Rapid Identification of Microplastics Using Laser-Based MicrospectroscopyAnalyzing Microplastics in the Environment
Oral Presentation
Prepared by L. Tisinger
Agilent Technologies, 201 Hansen Ct, Wood Dale, IL, USA, suite 108, Wood Dale, IL, 60191, United States
Contact Information: [email protected]; 630-306-7304
ABSTRACT
Through the past few decades of rapidly expanding use of plastics and lack of awareness of their long-term impact, microplastics have become a pervasive environmental pollutant, the extent to which is now being studied. As testing of water is becoming more prevalent, it is being recognized that these analyses can be very complex, requiring significant expertise for the operation of intricate instrumentation and the implementation of complex workflows. A novel quantum cascade laser (QCL)-based analyzer that automates the entire microplastics analysis workflow has been developed, which provides identification, particle count, dimensional property measurement, IR and visible images of each particle, and statistical analysis, all with minimal interaction by the analyst. However, while the system makes analysis of microplastics easy for non-spectroscopists, sample preparation is a critical step that can be very challenging for more complex samples, e.g., tissues. Details on the operation of the system, a description of the simple microplastics analysis workflow, and the importance of rigorous sample preparation will be discussed.
