THE LEVEL OF MICROPLASTIC INGESTED BY TAMARONG FISH SOLD IN THE

DUMAGUETE CITY PUBLIC MARKET

A Proposal Presented to

Dr. Robert S. Guinoo

In Partial Fulfillment of

The Requirement in

Research and Daily Life 2

Luague, Juliene Alaina

Ong, Charyn Tesscha

Perigua, Andrea Paz

Taring, Kaitlin Marie

Tugaoen, Julianne Aliyah Nicolette

August 2018
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Microplastics have already started to exist due to the continuous rise of plastic

accumulation all over the world. According to Wearden (2016), there is an estimate of 19 billion

pounds of plastic that end up in the ocean each year and this amount is expected to double by the

year 2025. These plastics are expected to do more damage other than kill animals; they can harm

biodiversity and can change ecosystems (Atkin, 2018). With this being said, these plastics will

accumulate in the ocean and later turn into what we call, microplastics. The microplastics that

are present in the world’s oceans are considered to be a serious threat. It has polluted the oceans

and has been consumed by marine animals. Based on a report done by The Independent, in the

year 2010 about 4.8 million to 12.7 million tons of plastic washed into the oceans and these

plastics have been found in the stomachs of whales, planktons, and other marine life (Forster,

2016). With the increasing number of plastics that enter the oceans every year, it has now

polluted every body of water on the planet. As it pollutes the world’s oceans, different marine

animals all around the world could consume these microplastics. A United Nation’s

Environmental Program (UNEP) study found a quarter of seafood sold in markets in California

had plastic in it (Coca, 2016). Nationally, the Philippines is one of the top five countries in the

world where the greatest number of plastics accumulated yearly originated (Naguran, 2018).

From the article of Naguran (2018), microplastics have already started to invade the food chains

especially the marine life here in the Philippines. Fishes become affected in their organs which
aren’t noticeable enough for the consumers to know whether the fishes are safe enough to eat or

not.

Due to the alarming issue concerning on microplastics around the world, the researchers

want to validate whether microplastics have already invaded the marine life in Dumaguete City

by conducting this study wherein they will know the levels of microplastics found in one of the

most common fish sold in Dumaguete City, the Tamarong fish from the public market.

Statement of the Problem and Objectives

This study aims to validate and determine the level of microplastic ingested by

Tamarong fish sold in the Dumaguete City Public Market. The research also aims to find the

presence of microplastic contamination in fishes specifically the Tamarong fish. The study is

proposed to:

1. Know the level of microplastics found in Tamarong fishes.

2. Determine the number of Tamarong fishes that are contaminated with microplastics

and those that are not.

3. Validate whether there are still Tamarong fishes being sold that are contaminated

with microplastics.

Significance of the Study

People purchase fishes at markets without questioning whether or not they are

contaminated with microplastics. This seems to be the result of not knowing that this kind of

scenario is possible. Considering that plastic has polluted the oceans today, there can be a higher

chance of marine animals consuming microplastics. With this study, there can be an increase of
the awareness of what plastics in the ocean can result to. That these plastics can be consumed by

marine animals and in this study’s case, fishes. When awareness of this problem is brought

about, movements against this may come along and later may help in its lessening.

Consumers could also be apprehensive of the possibility that they may be consuming

fishes contaminated with microplastics. Fishes sold in the market may contain microplastics and

consumers may end up purchasing it. In this study, the researchers will determine whether or not

there is a presence of microplastics in fishes being sold at the public market. This will help

ascertain consumers whether or not they are consuming microplastics. Although there hasn’t

been a known result when one consumes microplastics and no known disease caused by the

consumption of microplastics, prevention is better than cure. Through the awareness of this

issue, there might be a decrease in the number of people consuming fishes contaminated with

microplastics.

Future researchers may also benefit from this study. This study could be a source of basis

for their researchers as they take upon other topics that may have any relation to this one. This

study could also be taken as a related literature.

