The marine nano- and microplastics characterisation by SEM-EDX: The potential of the method in comparison with various physical and chemical approaches.

The marine microplastic (MMs) is an interdisciplinary problem. The polymer debris are ubiquitous (soil, hydrosphere, atmosphere) and the majority ends, transported by the freshwaters, in the global ocean system: from pelagial waters, surface gyres and benthos up to the animals at different trophic levels. Their quantitative, qualitative and eco-toxicological analyses, based on analytical, physical and chemical methods, are still a challenge due to the complex matrices, materials weathering, limited concentration, and size. Moreover, further fragmentation due to the waves and UV radiation leads to the constant increase of their surface. The aim of this article is to present the advantages, drawbacks and future perspectives of using SEM-EDX method in the analyses of marine polymer debris from macro to the nanoscale. Theoretical issues are presented in comparison to the commonly used approaches. The practical aspects will be discussed based on case studies. Examples of the results, high-resolution SEM pictures are included.

• Publication year

  2019

• Venue

  Marine Pollution Bulletin

• Publication date

  2019-11-01

• Fields of study

  Medicine, Materials Science, Chemistry, Environmental Science

• Identifiers
  DOI 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.07.067PMID 31437623
• External record

  Open on Semantic Scholar

• Source metadata

  Semantic Scholar, PubMed

• No claims are published for this paper.

• No concepts are published for this paper.

• Relevance of nano- and microplastics for freshwater ecosystems: A critical review

  2019cited by this paper
• Microplastics in the Northwestern Pacific: Abundance, distribution, and characteristics.

  2019cited by this paper
• Distribution and characterization of microplastics in beach sand from three different Indian coastal environments.

  2019cited by this paper
• Microplastics in freshwater environments: A review of quantification assessment

  2019cited by this paper
• A potpourri of microplastics in the sea surface and water column of the Mediterranean Sea

  2019cited by this paper
• Methods for sampling and detection of microplastics in water and sediment: A critical review

  2019cited by this paper
• Current opinion: What is a nanoplastic?

  2018cited by this paper
• Occurrence of microplastics in raw and treated drinking water.

  2018cited by this paper
• Microplastics in the environment: Challenges in analytical chemistry - A review.

  2018cited by this paper
• Analytical methodologies for monitoring micro(nano)plastics: Which are fit for purpose?

  2018cited by this paper
• Fate and occurrence of micro(nano)plastics in soils: Knowledge gaps and possible risks

  2018cited by this paper
• Investigation of microplastics in aquatic environments: An overview of the methods used, from field sampling to laboratory analysis

  2018cited by this paper
• Ten inconvenient questions about plastics in the sea

  2018cited by this paper
• Effects of micro- and nanoplastics on aquatic ecosystems: Current research trends and perspectives.

  2017cited by this paper
• Microplastics in Sewage Sludge: Effects of Treatment.

  2017cited by this paper
• SEM/EDS and optical microscopy analyses of microplastics in ocean trawl and fish guts.

  2017cited by this paper
• In situ elemental characterisation of marine microplastics by portable XRF.

  2017cited by this paper
• Novel method for the extraction and identification of microplastics in ocean trawl and fish gut matrices

  2017cited by this paper
• Microplastics in freshwater systems: A review on occurrence, environmental effects, and methods for microplastics detection.

  2017cited by this paper
• Enhanced uptake of BPA in the presence of nanoplastics can lead to neurotoxic effects in adult zebrafish.

  2017cited by this paper
• Analysis of environmental microplastics by vibrational microspectroscopy: FTIR, Raman or both?

  2016cited by this paper
• (Nano)plastics in the environment - Sources, fates and effects.

  2016cited by this paper
• Characterisation of nanoplastics during the degradation of polystyrene

  2016cited by this paper
• FTIR spectroscopy supported by statistical techniques for the structural characterization of plastic debris in the marine environment: Application to monitoring studies.

  2016cited by this paper
• On some physical and dynamical properties of microplastic particles in marine environment.

  2016cited by this paper
• Microplastic concentrations in beach sediments along the German Baltic coast.

  2015cited by this paper
• Millimeter-Sized Marine Plastics: A New Pelagic Habitat for Microorganisms and Invertebrates

  2014cited by this paper
• Quantification of gold nanoparticle cell uptake under controlled biological conditions and adequate resolution.

  2014cited by this paper
• SiC Nanofibres Produced by the Combustion Synthesis as the Nanocomposites Fillers

  2013cited by this paper
• Life in the "plastisphere": microbial communities on plastic marine debris.

