Papers Invited for 2022 Symposium on Microplastics Analytical and Reference Standards

Papers are invited for the Symposium on Microplastics Analytical and Reference Standards – Opportunities to Advance Microplastic Science, June 30, 2022, at the Hyatt Regency Seattle (Seattle, Washington, USA). The symposium is sponsored by the ASTM International committees on water (D19) and plastics (D20) and will be held in conjunction with the June 2022 standards development committee meetings.

The objective of this symposium is to raise awareness of the various microplastics sampling, preparation, and analysis activities that are occurring in the U.S. and across the globe. Many organisations, including academic, commercial, and non-profit, have started work on microplastics sampling and analytical methods, creating an ideal time to confer on best practices, challenges, and future steps. The symposium goal is to catalyse the creation and adoption of new methods for microplastic analysis that will enable researchers to produce the highest caliber science in this burgeoning discipline.

Appropriate topics may include, but are not limited to:

• Sampling techniques: ocean collection, water column sampling, filtration, and capture methods, 
• Sample processing: biological specimen preparation, natural material digestion protocols, and density separation,
• Analytical analysis: spectroscopy, including IR, Raman, LDIR; pyrolysis, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry; and hyperspectral imaging,
• Reference material development: cryo, jet, and mechanical milling techniques; direct synthesis; ablative techniques such as ultrasound and high-intensity light; and more.

To participate in the symposium, authors must submit a 250 to 300-word abstract using the online Abstract Submittal Form no later than August 13, 2021.