Literature shows that for detecting plastic fragments the excitation wavelength: 450-490nm and emission wavelength : 515-565 nm. I am using Olympus BX60 fluorescence microscope where properties shows that it’s non UV excitation and emission wavelength is 508 nm and excitation wavelength is 470 nm.
It was expected that only LDPE fragments will be green but there are other materials also looks green. Is this due to the 508 nm emission wavelength? Or there might be other reason for this?
Thank you and appreciate your time.
Hi Linkon,
I would expect that the emission wavelength you observe strongly depends on the exact chemical composition of your plastic fragments. For example, additives or even coloration might play a significant role.
To detect plastic fragments in a complex matrix, for example an environmental sample, you usually need to do some kind of spectroscopy. Otherwise there is a high risk that you mix up other non-plastic particles with the plastic particles. For example, many people work with Micro-Raman spectroscopy or IR spectroscopy to detect plastic particles. With these methods, you can identify them "without doubt". Here, you can find some literature about it:
Article Finding Microplastics in Soils – A Review of Analytical Methods
I hope that this is of any help for you :)
Simon
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