@inproceedings{01JHFJ8XX7M41FMTSPWWK53TSQ,
  abstract     = {{Plastic pollution is ubiquitous and persistent in the aquatic environment where a mixture of plastic particles is found. Environmental plastic particles are heterogeneous in terms of both physical and chemical properties. Nanoplastics (dimensions < 1 µm; NP) are expected to be widely present in the environment, but there is a paucity of reliable data on the concentration and distribution of small microplastics (dimensions < 10 µm; sMP) and NP in environmental matrices notably because of sampling and analytical challenges. Accordingly, there are knowledge gaps in understanding their effects and interactions with biota under environmentally relevant exposure conditions. The current lack of relevant and standardized methods for quantification of sMP and NP precludes the development of robust environmental risk assessment strategies. Chemical identification and quantification of plastic particles is possible using vibrational spectroscopy such as Raman spectroscopy coupled with confocal microscopy. It enables chemical characterization and counting of particles with dimensions between 1 and 10 µm and also eventually particles with dimensions in the sub-micron range. At first, laboratory-based samples using two different stages (pristine and aged) of polyethylene were used. To enhance environmental relevance, comprise milled plastic particles with a variety of morphologies and broad size distribution were used. Then, the complexity of the samples will be increased to test the method on a mixture of milled particles with sizes smaller than 10 µm. The strategy will be further tested and optimised for environmental samples after relevant sample preparation. This work focuses on the detection and characterization of small microplastics and nanoplastics using Raman microspectroscopy to be allow the determine the concentration and distribution of these particles in environmental matrices. The results will facilitate determination of realistic concentration input values for further ecotoxicological studies regarding plastic particles with size smaller than 10 µm. Our work will thus yield environmentally relevant sMP and NP exposure data thereby enabling consistent risk assessment.}},
  author       = {{Falcou Préfol, Mathilde and Nuyts, Gert and Vercauteren, Maaike and Janssen, Colin and Blust, Ronny and Asselman, Jana and Town, Raewyn M.}},
  booktitle    = {{SETAC Europe, 33rd Annual Meeting, Abstracts}},
  issn         = {{2309-8031}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  location     = {{Dublin, Ireland & online}},
  title        = {{Identification of micro- and nanoplastics using Raman spectroscopy coupled with confocal microscopy}},
  year         = {{2023}},
}