Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

The use of reference material in microplastic research: general aspects

This paper discussed general considerations for using certified reference materials in microplastic research, arguing that standardized reference materials are essential for ensuring that measurements are reproducible and comparable across different laboratories and studies. The lack of such standards remains a major limitation in the field.

2017
Article Tier 2

Innovative reference materials for method validation in microplastic analysis including interlaboratory comparison exercises

Researchers developed innovative reference materials for validating microplastic analysis methods, presenting interlaboratory comparison results that support quality assurance and standardization in the growing field of microplastic detection.

2023 Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 39 citations
Article Tier 2

Preparation of a reference material for microplastics in water—evaluation of homogeneity

Researchers developed a candidate reference material for microplastics in water and evaluated its homogeneity, finding it suitable for use in laboratory intercomparison studies and as a tool for validating microplastic analytical methods.

2021 Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 65 citations
Article Tier 2

A novel proof of concept approach towards generating reference microplastic particles

This paper presented a proof-of-concept approach for generating standardized reference microplastic particles to improve comparability across analytical methods. The lack of consistent reference materials has been a key barrier to producing reliable and comparable microplastic research data.

2024 EPub Bayreuth (University of Bayreuth)
Article Tier 2

Small micro- and nanoplastic test and reference materials for research: Current status and future needs

This review highlights the critical shortage of well-characterized, environmentally relevant reference materials for studying small microplastics and nanoplastics. Most laboratory studies use commercially available spherical particles that do not represent the irregular, weathered particles found in nature. The authors call for developing standardized reference materials that better mimic real-world microplastic contamination to improve the reliability of exposure and hazard assessments.

2025 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Preparation and Analysis of Standard Microplastics

Researchers prepared and characterized standard microplastic samples from synthetic textiles, finding that microfilaments shed by fabrics are the dominant form and proposing methods for creating consistent reference materials for environmental monitoring studies.

2022 Environmental sciences 4 citations
Article Tier 2

A novel proof of concept approach towards generating reference microplastic particles

Researchers developed a new method for creating standardized reference microplastic particles that can be embedded in a dissolvable matrix in precise, known quantities. Current microplastic research suffers from a lack of consistent reference standards, making it difficult to compare results across different laboratories and methods. The approach could significantly improve the quality and comparability of microplastic measurements in environmental studies.

2024 Microplastics and Nanoplastics 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Preparation and analysis of standards containing microfilaments/microplastic with fibre shape

Researchers developed and validated reference standards containing synthetic textile microfilaments for use in laboratory analysis of microplastics. Standardized reference materials are essential for ensuring that analytical methods for detecting textile-derived microplastics are accurate and comparable across different labs.

2020 Chemosphere 25 citations
Article Tier 2

Are we really producing environmentally relevant reference materials for microplastic studies?

This study evaluated whether laboratory-produced microplastic reference materials used in research adequately represent the physical and chemical properties of particles found in natural environments. Results found substantial differences between commercially available reference materials and environmentally weathered microplastics, undermining the ecological relevance of studies using pristine materials.

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

Do We Speak the Same Language for Reference Particles in Microplastic Research?

This paper argues that the microplastics research community lacks agreement on standardized reference particles for laboratory experiments, making it difficult to compare results across studies. The authors call for consensus on definitions and materials to improve the reproducibility and policy relevance of microplastic research.

2022 Microplastics 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Development of new microplastic reference particles for usage in pre-defined numbers

This study developed new microplastic reference particles with defined numbers of particles per unit, addressing the lack of standardized reference materials that has hampered comparability across microplastic research studies and analytical methods.

2023 Research Square (Research Square) 3 citations
Article Tier 2

EasyMP: Diverse and Environmentally Relevant Microplastic Reference Materials Encompassing Fragments and Fibers

Researchers developed and validated a set of commercially available microplastic reference materials called EasyMP, including fragments (10–100 µm) and fibers (50–1000 µm) suspended in ethanol. Repeatability testing showed relative standard deviations of 9–10%, making these materials suitable for standardizing MP analysis across laboratories.

