We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic Pollution in Waters and Sediments in a Lentic System: A Case Study in a Tropical Wet Urban Lake of Samarinda, Indonesia
Summary
Researchers sampled water and sediment from a tropical urban lake in Samarinda, Indonesia, finding microplastic contamination at all 10 sampling sites with an average of 0.91 particles per litre in water and 375 particles per kilogram in sediment. Fibres — likely from textiles — dominated in both water and sediment, and polyethylene was the most common polymer identified. The study highlights how urban lakes in rapidly developing tropical cities are becoming significant repositories of microplastic pollution, driven by inadequate waste management infrastructure.
ABSTRACT The widespread use of plastic materials globally has sparked concerns regarding microplastic (MP) pollution, which is prevalent in water bodies worldwide and poses threats to aquatic life. Despite this, there remain uncertainties regarding the quantity, types and chemical makeup of MP, particularly in tropical urban lakes. This study aimed to examine the presence, distribution, types and chemical composition of MP in both the surface water and sediment of Air Hitam Lake, located in Samarinda City, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Field sampling was conducted in February 2023 at 10 sites within the lake. The average concentration of MP in water was measured at 0.91 particles per litre, while sediment concentrations reached 375 particles per kilogram of dried sediment. Higher concentrations were observed near the lake inlet. Fibres were the most commonly observed type of MP in both surface water (79%) and sediment (76%) samples, followed by fragments and films. There was no significant correlation between MP concentrations in water and sediment. Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) analysis revealed the presence of polyester, polypropylene, nylon fibres, polyethylene, polystyrene polyvinylchloride in the samples, with polyethylene being the predominant compound, accounting for 46% of all surface water and sediment samples. The presence of MP derived from the degradation of larger plastic debris originating from visitors and the local community who dispose of plastic trash improperly highlights the importance of implementing effective plastic waste management strategies in communities surrounding the lake. This is crucial for preserving the ecosystem benefits provided by the lake. This study contributes to addressing knowledge gaps regarding MP pollution in tropical urban lakes and lays the groundwork for further research into inland freshwater environments.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Microplastic pollution in sediments of tropical shallow lakes
Researchers found microplastics in all sediment samples from 48 tropical shallow lakes across a climatic gradient, with fibres dominating over fragments and polyester being the most common polymer, indicating widespread plastic contamination even in inland freshwater ecosystems.
Microplastic Contamination in Water and Sediment at Maninjau Lake, Indonesia
Researchers quantified microplastic contamination in surface water and sediment across 10 locations in Maninjau Lake, Indonesia, finding abundances ranging from 65.63 to 195.31 particles/m3 in water and 199.52 to 7,000 particles/kg dry weight in sediment. Fiber, film, fragment, and granule shapes were identified, highlighting contamination risks to a lake critical for water supply, hydroelectric energy, and aquaculture.
Assessment of microplastic on tropical tidal lake waters in Medan (study cases-Siombak lake)
Researchers assessed microplastic pollution in Siombak Lake, a tropical tidal lake in Medan, Indonesia, sampling water and sediments and characterising particles by Raman spectroscopy and microscopy. They found concentrations of 91-126 particles per 100 mL of water and 262-398 particles per gram of dry sediment, dominated by fragment shapes and composed primarily of polyethylene, polypropylene, and polystyrene, with a strong correlation between water and sediment concentrations.
Presence of microplastics in surface waters and sediments of urban tropical river: A case study in the Karang Mumus River along Samarinda City, Indonesia
Researchers found microplastics in every water and sediment sample collected from an urban tropical river in Samarinda, Indonesia, with polyethylene being the most common plastic type and films being the most frequent shape. This first study of the river provides a baseline for understanding microplastic pollution in under-studied tropical urban waterways in Southeast Asia.
The occurrence of microplastics in the surface water of several urban lakes in the Megacity of Jakarta
Six urban lakes in the Jakarta metropolitan area were all found to contain microplastics in their surface water, with the most downstream lakes closest to Jakarta Bay showing the heaviest contamination. The study highlights how plastic waste flowing through populated urban watersheds accumulates in lakes before eventually reaching the ocean. Dense urban areas with poor waste management are key hotspots for freshwater microplastic pollution.