How to detect microplastics

Abstract

Synthetic polymer (or plastic) materials have become an inherent part of our everyday lives. Being lightweight, durable and corrosion-resistant, they offer remarkable technological and medical benefits. On the other hand, due to their high resistance to degradation, plastic materials accumulate in the environment. Plastic bottles, for instance, are expected to remain in the marine water for about 450 years. Therefore, it is not surprising that contamination with plastic materials and, especially, microplastics has been increasingly reported for marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems. Microplastics are defined as particles smaller than five millimetres, including both particles produced in this small size and those that result from fragmentation of larger plastic items. What risks for environment and health?