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Review

Mass Spectrometry as an Analytical Tool for Detection of Microplastics in the Environment

by
Sechul Chun
1,
Manikandan Muthu
2 and
Judy Gopal
2,*
1
Department of Environmental Sciences, Konkuk University, Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul 05029, Republic of Korea
2
Department of Research and Innovation, Saveetha School of Engineering, Saveetha Institute of Medical and Technical Sciences (SIMATS), Chennai 602105, India
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Chemosensors 2022, 10(12), 530; https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors10120530
Submission received: 22 November 2022 / Revised: 2 December 2022 / Accepted: 5 December 2022 / Published: 12 December 2022
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Chemical Sensors and Biosensors for Biomedical and Environmental Application: Recent Advances and Future Perspectives)
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Abstract

:
Plastic particles smaller than 5 mm accumulate in aqueous, terrestrial, and atmospheric environments and their discovery has been a serious concern when it comes to eco-toxicology and human health risk assessment. In the following review, the potential of mass spectrometry (MS) for the detection of microplastic (MP) pollutants has been elaborately reviewed. The use of various mass spectrometric techniques ranging from gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS), liquid chromatographic mass spectrometric (LC-MS) to matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), including their variants, have been reviewed. The lapses in the detection system have been addressed and future recommendations proposed. The challenges facing microplastics and their detection have been discussed and future directions, including mitigation methods, have been presented.

1. Introduction

Plastics, synthetic polymers, and their associates are synthesized from petrochemical-based raw materials, by covalent linking of their monomers. Plastics have become a part of our lives, owing to their outstanding and versatile properties, which include lightweight, flexibility, high stability, durability and inexpensive large-scale production. The ease in its procurement enables its widespread use, leading to its release into the environment. At present, it is more of a bane than a boon to the environment. Plastics are ringing alarm bells, posing a high-level threat to the environment and to the entire biodiversity as such. Plastics are now well-reputed for their poor biodegradability and this non-degradable material has massively piled up, becoming a serious concern [1]. A predominant portion of the annual global plastic production, which approximately accounts for 58% of wastes, pollutes the environment, as landfill dumps. Only 18% and 24% of plastic wastes are recycled and incinerated, respectively [2]. The land-fill plastic wastes undergo a series of degradations over a period of time via natural processes such as physical and chemical reactions (abiotic) and biological processes through microbial (biotic) enzyme-mediated reactions. Through these processes, the complex plastic polymers are reduced to micro- and nano-sized particles, which still tend to retain their toxicity or sometimes become even more toxic compared to their bulk counterparts. Microparticles are small sized particles that are less than 5 mm in size and when the sizes are less than 100 nm, they are categorized as nanoplastic particles. Their sizes favor their high environmental persistence, as well as easy transportation into freshwater and marine environments through atmospheric deposition, surface run-off, sewer overflows and industrial effluents as degraded plastic waste [3,4,5]. Figure 1 depicts the various sources of microplastics in the environment.
Due to their smaller size and large surface area, micro- and nanoplastic particles adsorb a wide variety of contaminants such as heavy metals and toxicants from chemical and pharmaceutical industries; besides these, flame retardants and other plasticizers further aggravate its toxic impacts. Although the effect of micro-/nanoplastics was studied with many animal models [6], there are not many studies concerning the effect of such particles on human beings. However, the micro-/nanoplastic effects have been studied on human cell cultures. Kik et al. (2021) [7] studied the effect of polystyrene nanoparticles on human peripheral blood mononuclear cells that exhibited increased ROS levels, lipid and protein oxidation, and decreased PBMCs viability. Yet, another study by Wu et al. (2019) [8] described the effect of nano- and microplastic particles on Caco-2 (human epithelial colorectal adenocarcinoma cell line) and they observed that MPs did greatly impact cell viability; however, the particles disrupted the mitochondrial membrane and inhibited the ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporter activity of the plasma membrane. Furthermore, in a recent study, plastic particles (~20 µm and 25–200 µm) were tested against human dermal fibroblasts, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs), HMC-1 (human mast cell line 1), and RBL-2H3 (human basophilic leukemia cell lines). These results pointed out to marginal ROS induction and cytotoxicity at high dosages [9]; the particles were observed to trigger an elevated production of histamine in HMC-1 and RBL-2H3. In the case of PBMCs, a low induction of proinflammatory cytokines IL-6 and TNF-α was evident.
Microplastic detection is a complicated process, since what gets detected in the beginning of the degradation process, to what gets detected as degraded products differs largely. Understanding the stages in the degradation pathway is crucial, since that is what can help detect microplastics or their degraded products in a particular environment. This will provide necessary information on the degree of macro-/micro-/nanoplastic toxicity. This will also be helpful for devising comprehensive strategies for the degradation of primary and secondary products resulting from plastic degradation, enabling the detection and identification of primary and secondary products resulting from the biotic and abiotic degradation of plastics. The simplest way for qualitatively assessing plastic/microplastic degradation is through microscopic observation. PET biodegradation was observed under light and scanning electron microscope, and in some instances, AFM was used to access the surface morphological changes [10,11]. Further, the degradation process was also measured through measuring changes in their mass [12]. The extent of plastic degradation was also measured as the wettability of the plastic surfaces through contact angle measurement. Measuring the polymeric strength of the plastics undergoing degradation by dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA) and thermal analysis are also in practice. CO2 evolution is the gold-standard method used to measure the microbial biodegradation of plastic polymers. The degree of polymers released as a result of the degradation reaction has been studied using methods such as FT IR and NMR. Figure 2 gives an overview of the different analytical methods reported for use as microplastic detectors.
Mass spectrometry is a highly sophisticated technology used for molecular detection, identification of the structure and chemical properties of a material, and for its quantification. MS techniques have revolutionized chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacy, medicine, and many related fields of science. MS is also employed for the direct identification of plant and human diseases [13,14]. In addition, it is used as a rapid and simple tool in environmental, forensic, and drug quality control applications. MS has also successfully provided new chemical and physical insights into research concerning extra-terrestrial planetary bodies in the solar system [15].
The risk of microplastics to our natural environment, and to public health, needs to be measured in order to manage it appropriately. This requires quantification, optimization, and standardization, using highly reproducible techniques. Standardized methodologies for non-destructive collection, handling, separation, sample preparation, and the positive identification of microplastics are needed. ASTM International has published standards for collection (D8332) and preparation (D8333) of MPS. Some of the leading technologies currently available for identification of MPs include focal plane array detection, thermogravimetric analysis–pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py–GC–MS), and infrared (IR) and Raman spectroscopy. While spectroscopic techniques measure plastic particle count, the properties of smaller plastic particles are more easily traced with mass-based concentrations. Mass-based concentrations are much more conducive, especially since spectroscopy remains time-consuming and costly, and requires technical expertise along with sophisticated laboratory equipment. Although skill is also needed for MS-based techniques, its ease in sample preparation, speed of analysis, and identification are advantageous, yielding practical information on polymer types and mass per volume.
In the following review, we survey the contribution of mass spectrometry as an analytical tool to detect microplastics in terrestrial, aquatic and environmental samples. The milestones reached and the miles to go are discussed. The gaps in the application area are pointed out and the challenges withholding mass spectrometry from maximum utilization towards microplastic detection/sensing in the environment are presented.

