Towards the Development of Portable and In Situ Optical Devices for Detection of Micro and Nanoplastics in Water: A Review on the Current Status

• Published in: Polymers Vol. 13; no. 5; p. 730
• Main Authors: Asamoah, Benjamin O, Uurasjärvi, Emilia, Räty, Jukka, Koistinen, Arto, Roussey, Matthieu, Peiponen, Kai-Erik
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Switzerland MDPI AG 27-02-2021; MDPI
• Subjects: Climate change; Fourier transforms; freshwater; in situ detection; Laboratories; Light; Measurement methods; micro and nanoplastics; optical detection; Optical measurement; Optical measuring instruments; Optical properties; Optics; Photonics; Plastics; Polyethylene terephthalate; portable devices; Portable equipment; Remote sensing; Remote sensors; Review; Sensors; sludge; Spectrum analysis; Water pollution; micro and nanoplastics; sludge; freshwater; portable devices; optical detection; in situ detection
• ISSN: 2073-4360; 2073-4360
• DOI: 10.3390/polym13050730

The prevalent nature of micro and nanoplastics (MP/NPs) on environmental pollution and health-related issues has led to the development of various methods, usually based on Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) and Raman spectroscopies, for their detection. Unfortunately, most of the developed techniques are laboratory-based with little focus on in situ detection of MPs. In this review, we aim to give an up-to-date report on the different optical measurement methods that have been exploited in the screening of MPs isolated from their natural environments, such as water. The progress and the potential of portable optical sensors for field studies of MPs are described, including remote sensing methods. We also propose other optical methods to be considered for the development of potential in situ integrated optical devices for continuous detection of MPs and NPs. Integrated optical solutions are especially necessary for the development of robust portable and in situ optical sensors for the quantitative detection and classification of water-based MPs.