Technical and Economic Feasibility Investigation for the Treatment of Microplastic-Contaminated Marine Sediments Through an Environmentally Sustainable Separation Process

Maryam Soufizadeh, Raffaele Morello, Alberto Ferraro, Danilo Spasiano () and Umberto Fratino
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Maryam Soufizadeh: Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
Raffaele Morello: Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
Alberto Ferraro: Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
Danilo Spasiano: Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy
Umberto Fratino: Department of Civil, Environmental, Land, Building Engineering and Chemistry, Polytechnic University of Bari, Via Orabona 4, 70125 Bari, Italy

Sustainability, 2025, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-16

Abstract: This work provides a comprehensive study of a density separation treatment through sucrose solution for the removal of microplastics (MPs) from marine sediments. The theoretical determination of flotation velocities for 1.0 mm diameter spherical MPs with a density of 1.3 g/cm 3 at various solution temperatures and sucrose contents was performed. An optimal velocity of 1.03 m/h was observed with a 70% sucrose solution at 50 °C. The validation of theoretical velocities was carried out through experimental tests at optimal operating conditions for polypropylene (PP), high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polylactic acid (PLA), and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) as target MPs. The results showed an experimental floating velocity slightly lower than the theoretical predictions for PP, HDPE, and PLA. PVC, instead, characterized by a higher density than the separation solution, showed a settling velocity 42% lower than the theoretical one. Further tests were performed to assess the solid-to-liquid (S/L) ratio effect on MPs’ separation efficiency. The results showed an optimal S/L of 75 kg/m 3 with 80% PVC removal and total PP, HDPE, and PLA removal. Finally, the design and cost optimization of a longitudinal settling tank were proposed for the pilot/real-scale treatment. The observed outcomes provided in-depth details useful for the development of an environmentally sustainable treatment for the preservation of marine areas.

Keywords: sucrose; density separation; marine sediments; microplastics (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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