2. Application of Mass Spectrometry for the Detection of Microplastics

Our search for “mass spectrometry” on PubMed (an archive of citations from life science journals) yielded over 404,708 total hits, with over 28,809 articles published in the year 2021 alone. This shows the growing significance of MS (Figure 3). For developing soft desorption ionization methods for mass spectrometric analysis of biological macromolecules, John Fenn and Koichi Tanaka received the 2002 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. This was the start of the golden era of mass spectrometry in biological research as well as numerous other non-biological applications [16].

2.1. Detection of MPs in Marine and Freshwater Organisms

MS is one of the rapid and reliable analytical tools that provides enhanced accuracy when it comes to the characterization of MPs, revealing their polymer composition, additives, and their associated organic toxic substances. Among all the MS techniques, gas chromatographic mass spectrometric (GC-MS) analysis of MPs was found to dominate. Peters et al. [16] detected the MPs extracted from the stomach of 1381 marine fish from the coast of Texas Gulf, using pyrolysis GC-MS (pyr-GC/MS) with Electron impact (EI+ 268, 70 eV) ionization as the analytical sensor.
Trophical transfer of MPs and the toxicants that are adsorbed were studied in model PMMA system with sorbent pollutant benzo(k)fluoranthene (BkF) using two freshwater invertebrates such as Daphnia magna and Chironomus riparius larvae (which are used as zebrafish feed) [17]. The GC-MS study revealed that the MPs and BkF were detected in lower quantities in trophical transfer than by direct exposure. The gradient centrifugation method was used to extract BkF and was then subjected to GC-MS for quantification (of BkF). The GC-MS instrumentation conditions employed for the detection of PMMA-associated sorbent BkF was as follows: electron impact (EI) SIM ionization at 250 and 252 scanning at source and quadrupole held at 200 °C.
In addition, the impact of polystyrene and polymethyl methacrylate MPs that were adsorbed on organophosphate insecticide chlorpyrifos (CPF) and on PAH (BkF) was assessed using zebrafish models [18]. GC-EI-MS was used to study the contaminant sorption and leaching of MPs in cryosections of test animals. The study revealed that the MPs that had no pollutants adsorbed on them exhibited no toxicity. In the freshwater crustacean Daphnia magna model system, Schrank et al. [19] studied their morphological and behavioral changes following the effect of flexible polyvinylchloride (PVC) MPs, with and without the plasticizer diisononylphthalate (DiNP). In this study, GC-MS was used to monitor PVC MPs and their plasticizers using butyl benzyl phthalate as an internal standard.
Andreas et al., 2021 [20] used GC-MS as a sensor to detect MPs from the digestive tract of Skipjack Tuna from the Southern Coast of Java, Indonesia. They had detected polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs) using GC-MS after processing the gastrointestinal tract with alkaline destruction and further filtration. For the extraction of PBDEs, the minced meat of Skip Jack tuna was solvent extracted and the samples were analyzed using GC-MS using two methods. An initial temperature of 150 °C with a 1 min hold time was used with a subsequent temperature increase to 330 °C at a rate of 17 °C/min in one method and 14 °C/min in another method. The mass spectrometer was operated with EI for ionization at 230 °C as the source temperature and 150 °C as the quadrupole temperature.
The effect of ingested polystyrene microspheres (10 μm in diameter) in Daphnia magna grown with 245,000 particles and the plastic content were measured using Py-GC-MS at 600 °C [21]. Liu et al. (Liu et al., 2021) described a method for the detection, quantification, and identification of MPs in Mytilus edulis, a marine mussel, using a sophisticated method that combines thermal gravimetric analysis, FT IR spectroscopy and GC-MS (TGA-FTIR-GC-MS). The MPs were extracted from the mussels using KOH, HNO3:H2O2, and HCLO4:H2O2 and the extracts were subjected to density separation and filtration; in addition, the extracted MPs such as polyethylene (PE), polystyrene (PS), polypropylene, (PP) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) were analyzed using TGA-FTIR-GC/MS. The samples were heated for pyrolysis from 30 to 650 °C with a ramp rate of 15 °C/min from 30 to 300 °C and 30 °C/min from 300 to 650 °C. The resultant gaseous phase molecules were detected using GC-MS after passing through FTIR at 270 °C. The polymers were quantified using the calibration curves made with different concentrations of PE, PS, PP, and PVC.
The toxic effects of polyhydroxybutyrate resin (PHB), polylactic acid cups (PLA), and a polylactic acid/polyhydroxyalkanoate 3D printing filament (PLA/PHA), together with a synthetic polyvinyl chloride (PVC) toy on sea urchin larvae were studied. The results proved that PVC toy was the most toxic material, likely due to the added plasticizers; gas chromatography–mass spectrometry analysis (GC-MS) revealed the presence of a wide range of additives, suggestive of their role in the observed toxic effects on the larvae [22].
The effect of MP pollution on marine sponge tissues was determined by Saliu et al. [23]. The authors extracted MPs (<25 μm) from the tissues of Haliclona (Haplosclerida) and characterized them chemically using IR and GC-MS. The samples were pyrolyzed at 600 °C for 0.2 min. EI ionization at 70 eV was carried out and the ions (m/z) were detected in positive mode. The quadrupole analyzer and ion source were set at 150 °C and 230 °C, respectively. The study identified PP, PET, HDPE, and LDPE using solvent dichloromethane and PS using methanol.
Lo Brutto et al. [24] have detected the presence of plasticizers and toxic derivatives of microplastic contamination in amphipods such as Talitrus saltator, Parhyale plumicornis, Parhyale aquilina, Speziorchestia stephenseni, and Orchestia montagui using GC-MS. The results showed that DEP and DiBP represented the most abundant compounds in the selected amphipods. Four PAE (phthalic acid esters), namely, DEP, DBP, DiBP, and DEHP and two NPPs (non-phthalate plasticizers), namely, DEHA and DEHT, were detected using GC-MS. The samples were prepared by homogenizing the amphipod tissue and extracting the PAEs and NPPs by differential centrifugation and liquid phase extraction in ethanol and subjecting the extract to GC-MS for further analysis. To understand the evolution of MP pollution in the environment over the past decades, Halbach et al. [25] chose the Baltic Sea blue mussels as test specimens. They recorded the gradual increase in seven common polymer clusters in mussel tissue using GC-MS.