The findings of this study will redound to the benefit of the community considering that

the contamination of fishes due to microplastics could affect the environment and once the

community seeks to help or aid in its prevention or lessening, they could benefit from it. This

may result to a non-polluted ocean or a cleaner environment.

Scope and Delimitiation

The researchers aim to know the level of microplastics found in Tamarong fish and in

line with this, the study will only have a limited scope. The study will only revolve around
microplastics and its relationship with the marine life, specifically with Tamarong fishes which

then will attest the relationship the two variables have. The study will only use one type of fish to

be studied and it would only be the Tamarong fish as it is one of the most common fish and is

always available in the public market of Dumaguete City. The researchers will only limit its

study with a total of 10 Tamarong fishes and only acquiring its intestines, gonad, and stomach

for the research. In addition, this study will only deal within the quantitative perspective of the

level of microplastics found in Tamarong fish.

The study will not tackle other topics and variables that are related to microplastics as it

is out of our objectives and scope already. It will not tackle other type of fishes for it will only

widen the study and will require more time which the researcher’s cannot allot given the limited

time provided for the researchers to complete the study. Also, the study will not tackle the impact

of microplastics to the health state of the consumers and of the fishes contaminated with it for the

same reason that it will only widen the scope of the study.
 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Microplastics

Plastics are designed well in order for the consumers and the users to get the best service

they could have from certain products that need materials like plastic. These are made durable

enough for it to last long and serve its purpose for a long period of time. [ CITATION Hol16 \l 13321

].

Plastics are also important materials that are abundant in our economy. They make our

lives easier in many ways and are often lighter or cost less than alternative materials. However, if

they are not properly disposed of or after they are used they can persist for long periods in the

environment and can also degrade into small pieces that are of concern – “microplastics.” –

(Echa.europa.eu, 2018). And according to an article by Ecopartners (2018), about 8 million tons

of plastic enter our oceans that is almost equal to a dumping truck full of plastics each minute

annually.

Microplastics are tiny particles of plastic that come in sizes smaller than 5 millimeters.

Microplastics have a wide array of origins which include the microbeads from cosmetics and

personal care products, as well as synthetic clothing. But one major factor of the presence of

microplastics would be the degradation of larger plastic material over the years. These could be

plastic bags, bottles, etc. [ CITATION Ren171 \l 1033 ]

 Plastic containing materials contribute to the rising number of microplastics. Other

researchers agree to this just like in reference to a report from an inerview with Chelsea

Rochman, an ecologist from the University of Toronto, who stated that the bigger source of

microplastics are the larger-sized plastic items. (Weikle, 2017)

Microplastics are said to contain chemicals that are toxic enough to produce harm

especially to the marine life. These chemicals include the persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic

contaminants (PBTs) wherein it gives of serious hazards to ones health. (Lusher, Hollman, &

Hill, 2017). Accoding to Rachel Hurley (2018, p.251-257) “Given their pervasive and persistent

nature, microplastics have become a global environmental concern and a potential risk to human

populations,”.

Origin of Microplastics

Plastics also decompose very slowly. But the degradation process quickens by exposing

the plastic to adequate ultraviolet (UV) light. Critchell and Hoogenboom (2018) backs this up by

stating that plastics break up into smaller particles when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light and

physical abrasion. Other factors would include oxidation, mechanical action and biodegradation

by bacteria and other living organisms. Such can be found in a beach environment. Due to the

high temperature on the sand, plastic waste breaks down after an ample amount of time and is

carried away by the wind and/or tides. [ CITATION Bea18 \l 1033 ]

There are also certain classifications to which microplastics are grouped into. These are

the primary and secondary classifications. Primary microplastics are used for the direct use of

consumers. On the other hand, secondary microplastics are the tiny broken-down pieces of larger

plastic material.[ CITATION Kip18 \l 1033 ]

Effects of Microplastics on Marine Life

The accumulation of plastic debris in oceans over the past years have made marine

organisms the main targets for the contamination of microplastics. [ CITATION Wri13 \l 1033 ]

With the rapid buildup of plastic in the oceans worldwide, research has been done to

distinguish the possible risks and effects microplastics can do upon marine life and environment.

