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Table 1 Densities of plastic materials that are often found in the aquatic environment

From: Microplastics in the aquatic and terrestrial environment: sources (with a specific focus on personal care products), fate and effects

Plastic class Abbreviation Density (g/cm3)a,b
Expanded polystyrene (styrofoam) EPS 0.01–0.04
Low-density polyethylene LDPE 0.89–0.93
High-density polyethylene HDPE 0.94–0.98
Polypropylene PP 0.83–0.92
Polyethylene terephthalate PET 0.96–1.45
Polyamide (nylon) PA 1.02–1.16
Polystyrene PS 1.04–1.1
Polymethyl methacrylate (acrylic) PMMA 1.09–1.20
Polyvinylchloride PVC 1.16–1.58
Polycarbonate PC 1.20–1.22
Polyurethane PU 1.2
Alkyd – 1.24–2.10
Polyester PES 1.24–2.3
Polytetrafluoroethylene PTFE 2.1–2.3
  1. aNote that densities of plastic items can be modified by additives and environmental processes such as weathering and fouling
  2. bBased on [11, 16, 25, 109]
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