Micro-mystery: LAB REPORT
Microplastics inquiry lab
Here’s your challenge: Conduct an experiment to determine which type of salt has
the most microplastic.
Here’s your to-do list:
Step 1 Read a little bit more about microplastics.
Step 2 Try to predict which salt has the most microplastics,
and what kinds of microplastic you will find.
Step 3 Gather materials for your experiment.
Step 4 Conduct your experiment and record your findings.
Step 5 Analyze your results and write your conclusion.
What are microplastics? Is there microplastic in our salt?
Plastic is everywhere. It is the largest source of A study published in Environmental Science
debris in the ocean and the Great lakes. and Technology found that 90% of all salt we
Most microplastics are made when larger eat has microplastics in it!
pieces of plastic break down through According to the study, different salt brands
weathering and wave action. Microplastics are contained different levels of microplastics.
small pieces of plastic that are less than 5mm The brands with the highest concentration of
in size. microplastics mostly came from Asia.
Microplastics are small and everywhere! We've
found microplastics in the food we eat and the
air we breathe!
Different types of salt come from different sources! Learn about three types of salt.
Sea salt is produced by Regular table salt usually Himalayan salt is rock salt
evaporating water from the comes from salt mines and is mined from the Punjab
ocean or from saltwater processed to remove region of Pakistan. Its
lakes. minerals. pinkish colour comes from
traces of other minerals.
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Micro-mystery: LAB REPORT
Microplastics inquiry lab
Suggested materials
❏ Sea salt, Himalayan salt, table salt
❏ Warm water
❏ 3 beakers
❏ Clip or rubber band
❏ White, flat filter paper or a white coffee filter
❏ Microscope or magnifying glass (minimum
magnification 4x)
❏ Funnel
❏ 3 Petri dishes
❏ 3 glass or metal stir sticks
❏ Metal tablespoon or a scoopula
❏ Phone camera (optional)
Suggested procedure
Is there microplastic in your salt? To find out, follow these steps to test each salt!
1. Dissolve a tablespoon (15g) of salt into 25-50 ml
of warm water to create a saline solution.
2. Stir until the salt completely dissolves.
3. Pour the saline solution through a filter to
separate the salt and water from the plastic.
4. Carefully place the filter onto a Petri dish.
5. Place the Petri dish under a microscope and
examine the contents of the filter.
6. Count and record how many pieces of microplastic
you observe in each sample. In your observation
notes, describe the microplastics' shape, colour,
and size.
7. Use a smartphone camera to take pictures of microplastic. Just place the camera lens over one
of the eyepieces of your microscope!
8. Repeat steps 1 - 7 for each type of salt you have!
9. Clean up! Pour your salt solution down the drain, place the filter in the garbage, and put away
the materials that you used.
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Micro-mystery: LAB REPORT
Microplastics inquiry lab
Hypothesis
Predict which of these salts has the most What types of microplastics do you think you
microplastic: Himalayan salt, sea salt, or table will find in the salt? Why do you think so?
salt. Why do you think so?
Data Collection
Now test your hypothesis!
Gather your materials and follow the procedure for each of the three salts. Record your findings below.
Use the microplastic identification guide to identify the types of microplastic in the salt.
Type of salt: Findings:
Mini Microplastic Identification Guide Scale: The diameter of a nickel is 21.2 mm.
Fiber. Foam. Microbead. Pellet. Fragment.
3
Micro-mystery: LAB REPORT
Microplastics inquiry lab
Analysis
What was the purpose of your experiment? What was your conclusion based on your
observations?
Describe your method of separating Which sample had the most microplastic?
microplastic from salt. Explain why it works. Why do you think some salts have more
microplastic than others?
How do you think microplastic gets in the salt?
4
Micro-mystery: LAB REPORT
Microplastics inquiry lab
Additional space
Extension options
Is microplastic safe to eat? What other marine species Write a report or create an
Conduct a search for a might be affected by infographic to share what
credible article about the microplastic in the ocean? you’ve learned with your
safety of consuming Conduct a search for a credible family and community!
microplastic. article about a species that is
affected by plastic in the ocean.