A study from the Swedish Örebro University have found that microplastics can indeed harm

marine organisms. Such defects would be impaired reduction and reduced nutritional intake.

[ CITATION Ham17 \l 1033 ]

Recent researchers have shown that the danger of microplastics are now getting worse as

it has now reached in the deep parts of the ocean. Living organisms found in the deep are now

exposed to microplastics which means that microplastics are now starting to have a bigger

coverage of the earth thus putting its harm levels very high already. This discovery simply

proves that microplastics do not only harm those who are close to the surface and its harm has no

limitations in terms of depth and coverage of the area where it is being held. (McCaffrey, 2018).

David Attenborough (2017) found that “Unless the flow of plastics and industrial pollution into

the world's oceans is reduced, marine life will be poisoned by them for many centuries to

come,”.

“Scientists have now shown that microplastic can be absorbed into fishes’ brains,

changing their behavior in potentially harmful ways,” this text is from a scientific report made by

Kari Mattsson, a postdoc at the University of Gottenberg in Sweden. In addition to the study,

they have also found that even zooplanktons are now contaminated with nanoplasics that reduce
the survival rate of zooplanktons. Zooplanktons are also sources of food for certain marine

animals. (Cirini, 2017).

According to Steve Trott (2018) "Plastic is affecting the health of thousands of marine

species. This accumulations of microplastics is being ingested by the largest of the filter feeders

right down to the smaller organisims, the microorganisms at the bottom of the food chain."

Some of the effects discovered when marine animals digest microplastics are intestinal

damage due to the accumulation of microplastics inside, physical damage, gene alterations,

change in behavior, change in metabolism, and the transfer of the microplastics to the liver.

[ CITATION Jov17 \l 13321 ].

Microplastics can contaminate marine biota through different ways. This can be through

ingestion and exposure through the gills, the process by which the microplastics can come in

contact with the outer surface of the organism, specifically the gills. [ CITATION GES15 \l 1033 ]

Microplastics are being passed on from one body into another as the food chain

progresses. Once they are being digested by marine animals, the marine animals are also prey to

various predators such as humans and animals. (Galeon, 2018)

Microplastics are known to have a huge impact on animals since most of them mistaken

them as food. A study showed images of the traces of microplastics found indside the bodies of

fishes. (Katzenberger and Thorpe, 2015)

These tiny plastics are introduced in the seas and inland waters are ingested by countless

creatures. These plastic particles are made of mixes, for example, polymers and added substances

that shift in their structure contingent upon the coveted last attributes of the material. These
polymers can represent a danger to the nourishment wellbeing of fishery and aquaculture items.

(Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, n.d)

The chemicals in microplastics will cause a failure of reproductive in marine animals.

The DDT and BPA are chemical toxins that have been found to attach firmly to microplastic

particles. This will cause problems if it will enter in food chains, fish, marine mammals and

potentially humans. It can affect the reproduction if it accumulates microplastic toxins, then it

will also affect biological functions within different marine animals. Inside the bodies of many

organisms, microplastics have already been found. (Perelman, 2016)

As to the extent of the harm microplastics might cause to the marine environment, some

of the reported toxicity effects are cell damage, infections, tumor formation and death. (Gago et

al., 2016)

The microplastics in the sea will give a massive impact to marine life. Microplastic debris

made up of tiny plastic fibres, granules, beads, and fragments less than 5 mm in diameter can be

very harmful to marine animals when ingested and could result in consequences that will cause

decrease in natural prey and will lead to death and starvation. (Impact of microplastics in marine

life, 2018)

Because of the issue of microplastics ingested by marine life, they can't reach the level of

maturity as well. Marine animals like whales, fish and seabird have digested small particles of

plastics and will scatter in their digestive tracts. When fishes are born in an environment that has

full of microplastics, they are prone in decreasing of hatching and stopping them from growing.

