We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic contamination along the salt production system: insights from water, sediment, and salt samples
AI summary Read the abstract
Microplastics were tracked through every stage of Indonesian salt production — from seawater and estuarine canals to evaporation ponds, crystallization ponds, and finished salt — finding contamination at all stages with finished salt containing up to 37 items/kg. The results confirm that common dietary salt contains microplastics introduced during open-air solar production, representing a direct and globally widespread route for human ingestion of plastic particles.
This study investigates the abundance and distribution of microplastics in the salt production system, which includes the sea, main estuary canal, reservoir pond, evaporation pond, crystallization pond, and salt storage. Along this system, the concentration of microplastics in water ranges from 0.36 ± 0.13 to 0.78 ± 0.04 items/L. Additionally, the content of microplastics in sediment varies from 0 to 10 ± 0.82 items/kg. Consequently, the contamination of microplastics in salt spans from 14 ± 1.63 to 37.33 ± 4.5 items/kg. The majority of microplastics observed in the water, sediment, and salt samples were small black fiber-shaped particles. Notably, the crystallization pond had a higher level of microplastic contamination, highlighting the necessity for durable and high-quality plastic materials. This study serves as a critical alert to all stakeholders, as it reveals the presence of microplastic contamination in the water, sediment, and salt samples throughout the salt production system. Ultimately, these findings contribute important data to Indonesia’s microplastic pollution database, specifically focusing on water, sediment, and salt samples from solar salt ponds.
More Papers Like This
Salt in foods: a definitive source of microplastics to humans
AI summary Read the abstract
Analysis of commercial crystal and iodized salts from India and Sri Lanka found 7.9–17.2 microplastic particles per kilogram, predominantly polypropylene and polyethylene fibers under 1 mm, with Indian salt classified at a higher chemical hazard level; daily consumption at WHO-recommended amounts would expose individuals to 14–31 microplastic particles per year. Salt represents a direct, daily dietary exposure route for microplastics, underscoring the need to protect salt production water sources and improve manufacturing processes.
Unveiling Microplastic Pollution in Commercial and Raw Salts from Palk Bay, Southeast Coast of India
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers analyzed microplastic contamination in raw and commercial salt samples from Palk Bay, India, identifying 205 MP particles per kilogram predominantly as fibers and polymers including polyethylene and PET, with raw salts showing higher contamination than processed commercial salts.
Quantitative analysis of microplastics coagulation-removal process for clean sea salt production
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested several chemical coagulants to remove microplastics from seawater before sea salt production, finding that a silane-based coagulant achieved over 98% removal efficiency, offering a promising approach to keeping microplastics out of table salt.
Harvesting seasonal assessment of microplastic contamination in Guatemalan edible salt from the Pacific coast's seawater and groundwater sources
AI summary
Researchers found that edible salt produced along Guatemala's Pacific Coast contains some of the highest microplastic levels reported globally, with concentrations peaking at the end of the harvesting season—up to 1,884 particles per kilogram—and fibers accounting for over 90% of particles regardless of whether salt was derived from seawater or groundwater.
Microplastic contamination in commercially available table salts of Pakistan
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers tested table salt sold in Pakistan, from sea, rock, and lake sources, and found tiny plastic bits (microplastics) in all of them, averaging 30-35 pieces per kilogram, mostly black plastic fibers. The good news: because Pakistanis tend to eat less salt overall compared to countries like Bangladesh, their actual microplastic exposure from salt is lower, but the findings still confirm that plastic contamination has worked its way into a kitchen staple nearly everyone uses daily.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.