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61,005 resultsShowing papers similar to The marine nano- and microplastics characterisation by SEM-EDX: The potential of the method in comparison with various physical and chemical approaches
ClearMicroplastic rapid screening method development using automated mineralogy
Automated scanning electron microscopy with energy-dispersive X-ray analysis was adapted as a rapid screening method for detecting and characterizing microplastic particles in environmental samples. The method simultaneously identifies particle chemistry, size, and shape without hazardous chemicals. This approach offers a faster and less labor-intensive alternative to traditional microplastic analysis techniques.
Spectro‐Microscopic Techniques for Studying Nanoplastics in the Environment and in Organisms
This review examines spectro-microscopic techniques for detecting and characterizing nanoplastics (under 1 um) in environmental and biological matrices, arguing that effective analysis requires combining particle imaging with chemical characterization of the same particles, and highlighting methods capable of simultaneous morphological and chemical identification.
SEM/EDS and optical microscopy analyses of microplastics in ocean trawl and fish guts
Researchers used optical microscopy and SEM/EDS analysis to characterize microplastic particles from ocean trawl samples and fish gut contents. They found that combining visual classification with elemental analysis provided an effective screening method to distinguish potential microplastics from non-plastic particles before more detailed spectroscopic identification. The study demonstrates a practical multi-step analytical workflow for efficiently processing large numbers of environmental microplastic samples.
A comparison of microscopic and spectroscopic identification methods for analysis of microplastics in environmental samples
Researchers compared microscopic and spectroscopic methods for analyzing microplastics in environmental samples, evaluating accuracy and efficiency and finding that spectroscopic confirmation substantially reduces misidentification errors.
Correlative SEM-Raman microscopy to reveal nanoplastics in complex environments
Researchers developed a correlative approach combining scanning electron microscopy and Raman microscopy to detect and identify nanoplastics as small as 100 nanometers in complex environmental samples. The method was tested on various matrices and successfully identified individual plastic nanoparticles that would be missed by conventional techniques. The study represents a significant advance in analytical capability for studying the smallest and most challenging size fraction of plastic pollution.
Recent developments in mass spectrometry for the characterization of micro- and nanoscale plastic debris in the environment
This review examines advances in mass spectrometry techniques for characterizing micro- and nanoplastic debris in environmental samples, covering particle sizing, polymer identification, and quantification approaches. Improved mass spectrometry methods are expanding the ability to detect and characterize nanoplastics, which are particularly challenging to measure with conventional spectroscopic approaches.
A Novel Approach for Identifying Nanoplastics by Assessing Deformation Behavior with Scanning Electron Microscopy
Researchers adapted scanning electron microscopy (SEM) to identify nanoplastics by observing how different polymer types deform under an electron beam — a distinctive behavior that distinguishes plastics from common environmental materials like clay and algae. This novel detection method, enhanced by a computer vision algorithm, could help overcome one of the biggest obstacles in nanoplastic research: identifying particles too small to characterize with standard analytical tools.
Identification and morphological characterization of different types of plastic microparticles
Researchers used multiple complementary techniques to identify and characterize the morphology and polymer composition of different types of plastic microparticles. They compared methods including optical microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and spectroscopic analysis to evaluate their reliability. The study provides practical guidance for standardizing microplastic identification protocols, which is important for producing comparable results across different research laboratories.
Surface Chemical Analysis of Plastic Materials by X‐Ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy: Understanding Weathering, Fragmentation and Contaminant Uptake in Marine Environments
This review assesses the application of X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS) as a surface characterisation tool for studying plastic fragmentation, weathering, and hazardous contaminant adsorption in marine environments, arguing that surface-level chemical analysis is essential for predicting plastic degradation behaviour. The authors evaluate the current state of XPS applications for understanding the complex surface chemistry that governs how micro- and nanoplastics interact with environmental pollutants.
Novel characterisation of microplastics and other contaminant particles using new scanning electron microscopy technologies
Researchers applied a new scanning electron microscopy technology combining backscattered electron and X-ray imaging (SEM-BEX) to environmental samples and found it characterized microplastics and other contaminant particles up to 18 times faster than standard SEM while providing simultaneous elemental composition data.
Identification of microplastics and associated contaminants using ultra high resolution microscopic and spectroscopic techniques
A new procedure combining ultra-high resolution microscopy and spectroscopy was developed to simultaneously characterize micro- and nanoplastics and identify contaminants adsorbed to their surfaces in aquatic samples. The method enables more comprehensive analysis of the complex pollutant mixtures associated with environmental microplastic particles.