This is also a serious cause of death among them. (Microplastics killing fish before they reach

reproductive age, study finds., 2016)

 Freshwater could also be contaminated by microplastics from overflowing wastewater

sewers, discharge of wastewater treatment plants and or from run-off mud applied to agriculture

lands. Thus, microplastics could also originate from land and then brought later on to the ocean

by the flow of freshwater systems. around 80-90% of ocean plastic is the estimated average said

to come from land-based sources and only a smaller portion is from ocean-based sources like

commercial cruise ships or fisheries. (Anderson, Park, and Palace, 2016)

It is also implied that the indiscriminate disposal of waste items results in marine litter.

(Cole, Lindeque, Halsband, and Galloway, 2011)

Because of its harmful effects and increasing disposal, plastic nowadays is becoming to

be a problem as it has accumulated over time since it does not decompose and this results in

harming the environment. According to Jovanovic, a faculty of veterinary medicine at Ludgwig

Maximilian University of Munich at Munich, Germany, about 10% of the plastic produced

worldwide each year ends up in the ocean where it accumulates. Plastic pollution is claimed by

researchers as hazardous waste because of plastics property of buoyancy and durability, and the

sorption of toxicants while traveling through the environment. (Eriksen et al., 2014)

Microplastics can be found floating around the world’s oceans both seen and unseen by

the naked human eye. In recent researches microplastics have been found on the food and drinks

we ingest. Researchers also found that tissues of fish and shellfish commonly sold on markets

contain microplastics in their tissues, in addition, countries like the United Kingdom, France,

Spain and China found out their sea salt contain microplastics (Crampton, 2017).

According to hale (2018) "Their small size allows them to be ingested by many types of

organisms—from whales to humans. So for us it is a natural thing to study how water might
affect transport and bioavailability from microplastics. That's one of our major goals moving

forward."

Impact of Microplastics

A report made by discussed the present state of Midway Atoll, an island owned by the

US government, as it is known to have been destroyed by plastic wastes. Midway Atoll is far

from civilization and is only inhabited by animals, yet man-made harm are stacked-up in the

island which then shows plastic wastes. These plastic wastes are being digested by the birds

living in the area that makes it the root cause of the continuous increasing death rates of bird

species inhabiting the island. Also, plastics are turned into smaller pieces due to the heat of the

sun that later blends in together with the sand, adding more chances of it being dragged in to the

waters and be mistakenly eaten by marine animals. Midway Atoll is just a small part of the world

but contains thousands of plastic wastes, imagine the whole world being contaminated with these

plastic wastes and the endless formation of microplastics. (Walsh, Formanek, Loo, & Philips,

2016)

A recent study conducted by scientists at Belgium’s Ghent University have also deduced

that over 11,000 microplastics are eaten in seafood every year. Cod, Haddock, Mackerel and

other shellfish were also reported by Plymouth University in England, to contain plastic

particles. Zooplankton, which are critical in the marine food chain, have also been found to

ingest microplastics. This alone creates an imbalance in the chain, wherein juvenile perch have

preferred to feed on polystyrene particles rather than zooplankton. [ CITATION Smi17 \l 1033 ]

According to a study published by Frontiers in Marine Science, microplastics have been

ingested by 73% of fish caught in the Northwest Atlantic. The spread of microplastics to the
different parts of the globe could possibly be caused by the contamination of mesopelagic fish.

These fish are found in depths of 600 – 3000 feet. [ CITATION Has182 \l 1033 ]

Also, microplastics have also found their way in the Eastern Shores of Nova Scotia. An

analysis of marine life such as blue mussels and store – brought mussels have revealed an

abundance of microplastics ranging from 20 to 80 fibers in a 10-gram sediment sample.

