Microplastics (MPs) are identified ubiquitously in various environmental compartments ranging from marine, freshwaters, sediments and terrestrial ecosystems including biotic components. Due to its smaller size (<5 mm), poor capture rate, and challenges in environmental removal, MPs contamination is a serious problem for the entire world. In the past decade, numerous techniques have been developed and put to use in order to track and measure MPs, identify the type of polymer, and characterise the particle’s shape, size and colour. The chapter provides an overview on the separation, identification and quantification procedures in MP analysis, with emphasis on potential ways ahead and remaining challenges. The analytical protocol largely varies with nature of MPs, its abundance and the type of environment sample. Additionally, advanced quantification techniques such as Pyrolysis coupled with Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC-MS) and AI supported automated image analysis have been discussed. Therefore, standardization of MPs analytical techniques on the basis of the research aim will aid in obtaining a more comprehensive picture. © 2024 American Chemical Society.
