Sustainable Microplastic Filter Development for River Conservation: A Case Study in Yogyakarta

Indonesia, a maritime nation with 70% of its territory comprised of water, faces significant environmental challenges due to population growth and human activities. Plastic waste, particularly microplastics, poses a critical threat to aquatic ecosystems and human health. This study aims to develop innovative water filtration technology to address microplastic contamination, employing a research and development (RnD) approach to create and evaluate the effectiveness of the product. The research focuses on developing advanced filtration systems to mitigate microplastic contamination in the rivers of Yogyakarta. The filter design is inspired by the structure of baleen whales, combining Rapid Sand Filtration (RSF) and Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) methods with a backwash system. The study was conducted on four major rivers, such as Code, Gajahwong, Manunggal, and Winongo, where the average microplastic density reached 18,400 particles/m3. Results indicate that the filtration system effectively reduced microplastic contamination by 75.4% with backwashing and by 71.7% without it. Notably, the Code River exhibited the highest reduction at 88.5% with backwashing. Additionally, the system improved water clarity and eliminated odors. This approach presents a promising solution for enhancing river water quality and safeguarding public health.