Development of analytical methods for the characterization (particle size determination, identification, and quantification) of the micro- and nanoscale plastic debris in the environment is a quickly emerging field and has gained considerable attention, not only within the scientific community, but also on the part of policy makers and the general public. In this Trends paper, the importance of developing and further improving analytical methodologies for the detection and characterization of sub-20-μm-range microplastics and especially nanoplastics is highlighted. A short overview of analytical methodologies showing considerable promise for the detection and characterization of such micro- and nanoscale plastic debris is provided, with emphasis on recent developments in mass spectrometry (MS)-based analytical methods. Novel hyphenated techniques combining the strengths of different analytical methods, such as field flow fractionation and MS-based detection, may be a way to adequately address the smallest fractions in plastic debris analysis, making such approaches worthwhile to be further explored.

中文翻译：

---

质谱技术的最新发展，用于表征环境中的微米级和纳米级塑料碎片。

开发用于表征环境中的微米级和纳米级塑料碎片的表征方法（粒度确定，鉴定和定量）的分析方法是一个迅速兴起的领域，不仅在科学界而且在科学界也得到了相当多的关注。决策者和公众的一部分。在本《趋势》论文中，强调了开发和进一步改进分析方法的重要性，以检测和表征20μm以下的亚微米塑料，尤其是纳米塑料。提供了简短的分析方法概述，显示了检测和表征此类微米级和纳米级塑料碎片的巨大希望，重点是基于质谱（MS）的分析方法的最新发展。