One of the world's current biggest environmental challenges is the evaluation of the environmental impact of nano- and microplastics. Micronic and submicronic plastic particles can be found in almost all environmental compartments (water, air, soils, food, interfaces, etc.). In this context, the assessment of the environmental risk of these plastics requires the development of new analytical strategies able to identify and quantify these new emerging contaminants. The analysis and monitoring of nano/microplastic pollution is especially challenging. On the one hand, the application of the most common analytical techniques used for the analysis of inorganic nanoparticles is not straightforward due to the special nature of these contaminants. On the other hand, the challenge is not restricted to the analysis of nano- and microplastics themselves, but also to detect and identify other pollutants (organic and inorganic) they can carry.
The assessment of the environmental risk posed requires the development of new analytical strategies which are able to detect, identify and quantify nano- and microplastics at low concentration levels in a wide range of environmental matrices. In addition, the investigation of the chemicals associated with nano/microplastics is also of the utmost importance for a proper evaluation of their environmental impact. These co-contaminants may be a result of the formation of the plastic (additives, stabilizers, etc) or are added from the environment itself (heavy metal ions, pharmaceuticals, etc). This Research Topic in Frontiers in Environmental Chemistry intends to provide a global overview of the most recent analytical strategies developed to fill the gap of the analysis of nano/microplastics and the associated co-pollutants.
Original Research articles and Review papers are welcome in this Research Topic. Research areas may include but are not limited to:
• The development of analytical methodologies for the detection, identification, and/or quantification of nano/microplastics.
• The development of analytical methodologies for sampling, separation, and pre-concentration of nano/microplastics.
• The analysis and monitoring of nano/microplastics in different environmental compartments.
• The study of interactions between inorganic/organic pollutants and nano/microplastics.
• The investigation of leaching of contaminants from nano/microplastics.
One of the world's current biggest environmental challenges is the evaluation of the environmental impact of nano- and microplastics. Micronic and submicronic plastic particles can be found in almost all environmental compartments (water, air, soils, food, interfaces, etc.). In this context, the assessment of the environmental risk of these plastics requires the development of new analytical strategies able to identify and quantify these new emerging contaminants. The analysis and monitoring of nano/microplastic pollution is especially challenging. On the one hand, the application of the most common analytical techniques used for the analysis of inorganic nanoparticles is not straightforward due to the special nature of these contaminants. On the other hand, the challenge is not restricted to the analysis of nano- and microplastics themselves, but also to detect and identify other pollutants (organic and inorganic) they can carry.
The assessment of the environmental risk posed requires the development of new analytical strategies which are able to detect, identify and quantify nano- and microplastics at low concentration levels in a wide range of environmental matrices. In addition, the investigation of the chemicals associated with nano/microplastics is also of the utmost importance for a proper evaluation of their environmental impact. These co-contaminants may be a result of the formation of the plastic (additives, stabilizers, etc) or are added from the environment itself (heavy metal ions, pharmaceuticals, etc). This Research Topic in Frontiers in Environmental Chemistry intends to provide a global overview of the most recent analytical strategies developed to fill the gap of the analysis of nano/microplastics and the associated co-pollutants.
Original Research articles and Review papers are welcome in this Research Topic. Research areas may include but are not limited to:
• The development of analytical methodologies for the detection, identification, and/or quantification of nano/microplastics.
• The development of analytical methodologies for sampling, separation, and pre-concentration of nano/microplastics.
• The analysis and monitoring of nano/microplastics in different environmental compartments.
• The study of interactions between inorganic/organic pollutants and nano/microplastics.
• The investigation of leaching of contaminants from nano/microplastics.