2.2. Detection of MPs in Various Water Sources

2.2.1. In Seawater and Artificial Sea Water

MPs abundance in the black sea, which is the major source of Mediterranean Sea MP pollution, was studied [26]. In order to identify the polymer content of the MPs (fibers, foils, fragments, and spherules), GC-MS was employed after the removal of organic matter associated with particles, followed by further pyrolysis (600 °C) and GC-MS analysis. Chromatographic separation was performed using the following temperature program: hold up at 40 °C for 2 min, increase at 20 °C min−1 to 320 °C and hold up for 13 min. The authors could detect particles with polymer compositions PP, PE, PS, PAN, PA, PAR, PES, and unknown.
Wu et al. [27] studied the aging process of common food pack materials (PP-based meal box and tea cups), under UV exposure in a simulated marine environment using artificial sea water for 12 days with and without addition of antioxidants (Irgafos 168), using GC-MS. After separating the sample using GC with 1mL/min flow, the samples were ionized by EI (70eV) at 280 °C and 230 °C, respectively, and the initial temperature was set at 80 °C (2 min), ramped at the rate of 15 °C/min at 300 °C, and maintained for 7 min. GC-MS revealed that the antioxidant additive Irgafos 168 (tris (2,4-di-tert-butylphenyl) phosphite) added to food packaging material inhibits the photodegradation of PP-based meal box and tea cups in the marine environment.
Another study was conducted to accelerate the photodegradation of MPs and to elucidate the toxic molecular leachates that are liberated upon the photodegradation process from LDPE, HDPE, PP, and PS in artificial seawater medium using GC-MS [28]. The GC-MS analysis was carried out with EI ionization at 70 eV, with 230 °C as the ion and source temperature and 150 °C as the quadrupole temperature. The authors identified more than 60 different compounds in which benzoic acid and phenol derivatives were the most abundant molecules from PP. The system was tested on real-world plastic particles that undergo environmental degradation. The results proved that dicarboxylic acids and oxidized species were abundant.
Gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC-MS) was used to analyze a total of 14 phthalate esters (PAEs) in order to better understand their distribution and occurrence in the Tropical Western Pacific Ocean (TWPO) [29]. MPs in environmental samples at trace levels may be identified and quantified using thermochemolysis and Curie-point pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry [30,31].
Pyrolysis-GC-TOF-MS was used to analyze MPs with pyrolyzate chemicals in marine water samples from beachfront locations in Cape Town, South Africa. The findings revealed that, of the 16 polymers that were found in the research region, polythene (PE) dominated in six of the seven locations with 87.5%, followed by polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in five (71.4%) and four (57.1%), respectively. Polystyrene (PS), polyamide 12 (PA-12), polyacrylic acid (PAA), and ethyl vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymers were the additional constituent MPs that were found by pyrolyzates [32].

2.2.2. Detection of MPs in Freshwater

Yet, another study by Li et al. [33] used an isolation method for micro- and nanoplastics and validated using spherical PS and PMMA particles and also extended its extraction from real-world drinking water and river water samples. The abundance of MPs in the freshwater lake, Western Lake Superior, and their composition were evaluated by FTIR and Pyr GC/MS. The polymer content was verified by Pyr-GC-MS at 70 eV EI and the source and quadrupole temperature was set at 150 °C and 230 °C, respectively. The samples were identified as PVC, PP, PE, PET, CPE, PS, PDMS, and didecyl phthalate resin based on their polymer content [34].

2.2.3. Detection of MPs in Wastewater

Recently the diversity of MPs in a wastewater treatment plant that discharges MPs into a river system was assessed using FTIR and Pyr-GC/MS methods [35], with 70 eV ionization energy and 230 °C and 150 °C as EI-Source temperature and quadrupole temperature, respectively. The homogeneous presence of different polymers such as polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polycarbonate (PC), MDI polyurethane (MDI PU), and their decomposition products were detected using GC-MS all through the year, among which polyolefins polymers were found to be dominant among the samples tested.
Funck et al. [36] developed an MP extraction system that consists of a pressure pump-assisted steel-based cascadic filtration system with a filter size of about 100 µm, 50 µm, and 10 µm, followed by MP analysis in Pyr GC-MS. They introduced a platinum filament for the efficient pyrolysis process that enabled the operation pyrolysis temperature between 550 °C and 1300 °C within 8 min. Their system was successfully validated for polystyrene (PS) and polyethylene (PE) MPs. Size, particle number, shape and color of MPs and a plastic additive, Di 2-ethyl hexyl phthalate (DEHP), were detected and identified from a wastewater treatment plant using GC-MS as one of the highlight tools [36]. According to their study, WWTP do not remove MPs sufficiently and they could observe the presence of MPs (2.419 × 107 particles/day) in the effluents even after wastewater treatment. Recently, Ibrahim et al., (2021) studied the distribution of MPs in the water and surface sediments of Setiu Wetland in South China Sea using ATR- FTIR and Pyr GC-MS [37]. Their results revealed that surface water and dry sediments contain 0.36 items/L and 5.97 items/g particles of MPs, respectively. Although Takdastan et al. [38] and Ibrahim et al. [37] have used GC-MS as one of the analytical tools to characterize the MPs, they have not elaborated their experimental methodologies. A new custom-made portable Pyr-MS was developed by Zhang et al. [39], where a compact pyrolyzer decomposes MPs and subsequent analysis in the portable MS, avoiding complex sample extraction steps. The method was validated for MPs such as PE, PP, PS, and PMMA.

