Surface poisoning can be identified through several methods: 1. Decreased Reaction Rate: A noticeable drop in the reaction rate can indicate surface poisoning. 2. Spectroscopic Techniques: Techniques such as infrared spectroscopy (IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) can detect the presence of poison molecules on the catalyst surface. 3. Temperature-Programmed Desorption (TPD): This method helps identify the nature and quantity of adsorbed species on the catalyst surface.