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Spatial Distribution of Microplastic Abundance and Characteristics in the Surface Water of the Kahayan River, Central Kalimantan
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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.
Microplastic contamination in freshwater ecosystems has become a growing environmental concern due to its adverse effects on aquatic ecosystems and human health. The Kahayan River, one of the major rivers in Central Kalimantan, is widely used for water supply, transportation, and fisheries. However, information on the spatial distribution and physical characteristics of microplastics in its urban section remains limited. This study aimed to analyze differences in microplastic abundance among sampling stations and characterize the shape, size, and color of microplastics in the river's surface water. An observational biomonitoring study was conducted at four sampling stations representing different anthropogenic activities. Surface water samples were collected using a plankton net and visually identified under a stereomicroscope. Microplastic abundance among stations was analyzed using Welch's ANOVA, followed by the Games–Howell post hoc test (α = 0.05). Microplastics were detected at all stations, with abundances ranging from 5.80 ± 0.92 to 10.33 ± 1.97 particles/L. Welch's ANOVA revealed significant differences among stations (p = 0.035), while the Games–Howell test identified a significant difference only between Stations T1 and T3 (p = 0.018). Microplastics were predominantly fibers (71.31%), with sizes of 0.501–1.000 mm (35.86%) and transparent particles (51.00%). Their distribution varied among sampling stations rather than following a linear upstream-to-downstream pattern. Microplastic distribution in the Kahayan River is influenced by local environmental conditions at each sampling station. These findings provide baseline information to support microplastic monitoring and freshwater pollution management in the Kahayan River.
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