2.3. Detection of MPs in Sediments

Using PS, PPE, PET, and PE models in a headspace (HS) with needle trap microextraction GC-MS, toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) arising from MPs/plastic debris during the course of the weathering process were determined (NTME GC–MS). In headspace vials with 25 g of MPs that had been heated to 60 °C, the VOCs were collected and then transferred to an NT device. The samples were desorbed for 20 s at 300 °C before being subjected to a 70 eV ionization GC-MS analysis. The investigation identified VOCs including aromatics, carbonyls, lactones, esters, acids, alcohols, and ethers. However, acrolein, benzene, propanal, methyl vinyl ketone, and methyl propenyl ketone VOCs were found to be released in actual samples of beach soil [40].
Gomiero et al. [41] detected MP pollution in wet sediment samples of an urban fjord in southwest Norway. The study involved the extraction of MPs from the sediment samples and further analysis by thermal desorption pyrolysis GC-MS for the identification of the polymer composition of each MP particles. The pyrolysis was carried out at 590 °C and separated in GC followed by an MS-enabled analysis of the polymer composition using EI at 70 ev [42]. The GC-MS analysis revealed MPs of PP, PE, PET, PVC, PS, and PA origin.
A technique described by Dey et al. [43] involves pyrolyzing tiny plastic particles (0.35 to 7.0 mg) at 700 °C before GC-MS analysis. By comparing the generated pyrograms of each sample to the accepted reference pyrogram, this technique could identify MPs (i.e., PE, PP, PVC, PS, PA, and PET) in sediments. This technique is time-consuming and damaging, just like any other GC-MS. Additionally, it takes a lot of time because standards must be compared with each pyrogram.
Two Portuguese beach samples were analyzed for MP pollution. The MPs were associated with organic pollutants, and the plastic type was identified through GC-MS and FTIR. The MPs were mostly polyethylene and polypropylene polymers [44], however, the GC-MS methodology was not described in detail.
Pyr GC-MS was used to detect the polymer type of the MP particles and their organic plastic additives from MPs isolated from German East Frisian Islands [45]. They isolated the MPs from the coastal sediment samples by density separation. Then, the separated particles were heated to 350 °C for thermal desorption. The temperature program was run at a ramp rate of 10 °C/min for 10 min, ranging from 40 to 350 °C. The transfer line’s temperature was 350 °C. Following the completion of TD, the CIS was heated to 280 °C at a rate of 12 °C min1 and held for 3 min. TD was followed by the registration of the first chromatogram following pyrolysis at 700 °C for 60 s. Polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyamide, chlorinated polypropylene E, and chlorosulfonated polyethylene were identified as the MPs. The polymers contained benzaldehyde, 2,4-di-tert-butylphenol, dibutyl phthalate, diethyl phthalate, diisobutyl phthalate, and dimethyl phthalate.

2.4. Detection of MPs in Other Environmental Samples

Pyr-GC-MS is the industrial standard for analyzing polymers. The examination of complex sample combinations, such as environmental samples, cannot be carried out using this method due to limitations in the sampling amounts (0.5 mg). In order to identify microplastics in environmental samples, Erik et al. created a new thermoanalytical approach. The entire thermal degradation of a sample of 20 mg, which ensures the homogeneity of the sample, was carried out. Thermodynamic desorption gas chromatography–mass spectrometry was used to examine the individual breakdown products of the various polymers adsorbed on a solid-phase adsorber. After that, MPs were checked in genuine environmental samples taken from terrestrial (a biogas plant) and aquatic (three separate rivers) systems. The main plastics found in the biogas plant were polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), and polystyrene (PS), whereas PE and PS were found in the waterways [46].
High- and low-density polyethylene, polystyrene (PS), polypropylene (PP), and polyethylene terephthalate were all ground to sizes between 857 and 509 m for the reference MP–polymer micropowders used in Biale et al. [47]. The reference MPs were purposefully aged artificially in a sun box in order to characterize the aged (photo-oxidized) MPs and their degraded fractions and understand their degradation mechanisms. The MPs were found and identified using a multi-technique approach combining evolved gas analysis-mass spectrometry (EGA-MS), pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), and size exclusion chromatography (SEC). The analytical tests showed that benzoic acid and 1,4-benzenedicarboxylic acid were the most prevalent low molecular weight photo-degradation products of PS. The most resistant to ageing was PET.
According to reports, the most significant terrestrial sources of environmental microplastics are tyre-wear particles (TWP) (MP). The ecology is threatened by the TWP that will unavoidably be discharged during daily traffic. Using the Py-GC/MS (pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry) approach, TWP was identified and quantified. According to Goßmann et al., a method for differentiating between tyre wear on cars and trucks and quantifying their respective mass loads was developed [48]. Py-GC/MS was used to examine various complex environmental materials, including road dust, freshwater and marine sediments, blue mussels, and marine salts. The findings highlight how car-tyre-wear mass loads predominate over truck-tyre-wear mass loads in all examined samples. TWP concentrations in road dust were significantly higher than “conventional” MP concentrations (5 g TWP vs. 0.3 g MP per kilogram of dry weight of road dust [48]). Few empirical investigations report discovering tyre wear, despite desk-based research suggesting that tyre-wear particles constitute a sizable amount of MP emissions to the environment. Three entry points into the marine ecosystem were sampled: air deposition, wastewater effluent after treatment, and untreated surface runoff. Benzothiazole, a chemical marker for tyres, was found using pyrolysis in conjunction with GC-MS. Microplastics (MPs) may be present in the lagooning sludge (LS) used as a soil supplement in Morocco. The chemicals from plastics were found using pyrolysis GC/MS spectrometry, and fluorescent particles thought to be plastics were found using Nile Red staining. After density fractionation, GC-MS allowed for the detection of MP particles [49].
NASA et al. [50] demonstrated the capability of double-shot Py-GC-MS and microwave-assisted solvent extraction to gather qualitative and quantitative data on polystyrene and phthalate plasticizers in environmental samples. The method was verified, with recoveries of more than 96% and detection limits for phthalates and polystyrene of 1 ng and 1 g, respectively. The method was applied by the authors to analyze sand samples taken from a Tuscany (central Italy) beach in order to determine the concentrations of phthalate and polystyrene at various depths and separations from the coast. The use of TED-GC-MS for the investigation of polymers and their degradation processes was reported by Duemichen et al. in [51]. The gaseous decomposition products from a sample are first broken down in a thermo-gravimetric analyzer (TGA), and they are then captured on a solid-phase adsorber. The solid-phase adsorber was next examined using mass spectrometry and thermal desorption–gas chromatography (TDU-GC-MS). It has now been established that automated TED-GC-MS is a novel, versatile, multifunctional approach for thorough polymer investigations. For the detection of MPs and NPs in water samples, pyrolysis—gas chromatography time of flight mass spectrometry (Py-GCToF) has been utilized in conjunction with PTFE membranes as sample support. This makes it possible to identify smaller particle sizes (>0.1 m) in water samples. The technique was examined against a range of standards, including those that contained known MP concentrations and allowed for the detection of PVC and PS [52]. Table 1 summarizes the GC-MS-based detection of MPs.

