Method standardization and technique development for FTIR and ATR-FTIR analyses in Belgian Research

Ghent University has been performing research on plastic pollution for the past 15 years, during which new techniques for the collection, extraction, quantification and identification of microplastics have been developed and refined. Despite these increased world-wide research activities, method standardization, development and the reliability and efficiency of MP measurements are still a high on the agenda. We will discuss our approach for optimization of (ATR-)FTIR analysis of various complex environmental matrices, what we have learned and what still needs addressing. These lessons learned and further research needs will be discussed in the context of national and international (EU) needs for monitoring and new (upcoming) legislation concerning microplastics.