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Influence of various production methods on the microplastic contamination of sea salt produced in Java, Indonesia
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Researchers compared microplastic contamination in sea salt produced by different methods — solar evaporation, boiling, and mechanical processing — in Java, Indonesia, finding that production method significantly affected MP levels, with open solar evaporation exposed to air contamination yielding the highest counts.
The extensive research on microplastics (MPs) in the last years has shown that it is not just an environmental problem anymore. As it can also be found in human food, it poses a potential risk for human health and food safety. Especially sea salt, which is produced by the evaporation of seawater, including its microplastic contamination, has been reported with different levels of MP contamination. Therefore, in this preliminary study, we investigated if different solar evaporation methods (traditional, geomembrane, and tunnel) influence the concentration of microplastic particles in sea salt production in Indonesia, one of the countries with the highest estimated level of plastic waste input into the ocean. The results show a significantly higher MP contamination in sea salt produced traditionally compared to the geomembrane and tunnel methods.
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This systematic literature review described the presence, characteristics, sources, and health impacts of microplastics in Indonesian salt products, finding consistent contamination across regions with PP, PE, and PA as dominant polymer types. The main contamination sources were polluted seawater used in salt production and unmanaged plastic waste near coastal evaporation ponds.
Microplastic contamination in Indonesian consumable salts
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Researchers analyzed both traditionally produced and commercial branded sea salts from Indonesia and found microplastics in all samples tested. Traditionally produced salts contained the highest contamination levels, with up to 3,753 particles per kilogram, though branded salts also contained significant amounts. The study indicates that sea salt is a notable dietary source of microplastic exposure for consumers.
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This review examines microplastic contamination in sea salt from countries that export to Indonesia, summarizing polymer types, contamination levels, public health effects of ingested microplastics, and potential prevention strategies to reduce human salt-borne plastic exposure.
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Researchers studied traditional sea salt production in Watu Asa Village, Indonesia, testing charcoal, sand, and fiber filters. Microplastic levels jumped from 285 particles per liter in the brine to 35,000 particles per kilogram in finished salt crystals, with fibers and fragments under 250 micrometers found in all samples, despite charcoal filtering improving salt's chemical quality.
Identification of Microdebris in Traditional Salts Processes from Sea Water in Woha-West Nusa Tenggara and Takalar Lama-South Sulawesi
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This Indonesian study identified microdebris including microplastics in traditionally produced salt from two regions, finding contamination at multiple stages of the salt-making process. Microplastic contamination in table salt represents a direct route of human ingestion for people who consume salt produced from polluted coastal seawater.
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.