3. LC-MS-Based Analysis of the Effects of MPs

3.1. LC-MS-Based Analysis on the Effects of MPs on Aquatic Creatures and in Water Sources

Polyethylene MPs have been found by authors in zebrafish embryos. The embryos were exposed to MPs ranging in size from 1 to 4 mm at 0, 10, 100, and 1000 mg/L concentrations for 7 days. A total of 59 phospholipid-related chemicals showed significant changes in larval fish treated with 1000 mg/L MPs, according to LC/MS-based nontargeted metabolomics study. Clearly altered mRNA levels were also seen for genes involved in phospholipid metabolism [73].
A multi-residue analytical approach based on high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) has been developed for the identification of 21 plastic additives in river water. Phthalates, benzophenone, bisphenol A, and long- and short-chain alkylphenols (APs) are often used in the plastics sector—these were among the substances that were examined. The leached plastics and MPs enter river water from wastewater treatment plants. Nonylphenol, octylphenol, and bis (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate had detection limits that fell below environmental quality norms, although other substances were successfully detected at trace concentrations. These authors were the first to describe MPs that were di-, tri-, and o-substituted. The washing of garments releases various microfibers, including microplastic fibers (MPFs), and the authors also undertook a pilot survey to find the plastic additives in river waters near the city of Barcelona [74]. Despite the fact that MPFs in laundry wastewater significantly contribute to microplastics (MPs) in wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), there is little quantitative data on their effects. The most significant textile fiber is polyester, and the polymer polyethylene terephthalate (PET) has been quantified by LC-MS/MS. Simulated trials were used to quantify the release of MPFs from polyester clothes during washing, and LC-MS/MS and microscopic counting were used to determine the MPF levels in two WWTPs [75].
The engineering plastic bisphenol A polycarbonate (BPA-PC), which has been overused in the creation of plastic trash, presents a significant risk of chemical re-release through outdoor weathering. Authors have thoroughly examined PC MPs photoaging behavior in aquatic environments and assessed the possible risk of released intermediates. According to LC-TOF-MS analysis, these organic chemicals that make up MP-derived dissolved organic matter (MPs DOM) were partially made up of the estrogenic substances methyparaben (MeP), p-hydroxybenzoic acid (p-HBA), and 4,4′-dihydroxybenzophenone (DHB) [76].
The potential of MS for the investigation of MPs and NPs has only been thoroughly researched by a few authors. For the investigation of polystyrene (PS) MPs and NPs in natural waters, the effectiveness of various techniques such as matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization (MALDI) coupled to time-of-flight mass spectrometry (TOF-MS), liquid chromatography coupled to high-resolution mass spectrometry (LC-HRMS), and ambient ionization approaches such as desorption electrospray ionization (DESI) was analyzed. For the quantitative investigation of PS MPLs and NPLs in natural waters, a method based on LC-HRMS, equipped with an atmospheric pressure photoionization source (APPI), operating in negative circumstances, was devised. Toluene isocratic was used as the mobile phase in an advanced polymer chromatographic (APC) column to facilitate the chromatographic separation. It has been observed that samples from rivers and the marine coast have effective recoveries of 60 and 70%, respectively, while the instrumental limit of detection (ILOD) is 20 pg and the technique limits of detection and quantification are around 30 pg L−1 and 100 pg L−1, respectively. On samples of natural seawater and those that had been fortified, the approach was validated [77].
A method for quantifying nylon MPs using LC-MS/MS was published in another investigation. In order to be identified by LC-MS/MS, PA6 and PA66 were successfully depolymerized to 6-aminocaproic acid and adipic acid, respectively. In ambient samples, the effective recovery of spiked PA6 and PA66 MPs ranged from 90.8% to 98.8%. With quantities of 0.725–321 mg/kg, PA MPs were found in indoor dust, sludge, marine sediment, freshwater sediment, fisheries sediment, and fish guts and gills. The highest PA66 MP concentrations have been found in fish guts and gills as well as interior dust, which indicates a severe danger of human exposure through ingesting dust and food intake [78].
The invention and validation of a novel method for the detection of phthalates in marine invertebrates using biocompatible solid-phase microextraction (BioSPME) and LC-MS are described by Saliu et al. in [79,80]. Small amounts of the biological components (150 mg) were sampled in glass vials with aluminum lids. The biological components were extracted using ultrasonication in acetone, dilution in ultrapure water, and BioSPME clean-up, which was then followed by electrospray (ESI) LC-MS/MS. As part of microplastic pollution biomonitoring research, tests on samples from three different phyla—Cnidaria, Porifera, and Mollusca—obtained from Maldivian coral reef environments were conducted. Good sensitivity and repeatability were reported [79], along with very little back contamination of the blanks. Saliu et al. [81] reported a novel method for phthalate determination from marine invertebrates, including Porites lobata (the scleractinian coral), Petrosia sp. (a sponge), Tridacna maxima (a clam), and Denditheca dendritrica (colonial hydrozoan), which was developed and validated. This method used biocompatible solid-phase microextraction coupled to liquid chromatography. This application’s significance depends on the fact that marine species are being used as bioindicators for microplastic contamination by the detection of phthalates in their tissues.

3.2. Detection of MPs in Miscellaneous Sources

Rats were given fibrous and granular MP and nanoplastic (NP) made of the nylon polymer polyamide 66 (PA66), and the excretory behavior of the ingested PA66 was measured using LC-MS-MS and microscopic examination. According to the LC-MS investigation, most of the PA66-MP or PA66-NP consumed was excreted within 48 h, while three other forms of PA66 were still present in the rats’ systems even after seven days of excretion. The findings showed that about 30% of the ingested PA66-NP could not be found in feces, and it was shown that PA66-NP was present in rat serum after PA66-NP consumption. According to these findings, PA66-NP can cross the gastrointestinal barrier and reach the bloodstream [81].
Zang et al. [82] used an LC-MS MS/MS method to evaluate the degree of MP degradation/mineralized waste from a landfill, and the research revealed that the presence of PET and PC were the most often found MPs. Additionally, the MP sorption compounds in the environment were studied by LC-MS. The MPs (PE, PP, PS, and PVC) were exposed for three weeks in a unique setup in a natural surface water stream before the authors enabled detection with GC and LC-ESI MS. The investigation found 34 distinct substances that have a negative impact on both animal and human life. Further research by Xu et al. [83], utilizing LC-MS/MS to examine the release of dissolved organic matter from MPs in response to UV irradiation, revealed the existence of several compounds with reactive oxygen species. Table 2 summarizes the LC-MS-based applications as microplastic sensors.

