Cavity Perturbation for In-Situ Monitoring of Microplastics in Water

Abstract:
To date, no inexpensive and easily implemented in-situ monitoring solution exists for the measurement of microplastic particle concentrations in water. State-of-the-art measurements require much effort for sampling and laboratory analysis. We investigated the cavity perturbation method with modified data processing as a tool for in-situ monitoring. Sim- ulation results are promising in that particles as small as 10(exp −6) of the measurement volume appear to be detectable. Laboratory experiments confirmed this sensitivity for a microplastic particle in an air-filled cavity.