Papers

61,005 results
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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

Two Birds with One Stone—Fast and Simultaneous Analysis of Microplastics: Microparticles Derived from Thermoplastics and Tire Wear

Researchers developed a thermoanalytical method that simultaneously analyzes microplastics from both conventional thermoplastics and tire wear particles in environmental samples using a single pyrolysis run. The approach reduces analysis time and cost compared to running separate analyses, making large-scale environmental monitoring of diverse microplastic types more practical.

2018 Environmental Science & Technology Letters 252 citations
Article Tier 2

Simultaneous Trace Identification and Quantification of Common Types of Microplastics in Environmental Samples by Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Researchers developed a method for simultaneous trace identification and quantification of common microplastic types in environmental samples, improving detection efficiency and enabling more accurate monitoring of multiple plastic polymers at once.

2017 Environmental Science & Technology 589 citations
Article Tier 2

Rapid and efficient method for assessing nanoplastics by an electromagnetic heating pyrolysis mass spectrometry

Researchers developed an electromagnetic heating pyrolysis mass spectrometry method for rapid nanoplastic characterization, demonstrating fast polymer identification and quantification at low concentrations in complex environmental samples compared to conventional thermal analysis.

2021 Journal of Hazardous Materials 26 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

Cloud-Point Extraction Combined with Thermal Degradation for Nanoplastic Analysis Using Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Researchers developed a cloud-point extraction method combined with pyrolysis GC-MS to detect and quantify nanoplastics in aqueous samples, achieving detection of particles smaller than those typically measurable with conventional microplastic methods. The technique addresses a critical analytical gap in understanding nanoplastic contamination in water environments.

2018 Analytical Chemistry 202 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessing the Mass Concentration of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in Wastewater Treatment Plants by Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Researchers used pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry to measure the mass concentration of both microplastics and nanoplastics at different stages of wastewater treatment. They found that treatment plants removed over 93% of microplastics and nanoplastics by mass, but measurable amounts still remained in treated effluent. The study provides important data on nanoplastic levels in wastewater, which have been largely unmeasured due to limitations of previous detection methods.

2023 Environmental Science & Technology 169 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

Why it is important to analyze the chemical composition of microplastics in environmental samples

This review argued for the critical importance of chemical composition analysis in microplastic research, noting that visual identification methods have historically overestimated microplastic quantities and that more sophisticated analytical approaches are needed for accurate characterization of particles smaller than 500 micrometers.

2021 Marine Pollution Bulletin 37 citations
Article Tier 2

Identification of microplastic pathways within a typical European urban wastewater system

Researchers used thermoextraction/desorption gas chromatography/mass spectrometry to trace microplastic pathways through a European urban wastewater system, identifying key sources and transfer points where microplastics enter and move through municipal treatment infrastructure.

2023 Applied Research 10 citations
Article Tier 2

A new analytical approach for monitoring microplastics in marine sediments

Researchers developed a new analytical approach for monitoring microplastics specifically in marine sediments, improving extraction and identification steps to enable more reliable and standardized environmental monitoring of seafloor contamination.

2013 Environmental Pollution 1349 citations
Article Tier 2

Rapid Monitoring Approach for Microplastics Using Portable Pyrolysis-Mass Spectrometry

Researchers developed a rapid monitoring method for microplastics using a portable pyrolysis-mass spectrometry system that can identify polymer types and quantify particles smaller than 5 mm in the field without lengthy laboratory preparation. The approach offers a promising tool for fast, on-site microplastic surveillance in environmental samples.

2020 Analytical Chemistry 94 citations
Article Tier 2

Determination of microplastic content in seafood: An integrated approach combined with the determination of elemental contaminants

Researchers developed and tested an integrated analytical approach combining multiple techniques to reliably detect and characterize microplastics in seafood. The method aims to provide more accurate and reproducible results for food safety assessments.

2020 The Science of The Total Environment 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Modeling microplastic with polyethylene (PE) spherical particles: a differential scanning calorimetry approach for quantification

Researchers developed a thermal analysis approach to detect and quantify polyethylene microplastics in environmental samples, offering an alternative to optical methods. Accurate quantification tools are essential for understanding the true scale of microplastic contamination in soil and water.

2021 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 7 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

Advanced analytical techniques for assessing and detecting microplastic pollution in water and wastewater systems

This review evaluates the various laboratory methods available for detecting and measuring microplastics in water and wastewater, including spectroscopy, thermal analysis, and newer combined techniques. Each method has different strengths and limitations in terms of what particle sizes they can detect and how accurately they identify plastic types. The review helps researchers choose the right tools for measuring microplastic contamination, which is essential for understanding how much microplastic people are exposed to through drinking water.

2024 Environmental Quality Management 17 citations
Article Tier 2

Measuring Microplastic Concentrations in Water by Electrical Impedance Spectroscopy

Researchers developed a method using electrical impedance spectroscopy to measure microplastic concentrations in water samples without requiring complex laboratory equipment. The technique can distinguish between different concentrations and types of plastic particles based on their electrical properties. The study offers a potentially faster and more accessible approach for routine microplastic monitoring in water treatment and environmental settings.

2024 Water 5 citations
Article Tier 2

The power of a multi-technique approach for the reliable quantification of microplastics in water

Researchers applied a multi-technique analytical approach combining several spectroscopic and microscopic methods to improve the reliability of microplastic quantification in environmental samples. The combined approach reduced false positives and improved polymer identification accuracy compared to any single method used alone.

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

Machine learning-integrated droplet microfluidic system for accurate quantification and classification of microplastics

Scientists developed a new microplastic detection system that combines tiny droplet-based testing with machine learning to quickly identify and classify microplastic particles. This portable system can accurately detect microplastics on-site without expensive lab equipment, which could make widespread environmental and food safety monitoring much more practical.

2025 Water Research 16 citations
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

[Method for Simultaneous Quantifying Five Types of Microplastics by Tubular Furnace Pyrolysis-thermal Desorption-gas Chromatography-mass Spectrometry].

Researchers developed a pyrolysis-thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry method capable of simultaneously quantifying five types of microplastics — PE, PP, PS, PVC, and PET — larger than 0.22 micrometers across diverse environmental matrices.

2025 PubMed
Article Tier 2

Automated Machine-Learning-Driven Analysis of Microplastics by TGA-FTIR for Enhanced Identification and Quantification

Researchers developed an automated machine-learning system to identify and measure microplastics using a combination of heat analysis and infrared spectroscopy. The system can distinguish between different plastic types more accurately and faster than manual methods. Better detection tools like this are important because reliable measurement of microplastics in food, water, and the environment is essential for understanding human exposure levels.

2025 Analytical Chemistry 8 citations
Article Tier 2

Simultaneous Determination of Small Microplastics' Size, Type, Charge, Number and Mass Concentration by Machine-Learning Driven Single-Particle Sensing

Scientists developed a new method that can identify and measure tiny plastic particles (microplastics) in the environment much more precisely than before, determining their size, type, and amount all at once. This breakthrough could help us better understand how these plastic pollutants move through our environment and potentially affect human health. The technology represents a major step forward in tracking microplastic contamination, which is increasingly found in our food, water, and air.

2026