  2013cited by this paper

• Rapid Detection of Nanoplastic Contamination in Plastic Labware by Dynamic Light Scattering Highlights Variations in Experimental Precision.

  2026cites this paper
• Bacteria involved in plastic anaerobic degradation in marine sediments under nitrate and iron-reducing conditions

  2026cites this paper
• Unearthing nanoplastics in soil: optimising extraction and purification while preserving particle integrity

  2026cites this paper
• Microplastics in Greylag Goose (Anser anser) Feces from Lake Erçek (Eastern Anatolia, Türkiye): Occurrence, Temporal Variation, and Polymer Characterization.

  2026cites this paper
• Beyond Microplastics: Analytical Boundaries, Real-World Barriers, and the Possibilities for Scalable Removal

  2026cites this paper
• Advanced Strategies for the Detection, Removal, and Degradation of Microplastics: Bridging Science and Sustainable Technologies

  2026cites this paper
• A review on microplastics in aquatic ecosystems: Prevalence, ecological risks, and solutions

  2025cites this paper
• Does the trophic guild influence microplastic ingestion in nursery areas? A case study on a southwestern Atlantic mangrove-dominated estuary.

  2025cites this paper
• Toxicity of polyethylene terephthalate microplastics and dimethyl phthalate in male Sprague-Dawley rats: Insights into oxidative stress, DNA damage, and histopathological impacts.

  2025cites this paper
• Spatial and Seasonal Abundance of Microplastics in Sand and Aqueous Matrices from Coastal Areas of Northern Greece

  2025influential citation
• Toward Cleaner Waters: Advances in Micro and Nano Plastics Mitigation and Insights in Aquatic MNPs Profiling and Management

  2025cites this paper
• Simultaneous measurements of microplastic 3D morphology and naphthalene adsorption based on digital holographic microscopy

  2025cites this paper
• Methods of the Investigation and Chemical Analysis of Microplastics and the Determination of Associated Compounds

  2025cites this paper
• In-situ detection of microplastics in arable soil using focal plane array infrared scanning and chemometric visualization

  2025cites this paper
• Nano- and Microplastics in the Brain: An Emerging Threat to Neural Health

  2025cites this paper
• Occurrence, Characteristics, and Risk Assessment of Microplastics in Tap Water and Bottled Water, China

  2025cites this paper
• Alternative energy sources from wastes and microalgae Chlorella vulgaris used for the capture of atmospheric CO2 in the production of cement

  2025cites this paper
• Exploring biochemical responses and cellular adaptations of Chlorella sorokiniana to polyethylene microplastic exposure

  2025cites this paper
• Rapid electrochemical detection of polystyrene microplastics in aquatic environments using a gadolinium-alginate hydrogel-modified electrode

  2025cites this paper
• Europium-labelled Nanopolystyrene as Model Nanoplastics for Environmental Fate Investigations: Synthesis and Optimisation

  2025cites this paper
• Current trends in theranostic applications of extracellular vesicles in cancer

  2025cites this paper
• Characterization of Microplastic Pollution Along the Red Sea Coast of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

  2025cites this paper
• A curious case: caddisfly cases built from brick and sewage overflow microplastics

  2025cites this paper
• Efficient and Scalable Detection of Microplastics in Drinking Water Using Fluorescence High‐Content Imaging

  2025cites this paper
• Seasonal distribution of Microplastics and associated Ecological risks in a Semi-Arid Freshwater ecosystem in India.

  2025cites this paper
• Size Distribution of Micro-/Nanoplastic Particles and Their Chemical Speciation in the Atmosphere of Shanghai, China.

  2025cites this paper
• Mapping the Diversity of Beach Fungal Plastisphere: Insights from Metagenomic Approaches

  2025cites this paper
• Mechanisms of Generation and Ecological Impacts of Nano- and Microplastics from Artificial Turf Systems in Sports Facilities

  2025cites this paper
• Half a century of caddisfly casings (Trichoptera) with microplastic from natural history collections.

  2025cites this paper
• Review of Techniques for the Detection, Removal, and Transformation of Environmental Microplastics and Nanoplastics.

  2025cites this paper
• Unveiling the systemic impact of airborne microplastics: Integrating breathomics and machine learning with dual-tissue transcriptomics.

  2025cites this paper
• Microplastics, microfibers and associated microbiota biofilm analysis in seawater, a case study from the Vesuvian Coast, southern Italy.