[ CITATION Mat14 \l 1033 ]

Microplastics are making their way through the different parts of Asia as well,

specifically the Philippine islands. The Philippines has been ranked the third among the major

contributors of ocean pollution. Being an archipelagic country, the Philippines heavily depends

on coastal sources of livelihood. But due to the increasing number of wastes in the oceans,

marine life and fauna have been affected, indirectly harming human beings and other animals

that depend on marine products for food as well. [ CITATION Alb17 \l 1033 ]

Another recent report too, claims that microplastics have contaminated one of the most common

Filipino condiments, salt. Sodium Chloride (NaCl), more commonly known as table salt, is

generally harvested from the open sea. This suggests that fish, and other seafood, may also

contain microplastics. This issue presents potential health risks for certain predators as well as

human consumers. [ CITATION Lay18 \l 1033 ]

The Tamarong Fish

In a study conducted by Padin, et. al. (2011), in a survey of fish sold in the Dumaguete

City Public Market, it showed number of species was found, including the jack family

Carangidae of which would include the Alepes melantopera species.

 The Tamarong fish (scientific name: Alepes melanoptera) is a species of tropical marine

fish that can be found in the indo-pacific waters, having a diet that consists of shrimps,

invertebrates and copepods. (Smith-Vaniz, 1984)

Due to the abundance of microplastics, the intake can cause imbalance in an ecosystem.

In marine life, the plastic particles can cause a series of negative effects such as gut blockage,

physical injury, the change of oxygen levels in cells, dietary changes and energy reduction. Also,

since plastic is synthetic, it carries different chemicals that are transported in the body when

eaten. [ CITATION Tib15 \l 1033 ]

Plastic can be very harmful to marine organisms. The synthetic materials in plastic and

pollutants can cause long – term effects and cause irregular feeding in marine life. This can alter

their natural way of life and cause an imbalance in marine organisms. [ CITATION Cho18 \l 1033 ]

Effects of Mircoplastic on Human Beings

In addition to that, microplastics do not only contaminate marine life but also the living

organisms on land and the earth’s atmosphere as well. In short, microplastics are everywhere.

Most of the microplastics that contaminate the soil come from agricultural fertilizers that were

from sewage systems. Products coming from these sewage systems contain microplastics from

cosmetic products and from the materials used in synthetic clothes. Microplastics have also been

drawn out in the earth’s atmosphere coming from the same source of the microplastics that

contaminated the earth’s soil. They are being carried out together with the wind thus causing

risks of being harmed by the possible effects of the chemicals that are brought along with it.

(Tutton, 2018)
 Small as they are, microplastics can be digested without our knowledge as they are

invisible to the eye. In some cases, they aren’t directly taken by us but these are from the food

that we eat that are specifically from the oceans thus it is only passed on into our bodies.

Microplastics digested by fishes will be passed on to the consumers, bringing in danger to the

consumer’s health as microplastics can get into the human cells by attaching themselves into the

body’s tissues [ CITATION Hos17 \l 13321 ].

When people consume fishes, it may have ingested microplastics and that could mean it

may have chemicals and toxins with it. Although it may be cleaned before cooking, there may be

bits of smaller particles that may not be visible to the eye. The widespread distribution of

microplastics in water bodies has contaminated a lot of marine animals and this includes the ones

bought for human consumption especially fishes and mussels. (Karami et al, 2017)

According to it has been since the 1970’s when the contaminations of plastic particles

were identified within the environmental status monitoring programmes. This shows that people

may have been consuming microplastic without realizing it as it is stated that the microplastics

being discussed has been there for over a long period of time being ingested by fishes and other

animals being consumed by people. (Lee, 2015)

Microplastics are craftily making their way into the bodies of consumers, which could

possibly expose certain hazards and risks but experts still claimed that the effects of these on the

human body are still to be debated. [ CITATION Phi18 \l 1033 ]

Although there are a number of researches about the microplastics, there are still a lot of

things needed to fully understand it. According to the abundance and distribution of the different

types of microplastics within sedimentary environments relative to each other is still unknown as
each type of microplastic has different distinctive physical properties. (Kazmiruk T., Kazmiruk

V. and Bendell, 2018)

Potassium Hydroxide Method

Potash Iye or Potassium hydroxide (KOH) is a type of inorganic base that is mainly used

in the manufacture of soaps and shaving creams, adjust the pH of soil, detect fungal infection on

skin and to remove hair from animal hide. Kühn, S., Van Werven, B., Van Oyen, A.,

