Old Format Ferrofluids

An Analysis of Extraction of Microplastics from Water Using Ferrofluids
AN ANALYSIS OF EXTRACTION MICROPLASTICS FROM WATER
USING FERROFLUIDS
A Science Investigatory Project
Presented to
Schools Division of Bataan
Category
ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE
Group
ANNE RELENA A. VALDEZ
RYZA NICOLE C. SARMIENTO
SHEKINAH A. ENRIQUEZ
Researcher
MARY ANN SALAZAR ACLADO
Research Adviser
Mariveles National High School – Poblacion
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ABSTRACT
Microplastics (plastic particles, 0.1 μm–5 mm in size) are across the board marine toxins,
amassing in benthic silt and shorelines the world over. To increase a more clear comprehension
of microplastic accessibility to marine life, and the dangers they posture to the strength of
benthic networks, biological procedures and nourishment security, it is essential to get exact
proportions of microplastic plenitude in marine dregs. Until now, techniques for separating
microplastics from marine dregs have been hindered by unpredictability, cost, low extraction
efficiencies and contrariness with fine silt.
As response to this issue, many researchers are starting to think of a solution to this
environmental crisis. New methods are introduced to the public which is favourable but on the
other hand, these new methods are expensive to the extent that only a small scale of countries is
able to use these. A solution to world issues such as environmental problems, a big portion of
world should have access to these type of methods.
This investigation is a fundamental study which introduces the use of ferromagnetic
fluids (ferrofluids) as a medium to magnetize the persistent pollutant---microplastics from
marine waters. This new method of extraction could greatly help countries like Philippines that
are unable to spend billions for new methods and equipments for water treatment facilities.
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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
This investigatory project was an eye-opening experience as well as an achievement for
the researchers. The researchers were delighted with the completion of this project. It was rather
more challenging and difficult to complete this investigatory project than the researchers had
expected. The researchers thought that they could manage and address something that happened
along the way. However, the researchers could not. There have been multiple occasions where
the researchers wanted to convey up, but thanks to the assistance and encouragement the
researchers got from many individuals, the researchers managed to complete this work.
Before all else, the researchers would want to express their overflowing gratefulness to
the Almighty Father for all the guidance, knowledge and strength He gave the researchers during
the making of this project. This would not be possible without Him.
The researchers would like to sincerely thank their Research Adviser, Mrs. Mary Ann S.
Aclado, for her generous consideration and valuable feedback. Without her patience and
understanding, the researchers could not have finished this research. Thank you for not just
offering the researchers thinking methods but also for giving the researchers self-confidence.
The researchers would also want to give thanks to their friends and classmates who were
willing to spend their time and share their opinions with the researchers, despite their busy
schedule.
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In the end, the researchers would like to show their deepest gratitude to their family,
whose are worried and support the researchers, their positive and encouraging feedback also
helped motivate the researchers to continue and work harder. The researchers were indeed very
grateful for their kindness.
DEDICATION
The researchers were accountable for any form of error, fault or flaw found in this
project. However, this project is dedicated to the researchers’ parents, Lira P. Amansec, Marissa
C. Sarmiento, Rayan R. Sarmiento, Anabelle A. Valdez, and Richard G. Valdez, who have
always supported, encouraged and advised the researchers throughout the researchers’ studies
since childhood. Without their immense support, none of this would have been a reality.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abstract ……………………………………………………………………. 2
Acknowledgement ……………………………………………………………. 3
Dedication ………………………………………………………………………. 4
CHAPTER I
Background of Study …………………………………………………............... 7
Statement of Problem ………………………………………………………….. 12
Significance of Study …………………………………………………………... 13
Scope and Delimitation ………………………………………………………….. 16
CHAPTER II
Relevant Theories ……………………………………………………………….. 19
Review of Related Literature ……………………………………………………. 29
Related Studies …………………………………………………………………… 38
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Conceptual Framework …………………………………………………………. 46
Hypothesis ………………………………………………………………………. 47
Definition of Terms …………………………………………………………….. 48
CHAPTER III
Methods and Techniques of the Study ………………………………………...…. 52
Samples of the Study …………………………………………………………….. 53
Research Instrument …………………………………………………………….. 54
Data Gathering …………………………………………………………………. 55
CHAPTER IV
Results ………………………………………………………………………… 61
Discussion ……………………………………………………………………. 67
CHAPTER V
Summary of the Findings ………………………………………………………… 69
Conclusions ……………………………………………………………………. 71
.Recommendations …………………………………………………………… 72
Bibliography …………………………………………………………………….. 73
Appendix …………………………………………………………………………76
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CHAPTER I
THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND
INTRODUCTION
Most plastic is manufactured from petroleum, a fossil fuel, meaning it come from the
decomposed organic matters over millions of years back. Petroleum's main components come
from lipids that were first assembled long ago in those organisms' cells (Wolchover, 2011).
Question is, if petroleum-derived plastic comes from biomaterial, why doesn't it biodegrade?
A crucial manufacturing step turns petroleum into a material unrecognized by the
organisms that normally break organic matter down (Wolchover, 2011)
Since mass production began in the 1940s, the amount of plastic being manufactured has
increased rapidly, with 230 million tones of plastic being produced globally in 2009(Plastics
Europe, 2010), accounting for8% of global oil production (Thompson et al., 2009). The societal
benefits of plastic are far-reaching (Andrady and Neal, 2009), this valuable commodity has been
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the subject of increasing environmental concern. Primarily, the durability of plastic that makes it
such an attractive material to use also makes it highly resistant to degradation, thus disposing of
plastic waste is problematic (Barnes et al., 2009; Sivan, 2011). Exacerbated by the copious use of
throw-away ‘‘user’’ plastics (e.g. packaging material), the proportion of plastic contributing to
municipal waste constitutes 10% of waste generated worldwide (Barnes et al., 2009). While
some plastic waste is recycled, the majority ends up in landfill where it may take centuries for
such material to breakdown and decompose (Barnes et al., 2009; Moore, 2008). Of particular
concern are plastics that, through indiscriminate disposal, are entering the marine environment
(Gregory, 2009). Despite plastics being an internationally recognized pollutant with legislation in
place aimed to curb the amount of plastic debris entering the marine environment (Gregory,
2009; Lozano and Mouat, 2009), Thompson (2006) estimates up to 10% of plastics produced end
up in the oceans, where they may persist and accumulate
A more distressing problem is the discovery of microplastics. Microplastic pollutants are
broadly classified as primary and secondary microplastics. Primary microplastics are plastic
particles that are deliberately manufactured to be in the sub-visible size range. These particles
include pelletized raw materials for manufacture of plastic products (Ashton, Holmes & Turner
2010) and plastic beads destined for use in processes and applications such as air-blasting,
medicinal vectors and cosmetic exfoliants (Cole et al. 2011; Fendall & Sewell 2009). Secondary
microplastics are created by the physical, chemical and biological degradation of larger plastic
debris (Cole et al. 2011; Moore 2008). Photooxidation of marine plastic debris weakens polymer
bonds and makes it brittle and subject to cracking, which in abrasive environments facilitates
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fragmentation and breakdown into increasingly smaller particles (Cole et al. 2011; Lundquist et
al. 2000).
The term ‘microplastics’ and ‘microlitter’ has been defined differently by various
researchers. Gregory and Andrady (2003) defined microlitter as the barely visible particles that
pass through a 500lm sieve but retained by a 67lm sieve (0.06–0.5 mm in diameter) while
particles larger than this were called mesolitter.
Microplastics are carriers of some chemicals that are typically found at their highest
concentrations in the sea-surface microlayer, which is the predominant layer of low-density
microplastics. Persistent organic pollutants (POPs), which include PCBs, PAHs and
organochlorine pesticides, are chemicals of global concern due to their potential for long-range
transport, persistence in the environment, ability to bio-magnify and bio-accumulate in
ecosystems, as well as their significant negative effects on human health and the environment
(Lorena M. Riosa, Charles Moore, Patrick R. Jones, 2007). Microplastic is found to be ingested
by aquatic organisms like fishes and as such, and ultimately finding its way at the end of food
chain---humans.
At present, there is no screening or filtering for microplastics takes place in any
wastewater treatment facilities in the Philippines, which provided the idea on how to extract
microplastics in water with the use of oil and iron II,III oxide ---ferrofluids.
Ferrofluids are permanently stable colloid suspensions of ferromagnetic particles in
carrier liquid. Suspension stability here means the quality that the suspension remains
permanently homogenous, it is the ferromagnetic particles do not separate from the carrier
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liquid and do not settle at the bottom of the container (do not sediment), neither creates
mutual aggregations. To reach stability ferrofluids must contain ferromagnetic particles of the
size 5 to 15 nm (1 nm = 10-9m), so called nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are usually formed
by one Weiss domain. As a result of spontaneous magnetization it has a magnetic moment
and represents an elementary magnetic dipole. Elementary dipoles influence each other. To
prevent their aggregation they are covered with stabilizer, i.e. a polymerous (macromolecular)
coating (Voit, W.; Kim, D. K.; Zapka, W.; Muhammed, M.; Rao, K. V., 21 March 2011), so
called detergent formed by the chains of polar molecules (e.g. fatty acid), long 1 to 2 nm.
Every chain is at one end bound with a nanoparticle and at the other end loosely attracted
by the molecules of the carrier medium. Detergent is thus a surface active material that
prevents direct contact between nanoparticles, causes repulsive forces between them and so
prevents their aggregation (Mayer, 2015).
This project is started by researching what types of microplastic extraction and
elimination techniques exist. Scientists are looking for methods for the removal of microplastics
from water. However, so far there have been no methods developed which could quickly and
efficiently do this. Methods explored include carbon filtration systems and density separations.
This research is conducted to develop a more viable method. It mainly uses oil, ferrofluids, and
strong magnets.
This study was mainly inspired by an investigation by Fionn Ferreira and a method used
by Arden Warner to remove oil spill.
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Fionn’s Investigation mainly focuses on the extraction of microplastic from water
because of pollution. He uses vegetable oil and a magnetite, to extract the microplastics from
water .
Arden Warner is a physicist at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory, working on the
next generation of particle accelerators. Arden used iron oxide and electromagnetic force to
remove the oil spills from water. Warner found that magnetite can adhere to oil and render it
magnetic. Since iron oxide is commonly found in beach sand, so there is no risk in using it at
open sea and it is 98% recoverable with the use of electromagnets. Warner tested his method in
over 100 types of oil, including heavy oil, and found that magnetite clings better to more vicious
