Analysis of small plastics in coastal surface water samples of Okinawa using optical tweezers-Raman spectroscopy

In this work, we employ an optical trapping-Raman spectroscopy technique for simultaneous characterization and monitoring of the physical and chemical properties of single small micro-plastics in a seawater environment. Through analysis of the data, we chemically identify the plastic and distinguish it from organic matter and/or mineral sediments. Additionally, we categorize the particles based on their size and shapes such as beads, fragments, and fibers. The proposed technique paves the way to understand the fragmentation process of aged polymers, as well as to monitoring marine plastic pollution.

Duke Scholars

Author Domna Kotsifaki DKU Faculty