Microplastics on beach sand from two different coastal environments in Bachok, Kelantan

Microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a major source of worry across the world. The sandy beach is a subtle environment that requires particular attention in regard to microplastic pollution, since it is a hotspot for the accumulation of significant amounts of plastic debris. Notably, our current knowledge of the distribution of MP on beaches and the magnitude of pollution is insufficient. Hence , the purpose of this research is to determine the presence of microplastics in two different coastal environments in coast of Bachok, Kelantan. The comparison of plastic trash abundance between a recreational beach and a fishing beach was carried out for the aim of this research since the two beach types indicate different activities that produce plastic debris. The features of microplastics and the types of polymers were identified using density separation, microscopic examination, and FTIR analysis. Microplastics (1-5 mm) of various chemical composition and form were discovered to be widely dispersed in the sand. In most of the samples, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis revealed that Polyethylene (PE), Low Density Polyethylene (LDPE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS), and Nylon were the dominant types of microplastics polymer. The microplastics morphologies identified on both beaches were fragment, film, foam, and fiber/line, with fragments contributing the most of the other types of shapes. Overall, the amount of microplastics on Pantai Irama was higher than on Pantai Perupok, but no significant difference (p > 0.05) was found between the two beaches. The recent findings indicated the current state of microplastic contamination on Bachok sandy beaches; nevertheless, further study is required to have a better understanding of the sources and impacts of microplastics on Bachok sandy beaches.