We can't find the internet
Attempting to reconnect
Something went wrong!
Hang in there while we get back on track
Occurrence of Macro- and Micro-Plastics on Pasir Pandak Beach, Sarawak, Malaysia
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers documented the presence of both macro- and microplastics on Pasir Pandak Beach in Sarawak, Malaysia, finding microplastics more abundant than macroplastics, with fibers and fragments dominating and HDPE, polyester, polypropylene, and polystyrene as the primary polymer types identified.
Highlight Research The present of microplastics is more than macroplastics on the Pasir Pandak Beach The existence of huge amount of smaller microplastics (<0.50 mm) were observed on this beach sediment Types of macroplastics found are fragment, foam, and fiber; while microplastics are fiber, filament, fragment, and foam The main polymers found are HDPE, PES, PP, and PS Clean Coast Index indicated Pasir Pandak Beach as an extremely dirty beach Abstract Pasir Pandak Beach is close to human settlements, resorts, and food stalls. It becomes a place for gathering of beachgoers especially during weekend. As a result, the beach became polluted with rubbish, particularly plastics (e.g., macro- and micro-plastics). Hence, this study was done to determine the occurrence of macro- and micro-plastics on the Pasir Pandak Beach, Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia. Transect quadrat was used during the samples collection on the beach. The samples were then undergone the wet peroxide oxidation, filtering and classifying under dissecting microscope. Macroplastics were isolated for ATR-FTIR and SEM analyses, while microplastics were separated according to their sizes, colors, and types. Approximately 101.70 items/m2 of macro-plastics and 1084 items/m2 of micro-plastics were found in this study. Clean Coast Index (CCI) was also estimated and the calculated CCI value obtained was >20, which indicated as extremely dirty beach. Fragments of carpet/canvas/mat and hardware crate/item were the most abundance macroplastics found, followed by plastic ropes/fishing lines and bottle caps. HDPE, PES, PP, and PS were the main identified polymers. Fibers, filaments, fragments, and foams were identified for micro- and macro-plastics. Microplastics with smaller sizes of 0.25-0.50 mm were available abundantly and they comprise 63.47 % of the total microplastics found. Clear/white, black, and blue were the main colors for microplastics. SEM images presented that those adhering particles, grooves, pits, fractures, and flakes were the common patterns of degradation. No relationship was apparent between macro- and micro-plastics at each station. The abundance of macro- and micro-plastics showed that they were mainly controlled by the land-based input. As Pasir Pandak beach is busy with local communities and beachgoers, the presence of macro- and micro-plastics on the beach posing a severe threat for marine environment, thus further studies on the behavior of this emerging pollutant from beach to the seas are necessary.
More Papers Like This
Spatial Distribution of Microplastics Abundance Along Selected Beaches in Kelantan, Malaysia
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed ten beaches along the Kelantan coast in Malaysia and found over 1,600 microplastic particles, averaging about 5.4 pieces per gram of sediment, with fragments being the most common type. PVC, polypropylene, and polystyrene were the dominant polymer types, and intertidal zones were the most heavily contaminated areas. The study provides important baseline data on microplastic pollution patterns along these Malaysian coastlines, which can help guide future cleanup and prevention efforts.
Marine Macro- and Micro Plastic Litter on Beach Sediment of Northern Peninsular Malaysia
AI summary Read the abstract
A survey of beaches on Malaysia's northern Peninsular coast found abundant macro- and microplastic litter in sediments, with a correlation between the amount of macroplastic debris and microplastic concentration in the same area. The findings suggest that reducing visible plastic litter on beaches would also reduce the microplastic load accumulating in coastal sediments, where it can persist and affect marine organisms for decades.
Abundance and Distribution of Macro- and Mesoplastic Debris on Selected Beaches in the Northern Strait of Malacca
AI summary Read the abstract
Macro- and mesoplastic debris surveys at four beaches in the northern Strait of Malacca, Malaysia, found concentrations up to 9.77 g per square meter of macroplastics, dominated by packaging materials, with even a Marine Protected Area site showing significant plastic accumulation.
Types and abundance of macro- and micro-marine debris at Sebatik Island, Tawau, Sabah
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers surveyed macro- and micro-marine debris on beaches of Sebatik Island in Sabah, Malaysia, finding significant accumulation of plastic litter that reflects the broader marine debris problem affecting Southeast Asian coastal environments.
Identification, Abundance, and Chemical Characterization of Macro-, Meso-, and Microplastics in the Intertidal Zone Sediments of Two Selected Beaches in Sabah, Malaysia
AI summary Read the abstract
Researchers identified and characterized macro-, meso-, and microplastics in intertidal sediments of two beaches in Sabah, Malaysia, finding significant plastic contamination with heavy metal associations that pose potential ecological risks to coastal environments.
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.