oil. One of the most interesting aspects of the use of magnetite is that it even seems to remove oil
from bird feathers. The researcher chose this strategy to expel plastics from water likewise as
these plastics are non-polar like oil implying that they would will in general be miscible.
The present study was also inspired by a work of Rachel L. Coppocka, Matthew Coleb,
Penelope K. Lindequea, Ana M. Queirosa, and Tamara S. Galloway. In their study, a portable
method to separate microplastics from sediments of differing types, using the principle of density
floatation. The Sediment-Microplastic Isolation (SMI) unit is a custom-built apparatus which
consistently extracted microplastics from sediments in a single step, with a mean efficiency of
95.8% (±SE 1.6%; min 70%, max 100%). Zinc chloride, at a density of 1.5 g cm3, was deemed
an effective and relatively inexpensive floatation media, allowing fine sediment to settle whilst
simultaneously enabling floatation of dense polymers. The method was validated by artificially
spiking sediment with low and high density microplastics, and its environmental relevance was
further tested by extracting plastics present in natural sediment samples from sites ranging in
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sediment type; fine silt/clay(mean size 10.25±SD 3.02mm) to coarse sand (mean size 149.3±SD
49.9mm).
When looking for a method to test for microplastics before and after extraction, the goal
was to create a quick and accurate method which could be repeated many times. Using the Beer
Lambert Law in conjunction with the visible light spectrometer would effective. The samples
were also tested in a laboratory using a microscope.
In chemistry, like charges attract like charges, arriving at the conclusion that non polar
engine oil would attract non polar plastics in the environment of water.
Thus, with the use of strong magnets to attract ferrofluids has the potential to extract
microplastics from water.
STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM
Specifically, this study is concerned with the seeking answers to the following questions:
1. Could the combination of oil and magnetite be used to effectively extract different
types of microplastics from water?
2. Will there be a difference between an untouched water and a water extracted with
ferrofluids in terms of:
2.1. Color
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2.2. Smell
2.3. Phase
3. Will the ferrofluids formed by the combination of oil and magnetite will remove
at least 85% of the microplastics in a given sample of contaminated water?
4. Could the ferrofluids extract the microplastics in water efficiently?
5. How can the extraction of microplastics from water using ferrofluids be helpful
in:
a. Environment
b. Humans
c. Marine life
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
Microplastics, a form of man-made litter, have been accumulating in the oceans for at
least over the last four decades. Sampled from surface waters or from beach sand this fraction of
litter includes virgin resin pellets, compounded master batch pellets and smaller fragments of
plastics derived from the larger plastic debris. Microplastics could contribute up to 30% of the
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Great Pacific Garbage Patch polluting the world’s oceans and, in many developed countries, are
a bigger source of marine plastic pollution than the visible larger pieces of marine litter,
according to a 2017 IUCN report.
Bacteria and chemicals like Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) that occur universally in
sea water at very low concentrations are picked up by meso-/microplastics via partitioning. It is
the hydrophobicity of POPs that facilitate their concentration in the meso-/microplastic litter at a
level that is several orders of magnitude higher than that in sea water. These contaminated
plastics when ingested by marine species presents a credible route by which the POPs can enter
the marine food web (Andrady, 2011). The microplastics ingested by fish and crustaceans can be
subsequently consumed by humans as the end of the food chain. In a study done at the State
University of New York, 18 fish species were sampled and all species showed some level of
plastics in their systems. Many additional researchers have found evidence that these fibers had
become chemically associated with metals, polychlorinated biphenyls, and other toxic
contaminants while in water. The microplastic-metal complex can then enter humans via
consumption.
There is no uncertainty that the best method to decrease microplastic contamination in
sea is to utilize less plastics and guarantee that plastics utilized can be reused and isolated to keep
from entering waste water, however actually increasingly more of the items utilized contain
plastic and possibly corrupt into microplastic before entering waste water. It is therefore,
essential to find efficient and effective ways of extracting microplastic from waste waters before
reaching water courses and ultimately oceans. Once plastics enter oceans, it’s practically
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impossible to extract (Ferreira, 2018). This study only forms the baseline of this extraction idea
which has never been conducted before.
With the use of ferrofluids to extract microplastics, the following are significant to the
following:
Individuals. The main consumer of water. Everyone uses water daily for various
activities and also for drinking. It is important to provide a clean and safe drinking water for the
people to be able to perform daily tasks.
Manufacturers. A clean water as a material will enable man to manufacture quality
products and with this, sales would be much higher. They can considerable amounts of money
because instead of purchasing clean water, they can now invest in a clean water supply that
everyone can use and depend on. Providing clean water has the ability to reduce defection and
the turnover of supply chain workers, improved production quality and productivity helps make
the case for other suppliers to take part in improving water practices too.
Future Researchers. Future researchers may use this study as basis for their project to
further improvements. This study will be able to provide new ideas for new studies relevant to
this project to help the environment and pursuit of knowledge that has been the fundamental
factor of progress through many centuries. This study would help future researchers to be
informed and knowledgeable of the processes involved in extracting microplastics from water.
Government. This study will be able to give ideas for the government to come up with
designs of a system that could be introduced into treatment facilities, especially water treatments,
in the Philippines. This study may be a key for the government to raise awareness to certain
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environmental issues especially water pollution. Thus, the significance of the study in the
government is that it helps the country to provide water that is more adequate for it does not
contain any microplastic since it carries toxins and chemicals.
Community. As microplastics carry chemicals and other toxins, shockingly, it also carries
bacteria. This might be a threat to people’s health. This study would be able to prevent the spread
of bacteria and also diseases.
Department of Science and Technology. They can use this as a stepping stone to more
elaborate and effective methods of removing pollutants from bodies of water and also in land.
SCOPE AND DELIMITATION
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This study is focused on the extraction of non-polar microplastics most commonly found
in the waters of the Philippines. These non-polar plastics are PP, PE, SEBS, PS, and PTFE.
The experiments conducted are within the premises of the province of Bataan, mainly on
the bodies of water of the municipality of Mariveles.
In this study, the type of iron oxide powder must be iron II,III oxide because of its
properties. Tiny particles of iron oxide (Fe3O4) precipitate from the solution. Its high gradient
magnetic separation allows nano-scale magnetite particles to bind (through electro-chemical
interaction) with suspended particles and settle as sludge; subsequently, magnetite nano particles
can be recycled through utilization of a magnetic field recovery system. (Lee Blaney, 2007)
Oil does not have separation of charges and oil molecules are symmetrical. All these
non-polar molecular properties are satisfied by oil and hence oil is non-polar. Oil is non-polar as
it consists of non-polar bonds which connect atoms having similar electro negativities and with
net dipole (Maaz Sohail, 2019) unlike water which is a polar compound. That property of oil
prevents it to mix with the water and is able to collect the non-polar microplastics in the water.
Any oil may be used for this study. The researchers decided to use engine oil and vegetable oil.
To take out the ferrofluids together with microplastics, strong magnets must be used. The
researchers decided to use a type of magnet which is Neodymium Iron Boron (NdFeB). This type
of magnet is composed of rare earth magnetic material, and has a high coercive force. They have
an extremely high energy product range, up to 50 MGOe. Because of this high product energy
level, they can usually be manufactured to be small and compact in size. However, NdFeB
magnets have low mechanical strength, tend to be brittle, and low corrosion-resistance if left
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uncoated. If treated with gold, iron, or nickel plating, they can be used in many applications.
They are very strong magnets and are difficult to demagnetize. Another type of strong magnet is
Samarium Cobalt (SmCo) which would not be used for this study.
With these terms the study will be productive. This study will be able to contribute to
environment and also to new studies.
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NOTES FOR CHAPTER I
International Programme on Chemical Safety. Food safety- Persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
2010
Mark Tutton, CNN. It's Not Just The Oceans: Microplastic Pollution Is All Around Us. April 22,
2018
Faye Haslam, Connect Staff Writer. The Big Problem of Microplastics. 2012
NOAA. What are microplastics?. 2018
National University of Singapore. Marine Scientists Find Toxic Bacteria On Microplastics
Retrieved From Tropical Waters. 2019
Luís Carlosde Sá,, Miguel Oliveira, Francisca Ribeiro, Thiago Lopes Rocha, and Martyn Norman
Futter. Studies Of The Effects Of Microplastics On Aquatic Organisms: What Do We Know And
Where Should We Focus Our Efforts In The Future?. 2018
Blaney, Lee, "Magnetite (Fe3O4): Properties, Synthesis, and Applications" (2007). Volume 15 -
2007. Paper 5.
Maaz Sohail, Student at Sir Adamjee Institute of Management Sciences, “Is oil non-polar or
polar?”(2019).
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CHAPTER II
THEORITICAL FRAMEWORKS
This chapter exhibits the applicable speculations, related writing and studies which have critical
bearing on the investigation. It likewise incorporates calculated system, theories of the
investigation and the meaning of terms.
RELEVANT THEORIES
HYDROPHOBIC EFFECT – PAIRWISE HYDROPHOBIC INTERACTIONS
Oil and water do not mix. The disaffinity of oil for water, with its unusual temperature
dependence, is called the hydrophobic effect. It is important to understand the factors underlying
the hydrophobic effect because they appear to play key roles in membrane and micelle
formation, protein folding, ligand-protein and protein-protein binding, chromatographic
retention, possibly nucleic acid interactions, and the partitioning of drugs, metabolites, and toxins
throughout the environment and living systems. Here, we survey experimental and theoretical
studies of non-polar solute partitioning into water. We note that the hydrophobic effect is not just
due to “water ordering” and not merely due to small size effects of water. The properties vary
substantially with temperature and solute shape (Noel T. Southall, Ken A. Dill, and A. D. J.
Haymet, 2001).
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A. Background
By 1945, X-ray experiments and structural studies had firmly established that polar
groups are localized at micellar surfaces and non-polar groups form the interior (Harkins, W. D.;
Mattoon, R. W.; Corrin, M. L.; Stearns, R. S. J.Chem. Phys. 1945,13, 534). The first X-ray
structures of proteins appeared in 1958, showing cores of buried hydrophobic amino acids
similar to the structures of micelles. 20 These examples showed that the structures of chemical
and biological complexes are organized and driven, at least in part, by the avoidance of oily
groups for water (Noel T. Southall, Ken A. Dill, and A. D. J. Haymet, 2001).
