Papers

61,005 results
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Article Tier 2

Microplastic analysis—are we measuring the same? Results on the first global comparative study for microplastic analysis in a water sample

Researchers conducted the first international comparative study of analytical methods for microplastic analysis in a water sample and found that comparability between methods was highly limited, underscoring the urgent need for standardized protocols in microplastic research.

2019 Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 112 citations
Article Tier 2

A review of microplastics measuring methods in water and wastewater bodies

This review covers the wide variety of methods used to measure microplastics in water and wastewater, comparing their advantages and limitations. The authors note that lack of standardized methods makes it difficult to compare results across studies and call for international consensus on measurement protocols.

2021 SHILAP Revista de lepidopterología
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

Quantification of microplastics: Which parameters are essential for a reliable inter-study comparison?

Inconsistent measurement methods make it very difficult to compare microplastic data across studies. This paper proposes standardized guidelines for quantifying microplastic size and shape distributions, which would allow scientists to better track pollution levels over time and across locations.

2020 Marine Pollution Bulletin 33 citations
Article Tier 2

Disparities in Methods Used to Determine Microplastics in the Aquatic Environment: A Review of Legislation, Sampling Process and Instrumental Analysis

This review examined the wide disparities in sampling, processing, and analytical methods used across microplastic studies, highlighting how inconsistent approaches make it difficult to compare results and calling for standardized international protocols and regulatory frameworks.

2021 International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 45 citations
Article Tier 2

Comparision protocols for extraction of microplastics in water samples

Researchers compared four different extraction protocols for isolating microplastics from water samples and found significant differences in efficiency and accuracy across methods. Standardized extraction protocols are critical for producing comparable microplastic abundance data across studies. Without consistent methodology, it is difficult to build a reliable global picture of microplastic contamination levels in water.

2023 Vietnam Journal of Marine Science and Technology 1 citations
Article Tier 2

A review of methods for measuring microplastics in aquatic environments

This review critically evaluates methods used to measure microplastics in aquatic environments, covering sampling design, sample processing, and spectroscopic identification, and identifies the most significant sources of methodological variation. Standardizing these methods is essential for generating comparable data across studies and enabling robust environmental risk assessment.

2018 Environmental Science and Pollution Research 361 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
Systematic Review Tier 1

Are research methods shaping our understanding of microplastic pollution? A literature review on the seawater and sediment bodies of the Mediterranean Sea

This systematic review examines microplastic research methods used to study pollution in the Mediterranean Sea. The researchers found that inconsistent methods across studies make it difficult to compare results and understand the true scale of contamination. Standardizing how we measure microplastics is essential for accurately assessing the risks these particles pose to marine ecosystems and the humans who depend on them.

2021 Environmental Pollution 70 citations
Article Tier 2

A review on analytical performance of micro- and nanoplastics analysis methods

This review evaluated the analytical methods currently available for detecting and measuring micro- and nanoplastics in various environments. Researchers compared techniques based on their accuracy, sensitivity, and practical limitations, noting that particle size and the complexity of the surrounding material significantly affect method performance. The study identifies key challenges and provides guidance on selecting appropriate analytical approaches for different types of plastic pollution research.

2023 Arabian Journal of Chemistry 37 citations
Article Tier 2

Questions of size and numbers in environmental research on microplastics: methodological and conceptual aspects

This methods paper critically examines how choices about the lower size limit and counting method for microplastics affect reported concentrations, arguing that different research questions require different approaches. The authors call for transparency in reporting methodological choices so that studies using different size thresholds can still be meaningfully compared.

2015 Environmental Chemistry 275 citations
Article Tier 2

Are We Underestimating Microplastic Contamination in Aquatic Environments?

This review argues that current microplastic monitoring methods likely underestimate the true extent of contamination in aquatic environments, especially for small particles and fibers. The authors call for standardized, more sensitive detection methods to better inform regulation and risk assessment.