4. Other MS-Based Microplastic Sensors

Even though GC-MS and LC-MS have largely been employed for MP detection, there have also been reports of other MS-based techniques. Time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry (ToF-SIMS) was employed by Jungnickel et al. [99] for the detection, analysis, and imaging of tiny polyethylene particles (PE). Regarding imaging mass spectrometry methodology, only a few analytical methods could detect MPs smaller than 10 μm. The PE-microplastic particles were found by the authors directly in the Ottawa sand model system following exposure to sea surf simulation. Prior to that, they used a standard sample of ground polymers to improve the detection technique for identifying PE. Then, Ottawa sand was used to test the optimized procedure [99].
There have been reports of the accumulation of plastic in the sediments, thus, it is important to investigate the effects of microplastic particles on benthic freshwater animals. Pedersen et al. [100] investigation focused on the toxicity of plastic particles and their ingestion by benthic filter-feeding quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis). Microplastic inclusion was discovered using the matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization imaging mass spectrometry (MALDI-IMS) technique as a sensor. We measured the number of quagga mussels in the size range of 10–45 μm that were exposed to various doses of high-density fluorescent red polyethylene powder over 24 h. A few micrograms of microplastics in the digestive tract could be successfully identified using MALDI-IMS, and the method validated the finding that 95% of the microplastics consumed remained in the mussels after 24 h.
Polystyrene (PS) particles were used as a model MNP in Lin et al. [101] report of a straightforward, quick, and efficient method for identifying and quantifying micro-/nanoplastics (MPs/NPs) based on thermal fragmentation (at 380 °C) and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS). The signature mass prints were quantified at m/z 315.3 and reported in the high-mass regions (repeated peaks with m/z 104 in the m/z range 350–5000) as well as low-mass regions (m/z 90, 104, 128, 130, and 312–318). Additionally, polyethylene terephthalate was used to show this technique (PET).

5. Challenges and Future Perspectives

Microplastics have become, in the past few decades, the talk of environmentalists, researchers, social media, as well as the public. A lot of enthusiasm is evident as evidenced by the increasing number of research articles in this area. However, the enthusiasm is much lower compared to their magnitude of damage. The key word search on PubMed emphasizes this notion, where the search using the keywords ‘microplastics’ hit 7913 articles (Figure 4a), while the hit on ‘mass spectrometry and microplastics’ yielded 182 hits (Figure 4b). Microplastics have huge popularity, but their detection, identification, and mitigation still have low-key research publicity. Microplastic research has been worked upon in a randomized, scattered manner, with articles reporting MPs in water, sediments, air, fish, animals, humans and the like—these have increased the quantity of the research articles in this area. However, other than these scattered reports, nothing much has really progressed. For example, a keyword search on the terms, ‘detection of microplastics’ yielded 1260 hits (Figure 4c), while the search term ‘mass spectrometry and microplastics’ yielded only 182 hits (Figure 4b) on PubMed.
To be more specific, chicken was indeed the sole terrestrial species studied for microplastics. In this investigation, it was discovered that chicken gizzards prepared and consumed by local Mexicans contained microplastics [102]. However, this study was unique in that it focused on hens that were living in gardens that were heavily polluted with plastic garbage, and it was conducted in a specific Mexican hamlet. The likelihood that the chickens consumed plastic fragments while foraging on the ground is quite significant. A single study with a tiny sample size is not adequate to represent the true problem of meat contamination. To reach any conclusions regarding meat contamination, more research including larger sample sizes on a variety of farm animals intended for human consumption should have been conducted, which, of course, has never occurred. There are many similar lone studies like this that have not been supported. Similarly, 35% of plankton-eating fish collected in the North Pacific Gyre had plastic shards the size of centimeters in their stomachs. Each fish had an average of 2.1 pieces. Similar observations were made in Brazilian estuaries, where it was discovered that plastic particles were present in the stomachs of 18% to 33% of catfish that were captured. Unstudied topics include the human consumption of fish contaminated with microplastics and determining the MP levels in human blood. There is a counterargument that the MPs were typically found in the fish intestines, which are typically not intended for human consumption (with exceptions where in some populations, whole fish are consumed, and the entrails are consumed too as delicacies). In contrast, the processing of fish and shellfish does not yield over 60% of waste as byproducts. When it comes to animals that are contaminated with MPs, the use of fish guts for the preparation of animal feed (for example, poultry production and pig raising) can be of concern. This makes it impossible to rule out the possibility of micro- and nanoplastic contamination of animal feed. However, there are no studies on the contamination of farm animals through feeding, nor are there any on the effects on animal health or the quality of meat intended for human consumption. We want to draw attention to the fact that the downstream flow of MPs into food chains has not yet been mapped. This needs to be addressed right away because there are clear gaps in the research on MPs that need to be filled and accurately correlated. The entry level of the MPs into the system is another complicated series. They could enter directly from the environment, they can be introduced during food processing, or they might be also get introduced from food packaging, from the food packaging industries. Potential challenges include judging whether the micro-/nanoplastic particles are already in the food before processing or if their presence is the consequence of the processing phase. Such questions need more focused and systematic research, which are needed to be able to bring about resolving MP pollution. Additionally, phases of MP degradation as well as the transport of plastics from specific foods and beverages to animals/humans still lack scientific understanding.
Although tremendous efforts have been made in the last decade to identify microplastics in food, standardized experimental protocols have not been attained. Among many experimental protocols attempted, the most common and reliable methods are oxidative digestion, filtering, and spectroscopic confirmation with FT-IR when the particle size is greater than 50 μm. This review emphasizes the importance of the application of proper analytical methods for detecting/sensing MPs. Detection is the fundamental step in devising mitigation methods. As highlighted in this review, there is high potential from MS-based applications. Optimized techniques, the inclusion of combinatorial techniques, and the incorporation of state-of-the-art MS methodologies are what will lead to furtherance in this area. Of the mass spectrometric techniques studied, GC-MS is the most worked on and MALDI TOF MS is the least worked on. This review prompts more attention in this direction.
Among the mass spectrometric methods, GC-MS has been used more extensively for the detection and analysis of the polymer compounds, plasticizers, and other additives of MPs. Due to their high temperature pyrolysis and EI-based hard ionization methods, GC-MS provided accurate data regarding the molecular composition of MPs and became an unavoidable tool in MP research. Although the polymers in microplastics are thermally stable, GC-MS would be the better choice for MP analysis; however, for the identification of plastic additives and the intact identification of thermolabile, adsorbed environmental compounds would be its limitation [46]. Therefore, using GC-MS as a wholesome instrument for MP research is a big challenge. In addition, time consumption and labor-intensive protocols of GC-MS emphasize the development of alternative soft ionization-based mass spectrometric methods such as MALDI MS, ESI MS, and DESI MS. These methods are very rapid and require less sample preparation protocols and will provide precise information about the molecules due to their soft ionization capacity. The DESI MS method is direct and rapid in providing molecular detail of the surfaces studied; however, it requires the development and optimization of novel ionization strategies for the ionization of tough ionizing molecules. LDI MS techniques have evolved to use nanomaterials to assist in fine-tuning the technique [103,104,105,106,107,108]; applications of this technique could certainly prove beneficial with respect to MP detection. MS-based techniques are still confronting reproducibility issues and lapses in quantification methodologies—these need to be overcome in order to fully utilize these techniques.
In terms of mitigation methods for avoiding microplastics in the environment, the ideal method is that prevention is better than cure. Why would we release microplastics into the environment and then gather or detect them using sophisticated methods? The reduced use of plastics is unequivocally the ideal solution. Once released into the environment, MPs are hard to detect—the wise and smart handling of plastics is the only solution. We have become too intertwined with plastics; we need to find a way to minimize their use. Banning plastics seems near impossible, however, recycling them could be the ideal best-case scenario (Figure 5).