This work raised the question of whether the disaffinity of oil for water might be driven
by either an affinity of oil for oil or an affinity of water for water. Either would lead to the
separation of oil from water. In early models, micelle formation was assumed to be driven by an
oil/oil attraction (Palmer, K. J. J. Phys. Chem. 1944,48, 12; Debye, P. Ann. N Y Acad. Sci.
1949,51, 575.) or even by charge interactions (Pauling, L. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1940,62, 2643). In
contrast, Hartley’s 1936 monograph had proposed that non-polar molecules avoid water because
they are unable to compete with the strong attraction of water for itself (Hartley, G. S. Aqueous
Solutions of Paraffin-chain Salts; a Studying Micelle Formation; Hermann & Cie: Paris, 1936).
The latter view now prevails, that the disaffinity of oil for water is predominantly due to
water-water hydrogen bonding, and that water interactions are stronger than the intermolecular
dispersion interactions that attract oil to oil.
In 1954, Walter Kauzmann coined the term “hydrophobic bonding” to refer to the
tendency of oils to associate in aqueous solutions (1927,42, 253.(34) Butler, J. A. V.; Reid, W. S.
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J. Chem. Soc. London 1936, 1171-1173.; Butler, J. A. V. Trans. Faraday Soc. 1937,33, 229.(36)
Lange, E.; Watzel, R. Zeits. f. Physik. Chemie 1938,A182,1.(37) Eley, D. D. Trans. Fara).
Although he emphasized that the driving force was the avoidance of the aqueous phase by the
oil, his terminology drew criticism. Joel Hildebrand objected to the term “bonding”, which he
preferred to reserve for covalent interactions (Hildebrand, J. H. J. Phys. Chem. 1968,72(5),
1841). Hildebrand also objected to the term “hydrophobic” on the grounds that oil has a
favorable enthalpy of interaction with water (Hildebrand, J. H. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.
1979,76(1), 194). However, the alternative view has ultimately pre-vailed,4,28,29 namely (1)
that it is the free energies, not enthalpies, that define affinities, (2) that “bond” is a term that is
widely accepted to also refer to certain types of non-covalent inter-actions, and (3) that it is
useful to have a word for the types of interactions between non-polar molecules and water (Dill,
K. A. Science 1990,250, 297; Murphy, K. P.; Privalov, P. L.; Gill, S. J. Science 1990,247, 559;
Herzfeld, J. Science 1991,253, 88). "Hydrophobic" has now turned out to be normal usage.
B. Pairwise Hydrophobic Interactions.
The term “hydro-phobic effect” refers to inserting a single non-polar solute into water.
“Hydrophobic interaction” refers to the association of two non-polar moieties in water. In the
simplest view, two non-polar solutes are driven to associate in water by the reduction in surface
area of solute-water contact (Scheraga, H. A. J. Biomolec. Struct. Dynam. 1998,16(2), 447;
Scheraga, H. A. J. Biomolec. Struct. Dynam. 1998,16(2), 447). This macroscopic continuum
explanation assumes that the free energy cost of creating cavities in water depends only on cavity
surface area and not otherwise on cavity geometry. This explanation neglects detailed water
structure, which, at least in some instances, may not be warranted (Wood, R. H.; Thompson, P. T.
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Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 1990,87, 946.; Young, W. S.; Brooks, C. L. J. Chem. Phys.
1997,106(22), 9265).
The pair interaction of two non-polar solutes in water is described by a potential of mean
force (pmf). Figure 2 show the pmf depends on solute separation. The two prominent minima in
this figure indicate two favored states: (1) the “contact pair”, where the two non-polar solutes are
in contact, and (2) the “solvent-separated pair”, where the two solute molecules are separated by
a molecule of water. States that are intermediate between these two, having less than one full
water layer between the two solutes, are unfavorable (Noel T. Southall, Ken A. Dill, and A. D. J.
Haymet, 2001).
The Pairwise Hydrophobic Interaction of the Hydrophobic Effect is relevant to this study
because it tackles about the attraction of two non-polar solvent and material which are the oil and
microplastic. It also states that polar and non-polar compounds do not combine and in the case of
oil and water, the disaffinity of these compounds, provided the researchers to come up the idea to
use the oil as a medium to obtain the microplastics from sample waters. The mixture of oil and
water with microplastics are then added with Iron II,III Oxide and with the use of Neodymium
magnet to attract the ferrofluid, the microplastics are extracted.
THEORY OF WASTE MANAGEMENT
The Theory of Waste Management is a unified body of knowledge about waste and waste
management, and it is founded on the expectation that waste management is to prevent waste to
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cause harm to human health and the environment and promote resource use optimization. Waste
Management Theory is to be constructed under the paradigm of Industrial Ecology as Industrial
Ecology is equally adaptable to incorporate waste minimization and/or resource use optimization
goals and values (Eva Pongrácz, Paul S. Phillips, and Riitta L. Keiski, 2004).
A. Background
The 20th century witnessed an unprecedented rate of technological development
Technological development is where scientific research meets engineering design. Consider the
development of information technology. Within the lifetime of an adult human, electronic
devices have evolved from luxury items accessible to only a select few, into millions of tones’
worth piles of junk, puzzling entire nations, alerting legislators and environmental authorities. It
appears so that technology has been selective in adopting scientific advances, and disregarded
the heeds of environmental science: products and technologies were developed, time and again,
with no considerations for recovering and re-circulating material resources. The electronic waste
problem of the present is caused by the fact that electronic equipment now entering the waste
stream have not been designed with disassembly, re-use or recycling in mind. With our present
knowledge of causalities, the WEEE legislation was introduced in an attempt to stop this
avalanche of fine metals and plastics assembled in ingenious ways. However, legislation only
sets the goal, but does not pave the road to it. There appears to be a gap between science and
technology, one that can be bridged by technical theories (Eva Pongrácz, Paul S. Phillips, and
Riitta L. Keiski, 2004).
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B. Constructing the Theory of Waste Management
Waste Management Theory has been established to direct environmental sciences into
technical studies. It is combined information about waste and waste management. It is made to
organize the different quantities of the waste management system that lies nowadays. According
to Love (2002), it is significant to theory development to integrate theories from other amount of
knowledge, as well as the clarification of definitions of core concepts, and mapping out key
issues, such as domains, epistemologies and ontologies. Theories can be considered milestones
of scientific development. Thus, it is usually introduced when previous study of a class of
phenomena has revealed a system of consistencies. The purpose of theory is then to explain
systems of regularities that cannot be explained with scientific laws (Hempel, 1966). Regularly, a
scientific theory may be considered as a set of sentences expressed in terms of a specific
vocabulary. Theory will always be thought of as formulated within a linguistic framework of a
clear specified logical structure, which determines, in particular, the rules of deductive inference.
(Hempel, 1965)
Classes of waste (Pongrácz and Pohjola 1997).
Class 1
Non-wanted things, created not intended, or not avoided, with no purpose
Class 2
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Things that were given finite purpose, thus destined to become useless after fulfilling it,
Class 3
Things with well-defined purpose, but their performance ceased being acceptable due to a
flaw in their structure or state
Class 4
Things with well-defined purpose, and acceptable performance, but their users failed to
use them for their intended use.
Using the taxonomy, all of the problem waste definition areas defined in the Leipzig workshop
were possible to identify as follows (Pongrácz et al. 2004):
1. Reuse happens when a thing that has quite recently directed its motivation and quickly no
new object is doled out to it, this for the most part applies to squanders of class 2. For
whatever length of time that structure and state enable execution as for the allotted
reason, re-usable things will not be viewed as squanders. Void container for instance,
whose structure is flawless is in this way a helpful non-squander.
2. End-of-life vehicles represent wastes of class 3. They are accumulated things composed
of numerous structural parts. Repair or changing the faulty structural parts can extend
useful life. In case the of owner abandonment despite of acceptable performance, the car
represents waste class 4. Unless the owner argues that the car did not meet his
26
expectations of superior performance usually attributable to newer cars. On the positive
side, finding a new owner willing to tolerate the shortcomings of a new car would render
it non-waste.
3. Demolition waste can be viewed as waste of class 2, one that has fulfilled its purpose.
When a structurally intact tile is separated from the aggregate object of demolition waste,
it can be assigned a new purpose and thus it shall no longer be considered waste.
C. Waste Minimization – Resources Use Optimization
Prevention of waste creation is the main priority of waste management, which
corresponds to the principal goal of waste management: conservation of resources. Moving
toward waste minimization requires that the firm commits itself to increasing the proportion of
non-waste leaving the process. It has been argued that, it follows from the laws of
thermodynamics, that
producing by-products is concomitant of a main product (Baumgärtner & de Swaan Arons 2003).
For this reason, industrial firms have to look beyond their factory walls, and seek for external
utilization of their waste, in accordance with the principles of Industrial Ecology (IE). If we
accept that waste minimization and resources us optimization is the most important objective of
waste management (Pongrácz 2002), it is essential that WMT is to be considered together with
IE, as resource use optimization considerations reach beyond the tradition scope of waste
27
management. It was argued that there is considerable overlapping between the goals of IE and
waste management where waste minimization in concerned. In Table 2, the principles of IE
(Graedel and Allenby 1995), and waste minimization measures (Vancini 2000) are listed. From
Table 2 one can clearly recognize goals and principles similar in IE as well as waste
minimization. The main difference comes from the larger scale of IE: it reaches far beyond the
walls of an industrial facility, and encourages responsible co-existence with the surrounding
environment and creating interlocking eco-systems with other companies to achieve an efficient
circulation of materials. It is, however, important that industrial facilities learn to internalize
global objectives into their local solutions, and it is here where WMT can assist. (Pongrácz.)
This theory states the reduction of waste and the proper waste disposal which is relevant
to the current study believed to be eco-friendly. “I think that the environmentally friendly nature
of this thing is worth, alone, makes it worth pursuing,” says Warner. “Adding magnetite to water
seems more natural than adding chemicals” to clean up oil. According to Warner who had
experience with this method, the ferrofluid is non-toxic to both the environment and marine
animal and including humans.
THEORY OF EXTRACTION
According to Pawliszyn (2012), it emphasizes the fundamental similarities between
techniques. Theory presented were developed by applying basic fundamentals of
thermodynamics and mass transfer provides insight and direction when developing sample
28
preparation methods and identifies parameters for rigorous control and optimization. Effective
use of the theory minimizes the number of experiments that need to be performed. Headspace
extractions and matrix compatible extraction phases and approaches are discussed in view of
potential complications, which are typically observed when extracting analytes from complex
matrices including competition among different phases for the analyte and fouling of the
