Finns det mikroplaster i Lunds dagvatten och fungerar densitetseparation som analysmetod?

Sammanfattning: Microplastics are being found in large amounts in the environment. In samples from Sweden’s west coast 4000-100000 particles of microplastic/kilogram of dry samplewas found. One of the larger pathways into theenvironment for microplastic is believed to be stormwater. Yet there is no standard method to analyse this pollution. This study was made to get an understanding of the amount of microplastic released from two stormwater outlets in Lund and to test density separation as a purification method, a common method used to analyse the samples for microplastic. The sediment by the stormwater outlet where also tested for microplastic. Particles of microplastic were found in the stormwater with a total mean value of 33,7/L and 31,3/L for the different outlets.In the sediment samples the amount of microplastic particles was 8/L and 2/L. The method of using density separation worked well with the water samples however only the inorganic particles were able to be separated whilst for the organic particles it was not possible to use this method. Density separation was not as successful for the sediment samples since not enough of the organic particles were able to be removed to properly quantify the amount of microplastic in the sediment. Microplastic was found in the stormwater that was tested and the method of density separation worked to some extent for the analysis. A more thorough analysis of the stormwater should be performed for more certain values of microplastic concentrations in the stormwater.