Abstract

Purpose: To collect and analyze microplastics in the atmosphere, a pretreatment method is necessary to remove interfering substances. Research design, data and methodology: Currently, the most reliable pretreatment methods widely used in academia are oxidative treatment and density separation. These methods vary depending on the sample size and the analytical instruments used, and each requires different considerations and processes. Results: Oxidative treatment, for instance, is used to remove organic matter from samples. This typically involves adding 20 mL of hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) and 20 mL of Fenton's reagent to the sample, then heating it at 60°C for two hours. During this process, the organic matter in the sample is oxidized and removed. Density separation, on the other hand, is used to remove inorganic substances from the sample. In this method, 40 mL of a ZnBr₂ (zinc bromide) density separation solution is added to the sample. The mixture is then left to settle in a separatory funnel for 24 hours. After settling, the supernatant is collected for filtration, and the bottom of the separatory funnel is opened to discharge the inorganic matter that has precipitated due to the difference in density. Conclusions: Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate the current status of analytical methods using Raman spectroscopy in Korea and to identify the optimal pretreatment method suitable for analyzing substances as small as microplastics.