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Abundance and Distribution of Microplastics in the Water and Riverbank Sediment in Malaysia – A Review
Summary
Microplastic abundance and distribution were surveyed in the water column and riverbank sediments of a Malaysian river. Results showed microplastics throughout the river system, with fiber shapes dominating in water and fragments more common in sediments, reflecting contributions from domestic wastewater and plastic litter.
One of the major global environmental issues often discussed and brought up by many governments in the world today is microplastic pollution. Microplastic pollution causes severe harm to biodiversity, especially aquatic organisms. In Malaysia, an estimate of 0.94 million tons of mishandled plastic wastes is generated daily. A total of 0.14 to 0.37 million tons of these plastic wastes are washed into the oceans, causing severe pollution to the aquatic life. Notable effects of microplastic pollution towards the aquatic organisms are deterioration of health, blockage of the digestive tract, the intoxication of the aquatic organisms, etc. Hence, this review will discuss the microplastic sources and prevalence, fate, and transport of microplastics, methods to access microplastics, and the impacts of microplastics. Given that research regarding the area of microplastics is still scarce in Malaysia this review will help to give some insight regarding the current situation and issue of microplastic pollution globally and in Malaysia. The review mainly focuses on microplastic abundance and distribution within the freshwater system and the sediments within it.
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