  2025cites this paper
• Rapid On-Site and Sensitive Detection of Microplastics Using Zirconium(IV)-Assisted SERS Label.

  2025cites this paper
• Unveiling Challenges of Aluminium Electrode Fouling and Passivation in Electrocoagulation Treatment System for Sustainable Water Management of Coastal Borneo Peatlands: A Focused Review.

  2025cites this paper
• Exploring Innovative Approaches for the Analysis of Micro- and Nanoplastics: Breakthroughs in (Bio)Sensing Techniques

  2025cites this paper
• Advancing modified biochar for sustainable agriculture: a comprehensive review on characterization, analysis, and soil performance

  2025cites this paper
• Nanoplastics in Aquatic Ecosystems: Impact, Toxicity, Detection, and Remediation Strategies

  2025cites this paper
• The Migration, Biotoxicity and Biodegradation Methods of Microplastics in Terrestrial Ecosystems: A Comprehensive Review

  2025cites this paper
• Novel characterisation of microplastics and other contaminant particles using new scanning electron microscopy technologies

  2025cites this paper
• Anthropogenic particles and associated metals in Antarctic seabirds from Victoria Land (Antarctica).

  2025cites this paper
• Evaluating Chemical Analysis Techniques: A Comparative Study of SEM-EDX and Optical Emission Spectroscopy

  2025cites this paper
• Advanced tools and methodologies for identification, characterization, and quantification of micro/nano plastics in environmental matrices.

  2025cites this paper
• Biodegradation of three-ply disposable masks in freshwater using a microbial consortium of Enterococcus faecalis and Chlorella vulgaris

  2025cites this paper
• Overview of the characterization technique groups for submicroscopic structures from the micro-nano to atomic scale.

  2025cites this paper
• Global Insights into Micro- and Nanoplastic Pollution in Surface Water: A Review

  2025cites this paper
• From pollution to policy: a holistic review of microplastics in the environment of Bangladesh

  2025cites this paper
• Impact of Microplastics on Anaerobic Digestion: A Concise Review

  2025cites this paper
• Plant‐Inspired Gold Nanoparticles (AuNPs)‐Based Nanomedicine and Molecular Imaging for Breast Cancer Drug Delivery

  2025cites this paper
• Differentiation of petro-sourced plastic microfilaments from organic microfilaments by SEM-EDX in environmental samples.

  2024cites this paper
• Micro(nano)plastics from synthetic oligomers persisting in Mediterranean seawater: Comprehensive NMR analysis, concerns and origins.

  2024cites this paper
• Advances in Microplastic Characterization: Spectroscopic Techniques and Heavy Metal Adsorption Insights

  2024cites this paper
• The unseen perils of oral-care products generated micro/nanoplastics on human health.

  2024cites this paper
• Single particle detection of micro/nano plastics based on recyclable SERS sensor with two-dimensional AuNPs thin films

  2024cites this paper
• Abundance and characteristics of microplastics in the landfill leachate of Amin Bazar, Dhaka: A potential risk to aquatic environments

  2024cites this paper
• Detection of nanoplastics released from consumer plastic food containers by electromagnetic heating pyrolysis mass spectrometry.

  2024cites this paper
• Reducing microplastics in tea infusions released from filter bags by pre-washing method: Quantitative evidences based on Raman imaging and Py-GC/MS.

  2024cites this paper
• A non-invasive method of microplastics pollution quantification in green sea turtle Chelonia mydas of the Mexican Caribbean.

  2024cites this paper
• How do microplastics alter molluscicidal activity? Effects of weathered microplastics and niclosamide in developing freshwater snails.

  2024cites this paper
• Advanced analytical techniques for assessing and detecting microplastic pollution in water and wastewater systems

  2024cites this paper
• Incidence of microplastic contamination in fishes of the Ramsar Wetland, Loktak - The world's only floating lake from the Indian Himalayan region.

