Date of Completion

7-2019

Document Type

Research Project

Degree Name

Grade 12

Keywords

Microplastics, Filtrate, Optical Analysis, Hot Pin Method, sea salt

Abstract

The researchers performed a quantitative-descriptive research design that aims to detect the presence of microplastics within the samples and classify and quantify the found microplastics based on its morphology. To perform the study, the required salt samples were collected and filtered, and the retrieved filtrate was subjected to optical analysis following various rules and protocols. A particle’s identity was confirmed through the hot pin method, a confirmatory test that checks if a particle is a microplastic or not. After performing the research procedures, it was found out that all replicates have microplastic particles within it. Fragments are the most abundant microplastic particle out of all the replicates, followed by fibers. Upon MP abundance calculation, it was determined that Central market yielded the least pure replicates having a mean abundance of 66 MPs/100 g of sea salt while DBB A-1 Wet and Dry Market had the purest replicates containing only 14.33 MPs/100 g of sea salt. All the samples had a total mean microplastic abundance of 37.56 MPs/100 g of sea salt which is a significant amount. It is highly recommended for the future researchers to venture more on this type of study, increase the number of replicates that would be examined, improve the study by means of using more advanced equipment, and seek the help of professionals.

First Advisor

Myra Michelle M. Mojica

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