The MicroTrack system is best for: Rapid, repeatable particle capture on a membrane across drinking water, air, and seawater (including depth profiling) with a unified downstream imaging workflow.
Why this matters
A lot of microplastics methods break comparability by using totally different capture media, housings, and workflows across air vs. drinking water vs. marine sampling. MicroTrack’s core pitch is standardization: the same sampling disc concept (disc + membrane) is deployed using medium-specific devices, then analysed using an imaging + AI pipeline.
The common backbone of the MicroTrack system: the sampling disc + membrane options
MicroTrack uses a test disc that holds a membrane filter selected by medium (pore size/material varies). The article lists membrane options including polyethylene (1, 25, 50 μm) and nylon (20, 50 μm), with examples of recommended pairings: 1 μm nylon for tap water, 25 μm polypropylene for air, and 50 μm nylon for seawater.
Key takeaway: the device changes; the disc-based capture unit stays conceptually consistent, which can help with QA/QC and cross-matrix comparability.
1) SDW01 — MicroTrack Device for Sampling Microplastics in Water Supply Network
Use case: Tap water / distribution network point sampling
How it works: The disc is mounted on a tap; network pressure drives water through the membrane, retaining particles larger than the pore size with minimal environmental contamination risk.
Field workflow for using the MicroTrack for drinking water sampling
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Remove the aerator, attach the stainless steel SDW01 device, insert a diaphragm test disc, and run a predetermined volume through the membrane.
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Remove disc and proceed to MicroTrack analysis.
Why it’s useful
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Uses existing tap pressure (no pump required at the point of capture).
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Designed to limit contamination during capture (device encloses the disc during sampling).
Related Resources
Tap Trap: Open Hardware for Sampling Microplastics in Tap Water
2) SDAIR02 — MicroTrack Air Sampler for Microplastics
Use case: Indoor air / workplace / room monitoring (active sampling)
How it works: A pump draws air through the test disc; underpressure controls the filtered air volume; particles are retained on the membrane for downstream analysis.
Field workflow for the MicroTrack Air Sampler
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Place the membrane/disc in the environment of interest.
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Run the pump for a controlled duration/volume.
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Transfer disc for MicroTrack analysis (count/classify by shape and color).
Why it’s useful
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Active air sampling is typically data-rich for exposure screening; this provides a disc-based, standardized capture approach paired to the same analysis pipeline used for water matrices.
3) SDSW03 — Marine Microplastics Sampler (Seawater + Depth Profiling)
Use case: Seawater sampling beyond the surface (depth-dependent)
How it works: The article contrasts surface manta-net sampling (surface-biased) with an underwater drone equipped with a pump + disc to sample at specific depths.
What makes the MicroTrack SDSW03 distinct
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Mounted on an underwater drone, with sampling reported up to 100 m depth.
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Pumps water through the membrane “in a controlled manner” to preserve integrity.
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Tracks operational metadata during sampling including depth, flow rate, and GPS location, enabling mapping of distribution.
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The authors also frame it as dual-purpose for biodiversity monitoring in addition to microplastics.
Related Resources
Limits and interpretation cautions
The described MicroTrack analysis is AI classification based on morphology and color, and the paper notes model accuracy around ~62% at the time described, with ongoing improvement and verification via FTIR/Raman/SEM-EDX as needed. Recommendation: treat AI outputs as screening / triage unless you’ve validated polymer ID with spectroscopy for your study’s needs.
Citation
Roš, M., El Khiar, H., & Sinjur, A. (2025). Innovative Detection and Identification of Microfibres. Green Energy and Environmental Technology, 4, 1–14. 657.