A rapid-screening approach to detect and quantify microplastics based on fluorescent tagging with Nile Red
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science · University of East Anglia · +5 more institutions
Abstract
A new approach is presented for analysis of microplastics in environmental samples, based on selective fluorescent staining using Nile Red (NR), followed by density-based extraction and filtration. The dye adsorbs onto plastic surfaces and renders them fluorescent when irradiated with blue light. Fluorescence emission is detected using simple photography through an orange filter. Image-analysis allows fluorescent particles to be identified and counted. Magnified images can be recorded and tiled to cover the whole filter area, allowing particles down to a few micrometres to be detected. The solvatochromic nature of Nile Red also offers the possibility of plastic categorisation based on surface polarity…
Citation impact
- FWCI
- 20.17
- Percentile
- 100%
- References
- 33
Authors
5- TMThomas MaesCorresponding
Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
- RJRebecca Jessop
University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park
- NWNikolaus Wellner
Norwich Research Park, Quadram Institute
- KHKarsten Haupt
Université de Technologie de Compiègne, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Sorbonne Université
- AGAndrew G. Mayes
University of East Anglia, Norwich Research Park
Topics & keywords
- Microplastics
- Nile red
- Fluorescence
- Staining
- Fluorescence microscope
- Solvatochromism
- Nile blue
- Microscopy
- Life below water
Funding
- CFCentre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science
- UOUniversity of East Anglia
- CNCentre National de la Recherche ScientifiqueAward: CPER 2007-2013
- CRConseil Régional de PicardieAward: CPER 2007-2013
- BABiotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council
- EREuropean Regional Development FundAwards: 2007-2013, CPER 2007-2013