Matrix preparation and workflow for microplastics analysis in soil.

One of the main difficulties in microplastic (MP) research is the lack of standardized, real-world methods such as matrix blank and simultaneous tracking of polymer particles for enumeration. Building on a previous study, a matrix preparation and experimental workflow for soil matrices is presented that addresses the challenges of purification to allow subsequent analysis using Nile Red-stained MPs as a surrogate. Key steps include peroxide digestion and density separation (NaI) followed by centrifugation for low density polyethylene (LDPE) and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) surrogates to assess recoveries in terms of number and size, based on fluorescence microscopy and Raman spectroscopy.

A data-driven analysis of global research trends on dirty-dozen persistent organic pollutants.

The occurrence, distribution, and fate of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) have been extensively studied worldwide; however, the patterns and dynamics of scientific publications on POPs are still unclear. In this study, the research trends on dirty dozen POPs, which are identified under the Stockholm Convention (SC) for immediate action were investigated and evaluated in a broad context to obtain up-to-date information. For this purpose, bibliometric analysis was carried out between 1945 and 2021 using the Web of Science (WoS) database.