title: A semi-automated Raman micro-spectroscopy method for morphological and chemical characterizations of microplastic litter.
abstract: Every step of microplastic analysis (collection, extraction and characterization) is time-consuming, representing an obstacle to the implementation of large scale monitoring. This study proposes a semi-automated Raman micro-spectroscopy method coupled to static image analysis that allows the screening of a large quantity of microplastic in a time-effective way with minimal machine operator intervention. The method was validated using 103 particles collected at the sea surface spiked with 7 standard plastics: morphological and chemical characterization of particles was performed in <3h. The method was then applied to a larger environmental sample (n=962 particles). The identification rate was 75% and significantly decreased as a function of particle size. Microplastics represented 71% of the identified particles and significant size differences were observed: polystyrene was mainly found in the 2-5mm range (59%), polyethylene in the 1-2mm range (40%) and polypropylene in the 0.335-1mm range (42%).
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), UMR 6539. CNRS/UBO/IRD/Ifremer, Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, 29280 Plouzané, France. Electronic address: laura.frere@univ-brest.fr.
authors.forename: Frère
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: L
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), UMR 6539. CNRS/UBO/IRD/Ifremer, Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, 29280 Plouzané, France.
authors.forename: Paul-Pont
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: I
authors.affiliation: Ifremer, Laboratoire Détection, Capteurs et Mesures, CS 10070, 29280 Plouzané, France.
authors.forename: Moreau
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: J
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), UMR 6539. CNRS/UBO/IRD/Ifremer, Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, 29280 Plouzané, France.
authors.forename: Soudant
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: P
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire des Sciences de l'Environnement Marin (LEMAR), UMR 6539. CNRS/UBO/IRD/Ifremer, Institut Universitaire Européen de la Mer, 29280 Plouzané, France.
authors.forename: Lambert
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: C
authors.affiliation: Ifremer, LEMAR UMR 6539 CNRS/UBO/IRD/Ifremer, CS 10070, 29280 Plouzané, France.
authors.forename: Huvet
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: A
authors.affiliation: Ifremer, Laboratoire Détection, Capteurs et Mesures, CS 10070, 29280 Plouzané, France. Electronic address: emmanuel.rinnert@ifremer.fr.
authors.forename: Rinnert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: E
mesh_terms: D004784:Environmental Monitoring / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D005602:France; D010316:Particle Size; D010969:Plastics / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry; D020959:Polyethylene / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D011126:Polypropylenes / Q000032:analysis / Q000737:chemistry; D012623:Seawater / Q000737:chemistry; D013059:Spectrum Analysis, Raman; D013499:Surface Properties; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry
chemical_list: D010969:Plastics; D011126:Polypropylenes; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D020959:Polyethylene
keywords: Automating; Environmental monitoring; Microplastics; Morphology; Raman micro-spectroscopy; Surface seawater