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Assessing microplastic pollution and heavy metal presence in traditional salt production systems in Aceh, Indonesia
Summary
Researchers tested traditional sea salt from villages in Indonesia and found tiny plastic bits (mostly fibers from things like clothing and fishing gear) in every single sample of both seawater and salt, meaning these particles survive the salt-making process and end up in the final product you'd sprinkle on food. The good news: heavy metals like lead and mercury were within safe limits, but since we don't yet know the long-term health effects of regularly eating microplastics, this is a reminder that even "natural" salt isn't necessarily plastic-free.
Microplastic pollution and heavy metal contamination have emerged as critical environmental and food safety issues in coastal regions, particularly where seawater is directly used for community-based salt production. This study investigated the abundance, characteristics, polymer composition of microplastics, and concentrations of selected heavy metals (Pb, Cd, Hg, and As) in seawater raw materials and community salt products from three coastal salt-producing villages in Aceh Besar Regency, Indonesia. Sampling was conducted between August and December 2024 at Lam Ujong, Lamnga, and Lampanah, representing distinct coastal settings with varying anthropogenic pressures. Microplastics were detected in all seawater and salt samples, with total particle counts reaching 63 across the dataset. Seawater from Lamnga and Lampanah exhibited the highest microplastic abundance (12 particles per 2000 mL), while Lam Ujong showed lower values (5–7 particles per 2000 mL). Salt samples contained 6–7 particles per 500 g, indicating transfer of microplastics during evaporation and crystallization processes. Fiber-shaped microplastics dominated all samples, followed by fragments and films, with particle sizes ranging from 50 to 500 µm. Very fine particles (50–80 µm) were prevalent in Lamnga and Lampanah seawater, suggesting advanced fragmentation and elevated bioavailability. FTIR analysis identified polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and nylon polymers, reflecting common consumer plastics and fisheries-related materials. Heavy metal concentrations in both seawater and salt remained below Indonesian National Standards (SNI), with the highest Pb concentration detected in salt at 0.11 mg/kg, well below the permissible limit. Although immediate toxicological risk from heavy metals appears low, the widespread presence of microplastics highlights potential long-term exposure concerns, particularly due to microplastic–metal interactions. These findings underscore the need for integrated pollution management and quality assurance in community salt production to support national salt self-sufficiency while safeguarding food safety.