Plastic accounts for 60 ~ 80% of all marine litter. Microplastics are plastic pieces that are 5 mm or less in diameter. They can be classified into primary and secondary microplastics. Primary microplastics arise from the manufacturing, and secondary microplastics arise from plastic decomposition by various factors. Both types of microplastics are not only widely distributed in the oceans, but also can adsorb persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and metals. They can be mistaken for food by marine organisms, and the resulting bioaccumulation can have a significant impact on additional ecosystems. In this study, quantitative and qualitative analysis methods for microplastics from the literature were compared and summarized.

• 이혜성(목포해양대학교 환경·생명공학과) | Hye-Sung Lee (Department of Environmental & Biotechnology Engineering, Mokpo National Maritime University)
• 김용진(목포해양대학교 환경·생명공학과) | Yong-Jin Kim (Department of Environmental & Biotechnology Engineering, Mokpo National Maritime University) Corresponding author