We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic pollution profile in the Indian Ocean of the Southern Java Island, Indonesia
Summary
A survey of 17 sites along the southern coast of Java Island found microplastics throughout beach sand, seawater, and seabed sediment, with fragments and fibers being most common and black and transparent particles dominating. The study identifies wide spatial variation across Indonesia's most populous island, providing baseline data to support the country's national marine debris strategy targeting 2025.
The emergence and proliferation of vast quantities of microplastics (MPs) in the marine environment has sparked significant scientific concern. However, there is scant evidence on the pollution profile of MPs in Indonesia. In this study, the MP profile combining land source-based data of the southern Java Island was studied. Seventeen sampling points across West Java, Central Java, and East Java provinces were studied. The abundance of MPs in sand, water, and sediment were in the range of 177-805 particles/m2, 75-1013 particles, and 124-961 particles/100 g, respectively. The color, shape, and physicochemical properties of the collected samples were characterized using a photomicroscope, attenuated total reflectance-Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and a scanning electron microscope, respectively. From the study, it was found that the most abundant MP category was fragments, followed by fiber, film, foam, and pellet. The most common MP colors observed in the three provinces were black (64%), transparent (55.74%), and red (34.27%). Fifteen types of MP were identified, with Tencel, Bemberg, tetrafluoroethylene-hexafluoropropylene, and polytetrafluoroethylene contributing more than 75% of the chemical composition. The spatial variation of detected MPs for all three provinces is quite significant, which can serve as a foundation for developing successful national marine pollution management policies, as outlined in Indonesia's National Strategy for Combating Marine Debris for 2025, as well as potentially develop inventories in the marine environment.
Sign in to start a discussion.
More Papers Like This
Abundance of microplastic in sediment around the west coast of Situbondo, East Java
Microplastic abundance was surveyed in beach sediments along the west coast of Situbondo, East Java, Indonesia, finding contamination at all seven sampled beaches with patterns reflecting local plastic use, waste management, and oceanographic transport.
Microplastic Distribution in Beach Sediments: Comparison Between the North and South Waters of East Java Island, Indonesia
Researchers compared microplastic concentrations in beach sediments on the north (Java Sea) versus south (Indian Ocean) sides of eastern Java Island, Indonesia, finding higher levels on the northern beaches that are closer to major population centers and shipping lanes. Fiber shapes and blue color dominated across all sites, and concentrations ranged from about 55 to 103 particles per kilogram. The study highlights how local population density, coastal morphology, and ocean current patterns together shape where microplastics accumulate on tropical beaches.
Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastics in Coastal Sediment and Seawater Collected from Surabaya and Tulungagung
Microplastic abundance in seawater and coastal sediments from two East Java sites differed significantly — Surabaya (north coast) showed 2,100 particles/m³ in water vs. 170 particles/m³ in Tulungagung (south coast) — with fragment and fiber types dominant at both sites.
Development of Microplastic Research in Indonesia
This systematic review maps the development of microplastic research across Indonesia, documenting studies conducted on the islands of Sumatra, Java, Kalimantan, Sulawesi, and Papua. The findings reveal that microplastic contamination has been detected in Indonesian waters, sediments, and marine organisms, which is concerning given that Indonesia is one of the world's top contributors to ocean plastic pollution.
Microplastic Abundance in Sediment in Pangandaran Waters, West Java, Indonesia
This study measured microplastic abundance in sediments across Pangandaran waters, finding highest concentrations of fibers and fragments near tourism-affected coastal zones and identifying particle size (106–250 µm) as the dominant fraction retained in sediments. Oceanographic factors including waves, tides, and currents were identified as the primary mechanisms controlling microplastic distribution across the sampling sites.