2017 Environmental Management 277 citations
Article Tier 2

A critical review of microplastics characterisation in aquatic environments: recent trends in the last 10 years

This critical review assessed current approaches to characterizing microplastics in aquatic environments, evaluating sampling methods, extraction protocols, and analytical techniques. It identified persistent inconsistencies in methodology and recommended standardization practices to improve data comparability.

2024 Analytical Methods 4 citations
Article Tier 2

Are we underestimating floating microplastic pollution? A quantitative analysis of two sampling methodologies

A quantitative analysis of 67 microplastic studies compared bulk water sampling with trawl-based methods, finding substantial differences in reported concentrations depending on the technique used. The study warns that inconsistent sampling methodology leads to underestimates of microplastic pollution and hinders cross-study comparisons.

2022 Marine Pollution Bulletin 46 citations
Article Tier 2

Efficacy of Microplastic Separation Techniques on Seawater Samples: Testing Accuracy Using High-Density Polyethylene

Scientists tested four common methods for separating microplastics from seawater samples and found that each method recovered different amounts and types of particles. Standardizing separation methods is critical for making microplastic concentration data comparable across different studies.

2021 Biological Bulletin 23 citations
Article Tier 2

A critical view on microplastic quantification in aquatic organisms

Researchers critically reviewed the methods used to quantify microplastics in aquatic organisms including zooplankton, bivalves, and fish. The study highlights that no standardized methodology exists for measuring microplastic contamination in biota, which makes comparing results across studies difficult and underscores the need for consistent analytical protocols.

2015 Environmental Research 463 citations
Article Tier 2

Recent advances in the analysis methodologies for microplastics in aquatic organisms: current knowledge and research challenges

This review examines recent advances in analytical methods for detecting and quantifying microplastics in aquatic organisms, identifying key sources of variability across studies and outlining research challenges needed to improve comparability and standardization.

2020 Analytical Methods 73 citations
Article Tier 2

Current development and future challenges in microplastic detection techniques: A bibliometrics-based analysis and review

Researchers conducted a bibliometrics-based review of current microplastic detection techniques and their limitations. The study found that different environmental settings require different analytical methods and that current instrument limitations can lead to over- or underestimation of microplastic abundance, highlighting the need for continued development of more accurate detection technologies.

2022 Science Progress 47 citations
Article Tier 2

Methodological approaches to the monitoring of microplastics in France

Researchers reviewed the methods used to monitor microplastics in France, highlighting the different approaches adopted across water, sediment, and biological samples and the need for standardized protocols to improve comparability of results across studies.

2023 SPIRE - Sciences Po Institutional REpository
Article Tier 2

Does what we find depend on how we sample? Measured streambed microplastic concentrations can be affected by the choice of sampling method

Researchers compared how different microplastic sampling methods — including nets, pumps, and bulk water collection — affect measured concentrations in streambed sediments, finding large methodological differences in results. The study underscores that sampling protocol choice strongly influences what researchers find.

2024 The Science of The Total Environment 6 citations
Article Tier 2

Assessment of microplastic content in natural waters and sediments: sampling and sample preparation

Researchers reviewed and evaluated sampling and analytical methods for measuring microplastic content in natural waters and sediments, assessing sources of error and variability in current approaches. The review recommended a standardized protocol to improve cross-study comparability.

2024 Журнал аналитической химии
Article Tier 2

Comparative analysis of microplastics detection methods applied to marine sediments: A case study in the Bay of Marseille

This study compared multiple analytical methods for detecting and quantifying microplastics in marine sediment samples, evaluating extraction efficiency, polymer identification accuracy, and practical considerations for routine environmental monitoring.

2024 Marine Pollution Bulletin 9 citations
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
Systematic Review Tier 1

A Systematic Review of Microplastic Detection in Water

This systematic review summarizes current methods for detecting microplastics in water sources. The research highlights significant challenges in accurately measuring these tiny plastic particles, with different techniques yielding very different results. Better detection methods are essential for understanding how much microplastic is present in the water people drink and use daily.

2024 2 citations