We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic pollution in the surface waters, sediments, and wild crabs of mangrove ecosystems of East Java, Indonesia
Summary
Researchers surveyed microplastic contamination across ten mangrove ecosystems in East Java, Indonesia, finding microplastics in surface water, sediment, and wild crabs — with each crab containing an average of 48 plastic particles in its gills and digestive tract, more than 60% of which were fibers. The strong correlation between sediment contamination and microplastics found inside the crabs points to a pathway through which plastics enter the marine food web.
East Java's mangrove ecosystems are exceptionally susceptible to contamination by anthropogenic activities and degradable marine debris, including plastic. This study aimed to investigate the shapes and distribution of microplastics (MPs) in sediment, water, and wild crabs, as well as the correlation. Wild crabs, sediment, and water originated from ten distinct mangrove ecosystems dispersed throughout northern and southern East Java. The MPs were extracted using digestion and density separation methods. The research identified six discrete shapes of MPs in sediment and water: fiber, fragment, foam, film, pellet, and microbead. The identified MPs were distributed in varying concentrations across various sites. Fibers were prevalent in the majority of water, ranging from 2.5 to 24.90 particles.L-1, with the exception of Gedangan (GD) and Dubibir (DB), whose proportion was relatively low. For the sediments, the seven sites contained a greater proportion of fragments ranging from 1.53 to 1.69 particles.g-1 dw as compared to surface waters. Additionally, each wild crab contained 48 particles identified in the gills and digestive tracts (GIT). Fiber constituted more than 60% of the total MPs, making it the most prevalent shape in the wild crabs. However, this variety was not preferred. Correlation analysis revealed connections between MPs found in sediment and their presence in crab gills and GIT (p < 0.01). This highlights the potential hazards of biomagnification in East Java’s mangrove ecosystems. Factor analysis revealed the influential factors that contribute to pollution in the marine protected areas, emphasizing the intricate nature of coastal contamination. This work enhances comprehension of the distribution and consequences of MPs in mangrove ecosystems, underscoring the necessity for comprehensive efforts to mitigate their effects.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Characterisation of microplastics in an isolated mangrove island using multiple ecosystem components including brachyuran crabs
Researchers conducted a holistic survey of microplastics across multiple ecosystem components of an isolated mangrove island on the southwest coast of India -- including water, sediment, leaves, stilt roots, fallen leaves, and three brachyuran crab species -- finding MPs in water at 5.42 particles/L, sediment at 400 particles/kg, and in crab gastrointestinal tracts, with fibers dominating all components.
Microplastic Abundance in Edible Crabs and Gastropods on the Blanakan Coast
Researchers sampled water, sediment, crabs, and gastropods along the Blanakan coast of Indonesia and detected microplastics in all sample types, with fragments, films, fibers, and pellets all present — suggesting widespread contamination that poses a food safety concern for local seafood consumed by humans.
Revealing Microplastic Contamination in Mangrove Sediments from Setiu Wetlands, Malaysia
Researchers found 2,292 microplastic particles per kilogram of sediment in the mangrove wetlands of Setiu, Malaysia, with over 80% being tiny fibers likely from fishing gear and packaging. Areas near aquaculture operations had the highest contamination levels, and the microplastic surfaces showed signs of environmental degradation that could make them more toxic. Mangrove ecosystems act as natural traps for microplastics, concentrating pollution in habitats that are vital for fisheries and coastal protection.
Microplastics Characteristics in Water and Sediment From Three Ecosystems on Sari Ringgung Beach, Pesawaran Regency, Lampung Province
Researchers sampled water and sediment across mangrove, seagrass, and coral reef ecosystems at an Indonesian beach, finding microplastic contamination in all three habitats with the mangrove ecosystem showing the highest concentrations — up to 467 particles per kilogram of sediment. Fibers, films, and fragments smaller than 1 mm were the most common forms found, highlighting widespread microplastic pollution across multiple coastal ecosystem types.
Kandungan Mikroplastik pada Rajungan (Portunus pelagicus), Air Laut, dan Sedimen Di Perairan Desa Gugunung Wetan Kabupaten Rembang, Jawa Tengah
This Indonesian study measured microplastic concentrations in blue swimming crabs, seawater, and sediment from coastal waters in Central Java. The detection of microplastics in both the environment and in a commercially important crab species raises food safety concerns for communities that consume these crabs regularly.