extraction phase, due to adsorption of macromolecules, such as proteins and humic materials, at
the interface. The other critical optimization to be addressed in extraction method development is
the properties of the extraction phase which should be carefully optimised, because they
determine the selectivity and reliability of the method. Kinetics of extraction are discussed using
theory of mass transfer at solid interfaces, which identifies extraction rate “bottlenecks” of solid
phase microextraction and therefore indicates strategies to increase speed of extraction. New
developments in the extraction technology making it more environmentally friendly, efficient
and cost effective are emphasized.
REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE
Plastic. Jenna R. Jambeck (2017) stated the important reasons why man utilizes plastics.
A world without plastics, or synthetic organic polymers, seems unimaginable today, yet their
large-scale production and use only dates back to ~1950. Although the first synthetic plastics,
such as Bakelite, appeared in the early 20th century, widespread use of plastics outside of the
military did not occur until after World War II. The ensuing rapid growth in plastics production is
extraordinary, surpassing most other man-made materials. Notable exceptions are materials that
are used extensively in the construction sector, such as steel and cement
29
In addition, Roland Geyer (2017) mentioned that instead, plastics’ largest market is
packaging, an application whose growth was accelerated by a global shift from reusable to
single-use containers. As a result, the share of plastics in municipal solid waste (by mass)
increased from less than 1% in 1960 to more than 10% by 2005 in middle- and high-income
countries. At the same time, global solid waste generation, which is strongly correlated with
gross national income per capita, has grown steadily over the past five decades.
David K. A. Barnes (2009) claimed the vast majority of monomers used to make plastics,
such as ethylene and propylene, are derived from fossil hydrocarbons. None of the commonly
used plastics are biodegradable. As a result, they accumulate, rather than decompose, in landfills
or the natural environment.
M. Zhan-feng, and Z. Bing (2008) reported the time series for recycling resin, that is,
nonfiber recycling, incineration, and discard rates were collected separately for four world
regions: the United States, the EU-28 plus Norway and Switzerland, China, and the rest of the
world. Detailed and comprehensive solid waste management data for the United States were
published by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency dating back to 1960. European data
were from several reports by Plastics Europe, which collectively cover 1996 to 2014. Chinese
data were synthesized and reconciled from the English version of the China Statistical Yearbook,
translations of Chinese publications and government reports, and additional waste management
literature. Waste management for the rest of the world was based on World Bank data. Time
series for global recycling, incineration, and discard rates were derived by adding the rates of the
four regions weighted by their relative contribution to global plastic waste generation. In many
30
world regions, waste management data were sparse and of poor quality. For this reason,
sensitivity analysis with regard to waste management rates was conducted.
Moreover, Kara Lavender Law (2017) added that the subsequent worldwide nonfiber
reusing rate expanded at a steady 0.7% per annum somewhere in the range of 1990 and 2014. On
the off chance that this straight pattern is expected to proceed, the worldwide reusing rate would
arrive at 44% in 2050. The worldwide nonfiber burning rate has developed all the more
unevenly at the same time, by and large, expanded 0.7% p.a. somewhere in the range of 1980
and 2014. Accepting a yearly increment of 0.7% somewhere in the range of 2014 and 2050
yielded a worldwide cremation pace of half by 2050. With those two suspicions, worldwide
dispose of rate would diminish from 58% in 2014 to 6% in 2050.
The worldwide nonfiber reusing rate expanded at a steady 0.7% per annum stated by
Kara Lavender Law (2017) is only small scale. A lot of plastics are still out on land and also in
bodies of water. While these plastics are lying on the surface of the Earth, this creates a bigger
problem.
Water. Based on a study by Nat. Prod. (2018) mycotoxins, algal toxins, bacterial toxins,
and plant toxins are the main natural toxin groups that can be present in the aquatic environment.
Due to their toxicity and potential damages to human health. This introduced the researcher to
the harmful toxins in waters and leading to this study.
31
J. Heisler, et al. (2008) also said that Organisms producing biotoxins affecting aquatic
environments and drinking water reservoirs have been shown to be dependent on different
environmental factors. Water contamination, the increase of organic material with the subsequent
eutrophication processes.
Microplastic. According to Maynard (2006) the origins of the microplastics might be
attributed to two main sources: (a) direct introduction with runoff and (b) weathering breakdown
of meso- and macroplastics debris. Some microplastics, especially the manufactured micro- and
nanoparticles of plastics used in consumer products are introduced directly into the oceans via
runoff. These include the micron-sized plastic particles are typically used as exfoliants in
cosmetic formulations, those generated in ship-breaking industry and industrial abrasives in
synthetic ‘sandblasting’ media (beads of acrylic plastics and polyester). These can easily reach
the oceans via runoff.
Apart from this, Wurl and Obbard (2004) noted the risk posed by the high concentrations
of POPs picked up from the sea water is particularly significant. Sea water typically contains low
levels of a host of chemical species such as insecticides, pesticides and industrial chemicals that
enter the ocean via waste water and runoff.
Generation patterns, use designs and changing socioeconomics will bring about an
expansion in the frequency of plastics debris and microplastics, in the sea condition. A primary
mechanism for microplastics generation appears to be the weathering-related fracturing and
32
surface embrittlement of plastics in beach environments. Small scale and nanoplastics are
refractory materials under marine presentation conditions. While they constitute only a very
small fraction of the micro- and nanoparticulates present in sea water, the proven propensity of
plastics to absorb and concentrate POPs is a serious concern. As POPs – loaded particles are
conceivably ingestible by marine living beings including small scale and nanoplankton species,
the conveyance of poisons crosswise over trophic levels through this instrument is in all respects
likely. The efficiency of such transfer will depend on the bioavailability of POPs and the
residence time of meso- or microplastics in the organisms. This issue led the researcher to think
of a non-toxic, accurate, and inexpensive method to extract this persistent microplastics from sea
waters. With the use of oil and a magnetite, this study will be cost-effective.
Engine Oil. Sadeek A. Sadeek, Hoda S. Ahmed, Ebaa A. ElShamy, Hussien A. El Sayed,
Asma A. Abd, and El. Rahman Egypt. J. Pet. (2014) stated in the most important petroleum
fraction is Lubricating oil that is used in almost all vehicles and machines. Lube oils are used to
decrease rubbing between surfaces in moving parts. After oxidation, most impurities are
generated in base oil, during its application in internal combustion engine. This contamination
contains unsaturation, phenolic compound, aldehyde, acidic compound, additive, metals, varnish,
gums and other asphaltic compounds originating from the overlay of bearing surfaces and
degradation of the base oil components.
Moreover, Houssien A. Kheireddine, Mahmoud M. El-halwag and Nimir O. Elbashir
(2013) claimed that in spite of impurities, most of the base oil part in the waste oil is not
33
exhausted. The chemical composition of the lubricating oil is usually preserved to a large amount
because of the high stability of the heavy compounds contain in the base oil.
According to Arden Warner (2010), tested his method in over 100 types of oil, including
heavy oil, and found that magnetite clings better to more vicious oil. The discovery of Warner
will led the researcher to use a more fitting oil to use in the method of extraction of
microplastics.
Magnetite. U. Schwertmann and R.M. Cornell (1991) declared that magnetite, or iron
ferrite (23FeO Fe Oi) is a naturally occurring mineral, but also can be easily prepared in the
laboratory from solutions containing ferric and ferrous ions. U. Schwertmann and R.M. Cornell’s
statement is beneficial to this study because the researcher can infer that magnetite is already
non-toxic for the environment.
In a study by Tanya M. Petrova, Ludmil Fachikov, Jordan Hristov (2011) it is stated that
magnetite, one of the important iron ores, can be found everywhere in nature, in igneous and
metamorphic rocks. The presence of magnetite in nature is often a result of biological processes,
but it can also have a lithogenic origin. It is found also in ocean floor, soils, rocks, meteorites,
atmospheric dust, bacteria and other living organisms. It is also a common corrosion product of
iron and steel. Magnetite ( 34FeO ) is a commonly found in the environment and can form via
several pathways, including biotic and abiotic reduction of ferric iron 3Fe+ oxides and the
oxidation of ferrous iron 2Fe+and iron metal ( OFe). Most of the Fe oxides, such as goethite,
34
hematite, lepidocrocite, and maghemite are semiconductors, whereas magnetite exhibits
properties closer to that of a metal. Magnetite has also been shown to reduce several
contaminants in laboratory studies, such as carbon tetrachloride ( 4CCl ), hexavalent chromium
6Cr+, hexavalent uranium (6U+), and several other compounds . this is relevant to the present
study because it has to do with the accessibility of magnetite.
Dilip Kumar and Deepak Kumardescribed magnetite is a spinel iron oxide with chemical
formula of (Fe3+)tet[Fe2+Fe3+]octO4 where Fe3+ cations occupy equally both octahedral and
tetrahedral sites and Fe2+ cations are placed only in octahedral sites.
Rare-earth Metals. According to Swain B and Otu EO (2011) rare-earth elements (REEs)
are a group of 17 elements, consisting of the 15 lanthanides plus scandium and yttrium. REEs are
used in a wide range of products, such as fluorescent lamps, magnets, superconductors, lasers,
ceramics, semiconductors, catalysts, and thermal neutron absorbents.
In addition, Binnemans K, Jones PT, Blanpain B, Van Gerven T, Yang Y, Walton A and
Buchert M (2013) stated that many of these applications are important for the development of
environmentally friendly technologies for transport, lighting, energy storage, and the
manufacturing of chemicals. The demand for REEs is therefore increasing. Since they are mined
in only a few countries and their prices have varied in recent years, their availability is
considered critical by both the EU and the USA
35
Lyman JW and Palmer GR (1993) also stated that some products are rich in materials
containing significant amounts of REEs. One such material is neodymium–iron–boron (NdFeB)
magnet scrap, which could be a source of neodymium and dysprosium, added to increase the
Curie temperature of the magnet, and some other REEs, depending on the type of magnet.
Neodymium Magnet. J.M.D. Coey (2014) claimed that these permanent magnets played
a minor role in the electromagnetic revolution of the 19th century (by then, electromagnets were
a better way to generate a magnetic field).
In addition, R. Skomski and J.M.D. Coey remarked that a milestone was the discovery of
new alloys of a rare earth element with ferromagnetic cobalt (Co) or iron (Fe). These rare earth
permanent magnets now create the magnetic field needed for countless practical applications.
Energy is stored in the “stray” field that magnets generate in their vicinity. The amount of energy
is not large—there is more chemical energy available from a grain of rice than magnetic energy
stored in the stray field created by a kilogram of the best Nd–Fe–B (∼50 J)—but the magnetic
field requires no continuous expenditure of energy, and the energy associated with the field is
undiminished by use. This provided the researcher the idea to use Neodymium magnets for the
present study.
Ferrofluid. According to, C. Scherer and A. M. Figueiredo Neto (2005), is a colloidal
suspension of single-domain magnetic particles, with typical dimensions of about 10 nm,
36
dispersed in a liquid carrier. The liquid carrier can be polar or non-polar. This is very
