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Mapping Microplastic Distribution in Mangrove Sediments as an Indicator of Coastal Ecosystem Health: A Reproducible Analytical Framework Integrating Density Separation and Computational Workflow
Summary
Scientists studying mangrove forests in Indonesia found tiny plastic bits—mostly fibers and film-like fragments—buried in the mud, with the highest amounts near areas of human activity like fishing or waste disposal. This matters because mangroves sit at the base of the coastal food chain, meaning these plastics can work their way into fish and seafood that people eventually eat. The researchers also created a more affordable, standardized method for detecting these plastics, which could help track pollution hotspots and guide cleanup efforts in coastal communities worldwide.
Abstract—Microplastics (MPs) accumulation in mangrove sediments poses a persistent threat to coastal ecosystem integrity and trophic health. This study establishes a reproducible analytical workflow to map MP distribution, quantify density, and characterize morphotypes in mangrove sediments of Pantai Meras and Bitung, North Sulawesi, Indonesia. Sediment samples (n = 18) were collected via purposive sampling at six stations during spring low tide (0–3 cm depth, 1 kg dry weight per station). Extraction followed a standardized thermal drying (60◦C, 24 h), 0.5 mm mesh filtration, NaCl density flotation (≈ 1.20 g/cm3, 24 h), and H2O2 30% oxidative digestion protocol. Visual identification was performed using calibrated stereomicroscopy (Olympus SZ51) and digital imaging (Dino-Lite). Data were processed through a Python-Orange computational pipeline, and inter-station variability was assessed via one-way ANOVA. A total of 1,141 particles were recovered, yielding densities ranging from 13.55 to 85.35 particles/kg. Fiber (36.1%) and film (34.0%) dominated the morphological assemblage. ANOVA confirmed significant spatial heterogeneity (F = 7.318, p = 0.001181), with Station 3 (proximal to anthropogenic activity) exhibiting the highest accumulation. The study also introduces a patent-pending collagen-based bio-adhesive separation system (No. S00202412718) that enhances micro-scale recovery efficiency while reducing reliance on high-density chemical reagents. These findings establish a validated, open-science-compatible framework for coastal MP monitoring and underscore the role of mangrove sediments as persistent sinks for land-based plastic pollution. Index Terms—Microplastics, mangrove sediments, coastal ecosystem health, density separation, Python-Orange, spatial distribution, bio-adhesive extraction, environmental monitoring