Plastic pollution in oceans and seas represents one of the most critical environmental challenges. The degradation of macroplastics over time leads to the formation of microplastics, which—due to their minute size—are ingested by marine organisms, potentially causing long-term physiological damage.

This research focuses on the development of a method to promote the sedimentation of microplastic particles to the seabed through calcium carbonate encapsulation. Encapsulated particles gain sufficient density to settle under gravity, offering a potentially effective approach for removing microplastics from the aquatic environment.

The study comprises two main research objectives:

O1 – Surface modification of microplastic particles using humic acid, to replicate natural surface ageing in marine conditions and to alter the physicochemical properties of plastics.

O2 – Encapsulation and sedimentation experiments using artificial seawater thermostated to typical sea temperatures. The influence of global warming will be examined by assessing how temperature increases affect calcium carbonate precipitation and the resulting sedimentation of both untreated and treated microplastics.

The outcomes are expected to contribute to the development of environmentally sustainable methods for microplastic remediation, with potential applicability in marine conservation practices.