PERTANIKA JOURNAL OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Microplastics (MP) have actively polluted various water sources, including oceans, rivers and lakes. MPs are tiny plastic particles, typically less than 5 millimetres in size. They originate from degraded larger plastics or microbeads in products. It can enter human bodies through ingestion or inhalation. Their small size allows them to penetrate tissues and organs, potentially causing inflammation. In the environment, MP accumulates in soil, water, and air. They can disrupt ecosystems by entering the food chain, affecting aquatic life. The objective of this paper is to provide a comprehensive review of established MP identification methods and to recommend new technologies for future environmental monitoring. The methodology employed a comprehensive literature review and comparative analysis of current MP detection techniques. The non-optical analytical tools, such as Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC-MS), Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Thermogravimetric Analysis (TGA), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), alongside prominent optical methods, include standard Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR), Attenuated Total Reflection Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (ATR-FTIR), Raman spectroscopy, Nile Red fluorescence, and UV-Visible (UV-Vis) spectroscopy. The results obtained conclude that no single method is perfect, but Micro-Fourier Transform Infrared (μ-FTIR) spectroscopy is highly recommended as the primary optical sensing approach for standardised monitoring due to its optimal balance of speed, reliability, and accessibility. The study also highlights that the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) is the future of optical MP detection, capable of automating complex spectral matching and noise reduction. Potential applications of the research proposed multi-modal framework can be directly applied to large-scale, cost-effective environmental monitoring, enabling broader geographical coverage and aiding policymaking, particularly in developing nations.