Dye Identifies Microplastics in Water

Nov-27-17 A fluorescent dye that makes it easier to identify microplastics in ocean water could help research teams developed better ways of capturing waste plastic.

The fluorescent dye, called Nile red, attaches to the plastic particles, allowing their concentrations to be identified in a sample using image analysis software and fluorescence microscopy. The new technique enabled researchers to detect a much larger number of microplastics smaller than 1mm, which in turn could lead to a better understanding of the amount of plastic in water, and how to address the problem.

Image: Microplastics glow green in a water sample

More Info about this Invention:

[CO.UK]
[WARWICK.AC.UK]

---