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The relevance of microplastics (MPs) abundance and trace metal Pb at the estuaries of ECF and Babon River, Semarang, Indonesia
Summary
A study at two river estuaries in Semarang, Indonesia found both microplastics and the heavy metal lead present in the water, and identified a positive correlation between their concentrations — meaning microplastics in these systems are likely carrying lead and potentially amplifying its spread through the environment. This highlights the compounding hazard of microplastics acting as vectors for toxic metals in waterways used by local communities.
The rivers play an important role in our lives. In Tambaklorok, Semarang, Indonesia, there are two estuaries, namely ECF (East Canal Flood) and Babon. These estuaries are unfortunately polluted by heavy metals and microplastics (MPs). The MPs have become a serious environmental problem, primarily because of their propensity to degrade into smaller particles that are challenging to decompose. This research was conducted in July, August, and September 2022 using random sampling at six sampling points in each estuaries. This research aims to analyze: a) the correlation of the heavy metal lead (Pb) with MPs in water and sediments in the estuaries of ECF and Babon River, b) the differences between dissolved Pb and Pb on MPs in sediments and waters in the estuaries of ECF and Babon River. It was found that MPs abundance in waters was affected by three variables with a total percentage of 70.27%. The greatest variables included temperature, salinity, Pbin sed, and SizeBa in sw. The type of MPs in sediments found in the estuary of ECF was predominantly fibers, in red and blue colors, while in the estuary of Babon, it was predominantly in the form of films, in yellow color.