Meijboom, A., Bravo Rebolledo, E.L. & Van Franeken , J.A. (2017) (2017, p. 86-90) explains

that “KOH is a solution that dissolves organic material and can be used to find plastic inside of

stomachs of small organisms such, as fish, more easily”. In addition to that Kühn, S., Van

Werven, B., Van Oyen, A., Meijboom, A., Bravo Rebolledo, E.L. & Van Franeken , J.A. (2017)

(2017, p.86-90) concluded that “KOH approach to separate plastics from organic matter is a

valuable and practical method in studies of plastic ingestion by marine wildlife”

For Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) to be fully utilized and for it to fully digest tissue, an

incubation of 2-3 weeks must occur at room temperature. (Lusher, Welden, Sobralc and Cole,

2016)

According to Karami, et. al (2016) however, the KOH solution can fully dissolve tissue

in 2-3 days.

Conceptual Framework
 Microplastic
Presence LEVEL

TAMARONG
FISH Absence

CHAPTER III

METHODOLOGY

This chapter explores the research design, variables and locale of the study, the different

respondents and the various materials and procedures needed in order to determine the level of

microplastics ingested by Tamarong fish found in the Dumaguete City Public Market.

Research Design

The method to be used by the researchers to gather information needed will be

quantitative. The researchers would gather sufficient numerical data in order to obtain the level

of microplastics ingested by Alepes melanoptera, locally known as “Tamarong” sold by various

sellers in the Dumaguete City Public Market. The researchers would do step-by-step processes of

having to gather 2 samples of Tamarong fish from five (5) different sellers and to figure out the

level of accumulation of microplastics from the said variable by dissolving their organs in

potassium hydroxide (KOH) solution. The researchers would also have a set of interview

questions to ask the sellers in order to discover where the Tamarong fish were harvested and also
the estimated number of people who are buying the said fish on a daily basis to determine the

number of affected consumers and buyers who are possibly ingesting microplastics. The

researchers would use voice recorders and would list down the data collected in tabular form on

a separate piece of paper.

Variables of the Study

The variables of the study would revolve around the tamarong fish and the total

accumulation of microplastics found. The dependent variable would the number of Tamarong

fish and the independent variable would be microplastics found. This is because basis for the

contamination of fish will revolve or be based on the level of microplastics found to be ingested.

The level of microplastics will determine how contaminated the specimen is and to what extent it

affects it.

Study Site

The study will be conducted inside Building 2 of the Dumaguete City Public Market

located at Real Street, Dumaguete City. The public market is the central place where we can find

out interviewees and the purchase of the Tamarong fish needed in the study. The

experimentation process of the study would take place in within the main campus of Silliman

University, Dumaguete City.

FIGURE 1. Map of Dumaguete City Public Market, the location of the study site. 9.3062° N,

123.3059° E
FIGURE 2. Map of Silliman University, Dumaguete City, location for experimentation. 9.3132°

N, 123.3067° E

Sample Size

The interviews are chosen by the researchers based on their expertise, knowledge and

experience on the topic at hand. There would be a total of 5 interviews regardless of the

interviewees’ age and gender since the results would not vary. The interviewees of the study

would be the sellers of Tamarong fish in Building 2 of the Dumaguete City Public Market. We

believe that the following interviewees are well equipped with the necessary knowledge

regarding our research. As stated before, a total of (5) interviews would be conducted. The

interviewees would be five (5) different sellers at random stalls within Building 2 of the
Dumaguete City Public Market. The researchers, due to confidentiality purposes, would call

them: seller A, seller B and seller C, seller D and seller E.

