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Characterisation and abundance of microplastic pollution in sediments of Banten Bay, Indonesia
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Scientists found tiny plastic particles (mostly small fragments and fibers made of common plastics like polypropylene and polyethylene) buried in the seafloor sediment of Banten Bay, Indonesia, likely from nearby industrial and residential growth. This matters because these coastal waters are used for fishing, and microplastics in sediment can work their way up the food chain into the seafood people eat, though this study didn't directly test human health effects.
The coastal waters of Banten are experiencing rapid ecosystem changes due to massive expansion in residential, industrial, and commercial sectors in the area. Banten Bay, as a semi-enclosed water, is characterised by shallow depths and sandy-muddy substrates. Microplastics have become serious pollutant worldwide, including in the coastal waters of Banten, with the main source of increasing plastic waste accumulattion. This study aims oo determinethe characteristics of the shape, size and colour of microplastics identified in sediment and determine the types of microplastics polymers in sediment in Banten Bay, Indonesia. This study successfully revealed that microplastics were detected at all sampling points. In July and August, microplastic abundance was measured at 346 ± 144.24 particles/kg dry weight and 182 ± 82.97 particles/kg dry weight, with medians and standard errors of 290 ± 45.61 and 160 ± 26.24 particles/kg dry weight, respectively. Fragments and fibres are type of microplastics found in sediments iin Banten Bay, with the majority of microplastics measuring <300 μm and frequently exhibiting black, blue, and red in colours. Analysis by Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy indicated that polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) were the most commonly identified polymers.
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Types and Abundance of Microplastics in Seawater and Sediment at Padang Beach Tourism Area, West Sumatra, Indonesia
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Scientists tested the water and sand at a popular Indonesian beach and found tiny plastic particles, called microplastics, almost everywhere, from crowded tourist spots to quieter areas. These plastic bits, made from materials like polyester and polystyrene, come in many shapes, sizes, and colors, showing just how widespread plastic pollution has become even in places people swim and relax. While this study didn't test direct health effects, it's a reminder that the microplastics we're exposed to at the beach, and that end up in seafood, are a growing part of daily life worth paying attention to.
Assessment of spatial distribution, sources, and ecological risks of microplastics in the estuarine and coastal regions of the northern Bay of Bengal
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Surveys of the northeastern Bay of Bengal found surface water MP concentrations up to 1,640 items/m³ in the Karnaphuli estuary, dominated by fiber-shaped polypropylene particles, with pollution risk indices ranging from medium to very high across estuarine and coastal zones. The high MP burden in this densely populated coastal region poses serious risks to marine biodiversity, local fisheries, and the millions of people who depend on Bay of Bengal seafood as a dietary staple.
Research Progress on Sources and EcologicalEffects of Microplastics in Sediments
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This review synthesizes research on the sources and ecological effects of microplastics in sediments, tracing transport pathways from terrestrial runoff through freshwater systems to marine sediment sinks and documenting impacts on benthic organisms and ecosystem function. Sediments serve as long-term reservoirs of microplastic pollution, making sediment ecology a critical lens for understanding cumulative environmental burden and food chain exposure risks posed by plastic debris.
Characterisation and distribution of microplastics in the inner shelf sediments of the southeast coast of India, Bay of Bengal
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Researchers sampled seafloor sediments along India's southeast coast in the Bay of Bengal and found widespread microplastic contamination, documenting the types, shapes, and chemical makeup of the particles. The findings reveal how plastic pollution is building up in coastal marine sediments that support fisheries and local food supplies.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.