A systematic protocol of microplastics analysis from their identification to quantification in water environment: A comprehensive review

With microplastics (MPs) being detected in aquatic environments, numerous studies revealed that they caused severe environmental issues, including damage to ecosystems and human health. MPs transport persistent organic pollutants by adsorbing them, and in nanoplastics this phenomenon is exacerbated by increased surface area. Despite their environmental risk, systematic protocol for qualitative and quantitative analysis are yet to be established in environmental analytical chemistry. Current analytical technologies on MP identification have technological limits with regard to detecting small sized particles (<1 mu m), underestimation of MPs with organic contaminants, and physico-chemically altered particles by weathering and photo degradation. According to the published works, MPs are spread in living organisms through the food web, and are even detected in bottled water. To determine its eco-toxicity and removal by biodegradation, its accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility should be ensured by establishing a systematic protocol of MP identification. This review compares procedures, applicability, and limitations of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, and thermoanalytical methods for identifying MPs. Finally, it suggests systematic protocols for MPs analysis.

Automated summary

Microplastics pose risks to ecosystems and human health, yet a systematic protocol for qualitative and quantitative analysis is still lacking in environmental analytical chemistry. These microplastics are spread through the food web to living organisms, and have even been detected in bottled water. Establishing a systematic protocol for microplastic identification is crucial to ensure accuracy, reliability, and reproducibility in determining their eco-toxicity and removal by biodegradation.