A small-scale, portable method for extracting

micro plastics from marine sediments

Presented by
Tahreem Wahid
Objectives
• To evaluate the methodology for extraction and assessment of micro
plastics of marine environment.
• To summarize the biological impacts of Micro plastics on marine biota
and the environment.
Introduction
• Marine plastic pollution has become a global environmental concern and is a
growing issue as a result of the exponential increase in the production of plastics.
• Plastic is broadly divided into mega-plastic, macro plastic, meso-plastic, micro-
plastic and nano-plastic.
• Micro plastics (plastic particles, 0.1 µm-5 mm in size) are widespread marine
pollutants, accumulating in benthic sediments and shorelines the world over.
• They have been observed in marine, freshwater and terrestrial ecosystems.
Why Micro plastics are dangerous???
• Microplastic exposure has been
associated with negative health effects,
including
• Chemical poisoning
• Attachment to body fats
• Choking Hazard
• Sediment in Blood
• Increased immune response

Pieces of micro plastic, which were found on the banks of

the Warnow in Rostock, Germany, on 17 March 2015.
• Decreased food consumption
• Weight loss
• Decreased growth rate
Causes of Micro plastics
• Improper disposal of Plastics
• Accidental loss of industrial raw materials
• Cosmetic exfoliates(micro-beads are added
to products such as shower gels and facial
scrubs)
• Deterioration of larger plastic fragments
• Microfibres shed from ropes and textiles
• Tyres and road paint particles (transported
via run-offs from roads)
Methods
Floatation method:-
Solutions of sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium iodide
(NaI) and zinc chloride (ZnCl2) were prepared.
By dissolving the salts in ultra pure water until
saturated solution is obtained to achieve densities in
the range 1.2-1.8 g cm-³
Heavier particles settle down whereas Lighter
particles float and are recovered by vacuum suction
to extract micro plastics.
The sediment- micro plastic isolation (SMI) unit

• It is a portable device that extracts micro plastics

from different sediment types.

• About 700mL of ZnCl2 were added to the SMI

unit. A magnetic stirring plate was used to mix the
sediment for 5 min, and then left for 5 mins, the
valve is closed and then removed.

• The SMI unit was cleaned and washed after every

extraction.
Extraction of micro plastic from artificially
spiked sediments
• For evaluation of the extraction efficiencies of the SMI unit, we used natural and
untreated fine sediments spiked with known concentrations of micro plastics.

• Samples were dried at 50 ͦ C for approximately 72 h then stored in a clean polyethylene

bag.

• Artificially incorporated micro plastics included, weathered polyethylene filaments,

weathered nylon filaments, virgin polyvinylchloride and manufactured low density
polyethylene all were hand-cut to the using dissecting scissors.
Conti….
Micro plastics were mixed with 30 g sediment
in a clean, ceramic bowl, any solidified
sediment was gently broken up using the
weight of a pestle. Plastic spiked sediment
samples were then added to the SMI unit with
700ml ZnCl2.The plastics were then
inspected.
Results from Floatation media
Depending on the solution used, different fractions of the range of polymers are
targeted—the higher the density of the solution the more polymer types can be
extracted. Often a saturated NaCl solution is used for the extraction of micro plastics.

NaCl is adequate in extracting low density plastics from sediments Sodium iodide can
be prepared to higher densities than sodium chloride, however achieving a density of
1.5 g cm3 proved the most expensive option.

Zinc chloride as a floatation medium has the benefit of attaining densities >2 g cm3
and is relatively inexpensive
Results from artificially spiked sediments
Mean extraction efficiencies, based on fibrous and particulate micro
plastics ranged from 92 to 98%.

Fig. Mean percentage recovery of micro plastics from artificially spiked sediment.
Conclusion
To solve the problems posed by plastic pollution, there
is an urgent need to identify the various sources that
are causing pollution and the impacts of chemicals
associated with plastic waste on the environment and
human health.
Thinking globally and acting locally would go a long
way to reduce the environmental threats drastically.