Development and Performance Evaluation of a Novel Sampler for Atmospheric Microplastics

This study investigates airborne microplastics (MPs) through the development of a novel active sampling system and the evaluation of their occurrence in air. Existing MP studies commonly rely on passive deposition collectors or particulate matter samplers, which have several limitations. To address these challenges, an oleophilic active sampling system was designed and optimised, enabling microplastic separation to occur directly during the sampling process.

 The performance of the developed sampler was evaluated through recovery experiments and quantitative analysis using pyrolysis–gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (Py-GC-MS). Comparative indoor sampling campaigns were conducted using both the novel active sampler and conventional passive deposition methods to assess differences in microplastic detection and quantification.

Fatma Nur is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Queensland Alliance for Environmental Health Sciences (QAEHS), The University of Queensland. She is also a PhD student at Eskişehir Technical University, Türkiye. Fatma joined QAEHS in 2024 as a visiting PhD researcher, focusing on developing a green and efficient oleophilic sampling method for airborne microplastics. Her postdoctoral research focuses on developing analytical methods for the detection and quantification of micro- and nanoplastics in human tissues.