Large Scale Microplastic Fibre Analysis in Wastewater: A Comprehensive Review and Recommendations

Tarte, JV; Ahmed, MB; Tra, VT; Wang, Q; Johir, MAH; Nghiem, LD

Large Scale Microplastic Fibre Analysis in Wastewater: A Comprehensive Review and Recommendations

Tarte, JV Ahmed, MB Tra, VT Wang, Q

Johir, MAH Nghiem, LD

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Publisher:: SPRINGER HEIDELBERG
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Current Pollution Reports, 2025, 11, (1)
Issue Date:: 2025-12-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Tarte, JV
dc.contributor.author	Ahmed, MB
dc.contributor.author	Tra, VT
dc.contributor.author	Wang, Q https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5744-2331
dc.contributor.author	Johir, MAH
dc.contributor.author	Nghiem, LD
dc.date.accessioned	2026-02-10T07:57:09Z
dc.date.available	2026-02-10T07:57:09Z
dc.date.issued	2025-12-01
dc.identifier.citation	Current Pollution Reports, 2025, 11, (1)
dc.identifier.issn	2198-6592
dc.identifier.issn	2198-6592
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/193215
dc.description.abstract	Purpose of Review: This review provides a critical analysis of current and emerging methods for identifying and quantifying microplastic fibres (MPF) in wastewater, covering all key steps of sample collection, pretreatment, and analytical analysis. There are currently no universally accepted standards for collecting and analysing MPF. This review aims to provide new insights to develop appropriate processes for collecting and analysing MPF in wastewater through a critical analysis of the literature. Recent Findings: Previous studies have used non-selective grab sampling and stacked sieving apparatuses to collect and/or sort microplastics, but very few have been specifically applied to MPF. Hydrogen peroxide (H<inf>2</inf>O<inf>2</inf>) digestion is the most widely used for sample preparation prior to MPF analysis. MPF quantification by manual counting under an optical microscope is possible but is inefficient and unable to meet the required level of accuracy. Either micro–Fourier Transport Infrared (µFTIR) or µ-Raman is suitable for polymer identification. They each have distinctive reported strengths and weaknesses, and µFTIR is more appropriate for MPF analysis. Summary: Fast and scalable analysis can be achieved with grab sampling for collection, H<inf>2</inf>O<inf>2</inf> digestion for pretreatment, filtration using glass fibre or alumina oxide membranes, and then microscopic imaging with fluorene tagging for automated counting. Transmittance μFTIR is the most appropriate tool for polymer identification. Density separation, extensive sample digestion, manual counting, and Raman spectroscopy are not required or incompatible for MPF analysis.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	SPRINGER HEIDELBERG
dc.relation.ispartof	Current Pollution Reports
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/s40726-025-00378-2
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.classification	3701 Atmospheric sciences
dc.subject.classification	4104 Environmental management
dc.subject.classification	4105 Pollution and contamination
dc.title	Large Scale Microplastic Fibre Analysis in Wastewater: A Comprehensive Review and Recommendations
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	11
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Civil and Environmental Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater (CTWW)
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2026-02-10T07:57:06Z
pubs.issue	1
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	11
utslib.citation.issue	1

Abstract:

Purpose of Review: This review provides a critical analysis of current and emerging methods for identifying and quantifying microplastic fibres (MPF) in wastewater, covering all key steps of sample collection, pretreatment, and analytical analysis. There are currently no universally accepted standards for collecting and analysing MPF. This review aims to provide new insights to develop appropriate processes for collecting and analysing MPF in wastewater through a critical analysis of the literature. Recent Findings: Previous studies have used non-selective grab sampling and stacked sieving apparatuses to collect and/or sort microplastics, but very few have been specifically applied to MPF. Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) digestion is the most widely used for sample preparation prior to MPF analysis. MPF quantification by manual counting under an optical microscope is possible but is inefficient and unable to meet the required level of accuracy. Either micro–Fourier Transport Infrared (µFTIR) or µ-Raman is suitable for polymer identification. They each have distinctive reported strengths and weaknesses, and µFTIR is more appropriate for MPF analysis. Summary: Fast and scalable analysis can be achieved with grab sampling for collection, H2O2 digestion for pretreatment, filtration using glass fibre or alumina oxide membranes, and then microscopic imaging with fluorene tagging for automated counting. Transmittance μFTIR is the most appropriate tool for polymer identification. Density separation, extensive sample digestion, manual counting, and Raman spectroscopy are not required or incompatible for MPF analysis.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/193215