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

• Published in: Marine pollution bulletin 2019-11, Vol.148, p.210-216
• Main Authors: Gniadek, Marianna, Dąbrowska, Agnieszka
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: benthic organisms; Benthos; Debris; Environmental Monitoring; Fresh water; Gyres; Hydrosphere; Marine chemistry; Marine microplastic; marine pollution; Microplastics; Microplastics - chemistry; Microplastics debris; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning - methods; Nanoplastics; oceans; Organic chemistry; Pictures; Polymer characterisation; Polymers; Qualitative analysis; Seawater - chemistry; SEM-EDX; Soil; Spectrometry, X-Ray Emission - methods; Tides; Trophic levels; Ultraviolet radiation; Water Pollutants, Chemical - chemistry
• ISSN: 0025-326X; 1879-3363
• DOI: 10.1016/j.marpolbul.2019.07.067

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. [Display omitted] •Article addresses the problem of characterisation of ubiquitous microplastic debris.•SEM-EDX method applicability to MMs discussed in comparison to other techniques•The efficient and simpler than the currently-used approach to MMs analysis by SEM-EDX•The introduction to the rising complex problem of nanoplastics•Practical conclusions from case studies