期刊

Analysis of Microplastics and Nanoplastics

标题

Chapter 8 - Observation and visual identification of microplastics

作者

Kok Ping Lim,  Chengjun Sun,  Phaik Eem Lim

摘要

The growing prevalence of microplastics has raised concerns about their potential environmental and human health impacts. In this chapter, we present an in-depth exploration of the observation and visual identification of microplastics, including microscopic observation, the application of scanning electron microscope, the hot needle test, and staining methods. The respective advantages and limitations of the methods are discussed. However, the lack of standardized protocols for identifying and categorizing microplastics present a significant research gap, leading to potential misidentification and difficulties in data comparison among the studies. To address this, we discuss the importance of establishing clear guidelines for differentiating microplastics from other particles and promoting uniformity in reporting microplastics physical characteristics (size, shape, and color). By standardizing the classification of microplastics’ physical characteristics, researchers can have better understanding on microplastic pollution, its distribution, and potential impacts on ecosystems and human health.

原文链接

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780443157790000080