Research Instruments

The researchers will use various equipment during the experimentation process to be able

to present accurate and proper results. The number of equipment used and the proportions to be

made using the equipment will be expounded in the Data Collection Procedure. The list of

equipment needed is listed in the table below:

EQUIPMENT USE
Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) Flakes the solute used in the potassium hydroxide

(KOH) solution that will dissolve the animal

tissue of the fish

Water (H2O) the solvent used in the potassium hydroxide

(KOH) solution that will dissolve the animal

tissue of the fish

Transparent Containers the container for the potassium hydroxide

solution

Fork used to stir the fish organs

Weighing Scale used to measure the correct proportions for

the potassium hydroxide (KOH), used as well

to weigh the amount of plastic found

Protective Gloves used for protection of hands during the

mixing of potassium hydroxide (KOH)

solution
Tongs used to place the organs in the potassium

hydroxide (KOH) solution

Coffee Filters used to separate or filter out the microplastic
 particles
Plastic containers / ziplock used to store the microplastics found
Forceps Used to
Stereoscope Used to identify possible microplastic

particles
Digital weighing scale Used to weigh the filters
Pen, paper, voice recorder used to record the data gathered during

interview portions of the research

Data Collection Procedure

Secondary sources from different books, journals and articles which are presented in the

review of related literature will provide background information regarding the topic on

microplastics and Tamarong fish and the methods to be used. Primary sources include the data

gathered from the interviews as well as the data collected after the necessary procedures are

done. The procedure would go as follows:

PRE - EXPERIMENTATION

1. The researchers would buy 2 samples of fish from 5 different sellers from

Building 2 of the Dumaguete City Public Market and will name them accordingly:

TAMARONG FISH
SELLER A SELLER B SELLER C SELLER D SELLER E
FISH FISH FISH FISH FISH FISH FISH FISH FISH FISH

1A 2A 1B 2B 1C 2C 1D 2D 1E 2E

2. The researchers would ask the same set of interview questions to the 5 respective

sellers and record it on a piece of paper and on a digital voice recorder.

3. The researchers would rinse the samples of fish.

4. After rinsing the researchers would proceed to dissect the fish making sure to

separate the internal organs, specifically the stomach, liver, intestines and gonads.

EXPERIMENTATION

1. The researchers will prepare the necessary instruments to be used in the

experimentation process.

2. A weighing scale would be used to measure 50 grams of potassium hydroxide

(KOH). This is good for dissolving 2 organs from 2 specimens.

3. The researchers will proceed to slowly dissolve the potassium hydroxide in 1 and

½ cup or 375 mL of water having intervals between stirring and pouring the

flakes/powder.

4. Using the tongs, the researchers will then place the organs from FISH 1A and

FISH 2A in the solution and would gradually stir using the fork.

5. The researchers would make sure to gradually stir wait until the tissue of the

organs would dissolve. The solution is to be left at room temperature for 2-3 days.

6. Once the organs would completely dissolve, the reasearchers would proceed to

filter out the microplastics using coffee filters.

7. Using a stereoscope, the researchers would each look at the filters to identify

potential microplastic particles, using the spotter’s guide from CLEAR.

(https://civiclaboratory.nl)
 8. Once potential microplastic is identified (specifically microfibers), the researchers

used a hot needle test to see whether or not the identified objects were

micorplastic.

9. The same procedure applies to the rest.

Treatment of Data

The researchers plan on using Descriptive Statistics to summarize the quantitative data

collected. The researchers opted to use such method because the study requires only a simple

summary of the overall data observed. The researchers would then calculate for the “average,”

using the values presented in the data collected. The needed calculations would be from the

results each taken from the 2 samples of fish from the 5 sellers. This would be called the

measures of central tendency. Measures of dispersion would also be calculated. The researchers
would summarize how spread out the data is, in other words its range. The experiment also needs

to be explained in the form of tables and graphs in order for the readers to better understand,

since the study deals with values rather than theories.

