HEAVY METALS CONCENTRATION IN MICROPLASTIC PACKAGING AND THE RELEASING CAPABILITY OF RELEASE HEAVY METALS FROM MICROPLASTIC PARTICLES OF PLASTIC CONTAINERS IN SYNTHETIC MARINE WATER

Abstract

Toxic heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Cr, Cu and Cd) concentration in microplastic from 7 types of plastic food containers (cooler food bag, T-shirt bags, water bottle, plastic tube, water bottle cap, foam and film wrapped) were determined. by an Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer. The results revealed that all samples of microplastic contained Zn at 0.21, 0.24, 0.78, 0.16, 0.24, 3.25 and 2.24 mg/kg, respectively. Moreover, Cr (0.07 mg/kg), Pb (0.01 mg/kg) and Cu (0.15 mg/kg), Cu (0.05 mg/kg) and Cd (0.10 mg/kg), Cu (0.21 mg/kg) and Cd (0.11 mg/kg) were determined in plastic tube, water bottle cap, foam and film wrapped, respectively. Furthermore, all microplastic samples were immersed in synthetic marine water with heavy metals concentration in the range 0.3 - 6.0 mg/L for 7 days. The results found that all types of microplastic did not adsorb heavy metals from marine water inside they released the heavy metals which contained in the products to the environment. The results obtained indicated that microplastic from plastic food container wastes could cause heavy metals pollution in marine water.