Number-based characterization of microplastics

The performed experiments highlight that the environmental pollution with plastic waste is both, a number-and mass-based problem. A Particle Counter for liquids is used to compare non-weathered and laboratory-weathered polyethylene terephthalate (PET) samples. The particle size distribution (PSD) in a size range from 2-200µm and the absolute number concentration for each sample are detectable. Applications include support for ecotoxicological testing of microplastics.