{
  "abstract": "Microplastic (MP) and plastic additive (PA) pollution in freshwater systems threatens drinking water safety. This study proposes an integrated multi-analytical approach to characterize small microplastics (SMPs < 100 μm), PAs, and other microlitter components (MLCs) in a canal supplying a drinking water treatment plant. The method combines Micro-FTIR spectroscopy for particulate SMP and MLC identification with HPLC-Orbitrap for Non-Targeted Screening (NTS) and Suspect Screening Analysis (SSA) of dissolved PAs. Results showed the highest SMP abundance in Autumn (10,116 SMPs L−1), with 20 polymer types identified. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) was most abundant, followed by high-density polyethylene (HDPE); tire wear particles (TWPs) were also detected. Micro-FTIR identified antistatic agents, fillers, and lubricants as the main particulate PAs. SMPs averaged 57 μm in length and 32 μm in width. HPLC-Orbitrap revealed a predominance of plasticizers and flame retardants, specifically diethyl phthalate (DEP), dibutyl phosphate (DBP), tributyl phosphate (TBP), and tris(2-chloroethyl) phosphate (TCEP). Although EU regulations highlight the need to monitor MPs, specific regulatory limits and standardized treatment removal efficiencies remain undefined. This comprehensive assessment of particulate and dissolved fractions establishes a methodological framework to guide future safety standards and optimize water treatment.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Environmental Sciences, Informatics and Statistics, Ca’ Foscari University, via Torino 155, 30172 Venice, Italy",
    "Institute of Polar Sciences—National Research Council (CNR-ISP), via Torino 155, 30172 Venice, Italy",
    "National Interuniversity Consortium for Environmental Sciences (CINSA), via Torino 155, 30172 Venice, Italy"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 6,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Greta Palombella",
      "orcid": "0009-0004-1057-6609"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1,
        2
      ],
      "name": "Beatrice Rosso",
      "orcid": "0000-0003-3400-8740"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Elisa Scalabrin",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-7092-5963"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Roberta Zangrando"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Andrea Gambaro",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-7477-1903"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Fabiana Corami",
      "orcid": "0000-0002-7484-9600"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/d5jdvtv0d0nqw.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3390/molecules31213973",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "d5jdvtv0d0nqw",
  "issns": [
    "1420-3049"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/3973",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [],
  "openalex": null,
  "pdf_url": null,
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-11-04",
  "publisher": "MDPI AG",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/d5jdvtv0d0nqw.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-04T12:21:07Z",
      "native_id": "10.3390/molecules31213973",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/31/21/3973"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "chemistry",
      "origin": "issn:1420-3049",
      "subfield": "general"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Tracking Small Microplastics and Plastic Additives in Freshwater: An Integrated Analytical Approach",
  "title_text": "Tracking Small Microplastics and Plastic Additives in Freshwater: An Integrated Analytical Approach",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-06T00:21:09Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/d5jdvtv0d0nqw",
  "venue": "Molecules",
  "versions": []
}