advantageous for the present study because it deals with polar (water) and non-polar (oil)
compounds.
B. Berkovski and V. Bashtovoy, Begell House, Wallingford (1996) describe ferrofluids
are optically isotropic but, in the presence of an external magnetic field, exhibit induced
birefringence. Wetting of particular substrates can also induce birefringence in thin FF layers.
A. Bee, R. Massart, and S. Neveu, J. (1995) added that magnetic particles display an
almost spherical geometry, with a non-uniform shape distribution. The distribution P(D) of
diameters D, is usually given by a log-normal function.
S. S. Papell (1995) distinguished feature of the research area in ferrofluids is the ample
applicability of these materials. A big effort was made by chemists and physicists during a good
part of last century to synthesize stable magnetic fluids, motivated by the perspective of many
and important technological uses. Although non-stable suspensions of magnetic particles in
liquids have been produced much earlier, the first synthesis of a ferrofluid was reported in the
pioneering work by Papell.
It is, of course, impossible to predict with confidence how will be the research on
ferrofluids in the next years. Some hints, however, may be inferred from the trends of this
research in the last few years, up to now. Surely, the immense possibilities of applications of
ferrofluids will continue to be explored. In particular, the biomedical applications, which until
now have been based almost exclusively on experiments with small animals, are turning very
37
rapidly to uses on humans. Treatment of cancer, in particular, is needing faster progress than has
been achieved with traditional medicine, and the use of ferrofluids for drug targeting or
hyperthermia or combining this techniques with traditional radiotherapy, chemotherapy or even
surgery, will certainly be the subject of intense research in the next years. On the same line,
synthesis of ferrofluids will focus strongly on biocompatible coatings, having affinities to
different living cells. At the level of basic research, the very rapid progress of computer
technology, which produces very fast, powerful and not expensive computers, as well as very
convenient software, will be used in conjunction with more realistic models for numerical
simulation, by this way predicting properties and qualities of ferrofluids, to be tested in the
laboratory.
38
RELATED STUDIES
In a study by Anthony L. Andrady (2011), addresses the mechanisms of generation and
potential impacts of microplastics in the ocean environment. The annual global demand for
plastics has consistently increased over the recent years and presently stands at about 245 million
tonnes. Being a versatile, light weight, strong and potentially transparent material, plastics are
ideally suited for a variety of applications. Their low cost, excellent oxygen/moisture barrier
properties, bio-inertness and light weight make them excellent packaging materials.
Conventional materials such as glass, metal and paper are being replaced by cost effective plastic
packaging of equivalent or superior design. Nearly a third of the plastic resin production is
therefore converted into consumer packaging material that include disposable single-use items
commonly encountered in beach debris (Andrady, 2003). How much of the 75–80 million tonnes
of packaging plastics used globally each year ends up in the oceans, has not been reliably
estimated. Weathering degradation of plastics on the beaches results in their surface
39
embrittlement and microcracking, yielding microparticles that are carried into water by wind or
wave action.
Andrady (2011) also discusses that unlike inorganic fines present in sea water,
microplastics concentrate persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by partition. The relevant
distribution coefficients for common POPs are several orders of magnitude in favor of the plastic
medium. Consequently, the microparticles laden with high levels of POPs can be ingested by
marine biota. Bioavailability and the efficiency of transfer of the ingested POPs across trophic
levels are not known and the potential damage posed by these to the marine ecosystem has yet to
be quantified and modeled. Given the increasing levels of plastic pollution of the oceans it is
important to better understand the impact of microplastics in the ocean food web. Andrady’s
study raised awareness to the researcher regarding the increasing amount of microplastics in
bodies of water as plastic production continues . It led the researcher to form a method to
effectively extract microplastics from water.
A study by Sinja Rist Ida M. Steensgaard, Olgac Guven , Torkel Gissel Nielsen, Lene
Hartmann Jensen, Lene F. Møller, and Nanna B. Hartmann (01 October 2018) focused mainly
on analyzing microplastic ingestion and egestion by M. edulis at environmentally realistic
concentrations in a completely controlled exposure system to trace the fate of all particles. In this
way, a mass balance of microplastics in the exposure system can be established, giving insight
into the interactions of the test organism and the tested particles. An enzymatic digestion method
was developed to digest mussel tissue and in this way retrieve the ingested plastic particles. The
novel enzymatic digestion method did not lead to any visual alterations of the polystyrene beads
and proved to be very efficient for the blue mussel tissue. It resulted in visually homogeneous
40
solutions at all tested concentrations and digestion efficiencies of 98.45 to 99.44% (wet wet) and
98.3 to 99.35% (dry wet; Table 1), which are comparable to or even higher than reported
efficiencies of Proteinase K (>97%; Cole et al. 2014) and trypsin (88%; Courtene‐Jones et al.
2017). The enzyme used has also been used successfully to digest oysters for isolating peptides,
though it was combined with bromelin (Liu et al. 2008). In comparison with other digestion
methods using chemicals, enzymes have been found to have minimal effects on the plastics and
at the same time showing high tissue digestion efficiencies. This is supported by the present
results and has been demonstrated in several other studies (Cole et al. 2014; Karlsson et al. 2017;
Railo et al. 2018).
Microplastics have been distinguished in sea-going residue around the globe, featuring
the affinity of this lattice to fill in as a sink for these auxiliary toxins. Progressively dependable
and reproducible extraction conventions for Microplastics would encourage examinations
crosswise over investigations. Various diverse extraction methods are at present used to isolate
Microplastics from residue and only utilize thickness based partitions, which exploit the intrinsic
densities of plastic particles. A portion of these systems are practical yet neglect to completely
recuperate every plastic sort. Different strategies may recuperate most plastic sorts, however are
all the more exorbitant and additionally risky to human or ecological wellbeing. A novel by
Ellika M. Crichton, Marie Noël, Esther A. Gies and Peter S. Ross (2017), a cost-effective oil
extraction protocol (OEP) that provides an alternative to density-based approaches by taking
advantage of the oleophilic properties of microplastics. Using this technique, the microplastic
particles were counted in spiked sediment samples using light microscopy and observed 96.1%
± 7.4 recoveries for total microplastics, with recovery rates of 92.7% ± 4.3 for fibers and 99% ±
41
1.4 for particles. Subsequent analysis with Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectrometry (FTIR)
revealed that the oil interfered with the FTIR spectrum of microplastics, but that an additional,
post-extraction clean-up step using ethyl alcohol (90%) removed residual traces of oil and
eliminated the FTIR spectral interference. The application of this new technique to shoreline
sediment samples collected from sites in urban Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, and a
remote beach on Vancouver Island, as well as bulk seawater, demonstrated that the oil extraction
protocol is effective for environmental samples. This novel OEP represents a cost-effective and
reliable alternative to leading density-based techniques.
Alexandre Dehauta, Anne-Laure Cassone, Laura Frère, Ludovic Hermabessiere,
Charlotte Himber, Emmanuel Rinnert, Gilles Rivière, Christophe Lambert, Philippe Soudant,
Arnaud Huvet, Guillaume Duflos, and Ika Paul-Pont (2016) conducted a similar study. In the
said study, six existing approaches were tested and their effects were compared on up to 15
different plastic polymers, as well as their efficiency in digesting biological matrices. Plastic
integrity was evaluated through microscopic inspection, weighing, pyrolysis coupled with gas
chromatography and mass spectrometry, and Raman spectrometry before and after digestion.
Tissues from mussels, crabs and fish were digested before being filtered on glass fiber filters.
Digestion efficiency was evaluated through microscopical inspection of the filters and
determination of the relative removal of organic matter content after digestion. Five out of the six
tested protocols led to significant degradation of plastic particles and/or insufficient tissue
digestion. The protocol using a KOH 10% solution and incubation at 60 °C during a 24 h period
led to an efficient digestion of biological tissues with no significant degradation on all tested
polymers, except for cellulose acetate. This protocol appeared to be the best compromise for
42
extraction and later identification of microplastics in biological samples and should be
implemented in further monitoring studies to ensure relevance and comparison of environmental
and seafood product quality studies.
These studies provided the researcher the idea to come up with a medium for extracting
microplastics from water which is non-toxic and especially environmentally-friendly, Moreover
the study by Sinja Rist Ida M. Steensgaard, Olgac Guven , Torkel Gissel Nielsen, Lene
Hartmann Jensen, Lene F. Møller, and Nanna B. Hartmann, lead the researchers to the idea that
the medium must be cost-effective and also inexpensive.
Torres-D´ıazaand C. Rinaldi (2014) concluded that colloidally and chemically stable
ferrofluids can be obtainedin sufficient quantity since the 1960's3by different methods
ofsynthesis.4Applications began to develop taking advantage of the precise control over
ferrofluid response and properties using magnetic fields generated by magnetic forces, such as in
shock absorbers, heat transfer fluids in loud speakers, magnetocaloric pumps and heat pipes,
bearing lubricants, (D. Kumar, P. Sinha and P. Chandra, 1992) microfluidic pumps and valves,
(D. Kumar, P. Chandra and P. Sinha, 1993) microfluidic actuators and devices, stepper motors,
accelerometers and inclinometers in sensor applications,17–19separation processes, catalytic
reaction supports, and leak-proof seals, in use in pneumatic and hydraulic micro-actuators.
Ferrofluids and magnetic nanoparticle suspensions are also of interest in a wide range of
biomedical applications, such as contrast agents for magnetic resonance imaging, magnetically
targeted and/or triggered drug delivery, hyperthermia treatment of cancer, magneto mechanical
actuation of cell receptors, and biosensors. Here we focus on other, largely non-biomedical
43
applications that take advantage of the ability to control ferrofluids (rather than individual
magnetic nanoparticles) magnetically
In addition to this, B. B. Yellen, G. Fridman and G. Friedman (2004) made significant
advances in the control and development of applications of ferrofluids have been made in recent
years, such as in microfluidic valves and pumps, microfluidic actuators and devices, seal
technology, ferrofluid lubrication of bearings, optical applications, and sensor applications.
Furthermore, completely new applications have been developed, such as control of dispersed
ferrofluids, continuous ferrofluid control, lithographic patterning, and static and dynamic
assembly of structures. Here we provide a review of recent advances in mechanical applications
of ferrofluids, with emphasis on contributions since 2005. In order to facilitate entry by new
researchers into the field, we precede this with a review of some of the fundamental aspects of
ferrofluid response to applied magnetic fields.
The studies by Torres-D´ıazaand C. Rinaldi (2014) and B. B. Yellen, G. Fridman and G.
Friedman (2004) would be greatly valuable to the present study and other investigations that use
ferrofluids because it deals with the control of ferrofluids.
R. Krauß, M. Liu, B. Reimann, R. Richter and I. Rehberg (2006) proposed that
ferrofluids can be adapted to different channel shapes and sizes, have low-friction in
reciprocating or continuous motion under imposed magnetic fields, and have self sealing
