An automated approach for microplastics analysis using focal plane array (FPA) FTIR microscopy and image analysis

By S. Primpke, C. Lorenz, R. Rascher-Friesenhausen, G. Gerdts. 2017

351 citations recorded by the source corpus.

The analysis of imaging data derived from micro-Fourier transform infrared (μFTIR) microscopy is a powerful tool allowing the analysis of microplastics enriched on membrane filters. In this study we present an automated approach to reduce the time demand currently needed for data analyses. We developed a novel analysis pipeline, based on the OPUS© Software by Bruker, followed by image analysis with Python and Simple ITK image processing modules. By using this newly developed pipeline it was possible to analyse datasets from focal plane array (FPA) μFTIR mapping of samples containing up to 1.8 million single spectra. All spectra were compared against a database of different synthetic and natural polymers by various routines followed by benchmark tests with focus on accuracy and quality. The spectral correlation was optimized for high quality data generation, which allowed image analysis. Based on these results an image analysis approach was developed, providing information on particle numbers and sizes for each polymer detected. It was possible to collect all data with relative ease even for complex sample matrices. This approach significantly decreases the time demand for the interpretation of complex FTIR-imaging data and significantly increases the data quality.

Subfields: Automotive Engineering, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering, Pollution

View Paper: https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/6b5f66e210ce424dc07b092e570da5ac024b973c

How researchers see this paper

The researchers whose trusted networks rank it highest, strongest advocate first. Every researcher gets a different order.

In Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

1. Rasmus Lund Jensen
2. S. Primpke
3. Li Liu
4. Melanie Bergmann
5. G. Gerdts
6. J. Vollertsen
7. A. Vianello

In Pollution

1. S. Primpke
2. G. Gerdts
3. Melanie Bergmann
4. Rasmus Lund Jensen
5. Li Liu
6. J. Vollertsen
7. A. Vianello

Citations in the corpus

• Contributions of Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy in microplastic pollution research: A review (2020, methodology): “In general, two approaches are followed to analyze MPs on filter materi- als: (1) measurement of complete filter area spot by spot (Kappler et al., 2016; Loder et al., 2015; Primpke et al., 2017) and (2) measurement of selected points of interest (Maes et al., 2017).”
• White and wonderful? Microplastics prevail in snow from the Alps to the Arctic (2019, methodology): “Data analysis The FTIR imaging data were automatically processed (24).”
• Simulating human exposure to indoor airborne microplastics using a Breathing Thermal Manikin (2019, methodology): “Sample analysis was carried out using FPA-µ FTIR-Imaging spectroscopy(Focal Plane Array-Fourier Transform-Imaging-Micro-Spectroscopy), which is recognised as one of the most promising analytical techniques for the identification and quantification of microplastics 20–22, 44, 45 .”