Theme

Science and Technology

Recent Advances on Density Separation Techniques for Microplastic Recovery from Sediments

Authors

Andrei Luigi T. Ang, De La Salle University Integrated School Senior High School, ManilaFollow
Carlos Miguel D. Jose, De La Salle University Integrated School Senior High School, ManilaFollow
Cara Isabel P. Del Rosario, De La Salle University Integrated School Senior High School, ManilaFollow
Orrin Landon T. Uy, De La Salle University Integrated School Senior High School, ManilaFollow
Joel Garcia, De La Salle University, ManilaFollow

Research Advisor

Dr. Joel Garcia

Abstract

Microplastics are small plastic fragments commonly less than 5 mm in size (Khatmullina et al., 2016), making up about 92% of the total plastic pollution. Since these plastics are transparent due to their small size, they cause invisible plastic pollution. Due to their adsorptive properties, they can potentially harm marine and human life if ingested. Microplastic extraction is used to isolate microplastics from their original matrix using various methods and instruments to ease the process. Electrostatic separation, magnetization, and pressurized fluid extraction are among the established microplastic extraction methods, but these separation techniques require more effort and use a more advanced setup than density separation. Salt-assisted density separation of microplastics has been demonstrated to provide modest to excellent recovery rates. This review survey reported different salt solutions used in microplastic extraction via density separation in the last five years. Among the inorganic salts used in density separation, sodium dihydrogen phosphate (NaH₂PO^₄) holds promise in separating microplastics because of its high extraction efficiency while being cost-effective and non-hazardous.

Recommended Citation

Ang, Andrei Luigi T.; Jose, Carlos Miguel D.; Del Rosario, Cara Isabel P.; Uy, Orrin Landon T.; and Garcia, Joel (2022) "Recent Advances on Density Separation Techniques for Microplastic Recovery from Sediments," Sinaya: A Philippine Journal for Senior High School Teachers and Students: Vol. 1: Iss. 2, Article 1.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59588/3027-9283.1010
Available at: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/sinaya/vol1/iss2/1