nondestructive technique allowing the recovery of the sample for further analysis
(Shim et al. 2017). In microplastic identification, one of the great advantages of this
technique is that it can be coupled with microscopy which lets the identification of
smaller microplastics (Strungaru et al. 2019).
Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy-Dispersive X-Ray
Spectroscopy
Scanning electron microscopy generates an image of the surface of the microplastic
based on interaction of an electron beam with the sample (Rocha-Santos and Duarte
2015). The scanning electron microscopy technique provides full information about
the shape, size, and topography of the plastic particles. According to the provided
images, the source of the microplastics, i.e., decomposed fragments of larger plastics
or primary microplastics, can be predicted (Zbyszewski and Corcoran 2011). Also,
scanning electron microscopy can be combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to determine elemental composition and identify inorganic additives in
microplastics fragments. For example, scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray method was used by Fries et al. (2013) to analyze the existence of
aluminum, barium, carbon, oxygen, titanium, sulfur, and zinc on microplastic
particles.
1.4 Microplastics in Freshwater Environments
Microplastic pollution has gained considerable attention in freshwater systems,
despite the fact that a large number of works are still devoted to the study of the
marine environment. Freshwaterenvironments are a recognizable way to carry
microplastics from land-based sources to the aquatic environment. Studies about
microplastics in freshwaterenvironments are increasing in attention due to the great
quantities of plastic found in lakes, rivers, and even drinking water and because of its
harmful effects on the environment and human health.
1.4.1 Global Microplastic Concentration and Distribution
in Different Freshwater Ecosystems
Microplastics vary geographically, depending on environmental factors, especially
hydrodynamic conditions and anthropogenic factors (Besseling et al. 2017; Imhof
et al. 2017; Kim et al. 2015; Sarafraz et al. 2016). In this section, the most important
concentrations of microplastics present in the literature over the last decade have
been collected and selected. These data are presented on maps of different locations,
1 Microplastic Pollution in Water
11
(Shim et al. 2017). In microplastic identification, one of the great advantages of this
technique is that it can be coupled with microscopy which lets the identification of
smaller microplastics (Strungaru et al. 2019).
Scanning Electron Microscopy and Energy-Dispersive X-Ray
Spectroscopy
Scanning electron microscopy generates an image of the surface of the microplastic
based on interaction of an electron beam with the sample (Rocha-Santos and Duarte
2015). The scanning electron microscopy technique provides full information about
the shape, size, and topography of the plastic particles. According to the provided
images, the source of the microplastics, i.e., decomposed fragments of larger plastics
or primary microplastics, can be predicted (Zbyszewski and Corcoran 2011). Also,
scanning electron microscopy can be combined with energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy to determine elemental composition and identify inorganic additives in
microplastics fragments. For example, scanning electron microscopy-energy-dispersive X-ray method was used by Fries et al. (2013) to analyze the existence of
aluminum, barium, carbon, oxygen, titanium, sulfur, and zinc on microplastic
particles.
1.4 Microplastics in Freshwater Environments
Microplastic pollution has gained considerable attention in freshwater systems,
despite the fact that a large number of works are still devoted to the study of the
marine environment. Freshwaterenvironments are a recognizable way to carry
microplastics from land-based sources to the aquatic environment. Studies about
microplastics in freshwaterenvironments are increasing in attention due to the great
quantities of plastic found in lakes, rivers, and even drinking water and because of its
harmful effects on the environment and human health.
1.4.1 Global Microplastic Concentration and Distribution
in Different Freshwater Ecosystems
Microplastics vary geographically, depending on environmental factors, especially
hydrodynamic conditions and anthropogenic factors (Besseling et al. 2017; Imhof
et al. 2017; Kim et al. 2015; Sarafraz et al. 2016). In this section, the most important
concentrations of microplastics present in the literature over the last decade have
been collected and selected. These data are presented on maps of different locations,
1 Microplastic Pollution in Water
11