Development of Quantitative Analysis Methods for Nanoplastics

2023 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 21K17903
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 64010:Environmental load and risk assessment-related
• Research Institution: National Institute for Environmental Studies
• Principal Investigator: TANAKA Kosuke 国立研究開発法人国立環境研究所, 資源循環領域, 研究員 (10896327)
• Project Period (FY): 2021-04-01 – 2024-03-31
• Keywords: ナノプラスチック / 海洋プラスチック汚染 / 定量分析

Outline of Final Research Achievements

It has been suggested that contamination by nanoplastics may be increasing worldwide, but the amount present in the environment is still unknown. In this study, we developed an analytical method based on pyrolysis-GC/MS, incorporating a spiking recovery test to evaluate reliability and an internal standard method to correct for errors. Additionally, we established a fractionation method based on the solubility of polymers in organic solvents. Using water samples simulating environmental samples, we confirmed recovery rates and other parameters, establishing an accurate quantitative analysis method for nanoplastics.

Free Research Field

環境化学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

ナノプラスチックの熱分解GC/MS等の分析において、添加回収試験、内標準法の導入、前処理での分画手法の導入により、信頼性の高い定量を可能とすることができた。この成果は、環境中の汚染状況の正確なデータの取得の基盤となるものであり、プラスチック汚染のリスクの評価と管理における貢献が期待できる。