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Assessment of microplastic abundance and anthropogenic contaminations of spring water in Merapi Volcano’s spring belt
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Researchers testing seven natural springs near Indonesia's Merapi volcano found tiny plastic particles (mostly fibers) in every single water sample, likely coming from nearby recreation areas and everyday human activity. This matters because these springs are used by local communities for drinking, farming, and fishing, showing that even remote, natural water sources aren't safe from plastic pollution, and more research is still needed to understand what swallowing these microplastics over time might do to our health.
Springs are important freshwater supplies for communities, however, the spring water quality is increasingly threatened by growing anthropogenic pressures.Many springs in the Merapi spring belt are primarily allocated as recreation spots, although a number of them remain utilized by local communities for freshwater fisheries, irrigation, and even drinking purposes.This study assessed the physicochemical characteristics (pH, TDS, EC, nitrate, DO, COD, and Fe) and microplastic contamination of seven volcanic springs in Klaten Regency, Indonesia.Microplastics were identified using the NOAA microscopic method and quantified through abundance and pollution load index (PLI), while water quality data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and hierarchical cluster analysis.Most parameters complied with WHO guidelines and Indonesia's Water Quality Standards (Government Regulation No. 22 of 2021, Class I).However, elevated pH and nitrate concentrations in several springs (e.g., Jolotundo, Pelem, and Duda) indicate anthropogenic influence.Cluster analysis grouped these springs into three categories, where Tirto Mulyono and Brondong had the closest similarities in water quality due to natural conditions and human activities.Microplastics were present in all samples (n = 217 particles) with a mean abundance of 332.42 particles/L, predominantly fibers (71.89%), films, and fragments occurring in smaller proportions.Particle sizes ranged from 0.1 to 3 mm and 0.05 to 3 mm, respectively.Principal component analysis suggests that contamination is linked to localized human activities such as recreation and domestic use.CF values (1-3) and PLI (>1) indicate moderate contamination.These findings highlight the vulnerability of volcanic spring systems to microplastic and nutrient pollution, emphasizing the need for improved management, source separation, and infrastructure development.
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Researchers sampled six natural springs in Batu City, Indonesia, and detected microplastics in all of them at concentrations of 208–354 particles per cubic meter, even though the water otherwise met drinking water quality standards. The most common plastic types found were nylon, LDPE, PET, and PVC, suggesting that microplastic contamination reaches even groundwater-fed spring sources.
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Scientists found tiny plastic particles (microplastics) scattered throughout Indonesia's Lake Toba, a massive volcanic lake surrounded by communities that rely on it for water and food. The most common plastic type came from everyday packaging and clothing fibers, showing that even remote, scenic lakes aren't safe from human-generated plastic pollution. Since people in the area drink this water and eat fish from the lake, these findings raise concerns about microplastics potentially making their way into our bodies—though more research is needed to understand the exact health effects.
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Scientists tested river water in Central Kalimantan (Indonesia) that local communities rely on for drinking, fishing, and transportation, and found tiny plastic particles, mostly microscopic fibers, at every single location they checked. The amount of plastic varied depending on nearby human activity rather than simply increasing downstream, showing that pollution sources close to home matter most. This matters because many people depend on this river for daily life, and understanding where microplastics come from is the first step toward reducing our exposure to them through drinking water and food.
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