  2024cites this paper
• Microplastics Pollution in Aquatic Environment: A Review of Abundance, Distribution, and Composition in the Egyptian Coastal Waters

  2024cites this paper
• Nanoplastics Detected in Commercial Sea Salt

  2024cites this paper
• Fe3O4/SiO2 composite derived from rice husk ash to enhance methylene blue removal efficiency in wastewater treatment

  2024cites this paper
• Detection and characterization of micro‐ and nano‐plastics in wastewater: Current status of preparatory & analytical techniques

  2024cites this paper
• Impact of Microplastics on Human Health: A Comprehensive Review

  2024cites this paper
• Microplastics: A Hidden Carrier of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances and their Effect on Soil Properties

  2024cites this paper
• Micro and nano plastics: contaminants in beverages and prevention strategies

  2024cites this paper
• Sampling, extraction, and analysis of micro- and nano- plastics in environmental and biological compartments: A review

  2024cites this paper
• A comprehensive scrutinization on tamarind kernel powder-based derivatives and nanomaterials in modern research

  2024cites this paper
• Determination of phytochemical quality of leaves Vaccinium vitis-idaea L. and Vaccinium myrtillus L. from the polluted and non-polluted areas

  2024cites this paper
• Morphometric characteristics and spatiotemporal heterogeneity of microplastics on the north-east coast of India.

  2024cites this paper
• Addressing the relevance of polystyrene nano- and microplastic particles used to support exposure, toxicity and risk assessment: implications and recommendations

  2024cites this paper
• A state of the art-mini review on the sources, contamination, analysis, and consequences of microplastics in water

  2024cites this paper
• Performance evaluation of a hyphenated laser spectroscopy system with conventional methods for microplastic analysis

  2024cites this paper
• Preparation of coal-water slurry using high-concentration inorganic saline wastewater containing microplastics — A slurry performance and particle interaction analysis

  2024cites this paper
• A new green protocol for the identification of microplastics and microfibers in marine sediments, a case study from the Vesuvian Coast, Southern Italy.

  2024cites this paper
• Advanced Optical Imaging Technologies for Microplastics Identification: Progress and Challenges

  2024cites this paper
• Developments in the field of intestinal toxicity and signaling pathways associated with rodent exposure to micro(nano)plastics.

  2024cites this paper
• Impacts of Microplastic Pollution on the Environment and its Effective Treatment – A Review

  2024cites this paper
• Microplastic aging processes: Environmental relevance and analytical implications

  2024cites this paper
• Exposure to Nano- and Microplastic Contamination in Treated Water in Mahasarakham Province

  2024cites this paper
• Aging effect on the adsorption behavior of microfibers obtained from cigarette butts in aqueous solutions

  2024cites this paper
• Spatiotemporal variations of microplastics in the surface sediments of a tropical mangrove ecosystem in south-western India

  2024cites this paper
• Size-Resolved Identification and Quantification of Micro/Nanoplastics in Indoor Air Using Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography-Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry.

  2024cites this paper
• Recognition and detection technology for microplastic, its source and health effects

  2024cites this paper
• Mass spectrometry detection of environmental microplastics: Advances and challenges

  2023cites this paper
• Microplastic Pollution: Chemical Characterization and Impact on Wildlife

  2023cites this paper
• Recent analytical techniques, and potential eco-toxicological impacts of textile fibrous microplastics (FMPs) and its associated contaminates: A review.

  2023cites this paper
• Seasonal distribution of microplastics in surface waters of the Northern Indian Ocean.

  2023cites this paper
• The detrimental effects of micro-and nano-plastics on digestive system: An overview of oxidative stress-related adverse outcome pathway.

  2023cites this paper
• An Analysis of Microplastics Ingested by the Mediterranean Detritivore Holothuria tubulosa (Echinodermata: Holothuroidea) Sheds Light on Patterns of Contaminant Distribution in Different Marine Areas

  2023cites this paper
• Assessment of trace metal bioaccumulation on the shells of edible gastropod Chicoreus ramosus and Hemifusus pugilinus

  2023cites this paper
• Sources, analysis, and health implications of atmospheric microplastics

  2023cites this paper
• Micro- and nanoplastics: Contamination routes of food products and critical interpretation of detection strategies.

  2023cites this paper
• Microplastic contamination in Indian rural and urban lacustrine ecosystems.

  2023cites this paper
• Microplastic contamination in fish: Critical review and assessment of data quality

  2023cites this paper
• Natural adsorbent of corncob (Zea mays L.) powder capability in purification of used cooking oil with shaking operation based on turbidity

  2023cites this paper
• A Scientific Approach to the Occurrence, Isolation, and Characterization of Existing Microplastic Pollution in the Marine Environment—a Review

  2023cites this paper
• Characterizing the interaction between micro(nano)plastics and simulated body fluids and their impact on human lung epithelial cells

  2023cites this paper
• Screening of Microplastics in Aquaculture Systems (Fish, Mussel, and Water Samples) by FTIR, Scanning Electron Microscopy–Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy and Micro-Raman Spectroscopies

  2023cites this paper