Pittcon 2026: Damià Barceló on Microplastics Analysis in Wastewater

At Pittcon 2026 in San Antonio, Texas, Damià Barceló, a professor at the Universidad de Almería, presented his research as part of the symposium on Protecting the World's Natural Resources: Water Pollution.

During the symposium on Monday, March 9, Barceló delivered a talk titled, "Sustainable Analytical Approaches for Microplastics in Wastewater, Sludge, and Landfills: Challenges, Fate, and Green Chemistry Perspectives."¹ In his talk, he offered a critical examination of analytical methodologies for detecting and characterizing microplastics (MPs) across complex environmental matrices. Techniques such as Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), raman spectroscopy, and pyrolysis-gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (py-GC–MS) were highlighted for their effectiveness in MP identification, alongside sample preparation approaches including density separation, enzymatic digestion, and oxidation. Barceló also addressed the challenge of size detection—most studies focus on MPs in the 20–50 µm to millimeter range, with very limited research on particles smaller than 0.1 µm, commonly referred to as nanoplastics (NPs)—and presented sustainable management strategies for addressing plastic pollution at a global scale.

This work reflects the breadth of Barceló's research interests, which span environmental analytical chemistry, emerging contaminants, and the intersection of pollution with human and ecological health.^2,3 A particular focus of his talk was the lack of methodological harmonization across laboratories, which continues to hinder comparability and reproducibility in the microplastics field.

Beyond methodology, Barceló raised the issue of combined contaminant effects — specifically, how microplastics and nanoplastics can act as vectors for pharmaceuticals and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), potentially amplifying their toxicological impact on aquatic organisms and humans. He identified the lack of integrated exposure and effect data as one of the most critical knowledge gaps currently facing the field. Looking ahead, Barceló also addressed the path toward routine nanoplastics detection, noting that achieving this within a 5–10 year timeframe will require advances in instrument sensitivity, standardized extraction protocols, and broader interlaboratory validation efforts.

In part I of our conversation with Barceló, he provided an overview of his talk.

References

1. Barceló, D. Sustainable Analytical Approaches for Microplastics in Wastewater, Sludge, and Landfills: Challenges, Fate, and Green Chemistry Perspectives. Presented at Pittcon 2026, in San Antonio, Texas. Available at: https://app.swapcard.com/event/pittcon-2026/planning/UGxhbm5pbmdfNDMwMzQzNw== (accessed 2026-03-13).
2. Barceló, D. Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry for Microplastics. LCGC Supplement, Hot Topics in Gas Chromatography 2025, 26–27.
3. Barceló, D. Microplastics in Wastewater and Sludge: Challenges in Sampling, Detection, and Standardization. https://www.chromatographyonline.com/view/microplastics-in-wastewater-and-sludge-challenges-in-sampling-detection-and-standardization (accessed 2026-03-13).