A recent study conducted by Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) students in the College of Agriculture, Food, and Sustainable Development (CAFSD) found the presence of microplastics in local salts. The study conducted by Environmental Science students Trixie Aborque and Cristine Joy Cardenas detected the presence of microplastics in all seawater and sea salt samples collected from the study area in Barangay Saoit, Burgos, Ilocos Norte, a coastal community engaged in traditional salt production. The identified polymers included high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It was confirmed that microplastic contamination persisted throughout the salt production chain.
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| A salt-maker in Burgos, Ilocos Norte. |
Microplastic contamination is a growing environmental and public health concern due to the widespread accumulation of plastic debris in marine and coastal ecosystems. The particles measure less than 5 mm, originate from degraded larger plastic materials or from direct industrial and domestic sources. These are capable of entering aquatic food systems and may eventually contaminate food products for human consumption. Seawater as a source of salt is continuously exposed to coastal pollution, atmospheric deposition, and plastic-based production materials. The presence of PE, PP, PET, and PVC in marine environments and commercial salts had been found in several local and international studies.
The study conducted in three sampling stations established along the salt production area, used descriptive-analytical, experimental, and developmental research design. It also evaluated the effectiveness of chitosan-based treatment in reducing microplastic contamination in salt-producing environments. It employed Fourier-Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis for polymer identification. The identified microplastics were characterized according to abundance and polymer composition. Chitosan treatment was applied to evaluate its potential as a flocculating agent for microplastic remediation. Nile Red staining was used during fluorescence analysis.
In addition, field observations and documentation were conducted to identify possible contamination sources associated with environmental conditions and salt-making practices.
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