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The applicability of reflectance micro-Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy for the detection of synthetic microplastics in marine sediments

This is the first published research on the development of a method suitable for routinely monitoring the presence of synthetic microplastics in marine sediments. The potential threat of plastics to ecosystems and human health has been highlighted as an emerging acute issue by the United Nations Environment Programme and prioritised by the US - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The method was rigorously developed and tested in real sediment samples. This work was sponsored and is now used by the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science (CEFAS, Melanie Sapp: melanie.sapp@cefas.co.uk).