Abundance, Distribution, and Characterization of Microplastics on Two Recreational Beaches in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia

Currently, there is a lack of assessment of the level of microplastics (MPs) pollution on recreational beaches around the world. Therefore, this study was conducted to determine the current state of MP pollution on two popular recreational beaches of Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, namely, (1) Tanjung Aru Beach and (2) UMS ODEC (Outdoor Development Center) beach. MPs from the sediments were extracted using the density separation method and analyzed through a stereoscopic microscope. The overall MPs abundance, weight, size, colors, and polymer types were recorded. Tanjung Aru beach recovered higher numbers of MPs particles for all stations, with 857 MPs/kg dry sediment with a total mass concentration of 57.72 g/kg, while UMS ODEC recorded 160 MPs/kg particles with a total mass concentration of 17.96 g/kg. The maximum MPs abundance was observed in the size of <1 mm with a high proportion of white/transparent coloring. Micro Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed that polypropylene (PP:60%) and polyethylene (PE:43%) were the two most common plastic polymers found on both beaches, followed by polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and the least common was polystyrene (PS). Metals (arsenic, chromium, copper, and nickel) were found within the MPs collected. The present study demonstrated an alarming quantity of MPs on two recreational beaches in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia. However, information concerning the primary sources, local dynamics, and repercussions of MPs in this location is still limited; thus, further research is required.