Hands-On Training in Microplastic Detection

Between August 18 and 29, 2025, Pia Leban, a young researcher from the Department of Environmental Sciences (JSI), took part in a two-week training program at VITO (Flemish Institute for Technological Research).
The main goal of the visit was to improve knowledge on the analysis of MNPs with mass spectrometric and spectroscopic techniques, focusing on pyrolysis-GC-MS and Raman spectroscopy.
In collaboration with VITO researchers (Dr. Quynh Nhu Phan Le and Dr. Milica Velimirovic), Pia Leban acquired new expertise in applying two analytical methods for the detection, identification, and characterization of microplastics and nanoplastics. She learned how to prepare samples for analysis for both techniques through filtration.
As part of the training, she used py-GC-MS to analyse extracted microplastic samples from soil samples (spike recovery tests, in which agricultural soils were intentionally spiked with microplastic particles obtained by cryo-milling conventional polyethylene (PE) mulching films at a known concentration). She also analysed extracted samples from real environmental soil samples collected from agricultural fields in western Peloponnese (Greece), where mulching films are commonly used in strawberry cultivation.
Using Raman spectroscopy, she analysed a polystyrene standard microplastic sample to assess the accuracy of the method, as well as microplastic particles from conventional PE mulching films prepared at VITO by cryo-milling. In addition to sample preparation for both techniques, Pia Leban also gained knowledge in processing data obtained with these analytical methods.
As part of the training, Pia also acquired new knowledge and practical laboratory skills in the field of nanoplastic extraction protocols from soil samples. To develop reliable and reproducible protocols and to assess the efficiency of extraction procedures, agricultural soil samples were intentionally spiked with a known concentration of nanoplastics (five different nanoplastic polymer standards ranging from 50 to 400 nm). The extraction procedure was followed by the degradation of organic matter using hydrogen peroxide and the concentration of samples, which will ultimately be analyzed with py-GC-MS.