Current development and future challenges in microplastic detection techniques: A bibliometrics-based analysis and review

Abstract

Microplastics have been considered a new type of pollutant in the marine environment and have attracted widespread attention worldwide in recent years. Plastic particles with particle size less than 5 mm are usually defined as microplastics. Because of their similar size to plankton, marine organisms easily ingest microplastics and can threaten higher organisms and even human health through the food chain. Most of the current studies have focused on the investigation of the abundance of microplastics in the environment. However, due to the limitations of analytical methods and instruments, the number of microplastics in the environment can easily lead to overestimation or underestimation. Microplastics in each environment have different detection techniques. To investigate the current status, hot spots, and research trends of microplastics detection techniques, this review analyzed the papers related to microplastics detection using bibliometric software CiteSpace and COOC. A total of 696 articles were analyzed, spanning 2012 to 2021. The contributions and cooperation of different countries and institutions in this field have been analyzed in detail. This topic has formed two main important networks of cooperation. International cooperation has been a common pattern in this topic. The various analytical methods of this topic were discussed through keyword and clustering analysis. Among them, fluorescent, FTIR and micro-Raman spectroscopy are commonly used optical techniques for the detection of microplastics. The identification of microplastics can also be achieved by the combination of other techniques such as mass spectrometry/thermal cracking gas chromatography. However, these techniques still have limitations and cannot be applied to all environmental samples. We provide a detailed analysis of the detection of microplastics in different environmental samples and list the challenges that need to be addressed in the future.

Microplastics in the Ecosystem: A Systematic Review of the Methods for Their Detection and Removal

“…(i) Visual inspection method: MPs can be detected through visual inspection or by microscopy to quantify their presence in the samples being analyzed. Tis method relies on the fact that MPs have distinct physical characteristics that make them distinguishable from other particles [82]. Te evaluation of microplastics (MPs) usually involves identifying their color and shape, which can be performed without a complex analysis.…”

An Overview of Chemical Additives on (Micro)Plastic Fibers: Occurrence, Release, and Health Risks

“…In recent years, emerging quantification techniques that do not require pretreatment have become increasingly popular (Anuar et al 2022 ; Jin et al 2022 ; Xu et al 2022 ). Thermal desorption-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (TD-GC–MS) and pyrolysis gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC–MS) exhibit the advantages of high sensitivity, automation, and solvent interferences-free (Humbert et al 2022 ).…”

Interaction of Microbes with Microplastics and Nanoplastics in the Agroecosystems—Impact on Antimicrobial Resistance

“…The use of a fluorescent molecular rotor for NP detection in radish sprouts and mussel tissues has been performed, paving the way for new perspectives to overcome challenges in this field [ 100 ]. Researchers around the world are focusing on developing more automated detection techniques and standardization of already-developed protocols as more sensitive and higher-resolution technologies are needed to meet the current challenges in the detection and analysis of MNPs [ 106 ].…”