Pollution Research Paper

Vol 40, Issue 3, 2021; Page No.(782-789 )

DETECTION OF MICROPLASTIC WASTE OF POLYETHYLENE TEREPHTHALATE (PET) IN SEAWATER AND CONSUMPTION SALT BY GLYCOLYSIS

INDANG DEWATA, TRISNA KUMALA SARI, DESY KURNIAWATI, 1KASMA WARNI, RAHMI AULIA MEILINDRI, REZA ELVINDA AND ATIKAH MUTHMAINNAH

Abstract

Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is a type of plastic that is widely used for various needs such as beverage packaging bottles. However, PET waste can break down into microplastics and can be harmful if ingested by living things. This study purposed to detect the microplastic content of PET in seawater and consumption salt by glycolysis method. This method involves the process of depolymerization of PET to be a monomer of bis (2-hydroxyethyl terephthalate) (BHET). Determination of the optimum conditions was observed from the effect of ethylene glycol solvent, catalyst mass, and the reflux temperature of the glycolysis process. The optimum condition obtained is 30 ml of ethylene glycol (EG) solvent, 0.06 gram of Na2CO3 catalyst mass for 1 h at a temperature of 196oC which obtained a yield of 72.63% BHET. The results showed the absence of PET in both seawater and saltwater samples.