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Abstract
We investigated the applicability of Nile Red (NR), a fluorescent dye, for microplastic
analysis, and determined the optimal staining conditions. Five mg/L NR solution in
n-hexane effectively stained plastics, and they were easily recognized in green fluorescence.
The NR staining method was successfully applied to micro-sized polyethylene, polypropylene,
polystyrene, polycarbonate, polyurethane, and poly(ethylene-vinyl acetate), except
for polyvinylchloride, polyamide and polyester. The recovery rate of polyethylene
(100-300μm) spiked to pretreated natural sand was 98% in the NR stating method, which
was not significantly (p<0.05) different with FT-IR identification. The NR staining
method was suitable for discriminating fragmented polypropylene particles from large
numbers of sand particles in laboratory weathering test samples. The method is straightforward
and quick for identifying and quantifying polymer particles in the laboratory controlled
samples. Further studies, however, are necessary to investigate the application of
NR staining to field samples with organic remnants.