Environmental Microplastic Particles vs. Engineered Plastic Microparticles—A Comparative Review
Microplastic particles (MPs) pose a novel threat to nature. Despite being first noticed in the 1970s, research on this topic has only surged in recent years. Researchers have mainly focused on environmental plastic particles; however, studies with defined microplastic particles as the sample input a...
| Main Authors: | , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2021-08-01
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| Series: | Polymers |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/17/2881 |
| _version_ | 1797520994971156480 |
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| author | Simone Kefer Oliver Miesbauer Horst-Christian Langowski |
| author_facet | Simone Kefer Oliver Miesbauer Horst-Christian Langowski |
| author_sort | Simone Kefer |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Microplastic particles (MPs) pose a novel threat to nature. Despite being first noticed in the 1970s, research on this topic has only surged in recent years. Researchers have mainly focused on environmental plastic particles; however, studies with defined microplastic particles as the sample input are scarce. Furthermore, comparison of those studies indicates a discrepancy between the particles found (e.g., in the environment) and those used for further research (e.g., exposure studies). Obviously, it is important to use particles that resemble those found in the environment to conduct appropriate research. In this review, different categories of microplastic particles are addressed, before covering an overview of the most common separation and analysis methods for environmental MPs is covered. After showing that the particles found in the environment are mostly irregular and polydisperse, while those used in studies with plastic microparticles as samples are often not, different particle production techniques are investigated and suggestions for preparing realistic plastic particles are given. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:06:22Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-e9b09fe9a093492a9fce27f84f7037a6 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2073-4360 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-10T08:06:22Z |
| publishDate | 2021-08-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Polymers |
| spelling | doaj.art-e9b09fe9a093492a9fce27f84f7037a62023-11-22T11:04:44ZengMDPI AGPolymers2073-43602021-08-011317288110.3390/polym13172881Environmental Microplastic Particles vs. Engineered Plastic Microparticles—A Comparative ReviewSimone Kefer0Oliver Miesbauer1Horst-Christian Langowski2TUM School of Life Science, Technical University Munich, Weihenstephaner Steig 20, 85354 Freising, GermanyTUM School of Life Science, Technical University Munich, Weihenstephaner Steig 20, 85354 Freising, GermanyTUM School of Life Science, Technical University Munich, Weihenstephaner Steig 20, 85354 Freising, GermanyMicroplastic particles (MPs) pose a novel threat to nature. Despite being first noticed in the 1970s, research on this topic has only surged in recent years. Researchers have mainly focused on environmental plastic particles; however, studies with defined microplastic particles as the sample input are scarce. Furthermore, comparison of those studies indicates a discrepancy between the particles found (e.g., in the environment) and those used for further research (e.g., exposure studies). Obviously, it is important to use particles that resemble those found in the environment to conduct appropriate research. In this review, different categories of microplastic particles are addressed, before covering an overview of the most common separation and analysis methods for environmental MPs is covered. After showing that the particles found in the environment are mostly irregular and polydisperse, while those used in studies with plastic microparticles as samples are often not, different particle production techniques are investigated and suggestions for preparing realistic plastic particles are given.https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/17/2881microplastic particlesexposure experimentsparticle productioncharacterisationrecovery experiments |
| spellingShingle | Simone Kefer Oliver Miesbauer Horst-Christian Langowski Environmental Microplastic Particles vs. Engineered Plastic Microparticles—A Comparative Review Polymers microplastic particles exposure experiments particle production characterisation recovery experiments |
| title | Environmental Microplastic Particles vs. Engineered Plastic Microparticles—A Comparative Review |
| title_full | Environmental Microplastic Particles vs. Engineered Plastic Microparticles—A Comparative Review |
| title_fullStr | Environmental Microplastic Particles vs. Engineered Plastic Microparticles—A Comparative Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Environmental Microplastic Particles vs. Engineered Plastic Microparticles—A Comparative Review |
| title_short | Environmental Microplastic Particles vs. Engineered Plastic Microparticles—A Comparative Review |
| title_sort | environmental microplastic particles vs engineered plastic microparticles a comparative review |
| topic | microplastic particles exposure experiments particle production characterisation recovery experiments |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2073-4360/13/17/2881 |
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