Advancing microplastic detection: non-destructive 3D imaging of microplastics in zebrafish using micro x-ray computed tomography

Advancing microplastic detection: non-destructive 3D imaging of microplastics in zebrafish using micro x-ray computed tomography

Konferenční sborník (ne stať)

Plastic pollution is a global environmental issue, and microplastics (MPs) pose increasing concerns due to their potential impact on ecosystems and human health. MPs enter organisms through ingestion and inhalation and accumulate in various tissues. Understanding their distribution within biological systems is crucial for assessing their effects, yet current detection methods face significant limitations. Conventional spectroscopic and pyrolytic techniques provide chemical composition data but require extensive sample preparation, leading to a loss of spatial distribution information and increased contamination risks. To address these challenges, this study explores the application of X-ray micro-computed tomography (microCT) as a non-destructive method for detecting MPs in biological tissues. Using zebrafish as a model organism, we demonstrate how microCT enables precise 3D visualization of MP localization without altering tissue integrity. By optimizing scanning parameters and employing contrast-enhancing techniques, we successfully detected polyethylene MPs within fish intestines. Our findings highlight the potential of microCT for tracking MP accumulation in biological samples, offering a complementary approach to conventional methods. MicroCT’s ability to retain spatial information presents new opportunities for studying MP behavior in biological systems. This technique could be further developed for environmental monitoring and biomedical research, providing insights into the potential health risks of MP exposure. Future work will focus on refining detection capabilities for MPs of different sizes, densities, and shapes, expanding the applicability of microCT in microplastic research.

Plastic pollution is a global environmental issue, and microplastics (MPs) pose increasing concerns due to their potential impact on ecosystems and human health. MPs enter organisms through ingestion and inhalation and accumulate in various tissues. Understanding their distribution within biological systems is crucial for assessing their effects, yet current detection methods face significant limitations. Conventional spectroscopic and pyrolytic techniques provide chemical composition data but require extensive sample preparation, leading to a loss of spatial distribution information and increased contamination risks. To address these challenges, this study explores the application of X-ray micro-computed tomography (microCT) as a non-destructive method for detecting MPs in biological tissues. Using zebrafish as a model organism, we demonstrate how microCT enables precise 3D visualization of MP localization without altering tissue integrity. By optimizing scanning parameters and employing contrast-enhancing techniques, we successfully detected polyethylene MPs within fish intestines. Our findings highlight the potential of microCT for tracking MP accumulation in biological samples, offering a complementary approach to conventional methods. MicroCT’s ability to retain spatial information presents new opportunities for studying MP behavior in biological systems. This technique could be further developed for environmental monitoring and biomedical research, providing insights into the potential health risks of MP exposure. Future work will focus on refining detection capabilities for MPs of different sizes, densities, and shapes, expanding the applicability of microCT in microplastic research.

Microplastics, microCT, zebrafish, tracking

Microplastics, microCT, zebrafish, tracking

PAROBKOVÁ, V.; MALEČEK, L.; ZEMEK, M.; KALČÍKOVÁ, G.; VYKYPĚLOVÁ, M.; BUCHTOVÁ, M.; ADAMOVSKÝ, O.; ZIKMUND, T.; KAISER, J.

2026

01.04.2025

Kataložni zapis o publikaciji (CIP) pripravili v Narodni in univerzitetni knjižnici v Ljubljani

978-961-7078-54-1

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