title: No microplastics in benthic eelpout (Zoarces viviparus): An urgent need for spectroscopic analyses in microplastic detection.
abstract: Monitoring the ingestion of microplastics is challenging and suitable detection techniques are insufficiently used. Thus, misidentifying natural for synthetic microfibres cannot be avoided. As part of a framework to monitor the ingestion of microplastics in eelpout, this short report addresses the accurate identification of microfibres. We show that, following visual inspections, putatively synthetic microfibres are indeed of natural origin, as ascertained by spectrometric analyses. Consequently, we call for an inclusion of spectroscopic techniques in standardized microplastic monitoring schemes.
authors.affiliation: Trier University, Department of Biogeography, Universitätsring 15, 54286 Trier, Germany; Trier University, Institute for Environmental and Technology Law, Behringstraße 21, 54296 Trier, Germany. Electronic address: wesch@uni-trier.de.
authors.forename: Charlotte
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Wesch
authors.affiliation: Federal Environment Agency (UBA), Corrensplatz 1, 14195 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Anne-Kathrin
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Barthel
authors.affiliation: Federal Institute of Material Research and Testing (BAM), Unter den Eichen 87, 12205 Berlin, Germany.
authors.forename: Ulrike
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Braun
authors.affiliation: Trier University, Department of Biogeography, Universitätsring 15, 54286 Trier, Germany.
authors.forename: Roland
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Klein
authors.affiliation: Trier University, Department of Biogeography, Universitätsring 15, 54286 Trier, Germany.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Paulus
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D004784:Environmental Monitoring; D041981:Gastrointestinal Tract / Q000737:chemistry*; D010473:Perciformes; D011108:Polymers / Q000032:analysis*; D013057:Spectrum Analysis; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis*
chemical_list: D011108:Polymers; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical
keywords: Ingestion; Microfibre; Misidentification; Monitoring; Spectroscopy