Abstract
This study evaluates the chemical composition of microplastic materials (MPs) and non-synthetic particles in different table salts of marine origin by the µFT-IR technique. This research focuses on the microparticles fraction within 10–150 µm of size. Eleven commercial trademarks coming from Italy (IT = 6) and Croatia (CRO = 5) were grouped in two different cost ranges, cheap (n = 5) and expensive (n = 6) and were analysed in replicates (n = 3). Levels and chemical composition of microparticles measured in commercial products were correlated on a statistical basis to some factors of variability of potential scientific interest (geographical origin of marine salt, cost of commercial products, etc.). Results of analyses performed on the tested size fraction of microparticles (10–150 µm) evidence that: (i) levels of MPs are within 0.17–0.32 items/g (IT) and 0.07–0.20 items/g (CRO); (ii) non-synthetic particles detected are mostly made by fibres made of cellulose acetate; (iii) Nations show a different chemical composition of MPs recovered in analysed trademarks (PET and PVC from Italy; PA, PP, and nylon from Croatia); (iv) the annual amount ingested by humans from marine salt consumption ranges between 131.4–372.3 items/y (CRO) and 306.6–580.35 items/y (IT) considering a dose of 5 g of salt per day; (v) statistics performed on factors of interest evidenced that the geographical origin of marine salt do not affect neither levels nor chemical composition of MPs in tested trademarks; while slight correlations are recorded with non-synthetic particles. Further studies are needed to better explore on statistical basis if both levels and chemical composition of MPs in table salts of marine origin can be used or not as good indicators of marine pollution.
Highlights
In 2015, the annual global plastic production worldwide was estimated to be 322 million tonnes [1]
This study evaluates the chemical composition of microplastic materials (MPs) and non-synthetic particles in different table salts of marine origin by the μFT-IR technique
Concerning chemical composition of microplastics, Yang et al [34] reported that PET is the principal component of plastic found in tested table salt and this fact is associated to the higher density of PET (1.30 g/cm3) in comparison to PE (0.94 g/cm3) and PP (0.90 g/cm3) that allow PET deposition during the salt crystal formation
Summary
In 2015, the annual global plastic production worldwide was estimated to be 322 million tonnes [1]. Frias and Nash [6] defined microplastics as “any synthetic solid particle or polymeric matrix, with regular or irregular shape and with size ranging from 1 μm to 5 mm, of either primary or secondary manufacturing origin, which are insoluble in water”. To date microplastics have been detected in water [7,8], and sediments [9] coming from different environments worldwide: sea surface and water column [10], lakes and rivers [4,11], coastal areas [12], harbours [13], marine protected areas [14], deep oceans [15], polar ecosystems [16], and coral reefs [17]
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