Table 1 Overview of the technical readiness level (TRL) of the different steps in the RAPs for micro- and mesoplastics in biota

Plastic \(\ge 1\) mm in biota

Basic Research

1

2

3

Applied research

4

5

Development

6

Chemical ID with FTIR (ATR, general and microscopy)

7

Alkaline and oxidative digestion

Research protocols

Implementation

8

9

Hand collection, nets, hooks/lines

Visual separation

Visual

Guidelines for shapes and colour, Items/individuals, g/individual, %

International protocols (e.g., OSPAR)

Plastic \(< 1\) mm in biota

Basic Research

1

2

3

Hyperspectral Imaging

International databases

Applied research

4

Pyr-GC/MS

Mass-based units

5

Enzymatic and acid digestion

Fluorometric

Field blanks, Positive controls

Development

6

Air blanks

7

Alkaline and oxidative digestion, density separation

Optical microscopy, FTIR, \(\mu\)FTIR, RAMAN, \(\mu\)RAMAN

Counts per individuals, Counts per gram, %

Air filtration systems

Raw data in publications

Implementation

8

Procedure blanks

9

Hand collection, nets, hooks/lines