A semi-automated Raman micro-spectroscopy method for morphological and chemical characterizations of microplastic litter
Researchers developed a semi-automated Raman micro-spectroscopy method coupled with static image analysis for characterizing microplastics, achieving morphological and chemical identification of over 1,000 particles in under three hours, with polyethylene, polystyrene, and polypropylene as the dominant types in the environmental sample.
Study on Rapid Recognition of Marine Microplastics Based on Raman Spectroscopy
Researchers developed a rapid identification system for marine microplastics using Raman spectroscopy, enabling quick determination of plastic type and size. Fast, accurate identification tools are critical for monitoring the growing problem of microplastic pollution in ocean environments.
Microplastics in the Marine Environment: A Review of the Methods Used for Identification and Quantification
This review covered the methods used to identify and characterize microplastics in marine environmental samples, evaluating the strengths and limitations of visual, spectroscopic, and chemical approaches for field and laboratory analysis.
A Review of Spectroscopic Techniques used for the Quantification and Classification of Microplastics and Nanoplastics in the Environment
This review evaluates spectroscopic techniques — including Raman, FTIR, NIR, ICP-MS, fluorescence, X-ray, and NMR — for identifying and quantifying microplastics and nanoplastics in environmental and biological matrices, covering methodologies, sample handling, and applications.
Differentiation of petro-sourced plastic microfilaments from organic microfilaments by SEM-EDX in environmental samples
Researchers developed methods to differentiate petrochemical-sourced plastic microfilaments from natural and biogenic fibers in environmental samples, improving the accuracy of microplastic identification. The approach reduces misclassification errors that have complicated comparisons across monitoring studies.
Identification and characterisation of individual nanoplastics by scanning transmission X-ray microscopy (STXM)
Researchers tested scanning transmission X-ray microscopy combined with near-edge X-ray absorption spectroscopy as a method to detect and identify individual nanoplastics in environmental and food samples. They successfully characterized nanoplastics from eight common polymer types and confirmed the presence of diverse nanoplastics in unspiked soil samples and tea water from plastic teabags. The technique offers a promising new analytical approach for nanoplastic detection in complex matrices.
High resolution X-ray microtomography as a tool for observation and classification of individual microplastics
Researchers investigated X-ray microtomography (microCT) as a non-destructive tool for characterizing microplastics embedded in sediment, demonstrating that the technique could provide detailed internal and external morphological data to help classify individual particles based on structure and composition.
Correlative Microscopy and Spectroscopy Workflow for Microplastics
A correlative workflow combining optical zoom microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Raman spectroscopy was demonstrated for comprehensive analysis of the same microplastic particles, enabling simultaneous morphological and chemical characterization at high resolution. The approach avoids the need for conductive coatings and enables identification of particles as small as 100 nanometers.
Detection, counting and characterization of nanoplastics in marine bioindicators: a proof of principle study
Researchers demonstrated a proof-of-concept workflow for detecting and counting nanoplastic particles (below 1 µm) in marine invertebrate tissues using electron microscopy and spectroscopic confirmation, finding nanoplastics in marine bioindicator species and establishing a methodology for future monitoring programs.
A critical comparison of the main characterization techniques for microplastics identification in an accelerated aging laboratory experiment
This paper critically compared the main spectroscopic and microscopic characterization techniques used to identify microplastics in environmental samples, evaluating their strengths, limitations, and suitability for different matrices. The review highlighted the need for standardized methods to improve comparability across microplastic studies.
Novel method for the extraction and identification of microplastics in ocean trawl and fish gut matrices
This paper presents a method for extracting and identifying microplastics from ocean trawl samples using ultrasonication and complementary analytical techniques including optical microscopy, SEM/EDS, FT-IR, and Raman spectroscopy. The multi-technique approach improves identification accuracy for small or ambiguous plastic particles.
Quantification of small (1–10 µm) microplastic particles in soil matrices using automated scanning electron microscopy: possibilities and limitations
Researchers developed an automated SEM-EDX method for quantifying small (1-10 µm) microplastic particles in soil matrices, applying a gold coating to polycarbonate membranes to improve elemental contrast and using Monte Carlo simulations to optimise an acceleration voltage of 3 kV for particle detection. They achieved largely concentration-independent recoveries of ~70% for polyethylene and ~50% for PVC from soil suspensions, demonstrating both the promise and current limitations of this approach for small microplastic analysis.
Chemical and Physical Characterisation of Microplastics Present on Beaches of the Cantabrian Coast, Bay of Biscay (Spain)
Chemical and physical characterization of microplastics from a specific environment revealed details about polymer composition, particle shape, and surface weathering state. Such characterization studies are essential baselines for understanding the sources, pathways, and potential biological impacts of microplastics.