Ethical Considerations

Regarding the interviews of the study, it is the researchers’ responsibility to make it a

point to ask for the interviewees’ consent on whether or not they agree to let the researchers

integrate their expertise, experience and knowledge in the study. The researchers will make sure

that the interviewees are fully informed about the purpose, procedures and risks of the study. The

interviewees have the option to withdraw from the interview. A copy of the interview results will

be given to the interviewees. The interviewees will also be given the information about the

researchers and how they will communicate with them. It is the researchers’ responsibility to

comply to the request of the respondents and the interviewees should they want to remain

anonymous and private throughout the research. Should the respondents and the interviewees

want to dispose of information they solely provided, the researchers will respect the decision and

remove their contribution/s. The research will also cite borrowed information.

CHAPTER IV

RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

According to the information acquired from the chosen sellers through simple random

sampling, most of the Tamarong fish used in the experiment were acquired from Siaton (3 out of

5) and Basay (2 out of 5) and Bayawan (1 out of 5).

SELLER A SELLER B SELLER C SELLER D SELLER E

SUPPLIER Basay Siaton Siaton & Siaton Bayawan
 Basay
PREVIOUS None None None None None

INSTANCES OF

MICRO AND/OR

MACROPLASTICS

FOUND

INITIAL FINAL DRY WEGHT OF

SAMPLES NO. OF FILTERS WEIGHT (g) WEIGHT (g) GUTS
SAMPLE
1 FILTER 1 1.19 2.97 1.19
  FILTER 2 1.19 3.35 2.16
  FILTER 3 1.19 3.1 1.91
  FILTER 4 1.19 3.24 2.05
  FILTER 5 1.19 3.03 1.84
  FILTER 6 1.19 3.16 1.97
  FILTER 7 1.19 3.15 1.96
  FILTER 8 1.19 3.12 1.93
  FILTER 9 1.19 3.44 2.25
SAMPLE
2 FILTER 1 1.19 3.44 2.25
  FILTER 2 1.19 1.32 0.13
  FILTER 3 1.19 3.63 2.44
SAMPLE
3 FILTER 1 1.19 3.58 2.39
  FILTER 2 1.19 3.82 2.63
  FILTER 3 1.19 3.09 1.9
  FILTER 4 1.19 3.85 2.66
  FILTER 5 1.19 3.68 2.49
  FILTER 6 1.19 3.8 2.61
SAMPLE
4 FILTER 1 1.19 3.09 1.9
  FILTER 2 1.19 3.14 1.95
  FILTER 3 1.19 3.28 2.09
  FILTER 4 1.19 3.26 2.07
  FILTER 5 1.19 3.3 2.11
SAMPLE FILTER 1 1.19 3.25 2.06
5
  FILTER 2 1.19 3.17 1.98
  FILTER 3 1.19 3.17 1.98
  FILTER 4 1.19 3.2 2.01
 CHAPTER IV

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

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INTERVIEW QUESTIONS

Age:

Gender:

1. How many kilos would each person buy?

2. Where did you harvest the fish?

 3. How long have you been selling here in the public market?

4. Have you observed macroplastics present in the digestive tract of fishes?

FEASIBLE WORK PLAN

PLAN WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 WEEK 4 WEEK 5

(AUG 12- (AUG 19- (AUG 26- (SEPT 2-8) (SEPT 9-

18) 25) SEPT 1) 15)


PROJECT PROPOSAL


EDITING/RESUBMISSION

OF PROJECT PROPOSAL

PURCHASING/PREPARING 

OF NEEDED MATERIALS

(EXCLUDING THE

TAMARONG)
INTERVIEWS 
 PURCHASE OF THE 

TAMARONG SAMPLES
PRE-EXPERIMENTATION 

PROCESS
EXPERIMENTATION 

PROCESS
RECORDING AND 

OBSERVING OF DATA

FEASIBLE BUDGET PLAN

EXPENSES NO. OF ITEMS PRICE TOTAL

Potassium hydroxide 1 210 210

(KOH) powder (1000

g/pack)
Tamarong fish (per 2 200 400

kilo)
Rubber chemical 1 280 280

gloves

Ziplock (set of 100 1 94 94

pcs)
Ballpoint pen 2 10 20
Short bond paper 1 30 30

(pack)
TOTAL PHP 1034