Unlike larger microplastics, nanoplastics are invisible to conventional detection tools due to their minuscule size—roughly 1/50th the width of a human hair. These particles are not only highly mobile but also biologically reactive, capable of traversing cellular barriers and accumulating in tissues.
Their environmental footprint is equally concerning. A single microplastic fragment has the potential to degrade into one quadrillion nanoplastic particles, significantly increasing the volume and dispersion of contamination across water, soil, and air. With larger surface areas and more active chemical groups, nanoplastics can bind with pollutants more readily and persist in ecosystems for extended periods.
The OM-SERS system brings together optical manipulation, gold nanoparticles, and advanced Raman spectroscopy to identify and quantify nanoplastics in situ. The process is engineered as follows:
A sample of water mixed with gold nanoparticles is exposed to a focused laser beam.
The heat generated draws surrounding nanoplastics toward the nanoparticles, forming concentrated clusters.
A controlled rinse phase removes impurities such as salt, soot, and organic material.
This leaves behind only the targeted plastic particles, ready for precise spectroscopic analysis.
The result is a significant enhancement in detection sensitivity, allowing researchers to identify both the type and concentration of nanoplastics without interference from non-plastic materials.
Initial use cases for the OM-SERS system have demonstrated successful detection in a variety of aquatic settings, including river systems, ocean-based mariculture environments, and coastal regions. The methodology is adaptable to a wide range of sample types and environmental matrices.
Potential extensions of the technology include:
Soil contamination analysis in agricultural or industrial zones
Detection in plant tissue for food safety evaluations
Monitoring nanoplastic accumulation in human biological samples for toxicological research
The importance of this innovation is underscored by recent findings of microplastics in human tissues—including the bloodstream, brain, and heart. As plastic waste continues to degrade over centuries, producing ever-smaller fragments, the ability to track these particles accurately is essential for shaping future policy, mitigation efforts, and industrial practices.
The OM-SERS detection method presents strategic opportunities for organizations involved in environmental monitoring, water treatment, agriculture, and medical research. By integrating this technology into laboratory workflows or field analysis procedures, stakeholders can enhance compliance, improve safety assessments, and contribute to sustainability goals.
As regulatory scrutiny around micro- and nanoplastic pollution intensifies, the ability to produce credible data on environmental exposure will be increasingly valuable. Technologies like OM-SERS are positioned to play a pivotal role in supporting evidence-based decision-making and long-term risk mitigation.
