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03.06.2022Microplastics from Catalan beaches identified and characterized using infrared spectroscopy
In recent months, the CCiTUB Molecular Spectroscopy Laboratory located on the Diagonal Campus, has worked for members of the Marine Geosciences Research Group of the UB's Faculty of Earth Sciences, in the identification and characterization of microplastics from beaches on the Catalan coast using infrared spectroscopy.
In this study, almost 25,000 microplastics have been collected with the collaboration of the Spanish delegation of the NGO Surfrider Foundatin Europe.
These microplastics have been analyzed using infrared spectroscopy, a technique that allows their characterization and classification based on the spectral bands found in the area of the middle infrared (between 4000 and 400 cm-1). The technique allows to analyze particles up to 500 microns quickly and easily, without sample preparation.
This initiative, made up of volunteers and a public service available to society, has been key to the success of the study.
The results of the research are published and can be consulted in open access in the journal Environmental Research Letters .
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