanoplastics in Water

Scientists developed a portable, low-cost device that can detect micro- and nanoplastics in water samples on-site, rather than requiring expensive lab equipment. The device uses a miniature pyrolyzer combined with an optical emission spectrometer to measure total plastic content in water, achieving detection limits as low as 0.43 micrograms of carbon per liter. This tool could make it much easier to monitor microplastic contamination in tap water, rivers, and wastewater in real time.

2025 Analytical Chemistry 5 citations
Article Tier 2

A Droplet-Based Microfluidic Impedance Flow Cytometer for Detection of Micropollutants in Water

A droplet-based microfluidic impedance cytometer was designed and tested for in-situ detection of microplastic particles in water, offering a portable and rapid alternative to laboratory-based analytical methods.

2024 Environments 7 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification of Microplastics in Aquatic Environments Using Oxidative Treatment and Automated Image Analysis

Researchers developed a cost-effective and replicable method for detecting microplastics in freshwater environments using oxidative treatment to digest organic matter from water samples, enabling cleaner isolation and more accurate identification of MP particles without requiring expensive instrumentation.

2025 Figshare
Article Tier 2

In-situ analysis of small microplastics in coastal surface water samples of the subtropical island of Okinawa, Japan

Researchers performed in-situ analysis of small microplastics in coastal surface water samples, demonstrating the feasibility of field-based detection methods for capturing fine particles that are often missed in standard sampling. The study contributes to improving microplastic monitoring in coastal environments.

2020 arXiv (Cornell University)
Article Tier 2

Microscopic techniques as means for the determination of microplastics and nanoplastics in the aquatic environment: A concise review

This review evaluates microscopic techniques for detecting microplastics and nanoplastics in aquatic environments, highlighting their advantages as fast-screening, low-reagent green analytical tools that complement spectroscopic methods for comprehensive particle analysis.

2022 Green Analytical Chemistry 101 citations