Environmental Analysis

Researchers from several Chinese universities have developed a low-cost, red mud-based catalyst doped with manganese oxides that efficiently oxidizes toluene at lower temperatures, offering a sustainable solution for air pollution control and industrial waste reuse.

Researchers at the Sinopec Research Institute have developed a novel method using virtually generated mid-infrared spectra to accurately quantify plastic blends, offering a faster, scalable solution for recycling and environmental monitoring.

Webinar Date/Time: Tue, Jun 10, 2025 11:00 AM EDT

A new study published in Chemosphere by researchers at Bharathidasan University reveals alarming seasonal microplastic (MP) contamination in fish and shellfish from India's Pichavaram Mangroves.

A recent review article highlights the promise of near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy for on-farm analysis of liquid organic manure.

A new study published in Geoderma Regional by J. A. Arias-Rios and colleagues at IFAB demonstrates that near-infrared (NIR) spectroscopy is a rapid, cost-effective tool for assessing soil and tree traits critical to forest ecosystem monitoring and management.

Webinar Date/Time: Tuesday, May 27, 2025 at 11:00 AM EST

Here is a collection of recent studies that used spectroscopic techniques in environmental analysis.

A recent study demonstrated the utility of Raman spectroscopy and machine learning (ML) algorithms to classify plastic types found in waste of electric and electronic equipment (WEEE) streams.

A new study recently demonstrated how micro-PIXE spectroscopy can effectively trace the elemental sources of air pollution in urban and indoor environments in India.

In a recent study published in Marine Pollution Bulletin, a team of researchers from several Spain and Portugal universities and institutions (Rovira i Virgili University, Universitat de Barcelona, University of Porto, and Institut d'Investigació Sanitaria Pere Virgili (IISPV) assessed microplastic (MP) contamination along the Mediterranean coastline.

University of Granada researchers compared different methods and their effectiveness in classifying ink found in historical documents.

A new approach to analyzing bituminous coals was created using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy.

A new study published in Chemical Engineering Journal by researchers from Northeast Agricultural University in China reveals that biochar aging, influenced by environmental factors like UV exposure and wet-dry cycles, alters dissolved organic matter composition and affects its effectiveness in remediating cadmium-contaminated soil.

Spectroscopy sat down with Samiksha Singh to discuss her team’s latest research in microplastics research, which provided insight into how marine monitoring can improve mitigation of plastic pollution.

Researchers at Zhengzhou Police University have developed an AI-powered Raman spectroscopy method that achieves 100% accuracy in identifying plastic beverage bottles.

A new study published in Green Analytical Chemistry reveals significant microplastic pollution in Uzbekistan’s Zarafshan River, highlighting regional differences, industrial contributions, and the urgent need for improved monitoring and mitigation strategies.

A recent study conducted by Shanghai researchers developed a high-accuracy model for identifying plastic pollution.

A recent study explores how smaller microplastics (MPs) are routinely found in potable water, calling into question EU Directive 2020/2184.

Last year, we released a content series titled “Advancing Agriculture for Future Generations.” Here, we compile some of the latest studies in this space.

Spectroscopy recently sat down with Elise Granek, Susanne Brander, and Summer Traylor to discuss their recent study quantifying microplastics (MPs) and anthropogenic particles (APs) in the edible tissues of black rockfish, lingcod, Chinook salmon, Pacific herring, Pacific lamprey, and pink shrimp.

A recent study out of China explored using a new continuous solid-phase extraction spectroscopy (CSPES) device to monitor water quality.

A recent study examines widespread microplastic contamination in key Oregon seafood species, emphasizing the need for coordinated local and global efforts to reduce plastic pollution and protect ecosystems, public health, and cultural traditions.

A recent review article highlighted how two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) is advancing microplastics research and uncovering their aging processes and interactions with environmental substances.

A recent study highlights the potential of dissolved organic matter (DOM) as a key indicator for water quality management in Lake Baiyangdian.

A recent study examined a new method to carbon dioxide capture to reduce energy consumption.

Researchers from the University of Oviedo used diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (DRS) and machine learning (ML) to analyze post-wildfire soil organic carbon fractions, identifying key spectral regions and algorithms for advancing remote sensing applications.

A recent study examined how Raman spectroscopy, when combined with machine learning (ML), can detect and analyze fertilizer nutrients.

In 2024, we launched multiple content series, covered major conferences, presented two awards, and continued our monthly Analytically Speaking episodes. Below, you'll find a selection of the most popular content from Spectroscopy over the past year.

A new study in Infrared Physics & Technology highlights the pivotal role of Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy in identifying and quantifying microplastics, emphasizing its advantages, limitations, and potential for advancement in mitigating environmental pollution.