Microplastics in Coastal Sediments and Sands: Methods and Assessment

Microplastics (MPs) have become a major emerging pollutant in coastal and sedimentary environments worldwide, including along the Moroccan coastline. Their characterization requires an integrated methodological approach that encompasses field sampling, laboratory preparation (sieving, chemical digestion, density separation), and spectroscopic identification.This book presents current analytical methods used to extract and identify microplastics in sediments and sands, with particular emphasis on Raman and FTIR spectroscopy. Complementary approaches—such as LDIR chemical imaging, Pyrolysis–GC/MS, thermal analysis (TGA/DSC), SEM-EDS, and fluorescence staining—are also briefly introduced to highlight their added value for specific applications.Methodological challenges, detection limits, and sources of uncertainty are discussed in detail. By integrating the historical development of microplastic research, global contamination trends, and studies conducted in Morocco, this work underscores the importance of establishing harmonized strategies for monitoring and managing microplastic pollution within vulnerable coastal environments.