2025 Nano Select 2 citations
Article Tier 2

Analytical challenges associated with the determination of microplastics in the environment

This commentary discusses the significant analytical challenges involved in detecting and quantifying microplastics in environmental matrices, highlighting issues of contamination, standardization, and the complexity of characterizing a diverse range of plastic fragments and fibers.

2017 Analytical Methods 34 citations
Article Tier 2

Challenge for the detection of microplastics in the environment

This review examines the major challenges in detecting and quantifying microplastics across different environmental matrices, including sampling inconsistencies, contamination risks, and limitations of current analytical methods. Addressing these methodological challenges is essential for producing reliable data on microplastic pollution levels worldwide.

2019 Water Environment Research 192 citations
Article Tier 2

A comprehensive toolkit for micro- to nanoplastic analysis

This review presents a unified analytical toolkit integrating mass-based, particle-based, and morphology-based approaches to enable reliable detection, quantification, and standardization of micro- and nanoplastics across diverse environmental matrices. The framework is intended to improve comparability across studies and support robust monitoring of plastic pollution.

2025 Environmental Science Nano
Article Tier 2

Are we really producing environmentally relevant reference materials for microplastic studies?

This study critically evaluated whether current laboratory-produced microplastic reference materials adequately represent the properties of microplastics found in real environments, examining particle morphology, chemical composition, and surface characteristics. Significant gaps were identified between commercially available reference materials and environmentally relevant particles, limiting the ecological realism of ecotoxicology studies.

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

Standard Practice for Development of Microplastic Reference Samples for Calibration and Proficiency Evaluation in All Types of Water Matrices with High to Low Levels of Suspended Solids

This ASTM standard practice provides procedures for creating reference microplastic particle samples for use in calibrating and evaluating microplastic detection methods. Standardized reference materials are essential for ensuring that different laboratories produce consistent and comparable microplastic measurement results.

2023
Article Tier 2

Quantifying micro- and nanoplastics

This work addresses methodological approaches for quantifying micro- and nanoplastics in environmental samples, examining analytical techniques, sampling strategies, and measurement challenges. The publication is part of the international research literature on standardizing plastic particle detection and quantification methods.

2024 SPIRE - Sciences Po Institutional REpository
Article Tier 2

Laboratory Methods for the Analysis of Microplastics in the Marine Environment: Recommendations for quantifying synthetic particles in waters and sediments.

This guidance document reviewed laboratory methods for analyzing microplastics in marine environmental samples, providing standardized recommendations to improve comparability and quality across monitoring programs.

2015 IOC of UNESCO (Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission) 1158 citations
Article Tier 2

Advanced Techniques for Sampling, Quantification, and Characterization of Microplastics

This review chapter covers the full workflow of microplastic analysis — from sampling strategies and extraction methods through identification, quantification, and characterization techniques — and emphasizes the need for standardized protocols across different environmental matrices and biological samples. Without consistent methods, results from different studies cannot be reliably compared, making it harder to understand the true scale of microplastic contamination. Methodological standardization is considered a foundational requirement for advancing the field.

2025 1 citations
Article Tier 2

Microplastics in the environment: Challenges in analytical chemistry - A review

This review examined the analytical chemistry challenges of detecting and characterizing microplastics in environmental samples, highlighting ongoing issues with standardization, method sensitivity, and comparability across studies.

2018 Analytica Chimica Acta 807 citations
Article Tier 2

Validation of Sample Preparation Methods for Microplastic Analysis in Wastewater Matrices—Reproducibility and Standardization

Sample preparation methods for microplastic analysis in wastewater were validated against reference standards to assess recovery rates and reproducibility. The validation study identified methods that reliably extract microplastics from complex wastewater matrices, supporting more consistent environmental monitoring of microplastic discharge from treatment plants.

2020 Water 180 citations
Article Tier 2

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.

2024 Water Emerging Contaminants & Nanoplastics 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Methods for sampling, processing, identification,and quantification of microplastics in the marine environment

This paper reviews and compares the various methods used to collect, process, identify, and quantify microplastics across different environmental samples. It highlights the lack of standardized protocols as a major obstacle to comparing results across studies and calls for methodological harmonization.

2020 Oceanography in Japan 12 citations