Quantitative assessment of visual microscopy as a tool for microplastic research: Recommendations for improving methods and reporting

Microscopy is often the first step in microplastic analysis and is generally followed by spectroscopy to confirm material type. The value of microscopy lies in its ability to provide count, size, color, and morphological in-formation to inform toxicity and source apportionment. To assess the accuracy and precision of microscopy, we conducted a method evaluation study. Twenty-two laboratories from six countries were provided three blind spiked clean water samples and asked to follow a standard operating procedure. The samples contained a known number of microplastics with different morphologies (fiber, fragment, sphere), colors (clear, white, green, blue, red, and orange), polymer types (PE, PS, PVC, and PET), and sizes (ranging from roughly 3-2000 mu m), and natural materials (natural hair, fibers, and shells; 100-7000 mu m) that could be mistaken for microplastics (i.e., false positives). Particle recovery was poor for the smallest size fraction (3-20 mu m). Average recovery (+/- StDev) for all reported particles >50 mu m was 94.5 +/- 56.3%. After quality checks, recovery for >50 mu m spiked particles was 51.3 +/- 21.7%. Recovery varied based on morphology and color, with poorest recovery for fibers and the largest deviations for clear and white particles. Experience mattered; less experienced laboratories tended to report higher concentration and had a higher variance among replicates. Participants identified opportunity for increased accuracy and precision through training, improved color and morphology keys, and method alterations relevant to size fractionation. The resulting data informs future work, constraining and highlighting the value of microscopy for microplastics.

Automated summary

Microscopy is an important step in microplastic analysis as it provides valuable information on count, size, color, and morphology. A method evaluation study involving multiple laboratories showed that recovery rates varied based on particle morphology and color, with fibers having the poorest recovery and clear/white particles having larger deviations. More experienced laboratories tended to report higher concentrations with higher variance among replicates. Training and improvements in color and morphology keys can enhance accuracy and precision of microscopy for microplastics.