6. Conclusions

For the first time, we have exclusively reviewed the use of mass spectrometry as microplastic sensors. The advantages of using mass spectrometry have been elaborately discussed and the confronting challenges have been presented. Directions for future perspectives, based on what is currently lacking in this area of research, have been put forth.

Author Contributions

J.G. and M.M., preparation of original draft, review and revisions; S.C., participated in review and revisions and funding support. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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Chemosensors 10 00530 g001 550
Figure 1. Sources of microplastics.
Figure 1. Sources of microplastics.
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Figure 2. Overview of analytical methods that contribute to MPs detection in the environment.
Figure 2. Overview of analytical methods that contribute to MPs detection in the environment.
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Figure 3. PubMed search on the term, “mass spectrometry”.
Figure 3. PubMed search on the term, “mass spectrometry”.
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Figure 4. Results of PubMed search on keywords such as, (a) ‘microplastics’, (b) ‘detection of microplastics’, and (c) ‘mass spectrometry and microplastics’.
Figure 4. Results of PubMed search on keywords such as, (a) ‘microplastics’, (b) ‘detection of microplastics’, and (c) ‘mass spectrometry and microplastics’.
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Figure 5. Major challenges and mitigation methods confronting microplastic detection in the environment.
Figure 5. Major challenges and mitigation methods confronting microplastic detection in the environment.
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Table
Table 1. GC-MS as microplastic sensors.
Table 1. GC-MS as microplastic sensors.
TechniqueSourceApplicationReference
GC-MSRiver surface waterThe composition and concentrations of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in microplastics were determined.[53]
Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) imaging analysis and Pyr-GC/MSSea surface water and sedimentFTIR detects a broad range and even very low numbers of smaller sized particles, Pyrolysis -GC/MS, when exceeding a detection threshold, enables a condensed overview of polymer types represented by a shared chemical backbone expressed by basic polymer clusters.[54]
Pyr-GC/MSGerman Bight watersPolyethylene, polypropylene, poly(ethylene terephthalate), polystyrene, poly-(vinyl chloride), polycarbonate, and poly(methyl methacrylate) were detected.[55]
Pyr-GC/MSEstuary of the Seine river sedimentsHighlighted the challenges associated with the use of Pyr-GC/MS for the quantification of microplastics in sediments.[56]
Pyr-GC/MSRaw and treated drinking waterThe most dominant polymer type in drinking water samples was polyethylene > polyamide > polyethylene terphtalate > polypropylene > polystyrene.[41]
Pyr-GC-MSTextile laundry wastewaterPolyethylene terephthalate, nylon-6, and polyacrylonitrile were quantified.[57]
Pyr-GC–MSDaphnia magna (zooplankton)The content of polystyrene ingested by an individual Daphnia magna was successfully determined.[21]
Pyr-GC–MSSea surface water and mixture of twelve types of standard polymersThe microplastic samples twelve polymers were identified and quantified by Pyrolysis-GC/MS with calcium carbonate.[58]
Pressurized liquid extraction (PLE) and Pyr-GC-MSSediment, suspended matter, soil, and sewage sludgePolyethylene and polypropylene were detected in all samples.[59]
Pyr-GC–MSRoad dust samplesQuantified the tire and road wear microplastics in road dust samples.[60]
Pyr-GC-MSSandy beach sedimentsIdentified 68.8% of the analyzed particles.[30]
TGA-FTIR-GC-MSReference polymers and mesoplastics from beach and beach sediments.Provided physical and chemical properties of the analyzed polymers. Identified 11 types of polymers.[61]
TGA-FTIR-GC-MSMusselsQuantified polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene microplastics in mussel tissue.[62]
Pyr-GC–MSChaetodipterus faber (Atlantic spadefish), Cynoscion arenarius (sand trout), Lagodon rhomboids (pinfish), Menticirrhus americanus (southern kingfish), Micropogonias undulates (Atlantic croaker), and Orthopristis chrysoptera (grunt)Polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, nylon, silicone, and epoxy resin were identified.[16]
Pyr-GC-MS, TED-GC-MS, and TGA-FTIRRiver sedimentPolyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, and polyethylene terephthalate were identified and quantified. [63]
Pyr-GC-MS and solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) coupled with headspace gas (HS) chromatography/ion trap (IT)-MSRaritan River surface waterIdentified compounds associated with microplastic debris and characterized the major plastic types.[64]
Pyr-GC-MSRoad dustMicroplastics of Polypropylene, polystyrene, polyethylene terephthalate, polyvinyl chloride, poly (methyl methacrylate), and polyethylene were quantified.[30]
Pyrolysis-GC-MSSandy beach sedimentsIdentified 68.8% of the analyzed particles.[65]
Pyr-GC-MSFarmland soilIdentified and quantified microplastics in soil samples.[66]
TED-GC-MSArtificial waterProvided information about pyrolysis behavior, as well as the microplastics content.[67]
TED-GC-MSBottled water and other beveragesDetermined microplastic contents below 0.01 µg/L up to 2 µg/L, depending on beverages bottle type.[68]
Thermal desorption (TD)- Pyr-GC-MSCoastline sedimentsIdentified several polymer types.[69]
Pyr-GC-MSCoastline sedimentsPolypropylene, polyvinyl chloride and polyethylene terephthalate were identified.[70]
Pyr-GC-MSRiver water and sedimentPolyethylene, polypropylene and polystyrene were quantified.[71]
