Exploring marine surface microplastic around Pasaran Island, Lampung Province

Abstract Microplastics have been challenging issues as an emerging pollutant in the marine environment. The objective aims to assess the surface microplastic abundance and morphology around Pasaran Island, Lampung Province. Sampling was done by using plankton net in four sampling stations, which were selected purposively and sampled using the composite method in the morning and evening. The microplastics would be analyzed by visual inspection for the morphology (shape, size, and colors) and polymers. The microplastic abundance around Pasar Island was identified as 67,25±24.8 items/L. The highest finding was located in the fourth station, which was the nearest area of fishing activities. However, there was no significant difference spatially and temporally. The dominant size distribution was 401-1000 (40%) mm, while blue (33%) and black (28%) were the most commonly found colors. The microplastic shape was observed in fiber (72%), followed by fragment (20%). The Raman test was done to identify its polymer, using a blue fragment sample detected as polypropylene.