Abundance of Microplastics Found in Commercial Sea Salt Purchased in the US
Document Type
Presentation
Publication Date
3-26-2019
Date Assignment Submitted
2019
Abstract
Plastic pollution in the ocean has increased dramatically in recent years. Despite this increase, the effects microplastics have on environmental health, specifically relating to ingestion, are unknown. Two previous studies found that microplastics are present in commercial sea salt purchased in Southeast Asia and Spain. This study will examine the abundance of microplastic found in commercial sea salt obtained in the US. We hypothesize that, much like the previous studies, microplastics will also be present in sea salt purchased. We bought samples of sea salt with various places of origin such as Italy and Spain from local stores like the Dollar Store, Costco, Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s. Then, we separated microplastics and other contaminants from the salt by dissolution and filtration. Microplastics found on each filter were counted using microscopy. If the hypothesis is correct, microplastics will be present in sea salts from cheaper brands and from areas that have previously shown a presence of microplastics.
Publisher
Lynn University
Conference/Symposium
Lynn University Student Research Symposium
Contest
Oral Presentation
City/State
Boca Raton, FL
Department
College of Arts and Sciences
Recommended Citation
Bodie, K., Lecher, A. L., Korte, C. S., & Doctor, E. L. (2019, March 26). Abundance of microplastics found in commercial sea salt purchased in the US [Oral presentation]. Lynn University Student Research Symposium, Boca Raton, FL, United States.
Comments
Oral presentation delivered at the College of Arts and Sciences Student Symposium, Lynn University, Boca Raton, FL.