Pyr-GC-MSStandard plastics materialsPolyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride, and polymethyl methacrylate were detected.[49]
Pyr-GC-TOF-MSWastewater samplesPolyvinyl chloride, polyamide, polyethylene terephthalate, and polyethylene were quantified.[72]
Microwave-assisted extraction (MAE) combined with Pyr-GC–MSReference plasticsExtracted and quantified a wide range of plastic polymers.[31]
Pyr-GC–MS and scanning electron microscope (SEM) equipped with an energy-dispersive X-ray microanalyser (EDXA)Coastal sedimentsSimultaneously identified polymer types of microplastic particles and associated organic plastic additives using Pyrolysis-GC–MS. SEM-EDXA identified inorganic plastic additives.[45]
μ-Raman and Pyr-GC/MSBivalve, beach and sea water surfaceThe optimized Pyrolysis-GC/MS method identified 100% of the 40 previously identified particles with μ-Raman as plastic and demonstrated that this method is reliable for microplastic identification.[32]
Thermal Extraction/Desorption (TED)-GC/MSWastewaterRequires little sample preparation and quantification limits for polystyrene and polyethylene. [36]
Pyr-GC–MS and ATR-FTIRWestern Lake Superior surface water Polyvinyl chloride, polypropylene, and polyethylene were identified in Lake Superior.[34]
TED-GC-MSBiogas plant, riversPolypropylene, polyethylene and polystyrene were identified.[51]
Curie-point-Pyr-GC-MSStandard polymers and fishSimultaneously identified and optionally quantified microplastic in environmental samples on a polymer-specific mass-related trace level.[35]
TED-GC-MSWastewater treatment plants effluentspolyethylene was consistently the most prominent polymer in samples.[66]
Double shot Pyr-GC-MSShoreline (beach) sand samplesProvided recoveries higher than 96 % for phthalates and polystyrene.[50]
Table
Table 2. LC-MS as microplastic sensor.
Table 2. LC-MS as microplastic sensor.
TechniqueSourceApplicationReference
LC-MS/MSLandfill sludge, marine sediment, indoor dust, digestive residues mussels and clams, sea salt and rock saltThe amounts of polycarbonate and polyethylene terephthalate were quantified in environmental samples.[84]
LC-MS/MSIndoor and outdoor dust samplesMass concentrations of polyethylene terephthalate and polycarbonate microplastics were determined.[85]
LC-MS/MSLandfillPolyethylene terephthalate and polycarbonate were quantified.[86]
LC-MS/MSLaundry wastewater, influents, and effluents of wastewater treatment plants.Mass of polyethylene terephthalate polymer was quantified.[75]
LC-MS/MSPolyethylene terephthalate plastic powder (nano-polyethylene terephthalate)Mass concentrations of polyethylene terephthalate polymers were detected.[86]
LC-MS/MSEarthworm castsSubmicron (0.1–0.8 μm) and nanocron (20–100 nm) particles of fossil-based poly(ethylene terephthalate) and bio-based poly(lactic acid) were detected in excretion. [87]
LC-MS/MSLake sedimentsMasses of bisphenol A (BPA) and p-phthalic acid were detected.[88]
LC-MS/MSYellow River Delta wetland soilIn all soil samples, polyethylene terephthalate concentrations were much higher than polycarbonate concentrations.[89]
LC-MS/MSFish filletsDetermined phthalates in fresh fish fillets.[90]
LC-MS/MSCoral fragmentsDibutyl-phthalate, benzylbutyl-phthalate, diethyl-phthalate, Bis(2-ethylhexyl)-phthalate, and dimethyl-phthalate were quantified in corals.[91]
LC-ESI-MSMarine beach sand, indoor dust, and sludgeQuantified polyethylene terephthalate microplastics and nanoplastics.[92]
LC-quadruple-time-of-flight mass spectrometry (QTOF)/MSMicroplastic leachatesBisphenol A, BPA, 1,2-benzisothiazol-3(2H)-one, decanoic acid, octanoic acid, and palmitamide were identified in leachates.[93]
HPLC-ESI-MS/MSSewage sludgePolyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, and their monomers of terephthalic acid and bisphenol A were quantified. [94]
HPLC-ESI-MS/MSIndoor dustPolyethylene terephthalate and polycarbonate were detected and quantified.[95]
HPLC-electrospray (ESI)-MS/MSCat and dog foodsPolyethylene terephthalate and polycarbonate were detected and quantified. Microplastic monomers such as bisphenol A and terephthalic acid were also quantified.[96]
UPLC-MS/MSLoggerhead sea turtle (liver and fat tissue)The concentrations of polyethylene terephthalate, polycarbonate, para phthalic acid, and bisphenol A were determined in fat and liver tissues.[97]
Solid phase microextraction (SPME)-LC/MSCoral reef invertebrates (Danafungia scruposa and Tridacna maxima)Quantified phthalate esters.[79]
SPME-LC-MS/MSCoral fragmentsDi-methyl phthalate, di-ethyl phthalate, di-butyl phthalate, benzyl butyl phthalate, and bis(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate in coral samples were detected.[98]
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Chun, S.; Muthu, M.; Gopal, J. Mass Spectrometry as an Analytical Tool for Detection of Microplastics in the Environment. Chemosensors 2022, 10, 530. https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors10120530

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Chun S, Muthu M, Gopal J. Mass Spectrometry as an Analytical Tool for Detection of Microplastics in the Environment. Chemosensors. 2022; 10(12):530. https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors10120530

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Chun, Sechul, Manikandan Muthu, and Judy Gopal. 2022. "Mass Spectrometry as an Analytical Tool for Detection of Microplastics in the Environment" Chemosensors 10, no. 12: 530. https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors10120530

APA Style

Chun, S., Muthu, M., & Gopal, J. (2022). Mass Spectrometry as an Analytical Tool for Detection of Microplastics in the Environment. Chemosensors, 10(12), 530. https://doi.org/10.3390/chemosensors10120530

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