A Small Overview of the current, Natural & Affected Environments by Microplastics

There is a growing concern and increasing evidence that microplastics in the World’s rivers and oceans are having an affect on marine environments; and ultimately into the food chain. Infrared Spectroscopy and Microscopy are well- established analytical techniques for defining, identifying and categorising of plastic materials. However, it is also good to remember that microplatics is a term that consists of diverse chemicals of all shapes, sizes, coulour etc. Increasingly collating research and information on these materials has become of great importance as they are been added as priority contaminants to monitor by various governments. This presentation reviews the recent scientific findings in the microplastics applications in order to sharpen our understanding of their affects in our marine environments.