64641 2025 eng 1 10 article Springer Berlin ; Heidelberg 1 -- -- -- Microplastics (MPs) are pervasive environmental pollutants and are considered one of the main challenges of our time. However, a fast and comprehensive analytical approach for MP analysis in complex matrices traceable to SI units is still lacking. In this context, we report a fast screening tool for the sum parameter analysis of MPs using electrothermal vaporization (ETV) coupled to inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). In our proof-of-concept study, we observed size-independent detection of MPs as peaks above the 13C+ signal background in the nano- to micrometer range without limitations regarding the polymer type. Quantification of the 13C+ MP signals was accomplished via an external gas calibration utilizing dynamic dilution of carbon dioxide with argon, yielding recovery rates of 80–96% for MP reference material (RM) of polymer types commonly found in the environment. The applicability to a soil sample was demonstrated through spiking experiments with a polyethylene (PE) MP RM in soil. The limit of detection (LOD) was estimated to be 0.13 µg C, equaling the detection of a single spherical low-density-PE particle of about 70 µm, and a limit of quantification (LOQ) of 0.42 µg C. Analytical and Bioanalytical Chemistry 1618-2642 10.1007/s00216-025-06146-x urn:nbn:de:kobv:b43-646418 true journal-article https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0 crossref doi-import false true 12.11.2025 Creative Commons - CC BY - Namensnennung 4.0 International Vera M. Scharek Tommy Kröger Karin Keil Heike Traub Björn Meermann eng uncontrolled ETV/ICP-MS eng uncontrolled Mikroplastik eng uncontrolled Summenparameter Sanitär- und Kommunaltechnik; Umwelttechnik 1 Analytische Chemie; Referenzmaterialien 1.1 Anorganische Spurenanalytik Umwelt Umwelt-Material-Interaktionen Verlagsliteratur Datei für die Öffentlichkeit verfügbar ("Open Access") Wissenschaftliche Artikel der BAM Bundesanstalt für Materialforschung und -prüfung (BAM) https://opus4.kobv.de/opus4-bam/files/64641/Anal Bioanal Chem 2025.pdf