Toward In Situ Detection, Sizing and Identification of Microplastics in Water at the National Research Council of Canada

Microplastics in the ocean have emerged as a significant threat to marine life and their associated ecosystems. Detecting these microplastics is crucial for assessing, monitoring, and controlling pollution levels. Traditional methods for monitoring microplastic pollution are conducted in laboratory settings and are often time-intensive and resource-heavy. The development of new in situ instruments for monitoring pollution offers a promising advancement in this field. This paper outlines the technologies currently being developed at the National Research Council (NRC) Canada to create such instruments, aiming to provide more efficient and effective solutions for tackling oceanic microplastic pollution.