Introduction to microplastic research: How we measure micro- and nano-plastics

It is easy to understand how microplastics are small when compared to Daphnia and Bacteria! How microplastics are generated, how much of them exist in the world, and how to measure them... Researchers will explain the frontiers of plastics research in an easy-to-understand manner, including the latest research results on nanoplastics, which are even finer than microplastics. 【Contents】 00:00 Introduction 00:39 What are microplastics? 02:28 How much microplastic is present? 03:07 Determine the number and size of microplastics 04:41 Analyze the material of microplastics 06:22 Much smaller! Analysis methods for nanoplastics 08:09 Development of future standard materials of nanoplastics 【Related Documents】 ●[Press release] Successful production of nanoplastic standard particles of five major general-purpose resins: Contributing to the acceleration of the clarification of environmental pollution and toxic effects. (in Japanese) https://www.nies.go.jp/whatsnew/20211... 【Online Articles】 ●Kankan, an online information magazine on material recycling and waste research, available even for high school students. https://www-cycle.nies.go.jp/eng/colu... 【References】 ●Figure: Model prediction for global count density of microplastics (0.33-1.00mm) Eriksen M, Lebreton LCM, Carson HS, Thiel M, Moore CJ, et al. (2014) Plastic Pollution in the World's Oceans: More than 5 Trillion Plastic Pieces Weighing over 250,000 Tons Afloat at Sea. PLOS ONE 9(12): e111913. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.... 【Production】 National Institute for Environmental Studies, JAPAN　https://www.nies.go.jp/ Material Cycles Division　 https://www-cycle.nies.go.jp/index-e.... Yusuke TAKAHASHI, Kosuke TANAKA, Natsuyo UCHIDA, Risako NOGAMI (in Material Cycles Division) Seiji NARITA, Kaoru SHIGA (in Public Relations Office) #plastics #microplastics #nanoplastics