capability, they have several advantages over other micropumps used in microfluidic systems.
The circular movement of magnets generates movement of a ferrofluid plug that can be used to
pump an in miscible fluid, which can be applied in different chemical reactions. Electromagnetic
44
coils can be used to generate time varying and traveling wave magnetic fieds to drive ferrofluid
flow, producing precise control overflow rate, even at very small volume flow rates. Modulation
of the applied vertical magnetic field by a traveling sinusoidal wave, generated by a conveyor
belt with iron rods has been used to generate a contact less pumping mechanism on a free surface
ferrofluid layer in the advent of the Rosensweig instability. Similarly, a rotating magnetic field is
used to move a ferrofluid inside a channel with high control over direction, which depends on the
magnitude and frequency of the applied field. The self sealing property of ferrofluid plugs has
been recently used in various types of valves, which can be manipulated externally by permanent
magnets in different arrays.
The claim of R. Krauß, M. Liu, B. Reimann, R. Richter and I. Rehberg (2006) is relevant
because it tackles about the continuous motion in the presence of magnetic field. This allows
easy manipulation of ferrofluids and easily extract the microplastics in hard-to-get places and
areas.
Ferrofluid can respond to and be attracted by a magnet, the extraction can be easily
achieved by reciprocating movement of an external magnet that served to agitate the sample. No
other devices were needed in this new approach of extraction. This new technique is affordable,
efficient and convenient for microextraction, and offers portability for potential onsite extraction.
Parvin Zohrabi, Mojtaba Shamsipur, Mahdi Hashemi, and Beshare Hashemi (2016)
conducted a study of a liquid-phase microextraction based on application of supramolecular
solvent as a carrier for ferrofluid has been developed for the extraction and determination of
three organophosphorus pesticides (OPPs). The ferrofluid was produced from combination of
45
oleic acid coated magnetic particles and supramolecular solvent as the extractant solvent.
Ferrofluid can be attracted by a magnet, and no centrifugation step was needed for phase
separation. A response surface methodology (RSM) based on central composite design (CCD)
was used for efficient optimization of the main variables in the extraction procedure. Under the
optimum experimental conditions, the calibration curves found to be linear in the range of
0.5–400 µg L−1 with correlation coefficients ranging from 0.9967 to 0.9984. The intra-day and
inter-day precision (RSD %) for 100 and 200 µg L−1 of each pesticides were in the range of
2.0–5.3% and 2.6–5.7%, respectively. The limit of detection (S/N=3), ranged from 0.1 to 0.35 μg
L−1. The proposed method was successfully applied to the extraction and determination of
organophosphorus pesticide residues in water and fruit juice samples. Highlights of the study
were: SURPASS as a carrier for ferrofluid is used for microextraction of OPPs. SURPASS is
produced from environmental friendly reagents in a simple way. No special devices and
complicated operations were needed for phase separation. The developed method is suitable for
determination of analytes in real samples.
Similar study by Zhi-Guo Shi, Yufeng Zhang, and Hian Kee Lee (2010) is a new mode of
liquid-phase microextraction based on a ferrofluid has been developed. The ferrofluid was
composed of silica-coated magnetic particles and 1-octanol as the extractant solvent. The
1-octanol was firmly confined within the silica-coated particles, preventing it from being lost
during extraction. Sixteen polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) were used as model
compounds in the development and evaluation of the extraction procedure in combination with
gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. Parameters affecting the extraction efficiency were
investigated in detail. The optimal conditions were as follows: 20 mL sample volume, 10 mg of
46
the silica-coated magnetic particles (28 mg of ferrofluid), agitation at 20 Hz, 20 min extraction
time, and 2 min by sonication with 100 μL acetonitrile as the final extraction solvent. Under
optimal extraction conditions, enrichment factors ranging from 102- to 173-fold were obtained
for the analytes. The limits of detection and the limits of quantification were in the range of 16.8
and 56.7 pg mL−1 and 0.06 and 0.19 ng mL−1, respectively. The linearities were between
0.5–100
The similar method of extraction used by Parvin Zohrabi, Mojtaba Shamsipur, Mahdi
Hashemi, and Beshare Hashemi (2016) and Zhi-Guo Shi, Yufeng Zhang, and Hian Kee Lee
(2010). The studies provided guides on the method of extraction for the present study.
CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
47
48
HYPOTHESES
The following are the hypotheses of the study to be tested:
Ha : The combination of oil and magnetite can be used to effectively extract microplastics from
water
Ha : The ferrofluids can remove at least 85% of the microplastics in a given sample of
contaminated water
49
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Microplastic. Microplastics are very small pieces of plastic that pollute the environment.
Microplastics are not a specific kind of plastic, but rather any type of plastic fragment that is less
than 5 mm in length according to the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Ferrofluid. A ferrofluid or ferromagnetic fluid is a liquid that becomes strongly
magnetized in the presence of a magnetic field. It is a fluid that contains a suspended micro
particles of iron (mostly a magnetite). as used in this study, it will be used to extract the
microplastics from water.
Neodymium Magnet. A neodymium magnet (also known as NdFeB, NIB or Neo
magnet), the most widely used type of rare-earth magnet, is a permanent magnet made from an
alloy of neodymium, iron and boron to form the Nd2Fe14B tetragonal crystalline structure.
Water. Water is a transparent, tasteless, odorless, and nearly colorless chemical
substance, which is the main constituent of Earth's streams, lakes, and oceans, and the fluids of
most living organisms. It is vital for all known forms of life, even though it provides no calories
or organic nutrients.
Engine Oil. Motor oil, engine oil, or engine lubricant is any of various substances
comprising base oils enhanced with particularly antiwear additive plus detergents, dispersants
and, for multi-grade oils viscosity index improvers.
50
Magnetite. Magnetite is a rock mineral and one of the main iron ores, with the chemical
formula Fe₃O₄. It is one of the oxides of iron, and is ferrimagnetic; it is attracted to a magnet and
can be magnetized to become a permanent magnet itself. It is the most magnetic of all the
naturally-occurring minerals on Earth.
Hydrophobicity. Hydrophobicity is the physical property of a molecule (known as a
hydrophobe) that is seemingly repelled from a mass of water. As used in this study, it is the
ability of the oil to repel water.
51
NOTES FOR CHAPTER II
World Steel Association (WSA), “Steel Statistical Yearbooks 1978 to 2016
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), “Cement Statistics and Information
J. R. Jambeck, R. Geyer, C. Wilcox, T. R. Siegler, M. Perryman, A. Andrady, R. Narayan, K. L.
Law, Plastic waste inputs from land into the ocean.
D. Hoornweg, P. Bhada-Tata, C. Kennedy, Environment: Waste production must peak this
century. Nature 502, 615–617 (2013).
D. C. Wilson, Global Waste Management Outlook (International Solid Waste Association and
United National Environment Programme, 2015).
D. K. A. Barnes, F. Galgani, R. C. Thompson, M. Barlaz, Accumulation and fragmentation of
plastic debris in global environments. Philos. Trans. R. Soc. B 364, 1985–1998 (2009).
M. Zhan-feng, Z. Bing, China plastics recycling industry in 2008. China Plastics 23, 7 (2009).
52
Sinja Rist Ida M. Steensgaard, Olgac Guven, Torkel Gissel Nielsen, Lene Hartmann Jensen,
Lene F. Møller, and Nanna B. Hartmann(01 October 2018), Environ Toxicol
Chem 2019;38:99–105. © 2018 SETAC
Ellika M. Crichton, Marie Noël, Esther A. Gies and Peter S. Ross, Anal. Methods, 2017,9,
1419-1428
Alexandre Dehauta, Anne-Laure Cassone, Laura Frère, Ludovic Hermabessiere, Charlotte
Himber, Emmanuel Rinnert, Gilles Rivière, Christophe Lambert, Philippe Soudant, Arnaud
Huvet, Guillaume Duflos, and Ika Paul-Pont, Environmental Pollution, Volume 215, August
2016, Pages 223-233
Anthony L. Andrady, Microplastics in the marine environment, Marine Pollution Bulletin,
Volume 62, Issue 8, August 2011, Pages 1596-1605
Parvin Zohrabi, Mojtaba Shamsipur, Mahdi Hashemi, and Beshare Hashemi, Talanta, Volume
160, 1 November 2016, Pages 340-346
Zhi-Guo Shi, Yufeng Zhang, and Hian Kee Lee, Journal of Chromatography A, Volume 1217,
Issue 47, 19 November 2010, Pages 7311-7315
J.M.D.Coey, Engineering, Available online 19 June 2019
ENVI, Hisep, Preppy, Supelclean, Visidry, Visiprep – Sigma-Aldrich Co. Florisil – U.S. Silica
Co. Teflon – E.I. du Pont de Nemours & Co., Inc
53
Evolving the Theory of Waste Management: defining key concepts, E. Pongrácz1, P. S. Phillips2
& R. L. Keiski1, Mass and Heat Transfer Process Laboratory, University of Oulu, Finland, SITA
Centre for Waste Management, University College Northampton, UK
Dipl.-Ing (FH) Sascha Klein
CHAPTER III
METHODS OF THE RESEARCH
This part shows the methods and techniques utilized in the present study. It portrays the samples
of the study, the research instrument, data gathering procedure, laboratory procedure and the
statistical treatment of the data.
METHODS AND TECHNIQUES OF THE STUDY
54
The present study applied the experimental methodology and techniques which is
centrally concerned with constructing research that is high in causal (or internal) validity
according to Ojmarrh Mitchell (2015). Causal validity concerns the accuracy of statements
regarding cause and effect relationships . Thus, research design as used herein is a concern of
explanatory and evaluation research but generally does not apply to exploratory or descriptive
research. Quantitative approach is also applied in this study. Quantitative methods emphasize
objective measurements and the statistical, mathematical, or numerical analysis of data collected
through polls, questionnaires, and surveys, or by manipulating pre-existing statistical data using
computational techniques.
SAMPLES OF THE STUDY
This part exhibited the samples of the study:
TABLE 1: MATERIALS
Raw Materials Mass
Magnetite (Fe3o4) 0.5g
0ml/L, 2.5ml/L, 7.5ml/L,
Engine Oil
12.5ml/L
55
38g
Neodymium Magnet
(100x10x5mm)
The samples used in this study were water from different sources such as beach and river, tap
water, and drinking water. As seen on the table, every water sample, twenty (20) grams, are used
in the study. Five tenth (0.5) grams of magnetite with four (4) replicates and the volumes of oil
utilized in each extraction would be, 0ml/L, 2.5ml/L, 7.5ml/L and 12.5ml/L. This would help
determine what volume of oil would be the most efficient in the extraction method.
56
RESEARCH INSTRUMENT
The laboratory equipment used in this study are owned by Mariveled National High
School-Poblacion (MNHS-Poblacion) situated in Mariveles, Bataan and the Department of
Science and Technology (DOST).
The laboratory equipment used were, 16x150 test tubes (4), NMR Tube, stirring rod,
dropper, beaker, eye protection, gloves, universal indicator paper and USB digital microscope.
57
DATA GATHERING PROCEDURE
A flow chart is presented for clarity of the methods used
58
Micro-Plastic Production:
To test how efficient the method, firstly, produce microplastics to remove from the water.
Hard plastics were sanded using non-shedding sandpaper and sieved to less than 5mm. (PET, PP
and PS). Microplastics in cosmetic products were separated from the gels using suction filtration
and desiccation (LDPE). Plastic fibers were used from model making grass (nylon and polyester)
and by removing plastic from the washing machine filter.
Preparation of Microplastic Suspensions:
Microplastic suspensions will be used for extractions as well as for the formation of a
(Beer-Lambert Line for later spectroscopic testing). For extraction, a 5g/L suspension was
prepared of the desired plastic. Known concentration samples will be prepared for spectroscopy.
Suspension of 6 types of microplastics
59
The Microplastic Extraction Process:
After preliminary testing, the volumes of oil would be tested in each extraction would be,
0ml/L, 2.5ml/L, 7.5ml/L and 12.5ml/L. This would help determine what volume of oil would be
the most efficient in the extraction method. For every sample, the mass of magnetite that will be
added will be kept constant at 0.5g in a 20ml sample.
Suspension for 6 types of microplastics

