Methods for the analysis of submicrometer- and nanoplastic particles in the environment

This paper by Schwaferts et al. addresses methodological gaps that exist in the analysis of microplastics. Specifically, it deals with the analysis of nanoparticles, as they are not covered by common analytical methods.

The authors provide an overview regarding the progress in environmental nanoplastic analysis and critically evaluate which techniques from nanomaterial analysis may potentially be adapted to close the methodological gap.

Furthermore, the paper contains a roadmap for methods covering the entire analysis process from sample treatment to particle characterization which includes:

1. methods for analyte extraction and preconcentration from various environmental matrices
2. methods for the separation of the nanoplastic into specific size fractions
3. light scattering techniques and various types of microscopy to characterize the particle fractions;
4. chemical identification of particles to validate the obtained data.

The publication is available for download on this website.