| Title |
Disentangling microplastic pollution on beach sand of Puerto Princesa, Palawan Island, Philippines: Abundance and Characteristics |
|
Authors |
Sajorne, R.E., Cayabo, G.D.B., Gajardo, L.J., Mabuhay脙垄脗聙脗聬Omar, J.A., Creencia, L.A., Bacosa, H.P. |
|
Publication date |
2022 |
|
Journal |
Sustainability |
| Volume |
14 |
| Issue |
15303 |
| Publisher |
MDPI |
| Abstract |
Microplastics (MPs) have become an emerging threat to the marine environment and bi芒聙聬
ota. This study was conducted to determine the occurrence of MPs on the beach sand of Puerto
Princesa, Philippines. Microplastics were extracted from the beach sand through the flotation
method and preliminarily identified using a stereomicroscope. A total of 47 MPs were extracted
from beach sand. Among the 21 sampling sites, the beach sands from 15 sites were contaminated
with MPs. The east coast of Puerto Princesa (0.023 particles/g) has significantly higher MP abun芒聙聬
dance than the west coast (0.006 particles/g). The shapes of MPs were predominantly fiber (79%),
and the majority were blue. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis identified pol芒聙聬
ymer types of mainly polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polypropylene (PP). Overall, 71% of the
sampling sites showed the presence of MPs. Future studies should consider the presence and effects
of MPs in the food chain, particularly on seafood. |
| Index terms / Keywords |
plastic; pollution; polyethylene terephthalate; polypropylene; polymer; FTIR |
| DOI |
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| URL |
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Mindanao State
University - Iligan Institute of Technology