Group 5
DENSITY
SEPARATION
Using Microplastic Extraction
What is
Microplastics?
Microplastics are commonly found throughout the environment and
have been isolated from water, sediment and biological samples
throughout the world.
Mismanaged plastic waste is discarded in water bodies and landfills,
where it is subjected to either physical, chemical, or biological
degradation processes, which transform it into smaller fragments
called microplastics (MPs)
Microplastics are small plastic fragments commonly less than 5 mm
in size (Khatmullina et al., 2016), making up about 92% of the total
plastic pollution. Since these plastics are transparent due to their small
size, they cause invisible plastic pollution.
Types of Microplastics
Microplastics can be classified by:
1 Based on Source
1 2 3
2 Based on Shape
3 Based on Polymer Type
Types of Microplastics
Microplastic Based on Source
Primary Microplastics Secondary Microplastics
Intentionally manufactured small plastic Formed from the breakdown of larger
particles (<5 mm) plastic items
Designed for commercial or industrial Result of sunlight, heat, physical
use abrasion, and weathering
Already small before entering the Come from improperly disposed
environment plastic waste.
Examples: Microbeads in personal care Examples: Broken plastic bottles,
products, Synthetic microfibers from Degraded plastic bags, Fragmented
clothing, Industrial plastic pellets fishing nets
Types of Microplastics
Microplastic Based on Shape
Microplastics can be classified according to their physical appearance or
form. Their shape helps identify their possible source and environmental
behavior.
Fibers Fragments
Thin, thread-like plastics Irregular broken plastic pieces
Commonly from synthetic Result from degraded larger
textiles (e.g., polyester) plastics
Films Beads
Thin, flat plastic pieces Small, round plastic particles
Usually from plastic bags or Used in cosmetics and
wrappers industrial products
Foams
Lightweight, sponge-like
plastics
Example: polystyrene foam
Types of Microplastics
Microplastic Based on Polymer Type
Microplastics can also be classified according to their chemical composition
or polymer type. Different polymers have different densities, durability, and
environmental impacts.
Polyethylene (PE) Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
Used in plastic bags and bottles Used in pipes and construction
Low density materials
Higher density plastic
Polypropylene (PP)
Used in food containers and Polystyrene (PS)
bottle caps Used in disposable cups and
Lightweight and durable foam packaging
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET)
Used in water and soft drink
bottles
Environmental Impact of
Microplastics
can cause various respiration disease to humans through oral intake, inhilation and skin
contact.
long-term exposure to microplastics impaired the corals’ growth.
affect the metabolic activities and the survival of microbial communities, phytoplankton,
zooplankton, and fauna present in marine environments.
Density Separation
It is a technique used to sort particles or components based on their
specific densities. It is extensively used to efficiently separate materials
like minerals, metals and plastics.
The process involves immersing the mixture in a fluid that allows
particles to segregrate naturally - denser materials sink while less
dense materials float - allowing easy recovery of desired materials.
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How Density
Separation works?
An object submerged in a fluid exerts a force that resists
its weight. A particle will float if its buoyant force is
greater than its weight and its density is lower than that
of the liquid. On the other hand, the particle will sink if its
density is larger.
Density Difference of Microplastics
to other particles
How Salt Solution Helps in Density Separation of
Microplastics & Extracting Microplastic in
Environmental Samples
Principle of Density Separation
Microplastics have different densities compared to natural sediments (e.g., sand, organic
matter).
Most plastics are less dense than water and will float, while sediments and heavier particles
sink.
Adding a high-density salt solution enhances separation by increasing the buoyancy of
microplastics
Common Salt Solution used in
Microplastic Extraction
Salt Solution Density (g/cm^3) Common Use
Sodium Chloride (Nacl) 1.2 Low cost, Durable for larger plastics
Sodium Iodide (NaL) 1.6 Effective for denser plastics like PET
Zinc Chloride (ZnCl2) 1.5 - 1.7 More effective but likely toxic
Potassium Formate (HCOOK) 1.5 Eco-friendly alternative
MATERIALS
FOR MICROPLASTIC
EXTRACTION
Beach sediment sample (containing sand, plastic pieces, and
driftwood)
Beaker
Sodium chloride (NaCl)
Distilled water
Stirring rod
Sieves of different mesh sizes (e.g., >0.032 mm, >0.125 mm, <1
mm, >1 mm, <5 mm, >5 mm)
Filtration setup
Tap water or filtered water (for rinsing)
PROCEDURES
FOR MICROPLASTIC EXTRACTION
1. Sample Preparation
A dry beach sediment sample is collected.
The dry sample is placed into a beaker, ensuring not to overfill it to
prevent sand from trapping plastic particles.
2. Preparation of Saturated NaCl Solution
A saturated sodium chloride (NaCl) solution is prepared by dissolving 357
grams of salt per liter of water until undissolved salt accumulates at the
bottom, indicating saturation.
PROCEDURES
FOR MICROPLASTIC EXTRACTION
3. Density Separation Process
The saturated salt solution is added to the sample in the beaker.
The mixture is stirred thoroughly to free plastic particles from the sand.
Floating material, known as the supernatant, is carefully collected.
4. Filtration and Sieving
The supernatant is poured through a stack of sieves to separate plastic
particles by size.
The density separation process is repeated at least three times or until no
more particles float to the surface.
PROCEDURES
FOR MICROPLASTIC EXTRACTION
5. Rinsing and Contamination Prevention
The plastic particles in each sieve are rinsed with tap water (or filtered water
for smaller microplastics) to remove salt.
A fresh NaCl solution is used for each new sample to prevent
crosscontamination.
6. Classification of Microplastics
After separation, the microplastics are categorized into size classes:
- Larger than 0.032 mm
- Larger than 0.125 mm and smaller than 1 mm
- Larger than 1 mm and smaller than 5 mm
- Larger tha 5 nm
DENSITY SEPARATION USING SALT
SOLUTION AND MICROPLASTIC
EXTRACTION
GROUP 5
THANK YOU!
Arano, Paul Andrei
Bonado, Kimberly Nichole
Lanuza, Knight
Manalo, Symonette Joyce
Roxas, Roxanne Mae
Soriano, Erika Joy