added with 2.5ml/L engine oil
The Extraction Process can be Summarized as Follows:
20ml of the desired plastic suspension will be prepared. This will be done in a test tube.
Then, 0.5g of the magnetite powder will be added to the test tube. The desired amount of oil (if
any) are added to the tube. The tube is stoppered and inverted 20 times to allow the magnetite
and oil to cling on to the plastic. The stopper is removed and the ferrofluid containing
microplastics is removed using Neodymium magnets in a small test tube. Then the magnets is
pulled out of the suspension, the ferrofluid is removed from the tube by removing the magnets
60
from inside the tube allowing the magnetite to fall off into a waste container. The magnets is
dipped into the suspension three times. The sample is then ready for analysis.
The researcher put the magnetite in the suspension
The researcher removing the ferrofluid

from the suspension of PP
Testing the Concentration of Microplastics Left Behind After Extraction:
Two main methods will be used to test the efficacy of the microplastic extraction process.
The two methods are spectroscopy and microscopy.
61
A. Spectroscopy
The first method chosen, is spectroscopy. The samples were taken in FAST
Laboratories a research laboratory located at Angeles City, Pampanga. They analyzed the
samples using the Beer Lambert Law which states that the concentration of a sample is
proportional to the absorption of light at a chosen wavelength.
B. Microscopy
As a secondary method, microscopy will be used. Digital microscope with a phone screen
as a light source. Like this, the image size using the phone pixels could be calibrated as a grid.
Photographs of the plastic
suspensions before and after extraction
will be taken and then Adobe
Photoshop is used to analyze exactly how
many pixels were covered in
plastic and the percentage decrease of plastics,
62
Selecting plastic particles using photoshop on microscopy images
NOTES FOR CHAPTER III
Experimental Research Design, Ojmarrh Mitchell, 02 October 2015
Why is spectroscopy important to astronomers?, Ernest Z. · Media Owl, Feb 15, 2015
What is Microscopy?, THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH, Sep 27, 2018
63
CHAPTER IV
ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION OF DATA
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
The results of this study are exhibited in this part by table and diagram structure. The
outcomes showed include: extraction rates for all of the plastics tested, the volume of oil used in
extraction and the difference between the efficiency of different volumes of oil used in
extraction.
6 different types of microplastic suspensions were tested. 3 extractions were carried out
of the 4 different volumes of oil used in each extraction. To obtain a meaningful result, for each
extraction, 40 spectrometer captures were carried out and 3 microscope captures were done. 100
captures in total were taken for every extraction. From these, means and standard deviations
were calculated which allowed the further calculation of standard error and a final hypothesis
test.
Results were obtained from both spectroscopy and microscopy:
From spectroscopy, the percentage extraction of plastics could be calculated using the
Beer-Lambert Law. Here, 5 different suspensions of different concentrations were tested and the
results were used to make a calibration graph. The absorption was calculated by obtaining the
Log (intensity (blank) / intensity (sample)) at a constant wavelength
64
The results from microscopy were calculated by finding the percentage of each image
covered by plastic (dividing the number of pixels covered by plastic by the total number of pixels
and multiplying by a hundred). Then, from this, the percentage decrease was calculated.
6 types of plastics were individually analyzed and graphed. This was all used to create a
larger composite results table and graph.
TABLE 2:PERCENTAGE OF DECREASE IN PLASTIC
Average
SPECTROSCOPY MICROSCOPY (Spectroscopy and
microscopy)
LDPE 86.04% 91.80% 89%
Nylon 87.57% 89.70% 89%
PET 75.23% 91.80% 84%
Polyester 86.74% 89.74% 88%
PS 81.87% 85.29% 84%
PP 68.40% 91.80% 80%
65
The graph below shows the average extraction rates for all of the plastics tested. An 85%
extraction line is shown; as this was the hypothesis, the researchers set out to investigate.
66
67
Another interesting comparison is the volume of oil used in extraction. The researchers
hypothesized that there would be an increased extraction rate with the increased volume of oil. A
table of results showing the volume of oil used in extraction can be seen below.
TABLE 3: VOLUMES OF OIL

