Abstract
As global plastic production increases, the problem of marine plastic pollution is becoming increasingly critical, and the development of effective identification technologies is particularly urgent as plastic debris not only poses a threat to aquatic ecosystems but also has a significant impact on human health. This paper presents the criteria for evaluating fluorescence technology and its mechanism for plastic identification, with an emphasis on its potential for the rapid detection of marine plastic pollution. By analyzing variations in the fluorescence lifetimes and intensities of plastics, different types of plastics can be effectively distinguished. In addition, this paper reviews the detection of microplastics using different fluorescent dyes and explores the fluorescence lifetime identification method. This paper also demonstrates the effectiveness of fluorescence techniques for macroplastic identification, highlighting how fluorescence lifetimes and decay rates change in various weathering environments. Monitoring these changes offers a foundation for establishing weathering models, aiding in understanding the transformation of macrolitter into microplastics. Future research should investigate the autofluorescence properties of different plastics further and focus on developing detection methods and instruments for various environments. This will improve the identification of plastic waste in complex environments. In conclusion, fluorescence technology shows great promise in plastic identification and is expected to provide substantial support for recycling plastic waste products and mitigating plastic pollution.