In recent years, an increasing trend towards investigating and monitoring the contamination of the environment by microplastics (MP) (plastic pieces < 5 mm) has been observed worldwide. Nonetheless, a reliable methodology that would facilitate and automate the monitoring of MP is still lacking. With the goal of selecting practical and standardized methods, and considering the challenges in microplastics detection, we present here a critical evaluation of two vibrational spectroscopies, Raman and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and two extraction methods: thermal extraction desorption gas chromatography mass spectrometry (TED-GC-MS) and liquid extraction with subsequent size exclusion chromatography (SEC) using a soil with known contents of PE, PP, PS and PET as reference material. The obtained results were compared in terms of measurement time, technique handling, detection limits and requirements for sample preparation. The results showed that in designing and selecting the right methodology, the scientific question that determines what needs to be understood is significant, and should be considered carefully prior to analysis. Depending on whether the object of interest is quantification of the MP particles in the sample, or merely a quick estimate of sample contamination with plastics, the appropriate method must be selected. To obtain overall information about MP in environmental samples, the combination of several parallel approaches should be considered.

近年来，在世界范围内已观察到越来越多的趋势，以调查和监测由微塑料（MP）（小于5毫米的塑料碎片）对环境的污染。然而，仍然缺乏一种可促进和自动监测MP的可靠方法。为了选择实用和标准化的方法，并考虑到微塑料检测中的挑战，我们在此对两种振动光谱法（拉曼光谱和傅立叶变换红外（FTIR）光谱法）以及两种萃取方法进行了关键性评估：热萃取-解吸气相色谱-质谱联用光谱法（TED-GC-MS）和液体萃取，随后使用尺寸已知的PE，PP，PS和PET的土壤作为参考物质进行尺寸排阻色谱（SEC）。将获得的结果在测量时间，技术处理，检测限和样品制备要求方面进行了比较。结果表明，在设计和选择正确的方法时，决定需要理解什么的科学问题很重要，在分析之前应仔细考虑。根据目标是对样品中的MP颗粒进行定量还是仅对塑料对样品的污染进行快速估算，必须选择适当的方法。为了获得有关环境样品中MP的整体信息，应考虑几种并行方法的组合。确定需要理解什么的科学问题很重要，在分析之前应仔细考虑。根据目标是对样品中的MP颗粒进行定量还是仅对塑料对样品的污染进行快速估算，必须选择适当的方法。为了获得有关环境样品中MP的整体信息，应考虑几种并行方法的组合。确定需要理解什么的科学问题很重要，在分析之前应仔细考虑。根据目标是对样品中的MP颗粒进行定量还是仅对塑料对样品的污染进行快速估算，必须选择适当的方法。为了获得有关环境样品中MP的整体信息，应考虑几种并行方法的组合。