Spectroscopy Microscopy average
Oil ml/L water Average
average extraction extraction
0 81.32% 87.86% 84.59%
2.5 87.80% 78.76% 83.28%
7.5 85.03% 96.69% 90.86%
The graph can be seen here:
68
69
TABLE 4: PHYSICAL PROPERTIES

Physical properties Color Smell Phase
Suspension of water
Colorless Odorless No change in phase
with LDPE
Suspension of water
with Nylon
Suspension of water
with PET
Suspension of water
Near Colorless Odorless No change in phase
with Polyester
Suspension of water
with PS
Suspension of water
Colorless Near Odorless No change in phase
with PP
70
DISCUSSION
As of now, extraction of microplastics in water is not practiced in the Philippines. Not
much techniques are available for this method of extraction and this study only forms the very
beginning of it. The researcher aim to make a non-toxic, inexpensive, and hassle-free method of
removing pollutants from water.
Based on the experiment, the method of extraction of microplastics was quite efficient
and also interesting at the same time.
TABLE 2: PERCENTAGE OF DECREASE IN PLASTIC
Based on the results, the speculation is not rejected with 95% confidence. I.e. The
researcher therefore conclude that the ferrofluids can remove at least 85% of the microplastics in
a given sample of contaminated water.
With that said, the researcher also conclude that the combination of oil and magnetite can
be used to effectively extract microplastics from water.
TABLE 4: PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
71
As seen on TABLE 2, the color of the suspension of water with LDPE is colorless
similar to the suspension of water with Nylon, PET, PS and PP except for the suspension of
water with Polyester in which the color turned a little bit blurry than its original solor.
In terms of smell, the suspension of water with LDPE,Nylon, PET, Polyester, PS are all
odorless except for the suspension of water with PP in which the smell is a bit different with its
original smell.
With respect to the phase, based on the observation of samples, all suspensions of water
with all 6 types of microplastics had no visible change.
The method of extraction of microplastics will be helpful to the environment because
based on the experiment, it removes more than 85% of the microplastics in the sample plus it is
eco-friendly because magnetite is a naturally occurring compound. With that said, this will
prevent toxins getting ingested by marine life. In addition to that, it will also prevent tonxin and
some chemicals to enter the food chain which is very advantageous for humans.
72
CHAPTER V
SUMMARY, CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS
This chapter provides the comprehensive presentation of the analysis and interpretation of data
relevant to the study on the extraction of microplastics from water using Ferro fluid.
1. Could the combination of oil and magnetite be Yes, the combination of oil and magnetite effecti
used to effectively extract different types of extracted all types of microplastics given in th
microplastics from water? experimentation
2. Will there be a significant difference between an
untouched water and a water extracted with ferrofluids
in terms of: No, the extracted water still has the color of nearly c
2.1. Physical properties:
2.1.1. Color
There is no significant difference between the sm

2.1.2. Smell
untouched water and extracted water.
2.1.3. Phase No, the extracted water still has the same phas
2.2. Chemical Properties: No, the extracted water is still basic
73
2.2.1. Acidity
3. Will the ferrofluids formed by the combination

Yes, base on the results of the experiment, the ferroflu
of oil and magnetite will remove at least 85% of the
remove at leat 85% of the microplastics in a given s
microplastics in a given sample?
SUMMARY
Specifically, this study sought answers to the following:
Because of the high percentage of this method, base

4. Will this method of extracting microplastics
experiment, to extract microplastic, it has a very
using ferrofluids work on any kind of water?
possibility to work on any water.
5. Could the ferrofluids extract the microplastics in

Yes, it is most likely accurate, inexpensive and has
water efficiently?
6. Will there be an easy access to materials used for Yes, all materials could be bought in markets and
this method of extraction of the pollutant? shops.
7. Could whoever do this method easily for

Yes, it is feasible for anyone either for fun or for p
scientific research and also for self-experience?
8. Will any kind of magnet be able to attract the

Only strong magnets will be able to attract the ferr
ferrofluid that will be used in this study?
9. With the use of ferrofluids, will it be able to
extract other pollutants in water other than
microplastics?
10. How can the extraction of microplastics from This method of extraction is eco-friendly in addition
water using ferrofluids be useful in: it removes pollutant that causes major environment
74
a. Environment
This method of extractions prevents toxins to enter

b. Humans
chain which is good as last consumers in food ch
This method prevents marine life from eating micro

c. Marine life
which carries toxins and some chemicals.
CONCLUSION
The ferromagnetic fluids, mostly known as ferrofluid, is naturally occurring which makes this
method of extraction to be non-toxic and environmentally friendly. This method is inexpensive
and the materials utilized are easy to access. This method of extraction of microplastic will be
great for countries like Philippines as a stepping stone to cleaner water.
75
RECOMMENDATIONS
Further research needs to be carried out to look at the efficacy of quite a number grades
of magnetite, exclusive kinds of magnetic systems, methods for keeping apart the waste and
the graph of a system that could be introduced into treatment facilities in the Philippines.
For those individuals who are interested in this project and would like
to implement this project in the future and the researchers is suggesting that you ought
to follow the proper procedure and be more accurate with the measurements. People must
have enough history information about the essences that they will be up to and they should
make certain that they are with the use of the right materials or chemicals. Remember that
76
little factors would possibly have an effect on the outcome so be cautious in performing
the particular steps.
77
BIBLIOGRAPHY
https://www.who.int/foodsafety/areas_work/chemical-risks/pops/en/
https://edition.cnn.com/2018/04/22/health/microplastics-land-and-air-pollution-intl/index.html
https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/connectonline/research/2018/the-big-problem-of-microplastics.as
px
https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/facts/microplastics.html
https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2019/02/190211110348.htm
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0048969718326998
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X11003055
https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/bfef/5006d175ecbb25490caf3c7b23c996eb424e.pdf
http://www.renewableenergymexico.com/natural-solution-to-oil-spills/
http://www.fnal.gov/pub/today/archive/archive_2014/today14-07-30.html
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/320243162_Use_of_Plastic_Waste_in_Bituminous_Pa
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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0025326X11003055
https://www.sigmaaldrich.com/Graphics/Supelco/objects/4600/4538.pdf
https://www.witpress.com/Secure/elibrary/papers/WM04/WM04046FU.pdf
https://d-nb.info/1100355952/34
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https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/781b/02a37654962ded96d6e5709ae2a3445ce31f.pdf
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/231264082_The_Real_Reason_Why_Oil_and_Water_
Don't_Mix
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/231632382_A_View_of_the_Hydrophobic_Effect
http://www.classzone.com/vpg_ebooks/ml_sci_gr8/accessibility/ml_sci_gr8/page_320.pdf
https://uk.farnell.com/law-of-magnetism-definition
http://alizaseportfolio.yolasite.com/resources/Magnetism.pdf
https://content.ucpress.edu/chapters/11183.ch01.pdf
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ment-Implications_to_waste_minimization
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https://setac.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/etc.4285
https://pubs.rsc.org/en/content/articlelanding/2017/ay/c6ay02733d/unauth#!divAbstract
https://patents.google.com/patent/US7214370B2/en
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zardous_species_from_aqueoussolutions_A_review
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ticles
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https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S0039914016305380
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doi:10.1557/PROC-676-Y7.8
80
APPENDICES
MATERIALS
81
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An Analysis of Extraction of Microplastics from Water Using Ferrofluids

AN ANALYSIS OF EXTRACTION MICROPLASTICS FROM WATER

A Science Investigatory Project

Schools Division of Bataan

ANNE RELENA A. VALDEZ

RYZA NICOLE C. SARMIENTO

MARY ANN SALAZAR ACLADO

Mariveles National High School – Poblacion

efficiencies and contrariness with fine silt.

world should have access to these type of methods.

This investigation is a fundamental study which introduces the use of ferromagnetic

fluids (ferrofluids) as a medium to magnetize the persistent pollutant---microplastics from

This investigatory project was an eye-opening experience as well as an achievement for

grateful for their kindness.

Background of Study …………………………………………………............... 7

Statement of Problem ………………………………………………………….. 12

Significance of Study …………………………………………………………... 13

Scope and Delimitation ………………………………………………………….. 16

Relevant Theories ……………………………………………………………….. 19

Review of Related Literature ……………………………………………………. 29

Related Studies …………………………………………………………………… 38

Conceptual Framework …………………………………………………………. 46

Definition of Terms …………………………………………………………….. 48

Methods and Techniques of the Study ………………………………………...…. 52

Samples of the Study …………………………………………………………….. 53

Research Instrument …………………………………………………………….. 54

Data Gathering …………………………………………………………………. 55

Summary of the Findings ………………………………………………………… 69

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

A crucial manufacturing step turns petroleum into a material unrecognized by the

organisms that normally break organic matter down (Wolchover, 2011)

up in the oceans, where they may persist and accumulate

A more distressing problem is the discovery of microplastics. Microplastic pollutants are

particles larger than this were called mesolitter.

concentrations in the sea-surface microlayer, which is the predominant layer of low-density

transport, persistence in the environment, ability to bio-magnify and bio-accumulate in

At present, there is no screening or filtering for microplastics takes place in any

Ferrofluids are permanently stable colloid suspensions of ferromagnetic particles in

size 5 to 15 nm (1 nm = 10-9m), so called nanoparticles. Nanoparticles are usually formed

by one Weiss domain. As a result of spontaneous magnetization it has a magnetic moment

prevents their aggregation (Mayer, 2015).

This project is started by researching what types of microplastic extraction and

by Arden Warner to remove oil spill.

Fionn’s Investigation mainly focuses on the extraction of microplastic from water

floatation. The Sediment-Microplastic Isolation (SMI) unit is a custom-built apparatus which

were also tested in a laboratory using a microscope.

microplastics from water.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

types of microplastics from water?

ferrofluids in terms of:

at least 85% of the microplastics in a given sample of contaminated water?

4. Could the ferrofluids extract the microplastics in water efficiently?

SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

according to a 2017 IUCN report.

There is no uncertainty that the best method to decrease microplastic contamination in

which has never been conducted before.

people to be able to perform daily tasks.

Manufacturers. A clean water as a material will enable man to manufacture quality

contain any microplastic since it carries toxins and chemicals.

of bacteria and also diseases.

SCOPE AND DELIMITATION

the bodies of water of the municipality of Mariveles.

magnetic separation allows nano-scale magnetite particles to bind (through electro-chemical