We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Microplastic Distribution in Beach Sediments: Comparison Between the North and South Waters of East Java Island, Indonesia
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Highlight Research This is the first study of microplastics in four beach sediments in the east part of Java Island. Bahak and Pesona Beach are connected to Java Sea (north part), while Tambak Rejo and Balekambang Beach are connected to Indian Ocean (south part). A higher microplastics were observed on the beaches of the north part compared to the south part. Local sources and oceanographic parameters of the beaches influence the presence of microplastics in the study areas. Abstract Microplastic pollution in beach sediments has been studied intensively worldwide, but there are limited studies in the beach areas of the eastern Java Island, Indonesia. This study aimed to identify the distribution of microplastic in four beaches in Indonesia: Bahak, Pesona, Tambakrejo, and Balekambang. The first two beaches are located in the north of Java Island and influenced by the east Java Sea, while the last two are located in the south and influenced by the Indian Ocean. Sediment samples were collected along the strandline inside the 1 × 1 m transect quadrate in the top 5 cm using a stainless-steel shovel. Microplastic and granulometry analyses were conducted to obtain microplastic and sediment grain size data, respectively. Physical parameters of the beaches, such as wind, wave, and ocean current, were calculated using Copernicus and NASA (PODAAC), respectively. The total abundance of microplastic ranged from 54.7 ± 48.6 to 103.3 ± 4.7 particles kg-1 with the following descending order: Bahak > Pesona > Tambakrejo > Balekambang. Although there was no statistically significant difference in microplastic concentrations among the beaches, the beaches connected to the Java Sea accumulated more microplastics than the ones connected to the Indian Ocean. Fiber and blue were the dominating type and colors of microplastic. The results confirm that the distribution of microplastic is associated with the morphology of the beaches and the local source.
More Papers Like This
Abundance of microplastic in sediment around the west coast of Situbondo, East Java
AI summary Read the abstract
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 Abundance in Sediment in Pangandaran Waters, West Java, Indonesia
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers measured microplastic abundance in sediments at multiple stations in Pangandaran waters, West Java, Indonesia, finding the highest counts at station 2 (12,622 particles, mostly fibers and fragments) and the lowest at station 4 (1,809 particles). The study identifies oceanographic factors — currents, waves, and tides — as key drivers of microplastic movement and accumulation patterns in coastal Indonesian waters.
Abundance and Characteristics of Microplastics in Coastal Sediment and Seawater Collected from Surabaya and Tulungagung
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Microplastic Abundance in Sediment in Pangandaran Waters, West Java, Indonesia
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Microplastic pollution profile in the Indian Ocean of the Southern Java Island, Indonesia
AI summary Read the abstract
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.
Research digests by email
When a large batch of papers lands in the Atlas, we read through it and send a short write-up of what stood out.