• Presented To-

Dr. MST. Murshida Mahbub

Assistant Professor
Department of Genetic Engineering and
Biotechnology
East West University

Topic: Microplastic
Detection in Drinking Water
• Semester: Summer'23
• Course Title: Separation technologies and
analytical methods
• Course Code: GEB308
• Section: 01
• Date: 31.08.23
Microplastic Detection in Drinking Water
Presented By-
Sayeda Tahasina Tazin
2020-1-77-090

MD. Mehedi Hasan Munna

2020-1-77-089
Subarna Hoque Ria
2020-1-77-020
Ahmed Julker Nine
2020-1-77-042

Suriya Rahaman
2020-1-77-031
 Introduction

❖ Tiny plastic particles

❖ Absorb and release toxic substances

❖ Effects on human health and the environment

❖ Pass through many water treatment processes.

 Source of Microplastic
1. Primary Microplastics: personal care
products, industrial processes.

2. Secondary Microplastics: breakdown of

larger plastic particles

3. Synthetic Textiles: washing synthetic

fabrics
Impacts of
Microplastics

• The health impacts of microplastics in

drinking water are still being studied, but
there are some concerns that they could
cause

• Immune system suppression

• Cancer
• Reproductive problems
• Neurological damage
Detection
Method

❑ Microscopy
✔Scanning Electron Microscopy
✔ Transmission Electron
❑ Spectroscopy
✔FTIR
✔RAMAN
FTIR – A good ally in
microplastics
analysis

❑can identify particles

based on characteristic
vibrational bands
❑ allows chemical images
to be created
❑can be captured in a single
time-saving measurement
Fig: Instrument setup for FTIR spectroscopy
 Sample Collection and Preparation

Sample Analysis
FTIR Reference Spectra
Spectroscopy Spectrum Analysis
Analysis
Quantification and Identification

Data Interpretation

Challenges
Raman Spectroscopy –
An effective technique in
Microplastic Analysis

o Analytical technique ( where

scattered light is used).
o Analyze microscopic pieces by
focusing a laser beam.
o Can probe microplastics down
to submicron size range.
o Produces a Raman spectrum
o Can differentiate between Poly
propylene and high density Fig 1.Three types of scattering processes that can
Polyethylene occur when light interacts with a molecule.

Fig 2. Raman spectra show a clear difference
between two samples, with polypropylene in red
and polyethylene HDPE in blue
Fig 3. Researchers at HORIBA Scientific used
785-nm excitation to do a line-scan measurement
across a fiber located in a sample labeled 100%
cotton. The experiment confirmed the presence of
polyethylene terephthalate (PET), a synthetic
fabric in the sample

Scientists will also frequently search polymer databases to help identify micro-plastics. In
these cases, researchers compare an unknown spectrum with a reference spectrum from a
database
 • Cost effective and multipurpose tool for
measurements of a wide range of gas
Importance components
of FTIR in • Future proof, long lasting and profitable
investment.
Microplastic • Reliability
Detection • Multicomponent capability.
Advantages of Raman Spectroscopy

Can differentiate chemical structures, even if they contain the same

atoms in different arrangements.

Can analyze the sample multiple times without damage.

Provides flexibility in controlling collection volumes.

 Edu, E. (2019, October 31). What are microplastics and where do they come from? Encounter Edu.
https://encounteredu.com/multimedia/images/sources-of- microplastics
Furbank, L. (2023). Breathing plastic: The health impacts of invisible plastics in the air. Center for
International Environmental Law. https://www.ciel.org/breathing-plastic-the-health-impacts-of-invisible-
plastics-in-the-air/
Mahadeshwara, M. R. (n.d.). Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy - about tribology.
https://www.tribonet.org/wiki/fourier-transform- infrared-spectroscopy/

References
Scientific, H. F. H. (2019). Characterizing Microplastics with Raman Spectroscopy. www.photonics.com.
https://www.photonics.com/Articles/Characterizing_Microplastics_with_Raman/a65080?fbclid=IwAR1G
4szGEkG0B7aDxCH_qSC6dTo61o8-
kl_aai98WP4aMGk62jLDXHVQ0Qc#:~:text=Raman%20spectroscopy%20can%20probe%20microplasti
cs,can%20use%20for%20chemical%20identification
Thank You!

This Photo by Unknown author is licensed under CC BY.