Advancing automated microplastic detection: validation of a method using particle detection software and µ-Raman spectroscopy for 20 – 53 µm particles

Le résumé fourni par la source

Research on microplastics is developing rapidly, but methods for quantifying the smallest particles (1-100 µm) remain limited. Automated spectroscopic methods using µ-FTIR and µ-Raman spectroscopy have been developed, but these methods are often time-consuming, require expensive filters, or show poor recovery of smaller particles. To address these problems, and as part of a larger effort to develop a cost-effective method for the rapid quantification of microplastic particles, we developed and validated a method for quantifying 20 – 53 µm microplastic fragments using µ-Raman spectroscopy on polycarbonate filters. Our method is fast, reliable, and does not require expensive consumables. We validated a method for polyethylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate fragments with good precision for one sample run multiple times (~3 – 7% coefficient of variation) and independent samples of the same mass (~18 – 35%, depending on polymer). Recovery, tested across a larger size range of particles (up to 106 µm), ranged from 69 – 77% across polymers. KOH treatment (10 or 20%) reduced the recovery of our small polyethylene terephthalate particles. Our method proves promising, and we will continue its development and validation across a greater diversity of polymers, sizes and shapes, as well as with weathered particles extracted from environmental matrices.

Ce résumé expose les affirmations des auteurs. BNTIC ne l’interprète pas comme une validation indépendante des résultats.