Rapid Detection, Quantification, and Characterization of Microplastics: A Comparison of Two Methods

• Eduardo Abiv Flores Acosta National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico https://orcid.org/0009-0001-4278-913X
• José Luis Hernández Mendoza National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1233-0133
• Cristian Lizarazo Ortega National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0010-9386
• Ana Verónica Martínez Vázquez National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6144-5439
• Jesús Di Carlo Quiroz Velásquez National Polytechnic Institute, Mexico https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6021-0427
• Israel García León National Polytechnic Institute https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7876-1219

DOI: https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.14600190

Keywords: Plastic degradation, Method comparison, Particle quantification, Fluorescence observation

Abstract

Microplastic pollution is a pressing issue that impacts both human health and ecosystems. These tiny plastic fragments accumulate in the tissues of organisms and can enter the food chain, eventually reaching humans. This study focused on developing, optimizing, and comparing two methods for detecting and quantifying microplastic particles in synthetic and cotton fabrics. Chemical treatments and filtration were employed to isolate the particles, while a Neubauer chamber and fluorescence microscopy were used for visualization and counting. The results demonstrated that the combination of hydrogen peroxide and heat was the most effective for purifying and visualizing the particles, whereas ferrous sulfate hindered detection due to the formation of flocs. These findings are significant for future research and the development of strategies to monitor and mitigate microplastic pollution.

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