Microplastics Analysis

微塑料颗粒可以分类为一级和次级颗粒。主要的MP颗粒（MPP）是专门为工业用途生产的，例如化妆品中的剥离颗粒。必威东盟体育

Secondary MPPs are formed by physical, biological and chemical degradation of macroscopic plastic parts and are the main source of micro particles released into the environment. They are mainly formed by the degradation of improperly disposed plastic waste, tire abrasion and washing of synthetic textiles.

尽管对海洋生物的威胁大多是被理解的，但目前无法评估其全部范围。然而，海洋生物和鱼类的摄取导致微塑料对人类食物链的污染。由于MPP可能包含有问题的增塑剂，并且还可以吸附其他有机污染物，因此长期影响是不可预测的。

The typical workflow of microplastics analysis:

化学分析通常以液态样品的形式开始，该液态根据其起源而不同。将该样品过滤到IR-Transparent底物上，并通过FT-IR成像以整体测量，以捕获过滤器上存在的所有颗粒。然后，通过健壮的机器学习算法自动分析化学图像。

FT-IR显微镜是微型研究中最常见的方法。工作流程非常简单，结果提供了很高的精度，最重要的是可靠性。尤其是焦距平面阵列检测器的FT-IR成像是最新的解决方案。如果您想进一步了解我们的FT-IR仪器设置，请查看我们的FT-IR显微镜。

FT-IR成像的优势

红外辐射与micropl交互astic particles, creating characteristic IR absorption patterns. These patterns are then used to identify the particles. If you want to catch up on theFT-IR的基础知识, click here.

到目前为止，FT-IR的最大好处是其出色的可靠性和易于应用。可以分析任何类型的塑料颗粒（深色，填充，荧光，...），需要最少的用户工作。

True imaging detectors unlock the potential of FT-IR

但是 - 当您将FT-IR与焦距阵列（FPA）探测器相结合时，事情变得非常有趣。结果是非常powerful imaging tool capable simplifying microplastics analysis to routine levels. To learn aboutFT-IR imaging, click here.

It comes down to a fully automated approach that can tolerate a lot of contamination on the filter (e.g. from a sediment) without any negative impact on the measurement results. Ultimately, FT-IR imaging ensures that no particle remains undetected, providing utmost reliability and measurement speed.

The secret to microplastics is the right compination of hard- and software

除了分析方法外，该软件对于分析微塑料至关重要。传统上，微塑料光谱参考文献并提供了大小，数量和身份的统计分析。但是，这种图书馆可以提供的限制。如果您需要非常可靠且可靠的分析，则必须大大增加库中的光谱数量，从而大大减慢了分析。

但是，为了使微型分析可扩展和常规，数据分析必须变得更快，最重要的是更聪明。当时间至关重要时，使用巨大的图书馆根本不切实际。这就是为什么研究人员开发了使用机器学习的新方法，从而充分利用了化学成像的巨大潜力。

在这里，不用单独检查每个频谱是否有其身份，而是立即处理整个FT-IR图像。智能算法立即分析整个FT-IR图像，使分析顺序更快，更可靠。为了将其投放市场，布鲁克与纯净为了提供和端到端的微型塑料解决方案，涵盖了高工作负载实验室和研究人员的仪器和软件分析。

After taking a sample, it might have to undergo pre-treatment, depending on the contamination from the source, and is atferwards filtered unto compatible filer materials. Very clean samples like drinking water are usually filtered directly onto a suitable filter. But environmental samples like ocean water, river sediments or soil may contain sand or plant material and must be prepared prior to FT-IR analysis.

为了去除较大的非微粒颗粒，使用了截然不同的滤波器。这些较大的颗粒后来通过宏观分析FT-IR光谱仪like the ALPHA II. After this, the samples are treated with salt solutions of different concentrations, which is called density separation. During the process, sand and other non-plastic particles sink to the bottom and can be easily removed afterwards.

但是，像鱼或贻贝这样的更复杂的样品呢？这样的样品需要一种复杂的处理来去除解剖后留下的所有有机物。通常，在过滤之前进行酶消化，酸性或碱性处理。

We previously mentioned that aluminum oxide filters are the best choice for microplastics analysis. But of course there are other materials available, like silicon, PTFE, or gold-coated polycarbonate filters which all have distinct advantages and disadvanatges. However, since aluminium oxide filters have become the standard for FT-IR analysis of microplastics, we will also adhere to those standards in our website and videos.

Out of the three avilalbe measurements modes of FT-IR (transmission, reflection and ATR) transmission is the most suited for a fast and hassle-free analysis. Why? Well, ATR is a contact based method and particles can stick to the crystal which requires a user to clean it, making it unsuitable for automation. In reflection, thicker particles are hard to measure and produce spectral artifacts, making it less reliable. Finally, analysis in transmission iscontactlessand will give好的光谱in a short amount of time.

The use of machine learning in the analysis of microplastics is on the rise. With it, researchers have found a reliable way to make data evaluation easy to use for anyone. Following best practices, Bruker teamed up with Purency to promote the Microplastics Finder (MPF).The MPF is a software that automatically analyzes whole FT-IR images of microplastic samples within a few minutes. It yields a comprehensive statistics of all particles present on the filter and classifies them by number, identity and size. All with just one click.

The classifying algorhithm is was trained by real world data that has been evaluated by different microplastic experts. In short, it brings you their combined knowledge into your lab and at your fingertips. Hence, the Microplastics Finder is the optimal tool for routine analysis of microplastic samples and one of the most promising candidates for future standardizaton. The goal is, to guarantee comparability between different laboratories, researchers and analytical insitutes around the world, eleminating human bias altogether.